Inchstones with Sarah | Autism Advocacy & Caregiver Stories

Sarah welcomes writer and neurodiversity advocate Sunita Theiss to Inchstones for a real, no-filter chat about the ups and downs of parenting and finding your voice along the way. Sunita opens up about her journey through infertility, the emotional layers of raising neurodivergent children, and how hard—but important—it is to let yourself be seen in the mess and the magic of it all. Together, Sara...

Host Sarah Kernion sits down with writer and dad Greg Scaduto — a man who’s raising an incredible son named Teddy and writing his way through the beautiful chaos. From diaper duty to deep thoughts, Greg opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of fatherhood, the healing magic of a good community, and why love always beats a milestone chart. Expect laughs, insight, and a reminder that parenting a...

The Power of One Friend Who Gets It: In this episode, Sarah, Kristin, and Kasi dive into the messy, beautiful world of parenting kids with autism and developmental delays — but with a twist: the role friendship plays in survival. Kristin opens up about how being that one friend who showed up made all the difference. She became the bridge — connecting hearts, calming fears, and reminding moms like...

On this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Bridgett Burrek-Brown, the powerhouse behind Beyond Beauty Project, to talk about the curveballs life throws (spoiler: they're not always underhand). They dive into Bridgett’s real-talk journey — grief, body image battles, and the exhausting (and sometimes hilarious) work of figuring out who you are while raising tiny humans who don’t car...

This episode of Inchstones invites you into the space where words fall away—and connection begins. Where autism defies logic... Host Sarah Kernion sits down with writer and intuitive communicator Demi Pietchell of "The Starfire Codes" to explore what it truly means to listen with all our senses. Through stories of raising non-speaking autistic children and deep reflections on energy, perception, a...

A conversation that arose from Sarah & Lena running into each other...literally. (Listen in to hear the funny story!) On this of the Inchstones podcast, Sarah Kernion and Lena Suarez-Angelino share their experiences as mothers of children with special needs. They discuss the profound connection they felt upon meeting, the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, and the importance of co...

Let’s face it, motherhood is already a wild ride...but raising a non-speaking autistic child? It’s a masterclass in heart, humor, and not having it all figured out. In this episode of the Inchstones podcast, Sarah sits down with Heidi Rome to swap stories about the real parenting grind: the messy, beautiful journey of loving kids who communicate in ways that go beyond words. They dish on why love...

Knowing each other for over 2 decades, Sarah sits down with Trish, the Grateful Life Coach, for an episode that speaks directly to every overwhelmed, self-reflective, emotionally exhausted mama out there trying to hold it all together. Trish opens up about her journey as a woman, mother, and coach—sharing raw, relatable truths about how motherhood cracked her wide open and became the catalyst for...

Is your child melting down inside but magically calm near a puddle? You're not alone...and you're definitely going to want to listen to this episode. Host Sarah Kernion teams up with outdoor education favorite human - Amy Giannotti - to dive deep into the magic of nature for neurodivergent kids. From sensory-soothing streams to water therapy disguised as puddle jumping, this episode explores how t...

This episode is for every mom who’s ever cried in the Target parking lot after an IEP meeting. Chelsea Bray, a fellow NJ Mom who has her perfect son, Archie, gets real about her journey as an autism mom...from processing the diagnosis, finding her people, and realizing that parenting a neurodivergent kid isn’t about fixing them, it’s about seeing them. She shares the story behind her new children’...

In this episode of the Inchstones podcast, host Sarah Kernion welcomes Dr. Suzanne Goh - neurologist, author, and founder of Cortica Care—for a compelling discussion on holistic and integrative approaches to autism care. Designed with behavior analysts and BCBAs in mind, this conversation delves into the role of genetic insights in case conceptualization, the value of strength-based and developmen...

Music becomes a bridge where words fall short as Sarah Kernion welcomes renowned music therapist Jenn Goodman better known as Jammin’ Jenn to the Inchstones podcast. Jenn shares her evolution from aspiring Broadway performer to a transformative force in the lives of non-speaking autistic children. The conversation explores how music can unlock connection, the delicate process of building trust thr...

