Hello Brave Friends! On this, our final episode of Season 5, we have such a great guest for you. Debbie Reber, who you guys probably know already, is a parenting activist, bestselling author, speaker and the CEO and founder of Tilt Parenting, a resource, top performing podcast, consultancy, and community with a focus on shifting the paradigm for parents raising and embracing neurodivergent children. Her most recent book, Differently Wired, A Parent's Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Confidence and Hope, came out in 2018.

Debbie is a wealth of information, and I highly recommend that you check out everything that she offers and get involved in her community. If you have a child who is neurodivergent, she has lots of experts on her podcast and has educated thousands of parents. Please enjoy this comforting, warm blanket of an episode with the wonderful Debbie Reber.

Find the Tilt Parenting website here. 

Find Debbie Reber’s book, Differently Wired, here. 

Find the Tilt Parenting Podcast here. 

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends, do you think you fully understand ADHD and how it impacts school and everyday life? Although it is common, it is not simple, not by any means. It is extremely complex. There are many aspects to this disorder. There is no magic pill or formula that will help all kids and adults who struggle with ADHD, but there are proven methods, tips, skills, and wisdom to be applied.

We have an incredible guest today for you: Leslie Josel, an ADHD-academic and parenting coach, who is an award-winning entrepreneur, having founded Order Out of Chaos – a virtual company whose mission is to help parents guide their students to success in learning and in life - when her son was first diagnosed with ADHD.

She is also the creator of the award-winning Academic Planner: A Tool for Time Management®, a planner that helps students develop time management skills, and the award-winning author of 3 books including the recently published, “How to Do it Now Because it’s Not Going Away: An Expert Guide to Getting Stuff Done.” (Lerner Publishing)

 A respected resource on ADHD and Executive Functioning, Leslie writes the weekly “Dear ADHD Family Coach®” column for ADDitude Magazine, the premiere magazine for adults and children with ADHD.  She speaks to audiences all over the world helping them utilize their resources to best navigate the task-driven world in which they live.  Last year, Leslie’s line of student organizing products – a collaboration with Samsill Corp – was released.  

And for the last six years, Leslie has been named by Global Gurus as one of the top 20 Time Management experts in the world.

Find Leslie’s website here.

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

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, #236, we are responding to the question, How do I survive the holidays without support?

In this conversation, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, Dr. Zoe Shaw discuss the concept of overwhelm and how to manage it by entering a 'survival mode' where non-essential activities are minimized to focus on what truly matters. 

Keep the questions coming, we’re here to support you! Whether you have questions as a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs or you’re someone looking to support a care-giving parent, we would LOVE to hear from you. We see you and we love you! Leave us a message here.

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

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #235, with Molly Trexler, a pediatric nurse practitioner and coach for medical moms. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents. 

We discuss the unique challenges faced by mothers navigating the medical system, coping strategies for managing fear and anxiety, and the importance of community and support. With over 30 years experience, Molly shares personal stories and insights, emphasizing the need for self-care and the power of listening. 

Find more information about Pediatric Nurse Practitioner & Medical Mom Coach, Molly Trexler here.

The generous sponsor for the entirety of our San Diego retreat this month is PCSI. PCSI is a nationwide, mission-driven nonprofit that creates meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities and veterans while delivering exceptional services to both the public and private sectors. Through our Workforce Development programs—including Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Employment, and Careers at PCSI—we empower individuals to achieve independence, personal growth, and long-term success. By combining sustainable business innovation with a values-based approach, we strengthen communities, challenge the status quo, and deliver outstanding results in every partnership. PCSI enhances the lives of people with disabilities through employment, advocacy, partnerships, and innovation. 

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #234, with Jeremy and Ilana Hamburgh the creators of Social Life 360. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents. 

In this conversation, Susanna Peace Lovell interviews Jeremy and Ilana Hamburgh, a couple dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals in building friendships and relationships through their program, Social Life 360. They share their backgrounds, the inception of their program, and the importance of community and support in navigating social skills. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, the impact of media representation, and the success stories that inspire their work. Ultimately, they emphasize the importance of connection and the dreams they have for their clients' futures.

The generous sponsor for the entirety of our San Diego retreat this month is PCSI. PCSI is a nationwide, mission-driven nonprofit that creates meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities and veterans while delivering exceptional services to both the public and private sectors. Through our Workforce Development programs—including Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Employment, and Careers at PCSI—we empower individuals to achieve independence, personal growth, and long-term success. By combining sustainable business innovation with a values-based approach, we strengthen communities, challenge the status quo, and deliver outstanding results in every partnership. PCSI enhances the lives of people with disabilities through employment, advocacy, partnerships, and innovation. 

