Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ask us anything.

In this Ask Us Anything episode, #257, we’re responding to the question:

“HI LADIES. I know the new book is coming out soon. I am very excited! What's a question you were afraid to ask early on as a mom — and what's the answer you wish someone had given you?”

In this heartfelt conversation, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe reflect on the fears, grief, uncertainty, and unspoken questions they each carried early in their caregiving journeys.

The hosts share personal stories about the questions they were afraid to voice out loud—questions about identity, marriage, loneliness, resentment, joy, the future, and whether they would ever truly feel okay again. Together, they explore how silence and shame can keep caregivers isolated, and why honest conversations and community support are so important.

Jessica, Susanna, and Dr. Zoe also discuss the answers they wish someone had given them earlier: that grief and joy can coexist, that perfection is not required, that asking for help is healthy, and that caregivers deserve support and compassion too.

Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize that there is no “perfect” way to navigate caregiving and that vulnerability can become a powerful pathway toward healing and connection.

This episode is a tender reminder that many of the questions caregivers are afraid to ask are actually deeply human—and that no one should have to carry those fears alone.

Keep the questions coming—we’re here to support you. Whether you’re parenting a child with complex medical, developmental, or mental health needs, or supporting someone who is, we would love to hear from you. We see you and we love you.

Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe here. 

Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame here.

Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.

Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here.

Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here. 

Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here.

Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys. 

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. 

Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here. 

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Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org 

If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.

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