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I share a personal story today about my journey with pelvic floor physical therapy, and how I’ve been learning to support myself in ways that match my resistance. After some humorous missteps with scheduling and a lot of self-judgment, I realized that getting the right kind of support—whether it’s a coach, a friend, or even a check-in system—can make all the difference when it comes to sticking with something that feels hard.

I talk about a concept I love: getting support sufficient to your resistance. We often do this for our kids, but how often do we apply it to ourselves? It's about recognizing that resistance isn't a problem, but the lack of the right kind of support is. This episode is all about finding the right tools and structures to help you get where you want to go, without judgment or guilt.

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  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespecialneedsmompodcast/
  Website: https://www.kararyska.com/

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This conversation with Callista Bowes, a therapist, mom, and certified pediatric gentle sleep coach, dives into a reality many special needs parents face—the deep isolation that exists even in a hyper-connected world.

We talk about how social media can create a false sense of connection while leaving parents feeling even more alone. Callista shares her experience navigating loneliness after stepping away from her career following her daughter’s Down Syndrome diagnosis, the struggle to find truly understanding spaces online, and why building in-person support can feel so hard. We also explore the emotional toll of managing constant responsibilities and the fear of judgment that keeps many parents from opening up. If you’ve ever felt unseen or like digital spaces don’t quite meet your needs, this episode is for you.

Books Mentioned:

As Long As You Need: Permission to Grieve by J.S. Park

The Wild Edge of Sorrow. by Francis Weller

Connect with Our Guest, Callista Bowes: 

email: [email protected]

website: A Cherished Night of Sleep

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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/

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In this episode, I’m sharing how I’m planning ahead to create a summer that actually works—for me, my family, and especially Levi.

Last summer was rough, so I got intentional about doing things differently this year. I walk you through a six-step process (inspired by my landscape design days!) to create a future you’re excited about—without getting stuck in the “how.”

I cover:

• What worked, what didn’t, and what’s changing
• Why support is key (and why I’m hiring help!)
• How to move forward without overwhelm

Resources Mentioned:

• Oncology and Kids (San Diego-based camp)
• Care.com (for finding caregivers)
• Episode 000: episode title here

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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/

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Today I’m chatting with my friend Laura Ishmael, special needs mom, travel advisor, and all-around travel pro. Laura shares how travel became part of her family’s life, even after her daughter Sophie’s rare brain malformation diagnosis. From navigating accessibility challenges to embracing flexibility, Laura’s story is all about keeping dreams alive, even when the path looks different than expected.

We talk about:
🌍 How Laura’s family adapted their travel style after Sophie’s diagnosis.
🛫 Practical tips for overcoming common travel fears (accessibility, medical needs, disrupted routines).
🏨 The magic of staycations and why even small getaways can be life-giving.
💡 How a travel advisor (like Laura!) can help make travel feel possible again.

If you’ve ever felt like travel just isn’t in the cards for your family anymore, this episode might just change your mind!

Get to Know Our Guest, Laura Ishmael:

• Website: Our Next Adventure
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• Email: [email protected]

• 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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This episode is full of heart, insight, and real talk about the ever-evolving journey of special needs motherhood. I sat down with Brittney Crabtree and Tash Dillman from the Moms Talk Autism podcast to chat about grief, acceptance, and finding your people.

Tash, a Portland-based mom of two, loves fitness, nature, volunteering, and tending to her MANY houseplants. Brittney, a Northern California mom of four, runs a home bakery and balances the unique needs of her two autistic children.

We talk about the cycle of special needs parenting, the fine line between helping and "fixing" our kids, and why diversifying your friendship portfolio is a game-changer. If you're feeling exhausted or alone, this one’s for you.

Episode Resources: 

Marco Polo App

TSNM Pod Episodes on Grief: 

Episode 220: Let's Talk About Loneliness

Episode 221: The Antidote for Loneliness

Episode 223: The Trojan Horse of Happiness

Episode 225: Together Is the Only Way

Get to know Moms Talk Autism:

Podcast on Spotify

Podcast on Apple Music

Website

Instagram

Brittany Crabtree Instagram

Tash Dillman Instagram

Contact: [email protected]

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
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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/

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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.

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
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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/

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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.

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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/

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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.

• Sign up for The Pathway to Peace Coaching Community Waitlist
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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/

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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.

• 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/

Send us a text (Note: we are not able to respond but LOVE to hear from you!!)

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.

• 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/