Wild Peace for Parents: Stories of Hope & Inspiration

“What would happen if we told the truth about our lives?” In this final episode of season 1, Liesl Moldow shares her real, raw, and incredibly inspiring parenting journey. When Liesl graduated from business school, she had plans to change the world. She had no idea how her parenting experience would set her on a different – and vastly more meaningful – course. Liesl and her husband Charles have four kids, one who was born with acute special health care needs. The stress of caregiving nearly brought Liesl to her knees. Her path of self-discovery, along with her other daughter’s alarming struggles with anxiety, spurred her to do something to make a difference. Liesl co-founded a nonprofit, called Safe Space, to empower young people to change the conversation around mental health issues. In this refreshingly transparent conversation, we talk about crushing stigma, a new approach to supporting emotional wellbeing, and how caring for yourself as a parent can make the biggest impact.

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Today we shine a light on what it’s like to be a father on an unexpected parenting journey. Dads need support too, but their needs are different. My guest, the earnest and amazing Louis Mendoza, runs the Washington State Father’s Network, which connects fathers of kids with special healthcare needs with each other so they can talk about their experiences, share resources, and develop a sense of camaraderie. We also learn all about a workshop Louis conducts called “Telling Your Story with a Purpose” which helps fathers craft an “elevator pitch” of their story with the aim of influencing someone – be it a legislator, teacher, therapist… or other target – to mobilize on the behalf of their child and others. This is a fundamental skill that every parent or caregiver can hone to become a more effective advocate. Father voices seem to be under-represented when it comes to advocacy and Louis is on the move to bring them OUT, which ultimately benefits our kids (and provides a bit of expressive therapy for the dads in our lives). Can’t wait for you to hear this one.

For shownotes and resources mentioned, visit:

https://www.wildpeace.org/podcast-1

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Deborah Sweet is the biological, adoptive and foster mama of (at last count) six kids. In our conversation she shares insights into her journey - raising multiple kiddos who have complex needs ranging from Autism to Reactive Attachment Disorder and a whole alphabet of diagnoses and differences in between. We talk about how Deb ended up having so many children in her family - and why. Deb speaks openly about what it’s like to live in her home, how she makes each day feel more manageable, and how she chooses to open her heart even in the face of fear and extreme challenges. Her positivity and practical advice will cause you to think about a new normal in a new light.

In this episode we dig into why IEP meetings are so emotionally charged and mom Karen Kiecker shares her special education journey. Karen delved into the role of advocate when she serendipitously lost her job at the same time as her daughter’s academic struggles hit an all-time high. We discuss how she crammed to understand her basic legal rights, forged alliances at school, prepared for meetings, and contained her emotions so she could get the services her three kids with learning differences needed to thrive in the system.

Kimber knew in her gut that something about her daughter was 'off'. After a long process of discovery - which included a doctor proclaiming Kate would never walk, MRIs, EEGs, and a move to El Salvador - she learned Kate has Spastic Dysplasia, a condition that comes with a mix of physical and mental challenges but no clear answers. Undaunted, Kimber dealt with the issues at hand and created a world where her daughter and her whole family could thrive. Kimber shares everything from that very alone feeling of hearing an unexpected diagnosis “when all the ‘what-if’s’ of the world come down upon you,” to how her passion for outdoor adventure and life abroad opened her eyes to a world of possibility. Regardless of how your own child (or a child in your life) struggles, Kimber’s story will give you tears, make you laugh, and leave you uplifted.

Mental health challenges don’t just affect the child who is struggling, they affect the whole family. For siblings, the experience can be confusing, upsetting, and even traumatic. Emily Rubin is the Director of Sibling Support at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, which works with hospitals and other agencies to address the needs of siblings and parents of children with mental health, developmental and special health needs. In our conversation, Emily explains the many emotions siblings experience when their brother or sister is struggling and describes the various ways that siblings might respond. She offers strategies that parents can use to support their other children so they can cope and adjust in the best possible way.

When Lisa Lambert’s son began showing signs of significant mental health needs at age 7, she was catapulted into a world of complexity she had never known. Today, Lisa is the Director of the Parent/Professional Advocacy League of Massachusetts. In this conversation, we discuss how her parenting journey transformed her from a young woman with social anxiety to a dedicated advocate for systemic improvement. As Lisa gives us a peek into her own experience, she shares her best advice for other parents whose kids are struggling with mental health. We talk about finding services, facing stigma, and more. She also reveals some of the fascinating findings of her organization’s parent surveys and how she and her team at PPAL are harnessing the lived-experience of parents to change policies and practices that will improve the lives of other families.

For show notes including resources mentioned, visit: https://www.wildpeace.org/podcast-1

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In this episode, I speak with Dr. Reva Tankle, whose impressive career path was serendipitously shaped by her own parenting experience. We talk about how her son’s struggles led her to become a special education advocate and later a pediatric neuropsychologist. Her unique mix of skills makes her a valuable resource for parents who are trying to understand how their child’s mind works and how to navigate the IEP (special education) process. As Reva offers insights into the benefits of neuropsych evaluations as well as working with an advocate, she weaves in some of the most important lessons she learned on her own journey - and offers hope for others.

In this episode, Gladys Richter openly shares what her son, who happens to be non-verbal living with autism, has taught her about the beauty of human connection, hard work, and faith. Gladys is a single mother of two boys who moved to the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico. When her son Gaby was first diagnosed, she thought he had a disease. As she began to adjust to life turned upside down, she discovered he had deep and majestic lessons to offer. Today, Gladys is working to educate others in her community about autism to empower parents and diminish stigma.

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When Pamela discovered her son had learning and attentional issues and her daughter had developmental differences, she found a new way to use her PhD in physics. Her practical way of looking at the world helped her appreciate and encourage her kids’ strengths – and accept them for being themselves. In this thoughtful conversation, Pamela reflects on her naiveté at the beginning of her parenting journey and describes how her experience transformed her life. Her refreshing nuggets of advice and perspective on neuro- differences will inspire any frustrated parent or caregiver to try a new lens.

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For shownotes and resources mentioned, visit: