It's A Circus - Unfiltered stories of motherhood, identity, and the art of self care

Unfiltered stories of motherhood, identity, and the art of self-care.

Hosted by Elsa Marit, It’s a Circus pulls back the curtain on the beautiful chaos of parenting. Through raw conversations with mothers, entrepreneurs, and women of all walks, the show explores what it really means to raise kids while holding onto yourself.

Each episode is part confession, part community — reminding you that you’re not alone in the madness. From the heartbreak and humor of matrescence to the little rituals that keep us sane, this podcast is equal parts relatable, vulnerable, and empowering.

✨ Motherhood may be a circus, but here you’ll find clarity, connection, and the confidence to step back into your own spotlight.

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It's A Circus - Unfiltered stories of motherhood, identity, and the art of self care

Grit and Grace in Motherhood with Kortnee

September 10, 2025 • Season 3 • Episode 2

0:00 | 1:51:35

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In this heartfelt episode of 'It's a Circus,' host Elsa welcomes Kortnee, a 36-year-old Florida-based architect, entrepreneur, wife, and mother of two, to share her unique parenting journey. Kortnee opens up about raising her son William, who has a rare genetic condition leading to epilepsy, autism, and developmental delays, and her daughter Sophia, who is developmentally typical. Kortnee discusses the realities of balancing work, therapies, and family life, the emotional challenges of an unexpected diagnosis, and the misconceptions surrounding special needs parenting. She also emphasizes the importance of support systems and self-care. This episode offers invaluable insights and encourages parents to embrace their individual journeys with humor, grit, and faith.

00:00 Introduction: Embracing the Chaos of Parenting

00:39 Meet Kortnee: A Unique Family Dynamic

02:24 Kortnee's Parenting Journey: Challenges and Triumphs

03:30 Navigating Special Needs: William's Story

11:10 The Diagnosis Journey: Genetic Testing and Epilepsy

24:08 Balancing Parenthood: The Emotional Rollercoaster

35:40 Therapies and Treatments: Finding What Works

53:09 Common Misconceptions: Parenting a Special Needs Child

58:01 Navigating Public Perceptions

58:27 Special Needs Parenting Insights

01:02:36 Advice for Interacting with Special Needs Families

01:07:00 Personal Reflections and Parenting Advice

01:19:47 Balancing Family and Career

01:25:41 Support Systems and Asking for Help

01:29:30 Challenges and Acceptance

01:33:38 Coping with Emotional Struggles

01:36:55 Traveling with Special Needs

01:46:43 Final Thoughts and Advocacy

Visit Kortnee and Hector's Business sites:

https://echt-architects.com/

https://cayococolandscaping.com/

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Thanks for listening to It’s a Circus Podcast — Unfiltered stories of motherhood, identity, and the art of Self care

These stories remind you that you’re not alone in the chaos. And if you’re ready to take the next step from conversation to transformation, explore Svea – The Beauty Edit. It’s my signature service that helps women edit the noise, simplify their routines, and reclaim confidence through radiant, effortless self-care.

🎙️ More stories: https://www.chernerbroscircus.com/podcast
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Embrace the chaos. Reclaim yourself.