Podcast is live! Tune into: This Unexpected Life Podcast — Real Stories, Real Hope In This Unexpected Journey.

When Caregiving Takes a Toll: Caring for Your Nervous System and Your Soul with Leslie Hansen

Have you been listening to the podcast for a while? Please leave a review!

Caregiving can leave you living in a constant state of stress, always on alert and feeling like you have to hold everything together. But what happens to your brain, body, emotions, and faith when that stress becomes chronic?

In this episode of This Unexpected Life, Carrie talks with Leslie Hansen, a licensed professional clinical counselor who brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the caregiving conversation. Leslie shares the sacred—and incredibly difficult—season of caring for her mom during the final weeks of her life and how God met her with strength, community, and grace when she could no longer carry it all herself.

Together, Carrie and Leslie explore:

Recognizing the difference between fatigue and depletion.
Practical ways to regulate your nervous system in the middle of a demanding day.
EMDR for helping you process traumatic experiences.
Understanding Internal Family Systems
What self-care really looks like

If you’re a caregiver who feels exhausted, overwhelmed, guilty for needing help, or stuck in survival mode, this episode is a reminder that you were never meant to carry it all alone—and you don’t have to stay stuck. There is hope, healing, and grace for you, too.

Eps. 58; September 8, 2026

Resources:
Mental Health America of Ohio
American Association of Christian Counselors
Peter Rosenberger Resources (mentioned off-mic)
A Minute For Caregivers
Peter’s Podcast
Scriptures mentioned: 2 Corinthians 10:5; Matthew 28:20

If you enjoyed the show, leave a 5-star review!

The Podcast is on YouTube
Check out my new website
Click here if you want to be a guest on the show
Carrie’s Facebook or Instagram
Find me on Substack
My book: The Other Side of Special

*This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Any resources listed are shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you hold onto and set aside.

Interested in being a guest on the show? Let’s connect!

Inquire Here

We all face struggles in life — some are just better at hiding it. If this episode resonated with you, or made you think of someone in your life while listening, please share it.

Caring For Caregivers, Counselor, Lifelong Disability Care, Mental-health, Season 3, Self-Regulation

Recent Episodes

This podcast features honest conversations with special needs parents and faith-filled guests. While I deeply value the stories and insights shared, the views and opinions expressed may not always reflect my own. Likewise, anything listed as resources is shared for reference, not necessarily a personal recommendation. I invite you to listen with spiritual discernment and ask the Holy Spirit to guide in what you hold onto and set aside.

More to Explore

For my fellow readers:

I welcome you to explore the blog on my site, but hope you also join me on Substack. The content I share is accessible to all members, and there is no fee to read it. My goal is to build a community where you can come for support, to build personal resilience, and find hope, not only through my publications, but through the network of extraordinary individuals who are sharing on this platform as we work to make this world a better place.

Connect with me on Substack →