The Special Needs Mom Podcast

Send us a Text Message. This conversation is a necessary and stimulating (pun intended) exchange between Cindy and myself. This podcast was created to serve and focus on you, the special needs mom, and this episode does exactly that. It implores you to connect to yourself and to what you need and to the sensations of your body. Cindy Scharkey is a nurse with over 3 decades of experience in healthcare. She is passionate about breaking the silence surrounding women’s sexuality and empowering parents to be their child’s sexual health educator. Through her podcast, Permission for Pleasure, as well as her workshops, newsletter and consultations, she desires to provide the holistic sex education that every woman needs to experience more pleasure. Resources from this episode Esther Perel The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Connect with our guest, Cindy Scharkey Website www.cindyscharkey.com Instagram @cindyscharkey Facebook @scharkeycindy Podcast Permission for Pleasure www.cindyscharkey.com/podcast Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. This week's episode is my ode to you, special needs mama. I share from my heart about our role as Mother, in all its complexity and beauty. My hope is that you feel validated, seen and honored. Happy Mother's Day! Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. As you may or may not know, this episode is extra close to my heart, as my son has a disability with cancer at its center and Parvathy also has a similar experience. After both her children were diagnosed with multiple rare/ultra rare and nano rare diseases (some of which predispose them to cancer), Parvathy Krishnan dedicated her life to empowering people worldwide to advocate for themselves no matter their location or diagnosis. She is now a Rare Disease Specialist and healthcare professional with a Masters in Clinical Nutrition. She is also an expert in Patient Advocacy and Patient caregiver education. I am honored to speak with her about her experience with her children and the intersection of cancer and rare disease. Connect with our guest, Parvathy Krishnan instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parvathy_r_krishna/ linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parvathy-raman-krishnan Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. This week's guest, Shelley Frappier, is a friend, single mother and former Pathway to Peace member. We talk all about her experience in Pathway to Peace, how she learned to connect with her feelings and how that one tool changed the trajectory of her life. She decided that she no longer wanted to be "unhappily happy". She knew that she wanted more for her life and for the life of her children so she took deliberate steps toward finding her joy again. Alongside her role as mother, she is also part of the executive team of The Cute Syndrome Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to serving children, like her son Nico, with a diagnosis of SCN8A and their families. We talk about the value of diagnosis specific communities and the honor I have of working with a SCN8A specific Pathway to Peace cohort. Resources from this Episode: Mitchell Thorpe Foundation Connect with our Guest, Shelley Frappier: previous episode: Episode 743: Stories Like Yours Recorded On-Site at Global Genes Conference The Cute Syndrome Foundation Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. Here we are, talking about anxiety again, because fear and worry are a regular part of our lives as special needs moms. I have to say, I feel like a bit of an imposter, because this is an area I still work on all of the time. On this solo episode, I am going to share a tool that I've created for us, to make managing our anxiety a little less like work and more like a game. Imagine turning your anxiety management into a game where each small practice, like self-talk or an easy stroll, earns you points towards a more settled mind. I'll guide you through 10 of the 24 strategies that can help maintain and restore your personal "health meter". From the simplicity of staying hydrated to the invigorating shock of cold therapy, we cover the spectrum of techniques that can anchor you in the present moment and regulate your physiology. I encourage you to integrate these practices into your daily life, using the bingo card as a fun and tangible way to track your progress and celebrate your wins. Resources from this episode: Download Your Anxiety Bingo Card Here! The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy Episode 189: Bringing Balance Back to the Language of Disability with Effie Parks Trauma Series with Meghann Crane-Russ Episode 187: Understanding Trauma As A Gateway to Healing Episode 188: Trauma In The Body, In The Mind, & In Our Lives Episode 189: Trauma Recovery Resources for the Special Needs Mom Connect with Meghann Crane-Russ Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. Are the endless tasks of motherhood, career & relationships leaving you buried under a pile of planners and post-it notes? Megan Sumrell, a life planning expert, CEO & founder of Pink Bee, joins me to talk about productivity and how we need to plan differently in order to live balanced and fulfilled lives. She brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to this conversation from her years teaching others how to optimize