Explore every episode of the podcast Specialness Pod

Part 2 of our conversation with Julia Erman, a special needs mom whose two children share an ultra rare diagnosis. This is the half about what she did with it.Julia found out her kids were dying on her birthday, over a Zoom call. In this episode she talks about the faith that gave her peace that same day, why suffering builds a muscle most people never have to grow, and how a conversation at a backyard cookout turned into The Hazelnut Movement, a school program that has now reached 25 schools in 5 states.She also says something that stopped us: her daughter isn't the problem. Her own grief is. This is a conversation about the hard you can control and the hard you cannot.Missed Part 1? Watch it here: https://youtu.be/HqwvSUjrHZwABOUT OUR GUESTJulia Erman is a speaker, author, and founder of The Hazelnut Movement, a nonprofit school assembly program that helps kids understand disability through storytelling. She has written 18 children's books and has been featured in People Magazine and NBC Today Parents.Julia's website, books, and speaking: https://www.juliaerman.co/The Hazelnut Movement, school assemblies and educator resources: https://www.thehazelnutmovement.com/Julia is currently booking school assemblies and keynotes, and she has packets parents can send to their own school administrators. She also offers a free 7-day encouragement series for special needs moms called 7 Days of Hope.Find her on Instagram at @ermanjulia and @thehazelnutmovement.If this episode helped you feel a little less alone, subscribe and share it with a family who needs it.#SpecialNeedsParents #SpecialNeedsMom #RareDisease #SpecialNeedsFamily #TheSpecialnessPodcast

Our first ever guest. Julia Erman is a special needs mom, author, and founder of The Hazelnut Movement, and both of her children live with a diagnosis that only has a handful of documented cases in the world.

In Part 1 of 2, Julia walks us through the beginning. A perfect birth that turned into a NICU emergency in 48 hours. A neurologist who took away every ounce of hope in two words. A second pregnancy that uncovered the cancer four doctors had missed. And the moment, two days after her son was born, when she realized it was happening all over again.

This is one of the most honest conversations we have had on this show about grief, diagnosis, and how long it can actually take to find joy again.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Julia Erman is a speaker, author, and founder of The Hazelnut Movement, a nonprofit school assembly program that helps kids understand disability through storytelling. She has written 18 children's books and has been featured in People Magazine and NBC Today Parents.

Julia's website, books, and speaking: https://www.juliaerman.co/

The Hazelnut Movement, school assemblies and educator resources: https://www.thehazelnutmovement.com/

Julia is currently booking school assemblies and keynotes, and she has packets parents can send to their own school administrators. She also offers a free 7-day encouragement series for special needs moms called 7 Days of Hope.

Find her on Instagram at @ermanjulia and @thehazelnutmovement.

If this episode helped you feel a little less alone, subscribe and share it with a family who needs it.

#SpecialNeedsParents #SpecialNeedsMom #RareDisease #SpecialNeedsFamily #TheSpecialnessPodcast

A few weeks ago we posted a reel about the roles each parent plays in a special needs marriage. It passed 70,000 views and lit up our comments, so this week we're unpacking what we actually meant.

Jeff said one of us drew "the short end of the stick," and it ruffled feathers. In this episode we clarify that comment, talk through the roles of breadwinner and caregiver, and get honest about the resentment and burnout that nobody warns you about. After 24 years, here's how we've split the load without losing each other.

CHAPTERS

0:00 The viral reel and why context gets lost

1:45 What "the short end of the stick" really meant

2:38 Secondhand medical info and surprise medication costs

7:45 Deciding our roles before we even had kids

11:16 How resentment and caregiver burnout creep in

13:42 Why special needs divorces mirror regular ones, only magnified

21:24 Personality decides roles, not gender stereotypes

26:09 Why denial is one of the most dangerous things in our world

29:06 How your roles shift as your child grows

31:04 The jobs that became Dad's, from reading to infusions

34:18 "I'm off the clock" and why the caregiver needs real breaks

47:31 Balancing a neurotypical sibling

52:25 What 24 years has actually taught us

53:35 Next week: our first guest, Julie Erman

Thank you to everyone following along from all over the world. Your comments, questions, and stories shape every episode we make.

