The Ripple Effects of Caregiving with My Care Friends and willGather
What are the ripple effects of caregiving that touch every corner of our lives, not just for those directly involved but for everyone around them? In today’s episode, we talk about the layers of caregiving’s impact—a journey of empathy, strength, and resilience that changes the caregivers, the cared-for, and everyone who supports them.
Joining us is Todd “TJ” Keitz, the founder of My Care Friends, a platform born from his own caregiving journey that began at age nine and evolved through decades of supporting his loved ones through life-altering health battles. Todd’s story, alongside the experiences of Katie Seymour and her husband (who is also named Todd), and our own Nicole Will and her mother, Jill, sheds light on the nuanced, deeply personal realities of caregiving.
Todd’s vision for My Care Friends was inspired by the profound need for connection and understanding among caregivers, who too often shoulder immense responsibilities alone. The mission is clear: create a supportive, safe community for caregivers and patient advocates to connect, educate, and advocate together. In this conversation, we’ll explore how caregiving, whether for a child, partner, or aging parent, demands physical, emotional, and even financial resilience from multiple contributors. As Todd shares, caregiving is rarely a solo effort; it often requires an entire network of people contributing time, energy, and resources. My Care Friends embodies the strength of community and offers a place for these voices to connect, share, and learn.
Today’s episode unpacks the “ripple effect” of caregiving: from personal identity shifts and relationship dynamics to the impact on work, health, and mental well-being. We’ll discuss why defining “caregiver” is so crucial, and how recognizing this role can bring essential support and validation. You’ll hear the unique perspectives of long-distance and family caregivers, how self-forgiveness and setting boundaries play into the journey, and how we can help change the caregiving narrative for a brighter, more connected future.
Learn more at https://mycarefriends.com/
Listen to our episode HERE.
About My Care Friends
My Care Friends was born out of caregiving and advocacy experiences that the
Founder/CEO, Todd “TJ” Keitz, has had throughout his life. This began at nine years old for his
uncle and continued 20 years later for his sister after a horrific car accident. Over the following
decade, he helped his mom care/advocate for his grandparents before they passed. Since
2018, Todd has been primary caregiver and advocate for both parents who have been battling
life threatening diseases.
How? We are a group of mindful caregivers and patient advocates who understand the wide
array of challenges of these extremely important roles — for our loved ones and within society
overall.
Our mission:
1. To enable caregivers and patient advocates to meaningfully and easily connect in a safe
online community, with others in similar roles — so they are “seen”, “heard”, and
“understood.” Whether communicating about a caregiving, patient advocacy, or personal
interest topic, My Care Friends provides many ways for community members to
Connect. Share. Support. each other.
2. To provide online and offline educational programs and resources, which put forth
relevant and robust content that give caregivers and patient advocates information and
tools to be more knowledgeable, confident, and effective in their roles.
3. To bring about greater awareness on local, regional, and national levels, of the need for
significantly increased support of caregivers in light of the significantly growing shortage
of caregivers — causing an exponential financial, physical, emotional, and psychological
strain on individuals and families.
About Todd Keitz:
Todd has been a lifelong social good evangelist! He has woven community engagement
and social impact into his life since he was a teenager volunteering in senior living
centers.
Over decades, he has created inter-generational programs to build bridges within
families and communities, volunteered as a “hugger” for Special Olympics, developed
business curriculum for high schools, taught in inner-city schools for Junior
Achievement, been a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and worked in the healthcare
industry – consulting with major employers, hospital systems, pharmaceutical
companies, and other entities. Further, he’s also proud of the work he did consulting in
the 2000s with the South Korean government related to technology companies.
Through all of this, Todd became even more driven to translate his personal ethos on a
much larger scale within his professional life. In 2012, he co-founded and served as
CEO of Stock4Good, to make the process infinity easier for individuals to donate stock
of publicly held companies to 501(c)3 organizations. In 2018, he relocated to Florida to
become primary caregiver and patient advocate for his mom and dad – each with life
threatening diseases. During those experiences, Todd saw first-hand the many
challenges all caregivers and patient advocates face. That led him to create My Care
Friends, a unique, new website for caregivers and patient advocates to connect and
support each other.
Additionally, Todd currently serves on the National Advisory Council of the American
Association of Caregiving Youth, which brings greater awareness to the needs of over
5.4 million caregiving youth in the U.S. He also sits on the board of SayAh! - a nonprofit
focused on improving health literacy across the U.S.
In addition to all of this, he somehow finds time to help people and employers in many
industries as Founder/CEO of 17 Commerce, which represents exceptional products at
the crossroads of healthcare and technology.
Last, but not least, Todd is proud graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.,
with a focus on Business and Economics. Go Owls!!
About Katie Seymour:
After transitioning from the tech industry and re-evaluating her career following the
tragic loss of her sister to a TBI, Katie now works to enable caregivers and advocates to
connect meaningfully in a safe online community where they are truly “seen,” “heard,”
and “understood.” Her work focuses on creating an inclusive space for sharing,
supporting, and educating others in similar roles.
In line with her passion for advocacy, Katie also helps deliver comprehensive
educational programs and resources, giving caregivers and patient advocates the
knowledge, confidence, and tools they may need. Katie is passionate in raising
awareness of the critical need for greater support for caregivers, addressing the
increasing financial, emotional, and psychological challenges that arise from the
growing shortage of caregiving professionals.
In her free time, Katie loves to spend time with her husband and two daughters (6 and
10), enjoying our beautiful Colorado outdoors, cheering on soccer and basketball
games and reading any book she can get her hands on.
LISTEN NOW: Apple Podcasts, Spotify & on your favorite podcast platform.
We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.
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Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.
*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co., a boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!
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