The Totally Worth It Podcast

Meghan grew up with an older Sister, Amanda, with Special Needs.  We often talk about Siblings of Special Needs being the true heroes in our families, and Meghan gives great insight to what that looks like.  Hearing the stories of joys and challenges as they grew up together paints a great picture of what many of our families look like. And, we discuss what it’s like for Siblings to plan for the future.

When asked about what it was like growing up with Amanda, Meghan says, “I don’t feel cheated at all.  I definitely see how having Amanda has shaped me for good or bad.”

Meghan mentions a communication system created for Amanda by CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disorders).  They can be found at https://www.centerforautism.com/

Here’s a link to Megababe Natural Deodorant https://megababebeauty.com

A HUGE Thank you to our Sponsor, Canvas People.  Canvas People print your favorite photos on canvas, for really unique beautiful prints.  Great for décor/ The prints are like pieces of art. With Canvas People, you get your favorite memories printed to cherish. AND beautiful prints that look great on any wall.

SPECIAL OFFER: I know you’re gonna love Canvas People.  And we have a special code that you can use to get an 11x14 Canvas People print FREE. This is a $76.99 value!  All you do is pay the shipping and handling. Get your own 11x14 Canvas People print, for free! Just visit www.CanvasPeople.com , upload your photo, and enter this special code: totallyworthit 

This would be a great gift for Mother’s Day!

Tune in to #morningswithmabry on Amy’s Instagram @agayhart

Follow #runmabryrun on John’s Instagram @johngayhart.  And – track John and Mabry at #MABRYrunsforAWARENESS as they run during the month of April to raise money for The ABLED Movement www.weareabled.org

You can contact John and Amy through their website www.totallyworthitpodcast.com or by emailing them at [email protected]

Jamie and Amy have been Best Friends since 9th Grade.  Like each other’s Maid-of-Honor, by each other’s side during kids, share a bed on vacation kind of Best Friends.  Jamie hosts the very popular podcast “The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey” and travels the globe ministering to Women.

This episode is full of laughs, but dives deep into the importance of Friendship for Families with Special Needs … and really everyone for that matter.  Amy discusses the importance of having a friend to call on during the hard times that nobody see’s. And Jamie answers the tough question: “What have been the hardest moments as you have lived alongside a best friend who’s child has been diagnosed with Special Needs.”

Jamie sums it up by saying, “As a Mom, I really think it’s important for our kids to see all different abilities of children.  I’m grateful that my kids are growing up with Mabry as a friend.”

Amy and Jamie talk about Camp Well.  You can find info at the following link www.thewellsummit.com

A HUGE Thank you to our Sponsor, Canvas People.  Canvas People print your favorite photos on canvas, for really unique beautiful prints.  Great for décor/ The prints are like pieces of art. With Canvas People, you get your favorite memories printed to cherish. AND beautiful prints that look great on any wall.

SPECIAL OFFER: I know you’re gonna love Canvas People.  And we have a special code that you can use to get an 11x14 Canvas People print FREE. This is a $76.99 value!  All you do is pay the shipping and handling. Get your own 11x14 Canvas People print, for free! Just visit www.CanvasPeople.com , upload your photo, and enter this special code: totallyworthit 

This would be a great gift for Mother’s Day!

Tune in to #morningswithmabry on Amy’s Instagram @agayhart

Follow #runmabryrun on John’s Instagram @johngayhart.  And – track John and Mabry at #MABRYrunsforAWARENESS as they run during the month of April to raise money for The ABLED Movement www.weareabled.org

You can contact John and Amy through their website www.totallyworthitpodcast.com or by emailing them at [email protected]

Jeremy shares the story of his daughter, Caleigh, and the journey through her diagnosis.  It’s great to hear from a Special Needs Dad as we discuss things like: the differences in the grieving process between Mom’s and Dad’s, and advice for Dad’s going through a new diagnosis.  We also discuss the importance of inclusion throughout our communities and school systems.

Jeremy sums up their story by saying, “At first it didn’t feel like it, but it’s made our lives better. It’s made our kids better people.”

Jeremy mentions Most DFW (MYO Occupational Speech Therapy) as one of his Game-Changers.  You can find them at www.mostdfw.com

You can find Amy’s new favorite Art Collection, featuring Women of the Bible, by Sarah Beth Baca at www.sarahbethart.com

Huge thanks to Podcorn for sponsoring this episode. Explore sponsorship opportunities and start monetizing your podcast by signing up here: https://podcorn.com/podcasters/

Tune in to #morningswithmabry on Amy’s Instagram @agayhart

Follow #runmabryrun on John’s Instagram @johngayhart  You can contact John and Amy through their website www.totallyworthitpodcast.com or by emailing them at [email protected]

Gwen’s nephew, Luke was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome shortly after birth.  We love hearing about Luke’s personality, his joy, and the love that he brings to everyone that knows him.  And, we feel the pride and admiration that Gwen (Aunt G.) has for Luke as she tells his story. Gwen gives a great perspective on what it’s like to be a part of The Village to her sisters family, and gives great advice to other families who find theirselves in a similar role.  “They’re working through something that we know nothing about, don’t even say anything… just smile and put your hand on their back.” - Beautiful words from Gwen

The link to Mark Cuban’s interview after the NBA announces it will suspend games https://youtu.be/JOF8NFLPQgU

The link to the VANS Autism Awareness Collection https://www.vans.com/article_detail/autism-awareness.html

Amy’s favorite earrings are from Waterloo Style https://www.waterloostyle.com

Amy’s new Study Bible is from She Reads Truth https://shereadstruth.com

Huge thanks to Podcorn for sponsoring this episode. Explore sponsorship opportunities and start monetizing your podcast by signing up here: https://podcorn.com/podcasters/

Tune in to #morningswithmabry on Amy’s Instagram @agayhart

Follow #runmabryrun on John’s Instagram @johngayhart

You can contact John and Amy through their website www.totallyworthitpodcast.com or by emailing them at [email protected]

After a quick round of “The Newlywed Game” (fun for a couple married almost 20 years), John and Amy address real life questions sent in by listeners.  Here are a few of the questions that they dive in to:

• “John talked about small talk and when the conversation has no choice but to go to Mabry’s diagnosis. You mentioned some people say, “I’m Sorry.”  What is an appropriate and appreciated response?”

