Labeled & Loved Podcast

After giving birth at twenty years old, Rachel Rhodes was thrust into the world of special needs following the surprise Down Syndrome diagnosis of her son Jude. In this episode, Rachel candidly shares how her lowest moment as a mother propelled her into a lifelong journey toward advocacy, and what exactly it felt like to watch her son be the first person with Down Syndrome to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week. Rachel is a single mother to four, Occupational Therapist, yoga instructor, and certified relationship coach, who uses every aspect of her personal journey to empower other women.

In this episode, author and host Teresa Ann Criswell walks us through what it means to have unwavering faith. After almost losing her daughter in a car accident, Teresa was thrust into the world of parenting a child with a traumatic brain injury. Teresa discusses the varying emotions that accompany tragedy, how to redefine the purpose of pain, and where her ultimate source of strength comes from. Teresa Ann is the founder and talk show host of her podcast and YouTube channel, “Let’s Talk with Teresa Ann.” She is also a published and self-published author of several books, her most recent being “Heavenly Wit” and “5-Minute Devotions for Mom.” Teresa Ann and her daughter, Tristin together co-host their mother/daughter podcast titled, “Oh…Teresa and Tristin Podcast.”

Dr. Mary Barbera “fell” into the autism world in 1999 when her first-born son, Lucas was diagnosed with autism. Over the past two decades, Mary transformed from a registered nurse and an overwhelmed parent to a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and best-selling author of "The Verbal Behavior Approach: How to Teach Children with Autism and Related Disorders" published in 2007. In her new book, "Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism" (releasing 3/30/21) as well as in her online courses, Mary teaches her unique step-by-step system to help young children with autism (or signs of autism) to communicate and learn better while reducing or eliminating major problem behaviors. 

Jillian Benfield is a news anchor turned homemaker and military wife whose entire life changed when she discovered her second son Anderson had Down Syndrome. She is an inspiring speaker and an aspiring author passionate about school inclusion, breaking down outdated stereotypes surrounding disability, and being a voice for parents of children with special needs. Jillian can be found at www.JillianBenfield.com where you can download her free e-book, "5 Spiritual Comforts for Special Needs Parents.”

After his sister was sold into sex trafficking by her record label, Jaco Booyens committed his life and career to human trafficking awareness and education. Jaco is a speaker, author and nationally recognized abolitionist, as well as the director of 8 DAYS, a film inspired by sex trafficking events within the United States. Jaco is the founder of the non-profit SHAREtogether, creator of After Eden Pictures and host of the podcast The Jaco Booyens Show.

Learn more at: jacobooyensministries.org

Different, not less. Dr. Temple Grandin is well known for her trailblazing work as a spokesperson for people with autism and her lifelong work with animal behavior. Non-verbal until she was 3.5 years old, Dr. Grandin is now a prominent author and TED speaker who has been featured on NPR, Sixty Minutes, and Time Magazine. She is an author, innovator, activist, professor, and proud woman with autism who has devoted her career, and this episode, to creating inclusion and awareness surrounding special needs.

After adopting a child with profound special needs from West Africa, Dr. Mary Susan McConnell found herself lost in the labels of motherhood. On this episode, Dr. McConnell candidly shares her journey of opting into the world of special needs, and how earning her Doctorate in Special Education, starting the highly successful Mama Bear Podcast, and providing coaching for fellow special needs moms, has helped her find the fun, freedom, and belonging she’d been searching for.