The Special Needs Mom Podcast

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) I share a personal story today about my journey with pelvic floor physical therapy, and how I’ve been learning to support myself in ways that match my resistance. After some humorous missteps with scheduling and a lot of self-judgment, I realized that getting the right kind of support—whether it’s a coach, a friend, or e...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) This conversation with Callista Bowes , a therapist, mom, and certified pediatric gentle sleep coach, dives into a reality many special needs parents face—the deep isolation that exists even in a hyper-connected world. We talk about how social media can create a false sense of connection while leaving parents feeling eve...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) In this episode, I’m sharing how I’m planning ahead to create a summer that actually works —for me, my family, and especially Levi. Last summer was rough, so I got intentional about doing things differently this year. I walk you through a six-step process (inspired by my landscape design days!) to create a future you’re...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) Today I’m chatting with my friend Laura Ishmael, special needs mom, travel advisor, and all-around travel pro. Laura shares how travel became part of her family’s life, even after her daughter Sophie’s rare brain malformation diagnosis. From navigating accessibility challenges to embracing flexibility, Laura’s story is a...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) This episode is full of heart, insight, and real talk about the ever-evolving journey of special needs motherhood. I sat down with Brittney Crabtree and Tash Dillman from the Moms Talk Autism podcast to chat about grief, acceptance, and finding your people. Tash, a Portland-based mom of two, loves fitness, nature, volunt...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) Ever walked into a support group expecting connection and left feeling… not so supported? You’re not alone. This episode is all about navigating support groups that don’t quite meet our needs and how to find, or even create, the spaces that truly support us. I share my first (not-so-great) support group experience, the d...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) Welcome to our Community Huddle ! This month, we’re talking about receiving —why it’s hard, why it matters, and how we can get better at it. In this episode, we explore: The struggle of asking for help. Why receiving is a gift to both giver and receiver. Practical ways to ask for and accept support. Learning to give your...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) Last night, as I was putting Levi to bed—exhausted and overwhelmed—I realized I had a choice: shrink back or dig deep. I take you back to my water polo days and a phrase my coach drilled into us—"Dig Deep." It’s stuck with me ever since, and last night, it surfaced again as a reminder that even in the toughest...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) Today I'm wrapping up our two-part series on receiving. Inspired by my own journey and the experiences of the moms I work with, I take you through a personal story of navigating the world of financial support for my son, Levi. I share how, after years of advocacy, we finally received the help we needed—only to find...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) Today, we’re diving into a topic that so many of us struggle with—receiving help. This conversation was sparked by a comment from our community about the guilt of accepting support, even when we know we need it. In this episode, I explore: ✨ Why we resist help, even when it’s available. ✨ The hidden beliefs that keep u...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) I’m sharing a personal update about a recent unexpected hospitalization with my son Levi, and how I handle “hospital mode” when life throws a curveball. I also dive into how we try to outrun anxiety with our to-do lists—and why that just doesn’t work. I talk about how to recognize when your nervous system is out of whack...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) This week’s episode is a special one—our January Community Huddle! I sat down with four amazing moms, and together, we unpacked the post-winter break season. Think of it as a virtual coffee chat, full of reflections, laughs, and shared wisdom. ☕ Here’s what we covered: Post-Break Overwhelm: How to recalibrate routines a...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) This episode is all about catching up! I’m sharing highlights from our winter break, including a big advocacy win for Levi, and reflecting on the mix of joy and challenges that come with parenting a child with disabilities. I also dive into a theme I’ve been embracing: being of service . It’s helped me find purpose and p...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Kari A. Baker, an inspiring mom, author, and advocate for families navigating life with invisible neurological differences. Kari shares her journey of becoming a "KIND mom" after her son Brady was diagnosed with autism at age three. Together, we dive into topics like l...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) As 2024 wraps up, I’m reflecting on my son’s incredible progress and the motto that’s guided me: “Together is the only way.” In this quick episode, I share the story behind it and why it means so much. Looking for more connection in 2025? Check out: Pathway to Peace Coaching Community – A paid, supportive space for real...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) In this special holiday community huddle, we dive into: 🎄 Managing Holiday Chaos : Moms share how they handle busy schedules, unexpected challenges, and finding balance. 🌟 Finding Magic : From little rituals to joyful connections, we talk about creating calm in the chaos. 💌 Intentions for the Season : Our guests share...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) In this episode, I get real about something we’ve all felt at one point: that temptation to sink into self-pity when things get hard (especially during the holiday season!). After a year filled with appealing and advocating for my son, I share a personal story about a recent hearing where things did not go as planned — a...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) In this episode, I sit down with Kim Guche, a hypnotist, NLP practitioner, and pediatric speech-language pathologist with a passion for helping families create harmony and peace at home. As a mom of four and a best-selling author, Kim brings a wealth of personal and professional insight into reducing stress, building con...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) December is here, and with it, the chaos of the season! In this episode, I dive into the idea of "busting the bustle" and slowing down amidst the holiday madness. Inspired by The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, I share insights on how chronic busyness can undermine the relationships and moment...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the complexities of gratitude, especially during tough seasons. If the thought of gratitude feels like it’s being forced down your throat, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and we’re not here to push. I share practical ways to shift your perspective and share a heartfelt quote from F...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) In this week’s community huddle, we dive into a heartfelt follow-up on loneliness and grief—topics we’ve explored in recent episodes. Picture this: a cozy space to connect with moms who truly get it . We talk about whispers of grief in everyday moments, how resilience sometimes feels like a mask, and finding strength in...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) Today’s conversation is one that I know many of us can relate to – balancing anxiety and our relationship with digital media. I’m thrilled to have Jennie Ketcham Crooks join us! Jennie is a clinical social worker, anxiety and OCD specialist, and founder of the West Coast Anxiety Clinic. Jennie has also been involved in r...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) This episode continues our exploration of the often avoided topic: grief. I share a story about one of my special needs mom clients, “Diana,” who, through our work together, found acceptance and even a path to peace despite facing deep sadness and loss. This is her third conversation with me on the podcast and I am grate...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) I sit down with Rachel Wojo, author of Desperate Prayers , a book born from her journey through immense grief, faith, and resilience as a special needs mom. Rachel shares her deeply personal experiences of loss, from her mother’s battle with leukemia to the passing of her special needs daughter, Taylor. Together, we expl...

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!) In this episode, I’m diving into the connection between grief and loneliness, picking up where we left off last week. I share a bit about my experience with Levi and how loneliness often shows up for us as special needs moms. The good news? The antidote to loneliness is connection . I also reference Dr. Vivek Murthy&apos...