The hit Australian-first podcast Hold the Moment has returned with a powerful new season – this time shining a spotlight on the carers of people living with dementia.
Produced by Dementia Australia, the podcast has already surpassed 100,000 listens since its debut less than a year ago. Season two, launched today in Sydney, explores the often-overlooked emotional and practical realities faced by carers, providing comfort, community and support through deeply personal stories.
Co-hosted by journalist and Dementia Australia Ambassador Hamish Macdonald and Jim Rogers, who lives with younger-onset dementia, Hold the Moment has been praised for its raw honesty and authenticity. While the first season focused on the lived experience of those diagnosed with dementia, this new season places carers at the centre of the conversation.
In episode one, new Dementia Australia Ambassador and media personality Rachel Corbett opens up about caring for both her parents after they were diagnosed with dementia. “I did have a complex relationship with both my parents,” she says. “But living through dementia connected us in a way that might not have ever happened if they were both well. Being there for them during that time was genuinely one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
“I was often overwhelmed as a carer. Listening to other people’s experiences helped me – people’s stories are always the ones that teach and inspire.”
Jenny Fitzpatrick, a Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate
She added that the podcast format enables a more profound and honest exploration of what caregiving truly entails. “It’s more raw and real because it’s a more extensive conversation.”
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the response to the first season was a strong indication that people impacted by dementia value hearing from those who’ve walked a similar path.
“With 433,300 Australians currently living with dementia, and 1.7 million people involved in their care, this podcast is a vital resource,” Professor Buchanan said. “It’s jam-packed with real-life stories, practical tips and valuable advice. It helps break the stigma and isolation that so often come with a dementia diagnosis.”
Professor Buchanan also welcomed Ms Corbett as a new Ambassador and thanked all the participants who have shared their stories in the second season. “Their stories are vulnerable, honest, heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking. But they help others feel less alone – and that’s incredibly powerful.”
With dementia projected to become the leading cause of death in Australia, Professor Buchanan emphasised the importance of sharing these lived experiences. “People living with dementia and their families were involved in every step of creating this podcast — so what you hear are real stories, tackling real issues.”
Episode topics in season two include:
- Grief and loss
- Navigating the healthcare system
- Balancing caregiving with work and family
- Carer self-care and mental health
- Evolving family and social relationships
Hold the Moment is available now via all major podcast platforms, the Dementia Australia website, and Dementia Australia’s YouTube channel.
