In this heartfelt episode of Coffee With Caregivers, host Jess Ronnie sits down with author and homeschooling mom Ashley Jones, who shares her raw and honest journey raising her seven-year-old son Gordon, who was diagnosed with autism and childhood apraxia of speech. Ashley opens up about the early signs she didn't recognize, the years of navigating therapies, meltdowns, and isolation, and the grief cycle that so many parents of children with special needs quietly live through — from denial and anger to bargaining and, slowly, acceptance.

Ashley and Jess explore what it really means to hold two truths at once: loving your child completely while also grieving the life you imagined for them. From sensory challenges and avoidant eating to the unexpected gift of a mini farm full of goats, chickens, and one very content rabbit, Ashley's story is both deeply relatable and wonderfully specific. Her reflections on therapy, the value of the PCIT program, and learning to navigate the unsolicited opinions of those who mean well but don't truly get it will resonate with any caregiver who has ever felt utterly alone — and found their way through anyway.

To connect with Ashley, visit her website at ashleyljones.com or follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @AshleyLJonesAuthor.

In this episode of Coffee with Caregivers, Jess sits down with author, speaker, and advocate Amy Julia Becker — mom to Penny, a 20-year-old with Down Syndrome — to explore what it truly means to be made whole. Drawing from her book To Be Made Well, Amy Julia shares how raising Penny dismantled her own hidden hierarchy of human value and opened her eyes to the freedom that comes from embracing vulnerability and need. Together, Jess and Amy Julia reflect on how disability has been one of the most powerful teachers in their lives — not just about their children, but about themselves.

The conversation moves through themes of healing, distraction, and the mind-body connection, as Amy Julia describes how unprocessed stress and unspoken pain can manifest physically — and how honesty, humility, and hope can create a pathway toward wholeness. She and Jess also speak candidly to caregivers who are living in survival mode, offering practical wisdom about finding community in five-minute pockets of time, seeing your child as a gift rather than a deficit, and letting your body tell you what your heart hasn't yet found words for.

Amy Julia's Links

Website

Book: To Be Made Well

Podcast: Reimagining the Good Life

In this episode of Coffee with Caregivers, Jess welcomes Tyler Hudson, an advocate and father of a son with profound autism. Tyler shares his family's journey from Texas to Australia, the challenges they faced with their son Lyric's regressive autism, and the impact of living in a rural area. They discuss the difficulties of elopement, nonverbal communication, and the transition to adulthood for children with autism. Tyler touches on the broader societal implications of the growing autism population and the need for more research and resources. The episode concludes with insights into his advocacy work and the importance of addressing all potential causes of autism.

He said, "You don't have to be a hero... you don't have to save the baby's life."

Jillian Benfield is a former journalist and news anchor. She holds a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Georgia. As a freelance writer, her essays about living an unexpected life have appeared on sites such as TODAY, Good Morning America, Yahoo! News, and ABC News. Jillian regularly advocates for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in her writings, in her community, and as a part of the National Down Syndrome Congress’s National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition. Jillian and her husband, Andy, and their three children make their home on Florida’s Space Coast. Learn more atjillianbenfield.com.

To stay connected with Jess, head to www.jessplusthemess.com.  If you are interested in being a guest please reach out to [email protected]. I'd love to hear what you think, so please rate and review!

Jason Hague is an associate pastor of Christ’s Center Church, a mid-size church in Oregon, one of the least churched areas in the United States. He is a husband and a father to five children, including Jack, his seventeen-year-old son with non-verbal autism. Jason has written extensively on the subject of faith and autism, special needs families, and his own journey from grief to acceptance of his son’s condition. He blogs at JasonHague.com, and on his Facebook page, Jason Hague, writer. The success of his blog and the viral video he posted there, A Reflection of Aching Joy, led to his first book with NavPress in 2018. Aching Joy: Following God through the Land of Unanswered Prayer was warmly received by church and special needs communities. The book won a Cascade Award for best memoir in 2019. Jason has been a guest on numerous podcasts and radio shows such as Focus on the Family, and his writing has appeared in Christianity Today, Ann Voskamp, Fathom Magazine, and Finding Cooper’s Voice. 

To stay connected with Jess, head to www.jessplusthemess.com.  If you are interested in being a guest please reach out to

Debbie, at 50, woke up to the realization that life was too short to be spent prioritizing others over herself. She ditched "I can't" for "Maybe I can," shedding her victim mentality and refusing to let struggles define her. Recently widowed, she's more determined than ever to share her message. Her debut memoir, "On Second Thought... Maybe I Can," earned praise from Jack Canfield, co-author of The Chicken Soup of the Soul® series. Through her memoir and engaging talks, Debbie courageously bares her soul, reminding others they're not alone. Life is tough, but she's proof that dreams are worth pursuing.

