Brave Together Podcast: Support and Community for Caregiving Parents

In this practical episode - and our final episode for season 3, Jessica Patay and Michelle Sullivan explore how Michelle has turned advocacy into a thriving business; her insights are inspiring and will certainly invite listeners towards movements of creative bravery! Michelle Sullivan owns @littlest_warrior apparel and is the author of the children’s book Eli, Included. Michelle is the founder an...

In the lives of families with children with unique needs or disability, there are often (sometimes unusual) habits created to keep our kid safe, or calm, or to reduce sensory overload, pain, or unneeded difficulty. These little (or big) “staples” of daily life mean the world for families with children who have a disability. In this episode, Billie Short shares her gratitude for a staple of her hou...

In this practical episode with Suzi Lula, Jessica and her guest discuss a new way of thinking around boundaries. What are they, really? What does it mean to “set boundaries” in a way that honors and encourages everyone involved? Can we practice boundaries that encourage cooperation and foster deeper connections?   Suzi Lula, M.A., A.L.S.P., is a Spiritual Counselor, Teacher and Inspirational Speak...

In this very special episode (Episode 100!), Jessica shares the story of the night in 2016 she and Chris told their son Ryan about his Prader-Willi syndrome diagnosis. Ryan was 13 at the time of this story. After, Ryan, himself, joins Jessica behind the mic to share his thoughts and questions about the journey in his own words. You may want a few tissues nearby for this life-giving, raw, and heart...

With so much overwhelm, it can be easy to crumble under a sense that we are either ‘not enough,’ or that we are ‘too much.’ In episode 99, Laura Lee and Jessica Patay explore a topic recently covered at one of the Brave Together retreats: how to heal from the sense that we are either less or more than what our family and circumstances require. Learn more about Laura Lee at www.lauraleelife.com . J...

We spend a lot of time on the podcast sharing messages and stories that are good reminders of what moms and caretakers need to hear - the reminders that we need to repeat to strengthen, encourage and inspire us through hard days. Today, Jessica and her guest share a conversation about what our kids need to hear. Whatever their ability, diagnosis, their struggle… on the hard, complicated days - wha...

In a world where children and young people who have disabilities are at an increased risk of being abused compared with their non-disabled peers, how can a parent learn to manage their fears and protect their children? On this week’s episode of Brave Together, Jessica Patay and expert advisor Toby Stark discuss some of the most important questions parents need to ask of the organizations supportin...

We all need heroes, and every mom who shares her story here is offering something heroic - in vulnerability, they hold up a mirror, a place we can go to witness parts of our own paths, and be reminded that we aren’t alone. This journey is hard. Whether it’s fellow moms in the trenches, or heroes of a totally different kind - we are surrounded by heroes giving us strength to look ahead. Effie Parks...

Sex isn’t something parents usually think of when they think of “self-care,” but the fact is, in the lives of many partnered moms - in and beyond the disability community - undistracted time to connect intimately with their spouse or partner is hard to find. In an effort to protect an incredibly important part of our health and wellbeing, Jessica chats with Cindy Scharkey, a nurse and sex educator...

This life can be incredible. It is profoundly beautiful AND… it can be profoundly isolating. Especially when a lack of diagnosis or cooperation or understanding from family, doctors, and teachers makes it difficult for us to see a way forward for our kids!  Kam Katen’s story is one that invites us into the shoes of that profound confusion and loneliness, and her conversation with Jessica is a down...

What do you do when everything is going wrong? How do you zoom out enough to see things clearly - instead of reacting in fear or desperation? Jessica Patay and Yoga Instructor/Entrepreneur, D’Andre Clayton talk about the power of a regular breath practice to help develop clear-headedness and build peaceful foundations for our perspectives on the challenges of life. Find D’Andre on Instagram @dandr...

“Dear Younger Me” is a long-standing Brave Together tradition. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we hear from several moms farther ahead in their mothering journey, about what they would share with their younger selves. We hope you enjoy their messages of wisdom, and encouragement - remember, you are not alone. Thanks so Cindy Kaplan, Elizabeth Greskovics, Billie Short, Renay Compere, Kimberly Storr...

