Mama Bear Podcast

In this episode, Mary Susan McConnell speaks on some of the common challenges for children with special needs during Halloween: sensory overload, wheelchair accessibility, food aversions, and more. Mary Susan shares the freedom of redefining traditions and some of the specific ways she has reduced challenges and made the day fun for the whole family.

In this episode, Mary Susan McConnell speaks with New York Times Bestselling author, Kelle Hampton about her unexpected journey into the world of special needs. Kelle speaks transparently about the shock of finding out in the delivery room that her daughter, Nella, had Down syndrome. Together, Mary Susan and Kelle talk about the early days of grief, the profoundly beautiful gifts of this unique path, and the power of allowing yourself to feel what you actually feel. Kelle can be found on instagram @etst and online at kellehampton.com. Her New York Times Bestselling memoir, Bloom, can be found on Amazon. *This episode was also published during October, Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with Ashley Stock about her unanticipated journey into the world of autism and the powerful lessons she has learned along the way. Ashley speaks candidly about what she refers to as the "dark ages", the power of following the light into a brighter present, building a village- including tips for introverts- praising yourself (knowing you kick ass and claiming it), and so much more. Ashley's wisdom will hit you in the chest and have you thinking about her words for a long time. Ashley is the creator of the wildly popular blog Little Miss Momma and can be found at www.littlemissmomma.com & on Instagram at littlemissmomma.

In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with long-time friend & singer/songwriter Megan Garrett about the unexpected journey that led her from single woman with no children to married mother of 6 in a few short years. (4 adopted children, 2 biological.) They talk candidly about her journey, what her world looks like now, and how the heck she organizes all the doctors appointments, school papers, IEP's, sports schedules, and so much more. Listen in as Mary Susan and Megan enjoy a beverage on a rainy night in Tennessee and chat about ALL the things. EXPLICIT.

In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with Rachel Heinz about her life as the mama to a son with special needs as well as her work as the director of a residential inclusive post-secondary education program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Missouri State University. Listen in as they talk about the early days of an unexpected diagnosis for your child, medical procedures, surgeries, hospital life, following your gut and not underestimating yourself, and the steps that led Rachel to develop Bear Power, a residential program for adults with special needs at her alma mater Missouri State. Bear POWER: Promoting Opportunities for Work Education and Resilience Website: https://www.missouristate.edu/bearpower/ Facebook: facebook.com/msubearpower Instagram: msubearpower

20. I Created an Inclusive Coloring Book + Seizure Activity and Other Things by Conversations w/ Women Raising Children with Special Needs

In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell talks about 24 self-care ideas, for when you are running low on energy, that are easy and affordable.

Jess Ronne, author of the memoir, Sunlight Burning at Midnight and founder of The Lucas Project, a nonprofit providing respite care for families in rural areas, speaks with host Mary Susan McConnell about the unexpected diagnosis of her son Lucas in utero, followed by her husband Jason’s terminal diagnosis of brain cancer. Within a few years, Jess found herself as a widow and mother to 4 young children, including one with profound special needs. Jess speaks candidly about her journey and how a random message from a stranger one night led her to a man who had recently lost his wife to the same diagnosis and was also raising young children alone. Jess, her husband Ryan, and their 8 children have been featured on the Today Show and continue to share their journey online. Find Sunlight Burning at Midnight online and follow Jess and her nonprofit The Lucas Project on FB, IG, Youtube, and on their websites: www.jessplusthemess.com FB: jessplusthemess IG: jessplusthemess Youtube: jessplusthemess www.thelucasproject.org FB: thelucasproject IG: thelucasproject

In this episode Mary Susan discusses some of the top concerns parents of students with special needs often have at the beginning of a new school year. Additionally, she discusses tips sent in from a special education expert (a good friend of Mary Susan's) about practical and easy things parents can ask a school system for to help alleviate anxiety for both the student and the parents.

Iz Harris is an award winning travel filmmaker and the amazing mama to her two children Henry (5) and Oliver (2). Iz speaks openly with host Mary Susan McConnell about traveling the world with her family and how her son Henry, who has autism, thrives in the rhythm of travel. Mary Susan and Iz also talk about common themes of blame and grief in the world of special needs parenting, along with Iz's desire to normalize the conversation around depression. Iz can be found on Instagram at Iz.Harris and on youtube at www.youtube.com/izharris .