Brave Together Podcast: Support and Community for Caregiving Parents

Why is rejecting self-care actually a symptom of narcissism? Find out in today’s episode from Jessica Patay and Suzi Lula, who talk about the small steps that can help burdened mothers cultivate a strong sense of worthiness - in themselves, and their children.  Suzi Lula, M.A., A.L.S.P., is a Spiritual Counselor, Teacher and Inspirational Speaker. Over her 18 years in private practice, along with...

This Wednesday, we continue our series on “Self Care,” and what it really means for warrior moms of special needs children to care for themselves. How do we practice Self-Care when it feels Impossible? This week, Jessica interviews Kara Ryska, a certified coach and the host of a weekly podcast called The Special Needs Mom Podcast. Through this podcast, she is creating a watering well for moms who...

As we dive into 2021 and Season Two of the Brave Together podcast, Jessica Patay speaks about some new ways to think about strengthening and caring for ourselves in 2020, and explains the all-important difference between "self-comfort" and true "self-care." Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We A...

Wow! It’s the end of the year - and of Season One of the Brave Together Podcast! This week, Jessica Patay has some last encouragements for our amazing momma listeners as we step fully into the holidays, and prepare for the months ahead.  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, enco...

Jessica Patay shares what she has learned to embrace and reject as she has had to build and grow resilience over the past 17 years of mothering her son, Ryan, who has Prader-Willi syndrome. What she shares will inspire you to prioritize and build resilience amidst this season of constant change and hardship. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization bas...

The idea of Dear Younger Me series came from an annual event offered by We Are Brave Together.  Experienced, expert moms, share their wisdom on a variety of topics with moms earlier in their motherhood journey. Organic mentoring at its best!  We begin with Sheila James, mother to Quinn, who is an amazing artist with Cerebral Palsy, spastic quadriplegia, and optic nerve damage. Brave Together is th...

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Jessica and Suzi Lula discuss how to prepare our minds, hearts and bodies for a time of year that can be so full of pressure and expectation. This is our first holiday season during COVID... so what does it look like to approach things differently for our own and our family's well-being? Suzi Lula, M.A., A.L.S.P., is a much-sought-after Spiritual Counselor, Teac...

Jessica invites Peace of Heart Community Co-Founder Amy Groshell and  Special Needs Educator and Founder of ACCEPTS, Inc., Morgan Tyner on the show to discuss "Presuming Competence." How do we see our children and teach others to see our children with intelligence and brilliance, even when their body and behaviors tell you a different story?   Brave Together is the podcast for We are Bra...

Jessica Patay and Kim Albrecht from the LOMAH podcast discuss the “Future” for special needs children and their parents. What happens when carers and parents can no longer be around for their growing children? What can we do to control the future, if anything? How can we prepare? How can we silence our fear and find the peace we need to plan for our children well? Kim’s energy, optimism and practi...

In the months ahead, Jessica Patay will occasionally pause the regular podcast series to highlight lesser known and uncommon diseases. In today’s Rare Disease highlight, we meet Nadine and Becky, moms of children with Epidermolysis Bullosa. EB is an incredibly rare group of genetic conditions that can result in easy blistering and damage of someone’s skin; blisters and painful injury occurs with v...

In this Bonus Episode covering Social Skills in younger children with special needs, we hear from Monica Fyfe. Monica is a mother of two, a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT # 47541) a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor Level. As the founder of Our VIllage, Currently Monica works in private practice where she combines her expertise in Play Therapy and App...

In Part Two of our Bonus Episodes covering Social Skills in children with special needs, Cecilia and Jason speak to us about the different levels of play, and the important things parents can keep in mind as we try to guide our children in the skills they need to interact socially. Social Skills is a HUGE topic, and this is just the beginning. Cecilia and Jason have a combined 30 years of experien...

Dannelle Newnam, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Oklahoma, and is Board Certified in Neurofeedback. She is also a certified provider of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy specifically for treating Insomnia. She has a passion for helping kids and adults live fully functional, purposeful lives. Dannelle offers compassion for those who are struggling and is eager to offer help, support...

