There’s a stage of life we don’t talk about enough.

You’re managing your career, your children, your relationships… and at the same time, stepping into supporting or caring for your parents.

It often happens quickly. Without warning. Without a roadmap.

In this episode, I share a deeply personal experience of navigating this season. The emotional weight, the decisions, the constant thinking ahead, and the mental load that sits behind it all.

Because it’s not just what you’re doing… it’s what you’re carrying.

There’s also a quieter layer to this that doesn’t get spoken about. The grief that comes with watching your parents change, lose independence, or decline. The shift from being supported to becoming the support.

This isn’t just a personal conversation.

It’s a leadership one.

Because many people are navigating this quietly while still showing up to work every day. And if you’re leading people, understanding what sits behind someone’s energy, behaviour and capacity matters.

This episode is about awareness, compassion, and recognising that you are not alone in this season.

In this episode, I cover:

• What the sandwich generation really is, and why it’s growing
  • The hidden mental load of caring for both children and parents
  • The emotional impact, including grief and role reversal
  • Why this stage can feel overwhelming, even when everything looks “fine”
  • The importance of asking for support and not doing it all alone
  • Why leaders need to understand what their people may be carrying

Timestamps

00:00 Podcast intro
00:28 The reality of the sandwich generation
01:55 A personal story and what this stage looks like
03:41 My own caregiving experience
05:36 The hidden mental load
06:49 Why this matters in the workplace
08:45 Grief and cognitive decline
10:12 Break
11:24 Sibling roles and distance care
14:12 Don’t lose yourself in the process
15:50 Support, resources and reflection
16:47 Close

Links:
Learn more about my group coaching program here

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/
Instagram: @juliehydeleads
Website: https://juliehyde.com.au