You can follow Debbie at:

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@debbierweiss

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie.r.weiss/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/maybeican

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/debbierweissauthor

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/maybe-i-can-with-debbie-weiss/id1676123222

Website: www.debbierweiss.com

Email: [email protected]

To stay connected with Jess, head to www.jessplusthemess.com.  If you are interested in being a guest please reach out to

Kelley Coleman is a feature film development executive turned author and advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities. Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports draws upon over a decade of advocacy, gained through her own journey parenting a child with multiple disabilities. Kelley lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two boys, and her son’s trusty service dog.  

To stay connected with Jess, head to www.jessplusthemess.com.  If you are interested in being a guest please reach out to [email protected]. We'd love to hear what you think, so please rate and review! This episode is sponsored by True North Disability Planning, to make disability planning accessible to all. To find out more, visit www.truenorthdisabilityplanning.com.

Eileen Lamb, author of "All Across The Spectrum" and “Be The One,” is the founder of The Autism Cafe. She’s also a photographer, podcast host and the Director of Social Media at Autism Speaks. Born in France, Eileen now lives in Austin, Texas, with her two sons, Charlie (11) and Jude (8), and their sister, Billie (1). On her blog, she shares the ups and downs of raising two children with autism, one with profound autism,

To stay connected with Jess, head to www.jessplusthemess.com.  If you are interested in being a guest please reach out to [email protected]. We'd love to hear what you think, so please rate and review! This episode is sponsored by True North Disability Planning, to make disability planning accessible to all. To find out more, visit www.truenorthdisabilityplanning.com.

Crystal Polk is a mental health therapist and Licensed Independent Social Worker in South Carolina, specializing in supporting parents of children with disabilities and medical needs through her practice, Better Tomorrow Therapy. Featured in the film "Unseen," Crystal's impactful work has gained recognition. While she may describe herself as a "nervous interviewee," Crystal thrives in her role on the other side of the chair as a therapist, where her passion for providing crucial support shines through. Her dedication to making a meaningful impact on mental health, sharing expertise, and contributing to the well-being of families facing unique circumstances is evident in her love for being a therapist. Beyond her clinical practice, Crystal actively contributes to professional development by conducting training sessions at institutions like the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), underscoring her commitment to knowledge-sharing in the mental health community.  

To stay connected with Jess, head to www.jessplusthemess.com.  If you are interested in being a guest please reach out to

About Alice:

"I was raised with three siblings, Pake, Reba, and Susie McEntire, two hard working parents, Clark and Jackie McEntire. 11 first cousins, a grandpap, John McEntire, two maternal Grandparents, Elvin and Reba Smith, and one extra special hired hand Louie Sandman, on a working cattle ranch in se Oklahoma in the 50's thru 1980. There wasn't much our bunch couldn't accomplish or trouble we kids couldn't get into. With horses, cattle, rattle snakes, muddy ponds, a ropin' pen, dogs, and worn out pickups what would anyone expect. I wouldn't trade my life for anyone's in the world. We were poor and didn't know it or care. 

I married my husband Robert in 1980 and we raised four children on our ranch in Lane, Oklahoma. Children are Vince Beck, Garett Beck Smith, Trevor Foran and Haley Foran. All my children still live in Atoka County, Oklahoma.

Our daughter Haley was born in 1986 with a condition called Trisomy 18 or Edwards Syndrome. She was the baby, and her condition was unknown to us at her birth, a complete surprise. 

We have done some research, and she is the second oldest living person in Oklahoma with this Syndrome. Life expectancy is about 24 hours if they survive birth. She is 39 years old today. 

I worked for Dept of Human Services for 28 yrs and worked for DDSD Developmental Disability Services Division for 5 years learning and delivering services to individuals with disabilities. I presently contract with the State of Oklahoma as an Agency Companion. 

In 1986, there were no educational services for children with disabilities in Atoka County.  I helped organize the parents and school administrators to create a coop that served the children in one location. Later that disbanded as the Administrators realized they could provide those services on their own campuses. Education and pushy parents can get things done. 

I retired in 2002 from DHS and worked caring not only for Haley but for our parents Clark and Jackie McEntire, who are now deceased. 

My husband and I operate two cattle ranches, an Air B & B in Atoka, and a small mom and pop cafe in Atoka. We are very active in our church and attend as many athletic functions as we can for the grands. We have 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. 

I worked for 11 years with the Atoka Trail Riders Assoc. to build a new facility South of Atoka in Tushka, Oklahoma. I am very proud of that accomplishment. My dad helped create this association in the early '60s and the original facility was torn down and we relocated to a beautiful location 11 years ago. We provide equestrian events, rodeos, tractor pulls, concerts, and Bull Ridings. Lots of action. We give scholarships and help with local charities.  

I am very civic, religious, politically minded and feel that all these attributes can be wrapped up in a way that we work together and get things accomplished for God's glory.  I just want to add that I never, since Haley was born, have been without help in caring for her. God gave me a blessing and helped me take care of her. I could write a book."

To stay connected with Jess, head to www.jessplusthemess.com.  If you are interested in being a guest please reach out to [email protected]. We'd love to hear what you think, so please rate and review! This episode is sponsored by True North Disability Planning, to make disability planning accessible to all. To find out more, visit www.truenorthdisabilityplanning.com.