Get UnPuzzled

Welcome to the very first episode of UnPuzzled Stories, a new series from the Get UnPuzzled Podcast dedicated to sharing the real, unfiltered journeys of families raising children with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this episode, we sit down with Elizabeth to talk about her son's diagnostic journey—the questions, the uncertainty, the emotions, and the moments that shape...

Navigating the IEP process can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this powerful episode of Get UnPuzzled, we sit down with Karen Mayer Cunningham, also known as the Special Education Boss, to break down what families, educators, and providers really need to know about building strong IEPs and advocating with confidence. Karen shares real-world strategies for collaborating with IEP te...

In this episode of Get UnPuzzled, we are joined by Dr. Marc Ellison, a longtime leader in autism education, advocacy, and systems change. Marc Ellison, Ed. D., is the Executive Director of the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University and a Licensed Professional Counselor. For more than 40 years, he has worked alongside individuals with autism, their families, and the professiona...

In this deeply honest and much-needed conversation, we sit down with Dr. Cheri Timko, a couples and sex therapist with over 20 years of experience helping neurodiverse couples strengthen their communication, rebuild connection, and rediscover intimacy. Together, they open up about the often-unspoken challenges that come with parenting a child with a disability — the strain it can place on relation...

In this episode of Get UnPuzzled, we sit down with Harry Psaros, father, advocate, and author of From Struggle to Strength: Living Life with Autism. Harry shares his family’s journey raising a child with autism and how it has shaped his mission to advocate, spread awareness, and inspire hope. Together, we talk about the realities of navigating a diagnosis, the perseverance it takes to keep pushing...

In this deeply moving episode of Get UnPuzzled, we welcome Dr. Kerry Magro, a once nonspeaking child diagnosed with autism who has become a nationally recognized speaker, bestselling author, and leading disability advocate. Dr. Magro opens up about his personal journey — from the early days of struggling to communicate, to facing intense bullying and isolation, to discovering his voice and purpose...

We’re joined by two of everyone’s favorite moms from the hit Netflix docuseries Love on the Spectrum—Lise Smith and Nicci Smith. These two incredible women aren’t just TV moms—they’re real-life rockstars who have navigated the ups and downs of parenting four children each, including one on the autism spectrum. From laughter to heartbreak, routines to resilience, Lise and Nicci are sharing the good...

In this episode of Get UnPuzzled, we sit down with two of West Virginia’s leading advocates, Christina Smith of Astrive Advocacy and Christy Black of Disability Rights of West Virginia. These powerhouse advocates have dedicated their lives to fighting for their children and the disability community, leading four IDD Waiver rallies in their ongoing battle for change. We discuss the challenges famil...

Want to make a real impact in your community? In this episode of Get UnPuzzled, we sit down with Delegate Kayla Young to break down the steps to effective communication in the legislature. She was a strong voice when the WV IDD Waiver was threatened with cuts last year, and she continues to fight for the disability community. Learn how to advocate for change and ensure your voice is heard! Check o...

This was a special clip we couldn't let slip by our listeners. This bonus clip featuring Brittney Rutledge will help you understand the root causes of abandonment trauma and how it relates to caregiving and the development of our own deep rooted emotional impacts it causes. 

Join me as I sit down with Theresa Evanoff, the psychologist who diagnosed our son with autism. Together, we reflect on the pivotal moments that reshaped our family's life and explore the profound impact of understanding and acceptance. We talk about the emotional roller coaster that families go through upon receiving a diagnosis and what anxiety overcomes a provider who is giving the news. I hope...

Eileen Lamb, one of the leading voices in the autism community, shares her journey of raising two children on the spectrum, including one with profound autism who needs constant care. She discusses the challenges of facing death threats from social media trolls, advocacy work, and her third published book. She discusses what gave her the push to keep writing and her dedication to be a voice for he...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Trinity Keenan, a therapist and mother who had to make the difficult decision of placing her son in a residential home where he would have constant care and support. As she navigated the complex emotions and challenges that came with this choice, she discovered her own path to healing through therapy and other techniques she shares. Join us as she takes...

In this episode we discuss what defines trauma and how our bodies respond to fight or flight responses.