Brave Together Podcast: Support and Community for Caregiving Parents

At We Are Brave Together, we are huge proponents of therapy. Whether you're new to the world of therapy, an old veteran, or if you've struggled to find the right fit, we wanted to provide some practical tools to help you in your search. In our first Practical episode of Brave Together Podcast, Season 3, we're hearing from Kimberly Kooy and Chris Ioimo - two licensed marriage and fam...

Our first episode of Season Three is a Story Episode from Izzie Duval, mother of Dallas.  Izzie and her family have had what might be called a… unique…quarantine experience. Izzie’s amazing words will bring inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement for when the tough moments of this altered life feel more like marathons than sprints. Find Izzie’s work @wishcometrueco on IG and Facebook. JOIN the inte...

Are you ready for Season 3? Our first episode drops TOMORROW! Host Jessica Patay and podcast producer and editor Madeleine Inskeep-Hewitt chat about what’s in store, and the things they are most excited about in the months ahead. We’re up to new and exhilarating things! What’s YOUR biggest dream for the podcast and the We Are Brave Community? We want to know! Learn more about Madeleine’s podcast w...

Welcome to Season Three! Check out the trailer to hear host Jessica Patay share what’s in store for this season, and find out about some exciting changes to the podcast coming in February! Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire ​and validate all moms of children...

Say goodbye to Season Two of the Brave Together podcast. Today, Jessica shares a short reflection on the year, and a reminder of our power to choose the best for ourselves and our families. Brave Together Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp, an organization working to make professional counseling accessible, affordable, convenient - so anyone can get help, anytime, anywhere from the world's la...

Happy Holidays! Today on the podcast, we reissue our episode with Suzi Lula and Jessica Patay, discussing how moms might be able to set new precedents of peace during an often pressure-filled time. Brave Together Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp, an organization working to make professional counseling accessible, affordable, convenient - so anyone can get help, anytime, anywhere from the world&a...

We continue our Dear Younger Me series in episode 75 of the Brave Together Podcast , where seasoned moms share their stories and the wisdom they’ve learned over the years of parenting children with special needs. This episode, hear from Carrie Wetsch and Jessica Baer, both of whom have sons with Down Syndrome. Brave Together Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp, an organization working to make profe...

Did you know that over 40% of people with a disability do not have a family member or friend who is there to provide additional support or care when needed? Meet Lisa Dempsey, a mom, grandmother, active caregiver, advocate and CEO whose mission is to inspire a sense of belonging and be a source of joy for people with disabilities. The Forgotten Wishes foundation is her family’s brainchild, focusin...

How do we help our growing children with disabilities to understand their sexuality - whatever form it takes? Jessica interviews Kim Rossow about the top 5 questions she receives in episode 73. Kim is the Parent/Caregiver Education Specialist for Mad Hatter Wellness, and  has over 20 years of experience in sexual health education and wellness. Her real expertise comes from her 15 years of parentin...

This week, Jessica has a special message for moms everywhere: You Are Worth the Rest You Need! It IS possible to get away - we promise! For moms of children with special needs, We Are Brave Together offers group retreats for $200 a person, covering bed and board (with scholarship opportunities!) Visit our website to learn more. You are not alone! Brave Together Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp,...

Meet Katie, a certified child life specialist, podcast host and creator of Child Life On Call. She and Jessica discuss how to support parents, kids and medical care teams with the tools they deserve. She combines the expertise of a child life specialist and the heart of a momma to help parents go from overwhelmed to empowered. With over a decade of in-hospital experience, Katie has helped hundreds...

Today on the podcast we continue our series on culture and disability, exploring the intersection of Latinx culture, family norms, and multiple diagnoses. Angie and Terri invite us into their stories and discuss their experiences raising children with disabilities while navigating cultural assumptions. Angie is the facilitator of the We Are Brave Together San Diego support group, while Terri leads...

Today on the podcast, Jessica Patay and Effie Parks from @onceuponagene discuss the importance of community, and the tension that arises when you feel betrayed by the professionals during your child’s diagnosis process. Effie’s story and wisdom is rich and relevant - don’t miss this episode! About Effie and @onceuponagene - When Effie’s son, Ford, was born with an extremely rare genetic condition...