Huge thanks to Podcorn for sponsoring this episode. Explore sponsorship opportunities and start monetizing your podcast by signing up here: https://podcorn.com/podcasters/

Tune in to #morningswithmabry on Amy’s Instagram @agayhart

Follow #runmabryrun on John’s Instagram @johngayhartYou can contact John and Amy through their website www.totallyworthitpodcast.com or by emailing them at [email protected]

Episode 5 is our first “non-special needs” related episode.  We sit down with the Executive Director of Cul2vate Farms, Joey Lankford.  Joey has a special place in the Gayhart family, as he is the person responsible for setting John and Amy up on their first date!!  This episode will share a couple of laughs, as John, Amy, and Joey reminisce about some fun times in College.

Joey shares his story as a Faith Jumper, as he went from Corporate to Missionary.  After becoming the COO of a successful company at an early age, Joey gave it all up to follow a calling into the mission field.  Joey and his wife Courtney sold it all, and moved their family to South Africa. 

Joey’s testimony is a powerful one, and is summed up in his story of not being satisfied with the life everyone told him he should build.  Joey says, “Everybody else seems to feel better about where I am than I do.” Wow!! We hope you enjoy Joey’s story!!

Learn more about Cul2vate at www.cul2vate.org

Tune in to #morningswithmabry on Amy’s Instagram @agayhart

Follow #runmabryrun on John’s Instagram @johngayhart

You can contact John and Amy through their website www.totallyworthitpodcast.com or by emailing them at [email protected]

In Episode 4, we continue our conversation with Andrea Mitchell.  We discuss some hard topics such as: the impact that having a child with special needs impacts the planning of having more children and the long-term outlook that the Mitchell family has for Ella.

The highlight of our conversation with Andrea happens in the last 10-15 minutes of this episode when Andrea is asked the question (paraphrased):  “What advice would you give to a Mom facing a brand new diagnosis.” You will not want to miss her answer.

Justin Bieber Interview – it’s on YouTube!!  Here’s the link https://youtu.be/T_fw3qNx1OM

Morgan’s Wonderland Camp – learn more here https://www.morganswonderland.com/camp/

Be sure to check out the video of Mabry at a Hibachi restaurant on Instagram. 

Tune in to #morningswithmabry on Amy’s Instagram @agayhart

Follow #runmabryrun on John’s Instagram @johngayhart

In Episode 3, Andrea Mitchell shares the journey of her and her husband, Joe, as their firstborn was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.  Their daughter, Ella, is now the oldest of 3… and we hear the impact and role that she plays in the Mitchell family from Andrea’s perspective.  Andrea also teaches us a bit about what Cerebral Palsy is and what it is not.

This episode dives into the challenges that Special Needs Families have in keeping friends, as Andrea, Amy, and John share the hurt and disappointment of losing touch.

This is a fun episode – with Andrea and John rehashing some old times from High School 😂

Here is the YouTube video of Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen at the Oscars:  https://youtu.be/HAsO2CE2bGk

Tune in to #morningswithmabry on Amy’s Instagram @agayhart

Follow #runmabryrun on John’s Instagram @johngayhart

In Episode 2, John and Amy interview Special Needs Mama, Dawnda Daniel.  Dawnda tells us the story of her son, Coulter, and his diagnosis of Smith-Magenis Syndrome.  We learn about the importance of a Mother’s intuition, challenging dynamics of a special needs family, and various support groups that this family has found along the way. 

Here are links to the organizations discussed in this episode:

PRISMS – www.prisms.org

Sib Shop – www.siblingsupport.org

Here’s the link to the science project that Amy mentions regarding the effects of Kind Words and Angry Word to plants https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/talking-to-plants/

Here’s a link to the article that Amy discusses about a new hotline specifically for caregivers https://www.wxyz.com/news/national/theres-now-a-hotline-specifically-for-caregivers

Tune in to #morningswithmabry on Amy’s Instagram @agayhart

Follow #runmabryrun on John’s Instagram @johngayhart

In Episode 1, John and Amy introduce the Gayhart family and the inspiration for The Totally Worth It Podcast.  They give a snapshot of the journey with their special needs daughter, Mabry. And, they layout expectations and dreams of what listeners will get from future episodes of this Podcast. 

You’ll also hear an introduction to the separate non-profits that John and Amy are involved in, as well as other activities that keep John and Amy busy. 

Blue Sky Therapeutic Riding & Respite – www.blueskytexas.org

The ABLED Movement – www.weareabled.org

Here’s a link to the “Life Changing” Podcast episode of Speak Life with Taylor Nichols featuring Amy as her guest http://taylornicholsmedia.com/ep-10-amy-gayhart/

Special link to the video mentioned in this weeks segment of “What I’m Loving”.  What Robert Downey Jr.’s “Iron Man interview” on Ellen.https://youtu.be/2KcrcCOBjiU

Tune in to #morningswithmabry on Amy’s Instagram @agayhart – and

#runmabryrun on John’s Instagram @johngayhart

To get ahold of John or Amy, you can find them on their website https://www.totallyworthitpodcast.com/ or email them at [email protected].