Agehood
Agehood
Podcast Description
Agehood is the podcast that finally says what we're all thinking but rarely saying out loud. Hosted by Melissa Reader, CEO of Violet, we have the conversations that matter most: watching our parents age, being everyone's go-to person, the mess of love and duty, what it really takes to care for those we love, and yes, death, dying, and loss.
You'll hear Australia's most trusted voices, from beloved broadcasters to respected experts, vulnerably sharing their own stories alongside practical guidance that actually helps. This isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking the right questions and knowing you're not alone.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Agehood centers on themes such as caregiving, aging parents, and the experiences of the sandwich generation. Episodes delve into pressing issues like the care cliff as discussed by demographer Bernard Salt, as well as personal stories from guests like Sarah MacDonald, who discusses navigating the challenges of caring for aging relatives while raising children. The show emphasizes vulnerability and the need for open conversations about death and loss.
The Sandwich Generation finally gets the conversation we deserve.
Club Sandwich is the community for those caring for ageing parents while juggling work, kids, relationships, and sanity. This is your tribe when family doesn’t get it – or just isn’t enough.
Hosted by veteran broadcaster Sarah Macdonald, Club Sandwich features clinical psychologists instead of life coaches, GPs instead of gratitude journals, and honest conversations about the relief-guilt paradox nobody else will touch.
Episodes include:
🔧 This Week’s Hack – Actionable strategy you can use today
💌 Listener Letter – Real questions from Clubbers like you
🔥 Hot Mess Moments – Stories that make you feel less alone
🛠️ What We’re Using – Resources and tools that actually help
Meet the regular Clubbers:
Melissa Reader – CEO of Vera aged care platform (vera.guide) and expert on Australia’s ageing crisis and system failures.
Dr. Jo Lamble – Clinical psychologist specializing in guilt, family dynamics, and the impossible decisions when every option has a cost.
Dr. Ginny Mansberg – GP and women’s health advocate who tells it straight about what caregiving does to your body.
Dr. Stephanie Ward – Geriatrician and consulting expert for ABC’s Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds, helping you understand when “old” becomes a crisis—and when it doesn’t.
Kerry Milligan – Gogglebox Australia star bringing humor, honesty, and hard-won perspective to impossible family situations.
No bubble baths. No bullshit. Just expert-led, community-first support for people who don’t need another thing to feel bad about not doing.
Club Sandwich is more than a podcast – it’s a movement. Join our private Facebook community, attend live events across Australia, and access free downloadable resources with every episode.
New episodes every Thursday.
Visit clubsandwich.community to join the tribe.
Topics covered: Caregiver guilt, sibling conflict, dementia care, financial planning, legal issues, family boundaries, burnout prevention, end-of-life decisions, self-care that actually works, navigating aged care systems, and the emotional toll of caring for ageing parents.
Credits
Club Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life — so you don’t have to do it alone.
Sarah Macdonald – Host + Executive Producer
Melissa Reader – Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer + Clubber
Rachel Fountain – Executive Producer
Audio + video edits by Fountain Media Group
Thanks and kudos to Sean Wayland for our awesome theme music Club Sandwich – hear more from Sean at seanwayland.com
Legendary ladies Janelle Adams and Nicole Bennett are looking after Janelle’s 94-year-old dad Ernie, Ernie’s dog Bella, and their two boys Max and Sam – all under one roof.
They shared their story with Sarah on last Sunday’s episode of Compass (available on ABC iView), and on today’s episode of Club Sandwich, they join us with an update about how life has changed since Sarah visited them.
For support: Carer Gateway 1800 422 737. Griefline 1300 845 745. Lifeline 13 11 14, 24/7.
JOIN THE CLUB: Visit https://clubsandwich.community to join the conversation.
SEND US YOUR QUESTION: [email protected]
Meet the regular Clubbers:
Melissa Reader — CEO of Vera and expert on Australia’s ageing crisis.
Jo Lamble — Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.
Dr Ginni Mansberg — GP and women’s health advocate.
Dr Stephanie Ward — Geriatrician helping you understand the ageing brain.
Kerry Milligan — Gogglebox star bringing humour and honesty.
Watch the Compass episode ‘Sandwiched’ on ABC iView: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/compass/series/40/video/RN2511H023S00
Put The Kettle On, Vera’s free conversation guide: the five questions worth asking your ageing mum or dad, at putthekettleon.com.au.
Our FACES campaign: Last year, 4,812 older Australians died waiting for the aged care they’d already been approved for, about 13 a day. Vera started FACES to count the people waiting, and count the ones we lose, every quarter, published. If you’re sitting in that wait with your mum or dad right now, add your name at vera.guide/faces.
This episode was supported by Australian Unity, home health and care services: australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich.
With thanks to NSW Trustee and Guardian. Search NSW Trustee and Guardian, or call 1300 10 20 30.
Vera is your candid companion as you care for an ageing parent. Have a look at https://vera.guide.
Credits:
Sarah Macdonald – Host + Executive Producer
Melissa Reader – Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer + Clubber
Justin McArthur – Executive Producer + Editor, for P. Zinner Podcasts (https://pzinner.com.au)
Thanks and kudos to Sean Wayland for our theme music Club Sandwich — hear more at https://seanwayland.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Disclaimer
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For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.