Take Heart

It can be a difficult balance between fight or flight when it comes to advocating for our children with special needs. With Christ in us, we can learn to fight for what our child needs, or rest and wait. Today, Carrie reminds us of nine practical tips for advocating, the greatest to remember is that Jesus is our advocate. He will equip you with what you need.

September 14, 2021; Ep. 52

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:19-   Intro
• 1:07-   Fight or Flight?
• 3:58-   The Golden Rule
• 4:50-   Assume Best Intentions
• 5:56-   Be Humble
• 7:03-   Use “I” Statements
• 8:36-   Don’t Burn Bridges
• 9:50-   Proactive/Reactive
• 11:12- Do Nothing
• 12:12- Find Your Person
• 13:46- Be Organized
• 16:04- Spiritual Warfare
• 19:28- Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scriptures Mentioned: Matthew 7:14, Ephesians 6:10-19, I John 2:1
• Blue Letter Bible App Definitions of Advocate

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

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• 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

How do you feel about advocating? Do you feel unqualified, overwhelmed, or intimidated? Amy shares how her first experiences advocating for her child with invisible disabilities left her frustrated and tearful, and seven lessons she’s learned to help you advocate with calm and confidence.

September 7, 2021; Ep. 51

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:23-    Intro
• 1:05-    Advocacy Attempts
• 5:00-    The Style That Fits You
• 6:19-    Be the Expert
• 8:02-    Ask Questions/Keep Records
• 9:16-    Build Bridges
• 11:34-  Prioritize
• 13:11-  Find Your Own Advocate
• 14:26-  Ask God for Wisdom
• 16:23-  Outro 

Episode Links & Resources:

• Scriptures Mentioned: Psalm 23, Deuteronomy 31:8

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• 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

Author, blogger, and special needs parent, Jolene Philo, joins us to share a little bit about her thoughts on God’s provision, connecting with others and how to discover your child’s love language. Don’t miss it.

July 27, 2021; Ep. 50

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:01-     August Announcement
• 1:29-     Meet Jolene Philo
• 2:51-     Jolene’s Story
• 7:14-     Convincing Others
• 10:30-   Giving Up Control
• 13:07-   True Joy
• 14:12-   Relax 
• 17:15-   Let Them In
• 22:07-   Observation
• 26:01-   Finding Jolene
• 29:20-   Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Sharing Love Abundantly in Special Needs Families
• Jolene’s Website and Blog
• A Different Dream For My Child Book
• Jolene on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
• Fiction Writing Facebook group
• Scriptures Mentioned: Psalm 48:16

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• 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

Jess Ronne, the author of Blended with Grit and Grace, mom of eight, and a special needs mom reminds us that in all situations God is in control, the importance of mental health for caregivers, and some excellent advice about not borrowing trouble from tomorrow. 

July 20, 2021; Ep. 49

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:01-     August Announcement/Intro
• 1:42-     About Jess Ronne
• 5:58-     Unseen
• 7:55-     God is God, We are Not
• 10:25-   Staying Present
• 13:30-   Sibling Connection
• 17:50-   Spouse Connection
• 20:22-   Moment by Moment
• 22:38-   Resources
• 25:33-   Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Coffee With Caregivers Podcast
• Unseen: Caregiver Documentary
• Jess Ronne’s Website
• Jess Ronne on Instagram or Facebook
• The Lucas Project
• Sunlight Burning at Midnight by Jess Ronne
• Blended with Grit and Grace: Just Keep Livin’ When Life is Unexpected

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• 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

Jennifer Magnano is a special needs mom, a doula, and also struggles with her own chronic illness. She speaks life into the hard spaces and encourages us to be gracious to ourselves, find the moments to look for God's goodness, and be open with your struggles. You are loved, seen and known in this wild life as a special needs mom.   

July 13, 2021; Ep. 48

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:20-    Intro 
• 1:03-    About Jennifer Magnano
• 4:10-    Being Seen
• 5:15-    Finding Good In the Hard
• 9:53-    Caring For Yourself   
• 14:08-  Transparency
• 19:38-  Handling Siblings’ Emotions
• 26:24-  Compassion For Yourself
• 28:08-  Moms For Mental Health
• 31:05-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Moms for Mental Health
• Jennifer on Instagram
• Jennifer’s Website

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• 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

Author and podcast host, Sandra Peoples shares her perspective on filling two roles in a special needs family, being both the sibling and a mother. Her insights regarding three different stages siblings of special needs children experience and how parents should support their children in these stages is encouraging and perceptive. 

