Inchstones with Sarah | Autism Advocacy & Caregiver Stories

In this powerful episode of Inchstones Podcast, Harry Psaros shares his personal journey as a father navigating the emotional realities of raising a child with autism. He opens up about the challenges of receiving an autism diagnosis, the shift from uncertainty to acceptance, and the profound growth and empowerment that comes with embracing neurodiversity.  Harry is the author of "From Struggle to Strength, A Father's Journey with Autism and the Power of Hope and Positivity."

Harry discusses the unique struggles fathers face in parenting a child on the spectrum, highlighting the need for community support, advocacy, and emotional resilience. He encourages parents, especially fathers, to step into their roles with love, understanding, and a proactive mindset, emphasizing that empowerment comes from connection and support.

This heartfelt conversation explores:
✅ The emotional journey of fatherhood and autism
✅ How parents can shift from fear to empowerment
✅ The importance of community and support networks
✅ Celebrating the small victories in parenting
✅ How fathers can embrace advocacy and personal growth

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or advocate, this episode is a reminder that every child’s journey is unique—and acceptance and love are the greatest tools in parenting.

To learn more about Harry's story please visit his website: www.harrypsaros.com 

To purchase his book: From Struggle To Strength on Amazon !

In this deeply insightful episode of Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion sits down with child therapists Kerri Adams and Christina Rom from Love Play Grow to tackle a critical yet often overlooked topic: how to support neurotypical children growing up in families with special needs.

Kerri and Christina share powerful insights on the unique emotional challenges these children face, from feeling overlooked to struggling with big emotions and expectations. They discuss the importance of acknowledging grief and loss in parenting, why failure is an essential part of growth, and how parents can create a balanced, nurturing environment for all their children.

This conversation is a must-listen for parents seeking guidance, validation, and tools to help their neurotypical children feel seen, heard, and supported while navigating a neurodiverse family dynamic.

To learn more about Christina & Kerri's practice in NJ, visit their website at www.loveplaygrownj.com

This week on Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Dr. Lillian Ardell—founder of Langauge Matters and a bilingual advocate, educator, and disruptor of monolingual biases—for a thought-provoking conversation about linguistic justice and the power of language.

Dr. Ardell shares her journey as a champion for bilingual and multilingual education, highlighting how humor, curiosity, and mindset shifts play a crucial role in creating inclusive learning environments. Together, they dive into the importance of breaking down language barriers, fostering cultural connection, and supporting children’s unique language journeys.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or advocate, this episode will challenge how you think about language, communication, and the role of linguistic diversity in shaping the future.

Find Lilian and her work at : https://www.languagematters.org/

Episode Summary – Inchstones Podcast

This week on Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Love on the Spectrum’s Kaelynn Partlow—author, influencer, and autism therapist—for a deeply insightful and heartfelt conversation.

Kaelynn opens up about her childhood, her passions, and the unique experiences that shaped her journey as a neurodivergent woman. She shares her path through education, her advocacy work at Project HOPE, and her mission to improve autism services.

Together, Kaelynn and Sarah dive into the beauty of embracing individuality, the struggles neurodiverse children often face, and the unexpected joys of new experiences. For parents walking a similar path with their children, this episode offers invaluable wisdom, encouragement, and hope.

Sarah Kernion sits down with her friend Kasi Wicks—sister of country star Jason Aldean—and her husband, country singer Chuck Wicks, for a deeply personal conversation about their journey raising Tucker, their son diagnosed with autism.

Together, they open up about the emotional highs and lows of parenting a neurodivergent child, the power of family support, and the mindset shifts that have helped them embrace the unexpected path.

They discuss what it means to celebrate *inchstones* instead of milestones, share advice for parents navigating a new diagnosis, and reflect on the beauty of seeing the world through Tucker’s eyes.

If you're looking for hope, resilience, and a reminder that joy is found in the smallest victories, this conversation is for you.

What if the way we connect with our children could change everything? In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with speech-language therapist Lauren Lee to explore the heart of communication—how it shapes lives, builds trust, and unlocks potential. Lauren shares her journey into speech therapy, the fears parents often face when considering AAC devices, and the game-changing role of play, environment, and collaboration in a child’s ability to communicate. Whether you're navigating speech challenges or simply want to better understand how we all connect, this conversation is a must-listen.

