Take Heart

 The Power of Perspective:  Amy, Carrie, and Sara Share Their Stories

Summary:  Amy, Carrie and Sara look back at their early years of parenting. They share the stories from the days of early diagnosis and what they thought back then…noting with humor how ridiculous it seemed back then. But looking at the early days has helped them appreciate how far they’ve come, giving them perspective. They discuss the concept of advocating for their child, the desire for control (even though they didn’t have it!) and the worry that they carried. They have found that this life really does hold grief and gratitude at the same time. 

Key Moments:

[13:21] Not thinking through all the “what ifs”

[16:16] Advocating for our child 

[20:54] Looking back, need to give ourselves grace

[34:43 ] Grief and gratitude

Resources:
Holding Grief and Gratitude as a Special Needs Mom: An Interview With Dr. Lynne M. Baab

If you enjoyed the show:

• Have you purchased our new book, The Other Side of Special? 
• 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

Summary: There are real differences between parenting and caregiving. Sara shares about the dichotomies of the responsibilities that we have and how those play out in our daily lives when considering traveling, hiring a babysitter and even just going to the grocery store. Noticing the differences in the roles allows us to give ourselves grace for this road we are on. 

Key Moments:

[1:34] Parent diaper bag vs Caregiver care bag for a lifetime

[2:19] Parent babysitting vs Caregiver child care accommodations

[4:45] Parent to the grocery vs Caregiver grocery experience

[5:43] Parent vs Caregiver Vacations with special needs children

[9:14] Caregiving is tiresome and grace is needed

If you enjoyed the show:

• Have you purchased our new book, The Other Side of Special? 
• 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

Do you have times when things are chaotic, and you wonder if God is even there? Looking back on her earlier parenting, Carrie discusses three things she wished she knew and fully understood as a mom to a medically fragile child: giving herself grace as she prioritized different things in life, releasing self-criticism, and living fully in the midst of life's chaos with the overarching theme of seeing God's presence in every circumstance and difficulty. Don't miss this episode.

Ep.153; January 9, 2024
Key Moments:
[0:40] Somethings you have to experience to learn them
[3:50] Balance in life is a myth
[7:10] Waiting for life to be calm 
[9:30] Look for Him in chaos

Resources:
Scriptures Mentioned: Job 23:8-10; Psalm 91:1-2
The Bible Recap by Tara Leigh-Cobble
Julian Consulting
Episode 147: How Creativity Keeps Us Grounded & Present

If you enjoyed the show:

• Have you purchased our new book, The Other Side of Special? 
• 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

 Episode 152: January 2,2024

Summary: Amy shares her top four things she wishes she could have done differently through her 31-year journey as a mom, particularly to her kids with invisible disabilities. Things like managing emergencies, acknowledging responsibility boundaries, and understanding the limitations of love are topics she touches on in this episode. Join the conversation and discover that you are a great mom as you walk your special needs journey!

Key Moments:

[2:45] Not everything is an emergency

[4:45] Hurry is an inner condition that is fear based

[7:50] Being present but not responsible

[9:45] Loving my child in her way

Resources:
The Good and Beautiful God: James Bryant Smith

If you enjoyed the show:

• Have you purchased our new book, The Other Side of Special? 
• 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

We often think of the three gifts the Wise Men gave to Jesus, but what about the intangible gifts of time, worship, and many others? Sara encourages us to consider the intangible gifts given to the Savior, and how we can offer these same ones to God and one another.

This is a replay of Episode 66, which was originally aired on December 21, 2021. The original recording and transcript are available on our website HERE. 

Key Moments:
[0:59] Matthew 2:1-12
[3:19]  The intangible gifts from the wise men
[5:17} What we can learn from the wise men

Resources:
Scripture mentioned: Matthew 2:1-12

If you enjoyed the show:

• Have you purchased our new book, The Other Side of Special? 
• 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

In the struggles of daily life, it can be difficult to believe God, His Word, His will, and to relinquish control. In Advent, we see the example of Mary, who chose small steps of obedience and surrender while facing many obstacles. May we follow her pattern and choose belief in small ways each day.

This is a replay of Episode 65, which was originally aired on December 14, 2021. The original recording and transcript are available on our website HERE. 

Key Moments:
[0:49]    Luke 1:26-30
[1:52]    An announcement that changed life’s course
[4:15]   When did Mary begin to believe?
[6:20]   Struggle with surrender

Resources:
Scripture mentioned- Luke 1:26-30, 38, 78-79

If you enjoyed the show:

• Have you purchased our new book, The Other Side of Special? 
• 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

Mary, Jesus’ mother, had to embrace the unknown and the unfamiliar to welcome life.  Amy shares how saying yes to the unknown can draw us into the deeper meanings of this season and our relationship with God. 

This is a replay of Episode 64, which was originally aired on December 7, 2021. The original recording and transcript are available on our website HERE. 

Key Moments:
[0:37]  Luke 2:8-19
[2:17]    I can relate to pregnant Mary
[3:35]    Mary kept saying yes to God
[4:40}   God is with us

Resources:
Scripture-Luke 2:8-19

If you enjoyed the show:

• Have you purchased our new book, The Other Side of Special? 
• 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

In this collaborative episode, Amy, Sara, and Carrie talk about their own recent experiences and vulnerabilities- feelings of worthlessness, lack of control, and fear that often accompany these calmer seasons. They talk about how to recognize and process these emotions and offer practical advice and wisdom to help listeners navigate the unsettling emotions of transitions and change. They encourage you to welcome emotional resilience by inviting God into the depths of your emotions.

Key Moments:
[9:30] When our work becomes our worth
[13:00] We grow too fond of our suffering
[21:24] I didn’t want to think about how I feel
[25:38] Know your triggers
[40:47] Studies show only feel deep emotions for a short time

Resources:
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Building A Resilient Life by Rebekah Lyons
A PDF copy of Dr. Gloria Wilcox’s Feeling Wheel by www.positivephsychologyprogram.com
Resilient by Jon Eldredge

If you enjoyed the show:

• Have you purchased our new book, The Other Side of Special? 
• 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

Finding rest as a caregiver can be just another thing on our to-do list, but it's a vital part of sustaining our long-term well-being. Host Sara Clime talks about the benefits of putting in the effort to make space for rest in our lives. Discover the 7 different types of rest and learn how to engage in restorative activities that suit your unique needs and lifestyle. From physical and mental rest to emotional and social rest, Sara offers tips and strategies to help you prioritize rest and find moments of rejuvenation.

Episode 150: November 21, 2023

Key Moments:
[0:42 ] Rest isn’t intuitive or easy to plan but we need to practice!
[4:11] No isn’t a dirty word
[6:14] Sensory rest
[8:19] Social rest: spend time with re-fueling people

Resources:
If you enjoyed the show:

• Have you purchased our new book, The Other Side of Special? 
• 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

In this week's podcast episode, "Where Do You Find Comfort," Carrie shares the delicate balance between positive and negative emotions while exploring the need for comfort.  Carrie talks about the emotional journey of special needs parents, explains some essential truths about comfort and discusses the constant place we can go to find it. 

Eps. 149; November 14, 2023

Key Moments: 
[02:33] Lessons from "Inside Out"
[05:07] The Holy Spirit as the Comforter
[08:11] Comfort through other believers
[10:12] Identify the lies we are believing
[12:19] A prayer for comfort

Resources:
Scriptures Mentioned: John 14:16-17a,c, 18; 
II Corinthians 1:3-4; II Corinthians 7:6; 
Psalm 119:76; Ephesians 3:14-19

If you enjoyed the show:

• Have you purchased our new book, The Other Side of Special? 
• 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