Episodes

In this heartfelt episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This, host Angela Vanderpool shares a gentle and honest conversation about staying present when life feels uncertain. Sponsored by Dharma Healthcare Management, this episode speaks to adult children, family caregivers, and anyone supporting an aging loved one through hard seasons. When caregiving feels heavy, it can be easy to worry about what comes next. Angela reminds us that sometimes the most loving thing we can do is pause, breath...

In this solo episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This, host Angela Vanderpool of Dharma Healthcare Management walks you through the big questions families should ask when exploring senior living. Choosing senior living can feel overwhelming. There are so many choices, emotions, and “Wait… are we supposed to know this already?” moments. In this episode, Angela helps make the process easier by sharing the questions that matter most before making a decision. You’ll learn what to ask about c...

In this solo episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This, host Angela Vanderpool shares what families really need to know when choosing a senior living community. Picking a place for your mom, dad, or loved one can feel big, scary, and full of “Wait…what does that even mean?” moments. Angela breaks it down in a calm, simple, and caring way so families can feel more prepared and less overwhelmed. This episode explores what truly matters beyond the pretty lobby and fresh cookies. 🍪 You’ll lea...

In this episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This, host Angela Vanderpool takes on a question so many families wrestle with: How do you know when it is finally time for senior living? 💛 This is one of those decisions that rarely feels easy. Families often wait, hope things will improve, or tell themselves it is “not time yet.” But sometimes waiting too long can make an already emotional situation even harder. In this heartfelt episode, Angela talks about why families delay the move, the wa...

What happens when senior living becomes more than care — and starts feeling like community? In this heartfelt episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This, host Angela Vanderpool explores the powerful role social connection plays in senior living. From easing loneliness to building new friendships and creating a sense of purpose, this episode looks at how the right environment can help older adults feel seen, supported, and truly connected again. Angela shares insight from her years in senio...

In this powerful solo episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This, host Angela Vanderpool dives into a topic that affects every family navigating aging: dining. But this isn’t just about food — it’s about dignity, independence, health, and meaningful connection. 💛 Angela, VP of Operations at Dharma Healthcare Management with over 17 years of experience in senior living, shares how something as simple as a shared meal can transform quality of life for aging parents. From improved nutrition an...

What happens when the house gets quieter… and the days feel longer? In Episode 17, host Angela Vanderpool opens up an honest and much-needed conversation about loneliness and isolation as we age — something many families notice but don’t always know how to talk about. As the host of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This, Angela draws from over 17 years in senior living and her personal caregiving journey to explore why connection is more than just “nice to have” — it’s essential to emotional, me...

The holidays have a way of slowing us down—and sometimes, opening our eyes. 👀❤️ In this heartfelt episode, host Angela Vanderpool reflects on how holiday gatherings often shine a light on changes we may have been avoiding or didn’t notice before. From mom repeating the same story, to dad seeming more tired than usual, to the quiet realization that “something feels different,” the holidays can be a powerful wake-up call. Angela gently walks listeners through: ✨ Why the holidays bring clarity ar...

In this heartfelt and reflective final episode of 2025, host Angela Vanderpool of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared for This sits down—solo—to talk honestly about something we all feel but rarely say out loud: sometimes the holidays just… don’t feel magical. And that’s okay. When you’re caring for an aging parent, juggling changing traditions, or coping with loss, the holiday season can feel less like a Hallmark movie and more like an emotional obstacle course. Angela invites you into a warm, honest ...

In this episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared for This, we explore one of life’s most challenging transitions — when health changes. Whether it’s a diagnosis, a sudden fall, or the gradual shift that comes with aging, these moments often bring grief, fear, and questions about independence and identity. Angela opens up an honest conversation about what it means to lose pieces of the life we’ve known — and how families can find their way through it with empathy and understanding. We talk about re...

In this heartfelt solo episode, host Angela Vanderpool—Senior Living expert and Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialist—takes on one of the most misunderstood topics in caregiving and life: grief. We've all heard about the “5 Stages of Grief,” but are they really stages... or something more complex? Angela breaks down where this concept came from, what it actually means, and why it’s time we shift the way we talk about grief—especially when caring for an aging parent or coping with major l...

In this eye-opening solo episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This, host Angela Vanderpool—Senior Living expert and Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialist—dives deep into a life-changing topic: The Grief Recovery Program. Have you ever felt stuck in your grief or unsure how to help a parent or loved one cope with theirs? You’re not alone. Grief is often misunderstood, minimized, or completely avoided—especially when caring for aging parents or managing life’s biggest transitions. An...

