Pieces For My Puzzle

This episode shines a light on the power of self-regulation, mindfulness, and daily practice as transformational tools for well-being. Join us as Tam Taouss shares her wisdom, practical strategies, and real-life experiences in Vedic Meditation and Breathwork—especially for parents and caregivers navigating the unique challenges of raising neurodivergent children. Whether you’re new to mindfulness...

Are you a parent, teacher, or advocate wondering how to support a bright child who struggles to read? In this episode, we sit down with Meagan Sardana, a speech-language pathologist on a mission to change the narrative around dyslexia. Meagan defines dyslexia as a specific learning disability rooted in challenges with phonological and phonemic awareness—not a measure of intelligence—and clears up...

Discover how a school principal and grandmother navigate autism, support families, and train first responders to keep neurodiverse kids safe. Tune in now! In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Kaufman to explore her powerful journey from both sides of the desk. We discuss practical strategies for grandparents, how to support adult children raising neurodiverse kids, and the critical importanc...

Feeling overwhelmed? Learn how to step out of survival mode and build calmness as a skill! Pennie Wilson shares the 5 Pillars of Calm Self-Mastery to transform your leadership, parenting, and teaching. Discover how emotional regulation brings clarity and joy back into your life. Tune in now and take your first step toward true inner peace! Key Topics Discussed: The     hidden cost of holding it al...

What if there were a more effective way to understand and support individuals on the autism spectrum? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jeanne Beard, founder of the National Autism Academy, author, and mother of three adult sons with autism. Drawing from a lifetime of personal and professional experience, Jeanne introduces the Linear Autism Method (LAM)—a groundbreaking approach developed...

Does your child struggle with reading and spelling? Do you worry they might have dyslexia or dysgraphia but don't know where to turn? This episode is for you. We sit down with Daniela Feldhausen, a former attorney turned special education expert and founder of Kids Up Reading Tutors. Daniela shares her incredible journey and unpacks the "Science of Reading"—a revolutionary, evidence-based approach...

Welcome back to the second part of our incredible conversation with renowned autism consultant and educator, Melissa Reiner. In this episode, we dive deeper into the practical side of parent training and explore how we can better communicate with neurodivergent children. Melissa shares her powerful evolution from working as a one-on-one therapeutic companion to collaborating with the entire family...

We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Reiner to the show for a fascinating conversation about the intersection of autism advocacy and the entertainment industry. With over 20 years of experience supporting families, educators, and institutions, Melissa is a renowned autism consultant, educator, and speaker. In this episode, we dive deep into her groundbreaking work as the autism consultant for the en...

When a child receives an autism diagnosis, parents often feel overwhelmed and alone. How do we best support our kids? How do we prepare them for the future? On this episode, we welcome Carol Waldman, a fierce parent advocate who shares her deeply personal journey of raising her neurodiverse son, Andrew. Carol opens up about the initial confusion of Andrew’s diagnosis and how she learned to navigat...

How do you find the strength to advocate for your child when faced with unimaginable challenges? In this episode, we sit down with Nancy Ferraro, an accomplished author and estate planning attorney. She shares the deeply moving story behind her memoir, "When the Bow Breaks," which details her journey raising her son, George, whom she adopted from Romania. Nancy offers an unflinchingly honest look...

What happens when personal experience meets professional dedication? On this episode, we are honored to welcome Olivia Fryer, the Executive Director of the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Since 2014, Olivia has been a tireless advocate for the disability community, a role deeply influenced by her life as a mom to two sons, one of whom is an autistic AAC user. Olivia brings a powerful perspectiv...

Raising a child on the autism spectrum comes with incredible joys—and unique financial challenges. In this episode, we talk with Mike Ringel, a financial professional who helps families create long-term plans that prioritize security, stability, and peace of mind. We cover: ·         The first financial steps parents of autistic children should take ·         How to plan for therapies, education,...

