What happens when “showing up” stops being a slogan and becomes your daily life? We sit down with our friend Adrian to trace his path from long-distance helper to full-time care partner for his mother living with Parkinson’s—and the inner overhaul that followed. The journey begins with subtle signs many families recognize: canceled plans, quiet withdrawal, routines that don’t stick. What started as meal prep and check-ins quickly revealed a deeper need for trust, presence, and emotional steadiness.

Together we unpack the moment he chose to leave a career to be home, and why that decision felt less like duty and more like a calling. Adrian shares the assumptions that crumbled—like believing caregiving has a clear end date or that it’s mostly logistical. We talk about the emotional toll, the unpredictable nature of Parkinson’s, and the mirror care holds up to our own blind spots. Our host names the sting of compassion fatigue and the practices that build compassion resilience: seeking help, protecting rest, collaborating with professionals, nourishing the relationship, and planning ahead while staying flexible.

We also challenge gender stereotypes around who “should” care, and how family expectations can both help and harm. Adrian describes learning to set boundaries, invite his mom into community and therapy, and let go of work that isn’t his to carry. Faith shows up not as a platitude but as a daily reset—prayer, journaling, and quiet reflection that slow reactions and restore perspective. By the end, the takeaway is clear: responsibility can refine us if we commit to caring for ourselves while we care for others. If you’re navigating caregiver stress, Parkinson’s support, or the tension between love and limits, this conversation offers tools, honesty, and hope.

If this resonated, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your voice helps more caregivers find the support they need.

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Who showed up for you when they didn’t have to? We dive into what real mentorship looks like, why it’s essential—not optional—for young people, and how to close the access gap that leaves many boys of color without consistent guidance. Drawing from research and lived experience, we unpack the difference between lecturing and translating life, and why presence beats perfection every time.

We get specific about the mentor gap: nearly one in three young people in the U.S. lack a mentor outside their family, and the deficit hits Black and Latino youth hardest. We talk through what mentors actually do—listen more than talk, tell the truth with compassion, model emotional regulation, and set healthy boundaries. Then we offer five practical anchors for new mentors: lead with presence, learn before you lead, don’t rush outcomes, affirm effort over achievement, and know when to refer. These aren’t theories; they’re habits that build trust and protect both mentor and mentee.

You’ll also hear personal stories that bring the principles to life—from entrepreneurship programs and mini-bikes to outdoor adventures and spiritual formation—showing how a steady adult expands a young person’s map of possibility. We spotlight on-ramps like Big Brothers Big Sisters, My Brother’s Keeper, Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA, and local faith or school-based groups so you can plug in with confidence.

If someone poured into you, say thank you today. Then pay it forward by becoming the mentor you once needed. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who’d make a great mentor, and leave a review with your “so what” takeaway—we’d love to hear what lesson from a mentor stuck with you.

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It starts in Kansas City—with two young brothers, a bold idea, a prayer for help, and a supervisor who saw leadership and potential in two young Black men.

Her name is Lyde “Miss D” Doston. Ninety-one years young. Still ready to help others in need. In this episode, we honor her legacy of service, community leadership, and the faith that anchored her life.

She gave us one non-negotiable: stay in school.

That wasn’t just about degrees. It was about direction. That single condition anchored a path of service. What began as a job became a relationship—one that grew from employee into something more profound; it became sonship.

We invite you to listen to a conversation between two generations—reminiscing, receiving nuggets of wisdom, and offering a tribute to a dear friend who turned 91 years old on December 27, 2025.

If this episode stirred something in you, share it with the person who believed in you first. Follow the conversation. Leave a review with the best advice your mentor ever gave you.

Because your story might be the spark someone else needs to keep going.

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