Take Heart

Growing up in a special needs family can sometimes cause siblings to feel invisible, but there are ways parents can take the time to help all their children have the attention they need. In this episode, Sara interviews her oldest son, Connor, discussing both the positive and negative of growing up in a special needs family and the importance of the foundation of faith.

April 19, 2022; Ep. 82

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:21-    Intro
• 1:38-    Breaking the News
• 6:10-    Being TJ’s Brother
• 12:10-  Feeling Invisible
• 17:09-  Feeling Special
• 24:05-  Care & Compassion
• 29:12-  Faith Foundation
• 31:28-  Closing Prayer

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Get our free resource 7 Advocacy Practices & Pitfalls
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

There are blessings and difficulties when growing up with a sibling who has special needs. In today’s episode, Carrie’s oldest boys talk about some struggles, the benefits, and most importantly the spiritual impact it’s had on their lives with some practical tips for how others can support families of children with special needs.

April 12, 2022; Ep. 81

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-     Intro
• 1:47-     Meet Conor & Garrett
• 3:31-     Growing Pains
• 6:51-     Benefits
• 10:09-   Spiritual Impact
• 14:52-   Perspective
• 17:27-   Advice
• 21:48-   Family Support

Episode Links & Resources:

• A Kid Again
• Scriptures mentioned: Galatians 6:9; I Corinthians I:18-31

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Get our free resource 7 Advocacy Practices & Pitfalls
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Special needs moms often worry that they are not doing enough. This is especially true when it comes to our other kids.  We make assumptions about how our other kids are doing. In this episode, Anna Brown shares her perspective of being a sibling to a child with RAD and FASD and the blessings and challenges that brings.

 April 5, 2022: Ep. #80

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 1:22-    Meet Anna Brown
• 4:41-    Biggest Challenge
• 8:37-    Giving Siblings a Voice
• 12:19-  Compassion
• 18:01-  Advice
• 23:23-  Closing Thoughts

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Get our free resource 7 Advocacy Practices & Pitfalls
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Special needs families have heard all types of fixes, remedies, and advice throughout their parenting journey. How do we react to these phrases with love and grace, and figure out the false beliefs behind these statements? Listen to today’s collaborative episode to find out. 

March 29, 2022; Ep. #79

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 1:26-    Things People Say
• 2:48-    You’re An Inspiration
• 5:54-    Intentional Hospitality
• 12:08-  Where Strength Originates
• 15:18-  Deserve An Answer
• 23:22-  Have You Tried?
• 24:42-  With God’s Strength
• 28:35-  Fight Like A Mother
• 31:50-  Comparative Suffering
• 35:45-  Closing Prayer

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Get our free resource 7 Advocacy Practices & Pitfalls
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

All moms struggle with believing lies about their motherhood: who they should and shouldn’t be, what they should or shouldn’t feel or do. In this episode, Amy, Carrie and Sara dive into some of the lies special needs moms believe, ways to recognize them, and how to replace them with the truth.

March 22, 2022; Ep. 78

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 1:24-    The “Perfect” Mom
• 6:25-    Good Moms Wouldn’t…
• 11:03-  Connection Lies
• 16:05-  Self-Care Lies
• 23:08-  Self-Sufficiency Lies
• 30:01-  Recognizing Lies
• 35:18-  Closing Prayer

Episode Links & Resources:

• Episodes 38-41 on Guilt
• Scripture mentioned: Psalm 25:4-5
• The Great Dance by Baxter, Kruger 

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Get our free resource 7 Advocacy Practices & Pitfalls
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

We often believe the lies that we should do this, we should be this. In today’s episode, Sara helps us deconstruct the lies of “should”, and helps us recognize our true worth in Jesus Christ. 

March 15, 2022; Ep. 77

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:01-    Intro
• 1:19-    The Should Statements
• 3:07-    Learning to Cope
• 8:09-    You’re Worthy
• 10:14-  Closing Prayer
• 11:18-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scripture mentioned: John 3:16; Zephaniah 3:17; John 15:15; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 15:7; I Corinthians 1:30
• Episode 41

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Get our free resource 7 Advocacy Practices & Pitfalls
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

What do you do when God doesn’t answer your prayers the way you desire? Sometimes these situations cause us to believe lies about God. In today’s episode, through Carrie’s personal story you will learn how to recognize the lies and what to do about them.

March 8, 2922; Ep. 76

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 1:30-    Spiritual Battle
• 2:40-    Is God Good?
• 6:38-    Recognizing Lies
• 8:51-    Resources
• 10:15-  Combatting The Lies
• 13:28-  Meet You In Your Grief
• 16:42-  Reflection   

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scripture mentioned: Ephesians 6:12; Romans 8:31-33
• The Place We Find Ourselves: Warfare Part 3: Agreements
• The Allender Center Podcast
• To Be Told by Dan B. Allender, PhD
• Redeeming Heartache: How Past Suffering Reveals Our True Calling
• Practicing Affirmation by Sam Crabtree
• Run to the Father by Cody Carnes

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Get our free resource 7 Advocacy Practices & Pitfalls
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Lies bind us and cause us to live in bondage, but we do not always recognize the lies we believe. In this episode, Amy helps us to recognize the lies, reconnect to the truth, and relinquish our false narratives to God.

March 1, 2022; Ep. 75

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 1:21-    False Narratives
• 3:03-    Scarcity Mindset
• 6:15-    Prodigal Son
• 9:14-    Recognize
• 10:40-  Reconnect & Relinquish
• 11:51-  Reflection
• 13:01-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scripture mentioned: Luke 15:11-32
• Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away from God, by Ruth Hailey Barton

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Get our free resource 7 Advocacy Practices & Pitfalls
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Sometimes we equate surrender with quitting or giving up, yet we forget that surrender means wrestling, trusting, and asking questions. It means letting go of our need to know the future in God’s capable hands. This week’s podcast dives into what surrender looks like, its cost, and unexpected gifts.

 February 22, 2022; Ep. 74

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 1:15-    Times Of Surrender
• 8:19-    A Fine Line
• 11:49-  What Surrender Looks Like
• 18:31-  Waiting On God
• 22:59-  Seen & Loved By God
• 24:01-  Cost Of Not Surrendering
• 30:00-  Surrender’s Blessings
• 36:28-  Closing Prayer
• 37:58-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scripture mentioned: Philippians 4:6-7

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Get our free resource 7 Advocacy Practices & Pitfalls
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime

Sometimes we have a preconceived notion that surrender means quitting. In this episode, Sara dives into what it means to surrender to God as an active daily choice the benefits that come as a result.

February 15, 2022; Ep. 73

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 1:33-    Deliberate Choice
• 5:01-    Letting Go
• 6:44-    Live In Today
• 8:39-    Defining Our Lives
• 11:11-  Closing Poem
• 12:04-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scripture mentioned: Matthew 6:34: 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
• Surrender To God’s Control by Bob Gotti

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Get our free resource 7 Advocacy Practices & Pitfalls
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Review and like us on Apple Podcasts 
• Share us with others from wherever you listen to podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram @takeheartspecialmoms
• Find Amy at www.amyjbrown.com/  or on Instagram @amyjbrown_writer
• Find Carrie at www.carriemholt.com or on Instagram @carriemholt
• Find Sara at www.saraclime.com or on Instagram @saraclime