If this helped you feel a little less alone, subscribe and share it with a family who needs it.

New episodes every week.

#SpecialNeedsParents #SpecialNeedsMarriage #SpecialNeedsFamily #Caregiver #TheSpecialnessPodcast

We had plans.That sounds simple, but when you are raising a child with profound special needs, plans come with an asterisk.In this episode, we talk about the part of special needs parenting that is hard to explain to people who have never lived it. It is not just that your child’s future changes. Your future changes too.This conversation started with a reel that hit a nerve because so many parents said the same thing: you can’t really plan when you never know what is coming next.If you are a special needs parent, caregiver, or family member living with the constant unknown, this episode is for you.Watch the episode and let us know, what is something you had to stop planning the way other families do?

When Cason started aging out of pediatric care, we thought the hardest part would be finding new doctors.

We were wrong.

The harder part was walking into the adult medical world and realizing how different everything felt. For years, pediatric specialists knew Cason, understood his history, and treated him like a whole person. Then suddenly we were in adult offices where the records had not always been read, guardianship was not always understood, and people expected Cason to answer questions he could not understand.

In this episode, we talk about the pediatric cliff, the transition from pediatric specialists to adult doctors, and what it feels like when your special needs child becomes a legal adult but still needs the same level of support.

We also talk about one appointment that stayed with us, the kind of appointment that makes every future appointment harder.

If you are a parent, caregiver, or family member navigating adult care, guardianship, disability, special needs parenting, or medical advocacy, this one may feel very familiar.

Watch the episode and let us know, has your family experienced the pediatric cliff too?

After one of our Instagram reels reached more than 180,000 views, hundreds of parents shared their stories, challenged the statistic, and started one of the most meaningful conversations we've ever had.In this episode, we revisit that viral reel, correct the misinformation, and talk about what the research actually says.More importantly, we talk about what the comments revealed.Special needs parents opened up about marriages that grew stronger, marriages that fell apart, single parenting, caregiver burnout, trauma bonding, financial stress, and the daily realities that most people never see.This episode isn't about fear.It's about honesty.Whether you're raising a child with autism, a rare genetic condition, Down syndrome, or another disability, we hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone.If you've ever wondered whether your marriage is the only one carrying this weight, this episode is for you.🎧 Watch now and join the conversation.If this episode speaks to you, we'd love to hear your story in the comments.#SpecialNeedsParenting #AutismParenting #SpecialNeedsFamily #CaregiverLife #Marriage #DisabilityAwareness #RareDisease #ParentingPodcast #SpecialnessPodcast

After nearly a year away, we're back.What was supposed to be a simple three-day getaway turned into one of the hardest seasons we've faced as special needs parents.The day before our trip, our son Cason suffered a devastating ankle injury that required surgery and months of recovery. What followed was nine weeks of around-the-clock caregiving, medication complications, mobility challenges, emotional exhaustion, and the return of struggles we thought were behind us.At the same time, we were fighting another battle: a 30-month journey through the Social Security disability system. After multiple denials, endless paperwork, medical evaluations, appeals, and a court hearing, we finally received an answer.In this episode, we share what really happened during our time away, what special needs caregiving looked like behind closed doors, and what we learned when life changed overnight.If you're caring for a child or adult with disabilities, this episode is for you.💙 You're not alone.🎧 Listen on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.#SpecialNeedsParenting #SpecialNeedsFamily #DisabilityAwareness #CaregiverLife #AutismFamily #ParentingJourney #SpecialNeedsAdult #FamilyCaregiver #SSI #SpecialnessPodcast

