Just a gentle note before we begin: today’s conversation includes discussion of burnout, anxiety, and suicidal thinking in a non-graphic, supportive way. If you need immediate support, please reach out to your local crisis line or emergency services. This podcast is for education and support only and is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or crisis care. Crisis support links are included in the show notes.

Caregivers are taught to be the steady one — to keep going, stay functional, and be compassionate no matter how stretched they feel.

But over time, that kind of care can quietly turn into compassion fatigue: your body is tired, your emotions are thin, your patience is gone, and even small demands feel like too much. And the advice caregivers often get is either unrealistic (“just take a break”) or it piles more responsibility on you (“manage your stress better”).

Today we’re doing something different.

In this episode of Radiant Moments – Caregiver Oasis, I’m joined by Jody Brooks — coach and wellbeing consultant who helps people move from overwhelm and burnout into clarity, values alignment, and sustainable performance. Jody has lived this personally too, including seasons of severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal thinking. He speaks about it with a soft, shame-free honesty that I deeply value in this space.

Together we explore micro boundaries — small, nervous-system-safe ways to protect your wellbeing in the middle of real life — using a practical tool Jody created called OXYGEN.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why someone can look “high functioning” and still be in real danger internally
• The subtle signs of burnout and high-functioning anxiety caregivers often miss
• What compassion fatigue is (and why it’s not a personal failure)
• The nervous system + cortisol load behind chronic overwhelm
• How to create emotional boundaries without guilt
• The OXYGEN Method: a simple, fast tool you can use in the car, kitchen, waiting rooms, and hard conversations
• Self-compassion that doesn’t feel like another job
• The courage to ask for help before you collapse

Gentle listener reminder:
You don’t have to wait until you break to deserve support. One small boundary. One small pause. One moment of oxygen.

Connect with Jody Brooks:
Website: https://authenticcoaching.me/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577431237858&sk=events
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgMbKkuAqAtXkv0NTI2KcWA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_authenticcoach/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-brooks-coach/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@the_authenticcoach

Caregiver Resources (J and B Inspired):
Gratitude Journal of Light (free gift): https://jandbinspired.com/radiant-moments-gratitude-journal-of-light
90 Second Reset Program: https://jandbinspired.com/90-second-reset-program

Music by Konstantin Garbuzyuk (via Uppbeat)
#caregiving #caregiverburnout #compassionfatigue #anxiety #mentalhealth #radiantmomentspodcast

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