Five Lessons on Caregiving from Wilderness Survival

In 2015, after a violent attack on her beloved partner, Virginia Eubanks suddenly became a family caregiver. In the weeks, months, and years that followed, she and her partner struggled to stay afloat as they faced wave upon wave of setbacks, including a serious case of post-traumatic stress disorder. Then, a second case. Eubanks developed “collateral” PTSD, a condition common among caregivers but rarely discussed. An old lifesaving manual provided unexpected help. Inspired by its lessons, Eubanks studied wilderness first aid, kayak self-rescue, winter survival, bushwhacking, and lifeguarding. She interviewed experts and everyday heroes—from neuroscientists to monks to forest rangers. Join Eubanks to discover what it takes to build communities of care that can sustain us in uncertain times.