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

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #233, with certified life coach and clinical hypnotherapist Shelly Ehler. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents. 

In this enlightening conversation, Jessica Patay and Dr. Zoe Shaw interview Shelly Ehler about the transformative power of hypnotherapy, exploring its journey from skepticism to acceptance. Shelly shares her personal journey into hypnotherapy, addressing common misconceptions and the effectiveness of this therapeutic modality in treating anxiety, fears, and other mental health issues. The discussion highlights the process of hypnotherapy sessions, the safety and ethics involved, and its potential benefits for caregivers and individuals with special needs. The conversation concludes with a call for greater awareness and collaboration between hypnotherapists and traditional mental health professionals.

Shelly Ehler is a certified life coach and clinical hypnotherapist and her mission is to enlighten, empower and inspire her clients to live their best lives! She received her life coaching certification from the Integrated Wellness Academy and her certification in hypnotherapy from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, the first accredited college of hypnotherapy in the country. Find more information about Shelly Ehler here.

The generous sponsor for the entirety of our San Diego retreat this month is PCSI. PCSI is a nationwide, mission-driven nonprofit that creates meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities and veterans while delivering exceptional services to both the public and private sectors. Through our Workforce Development programs—including Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Employment, and Careers at PCSI—we empower individuals to achieve independence, personal growth, and long-term success. By combining sustainable business innovation with a values-based approach, we strengthen communities, challenge the status quo, and deliver outstanding results in every partnership. PCSI enhances the lives of people with disabilities through employment, advocacy, partnerships, and innovation. 

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #232, with Speech Dude, Chris Wenger, sharing his neurodivergent affirming approach to IEP’s and wow does he have a refreshing take on them.

In this episode of the Brave Together podcast, Chris Wenger shares his journey as a neurodivergent educator and advocate for students with special needs. He discusses the importance of understanding neurodiversity, the need for a shift from deficit-based IEPs to a more affirming approach, and the significance of creating safe and supportive learning environments. Chris emphasizes the value of connecting with students authentically and provides insights into effective teaching strategies and resources for educators and parents alike.

Chris Wenger is a neurodivergent high school speech-language pathologist of over 20 years, international speaker, and creator of the Dynamic Assessment of Social Emotional Learning, a strengths-based assessment for autistic students. He is also the founder of NeuroAffirm, a first-of-its-kind worldwide interactive directory connecting providers and families. Globally known as Speech Dude, he has amassed nearly one million social media followers, sharing inspiring and educational content, always with a humorous twist.

Find more information about Chris Wenger here.

Follow Chris Wenger on IG here.

The generous sponsor for the entirety of our San Diego retreat this month is PCSI. PCSI is a nationwide, mission-driven nonprofit that creates meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities and veterans while delivering exceptional services to both the public and private sectors. Through our Workforce Development programs—including Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Employment, and Careers at PCSI—we empower individuals to achieve independence, personal growth, and long-term success. By combining sustainable business innovation with a values-based approach, we strengthen communities, challenge the status quo, and deliver outstanding results in every partnership. PCSI enhances the lives of people with disabilities through employment, advocacy, partnerships, and innovation. 

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

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, #231, we are discussing how we stay grounded in our own bodies and feelings when our children are struggling and needing us to be right there with them.

In this conversation, Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw cover what to do when children are struggling. They discuss the importance of recognizing one's own feelings, the challenges of caregiving, and the need for self-care. The episode emphasizes the balance between empathy for children's struggles and the necessity of personal happiness, offering insights and strategies for navigating these emotional landscapes.

Keep the questions coming, we’re here to support you! Whether you have questions as a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs or you’re someone looking to support a care-giving parent, we would LOVE to hear from you. We see you and we love you! Leave us a message here.

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

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Bravies! Welcome to today's expert episode, #230, with podcaster, narrative shifter and author of I Like You So Much: Celebrating What Makes You, You!, Heather Avis.

In this episode of the Brave Together Podcast, Heather Avis joins hosts Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe Shaw to discuss her journey as a parent and advocate in the disability space. Heather shares her experiences of adopting children with Down syndrome and the impact it has had on her life. The conversation delves into the power of narrative shifting, self-advocacy, and recognizing the intrinsic value of every individual.

