Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast

“Season highlights and summer send off” with Eric and Christen     Hey guys, welcome back to the podcast. We’re doing something a little different today. It’s just Eric and I and we’re talking about the podcast season, the past 100 episodes, and life with a little bit of fun and a whole lot of heart and then we’re going to share some helpful tips in a sendoff to summer!   For a family raising a ch...

"Celebrating Our 100th Episode!" with Eric and Christen   Welcome to the Hope on the Hard Road Podcast.  This is a milestone moment, it is our 100th episode! It’s hard to believe that what started five years ago as a simple idea has grown into something so meaningful. When we first launched this podcast, Eric and I just wanted to create a space where families navigating special needs could feel se...

“Creating a Neuro Affirming Environment” with Chris Wenger “Speech Dude”       Intro: Today on the podcast we have an amazing guest who is revolutionizing how we support neurodivergent students.    Speech therapist Chris Wenger, also known as "Speech Dude!" is internationally acclaimed for his work with autistic students.  He's transforming therapy practices and creating spaces to support families...

Family Series:   “Creativity in Marriage & Parenting: Replay” with Angela and Mike O’Brien      Welcome back, you are going to love the replay of this episode! We have Angela O’Brien of the Especially Organized Podcast joined by her husband Mike. Ladies, Angela will also be one of our speakers at this year’s Moms Day Out! So grab your 1 day or full weekend tickets today!    This is going to be...

Family Series:  “The Significant Life of a Dad” with Marcus Jones     Welcome back to the Podcast.  I am so excited to have Marcus Jones on the Podcast.   Marcus is Executive Director of HIS EYES, part of the family of foundations at In-N-Out Burger Corporation. Marcus works to provide hope, immediate support and sustainable solutions to those experiencing homelessness.   Marcus is a long-time adv...

Family Series:  “The Significant Life of a Mom” with Jen Jones     Hey guys, thanks for joining us for the podcast today!  We are so excited to have author, speaker, podcast host, and entrepreneur, Jen Jones back with us today. Jen is the founder and CEO of Jen Jones Direct LLC, and the creative architect of the Significant Conference. She is also a certified health coach, having built a nationwid...

Marriage and Family Series:  “Marriage and Caregiving” with Dan & Kara Ryska    Hey guys, welcome back to the Hope on the Hard Road Podcast. We are in our Marriage and Family series and we’re excited to introduce you to our guests, Dan and Kara Ryska.    Dan and Kara have been married for 22 years. Kara is the host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast, and Dan is a local high school Assistant Prin...

Family. Series: “A Life of Significance as Caregivers” with Marcus & Jen Jones   Thanks for joining us today as we begin our Family Series with Marcus and Jen Jones.  We first met Marcus and Jen a few years ago when I saw an Instagram video of their family dancing and reached out knowing that we had mutual friends. Then last year we had the privilege of having them come and speak to our couple...

"The Life of a Medical Caregiver" with Kara Ryska   Hey guys, Thanks for joining us today! We’re continuing on in our Medical Family Series with guest Kara Ryska, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast. As a devoted mother of four, ranging from ages 7 to 17, Kara's life has been shaped by her role as a mother of a multiple brain tumor survivor and a child with diverse disabilities, encompassing phy...

Medical Family Series:  “A Family’s Courageous Journey” with Steve and Melissa Bundy  Intro:  Today we begin our medical family series and you are about to be inspired by one family’s story.  Steve and Melissa Bundy have been married for 33 years and have two adult sons. Their oldest son Caleb was born with a rare chromosome deletion and subsequent multiple medical diagnoses.   Steve is the Senior...

"Season Highlights & Happy Holidays" with Eric and Christen Hey everybody Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This season has had so many incredible episodes and there are so many more to come in the New Year!  Lets take a moment and listen in to some of the highlights. And don’t forget you can always get caught up on the episodes you’ve missed over the holidays. Find us where ever you listen...

Spellers Series: “The Spellers Method” with Dawnmarie Gaivin   Dawnmarie Gaivin, is the cofounder of Spellers MethodTM and the Executive Director of Spellers Freedom Foundation. A former trauma and transplant nurse who spent more than a decade working in prestigious teaching hospitals in Boston and San Francisco, when she became a mother in 2003, her life took an unexpected turn. By 2006, both of...

