Hello, and welcome to this special episode, a milestone, the 200th installment of the Caregiver Cup Podcast. I'm thrilled to share this journey with you and delve into the essence of our caregiving community.

Our story began in October 2020 as The Caregiver Wife Podcast, a personal endeavor to share the lessons learned while navigating the challenging terrain of caregiving. What started as a coping mechanism evolved into a passion project—more than just filling your cup; it's about empowerment, becoming your best self, and discovering strategies to enhance this caregiver life.

Let's take a moment to reflect on our evolution. We've been recognized, ranking 34th in FeedSpot's 80 Best Caregiver Podcasts and in the top 10% globally according to Listen Score. With 182 solo episodes and 18 guests, including spouses, siblings, authors, health professionals, activists, and working women, the podcast has become a diverse tapestry of experiences.

 Thank you for the reviews, emails, and connections. Your caregiver stories warm my heart—challenges, victories, determination, and courage. Your feedback is a ray of sunshine, reminding me of the impact our community has.

The podcast has evolved, and so have we. A couple of heartfelt reviews emphasize the podcast's impact, proving that it's not just a listening experience but a source of inspiration and support.

 Now, let's address some listener questions. Sarah, your struggle is acknowledged. Recognizing burnout is a significant step. Transform your mindset by asking why, find the root cause, and work on solutions. Small steps, like a weekly walk, can lead to significant changes.

Kaylee, your dual caregiving journey is commendable. Guilt is normal but retrain your brain. Acknowledge, find the root, and cope. Focus on the benefits of your decisions, prioritize self-care, and know you're doing your best.

Each caregiver's journey is unique. Don't compare years; focus on what works best for you....

What comes to mind when you think of a brand?   Do you think of big name companies?  Each of these companies have a strong and purposeful brand.  

• Apple is known for its innovation, simplicity and support
• The Amazon logo was created to represent the message that it sells everything from A to Z (the arrow connects the two letters) and also represents the smile that customers would experience by shopping on the Amazon.com Web site (the arrow becomes a smile) 
• Target's brand position is “design for all.” Although Target never says this directly, it communicates it consistently through its personality, which is cool, fun, trendy and fresh.

There are Three Types of Branding

• A corporation or company brand.
• A product brand.  When you think of a specific product, what comes to mind?  
• Maybe it’s coca-cola or a shoe brand or a health product

• A personal brand.

What is Your Personal Brand? Your personal brand is how you promote yourself. It is the unique combination of your skills, experience, and personality that you want the world to see you. ... You use your personal branding to differentiate yourself from other people.

You're representing your personal brand in your professional role or your business, with your family/friends  and now caregiving.    

Branding is so much more than the way you look (but that’s an important part).  It’s also your personality, delivery of your message and more.  

Today I want to talk about you, the caregiver and your caregiver / personal brand.  

When you look at yourself through the eyes of being a brand and most importantly who you are today?

• What do you see?
• What do you hear?
• How do you feel about yourself?
• Do you want to spend time with yourself?

Your personal caregiver brand is the unique combination of...