Explore every episode of the podcast The Special Needs Mom Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Complexity of Receiving Help | 12 Feb 2025 | 00:28:44 | |
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 myself struggling with an unexpected wave of guilt and disbelief when even more support came our way. I dive into the concept of our "inner thermostat" for receiving, as explained in The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, and how our subconscious beliefs can keep us stuck in feeling undersupported. We also take a closer look at common thought patterns that may be holding you back from accepting help, like feeling obligated to reciprocate or believing it’s too much effort to ask. Plus, I offer a few mindset shifts that can help you break free and receive the support you deserve. If you've ever felt conflicted about getting the help you need, this episode is for you. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| The Guilt of Receiving | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:22:29 | |
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: If you’ve ever thought, I should be able to do more or other people need help more than I do, this episode is for you! We'll unpack these thoughts and gently rework them so you can open up to the support you truly deserve. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Busting the Bustle this Holiday Season | 04 Dec 2024 | 00:19:39 | |
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 moments we cherish most. Together, we explore the concept of "being", how we show up, and how simple shifts in our mindset can transform stressful moments into opportunities for calm and connection. This holiday season, let’s make space for love, presence, and maybe a little magic too. You deserve it. Resources from the episode:
Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Stuck in the Hurry Up, Rush, Rush! {An Activation Session with Dominique} | 22 Mar 2023 | 00:31:24 | |
Hello and welcome back to the podcast. This week I am sharing another activation session featuring mom, Dominique. She wants to have less anxiety, worry & overwhelm in her daily life and that's where I came in to help her make a plan! While your story may not be the same as Dominique's, I think the steps I lay out can be beneficial to any special needs mom. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| BREATHE, a New Resource for Special Needs Families with Anne Fricke | 15 Mar 2023 | 00:49:41 | |
Welcome back to the podcast. This week I am joined for a second time by Anne Fricke. Anne and I catch up on IEP meetings and the struggles our children are having comparing themselves to typical children. Most importantly, Anne shares about a brand new platform she's started called, Breathe: Bringing resources, education & advocacy to home everywhere! Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Unspoken Stories: The Stories We Cannot Share | 08 Mar 2023 | 00:18:36 | |
Welcome to the podcast. This episode is about those things we can’t share. The stories that will go untold. The situations that no one will ever know about. Why? And what options do we have? Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Ending the Chase for Normal with Anna Brown | 01 Mar 2023 | 00:46:43 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast. Anna Brown is my guest this week. Anna is a mother, advocate, homemaker and blogger. She shares her perspectives on life with her special needs daughter and how she's grown to learn value and worth is about more than just doing. Anna talks about how she's had to let go of the idea of control she never actually had and build the life and community she needed. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Finding Myself Again Outside of Being a Special Needs Mom {Activation Session with Ali} | 22 Feb 2023 | 00:44:24 | |
Welcome to The Special Needs Mom Podcast. This episode is the introduction of a new style episode we'll be having called an Activation Session! It's a coaching-style session, so you'll hear live coaching and leave with insight and inspiration of what you might take action on in your own life. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Discovering Who You Were Meant to Be When Life Goes Off Plan with Jillian Benfield | 15 Feb 2023 | 00:42:42 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast. This week, I have guest Jillian Benfield. Jillian is a mother, parent advocate and author of a new book, The Gift of the Unexpected. She gives us a glimpse into her story as a special needs mom. We talk about the transformations we need to go through as these parents and that the new life we're left with can often be better. Jillian's wonderful insights are something I hope all special needs parents can hear and learn from. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| When You Lose it on Your Children or Spouse | 08 Feb 2023 | 00:30:26 | |