In this episode of Inchstones, host Sarah Kernion speaks with Clain Udy, an autism dad and author, about his transformative parenting journey. Clain candidly shares how he moved from focusing on challenges to embracing his child’s unique strengths, reshaping his perspective on autism.

He discusses the highs and lows of navigating an autism diagnosis, the importance of building a supportive environment, and the role of community in fostering acceptance and understanding. Clain’s insights offer encouragement and practical takeaways for parents of children with special needs, inspiring them to reframe challenges into opportunities for growth.

Clain Udy is the Founder and President of First Ascent: Autism Career Development, a program dedicated to helping young adults on the autism spectrum find meaningful careers. He is also the author of Rebranding Autism: A Guide to Seeing Strength on the Spectrum, where he aims to reshape the way society perceives autism by shifting from a perspective of limitation and deficit to one of strength.

Memorable Quotes:

“When I stopped looking for what was ‘missing’ and started seeing my child’s strengths, everything changed.”
“Autism isn’t something to ‘fix’—it’s something to understand, support, and celebrate.”

Why Listen?
This episode is a must-listen for parents, caregivers, and advocates seeking hope, perspective, and practical advice on raising a child with autism. Clain’s journey is a powerful reminder that small shifts in mindset can lead to profound changes in parenting.

Connect with Clain and the First Ascent Program @ https://autismcareerdevelopment.com/

For Lindsey Leavitt, babysitting wasn’t just a gig—it was family. As a mother’s helper and trusted caregiver to Milly & Mack during her senior year in high school, she stepped into a world that taught her more than she ever expected. Caring for two children with non-speaking autism wasn’t just about routines and responsibilities—it was about patience, deep connection, and learning to communicate beyond words.

But Lindsey’s role didn’t stop there. She was also a built-in big sis to Sarah's oldest neurotypical daughter Morgan, giving advice, sharing laughs, and being a steady presence in her life. Now, after one semester at Penn State, she reflects on how that year shaped her—the challenges, the love, and the unexpected lessons that still stay with her.

More than a paycheck. More than a babysitter. This is what real caregiving looks like. #BuiltInBigSis #Neurodiversity #LessonsInLove

In this episode, Sarah sits down with her dear and longtime friend, Amy Guzzi, for a raw and unfiltered chat about motherhood, ambition, and the art of reinvention. From their early days as sleep-deprived new moms to Amy’s evolution into a fashion powerhouse and founder of Llewellyn, they spill the tea on the highs, lows, and WTF moments along the way. They get real about comparison culture, social media pressures, and the unglamorous side of chasing dreams. Plus, Amy shares the no-BS mindset shifts that helped her juggle family, travel, and business—without totally losing her mind.

If you’ve ever felt like you're one meltdown away from losing it, this episode is your permission slip to embrace the chaos, take the damn risk, and find yourself in the process.

Hit play and get ready for some serious inspo (and maybe a laugh-cry moment or two).

In this heartfelt episode, host Sarah Kernion sits down with Jordan Arogeti, co-founder of Support Now, to explore the challenges of motherhood, mental health, and the transformative power of asking for help. Jordan shares her personal journey as a mom and the inspiration behind Support Now, a platform designed to simplify and normalize reaching out for assistance during life’s biggest moments.

Together, they unpack the societal expectations and shame that prevent parents from seeking support, the role of community in emotional well-being, and how technology is bridging the gaps in caregiving. From meal trains to childcare registries, Support Now is redefining the way families navigate difficult transitions, reminding moms everywhere that they don’t have to do it all alone.

Memorable Quotes:

“Motherhood isn’t meant to be done in isolation. The more we normalize asking for help, the healthier we become.” – Jordan Arogeti
“Support Now is about making sure no family feels overwhelmed and alone in life’s biggest transitions.” – Jordan Arogeti
✨ Why Listen?
If you’ve ever struggled with asking for help, felt the pressure of doing it all, or wondered how to build a strong support system, this episode is for you. Whether you’re a new mom, a seasoned parent, or someone looking to better support loved ones, this conversation will inspire you to embrace the power of community and rethink what it means to be a “strong” parent.

Take Action:

Explore Support Now: https://www.supportnow.org/
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Website: www.inchstones.castos.com or www.saturdaysstory.com for all info!
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