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Ever walked into a support group expecting connection and left feeling… not so supported? You’re not alone. This episode is all about navigating support groups that don’t quite meet our needs and how to find, or even create, the spaces that truly support us.

I share my first (not-so-great) support group experience, the different types of people you might encounter in these spaces, and why mismatched expectations can make things feel off. But don’t worry, this isn’t just a gripe session—I also give you actionable steps to help you find (or build) the support you need.

And if you’ve ever felt like there has to be a better way, you’re right! Let’s explore how to create meaningful, truly supportive communities together.

Resources Mentioned:
🎧 The Telepathy Tapes Podcast – A fascinating listen on telepathy in non-speaking autistic individuals.
📖 Happiness Falls – A novel featuring a character who communicates through spelling.
💙 We Are Brave Together – A fantastic organization offering support groups for special needs moms.

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. --------> Learn More HERE

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Welcome to our Community Huddle! This month, we’re talking about receiving—why it’s hard, why it matters, and how we can get better at it.

In this episode, we explore:

• The struggle of asking for help.
• Why receiving is a gift to both giver and receiver.
• Practical ways to ask for and accept support.
• Learning to give yourself grace.

And of course, we wrap up with our Community Cheer—because together is the only way.

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. --------> Learn More HERE

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Last night, as I was putting Levi to bed—exhausted and overwhelmed—I realized I had a choice: shrink back or dig deep.

I take you back to my water polo days and a phrase my coach drilled into us—"Dig Deep." It’s stuck with me ever since, and last night, it surfaced again as a reminder that even in the toughest moments, we can choose to keep going.

I hope this message encourages you to dig deep when things feel hard.

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. --------> Learn More HERE

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Today I'm wrapping up our two-part series on receiving. Inspired by my own journey and the experiences of the moms I work with, I take you through a personal story of navigating the world of financial support for my son, Levi.

I share how, after years of advocacy, we finally received the help we needed—only to find myself struggling with an unexpected wave of guilt and disbelief when even more support came our way. I dive into the concept of our "inner thermostat" for receiving, as explained in The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, and how our subconscious beliefs can keep us stuck in feeling undersupported.

We also take a closer look at common thought patterns that may be holding you back from accepting help, like feeling obligated to reciprocate or believing it’s too much effort to ask. Plus, I offer a few mindset shifts that can help you break free and receive the support you deserve.

If you've ever felt conflicted about getting the help you need, this episode is for you.

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. --------> Learn More HERE

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Today, we’re diving into a topic that so many of us struggle with—receiving help. This conversation was sparked by a comment from our community about the guilt of accepting support, even when we know we need it.

In this episode, I explore:
✨ Why we resist help, even when it’s available.
✨ The hidden beliefs that keep us stuck in overdoing.
✨ Two big "potholes" in our thinking that block us from receiving.
✨ Simple mindset shifts to make accepting help easier.

If you’ve ever thought, I should be able to do more or other people need help more than I do, this episode is for you! We'll unpack these thoughts and gently rework them so you can open up to the support you truly deserve.

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. --------> Learn More HERE

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I’m sharing a personal update about a recent unexpected hospitalization with my son Levi, and how I handle “hospital mode” when life throws a curveball. I also dive into how we try to outrun anxiety with our to-do lists—and why that just doesn’t work.

I talk about how to recognize when your nervous system is out of whack, why your to-do list might actually be adding to your stress, and simple ways to slow down, reset, and feel more grounded.

Here's another related episode: Anxiety and Your Never Ending To-Do List 

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. --------> Learn More HERE

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This week’s episode is a special one—our January Community Huddle! I sat down with four amazing moms, and together, we unpacked the post-winter break season. Think of it as a virtual coffee chat, full of reflections, laughs, and shared wisdom. ☕

Here’s what we covered:

• Post-Break Overwhelm: How to recalibrate routines after the holidays when everything feels disorganized.
  
  
• Guilt Around Self-Care: Why it’s so hard to prioritize yourself—and how to give yourself permission to take the breaks you need.
  
  
• The Power of Connection: How finding a community of other moms who “get it” can make a huge difference.
  
  
• Parenting Challenges: From navigating aggressive behaviors to juggling multiple diagnoses, we dove into the real, unfiltered realities of special needs parenting.
  
  
• Strategies for Calm: Including a simple “shaking and dancing” exercise to help process stress in the moment.

Want to join a future community huddle? 

• Sign up for my email list: Head over to my website at kararyska.com and subscribe to stay updated. All the details for future Community Huddles are shared there.

• Follow Me on Instagram: (@thespecialneedsmompodcast) for updates and announcements about upcoming huddles.

• Reach out directly: Have questions or want more info? Feel free to contact me through the website or DM me on Instagram.

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. --------> Learn More HERE

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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:
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. --------> Learn More HERE

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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. --------> Learn More HERE

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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. --------> Learn More HERE