Take Heart

Who are we, really? What labels have we allowed to define us? What would it mean to trade these labels for something better? This month, we are talking about identity. In this episode, Carrie Holt shares about her own struggles with identity, especially as a mom and the very practical ways that she redirects comparison. Listen in to be encouraged in your own struggle with misplaced identity.

October 11, 2022; Ep. #102

Show Links:

• You Are Special by Max Lucado
• Scriptures Mentioned: Isaiah 43:1; II Cor. 10:12

Show Takeaways: 

• [4:07] Listen in as Carrie shares about the labels that we use to define us. 
• [6:21] Discover practical tips to overcome comparison.
• [10:28] Learn about placing our true identity in God’s hands.

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

We are kicking off this month’s theme on identity. In this episode, Amy J. Brown is talking about identity theft, not the kind that causes us to cancel our credit cards, but the type that causes us to forget who we are. Listen in as she asks some poignant questions and walks listeners through an excellent practice to help us remember where our identity comes from. 

October 4, 2022; Ep. 101

Show Links:

• I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet Shauna Niequist 
• After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith Without Losing It Dr. A.J. Swoboda 
• The Confessions St. Augustine 
• The Good and Beautiful God   James Bryan Smith 
• Episode 40: Take Heart: Guilt with Sara 

Show Takeaways: 

• [3:07] Listen in as Amy shares a personal story of how she allowed the label “bad mom” to impact her parenting and the steps she took to remove that label.
• [5:07] Discover the main thing that defines you as a mom and child of God. 
• [7:52] Learn the three things you can do today, to protect yourself from identity theft. 

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

Welcome back to the third season of the Take Heart Podcast. It’s our 100th episode and we are celebrating!  As we kick off this new season, we wanted to start by going back to the beginning of how Take Heart came to be, and share with you the reason we do this work, and the importance of our name Take Heart. 

In this episode all three of us our coming together to talk about how this podcast, Take Heart came to be. We thought it would be fun to take you back to the beginning of how we met and how we started this podcast. We are grateful for each and every one of you, our listeners. Thank you for being here with us. 

September 27, 2022; Ep. 100

Show Links:

• Scripture Mentioned: John 16:33
• Resilient by John Eldredge
• Podcast Interview with John Eldredge

Show Takeaways: 

• [0:35] Discover how Amy, Carrie, and Sara met. 
• [3:30] Listen in as Carrie and Sara share why they weren’t sure about a collaboration. 
• [6:00] Hear some of Take Heart’s core values and why they are so important to us. 
• [9:40] Listen to the verse that the podcast is named after and why it holds such a special place in all our hearts.  

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

Welcome back to the third season of the Take Heart Podcast. As we kick off this new season, we wanted to start by going back to the beginning of how Take Heart came to be, and share with you the reason we do this work, and the importance of our name Take Heart. 

Today, Sara is transparent in this episode as she tells us the significance behind the name Take Heart and how Psalm 27:14 has both comforted and convicted her. 

Sep 20, 2022; Ep. #99

Show Links:

• Want to enter our 100th Episode Giveaway? Click Here
• Scripture Mentioned: Psalm 27:14 NASB

Show Takeaways: 

• [1:02] Discover why Sara doesn’t think that the term “take heart” is always positive. 
• [3:34] Listen in as Sara discusses why waiting can be so hard and some of the questions she tends to ask in a season of waiting.
• [8:44] Hear the simple prayer you can pray when you need to find hope. 

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

100th Episode Giveaway. Want to join? 
Text: takeheart to 66866 and follow the instructions.

Welcome back to the third season of the Take Heart Podcast. As we kick off this new season, we wanted to start by going back to the beginning of how Take Heart came to be, and share with you the reason we do this work, and the importance of our name Take Heart. 

In this episode, Carrie walks us through the verse in Mark 10:49, and what it means to be of good courage or cheer. 

