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In this episode, we wrap up our series dedicated to trauma and how to cope with life's uncertainty. Learn how to harness the power of sensory grounding, strategic breath work, and even the right expression of anger to guide your nervous system back to a state of calm and presence. Each strategy we discuss is a step towards emotional well-being, designed to reinforce your sense of safety when the pressure rises. We share personal stories and practical advice that will leave you equipped to handle life's storms with self-compassion and confidence. We conclude by emphasizing community as a fundamental need and another pathway to healing your trauma.

>>>Click here to download the resources mentioned in this episode<<<

Connect with our Guest, Meghann Crane-Russ:
Noticing Growth, website
Instagram

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
• Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack free resource
  
  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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As a parent raising a child with special needs, we experience unusual amounts of chronic trauma. Trauma therapist Meghann Crane-Russ, LCSW, PMH-C, is back this week, guiding us through the science and mechanisms behind our primal response to trauma. Strap in as we explore the complex terrain of the human brain, and prepare to gain a deeper understanding of your own responses in the face of fear. 

We will learn the difference between feelings and thoughts and why we explode into fight or flight or withdraw into freeze or collapse. Learning how our 'downstairs' and 'upstairs' brains interact when faced with said trauma will help us to understand ourselves more deeply, while giving us the hope that we can live a more present and connected life. 

This episode is packed full of science, with plenty of everyday examples to us understand. For us visual learners, Meghann has provided resources to use while listening to help pull all of the concepts together. 

>>>Click here to Download the Resources mentioned in the episode!<<<


Connect with our Guest, Meghann Crane-Russ:
Noticing Growth, website
Instagram

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
• Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack free resource
  
  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Discover the hidden & evident impacts of trauma, and the pathways to healing with Meghann Crane-Russ. Meghann is a therapist who specializes in supporting parents navigating medical complexity, medical trauma, traumatic loss and grief. Prior to private practice, she was an inpatient medical social worker in pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care and also did some work in PEDS palliative care. 

We unravel together the complexities of "big T" and "little t" trauma and the grief that countless families face. Meghann's profound understanding of the brain and body's response to trauma not only sheds light on the subject but also plants seeds of hope for anyone navigating the road to recovery. Together we explore a message of resilience, affirming that through compassion, understanding and insight, healing from trauma is not just a possibility but a journey well within our reach.

>>>Click here to download trauma resources<<<

Resources from this episode:

Bessel van de Kolk M.D.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Paul Conti
Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal From It

Connect with our Guest, Meghann Crane-Russ:
Noticing Growth, website
Instagram

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
• Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack free resource
  
  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Our brains are seeking to understand the traumatic experiences of our lives in an effort to keep us safe, both now and in the future. I can almost guarantee, if you are a special needs mom, you have experienced trauma. This trauma shakes our identity, creates false narratives about our role in it all, and disconnects us from ourselves and those around us. On this solo episode, we dissect the science based interconnection of trauma, shame and identity; how our body is protecting us, how they impact our self-worth and how we can begin to give ourselves a break from the shame. This is more than just a conversation; it's the start of your journey toward healing & recovering your identity. 

We will continue this conversation for the next three weeks with Meghann Crane-Russ, LCSW, PMH-C.

Resources from this episode:

Paul Conti, MD
Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal From It

Brene Brown, Shame & Vulnerability Researcher

Neuroscientific account of Guilt and Shame Driven PTSD phenotypes
National Library of Medicine

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
• Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack free resource
  
  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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When life hands you a narrative you never expected, where do you find the script to follow? This question lingered in my mind as Kelley Coleman, the insightful author of "Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child," joined me to share her journey and the wisdom she's encapsulated in her guide for fellow parents. We peel back the layers of our personal transformations, discussing the complexities of medical care, education, and the emotional landscape that defines the experience of raising a child with visible disabilities. She shares her path, transitioning from a career in the film industry to narrating the unique story of her child's life, emphasizing their individuality and potential beyond their limitations.

As our conversation unfolds, we trace the evolution of a special needs mom across five stages—from the initial shock to rediscovering personal power and peace. It's a transformative journey, filled with moments of self-sacrifice and deep reflection on societal expectations and the importance of retaining one's identity. We share our insights into the rollercoaster of parenting highs and lows, the intense commitment it demands, and the surprising joys that can emerge from this unique life experience. This episode is a candid exploration of the emotional terrain that we navigate as parents, offering a narrative that affirms and inspires.