Find more information about Heather Avis here.

Check out The Lucky Few Podcast here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #229. These are true stories from a moment in the life of a caregiving parent. We hear a crafted story, and then have a conversation with our guests that goes deeper into their experience.

Join Susanna Peace Lovell and Natasha M. Nurse, Esq. as they delve into the complexities of neurodivergence, motherhood, and personal growth. Natasha shares her journey of self-discovery, from her childhood experiences to her recent diagnosis of autism and ADHD. The conversation explores the challenges and triumphs of raising a neurodivergent child, the importance of self-care, and the power of storytelling. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on embracing authenticity and designing a life that serves you.

Find out more about Natasha M. Nurse Esq. here and here and here.

Learn more about MRM Education here.

Learn more about ShareWell here

Learn more about Swell Cast here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #228, with Chrissy Barlahan, who is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst with a degree in Psychology from Cal State Long Beach and a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University.

In this episode, join Jessica Patay, the founder of We Are Brave Together and Chrissy Barlahan as they delve into the complexities of parenting and marriage in the context of caregiving. With candid discussions on the challenges and joys of raising children with disabilities, they explore the importance of humor, resilience, and finding purpose amidst the chaos. Tune in for insights on maintaining strong relationships, the power of empathy, and the unexpected moments of joy that make the journey worthwhile.

Find out more about Chrissy Barlahan here.

Find How We Love site here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

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, #227, we are discussing how to approach and support other caregiving moms when we see them in the wild. 

In this heartfelt episode, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe Shaw dive into the challenges and triumphs of parenting children with special needs. They share personal stories and insights on how to approach fellow parents with empathy and understanding, emphasizing the importance of being allies to one another. Join them as they explore the power of connection, the impact of societal norms, and the simple yet profound act of acknowledging each other's humanity. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that encourages us all to be more compassionate and supportive in our daily interactions.

Keep the questions coming, we’re here to support you! Whether you have questions as a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs or you’re someone looking to support a care-giving parent, we would LOVE to hear from you. We see you and we love you! Leave us a message here.

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

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #226, with Kris Burbank, whose book, Embracing Another Normal: Resilience Stories and Strategies for Raising Children with Disabilities has a lot to teach us. 

On this episode, Jessica Patay welcomes Kris Burbank who shares her journey as a mother of three, including her son Andrew, who has cerebral palsy. We discover how Kris's experiences led her to co-authoring a book on resilience and get an overview of her researched strategies for developing resilience for parents of children with disabilities.

Find more information about Kris Burbank here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! On this episode, #225, we are hearing about the experience of another Thriving Neurodivergent Adult, Author, Journalist and Influencer, Carrie Berk.

In this episode of the Brave Together Podcast, Carrie Berk shares her journey from writing children's books to her memoir, MINDFIRE: Diary of An Anxious Twentysomething, which addresses her personal experiences with anxiety and OCD. The conversation delves into the importance of self-love, the misconceptions surrounding OCD, and the role of parents in supporting their children's mental health. Carrie emphasizes the need for open communication, education on mental health in schools, and the destigmatization of mental health issues. She also shares practical strategies for self-compassion and managing anxiety, making this episode a valuable resource for parents and young people alike.

Find Carrie Berk on IG here and TikTok here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #224, with Amanda Griffith-Atkins. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents. 

On this episode Amanda Griffith-Atkins joins us to discuss the inspiration behind her book, 'How to Handle More Than You Can Handle: Raising a Disabled Child Without Losing Yourself.' In our conversation, she emphasizes the importance of self-care, compassion, and the emotional experiences of parents in similar situations. Her book serves as a companion for parents navigating the challenges of raising children with disabilities, offering insights and support for their emotional well-being.

Amanda Griffith-Atkins is a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Amanda Atkins Counseling Group in Chicago. Amanda is also an in-demand speaker, author, and guest lecturer. Amanda’s book is available anywhere books or audiobooks are sold. 

Find more information about Amanda Griffith-Atkins here.  And if you’d like to hear MORE episodes with Amanda, find them here: Ep 144 Flexibility is Key and Ep 211 EXPERT: When You Wish Your Kid Had a Different Diagnosis

This episode was generously sponsored by Undivided, which brings expertise, technology, and community together to support parents raising kids with disabilities. Check them out today! 

