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In this honest conversation, Ashley is joined by Katie Schlott—a product innovation leader, writer, and mother—who opens up about her sudden entry into the world of caregiving when her mother became disabled just months before the pandemic. With young children at home and a demanding career, Katie found herself navigating a crash course in elder care, disability systems, Medicaid, power of attorney, and emotional survival.

Together, Ashley and Katie unpack the often-invisible labor of the “sandwich generation,” the logistical overwhelm that goes unnoticed, and how community, preparation, and reframing can make caregiving feel a little less lonely. If you’ve ever felt buried by caregiving or wondered how to prepare before crisis hits—this episode is for you.

What you’ll learn:

• What it means to be part of the “sandwich generation”
• How sudden caregiving reshapes your identity, time, and priorities
• The emotional toll and systemic failings of caregiving in the U.S.
• Why caregiving conversations are so hard—and so necessary
• How to organize care logistics with simple but powerful tools
• What “living in secret” as a caregiver looks like and why it’s harmful
• How to prepare your family now (even if it feels awkward)
• The importance of mental health support and redefining self-care

Questions Answered in This Episode:

• What does caregiving look like when it hits suddenly?
• Why is there such a silence around aging, caregiving, and death?
• How do you navigate systems like Medicaid and long-term care as a beginner?
• What’s the emotional impact of being a caregiver and a parent?
• How can we better support working caregivers—at home and at work?
• What tools and habits can ease the caregiving load day to day?

Connect with Katie Schlott:

• LinkedIn: Katie Schlott
• Fast Company Articles
• Fast Company, Your Sandwich Generation employees need help. Here's what to do
• Fast Company, Empathy isn't enough. Why includes design principles unlock what leaders need 

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://dovetaildesigns.co

Podcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/

AND/BOTH Community: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/andboth-community

Dovetail® App: https://airtable.com/appn6w6IWipJYIuA3/pagZys7UnECzM46iJ/form

Social:

Instagram: @dovetailapp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dovetaildesigns.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/