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This episode is all about catching up! I’m sharing highlights from our winter break, including a big advocacy win for Levi, and reflecting on the mix of joy and challenges that come with parenting a child with disabilities.

I also dive into a theme I’ve been embracing: being of service. It’s helped me find purpose and peace, and I hope it might inspire you too.

Lastly, I’m asking for your help to support special needs moms displaced by the recent LA fires. If you know someone in need, please reach out.

Give yourself the gift of COZY:
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Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Join the Community:
Pathway to Peace Coaching Community is currently open for enrollment. Instantly get access to authentic community and weekly coaching! Give yourself the gift of growing alongside moms who deeply understand you and will be with you in your joys and sorrows. --------> Contact Me

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In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Kari A. Baker, an inspiring mom, author, and advocate for families navigating life with invisible neurological differences. Kari shares her journey of becoming a "KIND mom" after her son Brady was diagnosed with autism at age three. Together, we dive into topics like letting go of the "fixing" mindset, embracing the unexpected joys of parenting, and finding hope and purpose in life’s challenges.

Kari talks about the evolution of her life—transitioning from a career in financial services to founding KIND Families, a supportive community for families like hers. She also opens up about her struggles with control, the lessons she’s learned from her faith, and the incredible ways her son has surprised and inspired her.

Whether you're a mom at the start of your special needs journey or further along, Kari’s story will remind you that even in the hard moments, there’s room for gratitude, growth, and kindness.

Connect with Kari:

• Order Kari’s Book:
  • Hardback
  • Ebook on Amazon
• Connect with Kari Online:
  • Website: kindfamilies.com | kariabaker.com
  • Social Media: @kariabaker on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
  • Podcast: The KIND Families Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Give yourself the gift of COZY:
https://cozyearth.com/
Up to 40% off promo code: SNMPODCAST

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Join the Community:
Pathway to Peace Coaching Community is currently open for enrollment. Instantly get access to authentic community and weekly coaching! Give yourself the gift of growing alongside moms who deeply understand you and will be with you in your joys and sorrows. --------> Contact Me

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As 2024 wraps up, I’m reflecting on my son’s incredible progress and the motto that’s guided me: “Together is the only way.” In this quick episode, I share the story behind it and why it means so much.

Looking for more connection in 2025? Check out:

1. Pathway to Peace Coaching Community – A paid, supportive space for real connection.
2. Community Huddles – Free, fun calls to meet and grow with others.

Details are at kararyska.com. Together really is the only way—let’s make 2025 amazing!

Give yourself the gift of COZY:
https://cozyearth.com/
Up to 40% off promo code: SNMPODCAST

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Join the Community:
Pathway to Peace Coaching Community is currently open for enrollment. Instantly get access to authentic community and weekly coaching! Give yourself the gift of growing alongside moms who deeply understand you and will be with you in your joys and sorrows. --------> Contact Me

Send us a text

In this special holiday community huddle, we dive into:

🎄 Managing Holiday Chaos: Moms share how they handle busy schedules, unexpected challenges, and finding balance.

🌟 Finding Magic: From little rituals to joyful connections, we talk about creating calm in the chaos.

💌 Intentions for the Season: Our guests share personal goals to embrace the season with peace and joy.

It’s a heartfelt chat full of tips and inspiration to help you navigate the holidays. You’re not alone—there’s magic in the everyday moments!

Special thanks to guests Anika, Alyssa, Angela, and Lisa for their contributions.

Episode Mentioned: Episode 204 "Doing Hard Things Without Suffering"

Give yourself the gift of COZY:
https://cozyearth.com/
Up to 40% off promo code: SNMPODCAST

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Join the Community:
Pathway to Peace Coaching Community is currently open for enrollment. Instantly get access to authentic community and weekly coaching! Give yourself the gift of growing alongside moms who deeply understand you and will be with you in your joys and sorrows. --------> Contact Me

Send us a text

In this episode, I get real about something we’ve all felt at one point: that temptation to sink into self-pity when things get hard (especially during the holiday season!). After a year filled with appealing and advocating for my son, I share a personal story about a recent hearing where things did not go as planned — and how I nearly let it pull me into the “poor me” mindset.

But here’s the twist: I didn’t stay there. Instead, I made a small shift toward self-compassion — and it made all the difference. In this episode, we explore:

• The difference between self-pity and self-compassion 🤔
• How our mindset shapes our experience ✨
• Why self-compassion acknowledges our struggles and gives us the grace to keep going 💜
• Navigating those “grief landmines” during the holidays 🎄

If you're ready to move away from self-pity and give yourself the gift of kindness this season, this one’s for you!

Listen to the previous related episode on mindset shifts: Episode 103

Give yourself the gift of COZY:
https://cozyearth.com/
Up to 40% off promo code: SNMPODCAST

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Join the Community:
Pathway to Peace Coaching Community is currently open for enrollment. Instantly get access to authentic community and weekly coaching! Give yourself the gift of growing alongside moms who deeply understand you and will be with you in your joys and sorrows. --------> Contact Me

Send us a text

In this episode, I sit down with Kim Guche, a hypnotist, NLP practitioner, and pediatric speech-language pathologist with a passion for helping families create harmony and peace at home. As a mom of four and a best-selling author, Kim brings a wealth of personal and professional insight into reducing stress, building confidence, and fostering resilience in both kids and parents.

We discuss the misconceptions about hypnotherapy, how it works, and why it’s an accessible and transformative tool. Kim shares her journey from working with children with special needs to founding Entrancing Inspirations Hypnotherapy in 2016. Her mission? To help children and families decrease anxiety, improve communication, and tap into their inner strength through mindset and energy work.