their businesses and personal lives. Megan's insights resonate deeply, as a special needs mom herself, offering strategies to navigate the overwhelming demands of our lives without the guilt. This conversation with Megan is an honest reflection on the complexities of modern life, where the digital world begs for our attention. Where crossing things off our list often leaves us feeling anxious and like we are never getting it all done. Here, you'll find practical tools that promise more presence and less pressure, so you can savor the moments that matter most and even find fun for yourself. Megan ends with a poignant reminder that you are more than 'just a mom'—you're a woman of multifaceted identity, deserving of self-care, recognition & support. Mentioned in this episode: Redeeming Heartache Book by Dr. Dan Allender and Cathy Loerzel Asking for Help: Episode 122: A Little Discomfort for a Whole Lot of Help (Asking for Support) Connect with our Guest, Megan Sumrell: Website: www.megansumrell.com Podcast: www.megansumrell.com/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/megansumrell Instagram: www.instagram.com/megansumrell/ Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/msumrell/ Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/WorkLifeHarmonyPodcast Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. We all have a giant stack of papers that are taunting us. The physical and mental to do's posted everywhere. The phone calls to make and the errands to run. It all piles up and we are left feeling anxious and frenetic. I had a morning this week where it all hit me at once, and I had to get myself back to center before I could be present for my day of coaching calls. I talk about how I do this for myself and for my coaching clients. I take you through a quick quiz and give you practical steps to shift your state and outlook moving ahead. I believe that peace is possible for you. I know you can leave the heaviness behind. I've seen it happen for others and I know it is possible for you too. References from this episode: Trauma series with Meghann Crane - Russ Episodes 186: Understanding Trauma as a Gateway to Healing Episode 187: Trauma in the Body, in the Mind, and in our Lives Episode 188: Trauma Recovery Resources for the Special Needs Mom Trauma resources from Meghann Crane - Russ Dr. David Bilstrom Episode 149: Healing from the Inside Can Be Simple with Dr. Bilstrom Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. I am honored to share today's episode with Donna Letier, co-founder and CEO of Gardenuity. Donna is a business woman, mother of two, advocate and caregiver for one of her daughter's and a genuinely kind human. She lives and breathes helping others through the power of nature and aims to make gardening accessible for everyone. We talk in this episode about work/life/caregiving balance, how we show our other children they are not forgotten, and of course about all of the beautiful important and necessary need to care for ourselves and how gardening can help us do just that. Donna also shares her top three tips for being the CEO of your home and/or business. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your wisdom, and to all the listeners, may you find the seeds of hope as you grow something good in your life. Connect with Donna: Website: www.gardenuity.com B2B Website: www.gardenuityforbusiness.com LinkedIn: /Gardenuity Instagram: @gardenuity Facebook: /Gardenuity TikTok: @gardenuity Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, Kara gets vulnerable and shares about how she is reintegrating into her life after her son's unexpected ten day hospital stay. Her hope as you listen is that you will remember that you are not alone in the balancing act of survival mode and living a whole hearted life. We are all walking this winding road together. Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. As a fellow traveler on the path of special needs motherhood, I found a kindred spirit in Effie Parks, a standout voice in the rare disease community who sat down with me for an honest, empowering conversation. Effie and I explore the sensitive topic of language and how it is used in our caregiving and advocacy. We challenge some common narratives we saw perpetuated through social media in 2023 and offer alternatives ways of thinking and relating to ourselves and each other. Effie also shares her exciting new initiative, Once Upon a Gene Therapy. Her mission is to empower fellow caregivers, through walking, to remember who they are and find strength through movement & community. Connect with Effie Parks: Effie Parks doesn't mind being called "strong": Article Once Upon A Gene Podcast: Spotify Once Upon A Gene Podcast: Apple Once Upon A Gene Therapy: Walking Club FB Group Once Upon A Gene Instagram Once Upon A Gene Website Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, we wrap up our series dedicated to trauma and how to cope with life's uncertainty. Learn how to harness the power of sensory grounding, strategic breath work, and even the right expression of anger to guide your nervous system back to a state of calm and presence. Each strategy we discuss is a step towards emotional well-being, designed to reinforce your sense of safety when the pressure rises. We share personal stories and practical advice that will leave you equipped to handle life's storms with