In this episode, we talk about the emotional aftermath of travel, how even the best vacations can take a toll—and what recovery looks like when you're caring for someone with special needs. From unexpected triggers to the slow return to normal, we share what it's really like behind the scenes.🌟 Special Shoutout:We want to take a moment to thank Special Soul Mama. If you're not already following her, you're missing out!👉 https://www.facebook.com/specialsoulmama/👉 https://www.instagram.com/specialsoulmamaShe’s a light—and we’re grateful to walk this road with her.If this episode resonates with you, please like, share, and comment. It helps more families like ours find this show. And don’t forget to subscribe!#MentalHealthAwareness #SpecialNeedsParenting #InvisibleStruggles #DisabilityAwareness #ParentingJourney #BipolarAwareness #AutismAndMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #SpecialnessPodcast

Buckle up—this is the one where everything went sideways.In this raw, emotional, and at times chaotic episode, Kim and Jeff recount a whirlwind 24 hours that took them from hopeful to heartbroken. What started as a routine trip to Houston turned into a spiral of medication issues, ER visits, and total emotional overload.🎙️ They open up about:* How quickly Cason’s behavior escalated* Their experience navigating the hospital system (again)* What it feels like when every plan you made unravels in real timeThis is the reality of parenting a medically complex, special needs child. It’s overwhelming, unrelenting—and rarely shown in this level of honesty.🔗 Watch, share, and don’t forget to subscribe for more unfiltered episodes of The Specialness Podcast.#MentalHealthAwareness #SpecialNeedsParenting #InvisibleStruggles #DisabilityAwareness #ParentingJourney #BipolarAwareness #AutismAndMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #SpecialnessPodcast

We’re calling this one Episode 8.5 — a special edition update from Jeff.Life doesn’t always go as planned — especially when you're raising a child with special needs. In this honest solo update, Jeff shares why there was no episode last week and what hit their family all at once:Kim’s melanoma diagnosis and emergency surgeryAnother frustrating Social Security denialA three-hour cardio-pulmonary test for CasonA high school graduation road tripThis isn’t just a delay. It’s a glimpse into the unpredictable, exhausting, and deeply human side of life behind the podcast.💬 New episode next week with Kim back in the chair — and some fun travel stories from Houston!🧡 Thanks for being here with us.🎧 Watch, listen, and subscribe

"It’s Mental Health Awareness Month… but where is the awareness?"In this powerful episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff open up about the realities of living with mental illness in the family, especially when your child’s life is shaped by complex diagnoses like bipolar disorder, autism, and schizophrenia spectrum symptoms.💬 In this episode:✔️ Why Mental Health Awareness Month still feels invisible✔️ What people get wrong about depression, hallucinations, and “invisible” struggles✔️ The silent grief of watching life pass you by while you're stuck surviving✔️ The failure of our healthcare system to provide meaningful support✔️ Why mental health stigma is still costing lives—and what we wish more people understood✨ If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or dismissed as a parent, caregiver, or individual living with mental illness—this one’s for you.📺 Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!👉 Link in bio#MentalHealthAwareness #SpecialNeedsParenting #InvisibleStruggles #DisabilityAwareness #ParentingJourney #BipolarAwareness #AutismAndMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #SpecialnessPodcast

"We’ve done everything right. But that still wasn’t enough."For over two years, Kim and Jeff Kribs have been fighting to secure basic SSI benefits for their son, Cason—who is intellectually disabled, legally under guardianship, and cannot live independently.In this explosive episode of Specialness, they read aloud from the denial letters, dissect inaccurate evaluations from government-appointed doctors, and expose the broken system that so many special needs families are forced to navigate.💬 In this episode:✔️ The exhausting maze of paperwork, deadlines, and duplicate forms✔️ False claims made in official medical reports✔️ Why their son—who can’t even button his own shirt—is being told he can live independently✔️ What this says about how society treats disabled adults🎧 This episode isn’t just about Cason. It’s about a system that seems designed to wear families down until they give up.If you’ve been through this, or love someone who has—you are not alone.📺 Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!👉 Link in bio#SSIDenial #SpecialNeedsParenting #DisabilityRights #ParentAdvocacy #MentalHealthAwareness #SSIReform #NeurodivergentSupport #SpecialnessPodcast #BrokenSystem #GuardianshipMatters

