Fuel Your Purpose

Halloween for families impacted by disabilities can be a difficult night. Sensory issues and anxiety are likely on a night of costumes and asking strangers for candy. On this podcast, I talk about all of the Halloween hot topics - like how we can make the holiday more inclusive, the meaning behind different colored pumpkins pails, and the appropriate age for costumes and trick or treating. Connect...

Join me and let’s talk about employment for those with disabilities. Working professionals - learn how to successfully welcome and include those with disabilities. Parents raising children with a disability - learn how to build vocational skills and advocate for your child’s future employment. Parents raising neurotypical children - learn how to help your kids be future leaders. Hey, there. If you...

Are you trying to launch something new? Trying to accomplish a goal? This is the gut check you need. Join me and let’s talk about why you can’t take yourself out of the game before you even start. Don’t let yourself get in the way of your dreams, your goals, your next big thing. Hey, there. If you are new to my podcast, I’m Amanda and through my social media platform, Pieces of Me, I share my jour...

All my life, I have wanted to make an impact on others. Growing up with a brother with a rare chromosomal disability meant that my natural path to impact others was through the world of disabilities. From a special education teacher to now a nonprofit leader, I work every day to build a more inclusive world for my brother and my clients. But I am more than just that. I am a mom of two, I have been...

Building my nonprofit, Puzzle Pieces, is literally a dream come true. We began serving 32 clients and now serve more than 400. We opened the doors with four staff members and now employ over 100 with a $5 million operating budget. I have learned a lot along the way and I want to give other nonprofit leaders the top 5 strategies I have learned over the last decade of running Puzzle Pieces. Hey, the...

As a parent, receiving an unexpected diagnosis for your child can knock you off course. You can feel like your child’s future is over, but, I am here to tell you that’s not true… it’s just different. Join me and let’s talk about the things that I recommend for parents starting their journey with a disability diagnosis. And if you are not impacted by disabilities personally, be sure to tune in to....

What you see on social media is not real life. The photos we curate and put out in the world don’t accurately portray the hills and valleys of our every day. So, stop comparing and competing. Start building a life that feels good and forget about how it looks to others. Grab a drink and let’s talk about navigating life in an Instagram world and how to focus more on happiness rather than perfection...

One of my biggest points of growth as a leader has been understanding my mindset regarding professional titles. Growing up, hard work and showing up meant more than a title on a resume. But 10 years after opening my nonprofit, I now understand that to some, titles hold value. Some see titles as motivation, an end goal. With this understanding, I have made it a point to create a culture of teamwork...

Get to know me a little better with these five rapid fire questions! From my make-up routine and favorite podcast to which famous person I would have lunch with and a bad habit I need to break. Press play and learn a few random things about me! Hey, there. If you are new to my podcast, I’m Amanda and through my social media platform, Pieces of Me, I share my journey of being a sibling to someone w...

I am constantly trying to convince others to go against the grain. Whether that’s shouting that women deserve an equal seat at the table or that individuals with disabilities like my brother deserve the opportunity to work and be equal citizens in their communities. I advocate for others to see the worth in everyone, but sometimes I struggle to see my own worth and fail to see the value in the per...

Hey, there. If you are new to my podcast, I’m Amanda and through my social media platform, Pieces of Me, I share my journey of being a sibling to someone with a rare disability, a founder and director of a nonprofit serving those with intellectual disabilities, and finding balance as a working mom, wife, and business leader. Facebook or Instagram is a great way to connect with me! Just search @pie...

In order to believe there is no threshold for the possibilities in your life you need to ask yourself a few questions. What are your beliefs? What boundaries are you setting for yourself? Where is your mindset and how your mindset shift to push you forward? Join me as we talk about these questions and what may be holding you back. Oh, and I’ll give you three practical tips you can put in place in...

All mommas to those with disabilities, listen up. I think you may need to hear this. You can do it. You are strong and are the best advocate for your child. And know that I am here for you, cheering you on. As a provider, sibling and fellow advocate, I want to share some of the best advice I have learned over the last decade and offer you a little pep talk. Press play and let’s chat. Hey, there. I...