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

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

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, #223, we are discussing the New York Times Best Seller, The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, and applying it to caregiving life. 

In this conversation, the hosts reflect on their Summer experiences and transitions in their children's lives, leading into a discussion of The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. They explore the importance of releasing control over others and focusing on self-awareness and personal responsibility as caregivers. The conversation emphasizes the need for boundaries and the journey of allowing children to progress naturally without the pressure of expectations. The hosts share personal anecdotes and insights, highlighting the transformative power of the theory in their lives.

Keep the questions coming! Whether you have questions as a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs or you’re someone looking to support a care-giving parent, we would LOVE to hear from you. Leave us a message here.

Big thanks to our first sponsor of Season 9, Malaga Bank. 

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

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

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

Welcome to Brave Together Podcast, an empowering resource for the parents of children with disabilities, neurodivergence, and all unique needs.

Hi Bravies! Welcome to Season 9 of Brave Together Podcast. Yes, we've switched back to our original name, but we are as always, relentless in our mission to provide you the caregiving parent with resources, a platform for your stories and of course, community. I'm Jessica Patay, founder of the nonprofit, We Are Brave Together and a mother to three children, including a son with Prader-Willi Syndrome, and your co-host for this podcast.

I'm joined this season by two other Brave Moms, author and coach Susanna Peace Lovell, an author and licensed psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw. We are all passionate advocates for parents to children, of all ages, with high support needs, and we are parents too. 

This season we are focusing on mental health, doing our part episode by episode to destigmatize it for you and our children. We have episodes on self-compassion, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, and hypnotherapy, just to highlight a few. And like last season, we're offering Story episodes from moms just like you, Expert episodes on topics that impact you, Thriving Disabled Adult episodes to give you insights into the experiences of your children, and Ask Us Anything episodes to answer your burning questions.

We make this podcast as a lifeline for you, so please, call into our SpeakPipe through the link in the show notes and leave us messages with your questions or comment on Instagram and YouTube posts at We Are Brave Together. We'd love to hear from you and do our best to create episodes to directly or indirectly answer your questions and needs. And please take a moment to rate and review our podcast so we can continue to grow and reach more Brave Moms. We offer you community here at Brave Together Podcast and remind you every chance we get that you are strong, you are capable, and you are definitely not alone. We see you and we love you.

Welcome to Season 9!

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

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This week Jessica Patay interviews Sarah, Laurie and Ann - three warrior moms who’ve picked up the pen and written their stories. We hope that in listening you’ll be encouraged, equipped inspired to write your own story; the world needs to hear it!

Sarah Swindell lives in the Austin area with her husband, Greg, a former Major League Baseball player and 2019 Texas Sports Hall of Fame Inductee. Sarah is a commercial actress/model and has been working in the industry for over thirty years, and is the author of Rounding Home - A Memoir of Love, Betrayal, Heartbreak, and Hope with an Intimate Look into Raising a Child with Severe Autism. Sarah is an avid moviegoer, loves yoga, true-crime podcasts, and advocates for children and adults with autism and other disabilities. Her son was diagnosed with severe autism at the age of eighteen months and continues to touch peoples hearts to this day.

Laurie Magulac is a life coach, educator, and mother of four, ages twelve to young adult. Special needs parenting found her the day she brought home two bouncy foster siblings with, it turned out, a dozen medical, developmental and mental health disabilities. Raising and advocating for them and their two younger sisters, one of whom also has special needs, inspired her book, Get Your Joy Back: Banishing Resentment and Reclaiming Confidence in Your Special Needs Family.  Her favorite writer resource is Jeff Goins.

Anne Fricke is a poet, author, storyteller, wife, and mother. She is the creator and host of the podcast, “Walking with Freya, A Journey Through Special Needs Parenting”. She has published two collections of poetry, a novel, and a writing journal for parents of children with special needs titled “There Is Joy To Be Found Here." You can find links to her books, samples of her writing, videos of poetry performances, and her podcast at annefricke.com. Follow the podcast on IG @walkingwithfreya. 

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

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In Part Two of our series with Meygan Caston, you will hear the most practical advice on something I think we all take for granted:  great communication skills! How can we get to the root of some marriage issues if we do not properly learn/re-learn/practice good communication skills?

Meygan Caston is the cofounder of Marriage365, where she and her team specialize in creating online and on-demand resources for engaged and married couples. 

