E29 | Caregiving, Boundaries, and the True Meaning of Self-Love

In this episode, I weave together stories of caregiving, resilience, and the hard choices that come when love and responsibility collide. You’ll hear reflections on Danielle’s story of choosing her own health over continuing as her ex-husband Matt’s caregiver, Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming’s public sharing about boundaries, and my own experiences with stepping back when my care wasn’t being received.

Together, these stories highlight what it really means to love ourselves—especially when caregiving responsibilities risk draining us beyond repair. And I close with a reminder that self-love isn’t indulgence in a glass of wine or beer—it’s protecting the very organ that carries our memories, our creativity, and our ability to love: the brain.

Danielle's TikTok handle: @djoseywilliams
My TikTok handle: @ilzebe1

I also mentioned the interview of Emma Heming Willis by Dr. Daniel Amen on his podcast Change Your Brain Every Day.

Key Takeaways

• Caregiving can be an act of love—but knowing when to step away can also be self-love.

• Boundaries are not selfish; they are what allow us (and those we love) to thrive.

• Stories like Danielle’s and Emma Heming Willis’ remind us that choosing ourselves is sometimes the most loving act.

• Self-love isn’t found in alcohol or numbing habits—it’s in honoring and protecting our brain health.

• Every act of stepping back from what drains us is also a step forward into clarity, resilience, and freedom.