Spellers Series: “Finding Their Voice: A Family’s Journey with Spelling” with J Brad and Paulette Britton   Today we continue our Spellers Series and are joined by Paulette and J Brad Britton.  Paulette and J Brad have a 24-year-old autistic son with apraxia, named Sam. For years, his intelligence and humor were missed. That changed when he began using spelled communication to share his thoughts....

Spellers Series: “Spelling Adventures and Advocacy” with Kelly and Pamela Schlenz Hey guys, we’re excited you’re joining us for this episode! Today we begin our Spellers Series, highlighting this incredible form of communication. You won’t want to miss this informative and heartwarming series this month! Kelly Schlenz is the Executive Director of Idyllwild Pines, a retreat and camp center nestled...

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Series: “Happiness is Down Syndrome” with Misty Snyder Welcome back to the Down Syndrome Awareness Month Series! Today, we’re joined by a truly inspiring guest — Misty Coy Snyder. Misty is an actor, singer, writer, entrepreneur, and a powerful advocate for the Down syndrome community. After receiving a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis for her second son, Misty created...

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Series: “The Lucky Few : Shifting Narratives” with Heather Avis October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and on today’s episode we are excited to welcome guest Heather Avis — New York Times best-selling author, podcaster, and founder of The Lucky Few. For over a decade, Heather has been shifting the narrative around Down syndrome, using storytelling, advocacy, and ac...

Future Planning Series: “The Dani Plan” Hey guys, we’re excited you joined us today! This is such a great episode! Our families know all too well the endless amounts of documentation required of us, just to get through the day let alone to plan for the future. Medication charts, daily schedules, appointment calendars there is so much to track. Our guests today get it. And what’s more they’ve creat...

Future Planning Series: “Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together” with Amanda Owen You’re not gonna want to miss this inspiring episode with author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Amanda Owen, founder and executive director of Puzzle Pieces in Owensboro, Kentucky. Amanda shares her journey from special education teacher and sibling to nonprofit leader, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and personal mo...

Future Planning Series: “Welcome to Season 5” with Eric and Christen Welcome Back for Season 5 of the Hope on the Hard Road podcast. We’re glad you joined us It’s going to be an incredible season! Don’t forget to subscribe so we you never miss an episode!! We have some really amazing guests on this season who many of you likely already know and follow!  We have Chris Wenger otherwise known as “Spe...

“That’s a Wrap for Season 4!” with Eric and Christen Freund Hey guys, That’s a wrap for season 4!  We had so many great episodes this season and we can’t wait for Season 5 starting in August! Guys, We can hardly believe we’re headed into year 5 of the podcast! We have some incredible guests coming on this season, many of whom you likely already know and follow. So be sure to follow the podcast and...

Mental Health Series   “Mental Health in Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities” with Cheryl Jordan   Today is the final episode of our Mental Health Series. We are thrilled that board director and licensed therapist, Cheryl Jordan could join us today for this informative discussion. It’s Mental Health Awareness Month and we’re talking about “Mental Health in Teens and Young Adults with Disabili...

Series: Mental Heath “Mental Health for Families with Special Needs” with Elizabeth Strout    May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Studies show that individuals with disabilities, including children, experience higher rates of mental health distress and mental health disorders compared to those without disabilities. Today as we discuss this important topic we are excited to introduce you to Eliza...

Ministry Series: “International Disability Ministry” with Linda Martin We are so excited to have Linda Martin, Founder & President of Miracle 139 International, back on with us,  for today’s podcast episode! Linda is a Board-Certified Music Therapist, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders, behavior management, and music therapy assessment. With over two decades of experience, Linda has ded...

Disability Ministry Series 'Autism and the Church' with Pastor Russ Ewell Welcome back to the Podcast.  Today we have Russ Ewell, lead pastor of Bay Area Christian Church and father of two children with special needs as our guest.  As a father and an advocate in the special needs community he understands the need for creating inclusive environments for our children.  As a Pastor, he and his wife h...

Family Series 'Motherhood & Special Needs' with Becky Wall   Welcome back. On this episode the focus is on moms. As moms we have our own unique stories to share. And as we approach World Down Syndrome Day, we are delighted to have Becky Wall on with us again to share her story as a mom of a son diagnosed with both Down Syndrome and Autism. Becky works for FamilyLife as a field staff leader ser...