Sep 13, 2022; Ep. #98

Show Links:

• Scripture Mentioned: Mark 10:49
• The Chosen

Show Takeaways: 

• [3:36] Discover the important question Jesus asks in this passage that applies to our lives today. 
• [5:17] Listen in as Carrie discusses the three main characters in the story and questions related to them. 
• [9:14] Hear the encouragement Carrie has for you today. 

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

Welcome back to the third season of the Take Heart Podcast. As we kick off this new season, we wanted to start by going back to the beginning of how Take Heart came to be, and share with you the reason we do this work, and the importance of our name Take Heart. 

In this episode, Amy J. Brown shares the scripture that the podcast name comes from and what this message holds for us special needs moms. 

Sep 6, 2022; Ep. #97

Show Links:

• Scripture mentioned: Deut 31:6 MSG

Show Takeaways: 

• [1:07] Hear the importance behind the name of the podcast and the piece of scripture it is taken from. 
• [3:03] Listen in as Amy shares a personal story about a time when she was afraid and taking heart was the last thing she felt like doing, but she did it anyway. 
• [6:41] Discover how we can practically take heart and have courage in the midst of the things in this life that scare us.

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

Correction: The Wonderfully Made Conference is October 19-21, 2022.

In this episode we meet Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, hear his incredible story of loss, hope, and how God has used life’s trials to prepare him to lead SOAR and the Wonderfully Made Disability Conference in Kansas City. 

July 26, 2022; Ep. 96

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 1:36-    Meet Doc Hunsley
• 10:00-  Anything To Help
• 12:59-  Job Change
• 18:20-  SOAR
• 28:41-  Wonderfully Made Conference
• 33:04-  Preparation
• 44:44-  Don’t Give Up Hope

Episode Links & Resources:

• Doc on FB or Twitter, or Instagram
• SOAR Special Needs Website, on FB or Instagram
• Wonderfully Made Conference

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

Our guest, Kara Ryska, shares the story of struggling with her son’s diagnosis, wrestling with God’s goodness, stuffing feelings, and grief. She share the importance of giving our kids space to be honest about the pain, how others can help our families, and what full inclusion looks like in our churches and communities. 

July 19, 2022; Ep. 95

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 1:35-    Kara’s Story
• 8:40-    Shaken Faith
• 15:46-  Carrying Grief
• 20:24-  Coping Mechanisms
• 27:43-  Oxygen Mask First
• 32:16-  Our Value
• 36:16-  Full Inclusion
• 43:23-  Learning to Feel

Episode Links & Resources:

• Kara’s website and on Instagram
• The Special Needs Mom Podcast

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

Today’s guest, Sally Clarkson, is the author of several books. She shares about her parenting her “outside-the-box” child, creating space for yourself, and how finding beauty in the everyday struggles of parenting in hard places requires radical acceptance of your situation. Sally’s prayer at the end is for you. Don’t miss it.

July 12, 2022; Ep. 94

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 3:26-    Meet Sally Clarkson
• 4:58-    Different
• 11:10-  Radical Acceptance
• 18:32-  Create Space
• 23:55-  God’s Compassion
• 27:34-  Stop Treading
• 30:52-  God Called Us
• 32:57-  Sally’s Prayer

Episode Links & Resources:

• Sally’s website
• Whole Heart Ministries
• Sally’s Social Media on IG & FB

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

Today’s guest, Madeline Cheney, is from The Rare Life Podcast. She shares her journey with her son who has a rare disorder, her struggles with guilt, and how finding community gave her confidence to reach out to others.

July 5, 2022: Ep. #93

Timestamps & Key Topics:

• 0:00-    Intro
• 1:26-    Meet Madeline Cheney
• 4:30-    Rare Diagnosis
• 12:54-  Building Community
• 17:13-  Vulnerability
• 22:53-  Layers of Emotions
• 28:44-  Early Advice
• 31:18-  Social Media

Episode Links & Resources:

• Madeline Cheney on Instagram, Facebook
• The Rare Life Podcast Website

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