"Autism destroys families."That’s what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said—and we had to respond.In this powerful and emotional episode, Kim and Jeff unpack their reaction to RFK Jr.’s comments about autism, disability, and the value of people who won’t “pay taxes” or “write a poem.”💬 In this episode:✔️ The truth about what life is like for their family and for Cason✔️ Why “destroy” is a dangerous word✔️ How stigma, lack of services, and government failure impact real families every day✔️ The difference between speaking truth and speaking harm✔️ Why Cason, despite all the challenges, is not a tragedyThis isn’t about politics—it’s about dignity, reality, and the stories behind the statistics.🎧 If you’re a parent, caregiver, advocate, or simply someone trying to understand this world better—this episode is for you.📺 Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!👉 Link in bio#AutismAcceptance #SpecialNeedsParenting #RFKJr #Neurodiversity #MentalHealthAwareness #DisabilityAdvocacy #ParentingJourney #SpecialnessPodcast

"We were doing everything we could for our special needs son… but what about his brother?

"In this heartfelt episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff open up about the emotional journey of raising their neurotypical son, Jackson, while navigating the chaos of parenting a child with severe special needs.

💬 In this episode:

✔️ How sibling jealousy, resentment, and isolation showed up

✔️ The emotional toll on Jackson—and what he remembers most

✔️ The turning point when everything finally shifted

✔️ What they wish they could’ve done differently

✔️ How faith, therapy, and time brought hope and healing

✨ This episode is for every parent who worries if they’re doing “enough” for the sibling in the background—the quiet one, the angry one, the one who seems like they’re just “fine.”

🎧 Listen to their story of heartache, survival, and—eventually—connection.

📺 Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!

👉 Link in bio

#SpecialNeedsParenting #SiblingStruggles #NeurotypicalSiblings #MentalHealthAwareness #ParentingJourney #DisabilityAwareness #SpecialNeedsFamily #SpecialnessPodcast

"When you’re raising a child with special needs, the whole family feels it."In this emotional episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff open up about what it was like raising their younger son, Jackson, alongside his older brother Cason, who has complex special needs.💬 In this episode:✔️ How guilt shaped their parenting decisions✔️ The trauma Jackson experienced from a young age✔️ The survival strategies they used to protect both their boys✔️ Why Jackson grew up walking on eggshells—and how they helped him heal✨ This isn’t just a story about parenting a special needs child—it's a story about how siblings are affected, the guilt parents carry, and the silent burdens families live with behind closed doors.If you're raising a family touched by special needs, this one will hit close to home.#SpecialNeedsParenting #SiblingJourney #Neurodiversity #MentalHealthMatters #FamilyDynamics #ParentingJourney #DisabilityAwareness #SpecialNeedsSiblings #SpecialnessPodcast

🎙 Specialness Podcast – Season 2, Episode 3What keeps a marriage alive when life gets unthinkably hard? For Kim and Jeff Kribs, it’s faith. In this deeply personal episode, they open up about how their belief in God has carried them through some of the darkest moments of parenting a child with special needs.From failed adoptions to brutal hospital nights, and even moments where they feared for their safety—this episode is filled with the kind of raw honesty and hope that makes you feel less alone.✨ Hear how their faith was tested… and how, time and again, they experienced what they call “God winks”—unexpected moments of clarity, rescue, and grace.👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or simply someone looking for proof that light can break through the darkness—this episode is for you.#SpecialNeedsParenting #FaithInHardTimes #GodWinks #ParentingJourney #SpecialnessPodcast #ChristianPodcast #MarriageAndFaith #MentalHealthAwareness #AdoptionJourney

"We had dreams for our life, for our child, for our future… then reality hit."

In this episode of Specialness, we open up about something every special needs parent feels—but not everyone talks about: grief. Grief for the child you expected, the life you imagined, and the milestones you’ll never experience.

💬 In this episode:
✔️ The moment we realized Cason’s life—and ours—would be different
✔️ How grief shows up in everyday moments, even years later
✔️ The way we’ve learned to process that grief and find joy in our reality

Whether you’re in the middle of your own grief or just trying to understand what special needs parenting is really like, this episode is for you.

