Inchstones with Sarah | Autism Advocacy & Caregiver Stories

In this moving conversation, Donna Ross-Jones joins Inchstones host Sarah Kernion to talk about the deep, often unspoken realities of parenting children with disabilities—especially autism.

Together, they open up about the long arc of grief that can come with a diagnosis, the resilience required to keep going, and the unexpected ways siblings are shaped by these experiences. They talk candidly about letting go of the life you imagined, and learning to embrace the one unfolding in front of you—with love, humor, and hard-won wisdom.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that acceptance isn’t a moment—it’s a process. It’s about holding both the sorrow and the beauty, and choosing connection through it all. If you’ve ever felt the weight of unmet expectations or the ache of wanting to do it all, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

Donna's work and writing can be found on her Substack

This week’s conversation takes us deep into the heart of caregiving and the layered beauty of loving someone with autism.

Dr. Kerry Burnight—gerontologist and author of JOYSPAN: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half(coming out August 5!)—joins Inchstones host Sarah Kernion for an open, honest, and uplifting dialogue about what it really means to care. Together, they unpack the raw and often complicated emotions that come with being a caregiver—especially when you're navigating both autism and aging.

They explore how to support someone while honoring their independence and dignity, reflect on the power of spiritual freedom, and share the kind of hard-earned wisdom that only comes from lived experience. There’s vulnerability, laughter, and a whole lot of truth.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that caregiving isn’t just a role—it’s a relationship. It’s challenging, transformative, and full of meaning. Whether you’re knee-deep in it or just stepping in, this conversation offers insight, companionship, and maybe even a little (a LOT) of joy.

Grab your drink - coffee or something that packs a bigger punch!

In this heartfelt episode, Sarah Kernion sits down with fellow autism Mom and friend, KC Artemenko to talk honestly about what it's really like to raise children with autism. Together, they open up about the deep emotional shifts that happen inside families, how hard (and beautiful) sibling relationships can be, and the power of following your gut as a parent. They don’t shy away from the hard stuff—like how isolating it can feel or how much pressure parents carry—but they also show how connection, vulnerability, and community support can be life-changing. It’s a raw, real, and ultimately hopeful conversation that every parent navigating neurodiversity will feel seen by.

In this heart-to-heart episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with writer and fellow mom Jenna Jonaitis to talk about something we all need more of—but rarely give ourselves permission to embrace: realistic self-care.

Together, they unpack the messy beauty of motherhood, laugh at the myth of bubble baths fixing everything, and explore how tiny moments of joy can ripple out to create calmer homes and happier hearts. Jenna shares the soul behind her Substack, Mama Well, and gets candid about overstimulation, the magic of mindfulness, and why modeling self-care for our kids might just be one of the most powerful parenting moves we can make.

This conversation is equal parts cozy, candid, and quietly revolutionary for every mom who’s ever put herself dead last—and is ready to change that, one inchstone at a time.

You can find Jenna's Substack and all of her work here: https://themamawell.substack.com/

In this episode of the Inchstones podcast, host Sarah Kernion sits down with fellow autism moms Kat and Erica for a real, honest talk about what life is really like raising neurodivergent kids. Kat and Erica both have substantial Instagram followings and have formed community through sharing of their individual family's stories. Together, they open up about the beautiful, messy, and often overwhelming parts of their journeys—how they’ve struggled, what’s helped them keep going, and the small wins that mean everything.

They talk about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting children with autism, how powerful it is to find your people, and why showing up vulnerably (especially online) can make all the difference. It's a reminder that behind every story is a mom who just wants to be seen, heard, and believed and that there’s magic in walking this road TOGETHER.

Kathy Riojas is a Dallas, TX-based Licensed Professional Counselor and mom to three, including an energetic non-speaking autistic boy.  Instagram @withlove.kat

Erica Fortune is a former mental health counselor for children. She is currently a stay-at-home mom supporting her two autistic boys (ages 5 and 3) and 18-month-old daughter. Instagram @autistic_wild.and.free

In this powerful episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with Laurie Dove and her teenage daughter Lyla to talk about something often overlooked in the autism parenting conversation - the experience of siblings.

What unfolds is an honest, emotional, and deeply thoughtful reflection on what it means to grow up alongside a sibling with autism. Lyla shares how being the oldest has shaped her in ways most kids her age wouldn’t understand. How she’s learned to be patient, protective, and tuned in to the unspoken. She talks about moments of confusion, loneliness, and fierce love all woven into the fabric of her everyday life.

Laurie opens up about parenting both her neurodivergent and neurotypical children, and the tightrope walk of meeting everyone's needs while holding space for their different experiences. Together, they reflect on how their family has grown stronger because of them.

They also share the impact of social media, highlighting how it can both isolate and educate. Through their stories, they remind us of the crucial importance of listening to the voices of siblings, the quiet heroes of many autism families.

The episode ends on a note of hope ... that by sharing real stories, families can find healing, connection, and the courage to keep showing up for each other.

Click HERE find Laurie's Instagram, Everyday Autism Essentials

In this powerful episode of Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion talks with Michelle Dempsey-Multack, a co-parenting expert and fellow mom who deeply understands the emotional weight of divorce - especially when raising children with disabilities like nonspeaking autism and apraxia.

Together, they dive into what it really feels like to co-parent when your child needs more. From navigating different parenting styles post-divorce to dealing with grief, guilt, and resilience, this conversation doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. Michelle opens up about her own healing journey and the role self-compassion plays in showing up for your child.

They also explore the importance of perspective, how shifting the way you look at your situation can ease pressure and create more peace for both you and your child. Most importantly, they discuss celebrating the inchstones—the tiny, hard-fought moments of progress that matter more than traditional milestones when parenting through the lens of neurodiversity.

Whether you’re in the thick of divorce, parenting a child with autism or apraxia, or just need to feel seen, this episode offers real talk, hope, and solidarity.

 All of the links to Michelle's courses, social media and work can be found HERE

Sarah chats with Andrea Li, Senior Director of Global HR at Malin+Goetz, about how workplaces can better support neurodivergent employees. They dive into how company culture is shifting, the growing importance of empathy in HR, and what it really takes to create an environment where everyone feels seen and supported.

Andrea shares her perspective on leading with curiosity, the values that shape inclusive teams, and how the next generation is pushing workplaces to evolve. It’s a real look at what happens when companies prioritize people over policies—and why that makes all the difference.

Sarah welcomes writer and neurodiversity advocate Sunita Theiss to Inchstones for a real, no-filter chat about the ups and downs of parenting and finding your voice along the way. Sunita opens up about her journey through infertility, the emotional layers of raising neurodivergent children, and how hard—but important—it is to let yourself be seen in the mess and the magic of it all.

Together, Sarah and Sunita discuss the realities that most people don’t see: late diagnoses, guilt, learning curves, and the tiny wins that mean the world. They reflect on what it really takes to advocate for your child—and yourself—while also holding space for growth, grief, and grace.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re carrying more than they can name—and doing it anyway.

You can find Sunita on Instagram @sunitatheiss

Host Sarah Kernion sits down with writer and dad Greg Scaduto — a man who’s raising an incredible son named Teddy and writing his way through the beautiful chaos. From diaper duty to deep thoughts, Greg opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of fatherhood, the healing magic of a good community, and why love always beats a milestone chart. Expect laughs, insight, and a reminder that parenting a child with autism isn’t about giant leaps — it’s about celebrating the inchstones that truly matter.

You can find Greg's work on Substack and X:

https://substack.com/@gregcscaduto

https://x.com/GregoryScaduto