Take Heart is a podcast for special needs moms by special needs moms. It is a place for special needs moms to find authentic connection, fervent hope, and inspiring stories.
Contact us!
A
Share Take Heart
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
By Amy J Brown, Carrie Holt and Sara Clime
Take Heart is a podcast for special needs moms by special needs moms. It is a place for special needs moms to find authentic connection, fervent hope, and inspiring stories.
Contact us!
A
5
5353 ratings
The podcast currently has 178 episodes available.
In this episode, Amy Brown interviews Megan Amrich, author of the book 'Show Up and Bring Coffee: How to Support Your Friends with Disabled Children.' They discuss practical ways to support parents of children with disabilities, including being knowledgeable but not a know-it-all, being an extra set of hands, and making events and celebrations accessible. Megan emphasizes the importance of asking your friends what they need and being open to learning about their child's diagnosis. She also encourages friends to share their big news with sensitivity and understanding.
Introduction and Welcome
02:51 The Importance of Practical Support
06:15 Trusting Your Friend's Knowledge
10:35 Being an Extra Set of Hands
17:19 Finding the One Thing That Would Benefit Your Friend
20:41 Small Acts of Help Can Make a Big Difference
25:18 Making Events and Celebrations Accessible
36:14 Sharing Big News with Sensitivity
41:33 Conclusion and Where to Find Megan
Megan’s Website
Rad Advocates
Megan’s IG
If you enjoyed the show:
Support the show
In this episode, we sit down together to discuss joy and how we can capitalize on the moments that we have. We talk about adjusting our expectations, addressing past trauma, and embracing the fleeting nature of life to cultivate joy in the present moment. We discuss the struggle of feeling constantly on guard and the tendency to brace oneself for negative experiences, hindering the ability to be open to moments of joy. Lots of good takeaways to help you foster joy in your life!
Key Moments:
[3:36] Difficulty in letting go and playing with kids
[10:50] Struggling to enjoy things without them perfect
[19:03] Assuming best intentions, past interactions do not dictate
[27:23] Self-reflection and noticing what brings you joy
[37:06] Joy in relationships, celebrating your child’s growth
Resources:
Episode 164: Michle Cushatt
Air Fryer
Better Me
Cozy Minimalist Community
House Rules
The Bible Recap
If you enjoyed the show:
Support the show
Today, Sara talks with Dr Maureen Michele, physician, life coach, and author of the book Reclaiming Life: A Guide For Parents of Chronically Ill Children. We dive deep into the essential aspects of advocacy and emotional resilience, particularly in the context of parenting chronically ill children. We discussed the "4 C's" - consciousness, curiosity, commitment, and courage - and how these principles give us as caregivers and our children the tools we need to manage our thoughts and emotions. Plus, Dr. Maureen shares helpful advice for effectively disagreeing and handling emotions during doctors or IEP appointments focusing on the need for curiosity, fascination, and grace in approaching disagreements.
Key Moments:
[4:38] Noticing our own thoughts
[13:48] Wins and losses provide valuable growth
[17:16] Approach meetings with curiosity and a list.
[31:36] Caregivers have real feelings in front of our children, modeling vulnerability
Resources:
Website: https://maureenmichelemd.com
Instagram: @maureenmichelemd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maureenmichelemd
Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNKXF3VQ
If you enjoyed the show:
Support the show
There are emotional complexities and practical considerations of caring for children with disabilities or special needs during emergencies. In this episode, we discuss our conversations with our kids about emergencies, how we prepare for these inevitabilities, and how to recognize our personal needs to find emotional support during these crises. This episode will empower you to have a plan but prioritize your well-being while caring for all your children in these challenging times.
Key Moments:
[4:34] Censoring medical history for son, balancing information
[11:49] Mom's emotions and the need to express them
[18:00] Emergencies caused by behavior should be discussed after it happens
[39:50] Anxious about an upcoming trip because of past trip traumas
[43:25] What calms you? How to avoid a meltdown
Resources:
Sara's Emergency Checklist: 6 Manageable Steps to Prepare Your Backup Caregiver
If you enjoyed the show:
Support the show
Carrie sat down with Kristin and Todd Evans to discuss their newly released book, How to Build a Thriving Marriage As You Care for Children with Disabilities. They talk about communication strategies for couples, how they manage stress, and the ongoing grief we experience as special needs parents. This episode offers practical advice and emotional support for couples facing similar challenges.