📺 Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!
👉 Link in bio

#SpecialNeeds #SpecialNeedsParenting #GriefJourney #ParentingStruggles #MentalHealthMatters #Neurodiversity #DisabilityAwareness #ParentingJourney #SpecialnessPodcast

"The divorce rate for special needs parents is 87%. Here’s why we’re still standing."

Welcome to Season 2 of Specialness! One of the biggest questions we get is: How have you stayed married for 30 years while raising a special needs child?

The truth? It hasn’t been easy. The stress, the unknowns, the financial strain—special needs parenting tests a marriage in ways most people will never experience.

💡 In this episode:
✔️ The biggest challenges that nearly broke us
✔️ How we navigated resentment, finances, and emotional burnout
✔️ The mindset shift that kept us from becoming part of the 87%

✨ Whether you’re married, divorced, or just trying to survive, this episode is a real look at what it takes to keep a relationship strong in the face of special needs parenting.

📺 Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!
👉 Link in bio

#Marriage #SpecialNeedsParenting #ParentingJourney #MentalHealthMatters #MarriageStruggles #Neurodiversity #FaithAndMarriage

"When your special needs child becomes an adult, everything changes—but not in the way you expect."

In this episode ofSpecialness, we’re reflecting on the last five years of Cason’s life—from turning 18 to where he is today at 23. Adulthood brought new challenges we never saw coming, from securing guardianship to transitioning into adult medical care. We’re sharing the realities of what happens when the system no longer sees your child as a child—and why the fight never really ends.

💡In this episode:
✔️ The emotional & legal battles of transitioning into adulthood
✔️ The struggle to find proper medical care after aging out of pediatrics
✔️ How we found hope and a new community in the process

✨ This episode is for any parent wondering what happens after 18—because the truth is, it’s just the beginning.

📺 Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!

#ParentingJourney #SpecialNeedsParenting #Guardianship #Adulthood #SpecialnessPodcast

"When Your Child Turns 18: Guardianship, Medical Battles & The Harsh Reality of Adulthood"

"Becoming an adult means freedom—but what if your child will never be able to live independently?"

In this episode ofSpecialness, we take you through one of the biggest transitions in Cason’s life—turning 18. But unlike most teens, Cason wasn’t preparing for college or getting his driver’s license. Instead, we were navigatinglegal guardianship, mounting medical bills, and the heartbreaking reality that the system isn’t built for special needs adults.

💡In this episode:

• Theemotional and legal challenges of securing guardianship
• The$50,000-a-year medical treatment we fought nine months for
• Thelack of support for adults with disabilities and what families can do

This phase of our journey was one of the hardest yet—a time when the weight of reality set in. But through it all, we found ways to adapt, advocate, and keep moving forward.

📺Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!
👉Link in bio

#ParentingJourney #SpecialNeedsParenting #Guardianship #AdvocatingForYourChild #SpecialnessPodcast

"What do you do when you’re told your child is 1 in 740 million?"

In this episode ofSpecialness, we dive into one of the most pivotal moments in our parenting journey: receiving the results of Cason's genetic testing. The discoveries? A rare chromosomal deletion (15q25.2), unknown mitochondrial mutations, and a list of conditions that left us with more questions than answers.

💡In this episode:

• The emotional rollercoaster of waiting for genetic testing results
• What it’s like to parent a child with an ultra-rare condition
• The balancing act of managing diagnoses, symptoms, and treatment plans

✨ For any parent navigating a special needs journey, this episode is a reminder that even in the unknown, there’s validation and hope to be found.

📺 Watch now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!
👉Link in bio

#ParentingJourney #SpecialNeedsParenting #RareDiseases #SpecialnessPodcast #AdvocatingForYourChild

“We never imagined we'd be here—new medications, new doctors, and facing words we hoped we'd never hear."

In this emotional episode of Specialness, we dive deep into the life-changing moment when our son’s diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder became a reality. As his hallucinations worsened and fear took over his daily life, we were forced to make the difficult decision of trying Clozaril, a powerful but risky medication.

