Caregiving, Hospice & Grief: Diane Carbo on Family Preparedness, Medical Advocacy, and Life After Loss

In this episode of The Empowered Grief Journey Podcast, host Chris Mamone sits down with Diane Carbo, a registered nurse with 54 years of experience and the founder of Caregiver Relief, to talk about the realities of grief, caregiving, and why families need a clear plan before a crisis hits.

Diane shares her personal story of losing her mother after her oncologist told her she had “beaten cancer”—only for her mom to suffer a pulmonary embolism and pass away the same day. That experience shaped Diane’s lifelong approach to death, dying, and medical advocacy, including how grief can rewire the brain, create trauma responses, and change relationships within families.

Chris and Diane also explore how end-of-life conversations are often avoided until it’s too late, and why practical preparation matters. Diane explains the purpose behind her system, My Vital Vault, designed to help families organize critical health and life information so they can stay prepared for everyday caregiving and unexpected emergencies.