Jamie Katz, is the Co-Founder of Brain Bridge in Manhattan Beach, California.  Brain Bridge specializes in combining brain training with social and emotional well-being for youth and adults, families, businesses and community organizations. Jamie provides learning assessments, personalized cognitive training plans and conducts brain training.  Jamie is an Advanced Trainer in the Structure of Intel...

With Child Psychiatrist, Dr. Lawrence Braslow. Dr. Braslow has 20 years of experience, providing psychotherapy and medication support to his patients, serving both children and adults. He completed his Child and Adolescent training at Cedars-Sinai Medical center, and is in private practice in the South Bay, Southern California. He has remained active training and supervising Child Psychiatry Resid...

Emily Nolan is the host of Brave Talks, a YouTube show and podcast sharing radical honesty and self-acceptance. A former model and Division 1 athlete who struggled deeply with disordered eating, body dysmorphia, and plastic surgery–breast implants, followed by full-body liposuction, and a breast explant–Emily regularly shares her story and message via her award-winning blog, EmilyNolan.com, and ac...

In Part Two of our series with Meygan Caston, you will hear the most practical advice on something I think we all take for granted:  great communication skills! How can we get to the root of some marriage issues if we do not properly learn/re-learn/practice good communication skills? Meygan Caston is the cofounder of Marriage365, where she and her team specialize in creating online and on-demand r...

In this episode you will hear the most practical advice from Meygan Caston on something I think we all take for granted:  great communication skills! How can we get to the root of some marriage issues if we do not properly learn/re-learn/practice good communication skills? Meygan Caston is the cofounder of Marriage365, where she and her team specialize in creating online and on-demand resources fo...

Guest: Rory Hunter. A woman who is no stranger to loss and grief, a widow and a single, working mom, Rory Hunter is the epitome of grace and wisdom under pressure. Her WABT story began when her middle son was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma and Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome at ten months old. She was Founding Board Member of WABT, serving two years. Currently, Rory is on the board of Tour de Pier, as...

“How do you do it?” As a single, working mom, how do you stay grounded and grateful? Lora Ackermann is gratitude and joy personified in the midst of hardship and spinning multiple plates.  She currently shares her leadership experience and  serves on the WABT Board.  Lora has a passion for empowering people through connection, art, the written word, and interactive experiences and she is truly hon...

Undercover Moms and Mental Health: A mother’s heartache and journey with her own children propelled Joye Madden into advocacy and support of other parents whose children have mental health challenges. Joye Madden is the face of the WABT Support Group in Alabama, specifically geared towards moms of children with depression, anxiety, adhd, and all mental health challenges. Brave Together is the podc...

This week, Jessica discusses how to navigate IEPs & Distance Learning. Advocate/Educational Therapist Eryn Yolac, and Special Education Attorney Grace Clark brilliantly take on this topic during such a complicated, stressful time in history for special needs parents.  noiepleftbehind.com Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. Th...

By popular request - we are giving you the clear wisdom of LMFT, Dannelle Newnam, who spoke at one of our support group zooms this summer. She offers practical tips on how to reduce daily anxiety levels , and gives some insight into why these tips are actually helpful! You can find her on IG @okneuro and her website: okneurofeedback.com Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a no...

Part 2 of Managing Anxiety, where LMFT, Dannelle Newnam (who spoke at one of our online support groups this summer) offers some incredible wisdom on facing, manging, and conquering our anxiety, She offers practical tips on how to reduce daily anxiety levels , and gives some insight into why these tips are actually helpful! You can find her on IG @okneiro and her website: okneurofeedback.com Brave...

This week, Jessica Patay interviews the incredible Jeanie Bergen. Jeanie Bergen became her sister's guardian when she was 20 years old, and in this episode, tells her own and Edna's story with a grace and fiesty honesty that will break your heart and build it back together again. Look for Jeanie's incredible writing on Medium , on the We Are Brave Together blog, and on the horizon....