The Special Needs Mom Podcast

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 022: This week I found myself thinking about a year ago, when I almost lost Levi. My husband and I were hours away, for a wedding. We received the scariest phone call and that drive back home was so long! What was going to happen to our boy? - Scariest Day - Familiar and Traumatic Connect with Kara, host of The Special N...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 021: Hello! I’m talking with Andrea Jones this week and her journey with her daughters PANDAS diagnosis. She’s a listener of the podcast and wanted to share her story and insights with other moms.  She loves the network that social media and podcast have created and even her daughter encouraged her to share their story f...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) Learn about the Special Education Conference with Ashley Barlow Sign up for the Pathway to Peace Process Consultation Hello listeners, it’s Episode 20!  This week I’m here talking about failure resistance. At first you make think, DUH, of course I am resisting failure.  That’s not exactly the full idea I’m discussing thi...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 019 Hey guys, I’m back this week with another guest episode. I’m talking with Robin MacMillan. She was such a joy and I’m glad I helped share her story.  Robin has two older children and her son Robbie who is 17. She didn’t think anything was different about her son when he was a baby, but was urged by a home nurse to ha...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) Happy New Year! In this episode I give you a task or challenge, if you will, to say goodbye to 2020 in a strong and healthy way.  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) I’m feeling extra vulnerable this week.  I have been struggling with the holidays on my plate, on top of everything else. I don’t want to miss out on the fun, so I’m sharing how to shift my perspective to enjoy this time of the year.  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instag...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 016 Hey all you listeners! This week I am talking with Donna Sandoval. We ended up having a lot in common with the struggles we face surrounding our special needs child. Donna shares about the transformations she’s gone through from becoming a special needs mom to her weight loss journey and finally coming to the place t...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 015  What if you are the best parent in the world and you've given it all and your child STILL doesn't how act you thought they would. It can start to spin you into feeling more and more out of control and stuck. In this episode, I unpack a lot more insight around this and give you some thought to consider. And...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 014  This week I’m sharing my conversation with Melanie Oates. Melanie as a mother of two special needs children, a single working mother and a founder of a nonprofit organization, Here For a Reason.  We touch on topics like self-care, daily balance, divorce and her nonprofit.  Melanie is a working mom and often has unpr...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 013  In this episode, I want you to shift your focus on life and hardships. For so long, I thought I had to make it through these tough times and it would be smooth sailing.  Something will always happen in life. And one day, during a church sermon, I realized I need to find the good things in my life and actually recogn...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 012 This week I am talking with Kim Nothdruft.  Kim and her husband have 5 children, their oldest has a rare condition, CDKL5. I have been following her life (online) for awhile now and I am excited we got into some real talk this week.  Kim focuses on using laughter as a coping mechanism in her life. She shares that her...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 011: There is no competition for who has it worse, so why do we operate like there is one?  This week, I’m talking about how comparing pain/struggles can really damage the way we process the experiences in our life and our ability to fully feel our emotions.  It doesn’t matter than our specific experience or situation is...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 010 -  Hello! This week I am joined by Jeannie Schnur. Jeannie actually reached out to me with her story after I began the podcast and I’m so happy she did. In the episode, we talk about how important it is to find a group or organization to get connected with, we talk more about self-care, and about how to get into your...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 009: Hello and thanks for being here for another episode. This week is a shorter, solo episode; but I discuss some of my recent struggles and real life happenings.  Between a migraine and a couple foot injuries, it just wasn’t in the cards to run. I went for a walk and was struggling with myself over not being able to ru...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 008 -  Hello! This week I am speaking with Leah Moore. She is a mama to three children- a daughter with a rare chromosomal condition and twin boys, one of whom also has special needs. Leah’s resounding message for our listeners and everyone she comes into contact with is, “Share your story!”  Leah and I talk about what s...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 007: We are diving right back in this week with our conversation about IEPs and our journeys’ as moms. I enjoyed talking with Ashley so much and these last two episodes cover hard topics, but we’re also laughing a lot! Ashley and discuss the fine line between supporting and advocating for our child at school while still...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 006- Ashley Barlow and I keep it casual, but we give you a deep dive into our real-life discussions this week.  We discuss the difficult topics of struggling through your child’s special needs, including WIC, accepting help, insurance issues, marriage, and more. We want anyone listening out there, especially if you’re in...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 005- In this episode, I talk with Rosalie Mastaler. She’s a mother to three boys living in Texas. She tells their story of how a traumatic dog bite accident turned into her son losing his leg and eventually hearing loss. This sudden tragedy turned their lives towards their faith and a new road, together. Rosalie shares a...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 004- In this episode, I take a more realistic look at what self-care is and how it can be just what you're missing.  Before you run away, I want to make this easier for you. It's not about checking off a box, but genuinely making a point to build a caring relationship for ourselves!  It's not optional, I t...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 002 - In this episode I talk with Emily Golden, mother to two children, both diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome and ADHD. She offers so much insight about what she’s learned along the way and how accepting your child exactly as they are in the essential shift we must all make.  She is an example of a mom who stands for th...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) 003 - This week I am happy to be talking with Kaitlyn McCarty and sharing her story. Her daughter has challenges because of severe ADHD and learning disabilities.  Kaitlyn and I discuss the need to expand and grow ourselves as we parent our children. Severe ADHD, Learning disabilities and We talk about changing the expec...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) #001 - Welcome to The Special Needs Mom Podcast!! I am so glad you are here!! In this first episode, you'll learn a little bit about my story and what I will be creating with this podcast. (*hint, hint* it's community and inspiration through the powerful personal stories) If you are a mom who parents a child wi...