Advertise on podcast: Brave Together Podcast: Support and Community for Caregiving Parents

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to episode #271, a Thriving Neurodivergent Adult episode, where we hear directly from neurodivergent adults about their experiences, perspectives, and the insights they can share with our community of caregiving moms. Today, Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with Sunita Theiss, a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD mom raising neurodivergent children. Sunita shares her journey toward understanding her own neurodivergence, including the cultural expectations and attitudes that shaped how she viewed disability and diagnosis. She discusses what it was like navigating the diagnostic process for herself and her children, and how greater self-understanding has influenced her approach to parenting. Together, Jessica, Susanna, and Sunita explore PDA, commonly referred to as Pathological Demand Avoidance or Persistent Drive for Autonomy, and why understanding a child's need for autonomy can change the way we respond to challenging moments. They discuss parenting strategies that emphasize flexibility, collaboration, and connection rather than rigid expectations. Sunita also reflects on the importance of creating genuinely inclusive spaces for neurodivergent families, particularly in schools, churches, and other community settings. She shares how her own experiences have influenced her career, her advocacy, and her commitment to storytelling as a way to create greater understanding. Throughout the conversation, they return to the importance of self-compassion, vulnerability, and allowing ourselves to be imperfect. Parenting neurodivergent children while navigating your own neurodivergence can bring unique challenges, but it can also create opportunities for deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and personal growth. Sunita offers a particularly meaningful reminder for caregiving moms: You don't have to be perfect. You can make mistakes, repair, learn, and keep showing up for your children. Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis, raising neurodivergent children, or discovering more about yourself along the way, this conversation is a reminder that understanding and acceptance can begin with giving ourselves permission to be human. We see you, and we love you! We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving moms. Find more here. Find more information about Sunita Theiss here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Bravies! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ask us anything! In this Ask Us Anything episode, #270, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe are responding to the following listener question: “What makes us angry as caregivers?” Today, we're talking about something many caregiving moms experience but don't always feel comfortable expressing: anger. Women are often taught that anger is something to suppress, hide, or apologize for. But what happens when you're navigating the relentless demands of caregiving, fighting for services and support, and confronting systems that repeatedly fail your family? Sometimes anger is not only understandable, but a completely appropriate response to injustice. Jessica, Susanna, and Dr. Zoe explore the many layers of anger, including how it can mask fear or sadness, how it can turn inward as self-criticism, and how it can also become a powerful motivator for advocacy and change. They share personal experiences with systemic barriers, dismissive comments, and the emotional exhaustion that comes from constantly having to explain or defend their children's needs. They also discuss practical ways to recognize and express anger in healthy ways, from identifying what your anger is telling you to finding physical outlets, practicing self-compassion, and connecting with people who understand. And importantly, they remind us that anger doesn't have to be something we fix or eliminate. Sometimes it's a signal that something needs to change, a boundary has been crossed, or an injustice deserves our attention. If you've ever felt guilty for being angry, struggled to express your frustration, or wondered whether you're the only mom who feels this way, this conversation is for you. Your anger doesn't make you a bad mom. It makes you human. Keep the vulnerable conversations coming. We're here to support you! We see you, and we love you! We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving moms. Find more information about Rise here.  Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe here.  Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today’s Story episode, #269. These are true stories from a moment in the life of someone connected to the caregiving experience. We hear a crafted story, and then have a conversation with our guest that goes deeper into their experience. Today, Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with Sheena Brevig, who shares her experience growing up with a disabled brother and what it has meant to navigate life as a sibling, or "sib." For many sibs, their family experience is simply what they've always known. But as they grow older, they may begin to recognize how their sibling's disability has shaped their identity, relationships, responsibilities, and understanding of themselves. Sheena reflects on the cultural expectations surrounding family and caregiving, the complicated emotions that can come with being a sib, and the importance of having language to describe experiences that often go unspoken. Together, they explore how therapy, self-reflection, and storytelling can help siblings better understand their experiences. Sheena also discusses the power of representation in films like Wonder and how seeing sibling experiences reflected in stories can offer validation and connection. Jessica, Susanna, and Sheena also discuss what caregiving moms can do to support all of their children, including making space for difficult emotions, encouraging independence, and allowing siblings to develop identities beyond their roles within the family. Perhaps most importantly, Sheena reminds us that siblings don't have to feel grateful or positive about every part of their experience. They can love their brother or sister deeply while also acknowledging that some parts of growing up with disability in the family are difficult. For the sibs listening, your feelings are valid, your story matters, and you are not alone. And for the caregiving moms raising multiple children, this conversation offers an opportunity to better understand and support the sibling experience. We see you, and we love you! We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving moms. Find more information about Rise here.  