Substacks recommended by Victoria | Carer Mentor: Empathy & Inspiration

Recommended by Victoria

A space for the beautiful, brutal, everyday moments of being both a cancer caregiver and a toddler mom.

Walking alongside with you Tori. Thank you for sharing your experience and finding the words that will resonate with many caregivers.

- Victoria

The Dementia Chronicles

By Kirbie

The journey of dementia is unique for every single person with dementia, as well as his or her caregivers. I'm embarking on what is possibly my second dementia journey, having concluded my first one on November 30, 2024. Let's survive it together.

Kirbie shares the realities of Dementia with her compassionate words, heart and practical advice. The real deal that many of us recognise all too well. Thanks, Kirbie. I hope more people read your words.

- Victoria

Caregivers Count with Kaeli Hansen

By Kaeli Hansen Caregivers Count

Drawing on my 33 years of experience as an unpaid caregiver, I share tips for caregiving and caregiver self-care while creating a supportive community.

Livin' Out Loud

By Victorious Val

Living intentionally after two cancer diagnoses.

'Victorious Val, protagonist and hero', slaying dragons named 'Doug' AKA the-uggh-cancer, cheering you on and appreciating how you shift the narrative.

- Victoria

Jenny’s Dying to Live

By Jenny Peterson

Finding meaning, humor, and happiness after being diagnosed with an incurable disease.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, wisdom, and writing.

- Victoria

Cancer Card

By Kirsten Davidson

Musings, meanderings, notes and updates on life with Stage 4 colon cancer.

Thank you for sharing your experiences, Kirsten. I've several different cancer cards for family and friends. I'm glad we're connected.

- Victoria

Shit I've got Cancer

By David Barrow

My day-to-day diaries as I discover and tackle Colon Cancer. I'm hoping to use my journey to help others.

I appreciate you sharing your experience, Dar. It's a clear no-nonsense approach to demystify Bowel Cancer for the benefit of others. Thank you

- Victoria

Prostate Cancer - The bits they leave out...

By Mark Stevenson

I’m no doctor (go see one for medical advice!), but I am someone who's been through the wringer with prostate cancer. A space for the real and unfiltered, the laughs, the struggles, the bits they don’t put in the pamphlet (so many bloody pamphlets)!

Mark shares the real deal about Prostate cancer. His humour makes the topic more approachable, engaging and accessible. I appreciate his efforts and empathy to raise awareness.

- Victoria

If I Get Dementia: Empowering You As a Caregiver

By Donna Chandler

If I Get Dementia: Empowering You As a Caregiver is support for anyone who cares for someone with dementia or wants to learn about dementia as they navigate the journey.

Thank you for your compassionate words of advice and for sharing your thoughts. While my Dad's passed now, I know many others will benefit from your words.

- Victoria

My Big Cancer Plot Twist

By Kate Harrison

My real-time diary of the story I never wanted to tell: I'm a UK writer diagnosed in December 2024 with triple-negative breast cancer. I'm sharing funny but raw observations - plus tips on managing treatment physically & mentally

Have You Seen My Prostate?

By Anthony Feig

I had prostate cancer and I write goofball stories about that. Maybe some other stuff too.

Guy’s Substack

By Guy Gratton

My personal Substack

Guy, tells us straight about his Prostate Cancer journey. I appreciate his insights.

- Victoria

Just the Carer

By Rebecca

Just the Carer is a space for the overlooked and undervalued. Poems by a nursing student.

I'm cheering you on in your nursing studies! We need more nurses like you. I appreciate your poems. Thanks, Rebecca!

- Victoria

Inside The Life Of An Alzheimer's Home Caregiver

By Sammie Marsalli

An “Inside Look” Into the Life of An Alzheimer's Home Caregiver For His Wife.

Sammie generously offers us his insights and tips for caring for his wife. His words are empathetic, comforting and thoughtful. No lectures here! He has a great appreciation for the singularity of each caregiver's journey.

- Victoria

cancer, by cancer patients

By Rachel S. Hunt

cancer stories as told by real cancer patients and survivors

A Sandwiched Life

By Siobhan Calthrop

Reflections on juggling care for a parent, neurodiverse adults and teens. Also writes about the legacy of losing a sibling and a functioning father in childhood.

Siobhan's writing is insightful, actionable and compassionate. I appreciate her empathy and our community connection.

- Victoria

Unclenching by Chris L Vaughan

Disabled dad with cerebral palsy dodging joggers and puddles on morning stroller walks with my toddler Noah. These pieces about navigating parenthood with a disability start in my head on those neighborhood jaunts and get written down during Noah's naps.

Falling Leaves

By Judi Bailey

My Personal Substack features information about dementia and caregivers of people with dementia from the perspective of a person of dementia, me.

Alzheimer's Caregiver

By Tanya Reynolds

Sharing my story about caring for my 58-year old husband with young/early onset Alzheimer's. Remembering our journey and connecting with others.

Life Wedged In

By NiftyKeisha

Candid thoughts on mental health, chronic illness, healing, & the bumpy road to recovery. Plus, beauty, holistic living, & monthly meditations to still the noise.

Am I Cured Yet? by Emma Vivian

Always heartfelt, occasionally funny, weekly essays about happiness after surviving aggressive breast cancer at age 29.

#ThereForME

By Karen Hargrave

#ThereForME is a campaign founded by Karen and Emma, two carers for partners with very severe ME/Long Covid. #ThereForME is calling for an NHS that's there for people with ME and Long Covid. Follow our Substack to stay up to date with the latest.

