Moms Like Me Podcast by SupportNow

What happens when a routine daycare drop-off turns into every parent’s worst nightmare? In this powerful episode of Moms Like Me Podcast, host Jordan Arogeti sits down with Shelby Cannon, a mom of three whose world changed forever after her infant son, Benny, suffered a devastating hypoxic brain injury while in daycare. Shelby walks us through the moment she received the call, the frantic race to the hospital, and the days doctors warned her family that Benny might not survive—or might never breathe on his own again. She shares what it’s like to grieve the life you thought your child would have while learning how to care for a child with cerebral palsy, dystonia, cortical visual impairment, and complex medical needs. This conversation goes far beyond tragedy. Shelby opens up about: • Navigating marriage under unimaginable pressure • Parenting siblings through trauma and uncertainty • Facing a legal system that didn’t feel like justice • Finding purpose in advocacy, including the push for “Benny’s Law” • Learning how to keep going when “strong” feels like the only option If you’re a parent, caregiver, or someone walking through an unexpected life detour, this episode is raw, honest, and deeply human—and a reminder that resilience doesn’t mean pretending it doesn’t hurt.

What happens when an ordinary Friday morning turns into every parent’s worst nightmare? In this deeply moving episode of the Moms Like Me podcast, host Jordan Arogeti sits down with Ashley Hughey to share the raw, unfiltered story behind a life-altering accident that nearly took her husband’s life—and forever changed how she views faith, family, and support. Ashley recounts the moment she received a call no spouse ever expects, the terrifying hours of uncertainty, and the long road of recovery that followed her husband’s traumatic brain injury. Along the way, she opens up about anger, guilt, parenting through crisis, and the unexpected power of community showing up in practical, tangible ways. This episode isn’t just about survival—it’s about what happens after: how trauma reshapes perspective, how asking for help becomes an act of strength, and why meaningful support goes far beyond meals and money. If you’re a parent, caregiver, or someone who wants to show up better for people in hard seasons, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear about: • A near-fatal accident and the moments that followed • Navigating fear, anger, and uncertainty as a parent • How community support can change recovery outcomes • Why accepting help isn’t weakness—it’s necessary • A powerful reminder about life, gratitude, and wearing a helmet 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today.

What happens when motherhood doesn’t look the way you imagined...but love, grit, and hope lead the way anyway? In this powerful episode of the Moms Like Me podcast, host Jordan Arogeti sits down with Brenda Marra, a mom whose life was transformed when her daughter Renna was diagnosed with the rare genetic condition Pitt Hopkins Syndrome. Brenda shares her deeply honest journey through delayed milestones, uncertainty, grief, and ultimately, profound resilience. From Renna’s first independent steps at four and a half years old, to building community through other moms, Instagram, and disability advocacy groups, Brenda offers encouragement to parents navigating unfamiliar and challenging paths. She opens up about comparison, inclusion, and the courage it takes to show up in public spaces when your child’s needs are different. The conversation also explores Brenda’s mission to bring more joy, safety, and independence into Renna’s life—including their inspiring journey to raise funds for a specially trained service dog through Four Paws for Ability. Along the way, Brenda introduces Renna’s Corner, her growing platform dedicated to sharing adaptive resources, partnerships, and hope with other families. This episode is a reminder that progress doesn’t always look typical—and that community, creativity, and compassion can change everything. ✨ In this episode, you’ll hear about: • Life with Pitt Hopkins Syndrome • Finding support beyond Google searches • Navigating comparison and public spaces as a mom • The emotional impact of developmental milestones • Why service dogs can be life-changing for children with disabilities • Building community through Renna’s Corner Whether you’re parenting a child with a disability, supporting someone who is, or simply looking for a story grounded in perseverance and love—this episode offers perspective, encouragement, and hope. https://www.instagram.com/rennascorner/ https://www.supportnow.org/renna-marra

