056 - Cleo Childs
Finding Grace Through Caregiving with Cleo Childs
Today, poet and author Cleo Childs shares the layered, emotional story of losing her mother Candace to early-onset Alzheimer’s. Cleo was only 21 when her mom was diagnosed — a time when most people are still figuring out their own path. Instead, she became a caregiver. What followed was a years-long journey through denial, frustration, grace, and grief, as Cleo learned to navigate her mother’s decline while grappling with her own identity.
Through poetry, humor, and reflection, Cleo brings a refreshing honesty to what it means to love and lose someone slowly. She talks about her mom’s quiet strength, her own early misunderstanding of that gentleness, and the eventual clarity that came too late. Cleo also opens up about the perfectionism she inherited, the patience she had to learn, and the guilt that lingers after a loss like this.
This conversation is full of heart — and levity. From anthropomorphic sticker planners to s’mores preferences, Cleo and Nick find space for joy even in the heavy moments. Whether you’re a caregiver, a grieving adult child, or someone who just appreciates a story told with depth and wit, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.
CLEO’S LINKS:
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/reesie.zahner
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/cleochildspoetry/
WEBSITE: https://cleochilds.com/
Look for Cleo’s book - Coming Spring 2026
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