Ep. 166; May 21, 2024
Key Moments:
[4:49] Lots of shame that we can feel as parents
[11:14] Marriage struggles: we had hurt each other a lot
[16:19] Deliberate moments and mindfulness relieve stress and bond each other together
[24:08] Ignoring our emotions led to unhealthy coping strategies
[34:42] Family/Friends offer helpful, specific things they can do
Resources:
How To Build a Thriving Marriage As You Care For Children With DisabilitiesKristin & Todd’s Website
Kristin & Todd’s Previous Interview on Take Heart
If you enjoyed the show:
Support the show
Join hosts Carrie, Sara, and Amy as we take a deep dive into the grief we face as mothers of children with disabilities. In this episode, we talk about how grief can feel like fear or anger, the need to be honest with ourselves, and the transformative nature of lament. This topic is something you may not know that you need until you allow yourself the space.
Eps. 165: May 7, 2024
Key Moments:
[4:23] Guilt says “I didn’t do enough.”
[7:29] My anger is actually grief
[11:04} Why doesn’t God stop the pain
[17:58] “Everything is not going to be ok, but we’re gonna get through it”
Resources:
Extraordinary Kids: Nurturing & Championing Your Child With Special Needs
How To Build A Thriving Marriage
Dark Clouds Deep Mercy
If you enjoyed the show:
Support the show
We are excited to share Amy’s conversation with Michele Cushatt, an author, communicator, and 3-time cancer survivor. Michele's latest book, "A Faith That Will Not Fail," offers practices to strengthen faith during challenging circumstances. Amy and Michele talk about acknowledging and dealing with trauma honestly, offering hope. They also discuss the concept of lament and the practice of relinquishment.
Eps. 164 : April 16, 2024
Navigating Family Trauma: Finding Hope Amidst Hardship with Michele Cushatt
Summary:
Key Moments:
[9:20] Fear of letting go
[18:34] Struggle to be content, envy is natural
[23:08] Suffering reveals gifts
[35:12] Guide children loosely, but then let go
[41:20] Permission to grieve and trusting the process
Resources:
Michele’s Website
If you enjoyed the show:
Support the show
Carrie, Amy, and Sara answer listener’s questions in this episode. Questions like, “How do you make good decisions regarding your child’s health?” and “What’s the appropriate amount of information you give when answering someone’s question about your child?” We have learned some real lessons over the years through trial and error and want to share with you some practical advice from our experiences.\
Eps. 163
Date: April 9, 2024
Key Moments:
[3:45] Choosing who you speak to about the hard things
[15:44] Advocating for privacy and understanding in healthcare
[21:54] Ask for more time to make decisions
[35:08] Life’s changes and feeling jealous of others
Resources:
A Blessing for the Gift of Doubt
Recovery Formation
Ep 143: God’s Faithfulness in the Midst of Daily Suffering
Sara’s Wedge Boots
If you enjoyed the show:
Support the show
We are honored to welcome the inspiring Kelley Coleman to our podcast. Kelley shared her deeply personal journey as a parent of a child with multiple disabilities and how she ended up writing her book, "Everything No One Tells You About Parenting." Her authenticity and wisdom shine through in this interview. We discuss the lack of information parents are provided on diagnosis and how there’s not one specific place a parent can go to find the info and support they need. We talked about the crucial aspects of caregiving in navigating the healthcare system, accessing financial support, and our need for self-care that might be unconventional.
Ep. 162; March 19, 2024
Key Moments:
[7:03] Care plan for my dependent child brings victories
[15:52] State disability definitions and benefits
[26:12] Getting a second opinion is freeing
[39:57] Balancing rewards and guilt of parenting challenges
[44:05] Going home Googling things and crying
Resources:
https://www.kelleycoleman.com/
https://www.kelleycoleman.com/books
https://www.instagram.com/hellokelleycoleman/
https://www.facebook.com/kelley.coleman.56
https://emilypfreeman.com/next-right-thing-book/
If you enjoyed the show:
Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime
Support the show
As caregivers, we are well acquainted with transitions, and very much so in regard to our children. In this collaborative, Amy, Sara, and Carrie discuss the difficulties of life transitions as parents. They talk about their personal experiences, including making medical decisions and educational changes. The challenges of balancing autonomy and outside influences, going against medical recommendations, and seeking guidance for decisions are all discussed. We hope this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips for you!
Key Moments:
[2:20] 4 different types of transitions
[7:59] Planned our son’s birth…but have learned our lesson
[11:25] We don’t use ‘never’ when it comes to health
[24:34] Comparing to others make transitions harder
[35:30] Balancing hope and grief
Resources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ace.193
Hospital Stay Guide by Carrie M. Holt: Listen to Episode 140, “Hospital Stay Survival: Spiritually & Practically.” You can access the transcript with links to her guide HERE.
If you enjoyed the show:
Support the show
The podcast currently has 178 episodes available.
2,301 Listeners
4,793 Listeners
3,297 Listeners
10,343 Listeners
2,882 Listeners
1,739 Listeners
885 Listeners
814 Listeners
33,145 Listeners
41 Listeners
594 Listeners
1,790 Listeners
214 Listeners
2,622 Listeners