Join us as we navigate the unexpected paths and find camaraderie in shared experiences.

Connect with Kelley Coleman:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellokelleycoleman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelley.coleman.56
Website: https://www.kelleycoleman.com/

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
• Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack free resource
  
  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Words like 'disability', 'differently abled', and 'identity-first language' might seem interchangeable, but as we peel back the layers, the significance of each term emerges, shaped by personal experiences and societal perceptions.

The episode casts a light on the journey of understanding and accepting disability, not just as a concept, but as a profound aspect of human diversity. Sharing the intimate progression of my relationship with my son's disability, I open the floor to the importance of honesty and the strength found in community support. Evoking change in our subconscious beliefs, we explore how language can forge new paths toward love, compassion, and authenticity. Join us as we challenge ourselves to grow and enrich our perspectives on disability, transforming how we relate to others and ourselves in this ever-evolving conversation.

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
• Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack free resource
  
  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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When the weight of perfectionism feels like a lead cloak, it's the raw, honest stories that can lift it off our shoulders. That's exactly what Kristin Faith Evans brings to our table this week, as we navigate the deeply personal terrain of motherhood to children with special needs. Her voice, a blend of vulnerability and strength, breaks through the silence on the mental health crisis among special needs moms, illuminating the tough yet rewarding journey that lies ahead for many.

This episode is a tapestry woven with the threads of shared experiences, where the barriers of seeking help are pulled back, revealing a landscape that many special needs moms traverse in solitude. Together with Kristin, we peel back the layers of guilt that often accompany the pursuit of self-care, underscoring its non-negotiable place in our lives. As we discuss the stigmas within conservative Christian communities and the scarcity of resources, the conversation is an open door for every listener who has felt judged or alone in their struggles.

Kristin's insights serve as a compass, guiding us through the expectations and self-inflicted pressures that can overshadow the joys of parenting. We celebrate the power of positive self-talk and the gentle art of embracing imperfection. Whether you're a mom knee-deep in therapy schedules or a friend standing by in support, this episode is a sanctuary for reflection, growth, and unwavering support—a reminder that no one should walk this path without a hand to hold.

Contact Kristin Faith Evans
Website: https://disabilityparenting.com/
Instagram: @disabilityparenting (https://www.instagram.com/disabilityparenting)
Facebook: Kristin.Evans.5895 (https://www.facebook.com/kristin.evans.5895)
X: AuthorKristinEv (https://twitter.com/AuthorKristinEv)
LinkedIn: Kristin-Evans (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-evans)

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
• Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack free resource
  
  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Hello and welcome to the podcast. 
Transitioning back to work after a break can feel like an uphill battle, even when you love what you do. My personal strategy to overcome this, involves a trio of 'C's; method I delve into with heartfelt honesty. Join me as we navigate these waters together, finding strength in community and the shared quest for a year filled with intention and growth.

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
• Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack free resource
  
  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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When you're balancing the world on your shoulders as a special needs mom, finding time and space for yourself can feel like an impossible puzzle. But Angela O'Brien, mother, professional organizer, and podcast host with a heart as big as her expertise, joins me to piece together the jigsaw of life, proving that every mom can create harmony out of chaos. Our conversation is a heartfelt journey through the evolution of a special needs mom who redefined her identity and blossomed into a source of inspiration and practical wisdom for parents in similar shoes.

Join Angela and me in a dialogue that enriches, uplifts, and equips you with the tools to not just organize your surroundings, but to flourish within them. Embrace the journey of growth and the art of making space for yourself—it's a celebration of possibility, and it starts right here.

Connect with Angela:
Website: https://yourspacereclaimed.net/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourspacereclaimed

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
• Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack free resource
  
  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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Hello and welcome to the podcast. As the dawn of a new year breaks, I'm filled with renewed hope and the pleasure of revisiting an episode that remains close to my heart, featuring the indomitable Anna Brown.

Through the lens of raising a nonverbal child, we discuss the profound lesson of releasing control and the importance of honoring our children's individual journeys without imposing our own expectations.

Connect with Anna:
Blog: https://www.motheringrare.org/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mothering_rare/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mothering.rare

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
• Get The Special Needs Mom Survival Pack free resource
  
  Connect with Kara, host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast:
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/