Conquering Your Clownfish

Discover the inspiring journey of Amanda Owen, a lifelong disability advocate whose experiences as a special needs sibling shaped her mission to transform lives. From growing up with a brother with a rare chromosomal disorder to founding a groundbreaking nonprofit, Amanda shares intimate insights into the joys and challenges of disability advocacy. Learn how her childhood experiences and parents' tireless efforts fueled her passion for creating innovative support systems for individuals with disabilities and their families. Prepare to be moved and inspired by Amanda's unwavering dedication to ensuring every individual with a disability has a seat at the table and opportunities for happiness.

You can follow Amanda and her journey on Instagram @puzzlepiecesky

In this episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, I sat down with Marci Dunning, a medical mom and parent to her daughter Freya, who has the rare Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Marci shares the impact this has had on her family, and the challenges of raising a child with a life-altering condition. She discusses the weight of anticipatory grief, the struggle to plan for an uncertain future, and the power of living in the present. Offering invaluable insights for families facing similar challenges and those seeking to understand the complex world of rare disabilities, this episode is a must-listen for anyone grappling with simply wanting to expand their perspective on disability and parenthood.

In this week’s episode, I was joined by Anna Owen, a Montessori mom and an advocate for a more natural way of life. Ana shares her family's experiences after her daughter Josephine was born with a rare musculoskeletal disorder called Antley Bixler syndrome, greatly affecting her physical development. Anna and her family have felt so much joy with Josephine in their lives, and through their faith, patience, and willingness to learn as they go in the face of the unknown, they have come closer together because of it. Join us as we dive deeper into what contributes to the joy of seeing your child sing the song they were meant to sing in this episode of Conquering Your Clownfish!

For more from Anna Owens and her experiences with Antley Bixler syndrome find her on Instagram @annaowen.

In this powerful episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, Amanda Griffith Atkins opens up about her journey as the mother of Asher, who was born with the rare condition Prader-Willi syndrome. Amanda shares the challenges of living in a world that often feels inaccessible, adapting to new perspectives, and the hard parts of raising a child as a part of the rare disease community. Amanda is on a mission to give parents permission to acknowledge their struggles while still loving and supporting their kids. She offers advice for planning for the future as a caregiver and the importance of guilt-free self-care. Any parent or caregiver feeling alone in their journey will not want to miss this episode, offering validation, compassion, and the reminder that the special abilities community is in this together.

If you would like to learn more about Amanda and her experiences with Prader-Willi Syndrome, you can learn more about her on Instagram @amanda.griffith.atkins

In this episode, Brady shares the incredible journey of his adopted son Cooper. From being abandoned on a street corner in China to throwing out the first pitch at iconic Major League Baseball stadiums across North America, Cooper's story is all about conquering limitations. For Brady, it’s about finding the courage to let his son spread his wings in the face of the unknown, pushing past his own worries to let his son truly shine. Cooper's infectious joy and determination help him enrich the lives of those around him as he and his special abilities help connect communities across America. Join us this week to hear Cooper’s story from China to the Major Leagues!

In this powerful episode, Ashley Ashcraft shares her incredible journey as a military spouse, author, and mother to a daughter with Down syndrome. Discover how Ashley's experience with her husband's deployments to Afghanistan helped her embrace her daughter Finley's unexpected diagnosis. Be inspired by Ashley's unwavering faith, her commitment to building a supportive community, and her mission to change the narrative around Down syndrome, and learn how Finley has become the glue that holds their family together, radiating love and joy in the face of challenges. You won’t want to miss this moving conversation about finding strength through adversity, advocating for those with disabilities, and cherishing the remarkable gift of every human life.

Learn more about Ashley Ashcraft:

@ashleyashcraftwrites

In this week’s episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, host Brady Murray sits down with special guest Amber Andrews, a wife, mom of three, stylist, salon owner, educator, and unstoppable Down syndrome advocate. Amber openly shares the raw emotions and challenges she faced when her daughter Andy was prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome and discusses her journey after Andy’s birth which included two open-heart surgeries, a life-threatening virus, and long NICU stays, all while wrestling with her faith and fears as a special needs mom. Despite the pain and anxiety, Amber found beauty as she watched her daughter persevere, and their family grow closer than ever. Join us for this powerful discussion as Amber shares her journey of learning to give herself grace, focusing on what truly matters in life, and trusting that God will never give you more than you can handle.

In this week’s episode, we have the opportunity to interview special guest Stephanie Hanrahan, a writer, TEDx speaker, activist, and autism mom who courageously made her private journal chronicling her journey as an autism mom public. Stephanie shares her transformative story of embracing vulnerability, overcoming perfectionism, and finding radical acceptance of those blessed with special abilities. Discover the life-changing power of telling the stories no one can see and learn how Stephanie's viral social media success is empowering a community. Be inspired by Stephanie's passionate advocacy for ditching mere "awareness" and "acceptance" in favor of true inclusion for the disabled. Gain invaluable insights and advice for families on the autism journey, from navigating a new diagnosis to unleashing a child's potential as a self-advocate. Don't miss this unforgettable conversation that will open your eyes, touch your heart, and leave you seeing the beauty and worth in every individual.

Learn more about Stephanie Hanrahan:

@tinklesherpants

@thepip.co

@labeledandloved

TinklesHerPants.com

In this week’s episode, Kimberly Dowdell, a dedicated mother of four and popular social media influencer. Kimberly openly shares the joyous moments and inspiring journey of raising her son Jack, who has Down syndrome. Through her Instagram page, Kimberly spreads "good news" and gives hope to families navigating the ups and downs of having a child with special abilities. In this episode, she discusses the incredible bond between Jack and his siblings, his infectious catchphrase "good news," and the importance of inclusion. Kimberly's vulnerability and positive outlook will leave you feeling inspired and reminded of the limitless potential within every individual. Join us as we celebrate the unique superpowers of individuals with Down syndrome and learn how embracing their differences can lead to a more beautiful and better world.

To learn more about Kim and her story, you can find her on Instagram at @thekimberlydowdell

In this week’s episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, Crystal Paine, New York Times bestselling author and founder of MoneySavingMom.com, shares the transformative story of welcoming her son David, who has Down syndrome, into her family through fostering and adoption. She opens up about the challenges, joys, and lessons learned on their journey and how David has taught her and her family to embrace life, celebrate uniqueness, and passionately advocate for those with disabilities. This episode will help you better understand that underneath perceived awkwardness or disability lies a superpower that can light up the world.

If you would like to learn more about Crystal, you can find her on Instagram @themoneysavingmom