self-compassion and confidence. We conclude by emphasizing community as a fundamental need and another pathway to healing your trauma. >>>Click here to download the resources mentioned in this episode<<< Connect with our Guest, Meghann Crane-Russ: Noticing Growth, website Instagram Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. As a parent raising a child with special needs, we experience unusual amounts of chronic trauma. Trauma therapist Meghann Crane-Russ, LCSW, PMH-C, is back this week, guiding us through the science and mechanisms behind our primal response to trauma. Strap in as we explore the complex terrain of the human brain, and prepare to gain a deeper understanding of your own responses in the face of fear. We will learn the difference between feelings and thoughts and why we explode into fight or flight or withdraw into freeze or collapse. Learning how our 'downstairs' and 'upstairs' brains interact when faced with said trauma will help us to understand ourselves more deeply, while giving us the hope that we can live a more present and connected life. This episode is packed full of science, with plenty of everyday examples to us understand. For us visual learners, Meghann has provided resources to use while listening to help pull all of the concepts together. >>>Click here to Download the Resources mentioned in the episode!<<< Connect with our Guest, Meghann Crane-Russ: Noticing Growth, website Instagram Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. Discover the hidden & evident impacts of trauma, and the pathways to healing with Meghann Crane-Russ. Meghann is a therapist who specializes in supporting parents navigating medical complexity, medical trauma, traumatic loss and grief. Prior to private practice, she was an inpatient medical social worker in pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care and also did some work in PEDS palliative care. We unravel together the complexities of "big T" and "little t" trauma and the grief that countless families face. Meghann's profound understanding of the brain and body's response to trauma not only sheds light on the subject but also plants seeds of hope for anyone navigating the road to recovery. Together we explore a message of resilience, affirming that through compassion, understanding and insight, healing from trauma is not just a possibility but a journey well within our reach. >>>Click here to download trauma resources<<< Resources from this episode: Bessel van de Kolk M.D. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma Paul Conti Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal From It Connect with our Guest, Meghann Crane-Russ: Noticing Growth, website Instagram Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. Our brains are seeking to understand the traumatic experiences of our lives in an effort to keep us safe, both now and in the future. I can almost guarantee, if you are a special needs mom, you have experienced trauma. This trauma shakes our identity, creates false narratives about our role in it all, and disconnects us from ourselves and those around us. On this solo episode, we dissect the science based interconnection of trauma, shame and identity; how our body is protecting us, how they impact our self-worth and how we can begin to give ourselves a break from the shame. This is more than just a conversation; it's the start of your journey toward healing & recovering your identity. We will continue this conversation for the next three weeks with Meghann Crane-Russ, LCSW, PMH-C. Resources from this episode: Paul Conti, MD Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal From It Brene Brown, Shame & Vulnerability Researcher Neuroscientific account of Guilt and Shame Driven PTSD phenotypes National Library of Medicine Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. When life hands you a narrative you never expected, where do you find the script to follow? This question lingered in my mind as Kelley Coleman, the insightful author of "Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child," joined me to share her journey and the wisdom she's encapsulated in her guide for fellow parents. We peel back the layers of our personal transformations, discussing the complexities of medical care, education, and the emotional landscape that defines the experience of raising a child with visible disabilities. She shares her path, transitioning from a career in the film industry to narrating the unique story of her child's life, emphasizing their individuality and potential beyond their limitations. As our conversation unfolds, we trace the evolution of a special needs mom across five stages—from the initial shock to rediscovering personal power and peace. It's a transformative journey, filled with moments of self-sacrifice and deep reflection on societal expectations and the importance of retaining one's identity. We share our insights into the rollercoaster of parenting highs and lows, the intense commitment it demands, and the surprising joys that can emerge from this unique life experience. This episode is a candid exploration of the emotional terrain that we navigate as parents, offering a narrative that affirms and inspires. Join us as we navigate the unexpected paths and find camaraderie in shared experiences. Connect with Kelley