Series: When Life Changes Life is full of moments that shift our world — some expected, others that take us by surprise. When Life Changes is a compassionate new mini-series exploring the many facets of grief, loss, and transition. Together, we’ll talk about what happens when life doesn’t go as planned, how we can support ourselves and others, and the ways healing and hope can grow in unexpected places. In this first episode of the series, host Angela Vanderpool gently opens the door to a topi...

In this episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared for This, host Angela Vanderpool welcomes Twin Creeks Retirement and Cottages, a vibrant retirement community located in Central Point, Oregon. Twin Creeks is known for its welcoming spirit, spacious cottages and apartments, and a lifestyle built on connection, wellness, and joy. From chef-prepared gourmet meals to an incredible lineup of activities like fitness classes, social events, gardening, and even shuffleboard, Twin Creeks is more than a plac...

In this heartfelt episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared for This, host Angela Vanderpool sits down with Kim Stokes, General Manager, and Kimberly Richards, Marketing Director of Terpening Terrace. Together, they share how their senior living community creates an atmosphere that truly feels like home—where residents are known, valued, and celebrated every single day. From personalized care to activities that spark joy, Kim and Kimberly offer a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Terpening Terra...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Angela Vanderpool sits down with Carrie Kasch, General Manager, and Shannon Bennett, Assistant Manager, of Whispering Winds Retirement to explore what truly makes a senior community feel like home. With nearly 20 years at Whispering Winds, Carrie Kasch leads with heart, honoring the deep sense of family between residents, loved ones, and staff. Her long-standing dedication offers a rare window into what consistency, compassion, and connection can mean i...

In this deeply heartfelt episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared for This, host Angela Vanderpool sits down with Charmagne Blackaby and James Denner of Fountain Plaza—a senior living community that has quietly and powerfully shaped the lives of seniors in Southern Oregon for over 30 years. Charmagne and James share the passion and legacy behind Fountain Plaza, their commitment to dignity and compassion, and the powerful impact of their income-qualified program—a program designed to ensure that no...

In this heartfelt episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This, host Angela Vanderpool sits down with Danielle Stovall, General Manager, and Erin Osuna, Personal Care Director of Horton Plaza Retirement 🏡. Together, they share the deep sense of purpose that fuels their caregiving journey—and the powerful stories behind the legacy of Horton Plaza. From quiet moments of connection 🤝 to their unwavering commitment to dignified, joyful aging 🎉, Danielle and Erin offer a beautiful glimpse into wha...

In this heart-honest solo episode, Angela Vanderpool pulls back the curtain on a topic many try to avoid—grief. But not the kind that shows up only at funerals or after big goodbyes. We're talking about the quiet grief that creeps into birthdays, holidays, and family dinners when someone you love is no longer there—or no longer themselves. Angela shares personal insight from her 17+ years in senior living and her training as an Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialist to explore the invisib...

Welcome back to Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This , the podcast that gets real about aging, caregiving, and figuring things out when life throws you into a world you weren’t ready for. In Episode 4, host Angela Vanderpool dives into one of the biggest questions adult children face: “Where do we even start with senior living?” If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or totally lost trying to understand the different options for your aging parent—this episode is for you. Angela shares s...

In Episode 3 of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared for This , host Angela Vanderpool gets real about the conversations we often avoid—but desperately need to have—when it comes to aging parents. Whether it's about moving into assisted living, taking away the car keys, or navigating tough medical decisions, this episode tackles the uncomfortable truths with compassion, clarity, and a touch of humor. Angela shares personal insights and practical tips for how to approach these topics before a crisis hit...

In this heart-opening second episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared for This, host Angela Vanderpool invites you into a deeply personal and powerful reflection on why we choose to show up—every single day—for the ones we love. This episode is for every adult child who’s ever had a moment of doubt, exhaustion, or even guilt in their caregiving journey. Angela shares real-life stories, compassionate insight, and the emotional truths behind the "why" of caregiving. Whether you’re caring for a paren...

Welcome to the very first episode of Hey Mom, We Never Prepared For This! 🎉 Hosted by Angela Vanderpool, a senior living expert with over 17 years in the field and an Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, this episode lays the foundation for everything this podcast is about—supporting adult children and caregivers who find themselves suddenly navigating the world of aging parents. In this heartfelt solo episode, Angela opens up about her own caregiving journey—one that began with her ow...