Meygan and her husband Casey live in Orange County, Ca and have two kids. Their son was diagnosed with autism and her husband has ADHD so they have a passion to help marriages who have been impacted with special needs. 

You can learn more about Marriage365 by visiting marriage365.com 

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

Disclaimer

In this episode you will hear the most practical advice from Meygan Caston on something I think we all take for granted:  great communication skills! How can we get to the root of some marriage issues if we do not properly learn/re-learn/practice good communication skills?

Meygan Caston is the cofounder of Marriage365, where she and her team specialize in creating online and on-demand resources for engaged and married couples.

Meygan and her husband Casey live in Orange County, Ca and have two kids. Their son was diagnosed with autism and her husband has ADHD so they have a passion to help marriages who have been impacted with special needs.

You can learn more about Marriage365 by visiting marriage365.com.

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

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What do you do when everything is going wrong? How do you zoom out enough to see things clearly - instead of reacting in fear or desperation? Jessica Patay and Yoga Instructor/Entrepreneur, D’Andre Clayton talk about the power of a regular breath practice to help develop clear-headedness and build peaceful foundations for our perspectives on the challenges of life.

Find D’Andre on Instagram @dandreclayton @hotyogahealthyyou

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

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In a world where children and young people who have disabilities are at an increased risk of being abused compared with their non-disabled peers, how can a parent learn to manage their fears and protect their children? On this week’s episode of Brave Together, Jessica Patay and expert advisor Toby Stark discuss some of the most important questions parents need to ask of the organizations supporting and caring for youth.

Learn more about Toby’s incredible work here.

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

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Hello Brave Friends, you know we encourage sisterhood on this podcast but we don’t always talk about the unexpected community that can form around our children with unique needs, when we’re open to it. And sometimes that means having a broader idea about who that community may include. It might NOT be other mom’s, even care-giving mom’s with kids the same age because hey, they're BUSY! Instead, it might be a retired neighbor looking for some way to be of service, a single friend who has the time to help you take your kid to the park, it might even be a paid care-giver who bonds with your child and builds a lasting relationship with them. So in our last episode of season four, we have a beautiful topic for you, how to build an entourage of love around your child. 

For this episode, host Jessica Patay speaks with author, speaker and psychotherapist, Emma Nadler who wrote a beautiful memoir called The Unlikely Village of Eden. Beyond building an entourage of love, they discuss a whole spectrum of things including: the shock of and culture around a child’s diagnosis, the importance of not giving up on community and why we have to FIGHT FOR OURSELVES, asking for help again and again because WE’RE WORTH IT. 

The Unlikely Village of Eden is an insightful and wholehearted look at the long-ignored realities so many families live with daily. Nadler is a trusted guide who confronts both hope and despair as she gives readers the gift of what it looks like to redefine love, success, family, and community.

Find Emma’s website and links to order her beautiful book, The Unlikely Village of Eden, here.

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

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Do I really need to cook dinner EVERY night? And if so, how can I find joy in it? Joy, you say? What would that look like? A glass of wine, maybe? Music? In the overwhelming lives of caregivers, it’s easy to feel like the days are full of “have to’s” but what if we isolated the actual necessities and found ways to make everything else in our busy lives easier and MORE FUN! 

Today we help you streamline your New Year with tips from the Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi. Kendra Adachi is a two-time New York Times bestselling author of The Lazy Genius Way and The Lazy Genius Kitchen. Her podcast, The Lazy Genius Podcast, has over 18 million downloads and covers everything from cooking chicken to making friends. As a systems expert and professional permission-giver, Kendra helps others stop doing it all for the sake of doing what matters. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three kids.

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

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Our lives as caregivers require WAY more help than we are willing to ask for, so what stops us? The intention for this episode is encouragement and maybe a nudge toward self-reflection as to WHY ON EARTH we of all people wouldn’t be able to ask for the help that we so badly need. 

On this episode, host Jessica Patay, talks to Cheryl Ryan Chan, who does workshops on The Lost Skill of Asking for Help, among other caregiver focused topics. They discuss why asking for help can feel so difficult and explore many practical ways you can start intentionally allowing in the help you deserve, today.

Cheryl Ryan Chan is a public speaker, trainer, community organizer, person-centered practitioner, facilitator, change agent, positive agitator, and rum drinker. She is Mom to Nicky. Her gift is bringing people together and empowering. She’s passionate, loud and has messages that inspire!

Find Cheryl Ryan Chan’s Website here.

Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.

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.

Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!

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