Coleman: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellokelleycoleman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelley.coleman.56 Website: https://www.kelleycoleman.com/ Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. Words like 'disability', 'differently abled', and 'identity-first language' might seem interchangeable, but as we peel back the layers, the significance of each term emerges, shaped by personal experiences and societal perceptions. The episode casts a light on the journey of understanding and accepting disability, not just as a concept, but as a profound aspect of human diversity. Sharing the intimate progression of my relationship with my son's disability, I open the floor to the importance of honesty and the strength found in community support. Evoking change in our subconscious beliefs, we explore how language can forge new paths toward love, compassion, and authenticity. Join us as we challenge ourselves to grow and enrich our perspectives on disability, transforming how we relate to others and ourselves in this ever-evolving conversation. Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. When the weight of perfectionism feels like a lead cloak, it's the raw, honest stories that can lift it off our shoulders. That's exactly what Kristin Faith Evans brings to our table this week, as we navigate the deeply personal terrain of motherhood to children with special needs. Her voice, a blend of vulnerability and strength, breaks through the silence on the mental health crisis among special needs moms, illuminating the tough yet rewarding journey that lies ahead for many. This episode is a tapestry woven with the threads of shared experiences, where the barriers of seeking help are pulled back, revealing a landscape that many special needs moms traverse in solitude. Together with Kristin, we peel back the layers of guilt that often accompany the pursuit of self-care, underscoring its non-negotiable place in our lives. As we discuss the stigmas within conservative Christian communities and the scarcity of resources, the conversation is an open door for every listener who has felt judged or alone in their struggles. Kristin's insights serve as a compass, guiding us through the expectations and self-inflicted pressures that can overshadow the joys of parenting. We celebrate the power of positive self-talk and the gentle art of embracing imperfection. Whether you're a mom knee-deep in therapy schedules or a friend standing by in support, this episode is a sanctuary for reflection, growth, and unwavering support—a reminder that no one should walk this path without a hand to hold. Contact Kristin Faith Evans Website: https://disabilityparenting.com/ Instagram: @disabilityparenting (https://www.instagram.com/disabilityparenting) Facebook: Kristin.Evans.5895 (https://www.facebook.com/kristin.evans.5895) X: AuthorKristinEv (https://twitter.com/AuthorKristinEv) LinkedIn: Kristin-Evans (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-evans) Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. Hello and welcome to the podcast. Transitioning back to work after a break can feel like an uphill battle, even when you love what you do. My personal strategy to overcome this, involves a trio of 'C's; method I delve into with heartfelt honesty. Join me as we navigate these waters together, finding strength in community and the shared quest for a year filled with intention and growth. Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. When you're balancing the world on your shoulders as a special needs mom, finding time and space for yourself can feel like an impossible puzzle. But Angela O'Brien, mother, professional organizer, and podcast host with a heart as big as her expertise, joins me to piece together the jigsaw of life, proving that every mom can create harmony out of chaos. Our conversation is a heartfelt journey through the evolution of a special needs mom who redefined her identity and blossomed into a source of inspiration and practical wisdom for parents in similar shoes. Join Angela and me in a dialogue that enriches, uplifts, and equips you with the tools to not just organize your surroundings, but to flourish within them. Embrace the journey of growth and the art of making space for yourself—it's a celebration of possibility, and it starts right here. Connect with Angela: Website: https://yourspacereclaimed.net/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourspacereclaimed Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join

Send us a Text Message. Hello and welcome to the podcast. As the dawn of a new year breaks, I'm filled with renewed hope and the pleasure of revisiting an episode that remains close to my heart, featuring the indomitable Anna Brown. Through the lens of raising a nonverbal child, we discuss the profound lesson of releasing control and the importance of honoring our children's individual journeys without imposing our own expectations. Connect with Anna: Blog: https://www.motheringrare.org/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/mothering_rare/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mothering.rare Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/ Website: https://www.kararyska.com/ Coaching Opportunities Pathway to Peace {Group Coaching Program}: Schedule a Consult or Contact Me Join The Special Needs Mom Podcast Community FaceBook Group!! Click here to Request to Join