July 6, 2021; Ep. 47

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:22-    Intro
• 2:22-    About Sandra Peoples
• 5:50-    Good Gifts
• 11:13-   Taking Part in Joy
• 17:19 -  Sibling Stages
• 26:08-   Sow in Tears
• 29:56-   Where to Find Sandra
• 31:54-    Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Sandra’s website
• Unexpected Blessings Book
• Sandra People’s Podcast
• Sandra Peoples on Instagram
• SOAR’s Wonderfully Made Conference
• Scriptures Mentioned: James 1:17, Psalm 126:5

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• 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

Mark Arnold, the Additional Needs Blogfather, shares about how his faith has grown as a special needs dad, how we can be an inclusive church, and some of the joys he’s experienced raising his son with additional needs. Don’t miss this dad’s perspective. 

June 29, 2021; Episode #46

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:21-    Intro
• 1:04-    About Mark Arnold
• 5:29-    Relying on God’s Strength
• 7:36-    Capturing Joyful Moments
• 9:41-    Connection With Others
• 13:01-  Nothing About Us Without Us
• 15:21-  Notice us
• 18:31-  You Can Start Again
• 21:33-  Resources
• 24:46-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Mark Arnold’s Website
• Urban Saints: Additional Needs
• Additional Needs Alliance FB Group
• Dad’s Fire Circle Website
• Dad’s Fire Circle Facebook Group
• One Word 2021 With Sandra Peoples

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• 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

As a mother to two kids with special needs, today’s guest, Jenn Soehnlin, struggled with anxiety and depression. While she questioned God, He gave her the word “embrace”. She invites us to embrace our journeys as special needs moms, surrender control, and see the beauty in this life.

June 22, 2021; Ep. 45

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:22-    Intro
• 1:54-    About Jenn Soehnlin
• 5:10-    Embrace & Surrender
• 8:07-    Focus on the Heart
• 10:49-  Created For
• 12:40-  Connection
• 17:42-  It’s a Marathon
• 20:40-  Jenn’s Resources
• 23:33-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Embracing This Special Life: Learning to Flourish as a Mother of a Child With Special Needs
• Jenn’s Website
• Find Jenn Soehnlin on FB 
• Find Jenn Soehnlin on Instagram
• Facebook Group: Embracing This Special Life
• Key Ministry
• Scriptures mentioned: Luke 1:38, I Samuel 16:7, Matthew 10:14

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• 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

Becky Davidson from Rising Above Ministries shares about raising her son, the loss of her husband, and how she’s dealt with both types of grief. Practical tips for connection with God and others as well as reminders that as mothers, we set the tone for how others perceive our children with special needs will leave you encouraged.

June 15, 2021; Ep. 44

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:21-    Introduction
• 2:29-    Becky’s Story
• 4:03-    Not a Surprise to God
• 7:25-    Trust God’s Heart
• 13:34-  True Joy
• 16:27-  Two Connections
• 26:35-  You’re a Mom First
• 31:25-  Rising Above Ministry
• 35:25-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources:

• Rising Above Ministries
• By the Brook Retreat
• Rising Above Ministries on Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube
• Rising Above Ministries Podcast
• Rising Above Ministries App (itunes) or Google Play
• Bible Recap Study
• Common Man, Extraordinary Call: Thriving as the Dad of a Child with Special Needs 

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• 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

Today Ellie Sanazaro, the author of the book Image Bearer, shares her story of misdiagnosis and adoption. She encourages us to remember that the value of our children with special needs depends NOT on what they do, but rather how they have been created fearfully, wonderfully, masterfully, and purposefully by God.

June 8, 2021, Ep. 43

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:21-    Intro 
• 1:45-    Ellie’s Story
• 3:58-    Living in Tension
• 8:00-    Opportunities to Celebrate
• 10:30-  Wonderfully Created
• 15:33-  Connecting
• 19:08-  Eliminating Obstacles
• 23:38-  Image Bearer
• 28:58-  Outro

Episode Links & Resources

• Image Bearer Book by Ellen Sanazaro
• National Down Syndrome Adoption Network
• Scriptures mentioned: I Corinthians 12:9,12-26; Ephesians 2:10; Genesis 1:27
• Find Ellie Sanazaro on Instagram and Facebook

If you enjoyed our podcast, please...

• Subscribe to our newsletter on the Take Heart Website
• Get our free resource on finding Gratitude, Peace, and Hope
• Review and like us on Apple 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