Follow Sheena Brevig on social media here. Follow Sib as a Human here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today’s Expert episode, #268, with Richard Spurling. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving moms. Today, Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with Richard Spurling, founder of ACEing Autism, to talk about creating inclusive opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent children through tennis. Richard shares how ACEing Autism began, how the organization has grown, and what he has learned from years of adapting tennis instruction to meet children where they are. What may begin as learning how to hold a racket or hit a ball can also create opportunities to develop motor skills, body awareness, confidence, social skills, and connection. They also explore what it takes to build a truly inclusive sports program—from recruiting and training volunteers to making programs financially accessible and creating an environment where children with different needs and abilities can participate. But the community doesn't end on the tennis court. Richard discusses the relationships that develop between families, the role of parent support networks, and why programs like ACEing Autism can offer families something that extends far beyond the sport itself. Richard also shares some of the children whose progress has stayed with him, the organization's plans for continued expansion, and his ambitious goal of reaching 500 programs by 2030. Whether your child already loves sports or you've wondered whether there is a place where they could comfortably participate, this conversation is a reminder of what can happen when we adapt the opportunity to the child instead of asking the child to adapt to the opportunity. We see you, and we love you! We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving moms. Find more about ACEing Autism here.  Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Today we have a special collaboration episode with Sarah Trott and Esther Gallagher of the Fourth Trimester Podcast, hosted by Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell. We spend so much time preparing for pregnancy and birth, but what about everything that happens after the baby arrives? Sarah and Esther join Jessica and Susanna for a conversation about the fourth trimester and why postpartum support deserves far more attention than it often receives. They explore the physical and emotional changes that happen after birth, the concept of matrescence, and why postpartum isn't necessarily a short period that ends after a few weeks or months. They also discuss the role of postpartum doulas and other support professionals, the importance of building a support system before it's needed, and the ways community and extended family can affect maternal mental health and well-being. The conversation looks beyond individual families, too. Sarah and Esther discuss barriers to accessing postpartum care, gaps in birth and postpartum education, the role of medical professionals, and the systemic changes needed to better support mothers and families. They also explore what we can learn from cultures and traditions that have historically treated postpartum recovery as a time when mothers should be cared for rather than expected to immediately return to normal. For caregiving moms, this conversation also raises an important question: What happens when an already challenging postpartum season includes medical complexities, disabilities, or other unexpected needs? Jessica, Susanna, Sarah, and Esther discuss the importance of education, advocacy, community, and creating systems of support that recognize the needs of the whole family. Whether you're preparing for postpartum, reflecting on your own experience, or looking for ways we can better care for mothers during this enormous life transition, this conversation is a reminder that support shouldn't be a luxury. We see you, and we love you! We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving moms. Find more info on Rise Educational Advocacy here.  Find more on The Fourth Trimester podcast here.  Subscribe to The Fourth Trimester podcast here.  Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ask us anything! In this Ask Us Anything episode, #266, we’re responding to the question: “I can speak for a lot of us moms out here. We are stretched to capacity, stretched so thin, and have no margin for anything unexpected. And yet the unexpected is inevitable. Help!” Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe are talking about capacity—what it actually means, how we know when we’ve reached ours, and why caregiving moms so often find themselves living with absolutely nothing left in reserve. Together, they unpack the difference between capacity and margin: capacity is the limit of what we can handle, while margin is the space we leave between our daily load and that limit. And for caregivers, that margin can disappear quickly. Between parenting, appointments, work, household responsibilities, relationships, advocacy, and the endless mental load, overwhelm can start to feel like the default. Jessica, Susanna, and Dr. Zoe get honest about the expectations women and mothers place on themselves, people pleasing, overachieving, and the pressure to prove our worth through how much we can accomplish. They challenge the idea that being a loving, devoted caregiver means endlessly sacrificing yourself—and offer