Do you find yourself blowing up at your kids? Losing your cool with your spouse? You are not alone. In this episode, I give you some ways to dig into this and get more curious about why you're acting this way. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| When People Think You're Fine but You're Not | 01 Feb 2023 | 00:28:55 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast. This week, I'm diving deeper into the topic of not being okay, despite people thinking you are. There are many layers to this and a lot of it is work we need to do within ourselves. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Forget Recovering the Old You, Let's Take a Look at Restoration | 25 Jan 2023 | 00:20:47 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast. This week we’re talking about the idea of restoration (rehabilitation) versus the recovery. After we’ve been through some of the big struggles as special needs moms, we often wonder what’s next. How can we heal or recover from this? Recovery suggests we can get back to how we were before. Often this isn’t the case. We won’t ever be who we were. This episode explores this concept. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Being an All-Star Advocate with Gay Grossman | 18 Jan 2023 | 01:03:41 | |
Welcome to the podcast! This week's guest is Gay Grossman. Gay shares about her experience in the rare disease community, life with her daughter, and ways to be an awesome advocate for yourself and your special needs child. This is an episode you don't want to miss! Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| The Unreachable Attitude of Gratitude | 27 Nov 2024 | 00:18:38 | |
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 Francis Weller about holding both sorrow and gratitude, and how this duality can stretch and grow us. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Trusting You Are Doing the "Right" Thing | 11 Jan 2023 | 00:30:27 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast. This week, I’m continuing to talk about motherhood and leadership. More specifically, I’m sharing ways to trust yourself and become a better decision maker. It’s a practice but you can be the best leader for your family if you work on this skill! Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Anti-Resolution Party | 04 Jan 2023 | 00:19:00 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast. This week, I wanted to emphasize some of those feelings that get brought up when the new year comes around. It can feel overwhelming - all the posts about goals, new you, or the extreme optimism. Maybe you're in those places, but maybe you're not. That's what I'm calling the "Anti-Resolution Party." You may be in the middle of a really hard season or you may be drained from the holidays. Whatever may be preventing you from wanting to plan and vision cast and makes new goals, I'm here to tell you that's okay! Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Revisiting Impermissible Thoughts about Your Child (Best of 2022) | 28 Dec 2022 | 00:23:42 | |
Hello and welcome back to the podcast. This week, I decided to allow myself a break from recording a brand new episode. It is the holidays after all, my children are home, we're traveling and it just makes sense to bring you this particular replay. Back in episode 76, I shared about how often times mothers have impermissible thoughts about their children, especially special needs children. Never is this most prevalent than in the stressful holiday times. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| The Gift You Will Give Yourself | 21 Dec 2022 | 00:13:30 | |
We put endless energy, thought, and pre-mediation to the gifts we create and buy for others. And it’s a beautiful thing. Here is the question I want you to ponder today: What gift will you give yourself? Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Guilt as a Gateway Feeling with Billie Short | 14 Dec 2022 | 00:59:12 | |
Do you resist those guilty feelings as a mom? This week, Billie Short is having a conversation with me about why the guilt can be good and the alternative to pushing away those guilty feelings. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| A Little Discomfort for a Whole Lot of Help (Asking for Support) | 07 Dec 2022 | 00:28:51 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast. In this episode I’m taking a deeper look at asking for help and why we may not be doing it. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Implementing Systems and Structures to Turn Your Family Into a Team with Laura Hernandez | 30 Nov 2022 | 00:58:05 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast. This week, Laura Hernandez shared about her family of biological + adopted foster children and how they manage to work as a team! Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Rest When It Feels Impossible and Out of Reach | 21 Nov 2022 | 00:09:12 | |
Sign up for the Un-Challenge HERE. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Grief and Gratitude | 21 Nov 2022 | 00:09:12 | |
Sign up for the Un-Challenge HERE. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| The “How Are You?” One Liner: An Easy Solution to this Dreaded Question | 21 Nov 2022 | 00:07:05 | |
Sign up for the Un-Challenge HERE. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Together is the Only Way (A Community Huddle Episode) | 20 Nov 2024 | 00:47:51 | |
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 vulnerability. I’m joined by Shantay, Alyssa, and Annika, three incredible moms who open up about their unique parenting journeys, the unexpected emotions they’ve faced, and the power of shared community. We also touch on creating safe spaces, both physically and emotionally, and the profound impact of feeling truly seen and understood. Whether you’re listening on your way to an appointment or with a warm cup of coffee, this episode invites you to reflect, connect, and feel supported in your journey. Let’s keep the conversation going! Got thoughts on this episode? I’d love to hear from you. Shoot me a text!
Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Planning your Day with Intention to Overwrite Your Overwhelm | 21 Nov 2022 | 00:13:35 | |
Sign up for the Un-Challenge HERE. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Know Where You Are So You Can Know Where You Are going | 21 Nov 2022 | 00:29:01 | |
The roadmap, the path you are already on. Maybe you are closer than you realize. One of the biggest losses of the special needs mom experience is the loss of what you thought would be your future. And due to the unpredictability of your child’s needs and future your footing is wonky, you feel like you’ve lost your ability to plan and dream about the future. Today I want to talk about what I call the Pathway to Peace Process, which is helping you figure out where you are so you can figure out how to reclaim your life. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Three Key Steps to Improving Any Relationship (Especially the Spouse Who Doesn't Understand You) | 16 Nov 2022 | 00:31:38 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast! This week we’re discussing ways to improve a difficult relationship you may have, even with your spouse. I talk about this in two parts. Join the Un-Challenge! Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Surviving Self & Spouse Relationships During Seasons of Crisis with Rach Wilson | 09 Nov 2022 | 01:06:45 | |
This episode continues our monthly series focusing on relationships. Rach Wilson joins me to share about her own “hell year” with her neurodiverse children. She speaks with extreme vulnerability about this time and how she had to fix a seriously-damaged self and spouse relationship. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Understanding your Complex Relationship with your Special Needs Child | 02 Nov 2022 | 00:27:28 | |
Do you secretly (or not so secretly) struggle with the relationship with your special needs child? In this episode, we’re going to reflect on the thoughts and feelings we have revolving around our child and dig deeper into them. It usually isn’t about THE CHILD. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Unpacking the Traumatic Experience of Hospitalizations with Erica Stearns | 26 Oct 2022 | 01:25:32 | |
Welcome to the podcast. In this episode, I share a conversation with Erica Stearns about hospitalizations. Erica is a researcher and disability activist, disabled adult and mother of two children with disabilities. Being in the hospital happens in all different circumstances for families with special needs children. Erica and I talk about these in some depth. Each situation has its own challenges and as Erica shares, some small amounts of comfort or joy can also be found if you try. We also discuss the complexity of communication with our friends and family while we are in the hospital. Erica and I also talk about that transition of heading home, as you are often completely depleted. And sometimes the cycle can start all over again, immediately. All in all, we both hope this conversation can bring you closer to this community and gain some more insight and empathy for others in these situations. See you on the next episode! Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Coaching and/or Therapy for the Special Needs Mom with Michelle Fehlman | 20 Oct 2022 | 00:54:48 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast. In this weeks episode, I’m talking with Michelle Fehlman about misconceptions and similarities between therapy and life coaching. Michelle gives a good description of coaching versus therapy, saying coaching is about learning to do and therapy is more about learning to be. Also, coaching is about look forward about goals and forming an plan that makes the goals attainable. The bottom line in both is the work has to come from you! And Michelle and I both encourage you to pay attention to the signs and get some help if you are struggling or feeling stuck Coaching or therapy can make a huge difference. Connect with Michelle: Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Stories Like Yours Recorded On-Site at Global Genes Conference | 13 Oct 2022 | 00:50:38 | |
This is a very different style episode than what you are used to here at The Special Needs Mom Podcast. If you've ever listened to The Moth, you'll feel right at home. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| The Crushing Weight of Responsibility | 06 Oct 2022 | 00:17:52 | |
Hello and welcome to the Special Needs Mom Podcast. This episode I am diving into some of the common themes of responsibility that we feel as special needs moms. I actually did a poll on my social media accounts and the responses were overwhelming. I am highlighting the most common ones today. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| A New Image of the Future with Sarah Hoke | 29 Sep 2022 | 00:45:36 | |
Welcome to the podcast, this weeks episode is with guest Sarah Hoke. She is a mother to three girls, her middle daughter was born with a genetic disorder called Digeorge Syndrome. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Reclaiming Time: Mindful Digital Consumption for Anxious Moms with Jennie Ketchum Crooks | 13 Nov 2024 | 01:10:48 | |
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 research at the University of Washington, guest lectured at Harvard University, and appeared on popular television shows including Headline News, The View, and Oprah. She’s here to unpack some powerful insights on navigating anxiety, managing our “shiny rectangle” (a.k.a. our phones), and making space for true connection. We dive deep into what makes anxiety tick, especially for special needs moms, and how our smartphones can be both a blessing and a trap. Jennie shares practical tips from her 30-day program in her book Look Up, which helps us rethink our digital consumption and build healthier relationships with technology. We also share a few laughs about managing “Brenda,” the little voice in our heads that always seems to have something to say! Connect with Jennie:
Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Takeaways from the Global Genes Conference | 22 Sep 2022 | 00:21:00 | |
Welcome to the podcast! This episode was unplanned originally, but after attending The Global Genes Conference I wanted to share my takeaways with you. The second idea is community. Finding your people has the ability to shift your life in such profound ways. There is also something different about being in a community where everyone has their hard and your story is normal. The third idea is purpose. There is a profound importance in finding your purpose outside of being just a special needs mom. Lastly, I want to share an idea from one of the keynote speakers, an acronym, P.U.S.H. Push Until Something is Heard. Don’t stop. Don’t stop until somebody listens. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| The Balance of Connection & Privacy with Queren King | 15 Sep 2022 | 00:56:42 | |
