This week on Agehood, we’re joined by Kerry and Isabelle Silbery — the mother–daughter duo you’ll know from Gogglebox Australia. For eight seasons, they shared their lounge room (and lives) with the nation, alongside beloved family matriarch Emmie.

A few weeks ago, Emmie passed away following a long journey with dementia. In this deeply personal conversation, recorded shortly before her death, Kerry and Izzy reflect on what that journey has looked like — from the first signs of Emmie’s decline to the complex emotions of caregiving, the overwhelm of navigating aged care, and the grief that arrives long before goodbye.

Kerry speaks candidly about becoming Emmie’s primary carer, while Izzy shares what it’s been like raising young children in the midst of such profound change. Together, they offer a moving and honest look at love, loss, and the reality of ageing within a modern family.

FIND OUT MORE

If you’re caring for aging parents, navigating your own next chapter, or just trying to keep all the balls in the air—you’re not alone. At Violet, we offer free tools and support to help families navigate the last stage of life with care and confidence. Visit violet.org.au to start the conversation.

If you're supporting someone with dementia who is experiencing behavioural changes, you can also contact:

Dementia Support Australia
Phone: 1800 699 799


Availability: 24/7, 365 days a year


Website: dementia.com.au

CREDITS 

Host: Melissa Reader

Executive Producer: Lize Ratliff

Find out more about Violet atviolet.org.au

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.

This week on Agehood, we&rsquo;re joined by Kerry and Isabelle Silbery &mdash; the mother&ndash;daughter duo you&rsquo;ll know from Gogglebox Australia. For eight seasons, they shared their lounge room (and lives) with the nation, alongside beloved family matriarch Emmie.
A few weeks ago, Emmie passed away following a long journey with dementia. In this deeply personal conversation, recorded shortly before her death, Kerry and Izzy reflect on what that journey has looked like &mdash; from the first signs of Emmie&rsquo;s decline to the complex emotions of caregiving, the overwhelm of navigating aged care, and the grief that arrives long before goodbye.
Kerry speaks candidly about becoming Emmie&rsquo;s primary carer, while Izzy shares what it&rsquo;s been like raising young children in the midst of such profound change. Together, they offer a moving and honest look at love, loss, and the reality of ageing within a modern family.
FIND OUT MORE
If you&rsquo;re caring for aging parents, navigating your own next chapter, or just trying to keep all the balls in the air&mdash;you&rsquo;re not alone. At Violet, we offer free tools and support to help families navigate the last stage of life with care and confidence. Visit<a href="https://violet.org.au/"> violet.org.au</a> to start the conversation.
If you're supporting someone with dementia who is experiencing behavioural changes, you can also contact:
Dementia Support Australia
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Phone: 1800 699 799 </li>
<li aria-level="1">Availability: 24/7, 365 days a year </li>
<li aria-level="1">Website:<a href="https://www.dementia.com.au/who-we-help/dementia-carers/how-to-get-help"> dementia.com.au</a></li>
</ul>
CREDITS&nbsp;
Host:<a href="https://blog.violet.org.au/en/news/violets-ceo-shares-her-personal-story"> Melissa Reader</a>
Executive Producer:<a href="https://www.lizeratliff.com.au/"> Lize Ratliff</a>
Find out more about Violet at<a href="https://violet.org.au/"> </a><a href="http://violet.org.au">violet.org.au</a>
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&mdash;it's about asking the right questions and knowing you're not alone.

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

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&mdash;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 <a href="https://clubsandwich.community/">clubsandwich.community</a> 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 <a href="https://vera.guide/">Vera</a>, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life &mdash; 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 <a href="https://www.fountainmediagroup.com.au/">Fountain Media Group</a>
Thanks and kudos to Sean Wayland for our awesome theme music Club Sandwich - hear more from Sean at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seanwayland.com/">seanwayland.com</a>

The community for maxed-out midlifers caring for ageing parents and everything else. Hosted by Sarah Macdonald. Clinical psychologists instead of life coaches. Real support instead of wellness BS. You've got them. We've got you.