In Sickness and In Health: Exploring America’s Caregiving Crisis

Kamen works as a lifestyle management consultant who explores the art and science of happiness as a speaker, author, and positive psychology expert. Through her globally syndicated podcast, books, media appearances, and documentary film, Lisa has impacted millions of people around the world.

LISA CYPERS KAMEN

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In Sickness and In Health: Exploring America’s Caregiving Crisis with Dr. Laura Mauldin, PhD

Sixty percent of American adults live with a chronic illness. Consequently, upwards of 53 million adults have assumed uncompensated caregiving roles—frequently alongside existing professional and personal obligations. As these demands intensify, the absence of mental health infrastructure and the persistence of social devaluation lead many toward the brink of caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue.

To better understand the state of spousal caregiver mental health, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Laura Mauldin, PhD, an Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Critical Inquiry at the University of Connecticut.

Laura draws from personal experience and years of research to share statistics and real-life examples of caregivers who find themselves at the intersection of their responsibilities and their human needs. Her book offers insights into those who provide essential support to those they love during a time of anti-ableism.

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Meet Our Guest:

In Sickness and In Health Exploring America’s Caregiving Crisis with Dr. Laura Mauldin, PhD

Laura Mauldin, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Critical Inquiry at the University of Connecticut. In 2024, she was named a New America National Fellow, and her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Review of Books, The Baffler, and The American Prospect, among other outlets.

Laura is a nationally certified sign language interpreter and maintains the website Disability at Home, which highlights the ingenuity of disabled people and caregivers who share advice on making homes accessible. She lives with her family in New York.

In Sickness and in Health: Love Stories from the Front Lines of America’s Caregiving Crisis is her first book.

Book: In Sickness and in Health: Love Stories from the Front Lines of America’s Caregiving Crisis

Laura Mauldin, PhD—Caregiver Burnout & Compassion Fatigue:

In Sickness and in Health demystifies the personal caregiver experience. {3:55}
Anti-ableism combats the lack of societal value toward caregivers and those they care for. {10:40}
Those being cared for feel the burden of caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue. {16:15}
Caregiver mental health is pushed to limits that may throw a moral compass off course. {21:02}

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“The crux of the story is the erasure of our goodness because we take care of our humanness.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “I didn't realize that my experience was very common; maybe it was uncommon for my age, but it wasn't uncommon generally speaking.” Laura Mauldin, PhD on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Ableism is the devaluation of some bodies. Some bodies are worth more than others. We deem some bodies good and some bodies bad." Laura Mauldin, PhD on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “The point of my book is that love is not a plan.” Laura Mauldin, PhD on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

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