The speaker recalls reaching a breaking point, screaming in anger and calling out to God after learning her 42-year-old husband, a third grade teacher, had cancer while their kids played downstairs. In the middle of her rage and disbelief, she felt unexpectedly close to God and describes how faith tethered her to life and carried her through the storm. She reflects that she doesn’t know how people endure the worst experiences without faith, emphasizing the need for something that keeps you grounded and held on through hardship.

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👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3FXJ0P30N2DSA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XD98iO1ekOJzKB8AjmbMFT5SvQFaevPs3HnMM5a3sRuQA01jFDzyydaDbLlghmOjd66qy3Kyoanyq4Mrlx8dRoYT8BxFDVDqvjTeeh3Ok7I4yNgCX9b6hqfC0ck8nkszhVxwj7KWnIe2uhbCFL-k4LpHDv2DB36pjedqblmGD4s_olQEymMD_6OJ-6-ZAMoAA4P5uhrsmwLiuQtw3BLWQQ.2Kj7exdzRcLqdAPom-W4FlvFJYd4rmKLl39yIWSe7Ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1751127945&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

On the Unspecial Podcast, host interviews Ellie (LA) Brink, founder of Hype Disability Success in Port Macquarie, Australia, and co-host of the new Behave Podcast, about reframing disability support away from milestones, compliance, and “fixing” children toward seeing them, acceptance, autonomy, and individualized definitions of success. Brink shares her path from nannying a nonspeaking autistic boy in the U.S. to becoming a BCBA, discusses differences between U.S. and Australian funding, and explains why co-regulation is foundational to self-regulation, offering practical parent strategies and emphasizing small, realistic self-care. They address why ABA is polarizing, acknowledging historical harms, punishment, and deficit-based goals, and argue ethical ABA should prioritize safety, communication, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and learner-chosen goals. Brink highlights apraxia, separating receptive from expressive language, presuming competence, community-based learning, and trusting parental intuition to leave harmful therapy and find the right “fit.”}

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👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspecialllc/

👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3FXJ0P30N2DSA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XD98iO1ekOJzKB8AjmbMFT5SvQFaevPs3HnMM5a3sRuQA01jFDzyydaDbLlghmOjd66qy3Kyoanyq4Mrlx8dRoYT8BxFDVDqvjTeeh3Ok7I4yNgCX9b6hqfC0ck8nkszhVxwj7KWnIe2uhbCFL-k4LpHDv2DB36pjedqblmGD4s_olQEymMD_6OJ-6-ZAMoAA4P5uhrsmwLiuQtw3BLWQQ.2Kj7exdzRcLqdAPom-W4FlvFJYd4rmKLl39yIWSe7Ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1751127945&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

Host Zach welcomes Australian mom, advocate, and fitness business owner Bianca Coghlan to discuss her Hyrox race experience and her life raising five-year-old Skyler, who has Dravet syndrome, a genetic epilepsy caused by a mutation that cannot be fixed with brain surgery. Bianca describes Skyler’s first seizure at three months, diagnosis at six months, frequent daily myoclonic seizures and regular tonic-clonic seizures requiring rescue medication, and the constant 24/7 supervision, hospital calls, and school challenges that keep a parent on-site. She shares the emotional reality of “grief and gratitude,” relationship and scheduling strategies with her husband Daniel, impacts on work and friendships, and the family’s safety needs. Bianca explains starting Little Sky Eyes Foundation to fund grants for Australian families, especially costly safety beds not covered by NDIS.
Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com

#specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional

👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspecialllc/

👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3FXJ0P30N2DSA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XD98iO1ekOJzKB8AjmbMFT5SvQFaevPs3HnMM5a3sRuQA01jFDzyydaDbLlghmOjd66qy3Kyoanyq4Mrlx8dRoYT8BxFDVDqvjTeeh3Ok7I4yNgCX9b6hqfC0ck8nkszhVxwj7KWnIe2uhbCFL-k4LpHDv2DB36pjedqblmGD4s_olQEymMD_6OJ-6-ZAMoAA4P5uhrsmwLiuQtw3BLWQQ.2Kj7exdzRcLqdAPom-W4FlvFJYd4rmKLl39yIWSe7Ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1751127945&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

The host interviews Kelsey Spanbauer (Family.un Doctor), clinic director of Getti Wellness, about cell danger response and why kids with autism, PANS/PANDAS, and related issues may be stuck in survival mode when their bodies don’t feel safe. Spanbauer highlights major triggers such as EMF and blue light disrupting circadian biology and mitochondrial energy, and recommends practical home changes like improving lighting, limiting screens after sunset, hardwiring internet/unplugging Wi‑Fi, flipping breakers at night, grounding, and prioritizing sunshine, sleep quality, water, and unscheduled outdoor time. She describes CDR phases (hypersensitive “animal in a cage,” then cautious repair) and emphasizes addressing safety and mitochondrial structure before aggressive detox or infection treatment, using symptoms and parental intuition to guide timing. She shares her midwifery background, her children’s Lyme/PANS-like and seizure/developmental struggles, critiques fear-based medical coercion, and outlines her clinic services and an Advanced Cell Danger Response course.

Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com

#specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional

👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspecialllc/

👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3FXJ0P30N2DSA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XD98iO1ekOJzKB8AjmbMFT5SvQFaevPs3HnMM5a3sRuQA01jFDzyydaDbLlghmOjd66qy3Kyoanyq4Mrlx8dRoYT8BxFDVDqvjTeeh3Ok7I4yNgCX9b6hqfC0ck8nkszhVxwj7KWnIe2uhbCFL-k4LpHDv2DB36pjedqblmGD4s_olQEymMD_6OJ-6-ZAMoAA4P5uhrsmwLiuQtw3BLWQQ.2Kj7exdzRcLqdAPom-W4FlvFJYd4rmKLl39yIWSe7Ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1751127945&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

On the Unspecial podcast, Annika Warley shares how her twin daughters, Hazel and Hadley (turning five), were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2 after being premature NICU babies whose missed milestones were repeatedly dismissed as prematurity. She describes SMA types, the importance of early newborn screening, and treatments that stop progression (Zolgensma, Spinraza, Evrysdi), plus a newer muscle-building drug trial she calls “muscle juice,” and how outcomes vary widely. Annika discusses the emotional waves of grief and hope, daily logistics and advocacy demands, insurance and Medicaid loss limiting therapies and equipment, fundraising for intensive “NAPA” therapy, and balancing therapy with childhood. She explains creating “House to Harmony” to build sustainable routines, meal planning, and promote accessibility and inclusion, grounding her journey in faith and encouraging parents that a diagnosis doesn’t define their child.

Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com

#specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional

👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspecialllc/

👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3FXJ0P30N2DSA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XD98iO1ekOJzKB8AjmbMFT5SvQFaevPs3HnMM5a3sRuQA01jFDzyydaDbLlghmOjd66qy3Kyoanyq4Mrlx8dRoYT8BxFDVDqvjTeeh3Ok7I4yNgCX9b6hqfC0ck8nkszhVxwj7KWnIe2uhbCFL-k4LpHDv2DB36pjedqblmGD4s_olQEymMD_6OJ-6-ZAMoAA4P5uhrsmwLiuQtw3BLWQQ.2Kj7exdzRcLqdAPom-W4FlvFJYd4rmKLl39yIWSe7Ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1751127945&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

On the Unspecial podcast, the host interviews Stephanie (awesome_insights), a mom describing her three-and-a-half-year-old son Liam’s regression and moderate-to-severe autism diagnosis as a survival story and critique of a “broken system.” Stephanie shares her own diagnoses (OCPD and bipolar), how they fuel intense research and advocacy, and why she believes Liam wasn’t born with autism, citing a detailed medical timeline: forceps delivery, infant jaundice, early formula use, repeated high-volume vaccine visits (including eight shots in one day), frequent Tylenol, daily Zyrtec, multiple ear infections, five antibiotic rounds in 11 months, ear tubes, and several anesthesia events (including MRI/cyst removal). She reports Liam’s apraxia-like motor/speech struggles, progress after “supporting his body,” biomed-style testing (OAT, neurotransmitters) showing clostridia/yeast markers and high dopamine, and current plans focused on diet changes, vitamin deficiencies, and fecal loading treatment.


Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com

#specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional

👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspecialllc/

👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3FXJ0P30N2DSA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XD98iO1ekOJzKB8AjmbMFT5SvQFaevPs3HnMM5a3sRuQA01jFDzyydaDbLlghmOjd66qy3Kyoanyq4Mrlx8dRoYT8BxFDVDqvjTeeh3Ok7I4yNgCX9b6hqfC0ck8nkszhVxwj7KWnIe2uhbCFL-k4LpHDv2DB36pjedqblmGD4s_olQEymMD_6OJ-6-ZAMoAA4P5uhrsmwLiuQtw3BLWQQ.2Kj7exdzRcLqdAPom-W4FlvFJYd4rmKLl39yIWSe7Ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1751127945&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

Host Zach interviews Lucia Silver, founder of the Brain Health Movement, arguing that modern life profits from nervous system dysregulation driven by the attention economy, ultra-processed food, fear-based media, and downstream symptom-management in medicine. Silver reframes anxiety, ADHD/autism-like behaviors, and burnout as biological alarm signals rather than character flaws, emphasizing co-regulation and the parent’s nervous system as foundational. She shares her son Quinn’s severe decline—ticks, anxiety, rages, school refusal, and a seizure—alongside medical dismissal, leading her to study root causes such as birth interventions/trauma, primitive reflexes, gut inflammation, immune dysfunction, mold, and PANS/PANDAS; Quinn is now largely asymptomatic. Silver outlines a sequenced “whole child” roadmap (stabilize nervous system, then energy/mitochondria, then total load) and promotes her course, free masterclass, and support resources at thebrainhealthmovement.com.

Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com

#specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional

👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspecialllc/

👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3FXJ0P30N2DSA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XD98iO1ekOJzKB8AjmbMFT5SvQFaevPs3HnMM5a3sRuQA01jFDzyydaDbLlghmOjd66qy3Kyoanyq4Mrlx8dRoYT8BxFDVDqvjTeeh3Ok7I4yNgCX9b6hqfC0ck8nkszhVxwj7KWnIe2uhbCFL-k4LpHDv2DB36pjedqblmGD4s_olQEymMD_6OJ-6-ZAMoAA4P5uhrsmwLiuQtw3BLWQQ.2Kj7exdzRcLqdAPom-W4FlvFJYd4rmKLl39yIWSe7Ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1751127945&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

On the Young Special Podcast, host interviews Brooke Wagner, owner of Therapeutic Approach to Growth (TAG) and host of the “Finding Hope on the Spectrum” podcast, about her 25+ years in autism services and how the field has shifted from traditional discrete trial drills toward presuming competence and more meaningful, child-focused supports. Wagner explains ABA as a science of shaping behavior and describes TAG’s naturalistic, play-based model that emphasizes internal motivation over token systems and external reinforcers. She details Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) as a parent-empowering, family-focused approach centered on building a guiding relationship, quality of life, and connection through strategies like declarative communication. They discuss collaboration challenges with schools, funding sources (regional centers, insurance, districts), concerns about private equity in ABA, her podcast’s goal of sharing overlooked resources, and her message to parents to keep hope and set a clear vision for their child’s future.

Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com

#specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional

👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspecialllc/

👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3FXJ0P30N2DSA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XD98iO1ekOJzKB8AjmbMFT5SvQFaevPs3HnMM5a3sRuQA01jFDzyydaDbLlghmOjd66qy3Kyoanyq4Mrlx8dRoYT8BxFDVDqvjTeeh3Ok7I4yNgCX9b6hqfC0ck8nkszhVxwj7KWnIe2uhbCFL-k4LpHDv2DB36pjedqblmGD4s_olQEymMD_6OJ-6-ZAMoAA4P5uhrsmwLiuQtw3BLWQQ.2Kj7exdzRcLqdAPom-W4FlvFJYd4rmKLl39yIWSe7Ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1751127945&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

Host Zach interviews Lucia Silver, founder of the Brain Health Movement, arguing that modern life profits from nervous system dysregulation driven by the attention economy, ultra-processed food, fear-based media, and downstream symptom-management in medicine. Silver reframes anxiety, ADHD/autism-like behaviors, and burnout as biological alarm signals rather than character flaws, emphasizing co-regulation and the parent’s nervous system as foundational. She shares her son Quinn’s severe decline—ticks, anxiety, rages, school refusal, and a seizure—alongside medical dismissal, leading her to study root causes such as birth interventions/trauma, primitive reflexes, gut inflammation, immune dysfunction, mold, and PANS/PANDAS; Quinn is now largely asymptomatic. Silver outlines a sequenced “whole child” roadmap (stabilize nervous system, then energy/mitochondria, then total load) and promotes her course, free masterclass, and support resources at thebrainhealthmovement.com.

Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com

#specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional

👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspecialllc/

👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3FXJ0P30N2DSA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XD98iO1ekOJzKB8AjmbMFT5SvQFaevPs3HnMM5a3sRuQA01jFDzyydaDbLlghmOjd66qy3Kyoanyq4Mrlx8dRoYT8BxFDVDqvjTeeh3Ok7I4yNgCX9b6hqfC0ck8nkszhVxwj7KWnIe2uhbCFL-k4LpHDv2DB36pjedqblmGD4s_olQEymMD_6OJ-6-ZAMoAA4P5uhrsmwLiuQtw3BLWQQ.2Kj7exdzRcLqdAPom-W4FlvFJYd4rmKLl39yIWSe7Ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1751127945&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1

Nicole Renovo (Autism_Our_Story), an autism mom and host of the Autism Our Story podcast, joins the Unspecial podcast to discuss her advocacy for non-speaking autistic people and spellers. She shares how her podcast began as a way to learn while serving others, the burnout she experienced, and why hearing directly from spellers is powerful advocacy that challenges assumptions about intelligence and awareness.

Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com

#specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney #specialneedskids #interview #truth #emotional

👉 For more personal content, check us our on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unspecialllc/

👉 If you haven't yet, make sure you read Special Dayz, a book about Zack's special education journey: https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3FXJ0P30N2DSA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XD98iO1ekOJzKB8AjmbMFT5SvQFaevPs3HnMM5a3sRuQA01jFDzyydaDbLlghmOjd66qy3Kyoanyq4Mrlx8dRoYT8BxFDVDqvjTeeh3Ok7I4yNgCX9b6hqfC0ck8nkszhVxwj7KWnIe2uhbCFL-k4LpHDv2DB36pjedqblmGD4s_olQEymMD_6OJ-6-ZAMoAA4P5uhrsmwLiuQtw3BLWQQ.2Kj7exdzRcLqdAPom-W4FlvFJYd4rmKLl39yIWSe7Ls&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1751127945&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1