the important reminder that your capacity is not a measure of your devotion. They also share practical ways they’ve learned to protect their own capacity: creating personal rules and boundaries, questioning the things we tell ourselves we “have to” do, being more intentional about our yeses, letting messages wait, and recognizing that not everything on our plates carries the same emotional weight. Sometimes creating margin means asking yourself a deceptively simple question: Do I actually have to do this? And yes, setting boundaries can feel scary. People may be disappointed. We may fear judgment or rejection. But the people who truly love and support us can respect our boundaries—and what initially feels frightening may ultimately create freedom. This conversation is your permission to pause, take inventory of everything you’re carrying, and consider what you might be able to put down. Keep the vulnerable questions coming. We’re here to support you! We see you, and we love you. We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving moms. Find more information about Rise here.  Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe here.  Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's Expert episode, #265, with Dr. Sundeep Dugar. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents. In this episode, Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with Dr. Sundeep Dugar to explore the science behind caregiver stress, exhaustion, and burnout—and what is actually happening inside our bodies when our energy reserves are continually depleted. Dr. Dugar explains why energy is fundamental to virtually everything our bodies do and takes us down to the cellular level to understand mitochondria, the powerhouses responsible for producing the energy our bodies need to function. Together, they explore how the constant physical, mental, and emotional demands of caregiving affect that energy supply and why caregivers can find themselves running on empty. The conversation also looks at the ways our energy reserves change as we age and how sleep, nutrition, and exercise can support energy production and resilience. Dr. Dugar explains the critical role of sleep in allowing both the brain and body to recover, including why our sleep cycles and REM sleep matter. Using the analogy of energy as a bank account, Dr. Dugar helps Jessica and Susanna examine what happens when caregivers continually make withdrawals without enough opportunities to replenish their reserves. They discuss practical strategies caregivers can use to make those important “deposits” and better support their bodies through the ongoing demands of caregiving. This conversation offers a fascinating look at caregiver burnout from the inside out—and a reminder that caring for our own health and energy isn't separate from caregiving. It's part of what allows us to keep going. We see you, and we love you! We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving moms. Find more information about Rise here.  Find out more about Dr. Dugar and Blue Oak NX here. Follow Dr. Dugar on social media here.  Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussions of suicide, eating disorders, pedophilia, self harm, and sex trafficking. Please take care while listening and skip any portions that may be difficult for you. Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's Expert episode, #264, with Julie Scelfo, journalist and founder of Mothers Against Media Addiction. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents. In this episode, Susanna Peace Lovell and Jessica Patay sit down with Julie to discuss the growing impact of social media, artificial intelligence, and addictive technology on the mental health, safety, and well-being of children and teens. Julie explains how algorithms and platform design can keep young people engaged while exposing them to harmful content, and why the responsibility for keeping kids safe online cannot fall entirely on parents. She discusses the similarities she sees between the tech industry and other industries that have profited from addictive products, and why she believes stronger accountability and regulation are urgently needed. The conversation also explores the mission behind Mothers Against Media Addiction and the growing movement of parents advocating for safer technology. Julie shares why protecting children requires more than parental controls and individual family rules—it requires systemic change and digital environments that are safe for kids by design. Together, Julie, Susanna, and Jessica discuss legislative and policy efforts, the responsibility of technology companies, and practical ways parents can become more aware and engaged while navigating an online landscape that continues to evolve rapidly. This conversation is an important reminder that parents shouldn't have to fight this battle alone. Creating a healthier digital world for children will require informed families, collective advocacy, industry accountability, and meaningful policy reform. We see you, and we love you! We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving moms. Find more information about Rise here.  Find more about Julie Scelfo here.  Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's Story episode, #263. These are true stories from a moment in the life of a caregiving parent. We hear a crafted story, and then have a conversation with our guest that goes deeper into their experience. In this episode, Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with Nikki McIntosh, rare disease mom, advocate, author, and founder of Rare Mamas, to talk about her journey raising her son Miles, who has spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA. Nikki shares the early days of knowing something wasn't right, the persistence it took to push for answers, and how becoming an advocate for her son ultimately changed the direction of her own life. She opens up about the realities of caregiving, navigating school and community, and learning when to protect her time and energy by setting boundaries. Jessica, Susanna, and Nikki also talk about something caregiving moms often struggle to prioritize: themselves. Nikki shares how exhaustion and overwhelm led her to become more intentional about self-care, why she now considers it a non-negotiable, and what it looks like to prioritize peace while still carrying the responsibilities of caregiving. They also explore Nikki's journey to creating Rare Mamas and becoming an author, including how writing gave her a way to process her experiences, turn pain into purpose, and use her own story to support other families navigating rare disease. This conversation is a reminder that advocating fiercely for our children and caring for ourselves don't have to be opposing goals. Nikki encourages fellow caregiving moms to keep pushing for answers, protect their energy, use their gifts to serve others, and make room for joy and peace along the way. We see you, and we love you! Find more information about Nikki McIntosh here.  Find Nikki’s book, Rare Mamas here.  Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ask us anything! In this Ask Us Anything episode, #262, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe are responding to the question: “Hi Bravies! How do I find my purpose when my whole life revolves around caregiving? I am a single mom and I do not have respite caregivers or family to help me out.” When caregiving requires nearly everything you have, where is the space to figure out who you are or what gives your life purpose outside of being a mom? Jessica, Susanna, and Dr. Zoe talk honestly about identity, purpose, and the very different seasons of a caregiving life. They acknowledge the grief that can come with losing a career, freedom, spontaneity, or a version of yourself you thought you would get to be—and why those feelings deserve compassion rather than judgment. Together, they challenge the idea that purpose is something we have to go out and “find.” Instead, purpose can be formed through the way we live our lives right now. Living in alignment with our values, finding small moments of meaning and calm, and staying connected to ourselves can matter even when our circumstances leave very little room for anything beyond caregiving. They also discuss the importance of community and connection, practical tools for supporting mental health, and how thinking about future seasons can create hope without requiring us to pretend our present circumstances are easy. Most importantly, this conversation makes room for the reality behind the listener’s question: not every caregiving mom has respite, family support, time, or the ability to simply “do something for herself.” Finding purpose shouldn't become one more impossible task on an already overwhelming list. Your purpose doesn't have to be a destination, a career, a passion project, or something separate from the life you're living. It can evolve as your circumstances change—and so can you. Keep the vulnerable questions coming. We’re here to support you. We see you, and we love you! We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving moms. Find more about Rise here.  Resources mentioned in this episode: Calm App, Values Bridge by Susie Welch Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe here.  Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast! Brave Together Podcast is the podcast of We Are Brave Together, a nonprofit supporting moms of children with disabilities, neurodivergence, medical complexities, mental health struggles, and all forms of unique needs. Your hosts Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe bring their professional expertise, lived experiences, and years of caregiving motherhood to honest conversations created to help you feel seen, supported, encouraged, and less alone. This season, we’re continuing the conversations you’ve come to know and love: Story episodes featuring the real experiences of caregiving moms; Expert episodes exploring topics that impact you and your family; Thriving Disabled and Neurodivergent Adult episodes offering invaluable insight into the lived experiences of disabled adults; and Ask Us Anything episodes, where Jessica, Susanna, and Dr. Zoe dig into the questions you send our way. Season 11 will explore everything from caregiver burnout, self-care, relationships, and advocacy to disability, mental health, navigating our kids’ needs, and the complicated, beautiful, exhausting realities of caregiving. We are so honored that Brave Together Podcast continues to grow alongside this extraordinary community of brave moms around the world, including through UK Health Radio. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re just finding us now, welcome. We are so glad you’re here. And we want YOU to be part of the conversation. Submit your stories through our website, call into our SpeakPipe through the link in the show notes and leave us your questions, or connect with us on Instagram and YouTube @wearebravetogether. Your questions and experiences help shape the conversations we have here. You can also find full episodes and more from Brave Together Podcast on YouTube. And if this podcast has made you feel seen, supported, or a little less alone, please rate and review the show and share it with your friends and fellow caregiving moms. Every share helps us reach another brave mom who may need this community. We are incredibly grateful to Rise Educational Advocacy for sponsoring Season 11 of Brave Together Podcast and for supporting our mission to strengthen and encourage caregiving families. At Brave Together Podcast, we offer you community and remind you every chance we get: you are strong, capable, and definitely not alone. We see you, and we love you. Welcome to Season 11! Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe here.  Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here. Donate to keep this podcast going here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram or on Facebook. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected] If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #224, with Amanda Griffith-Atkins. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents.  