The "in sickness" podcast was born when...
Allison Breininger, the Founder of The Negative Space, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the way caregivers are seen and supported, and Justin Bajema, two young-ish spousal caregivers living on opposite sides of the country started chatting via Instagram about their caregiving experiences. The two became internet friends as they bonded over all they had in common and in late 2019, Justin suggested that together they should produce a six episode podcast about caregiving.
After six episodes, it was clear they had just begun to scratch the surface. In the years and over one hundred episodes since, Justin and Allison have met online every other week to record and they haven’t run out of topics yet. The In Sickness podcast has covered everything from Anticipatory Grief to Caregiving in the Media. They have recorded conversations with caregivers of all kinds and with content experts such as a death doula, a caregiver policy expert, and a trauma-informed yoga therapist.
As they champion the concept of community care, Allison and Justin conclude each episode with content directed at those in a position to support caregivers, whether formally or informally. Within the week following the release of each episode, listeners are invited to attend a virtual support group based on the episode’s topic. Support groups are hosted by The Negative Space, seventy-five minutes long, free, and open to current and former caregivers of all kinds. Click here to receive an email alert each time a support group is scheduled.
Meet the Hosts
ALLISON BREININGER
Allison has a MA in Education and spent twenty years teaching, training, directing, coaching, and creating content in the realm of education. She became a caregiver for her husband, Sean, in 2011 when he was diagnosed with Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic disease that causes bone marrow failure and cancer at a very high rate. Throughout these years, Allison has experienced firsthand that caregivers are in the negative space: vital yet overlooked and unsupported. Fueled by what she saw, Allison created a nonprofit called The Negative Space as a way to use her experience and skills to change the way caregivers of all kinds are seen and supported. Through The Negative Space, she shines light on the realities of caregiving, provides direct services to caregivers and educates and equips those who support them with concrete tools and strategies. In addition to the In Sickness podcast, The Negative Space offers caregiver coaching, virtual support groups, caregiver gift boxes, speaking and training, and The Storyline, an online hub designed to meet the needs of caregivers through every chapter of their caregiving story.
Allison and Sean live in St. Paul, Minnesota and have one young adult child, Maya Bedeline.
Justin Bajema
Justin began caring for his wife, Sarah, in 2013 after the onset of a chronic migraine. Her health slowly declined over several years. At her worst, she was bed bound for over three years. She’s been diagnosed with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, and a dysautonomic condition called POTS. It’s been a slow climb, but Sarah’s health has improved significantly over the last several years to where Justin no longer has the active caregiving role he once had. During the years when Sarah was at her worst, Justin found caregiving to be a very isolating experience, but connecting with other caregivers online and hearing their stories helped him to feel less alone. He hopes this podcast can help others in the same way.
Justin and Sarah live in Lynden, Washington and love it there.