Hello and thanks for joining us for this episode. This week's guest is Queren King. She is a mother to two, her youngest son has been through a big journey and he's not even 2 yet. He has a unique genetic disorder, AUTS2. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Taking Back Control of Your Emotions | 08 Sep 2022 | 00:33:28 | |
Hello and thanks for being here. This week is a companion episode to Ep103, Let Go of Feeling Like a Victim. In today's episode, I talk about ways we can rewrite the narrative and take responsibility for our emotions, even in this difficult circumstances we face as special needs moms. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| When God Whispered "Dig Deep" with Kelly Speck | 01 Sep 2022 | 00:55:44 | |
Hello and welcome to the podcast. This week I have guest Kelly Speck speaking about her life with her 3 children, one of whom is a teenager with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Kelly has the ability to describe the beginning of her journey to parenthood and coincidentally special needs parenthood with light, however she also explains that her whole family is aware of the fragility of life. No one knows how long they have, but she especially feels the weight of that with her son and his extraordinary conditions. Kelly opens up about her journey with her faith and some funny conversations and stances she's taken on her relationship with God. Kelly shares how she has come to learn what the word respite actually means and that it has been a game-changer for not only her marriage but their whole family. She doesn’t want her other children to feel left out or grow up to resent their brother. And of course, Kelly shares about the book she has written about her story and her family. Hope In the Heartache is a book she hopes can bring light, understanding and most of all hope to others, whether they have special needs children in their life or not. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Let Go of Feeling Like a Victim | 25 Aug 2022 | 00:33:58 | |
Hello and thanks for listening to the podcast. In this week episode, I'm diving into a topic that came to me from a client's suggestion. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| A NICU Journey and the Path to Acceptance with Hannah Parsons, Part 2 | 18 Aug 2022 | 00:41:54 | |
Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| A NICU Journey and the Path to Acceptance with Hannah Parsons, Part 1 | 11 Aug 2022 | 00:52:01 | |
Hello listeners. This week I have Hannah Parsons on the podcast. Hannah is mother to one son and explains how nothing went as planned from her pregnancy, to birth, to postnatal. We speak on her realization that she had no control over the circumstances and her path to acceptance. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Celebrating Where You Are | 04 Aug 2022 | 00:22:24 | |
Hello listeners and thank you for being with me to celebrate the 100th Episode of the Special Needs Mom Podcast! Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Anxiety and Your Never Ending To Do List | 28 Jul 2022 | 00:35:29 | |
99: Hello and welcome back to the podcast. This episode, I talk about anxiety, mostly in reference to the long to-do lists we have as special needs moms. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Tending to Your Soul with Carrie Holt | 21 Jul 2022 | 00:56:46 | |
Hello and welcome back to the podcast. This week we have guest, Carrie Holt. She is mom to 4 children, one of which has taken her on the ride of 15+ years as a special needs mom. Her son has spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Carrie starts with the beginning of the story. They knew about her son's conditions in-utero, but this didn't make his arrival any easier. She highlights that, at about two weeks old he had respiratory failure and ended up spending 64 days in the hospital. When he came home, he was very medically fragile and had 16 hours of in-home nursing care. In the last 15 years, he’s been through about 60 surgeries. All this and her 3 other children has lead her to believe that tending to your soul and your heart is of upmost importance. Carrie explains how she works hard to be there with her son in his hard times of pity and anger but also knows it’s her job to remind him or his self-worth and that it isn’t defined by the things he can’t or cannot do. She shares her belief on the grieving process and that it seems to be a never ending cycle for special needs families. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| The Trojan Horse of Happiness | 06 Nov 2024 | 00:42:15 | |
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 grateful she is back for again. We often think grief looks like constant sadness or that it follows neat “stages,” but it’s much messier—and that’s okay. Grief doesn’t have to mean losing joy; in fact, it can create more room for it. I explore how embracing grief can actually open us up to feel fully alive. If you’re looking for a supportive space to explore these topics, I’ve built a community just for that. Resources Mentioned:
Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| A Little Spice and a Lot of Serotonin with Joanna Wen | 14 Jul 2022 | 00:51:47 | |
Hello listeners and welcome back to the podcast. This week, we have guest Joanna Wen on the show. Joanna is a life coach and weight loss coach while being a mother to twins, one of which has special needs. She is here to share some small ways special needs mom can remove mental blocks to weight loss and food relationships. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| A Sibling's Message for Moms with Mishka Sibert | 07 Jul 2022 | 00:50:35 | |
Hello and welcome back to the podcast. This week, we have a special guest in Mishka Sibert. Mishka is an adult sibling of an autistic brother and shares her experiences growing up and finding her purpose to help mothers. Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||
| Going to Incredible Lengths with Beth Thorp, Part 2 | 30 Jun 2022 | 00:32:59 | |
In this episode, we’re back with the second half of my conversation with Beth Thorp. If you’re just joining us, go back and listen to part 1.
Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack HERE | |||