What do you do when doctors tell you that you have Stage IV pancreatic cancer and young children who still need you?  In this deeply moving episode of The Moms Like Me Podcast, host Jordan Arogeti sits down with Elise Tedeschi, a mom of two who defied the odds and became a 13-year survivor of one of the deadliest cancer diagnoses. Elise shares her journey from months of unexplained pain, to a life-stopping diagnosis, to becoming what her doctor called “a statistic of one.”  This conversation goes far beyond cancer treatment. Elise opens up about motherhood, faith, mindset, community support, advocating for yourself in the medical system, and choosing hope when the statistics say otherwise. From raising young boys while undergoing aggressive treatment, to finding the right doctor willing to fight with her, Elise’s story is a powerful reminder that survival is not just physical: it’s emotional, spiritual, and deeply human.  Whether you’re facing a serious diagnosis, supporting someone you love, or simply searching for perspective and courage, this episode offers wisdom, honesty, and real hope.  ✨ In this episode, you’ll hear about:  • Living with a Stage IV pancreatic cancer diagnosis  • Motherhood as a driving force for survival  • The power of mindset and choosing your attitude  • Why finding the right doctor can change everything  • Advocating for yourself through second and third opinions  • How community support makes survival possible  • Life, fear, and purpose after cancer  📲 Follow Elise for advocacy, encouragement, and real talk: Instagram: @stagefoursurvivor TikTok: @stagefoursurvivor Coming soon: survivorsguidetocancer.com 

When Shanna Jenkins buckled her toddler into the car for a normal morning in 2011, everything changed in seconds. A sudden seizure, an emergency ambulance, and a diagnosis of epilepsy reshaped her world overnight. In this moving and deeply human episode of Moms Like Me, Shanna opens up about the early fear, the sleepless nights, the medical maze, and the constant question every parent asks: Will my child be okay? But this isn’t a story of fear, it’s a story of resilience. Today, her son Malachi is a thriving 17-year-old: marching band member, soccer player, self-taught PC builder, world traveler, and budding adult ready to take on the world. Shanna walks us through the journey from helplessness to empowerment, and how honesty, community, and faith helped her release control and raise an independent, confident young man. You’ll hear: - What those first terrifying moments felt like and how the diagnosis unfolded - How Shanna learned to balance safety with giving her son independence - The emotional weight of raising a child whose health requires constant vigilance - Why teaching kids about their diagnosis is essential for long-term confidence - How she’s preparing her graduating senior for life beyond home - Her powerful message of hope for any parent walking a similar road This episode is equal parts heart, wisdom, and inspiration: a tribute to strong kids and even stronger moms.

What happens when your entire life changes overnight… and you still decide to pursue the dream of motherhood? In this powerful conversation, Jordan Arogeti sits down with quadriplegic mom of twins and business owner Daniela Izzie to talk about courage, identity, and the real logistics of raising kids with a profound disability. Daniela shares how a freak spinal cord injury at 23 left her paralyzed, the years-long journey of relearning independence, and the moment she decided she did deserve to be a mom. She opens up about navigating a high-risk twin pregnancy, giving birth during the early days of COVID, and building a life where caregiving support and independence can coexist. Daniela also talks honestly about divorce, rebuilding her “infrastructure” as a solo mom, and why she teaches her daughters that disability is neutral, not something to be pitied. In this episode, you’ll hear: - How Daniela moved from “Why me?” to “I can figure this out” after her injury - The mindset shift that helped her see independence as a state of mind, not doing everything alone - What it was really like to have a high-risk twin pregnancy as a quadriplegic during the COVID shutdown - The creative division of labor she and her partner used in the baby “bootcamp” years - How she talks to her 5-year-old twins about disability, grief, and difference - What it took to rebuild her life after divorce, emotionally and practically, as a disabled mom - Why community, especially among women, is her greatest source of strength If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “allowed” to want more for your life because of your circumstances, Daniela’s story will challenge and inspire you.