Rose Reif is a therapist who helps adults with disabilities who are struggling with anxiety, depression, transitions, and other challenges - and - she counsels parents of kids with disabilities who are overwhelmed by guilt, fear, isolation, and who are finding it impossible to care for themselves. Jessica and Rose talk about the difference between burnout and compassion fatigue, and a few practica...

In this altered family life, siblings occupy a sacred space, learning to carry the beautiful and the brutal sides of life while also being the brother or sister of a loved one with a disability. Growing up in this space comes with a price, and today author Kate Swenson, of Finding Cooper’s Voice, shares a sweet letter she wrote to her second son, Sawyer, containing her hopes, fears, and promises f...

We Are Brave Together is full of amazing stories - we all have so much to share with the world, about our journeys, our families, about this altered life. Have you ever wanted to put it all down on paper? Has it ever crossed your mind that, “Hey, maybe I should write a book.” If so, this episode is for you. Joy Eggerich Reed, a literary agent, speaker and author, is here to completely demystify th...

Think back on your journey… maybe it was sometime in the early days of your child’s diagnosis. Maybe it was sometime during the process of early schooling or therapy… Maybe it was a health crisis, or an unthinking word from a friend or family member… Either way, we’ve all had “low points.” Maybe you’re going through that “low point” right now. But know this: you are not alone. Today, we have Kelle...

April Rehrig joins Jessica Patay in a punchy overview of how to handle 504s and IEPs in the transition from high school to college! You’ll want to take notes for this episode. April is a cross-trained special education advocate who teaches real-world positive communication strategies for assessment and IEP development. She finds success in reframing the mindset of parents, teachers and students. W...

You know those days… when there’s that one thing - that one little thing - that pushes you over the edge? Those moments of derealization and overwhelm can be horrible… but they can also offer a window of insight and catharsis. Speaking to that window, today we have the effervescent and hilarious Megan Dolan (see her TedX talk here ) sharing her take on looking for peace in the midst of the madness...

Daniel and his family have spent a lot of time in the hospital. At the age of 12 months, Daniel’s first child Lucas was diagnosed with the rare disease Menkes Syndrome. In this episode, Daniel shares some practical, effective tips to help those trips and stays feel less chaotic. Daniel co-founded DISORDER: The Rare Disease Film Festival and later The Disorder Channel, both dedicated to spreading a...

In this community, it can be especially hard to find time to process our feelings. The demands of life don’t wait for us to process or neatly put them away. So, when grief hits close to home, it can be hard to even imagine putting one step in front of another. Rory Hunter has some wisdom to share about the time and space that grief needs. Her story is a beautiful and vulnerable one, and we hope th...

PART 1 -- IEPs are a foggy, foggy sea... but in this two-part episode, hear some sharp tips on navigating the process and the all-important meetings with your child’s IEP team. For over 28 years, Elizabeth Bloom has worked as a teacher, administrator, program director and learning specialist.  It was the the experience of raising a child with a disability that led her to move out of the educationa...

PART 2 - IEP’s are a foggy, foggy sea... but in this two-part episode, hear some sharp tips on navigating the process and the all-important meetings with your child’s IEP team. For over 28 years, Elizabeth Bloom has worked as a teacher, administrator, program director and learning specialist.  It was the the experience of raising a child with a disability that led her to move out of the educationa...

We talk a lot on the podcast about perspective… about how to zoom out and take good care of our momma hearts. But… what about the really, REALLY bad days, when you don’t want to hear any of the usual comforting words, when truisms and platitudes do more harm than good? What about the days you need to grieve? Today, Let Jess’s beautiful, raw, and honest words be a cry of catharsis - for you, for yo...

Is a High School Diploma actually the right route for your child? In this practical Brave Together episode, Jessica and Advocate, Kristen Carmi and Transition Expert, Dr. Gwen Palafox discuss - in detail - the tips, tricks, questions, and considerations to pose when making this important decision, and navigating your child’s journey through their school district. Learn more about Kristen Carmi at...

In this week’s Story episode, Ryane Nicole Granados shares the wisdom she’s learned from the moments in life that shatter our expectations, predictions, and preconceptions of the future. Ryane is a speaker, writer, and absolute powerhouse, and her story about raising her son Joshua, is a poetic and compelling exploration of how to live life without a roadmap. Find Ryane @awriterslyfe on Instagram....