In this week’s episode of the Punk Rock HR Podcast, Blair Whitman, VP of Client Success at Homethrive, joins me for a conversation about caregiving. Why is it so hard to name at work? How does stigma keep people silent about its challenges? What can employers do to meaningfully support their people?
Blair shares her personal caregiving story, from providing support to her brother during recovery to stepping in to care for her father at age 24, and how those experiences shaped her passion for this work. We explore the invisible financial, emotional, and professional toll of caregiving and why it’s no longer just a “nice-to-have” benefit but a workforce imperative. Finally, we talk about Homethrive and how it partners with HR teams to provide resources, guidance, and real help for caregivers navigating everything from IEPs and dementia to backup care, Medicare, and after-loss support.
This episode dives into the real ROI of caregiving support, the role of managers in spotting early signs of struggle, and why modeling vulnerability at the top can transform workplace culture. As Blair puts it, “Caregiving is deeply intertwined with mental health. You can’t solve for mental health without solving for caregiving. You can’t solve for caregiving without solving for mental health.”
If you’ve ever juggled caregiving with your career — or you lead people who do — this episode offers insight, compassion, and a clear call for action.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Blair Whitman’s personal caregiving journey and why she calls herself a lifelong advocate
- The stigma around identifying as a caregiver and how naming it creates access to support
- Why caregiving is a workforce issue, not just a personal one, and the massive impact on women’s careers
- The crucial role of managers in noticing early signs of caregiving stress and creating psychological safety
- How Homethrive helps organizations go deeper than EAPs with one-on-one support, Medicare navigation, and after-loss resources
- Stories of ROI, from saved billable hours to reduced turnover, and why caregiving benefits are no longer optional
- Why including men in the conversation matters, and how leadership vulnerability drives utilization
- The joy in caregiving, like deepening family connections, resilience, and moments of beauty amid the challenge
Resources from this episode
- Homethrive website: homethrive.com
- Homethrive webinars: homethrive.com/events-webinars
- Connect with Blair Whitman on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/blairwhitman
- Work, Life, and Loss: The Business Impact of Unaddressed Caregiving Needs: homethrive.com/webinar/work-life-and-loss-the-business-impact-of-unaddressed-caregiving-needs
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