💬 In this episode:

• The signs that led us to seek new treatment
• The emotional toll of navigating complex medical systems
• How we balanced hope and fear in the face of unknowns

For any parent navigating a special needs journey, we hope our story offers insight, support, and a reminder that you are not alone.

👉 Subscribe for more episodes sharing our parenting journey.
#ParentingJourney #SpecialNeedsParenting #SchizophreniaAwareness #MedicationJourney #SpecialnessPodcast

When your child is in crisis, you expect the hospital to step in immediately—but what happens when you’re left waiting?In this episode of Specialness, we recount a terrifying hospitalization where our son Cason faced lithium toxicity, a life-threatening condition. Despite clear symptoms, the stigma of being labeled a ‘psych patient’ delayed his treatment for hours. It was up to us to advocate relentlessly to get him the care he needed.This is a raw and emotional look at what it takes to fight for your child in an imperfect system.💬 In this episode:What led us to the hospital and how we recognized lithium toxicityThe challenges of navigating medical systems with a special needs childWhy advocating for your child’s care can make all the difference🔔 Subscribe for more stories of love, resilience, and parenting a special needs child.#ParentingJourney #SpecialNeedsParenting #LithiumToxicity #SpecialnessPodcast #Advocacy

What would you do if your child began hallucinating and acting completely unlike themselves?

In this episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff share the raw and emotional journey of navigating their son Cason’s worsening symptoms, from intense fear and hallucinations to a medical crisis that led to his first hospital stay. They reflect on the hard decisions they had to make, the struggles of managing a cocktail of medications, and the emotional toll of feeling isolated as a family.

This heartfelt episode sheds light on the resilience required to parent a child with complex needs while offering hope to other families in similar situations.

💬 In this episode:

How fear and hallucinations escalated into a medical emergency

The emotional and logistical challenges of a child’s hospital stay

Navigating isolation as a family with a special needs child

🔔 Subscribe for more stories of love, perseverance, and the parenting journey with a special needs child.

Parenting a child with special needs is a journey unlike any other. In this episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff recount the emotional rollercoaster of discovering their son Cason’s diagnoses, from ADHD to pediatric onset bipolar disorder.

This is a raw, heartfelt account of perseverance, unconditional love, and learning to advocate for your child when the road ahead seems uncertain.

💬 In this episode:

Navigating a maze of evaluations, therapies, and medications

The chaos of trial-and-error with treatment plans

Breakthrough moments that gave them hope amidst the challenges

🔔 Subscribe for more stories of resilience, parenting, and the journey of raising a special needs child.

#ParentingChallenges #BipolarDisorder #SpecialNeedsParenting #SpecialnessPodcast

Becoming parents is supposed to be a joyful experience—but what happens when the challenges feel overwhelming?

In this episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff recount the early days of parenting their adopted son, Cason. From the excitement of bringing him home to endless crying, sleepless nights, and navigating behaviors they didn’t understand, their story offers a raw and relatable look at the early signs of parenting a child with special needs.

Whether you’re a parent, a caregiver, or someone who wants to better understand the complexities of raising a child with special needs, this episode is an honest and heartfelt look at finding hope amidst the chaos.

💬 In this episode:

Navigating the emotional highs and lows of parenting a child with special needs

Struggling to understand Cason’s constant crying and restlessness

The first signs of sensory and developmental challenges

🔔 Subscribe for more stories about love, perseverance, and parenting a special needs child.

#AdoptionStory #SpecialNeedsParenting #ParentingJourney #SpecialnessPodcast

How do you move forward when life delivers the unimaginable? In this episode of Specialness, we open up about a tragedy that shaped the rest of our lives.

Join us as we share the heartfelt story of how loss brought us together, taught us the power of connection, and prepared us for an even bigger journey ahead.

💬 In this episode:

Recognizing the signs of someone struggling

Finding connection through grief

How one pivotal moment reshaped our future

Whether you've faced loss, are navigating life’s challenges, or want a story of resilience, this episode is for you.

🔔 Subscribe for more heartfelt stories about family, hope, and the journey of parenting a special needs adult.

#HealingAfterLoss #Resilience #SpecialnessPodcast