When Lyndsi and Wesley Sigmon welcomed their first child, Luke, they never imagined their world would change forever. Diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at just nine days old, Luke’s fight for life took their family from Charlotte to Boston Children’s Hospital and back again: through surgeries, setbacks, and moments of unimaginable courage. In this powerful episode of The Moms Like Me Podcast, host Jordan Arogeti sits down with the Sigmons to share their extraordinary story: a journey of faith, resilience, and the boundless power of community. They open up about the highs and lows of Luke’s six precious years, how they turned grief into purpose through the Hearts and Hope Foundation, and how their family continues to honor his joyful spirit every day. ✨ In this episode: • Luke’s miraculous early days and life-saving surgeries • How a supportive community carried them through crisis • The founding of Hearts and Hope Foundation to help other families in need • Finding purpose and healing after unimaginable loss • The beauty of remembering and speaking your child’s name If you’ve ever wondered how love can transform tragedy into hope, this episode will stay with you long after you listen. 🔗 Learn more about the Sigmons’ work at Hearts and Hope Foundation 🎧 Listen now to discover how one family’s “mess became their message” and how Luke’s light continues to shine through every act of kindness.

When Ellen Wingate’s son, Logan, was diagnosed at 3½ months with polymicrogyria and later Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, everything changed—jobs, routines, expectations, and definitions of success. In this powerful Moms Like Me episode, Ellen shares how her family built “Team Logan,” why seizure logging and clear data transformed doctor visits, and how faith, marriage, and community support sustain them through daily, uncontrolled epilepsy.  
What you’ll learn 
• The early signs that led to Logan’s diagnosis, and what those moments feel like for parents 
• How to “be the expert on your child” while partnering with medical specialists 
• Practical tracking tips (what to log, how often, and why details matter) 
• Why epilepsy is often misunderstood, and how it shapes daily life even when you can’t see it 
• Guardrails for caregivers: accepting help, communicating with family, and staying grounded in faith 
• The mission of the Logan Jet Research Foundation and ways to help families who fall through the cracks

When nurse and mom Brittany Anderson learned her son Bennett had cerebral palsy, her world changed overnight. What began as a journey through fear and resilience turned into a powerful mission to help other families through her nonprofit, Wolf Pups on Wheels. In this heartfelt episode, Brittany shares how her experience transformed the way she sees healthcare, motherhood, and community, and how one family’s fight can inspire a movement. 💛 Brittany Anderson’s story is one of strength, empathy, and relentless love. As a nurse and mother navigating her son’s cerebral palsy diagnosis, Brittany saw firsthand how challenging it can be to access care, resources, and equipment, even for medical professionals. Her journey led to the creation of Wolf Pups on Wheels, a nonprofit providing small grants to families for adaptive bikes, mobility tools, and therapy resources often not covered by insurance. 🌐 Learn more: https://wolfpupsonwheels.org

When Andria Parks heard the words no parent ever wants to hear: “There’s a mass” ...her world stopped. What followed was an extraordinary two-part journey of courage, faith, and science as her teenage daughter fought through not one, but two bouts of advanced cancer. In this heartfelt conversation, Andria shares how her family faced 54 weeks of chemotherapy, moments of near loss, and the miracle of recovery: twice. But her story doesn’t end there. Inspired by her daughter’s resilience and driven by a calling to make a difference, Andria joined First Ascent Biomedical, a company using AI to personalize cancer treatment and give families new hope. This episode is a moving blend of love, science, and the human spirit: a must-watch for anyone who believes in miracles powered by medicine. In this episode: • The emotional journey of a mom navigating childhood cancer — twice • How faith, family, and community carried them through • The founding story of First Ascent Biomedical and how AI is revolutionizing cancer care • A daughter’s decision to become a nurse — and the nurses who inspired her • The life-changing moment of hearing, “It’s back,” and finding strength again