Kim also offers a simple, practical grounding technique to help parents shift from overwhelm to calm in minutes. This tool is a game-changer, whether you're preparing for a challenging day or navigating the chaos of daily life.

Connect with Kim Guche: 

• Peaceful Parent Hypnotic Meditation Download
• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Related Episodes:

• Understanding Trauma As A Gateway To Healing with Meghann Crane - Russ  | Part 1 of 3
• Trauma In The Body, In The Mind, and In Our Lives with Meghann Crane - Russ   | Part 2 of 3
• Trauma Recovery Resources For The Special Needs Mom with Meghann Crane - Russ  | Part 3 of 3

Give yourself the gift of COZY:
https://cozyearth.com/
Up to 40% off promo code: SNMPODCAST

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Join the Community:
Pathway to Peace Coaching Community is currently open for enrollment. Instantly get access to authentic community and weekly coaching! Give yourself the gift of growing alongside moms who deeply understand you and will be with you in your joys and sorrows. --------> Contact Me

Send us a text

December is here, and with it, the chaos of the season! In this episode, I dive into the idea of "busting the bustle" and slowing down amidst the holiday madness. Inspired by The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, I share insights on how chronic busyness can undermine the relationships and moments we cherish most.

Together, we explore the concept of "being", how we show up, and how simple shifts in our mindset can transform stressful moments into opportunities for calm and connection. This holiday season, let’s make space for love, presence, and maybe a little magic too. You deserve it.

Resources from the episode:

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• Stay tuned for next week’s episode with hypnotherapist, Kim Gucci!

Give yourself the gift of COZY:
https://cozyearth.com/
Up to 40% off promo code: SNMPODCAST

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Join the Community:
Pathway to Peace Coaching Community is currently open for enrollment. Instantly get access to authentic community and weekly coaching! Give yourself the gift of growing alongside moms who deeply understand you and will be with you in your joys and sorrows. --------> Contact Me

Send us a text

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the complexities of gratitude, especially during tough seasons. If the thought of gratitude feels like it’s being forced down your throat, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and we’re not here to push.

I share practical ways to shift your perspective and share a heartfelt quote from Francis Weller about holding both sorrow and gratitude, and how this duality can stretch and grow us.

Give yourself the gift of COZY:
https://cozyearth.com/
Up to 40% off promo code: SNMPODCAST

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Join the Community:
Pathway to Peace Coaching Community is currently open for enrollment. Instantly get access to authentic community and weekly coaching! Give yourself the gift of growing alongside moms who deeply understand you and will be with you in your joys and sorrows. --------> Contact Me

Send us a text

In this week’s community huddle, we dive into a heartfelt follow-up on loneliness and grief—topics we’ve explored in recent episodes. Picture this: a cozy space to connect with moms who truly get it. We talk about whispers of grief in everyday moments, how resilience sometimes feels like a mask, and finding strength in vulnerability.

I’m joined by Shantay, Alyssa, and Annika, three incredible moms who open up about their unique parenting journeys, the unexpected emotions they’ve faced, and the power of shared community. We also touch on creating safe spaces, both physically and emotionally, and the profound impact of feeling truly seen and understood.

Whether you’re listening on your way to an appointment or with a warm cup of coffee, this episode invites you to reflect, connect, and feel supported in your journey.

Let’s keep the conversation going! Got thoughts on this episode? I’d love to hear from you. Shoot me a text!


Episode Resources:

• The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller
• A Special Needs Mom’s Gratitude Journal by Amanda Owen

Guest Details:

• Shantay Hindia: Mom to an 11-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old autistic son.
• Alyssa Meyerhofer: Mom of three, including Gabby, who has Trisomy 9p.
• Annika Atkins: Mom of 10-year-old Ella, diagnosed with Infantile Pompe Disease.

Give yourself the gift of COZY:
https://cozyearth.com/
Up to 40% off promo code: SNMPODCAST

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Join the Community:
Pathway to Peace Coaching Community is currently open for enrollment. Instantly get access to authentic community and weekly coaching! Give yourself the gift of growing alongside moms who deeply understand you and will be with you in your joys and sorrows. --------> Contact Me

Send us a text

Today’s conversation is one that I know many of us can relate to – balancing anxiety and our relationship with digital media. I’m thrilled to have Jennie Ketcham Crooks join us! Jennie is a clinical social worker, anxiety and OCD specialist, and founder of the West Coast Anxiety Clinic. Jennie has also been involved in research at the University of Washington, guest lectured at Harvard University, and appeared on popular television shows including Headline News, The View, and Oprah. She’s here to unpack some powerful insights on navigating anxiety, managing our “shiny rectangle” (a.k.a. our phones), and making space for true connection.

We dive deep into what makes anxiety tick, especially for special needs moms, and how our smartphones can be both a blessing and a trap. Jennie shares practical tips from her 30-day program in her book Look Up, which helps us rethink our digital consumption and build healthier relationships with technology. We also share a few laughs about managing “Brenda,” the little voice in our heads that always seems to have something to say!

Connect with Jennie:

• West Coast Anxiety Clinic
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Look Up: A 30-Day Path to Digital Minimalism

Episode Resources:

• Self-compassion resources at selfcompassion.org
• Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout by Kristen Neff
• Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life by Steve Hayes'

Give yourself the gift of COZY:
https://cozyearth.com/
Up to 40% off promo code: SNMPODCAST

Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

Join the Community:
Pathway to Peace Coaching Community is currently open for enrollment. Instantly get access to authentic community and weekly coaching! Give yourself the gift of growing alongside moms who deeply understand you and will be with you in your joys and sorrows. --------> Contact Me