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 main ..read more

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 li ..read more

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 ..read more

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 Come join The Spe ..read more

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 caregive ..read more

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 fundam ..read more

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 intera ..read more

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 ..read more

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 j ..read more

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 t ..read more