In this heartfelt episode of Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Melanie Roman White, Center Director of The Uncommon Thread and former ABA preschool director for Sarah’s children, Milly and Mack. Together, they explore Mel’s path into early childhood education and ABA therapy, the power of recognizing small developmental milestones ("inchstones"), and the vital importance of human conne...

The Power of the Sara(h)s!  In this epispode of the Inchstones Podcast, host Sarah Kernion sits down with spiritual teacher and autism parent Sara Intonato to explore the deeply personal and often complex journey of parenting neurodivergent children. With raw honesty and spiritual insight, Sara shares how cultivating presence, self-regulation, and curiosity has transformed her relationship with he...

This one is for all the feels and laughs and everything in between. Host Sarah Kernion sits down with Kevin Spies—better known online as Grill Guy—to explore his powerful journey from special education teacher to full-time content creator. Kevin reflects on how fatherhood reshaped his career path and ignited his passion for building inclusive communities. The conversation dives deep into the lesso...

In this candid  episode of Inchstones Podcast, host Sarah Kernion and fellow autism mom Casey open up about their lived experiences as mothers of children on the autism spectrum. With honesty, warmth, and humor, they explore the deep identity shifts that come with parenting neurodivergent children, and the emotional highs and lows of the journey. The conversation delves into the impact on siblings...

In this landmark episode of Inchstones Podcast, host Sarah Kernion speaks with Glenna Crooks, the visionary school psychologist and national advocate who helped create the original Individualized Education Program (IEP)—a foundational component of special education in the United States. Glenna shares her powerful journey from her early days working in schools to shaping policy at the national leve...

Do you ever wonder if you actually know how to have a great conversation? In this episode host Sarah Kernion and Bhakti, a communication expert, dive into the complexities of dialogue for special needs parents. They explore how emotional intelligence, curiosity, and facilitation skills can transform conversations with educators, therapists, and support teams. Bhakti shares expert strategies on nav...

In this meaningful episode of Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion reconnects with Paige Rogers, one of her very first babysitters and now a dedicated kindergarten teacher, to discuss the intersection of neurodiversity and early childhood education. Paige shares how her early experiences caring for children, including Sarah’s own family, deeply influenced her teaching philosophy. Together, they explore...

  In this inspiring episode of Inchstones Podcast, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Shane Woods, CEO of Girlstart , to discuss how to ignite a passion for STEM education in young girls. Shane shares her experiences in fostering inclusive learning environments, the importance of female role models in STEM, and how curiosity and community can drive lasting change. The conversation also explores the...

In this heartfelt episode of Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion reconnects with Heather O’Neill, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Cortica ABA Center—and Milly’s very first therapist. Heather shares her journey into autism therapy and advocacy, discussing the evolving landscape of how children on the spectrum receive support. Sarah and Heather dive into the importance of a holistic approach...

In this episode of Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Cait Donovan, a leading expert on burnout prevention and recovery, to discuss the unique emotional toll of parenting a child with special needs. Cait offers profound insights on caregivers' hidden stressors, the importance of grace and self-compassion, and why recognizing burnout early is essential for parents and children. Throughou...

In this powerful episode of Inchstones Podcast, Harry Psaros shares his personal journey as a father navigating the emotional realities of raising a child with autism. He opens up about the challenges of receiving an autism diagnosis, the shift from uncertainty to acceptance, and the profound growth and empowerment that comes with embracing neurodiversity.  Harry is the author of "From Struggle to...

In this deeply insightful episode of Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion sits down with child therapists Kerri Adams and Christina Rom from Love Play Grow to tackle a critical yet often overlooked topic: how to support neurotypical children growing up in families with special needs. Kerri and Christina share powerful insights on the unique emotional challenges these children face, from feeling overlook...

This week on Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Dr. Lillian Ardell—founder of Langauge Matters and a bilingual advocate, educator, and disruptor of monolingual biases—for a thought-provoking conversation about linguistic justice and the power of language. Dr. Ardell shares her journey as a champion for bilingual and multilingual education, highlighting how humor, curiosity, and mindset...