In this episode of Pieces For My Puzzle, we sit down with MaLinda Perry—designer-turned-Gallup-certified Strengths coach and founder of Happy Girls Don’t Do That. With over 20 years of experience in the design world and a passion for strengths-based development, MaLinda helps creatives, families, and leaders aim their natural talents for transformational results. We explore her bold career shift f...

In this episode, we sit down with Andre and Constance Lewis, the husband-and-wife duo behind Miles and the Colorful Capes of Feelings. Inspired by their son Miles and their journey as parents, they’ve created a children’s book series that empowers kids to express emotions, build resilience, and strengthen family bonds through creativity and play. We talk about: The personal story behind the Colorf...

In this powerful episode of Pieces For My Puzzle, we talk with Les Townsend, founder of BT Property Services, about how his son Colton’s autism diagnosis completely reshaped his perspective on parenting, purpose, and legacy. Faced with the reality of raising a child who falls into the “quiet space” between neurotypical and state-supported, Les turned frustration into determination—creating a busin...

In this episode of Pieces For My Puzzle, author Janet Elliot joins us to share her powerful memoir, The Alien Savant, and her deeply personal journey as the sibling of an autistic brother. Through her heartfelt storytelling, Janet offers a unique lens on autism, weaving together humor, history, and hard-won wisdom from growing up alongside her brother Michael in Ontario’s special needs education s...

This week on Pieces For My Puzzle, host Nikki Shipp welcomes Gabs Hayes, an inspiring business coach and mother of three, including a child with special needs. Gabs shares her powerful story of navigating life’s challenges, from parenting a daughter with severe asthma to making life-changing decisions for her family’s well-being. With grace and resilience, she has turned her experiences into a mis...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with the founder of Dare To Be Academy, Ashlee Dollar, a passionate mom of an autistic child who turned her personal challenges into a groundbreaking educational mission. This episode dives into her extraordinary journey, from navigating life as a mother of a neurodiverse child to creating a home-based microschool where autistic and neurodiverse learners can t...

This episode features the inspiring Dr. Roz , a trailblazer in personal and societal transformation through L.O.V.E. (Letting Others Voluntarily Evolve). Dr. Roz discusses her groundbreaking work as a Certified Trainer of Kingian Nonviolence, her mission to foster positive change through the Love Revolution , and her innovative approach to accessible education with DebtFreeDegree . We chat about h...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Kerre Burley , a parental development specialist with over 50 years of experience helping families overcome challenges and build harmony at home. Kerre shares her groundbreaking SleepTalk® process , which has transformed families around the world by providing simple, effective tools for overcoming dysfunction and stress. She also discusses the importan...

Step into the world of Jennifer Celeste Briggs, an extraordinary mother and writer who inspires change and connection through her powerful memoir, Watching Sarah Rise. This heartfelt conversation dives into her journey raising her daughter, Sarah, who was diagnosed with autism, and how the Son-Rise Program transformed their lives. Topics Discussed: What     is the Son-Rise Program? Learn about thi...

This episode features the inspiring T.L. McCoy, a dedicated author and publishing pioneer on a heartfelt mission to bring disability representation to children’s literature. Inspired by her granddaughter who lives with Dravet Syndrome, T.L. wrote Delilah Versus the Ghastly Grim to give kids with disabilities a hero they can see themselves in. The story follows Delilah, who, after a life-threatenin...

Join us for an inspiring episode as we sit down with Kristina Lucia Pezza, a talented artist, author, and passionate advocate for creative parenting. Kristina shares her incredible story and mission to help families form deeper connections through meaningful traditions, creativity, and compassion. Whether you're seeking fresh ideas for building family bonds or looking for tools to support your par...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jason, Science Communications Specialist at Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI). Jason shares his passion for STEM education, how his experience with Hyperlexia has shaped his career, and the impactful work he’s doing to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in STEM. From his role at SSAI to practical advice for aspiring STEM c...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Craig from Parenting Harmony, as we discuss his passion for empowering families through connection, mindfulness, music, and play. Craig shares his personal story and professional insights tailored to help families, especially those in the autism community, create more meaningful and joyful parenting experiences. Episode Highlights: ·        Craig tells us...