I am running and no one is chasing me. Even more than that, I am training for a half marathon. Who am I? I hate running. I never dreamed I would be a runner. But, for me, running is what I needed to keep me on track for my goals – and not just my health and fitness goals. Every time that lace up my shoes and don’t give up when I think I can’t run anymore, I am exercising my own self-discipline. An...

When things are hard, why do our habits go into autopilot? Why are the promises we make to ourselves the hardest to keep? Let’s talk about self-discipline, pushing harder and how you can best level up. This might just be the kick in the butt you need to get back on track. Hey, there. If you are new to my podcast, I’m Amanda and through my social media platform, Pieces of Me, I share my journey of...

In this episode, I dive into my relationships with my dad and my husband and talk honestly about how I was raised and how my husband and I parent our boys. Navigating conflict and how best to work together is easy for me in a professional setting. But applying those team building skills at home is a struggle. What I’m learning is that I need to better communicate with my husband and talk about how...

I’m BACK! In this episode, I explain why you haven’t seen a podcast in a while and why it’s important to know when you need a break. Taking time off isn’t a bad thing or that I was failing – I gave myself permission to pause. Do you need to give yourself that same permission? Join me and learn how to prioritize your time and discover why time off may be the key to your next big thing! Hey, there....

In this month’s series, Amanda dives into some awareness topics related to those with disabilities. This week, she talks about 5 things you can do better when it comes to interacting with those with intellectual disabilities. Don’t miss Amanda’s insight and learn how you can be more inclusive. Connect with me (Amanda) on Instagram or Facebook @piecesofmebyamanda I would love to hear from you! I ha...

In this month’s series, Amanda dives into some awareness topics related to those with disabilities. This week, she talks about three things that parents to someone with a disability don’t do. Whether this directly relates to you or not, you are going to walk away impacted. Give it a listen. Connect with me (Amanda) on Instagram or Facebook @piecesofmebyamanda I would love to hear from you! I have...

Relationships take effort on both ends. You have to understand the purpose of every relationship you have and prioritize them. Discover a quick activity that will help you gain clarity when it comes to your relationships and the importance of putting the relationship you have with yourself first. Connect with me (Amanda) on Instagram or Facebook @piecesofmebyamanda I would love to hear from you! I...

Excuses are my biggest pet peeve. But there’s a difference in giving excuses and setting boundaries and understanding what is and isn’t in your control. When I learned that giving myself grace isn’t the same as an excuse, my life took a 180. Join me as I talk about learning that there is no such thing as balance in life. Nothing should have equal parts of you at all times. Understand what's import...

Every woman struggles with confidence – including myself. Maybe you lack confidence in your job, in your roles as a mom or wife, in leading a project or investing in your dreams. Discover four takeaways you need to gain the confidence you are lacking. Trust me, I am no expert – I fight back self-doubt every day. But these four tips have helped propel me forward and I think they can fuel your confi...

I know why you are holding yourself back. You’re waiting for something. Whether that’s validation, the right time, the right skillset, a different season of life, permission, or confidence – you are stuck in the waiting. But every day you wait, you are robbing yourself of joy and sharing your gifts with others. Join me in the first episode of a special February series called Love Yourself. Stop wa...

Amanda is trying something new! Listen in as she answers five quick questions she gets asked all the time. Discover what Amanda wishes she knew in her 20s, what she attributes her success to, how she rebounds from setbacks, her favorite family dinner, and a new habit she is working on. Connect with me (Amanda) on Instagram or Facebook @piecesofmebyamanda I would love to hear from you! I have some...

We are a few weeks into 2022 – are you keeping your resolutions? Let’s be honest, probably not. It’s to fall off the wagon, as long as you get back on. Refocus, reset and prioritize. Is what you are doing now – your habits, resolutions, goals – going to matter “then,” in your future? Join me and let’s chat about setting yourself up for the best you for the future. Connect with me (Amanda) on Insta...