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Club Sandwich

Club Sandwich

Vera.guide 48 Episodes Oct 14, 2026

Club Sandwich is a podcast for the 'sandwich generation' — people caring for ageing parents while juggling work, kids, relationships and their own sanity. Hosted by veteran broadcaster Sarah Macdonald, it features clinical psychologists, GPs and geriatricians instead of life coaches, and tackles subjects like guilt, family dynamics and the physical toll of caregiving. Regular segments include This Week's Hack, listener letters, Hot Mess Moments and practical resources. The show is supported by Vera, an Australian aged care platform, and aims to build a community for caregivers who feel isolated.

Episodes

The first national count of Australia's 'sandwich generation' | Stand Up and Be Counted with Melissa Reader | Club Sandwich
The first national count of Australia's 'sandwich generation' | Stand Up and Be Counted with Melissa Reader | Club Sandwich Oct 14, 2026 2165 How many people are in the sandwich generation? Until today, nobody knew. The number: 2.43 million people aged 35–70 currently help or care for an ageing parent. This number is expected to rise to over 6 million within 10 years. In this episode, Sarah Macdonald is joined by Melissa Reader (CEO of Vera and Commissioning Editor of Club Sandwich) to discuss Vera's new, nationally representative
Making the 'invisible army' seen | Carer's Week with Melissa Reader | Club Sandwich
Making the 'invisible army' seen | Carer's Week with Melissa Reader | Club Sandwich Oct 11, 2026 657 In this bonus episode, Sarah Macdonald is joined by Melissa Reader to discuss new research into Australia's 'invisible army' of sandwich generation carers. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. Vera is your candid companion as you care for an ageing parent. Have a look at https://vera.guide. FACES (Families for Aged Care Equity and Support) is a family-led campaign asking for one ho
Neurodiversity in the Sandwich | Nicole Rogerson, CEO of Autism Australia | Club Sandwich
Neurodiversity in the Sandwich | Nicole Rogerson, CEO of Autism Australia | Club Sandwich Oct 7, 2026 1960 She was one of Sydney's best door bitches. Now she's CEO of Autism Australia.  Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community In this episode:The Conversation: Sarah talks to Nicole Rogerson, CEO of Autism Australia and m
Dementia Daycare | A gift for everyone in the sandwich generation | Club Sandwich
Dementia Daycare | A gift for everyone in the sandwich generation | Club Sandwich Sep 30, 2026 2400 She used to let everyone else win. Now nobody's safe at bowls. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community In this episode: Sarah visits a dementia day programme run by ECH in Adelaide to meet Gina, who's living with dement
Reflections on Ageing and Caring For Elders | Stan Grant | Club Sandwich
Reflections on Ageing and Caring For Elders | Stan Grant | Club Sandwich Sep 23, 2026 2167 Stan Grant, journalist, author and Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi man, joins Sarah Macdonald to talk about caring for his ageing parents, why he sees himself as a 'provider, not a carer', and what eldership really means. Along the way, he shares the process behind his new book, visions of John Coltrane, and wisdom gleaned from a lifelong love of music, books and family. Ageing parents? You've got them. W
A Life of Good Food | Maggie Beer on Ageing With Purpose and Passion | Club Sandwich
A Life of Good Food | Maggie Beer on Ageing With Purpose and Passion | Club Sandwich Sep 16, 2026 2612 Maggie Beer, cook, author and founder of the Maggie Beer Foundation, joins Sarah Macdonald to talk about food, ageing and why what's on the plate in an aged care home matters more than most families realise.  Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.SEND US YOUR QUES
She Was The Watchdog for the Sandwich Generation | Natalie Siegel-Brown, Former Inspector General for Aged Care | Club Sandwich
She Was The Watchdog for the Sandwich Generation | Natalie Siegel-Brown, Former Inspector General for Aged Care | Club Sandwich Sep 9, 2026 2541 Natalie Siegel-Brown spent years holding the government to account for the funding, administration and regulation of Australia's aged care system as the Inspector General of Aged Care. She's also part of the sandwich generation herself, raising an 11-year-old while supporting her own ageing parents. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. JOIN THE CLUB: Visit clubsandwich.community to join
Having A Play: Trying New Things In Midlife | Indira Naidoo | Club Sandwich
Having A Play: Trying New Things In Midlife | Indira Naidoo | Club Sandwich Sep 2, 2026 2242 " I always find that there's part of me here, and there's another part of me swimming with the fish in the sea at the same time." In this episode, Indira Naidoo joins Sarah to talk about her new role with the  Sydney Theatre Company, spending time under her tree, and the importance of creativity in her life. They reflect on rediscovering play and creativity in midlife, the limits of journalism in
The Sandwich Years: Caring for Parents Before Crisis | Prue Bowden | Club Sandwich
The Sandwich Years: Caring for Parents Before Crisis | Prue Bowden | Club Sandwich Aug 26, 2026 2281 "I'm alright, sweetheart. No, I don't need help." Every one of us has heard it. Prue Bowden runs home care for 50,000 Australian families, which makes her the person everyone corners at parties to ask about a parent who won't accept a thing. Today, she's in the chair talking about what to actually do next.  Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. Content note: this episode covers agei
Reviewing the Sandwich Generation on TV | Kerry Milligan and Melissa Reader | Club Sandwich
Reviewing the Sandwich Generation on TV | Kerry Milligan and Melissa Reader | Club Sandwich Aug 23, 2026 2058 In this bonus episode, Sarah Macdonald is joined by Kerry Milligan and Melissa Reader to discuss representations of the sandwich generation on screen. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. This episode was supported by Australian Unity, home health and care services — australianunity.com.au/clubsandwich. With thanks to NSW Trustee and Guardian — search NSW Trustee and Guardia
"Grief Is A Wave" | Kerry Milligan: One Year After Emmie | Club Sandwich
"Grief Is A Wave" | Kerry Milligan: One Year After Emmie | Club Sandwich Aug 19, 2026 2222 Grief doesn't run to the timetable you were handed. A year after her mum Emmie died, Kerry Milligan thought she was managing well. Then she went back to Tasmania with a small plastic container of her mother's ashes, and found out that year one isn't a finish line. Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. For support: Carer Gateway 1800 422 737. Griefline 1300 845 745. Lifeline 13 11 14, 24/
Grandpa in the Granny Flat | A 'Compass' Follow-Up with Janelle and Nicole | Club Sandwich
Grandpa in the Granny Flat | A 'Compass' Follow-Up with Janelle and Nicole | Club Sandwich Aug 12, 2026 2045 Legendary ladies Janelle Adams and Nicole Bennett are looking after Janelle's 94-year-old dad Ernie, Ernie's dog Bella, and their two boys Max and Sam – all under one roof. They shared their story with Sarah on last Sunday's episode of Compass (available on ABC iView), and on today's episode of Club Sandwich, they join us with an update about how life has changed since Sarah visited them. Fo

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