On this episode Amanda Griffith-Atkins joins us to discuss the inspiration behind her book, 'How to Handle More Than You Can Handle: Raising a Disabled Child Without Losing Yourself.' In our conversation, she emphasizes the importance of self-care, compassion, and the emotional experiences of parents in similar situations. Her book serves as a companion for parents navigating the challenges of raising children with disabilities, offering insights and support for their emotional well-being. Amanda Griffith-Atkins is a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Amanda Atkins Counseling Group in Chicago. Amanda is also an in-demand speaker, author, and guest lecturer. Amanda’s book is available anywhere books or audiobooks are sold.  Find more information about Amanda Griffith-Atkins here.  And if you’d like to hear MORE episodes with Amanda, find them here: Ep 144 Flexibility is Key and Ep 211 EXPERT: When You Wish Your Kid Had a Different Diagnosis Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe here.  Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ask us anything. In this Ask Us Anything episode, #245, we’re responding to the question: “Hi Dr. Zoe, Susanna and Jessica, I was wondering if you could shed light on us parents who will NOT BE EMPTY-NESTERS? I am struggling right now because I see friends who are so free and spontaneous and honestly, I am envious. As you guys always say, the grief buttons are getting pushed again. Thanks.” In this conversation, Susanna Peace Lovell, Dr. Zoe Shaw, and Jessica Patay talk honestly about what it means to be a “forever nester”—a caregiver who may never experience the traditional empty nest. They define what empty nest and forever nest can look like, while also acknowledging that it’s not always a simple either/or; there are many unknowns, in-between seasons, and times when adult children launch and then return home. Together, they name the complicated mix of emotions that arise when friends are traveling, retiring, or enjoying spontaneous freedom, while caregiving parents are still managing high-support needs, sleep deprivation, food vigilance, and constant responsibility. Jessica and Zoe share candidly about life with children who have Prader-Willi syndrome and the relentless focus on food and safety; Susanna reflects on lifelong rigidity, shame, and a longing to be more spontaneous. They speak to grief as cyclical, normal, and deeply human—especially when future dreams like travel, retirement, or hands-on grandparenting feel uncertain or out of reach. The hosts also offer hope and reframes: the power of naming longings out loud, seeking pockets of “empty nest cosplay” (brief moments of freedom and joy), practicing radical acceptance of the life you’re living, and being intentional about creating memories and glimmers of joy right now. They remind listeners that wanting freedom, rest, and space is not selfish—it’s human—and encourage caregivers to seek support when resentment or grief feels overwhelming. Keep the questions coming—we’re here to support you. Whether you’re a parent to a child with complex medical, developmental, or mental health needs, or someone supporting a caregiving family, we would love to hear from you. We see you, and we love you. Leave us a message here. Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe here.  Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! I'm so excited for our very first Thriving Disabled Adults episode, #187. This is a new episode that we are doing for Season 7 of Brave Together Parenting Podcast, and our first guest is a radiant soul. I could feel his energy and his vibrance, just reading about him. So I cannot wait for you to hear this conversation with Cam Calkoen.Cam Calkoen is from New Zealand and he says that his life, defined by cerebral palsy, ambition and service above self, embodies resilience and determination. He defied expectations by mastering running and speaking, achievements once deemed impossible for him. Cam is thrilled to share his journey on Brave Together Parenting, celebrating his parents nurturing and his own mindset as he prepares for parenthood himself.Cam's story reflects values of courage and limitless potential as a full professional, inspirational speaker. He delivers a powerful message worldwide, inspiring others to surpass perceived limits and embrace their unique abilities. Please enjoy my conversation with Cam Calkoen. Find out more about Cam Calkoen here.Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's BONUS episode. Our guest is care advocate and author, Elissa Strauss, who has a fantastic new book called When You Care, The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others. This conversation was about such an important topic that I invited author, activist and fellow caregiving mom, Kelley Coleman to co-host with me. And together we explore the powerful role caring for others plays in our individual and communal lives with Elissa Strauss who in her book weaves together research about care and stories from parents and caregivers with a feminist bent. Elissa Strauss has been writing about the politics and culture of parenting and caregiving for more than 15 years. Her work appears in publications like The Atlantic, The New York Times, Glamour, Elle, and elsewhere. And she was a former contributing writer at CNN.com and Slate, where her cultural criticism about motherhood appeared on XX. Her book, When You Care, The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others, is out now from Gallery Bugs.  Please enjoy this critical and important conversation.  Thanks so much for listening! Find Elissa Strauss and her book, When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others here. Find Kelley Coleman and her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here. Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here.  Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.  JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.  Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.  Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.  Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer