Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's Story episode, #263. 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 guest that goes deeper into their experience.

In this episode, Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with Nikki McIntosh, rare disease mom, advocate, author, and founder of Rare Mamas, to talk about her journey raising her son Miles, who has spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA.

Nikki shares the early days of knowing something wasn't right, the persistence it took to push for answers, and how becoming an advocate for her son ultimately changed the direction of her own life. She opens up about the realities of caregiving, navigating school and community, and learning when to protect her time and energy by setting boundaries.

Jessica, Susanna, and Nikki also talk about something caregiving moms often struggle to prioritize: themselves. Nikki shares how exhaustion and overwhelm led her to become more intentional about self-care, why she now considers it a non-negotiable, and what it looks like to prioritize peace while still carrying the responsibilities of caregiving.

They also explore Nikki's journey to creating Rare Mamas and becoming an author, including how writing gave her a way to process her experiences, turn pain into purpose, and use her own story to support other families navigating rare disease.

This conversation is a reminder that advocating fiercely for our children and caring for ourselves don't have to be opposing goals. Nikki encourages fellow caregiving moms to keep pushing for answers, protect their energy, use their gifts to serve others, and make room for joy and peace along the way.

We see you, and we love you!

Find more information about Nikki McIntosh here. 

Find Nikki’s book, Rare Mamas 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. 

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

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] 

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! 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, #262, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe are responding to the question:

“Hi Bravies! How do I find my purpose when my whole life revolves around caregiving? I am a single mom and I do not have respite caregivers or family to help me out.”

When caregiving requires nearly everything you have, where is the space to figure out who you are or what gives your life purpose outside of being a mom?

Jessica, Susanna, and Dr. Zoe talk honestly about identity, purpose, and the very different seasons of a caregiving life. They acknowledge the grief that can come with losing a career, freedom, spontaneity, or a version of yourself you thought you would get to be—and why those feelings deserve compassion rather than judgment.

Together, they challenge the idea that purpose is something we have to go out and “find.” Instead, purpose can be formed through the way we live our lives right now. Living in alignment with our values, finding small moments of meaning and calm, and staying connected to ourselves can matter even when our circumstances leave very little room for anything beyond caregiving.

They also discuss the importance of community and connection, practical tools for supporting mental health, and how thinking about future seasons can create hope without requiring us to pretend our present circumstances are easy.

Most importantly, this conversation makes room for the reality behind the listener’s question: not every caregiving mom has respite, family support, time, or the ability to simply “do something for herself.” Finding purpose shouldn't become one more impossible task on an already overwhelming list.

Your purpose doesn't have to be a destination, a career, a passion project, or something separate from the life you're living. It can evolve as your circumstances change—and so can you.

Keep the vulnerable questions coming. We’re here to support you.

We see you, and we love you!

We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving moms. Find more about Rise here. 

Resources mentioned in this episode: Calm App, Values Bridge by Susie Welch

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. 

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

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] 

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 Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast!

Brave Together Podcast is the podcast of We Are Brave Together, a nonprofit supporting moms of children with disabilities, neurodivergence, medical complexities, mental health struggles, and all forms of unique needs.

Your hosts Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe bring their professional expertise, lived experiences, and years of caregiving motherhood to honest conversations created to help you feel seen, supported, encouraged, and less alone.

This season, we’re continuing the conversations you’ve come to know and love: Story episodes featuring the real experiences of caregiving moms; Expert episodes exploring topics that impact you and your family; Thriving Disabled and Neurodivergent Adult episodes offering invaluable insight into the lived experiences of disabled adults; and Ask Us Anything episodes, where Jessica, Susanna, and Dr. Zoe dig into the questions you send our way.

Season 11 will explore everything from caregiver burnout, self-care, relationships, and advocacy to disability, mental health, navigating our kids’ needs, and the complicated, beautiful, exhausting realities of caregiving.

We are so honored that Brave Together Podcast continues to grow alongside this extraordinary community of brave moms around the world, including through UK Health Radio. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re just finding us now, welcome. We are so glad you’re here.

And we want YOU to be part of the conversation. Submit your stories through our website, call into our SpeakPipe through the link in the show notes and leave us your questions, or connect with us on Instagram and YouTube @wearebravetogether. Your questions and experiences help shape the conversations we have here.

You can also find full episodes and more from Brave Together Podcast on YouTube. And if this podcast has made you feel seen, supported, or a little less alone, please rate and review the show and share it with your friends and fellow caregiving moms. Every share helps us reach another brave mom who may need this community.

We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving families.

At Brave Together Podcast, we offer you community and remind you every chance we get: you are strong, capable, and definitely not alone.

We see you, and we love you.

Welcome to Season 11!

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.

Donate to keep this podcast going here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?

Follow us on Instagram or on Facebook.

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]

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

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. 

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

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] 

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

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. 

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

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] 

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, #245, we’re responding to the question:

“Hi Dr. Zoe, Susanna and Jessica, I was wondering if you could shed light on us parents who will NOT BE EMPTY-NESTERS? I am struggling right now because I see friends who are so free and spontaneous and honestly, I am envious. As you guys always say, the grief buttons are getting pushed again. Thanks.”

In this conversation, Susanna Peace Lovell, Dr. Zoe Shaw, and Jessica Patay talk honestly about what it means to be a “forever nester”—a caregiver who may never experience the traditional empty nest. They define what empty nest and forever nest can look like, while also acknowledging that it’s not always a simple either/or; there are many unknowns, in-between seasons, and times when adult children launch and then return home.

Together, they name the complicated mix of emotions that arise when friends are traveling, retiring, or enjoying spontaneous freedom, while caregiving parents are still managing high-support needs, sleep deprivation, food vigilance, and constant responsibility. Jessica and Zoe share candidly about life with children who have Prader-Willi syndrome and the relentless focus on food and safety; Susanna reflects on lifelong rigidity, shame, and a longing to be more spontaneous. They speak to grief as cyclical, normal, and deeply human—especially when future dreams like travel, retirement, or hands-on grandparenting feel uncertain or out of reach.

The hosts also offer hope and reframes: the power of naming longings out loud, seeking pockets of “empty nest cosplay” (brief moments of freedom and joy), practicing radical acceptance of the life you’re living, and being intentional about creating memories and glimmers of joy right now. They remind listeners that wanting freedom, rest, and space is not selfish—it’s human—and encourage caregivers to seek support when resentment or grief feels overwhelming.

Keep the questions coming—we’re here to support you. Whether you’re a parent to a child with complex medical, developmental, or mental health needs, or someone supporting a caregiving family, 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 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. 

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

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] 

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

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. 

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

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] 

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 BONUS episode. Our guest is care advocate and author, Elissa Strauss, who has a fantastic new book called When You Care, The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others.

This conversation was about such an important topic that I invited author, activist and fellow caregiving mom, Kelley Coleman to co-host with me. And together we explore the powerful role caring for others plays in our individual and communal lives with Elissa Strauss who in her book weaves together research about care and stories from parents and caregivers with a feminist bent.

Elissa Strauss has been writing about the politics and culture of parenting and caregiving for more than 15 years. Her work appears in publications like The Atlantic, The New York Times, Glamour, Elle, and elsewhere. And she was a former contributing writer at CNN.com and Slate, where her cultural criticism about motherhood appeared on XX. Her book, When You Care, The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others, is out now from Gallery Bugs. 

Please enjoy this critical and important conversation. 

Thanks so much for listening!

Find Elissa Strauss and her book, When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others here.

Find Kelley Coleman and her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports 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. 

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

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] 

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.

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. 

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

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] 

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 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. 

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

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] 

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, #189, we are responding to the question, Do you have any tips for navigating life with a disabled child after a divorce?

This is a VERY relevant topic for our community because the added stress of caregiving for disabled children is not known to help marriages last longer. Also two of our three hosts have been through divorce and continue to co-parent with their disabled children’s fathers. So we have A LOT of first hand experience and advice for this caller. 

In this episode we offer: important things to consider in the divorce process, ways to break the news to our kids and the realities of what co-parenting with your ex-partner can look like as the primary caregiver. 

Keep the vulnerable questions coming. We’re here to support you! 

We see you and we love 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. 

If you have any topic requests or if you would like to ask a question, leave us a message 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. 

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

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] 

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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