Exceptional & Unfiltered Ep. 1 - That Was the Moment

In today's episode, Melissa, Tereasa, and Alysha reflect on the moments and comments that have stayed with them over the years. Parenting a child with special needs often comes with self-doubt and an ever-present inner critic—but what happens when those feelings are reinforced by the words or assumptions of others? From awkward encounters at the grocery store to posts on social media, the hosts sh...

This week, we're talking about our saving grace when the pressure's on, a meltdown is eminent, and time is of the essence. That's right, we're talking about bribes. Whether it's a well-timed goldfish cracker or an ice-cold Dr. Pepper, we're sharing the little motivators that make all the difference in sticky situations. There's a lot of laughs, smiles, and sweet moments in today's episode and we d...

In this week's episode, we're talking about vacations (and sometimes needing a vacation from the vacation). From airports, to road trips, travel accessibility, and packing mayhem, we cover it all in this summer edition of Exceptional & Unfiltered. If your vacations can sometimes inspire a little more chaos than relaxation, this one's for you! Pull up a chair, grab a snack, and join us for toda...

In this week's episode, we talk about an important milestone - high school graduation, and how this celebratory occasion can look a little different for special needs families. Graduation brings a mixture of bittersweet feelings for any parent, but in this episode, we dive into the complexities, worries, and rays of hope that accompany graduation for parents of children with special needs. We talk...

In this episode, Melissa, Alysha, and Teresa share their favorite parts about being moms to children with special needs. The happy moments, the blessings in disguise, and all the goodness in between. Today we're focusing and all the things that make this life beautiful and exceptional, so pull up a chair and sit a spell with us!

Caregiving doesn’t get easier—it changes. In this episode, we talk about growing older alongside our children, facing the question no one wants to ask—what happens when we’re gone?—and the shift from years of doing it alone to finally finding support, community, and a better quality of life for all of us.

In Episode 3 of Exceptional & Unfiltered, Melissa, Teresa, and Alysha lighten things up—sharing the funniest, most unforgettable moments from life as special needs moms. From unexpected one-liners to their most chaotic moments (and a few solid mom fails), plus the quirky, hilarious things their kids do, this one brings the laughs. They’re also wearing blue for Autism Awareness Month to show su...

In this episode of Exceptional & Unfiltered , Alysha, Melissa, and Teresa talk about the identity shifts that happen when you become a parent to a child with special needs. They discuss changing dreams, balancing personal overwhelm with the needs of your family, and the constant question many caregivers ask themselves: Am I doing enough? Through honest conversation, they explore capacity, life...

Welcome to Exceptional & Unfiltered - a podcast made by three moms navigating the real, beautiful, messy life of raising kids with special needs. We're so glad you're here. Episode 1 - That Was the Moment There’s a moment that changes everything. The one that defines your before and after. In this episode, we share the moment our children were diagnosed with disabilities — the shock, the grief...