Main Street Moxie
Main Street Moxie was born out of our love of the spoken word and constantly being inspired by people, businesses, and organizations that are mavericks in their own way. Our guests took a leap, all because they believed in themselves, and as a result, made something out of nothing. They had a vision and the necessary belief, and paved a new way – they had MOXIE! You can learn from these moxie stories. We're all capable of moxie in our lives and through our conversations with guests, you'll learn how to move your own moxie along the moxie meter.
Main Street Moxie
Episode 52: CB Wismar
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It takes a particular kind of moxie to show up every day for someone you love, while watching them decline and diminish, and your life takes on new responsibilities and roles.
CB and his wife, Kathy Wismar, were living a full life on their family farm in rural Northwest Connecticut — she painting and throwing ceramics, he writing and producing, both of them deep into a rich second act after raising two thriving kids and tag-teaming their way through over five decades of marriage. Then Kathy received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, and everything changed. CB became her full-time caregiver, joining the 63 million Americans navigating that same unexpected role in 2025.
In this episode, CB talks about what he calls caregiving moxie — the quiet courage it takes to get up each morning and do hard things out of love, partnership, and loyalty. He shares what he's learned about leaning on family, friends, and healthcare professionals, sitting with a wide range of emotions, and trying to make sense of a chapter neither of them planned for.
CB brings a lifetime of storytelling to this conversation. His five-decade career in communications spanned radio, television, and film. He led the events team at AARP and co-founded a creative agency that worked with Fortune 500 companies. He continues to write for Main Street Magazine and produce content for the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation.
Resources
To read about Kathy's life and art:
Kathy Wismar: A Life in Clay, Main Street Magazine, December 2016, pages 6-7
Resources for Caregivers
The Data
- Caregiving in the U.S. 2025 — The landmark AARP/National Alliance for Caregiving report cited in this episode
For All Family Caregivers
- AARP Caregiving Resource Center — Practical tools, legal checklists, local resources, and community support
- National Alliance for Caregiving — Research, advocacy, and resources for family caregivers nationwide
- Family Caregiver Alliance — Fact sheets, online support groups, and state-by-state resource guides
- Eldercare Locator — A free government service connecting caregivers to local support (1-800-677-1116)
For Alzheimer's & Dementia Caregivers
- Alzheimer's Association — 24/7 helpline (1-800-272-3900), support groups, and stage-by-stage guidance
- Alzheimer's Foundation of America — Free helpline staffed by licensed social workers, webinars, and caregiver fact sheets
- Alzheimers.gov — Federal government hub for Alzheimer's information and local referrals
- National Institute on Aging — Getting Help with Alzheimer's Caregiving — Guides on home care, adult day services, hospice, and more
- Caregiving in the U.S. 2025
