Exceptional & Unfiltered Ep. 1 - That Was the Moment

Grab a snack and join us for a fun game of "Would You Rather?", Exceptional & Unfiltered-style! From safety-food shortages to bad bedside manner, choosing between bad and worse in these silly scenarios.

Make sure to turn your volume up this episode, as Callie asks us questions from behind the camera. We hope you enjoy, and don't forget to send us your own "Would You Rather?" in the comments!

In this special "back-to-school" edition of Exceptional & Unfiltered, Teresa welcomes her dear friend and today's guest, Dr. April Workman, to discuss transitions big and small - from the morning rush to changing routines.

April has extensive experience working in special education, and is beloved by her students and their parents. Join us as we share her invaluable insight and pick up a few new tips for working through life transitional moments. Don't forget to join the conversation in the comments with memories or questions on transitions!

Inspired by a pre-filming conversation, this week's episode was borne out of a single sentence. When Teresa said "I've lived here for years, but it never felt like home... until now", we knew we had to press record.

This episode explores what makes a community feel like home. We all know the phrase "make a house a home", but we seldom consider what makes a community feel like home. Maybe instead of decor and curtains, your family needs support, inclusive spaces, and familiar faces. Today we're talking about all the ways "where we live" has transformed into where we belong, and how you can make your community feel more like home too.

Don't forget to join the conversation in the comments!

How much do assumptions shape the way we see others? This week on Exceptional & Unfiltered, we're talking about why no two people are the same—even if they share the same diagnosis. We discuss the importance of looking beyond labels, getting to know each person as an individual, and recognizing that everyone's experiences, interests, and communication styles are unique. Because the best way to understand someone isn't by making assumptions—it's by taking the time to know them.

n today's episode, we discuss how sometimes the most meaningful inclusion can happen in small, fleeting moments. Inclusion does not always mean large, elaborate efforts or going out of our way. Sometimes, inclusion just happens in everyday moments and becomes a core part of who we are. Perhaps inclusion isn't so much an activity as it is a state of being, a mindset, and a culture that welcomes everyone without giving a second thought.

Join us as we discuss the bright moments in our communities where inclusion and acceptance wasn't loud or labeled, but the impact lingered long after the moment passed.

This week we welcomed Alysha and Melissa's sons, Jacob and Corey, to discuss their experience growing up as a sibling to someone with special needs. The boys certainly don't hold back as they share some of their favorite family memories (whether their moms like it or not), while Alysha and Melissa express their feelings as moms trying to balance their attention between multiple children with varied needs.

This episode packs a TON of humor, fun, and heartwarming moments as we celebrate two beautiful families with unique dynamics and endless love for one another. Join in on the conversation below and tell us bout your experience!

In today's episode, Melissa, Tereasa, and Alysha reflect on the moments and comments that have stayed with them over the years. Parenting a child with special needs often comes with self-doubt and an ever-present inner critic—but what happens when those feelings are reinforced by the words or assumptions of others?

From awkward encounters at the grocery store to posts on social media, the hosts share experiences where split-second judgments left a lasting impact. Together, they explore the importance of extending grace, recognizing that every family's journey looks different, and remembering that what we see on the surface is rarely the whole story.

This week, we're talking about our saving grace when the pressure's on, a meltdown is eminent, and time is of the essence. That's right, we're talking about bribes. Whether it's a well-timed goldfish cracker or an ice-cold Dr. Pepper, we're sharing the little motivators that make all the difference in sticky situations.

There's a lot of laughs, smiles, and sweet moments in today's episode and we don't want you to miss it! Don't forget to join in the conversation and share your strategy for making it through tricky moments in the comments!

In this week's episode, we're talking about vacations (and sometimes needing a vacation from the vacation). From airports, to road trips, travel accessibility, and packing mayhem, we cover it all in this summer edition of Exceptional & Unfiltered.

If your vacations can sometimes inspire a little more chaos than relaxation, this one's for you! Pull up a chair, grab a snack, and join us for today's conversation!

In this week's episode, we talk about an important milestone - high school graduation, and how this celebratory occasion can look a little different for special needs families. Graduation brings a mixture of bittersweet feelings for any parent, but in this episode, we dive into the complexities, worries, and rays of hope that accompany graduation for parents of children with special needs.

We talk about the support provided by the school system and staff, worries about big transitions post-graduation, accommodations for graduation ceremonies, and the process of navigating and creating resources to maintain a high quality of life once the high-school chapter closes.

This is an episode full of honesty, real conversation, and determination to create the brightest future possible for our kids. We invite you to sit down with us, give it a listen, and share your experience!