Dr. Regan is the oldest sister to 2 brothers on the autism spectrum and has been in the autism field for over a decade. She is an interdisciplinary professional drawing from her work in social work, special education, community-based services, and research to create person-affirming teams and support networks around autistic people as they grow up.  Find the organization's resources: www.auti...

This week, we are continuing our series shining a light on rare diseases. This week, we hear from Jodie Hughes and her beautiful daughter, Jadynne, who is six years old and diagnosed with Mowat-Wilson Syndrome, an incredibly rare condition.  What is a rare disease? In the US, it is defined as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people. Research is often lacking, and it can take years for a...

"How can the unexpected lead to transformation? Why is school inclusion for children with disabilities so important? Jessica and Jillian Benfield address both of these questions, and so many more in episode 66. Listen today! Jillian Benfield @jillianbenfieldblog is a former TV Journalist and PR Specialist turned military spouse and mom of three. Her second child, Anderson, surprised their fam...

Today on the @bravetogetherpod, Jessica Patay speaks with Charlie of @ouralteredlife. Based on the lessons learned during her journey as a special needs parent, plunged into a world she never expected or was prepared for, Charlie shares the incredible impact of our own self-talk and empowers people to break through their own limiting beliefs to find the happiness and success they deserve. Charlie...

Meet Marikay Cuthill on episode 64 of the @bravetogetherpod. Marikay Cuthill is mother of Maci, a vibrant, curious 16-year-old on the Autism Spectrum, and the founder of Maci And Pebble (MAP), a community dedicated to helping people navigate autism by finding answers, direction and peace of mind.  She started MAP after spending countless hours living through and watching her daughter go through va...

We are Brave Together founder Jessica Patay and Life Coach Kara Ryska discuss a much-requested topic in episode 63 of the @bravetogetherpod - Decision Fatigue. How do we defend against burnout, indecision, and resignation? Find out today on the Brave Together podcast!  In 2011, Kara became a mom to a special needs child as she and her husband received the crushing diagnosis of a huge and horrible...

Today on the @bravetogetherpod, Moira Cleary and Jessica Patay speak about the gut feelings we have as mothers about our children. Moira has two amazing daughters with over 15 conditions. She is a Certified and Accredited Professional Coach and Mindfulness Practitioner, and the host of the Surviving the Waiting Room Podcast and the Parent + Caregiver Summit. Join her Insider's Club for access...

We wanted to slide in this bonus episode to give you hope as the new school year begins. It's a reminder that 1. Moms make things happen for their children. 2. More trailblazers everywhere are making changes and possibilities for our children! Anything is possible. In this special Bonus Episode, Jessica interviews Natally Raisin, the founder of Willowcrest School in North Hollywood, a progres...

Have you met Michele Knowlton-Thorne? Today on the podcast, Jessica Patay and Michele talk about the power of care for the care-givers. We cannot wait to share her Trailblazing work with you! After both of her children were diagnosed with autism and she saw the need to provide parents with emotional, physical and educational support, Michele Knowlton-Thorne founded D.A.M.E.S LLC. Before founding D...

Susanna Peace Lovell shares the story of her experiences growing up mixed-race, and about the joys, heartbreaks, and cultural realities of raising her daughter Arizona to know her extended family in Taiwan.  Arizona has multiple challenges and diagnoses including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety and myriad food allergies. This is a rich and powerful episode, opening the door for desperately...

Today, Jessica Patay and author Kristin Armstrong discuss how pain is a catalyst and a conduit to growth and healing. Kristin Armstrong is the author of eight books including: Happily Ever After, Strength for the Climb, Work in Progress:  An Unfinished Woman’s Guide to Grace, Heart of my Heart, Mile Markers: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run, Ties that Bind and YES.     Her work has le...

We continue our series Shine a Light on Rare Diseases, and this week we speak to Madeline Cheney @the_rare_life about her adorable son, Kimball, and about living with grief and guilt as a mother and genetic carrier. Madeline is the leader of the Utah @wearebravetogether support group, so please do reach out if you live in the area and want to join the community. She is also the creator and host of...