Wheelchair, Bound

By Emily Wojcik

My thoughts as I figure out life and world travel from a seated position.

Time to Care

By Dr Rachel Molloy

My personal Substack

Empathetic insights from Rachel as both a GP and caregiver to her husband (cancer). I appreciate how she shares her dual perspective through the medical journey and the challenging human-ing of it all.

- Victoria

My Lovely Lungs

By Mel Erwin

Stage 4 lung cancer; living with va-va-voom

To Hell and Back: Surviving Colorectal Cancer

By Mikel K Miller

This Substack newsletter chronicles my personal experience since June 2022 in being diagnosed and treated for advanced colorectal cancer. The primary purpose is to encourage people to get colon cancer screening from their 40s to beyond age 75.

Thank you Mikel, for spending precious time and energy to share your experiences with others and raise awareness of Colorectal Cancer. You're making a difference with your words.

- Victoria

Audhd’s Substack

By Audhdpainter

Keeping sane and finding joy through art and nature while navigating a neurotypical world and a chronic illness.

Life interrupted

By Isabelle Plante

My musings on cancer, healing, and mental health

Isabelle generously offers her precious time and energy to share her experiences and journey with colorectal cancer with us. I appreciate her efforts to use her writing to help others who may be struggling with cancer or another health issue. Thank you, Isabelle.

- Victoria

Elizabeth Kopple

By Channeling Grief

Writer. Grieving mother. Empty nester. B2B marketer. Campus safety advocate.

Disability & Rizz

By Nerisa

Disability & Rizz is an honest, real space where I share my journey of surviving childhood bone cancer, navigating healthcare struggles, and fighting for a better system, all while embracing the messiness of life and encouraging others to thrive.

Amy J Brown

More Than a Caregiver: Life-Giving Practices for the Overwhelmed Life

Unlocked: BIPOC Reads

By Locked In

Highlighting BIPOC writers and content creators, from the organizers of Locked In.

The Lone Pilgrim

By EricR

We are all pilgrims on the journey through life. This is one gentleman's travel journal.

Recovering Trans Mystic

By Jo Christian (they/them)

Have questions of creativity, poetry, deconstruction, spirituality, addiction/recovery, gender-queer transitioning, or even baking? Find community, here!

Forgetting the Self

By Sarah Whiteside

A newsletter for people who think differently, exploring practices for creative and divergent living, written by a late-identified autistic writer, erstwhile musician, and zen practitioner.

The Pause

By On Being

Replenishment and invigoration. Wisdom to take into your week. Our seasonal Saturday morning ritual — ongoing, advance invitations, extras, and news on all things On Being.

DEAR DORIA

By Astrid

Letters to my French aunt. From L.A to Provence. We like to write about creativity, therapy, the immigrant experience and traveling. We also love to exchange recipes.

The Salty Crone ✨ Prajna O'Hara

By Prajna O'Hara aka The Salty Crone

This Too

By Rebekah Taussig

I want to hold up the pieces that don't fit and study them together - to say, THIS TOO. This is part of the story - of disability, of womanhood, of childhood sickness, of motherhood, of living in a body - too.

Jack’s Substack

By Jack Kornfield

Jack Kornfield's Substack

From Guilt to Good Enough: Real Caregiving Conversations

By Jeanette Yates

I'm Jeanette, a lifelong caregiver for my mom, an author, advocate, and coach. I post about my caregiver burnout and recovery journey, complex family dynamics and caregiving, and ways caregivers can do "self-care" that actually work.

In the short time I've connected with Jeanette, I've quickly come to appreciate her perspective, insights and empathy. I resonate deeply with several of her insights about mindfulness. There are no lectures or instructions - Jeannette holds space with us in how she shares her experiences and thoughts. Thank you, Jeanette!

- Victoria

The Future Widow

By Anne

A future widow writes about love and loss, ambiguous grief, getting through the day, and making it bearable/livable/joyous.

The Long Goodbye : Dementia Caregiving & Other Stories

By Jodi Sh. Doff

Essays on caregiving, forgetting & remembering. As a caregiver to a parent with dementia, I'm just trying not to lose my minds as she loses hers, excavating my own memories as hers slip away. https://linktr.ee/jshdoff

Can I Do It Alone?

By Sue Fagalde Lick

I'm what some call an elder orphan. Widowed, no kids, no family nearby. Can I carry on alone? Yes, I can, and so can you. In this substack, I will share what I have learned about living and thriving solo.

The Accidental Archaeologist

By Anne Marie Bell

Peer into the drama, lessons and laughs as families downsize from big homes to small apartments.

Life.After.life

By John Saltalamacchia

The only constant is change. Stay tuned. There will be poetry

the point of singularity

By •the point of singularity•

Being Venezuelan•NorthAmerican• a Speculative Fiction Writer•Reader•Foodie•Orchid Lover•CatPerson•Political Junkie• K Drama•K Beauty Addict•Fashion Junkie• ÜberTraveler•IceCreamFan•DarkChocolateLover•

Grieve Fully, Live Fully

By Ruhie Vaidya

Helping you navigate loss, live with intention and find strength through life's challenges by sharing heartfelt and practical insights from my grief journey and family life 🕊️ A supportive space for grievers, soul-searchers and deep-thinkers ✨

Ask The Patient by Dr. Zed Zha

A love letter from a doctor (and human) that gives patients their voice back.

EVERYTHING IS SO EVERYTHING

By Jim Hall

Writer / Educator. Trying to keep it all from vanishing. Author of ELSEWHERE (2027).