#79 | Mark Steven Porro | Parenting Your Parents with Joy—Here’s How
Can caregiving be joyful—even funny?
In this episode of The 4 Habits Podcast, Dr. Andrea & Jon sit down with Mark Steven Porro, award-winning author of A Cup of Tea on the Commode, to explore the emotional, humorous, and deeply human journey of parenting your parent.
When Mark became the full-time caregiver for his 90-year-old mother, he had no roadmap—just love, instinct, and a healthy dose of humor. His story is one of resilience, role reversal, and redefining dignity—and it will leave you laughing, reflecting, and maybe even calling your own parents.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the “squeezed generation”, juggling careers, kids, and aging parents, and searching for a more compassionate path.
Episode Highlights (Timestamps):
00:00 – Parenting your parents: Humour & dignity in caregiving
02:00 – From son to caregiver: Mark’s unexpected journey
05:40 – Hospice, love, and the comeback moment: Pumpkin pie saves the day
10:15 – The mindset shift that changed everything
14:30 – Finding beauty, joy, and laughter in the daily grind
19:00 – Day of Beauty: Treating his mom like a queen
23:00 – The toll—and gifts—of caregiving as a man
28:00 – Why “Find the Joy” became Mark’s personal motto
33:15 – Does wiping butts cause amnesia? (Yes, it’s a chapter!)
36:30 – What this journey taught him about unconditional love
40:00 – Reflections, resilience, and parenting with purpose
45:00 – Why Mark believes it was his mom who saved him
Next Steps:
A) Take Action – Connect with Mark Steven Porro:
– Website: https://acupofteaonthecommode.org
– Book: A Cup of Tea on the Commode – Available on Amazon
– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@acupofteaonthecommode
B) Stay Connected for more episodes:
– Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The4Habits
– Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0fWvVbnNNhh9jodRYGG1O1
C) Learn and Share:
– Take the FREE Relationship Skills Quiz: http://the4habitsquiz.scoreapp.com
– Join the High-Performing Teams Masterclass:https://the4habits.com/topteams
– GET OUR BOOK: https://the4habits.com/book/
Let’s ignite change and make a difference!
#Caregiving #ParentingYourParents #ElderCare#HumorAndHealing #UnconditionalLove #RelationshipsMatter #The4HabitsPod
Building Healthy Relationships - The 4 Habits Podcast
Helping you radically transform the way you do relationships to build Harmony@Home, Thrive@Work, and [email protected] their 2019 TEDx Talk, Dr. Andrea & Jon Taylor-Cummings, shared The 4 Habits of ALL Successful Relationships (3M+ views). Over 25+ years working with thousands of relationships they identified 4 Habits that ALL Successful Relationships exhibit - all challenged relationships miss one or more.In this podcast, together with various fascinating guest experts, they share practical insights to help you improve all your relationships at home, at work & in life!Prepare to be inspired.
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