In Episode 5 of Care For We, Sarah is joined once again by Dr. Cody Hollist to unpack what the data revealed before the launch of the self-compassion intervention for family caregivers. Together, they explore the data from the pre-interviews and surveys, the themes, and personal stories shared by caregivers who participated in the research project. What did caregivers tell us about stress, support, isolation, resilience, and self-compassion? What surprised the research team most? And how are these findings shaping an intervention designed not just to study caregivers, but to support them in meaningful ways? We also find out what occurred during the 6-week self-compassion and comparative support group as well. Join us as we move beyond the numbers and into the lived experiences that inspired the next phase of this work.

In Episode 2 of the Care For We Podcast, I sit down with my former graduate co-advisor, Dr. Cody Hollist, to explore why family caregivers deserve greater attention in research, policy, and practice.

Cody and I reflect on a mentoring relationship that began at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2001 when Sarah was an undergraduate student. More than twenty years later, we worked together on my dissertation and course work at UNL, examining the experiences of family caregivers through a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach. Rather than conducting research on communities, CBPR emphasizes conducting research with communities, recognizing that those living the experience often possess the deepest knowledge about the challenges they face and the solutions that may work.

Together, we discuss the vision behind the dissertation project and how caregiver voices, stories, and expertise will help guide the research process. We explore how scholarship can become a vehicle for empowerment, relationship-building, and social change while creating knowledge that is both academically rigorous and practically meaningful.

Dr, Cody Hollist is a Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist, whose work focuses on trauma, resilience, family well-being, and community-engaged research. Throughout his career, Dr. Hollist has collaborated with communities both locally and internationally- primarily in Brazil- to better understand how individuals and families navigate adversity while building pathways toward healing and resilience.

Whether you are a family caregiver, healthcare professional, student, researcher, or someone interested in creating stronger communities, this conversation offers an inside look at how research and lived experience can come together to advance understanding, connection, and care.

Dr. Cody Hollist is a Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist, his work focuses on trauma, resilience, family well-being, and community-engaged research. Throughout his career, Dr. Hollist has collaborated with communities both locally and internationally- primarily in Brazil- to better understand how individuals and families navigate adversity while building pathways toward healing and resilience.

Learn More About Community-Based Participatory Research here:

Israel, B. A., Eng, E., Schulz, A. J., & Parker, E. A. (Eds.). (2013). Methods for community-based participatory research for health (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Minkler, M., & Wallerstein, N. (Eds.). (2018). Community-based participatory research for health: Advancing social and health equity (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Wallerstein, N., Duran, B., Oetzel, J., & Minkler, M. (Eds.). (2018). Community-based participatory research for health: Advancing social and health equity (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Cargo, M., & Mercer, S. L. (2008). The value and challenges of participatory research: Strengthening its practice. Annual Review of Public Health, 29, 325–350. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.29.091307.083824

In Episode 4 of Care For We, Sarah sits down with Dr. Holly Wilhite (formerly Dr. Hatton-Bowers) to explore the power of self-compassion for family caregivers. Drawing from the pioneering work of Dr. Kristen Neff's research (https://self-compassion.org/) and Dr. Wilhite’s research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the conversation examines why self-compassion is often missing from the caregiving experience and how it can improve well-being, resilience, and quality of life. Dr. Wilhite also shares insights into an innovative research project designed to translate self-compassion research into a practical intervention that provides meaningful, real-world support for caregivers. Join us for an inspiring discussion about caring for yourself while caring for others.

References

• Hatton-Bowers, H., Clark, C., Avari, P., Rasby, S., Starr, E., Parra, G., & Wheeler, L. (2022). Supporting Early Childhood Teachers' Emotional and Physiological Well-Being with Mindfulness, Reflection, and Self-Compassion during the COVID-19 Pandemic. National Research Conference on Early Childhood.
• Hatton-Bowers, H., et al. (2022). Promising Findings that the Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Educators (CHIME) Program Supports Educator Well-Being. This work examined mindfulness and self-compassion as pathways to strengthening caregiver well-being and resilience.
• Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-Compassion: An Alternative Conceptualization of a Healthy Attitude Toward Oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101.
• Neff, K. D. (2023). Self-Compassion: Theory, Method, Research, and Intervention. Annual Review of Psychology, 74, 193–218.
• Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A Pilot Study and Randomized Controlled Trial of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28–44.
• Neff, K. D., Knox, M. C., Long, P., & Gregory, K. (2020). Caring for Others Without Losing Yourself: An Adaptation of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Healthcare Communities. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(9), 1543–1562.

Community-Based and Co-Design Research References

• Nina Wallerstein, B., Duran, B., Oetzel, J., & Minkler, M. (2018). Community-Based Participatory Research for Health: Advancing Social and Health Equity.
• Liz Sanders & Stappers, P. J. (2008). Co-Creation and the New Landscapes of Design. CoDesign, 4(1), 5–18.
• Elizabeth B.-N. Sanders & Stappers, P. J. (2014). Probes, Toolkits and Prototypes: Three Approaches to Making in Codesigning.