Brave Together Podcast: Support and Community for Caregiving Moms

Latest Episodes:

STORY: Exploring Shame in Caregiving with Jennifer Iannuzzi Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #213. 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 guests that goes deeper into their experience.

In this episode of the Brave Together Parenting Podcast, host Jessica Patay welcomes Jennifer Iannuzzi, LCSW, a mother and Connection Circle leader, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of parenting a child with unique needs. Jennifer shares her personal journey, including her daughter's diagnosis of Smith-Magenis syndrome, and the impact it has had on her family. The conversation delves into the feelings of shame and guilt that caregivers often experience, the importance of support and validation, and how to transform shame into empowerment.

Find Jennifer Iannuzzi here.

Find Jennifer Iannuzzi’s Blog here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.

This episode was sponsored by Rise Educational Advocacy.

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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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!

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ASK US ANYTHING: How to Unplug from Hyper-Vigilant Caregiving Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

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, #212, we are responding to the question, How do I unplug from constant hyper-vigilance in my caregiving?

In this conversation, Jessica, Zoe, and Susanna explore the theme of hypervigilance in parenting, particularly in the context of caring for children with any and all disabilities. They discuss the emotional toll of being constantly alert and the importance of recognizing this state as a protective response. The trio shares personal experiences and insights on how motherhood has evolved for them, highlighting the unexpected gifts that come with parenting. They also delve into practical strategies for managing hypervigilance, including grounding techniques and the necessity of self-compassion. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the importance of support and understanding within the caregiving community.

Keep the questions coming, we’re here to support you! Whether you have questions as a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs or you’re someone looking to support a care-giving parent, 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 Shaw here.

Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.

This episode was sponsored by Rise Educational Advocacy.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.

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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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!

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EXPERT: When You Wish Your Kid Had a Different Diagnosis with Amanda Griffith-Atkins Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #211. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents.

Our guest today is LMFT Amanda Griffith-Atkins, who is another Brave PWS mom as well as an author with a book coming out in June! Hooray! Her book is called How to Handle More Than You Can Handle: Caregiving for Yourself While Raising a Disabled Child.We’ve had Amanda on before too, so if you want to hear more from her we’ll link to that episode, #144, and, of course, we encourage you to pre-order her book, using the link above.

On this episode, we will be focusing on those understandable times when we catch ourselves wishing our child had a different diagnosis and comparing our caregiving challenges to other parent’s challenges. It’s so common, so understandable and as you’ll hear, we ALL find ourselves there from time to time, so it’s nothing to feel shame about. Our discussion highlights how navigating these feelings can ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and one's parenting journey.

Find Amanda on IG here and here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.

This episode was sponsored by Rise Educational Advocacy.

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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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!

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STORY: I Was Afraid No One Would Believe Me with Lindsay Hooten Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #210. 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 guests that goes deeper into their experience.

Today we hear from one of our amazing connection circle leaders, Lindsay Hooten, whose son was diagnosed with autism in 2022. She opens up in this episode about why it took her YEARS to share about her child’s diagnosis.

In this episode, Lindsay shares her personal journey of finding her voice and the importance and power of sharing her story. She discusses the significance of radical acceptance, the complicated sibling experience, and the need for a supportive community that gets it. Lindsay also addresses the challenges of navigating relationships and the losses that can occur when sharing about her child's diagnosis.

Connect with Lindsay Hooten here.

So You Want to Be A Connection Circle Leader (Info Sheet).

Connection Leader Application (Form).

Find What Siblings Need here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find full episodes from Season 7 and highlight clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.

This episode was sponsored by Rise Educational Advocacy.

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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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!

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ASK US ANYTHING: The Words We Say: I Struggle with Anxiety vs. I Am Mentally Ill Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

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, #209, we are responding to the question, How do we help our children feel empowered instead of defeated by their mental health diagnosis?

In this conversation co-hosts Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw explore the importance of language in shaping self-perception and mental health. They discuss how different identities can be embraced and the power of affirmations in fostering a positive self-image. The conversation also touches on the challenges of discussing mental health with our kids in the context of social media and ways we can help them see themselves as whole human beings first.

Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here.

Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.

Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here.

This episode was sponsored by Rise Educational Advocacy and YogaSix Rolling Hills: mention you heard this ad at YogaSix and get a free week of classes at the YogaSix Rolling Hills, CA studio location.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.

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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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!

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THRIVING DISABLED ADULTS: The Poetic Travels of a Disabled Inclusive Educator with Nicole Demos Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

Hello Brave Friends! On this Thriving Disabled Adults episode, #208, we are speaking to Thriving Disabled Adult, Nicole Demos.

In this conversation, Susanna Peace Lovell interviews Nicole (Nix) Demos, who shares about her journey growing up in Greece in the 1970’s with cerebral palsy. She also generously shares her experiences being rejected and embraced by different cultures, living in various countries, and her evolution into an inclusive educator. She discusses the challenges she faced in accessing care and support, the power of poetry as a means of expression, and the importance of relationships in navigating her disability. Nix emphasizes the need for advocacy and understanding in society, while also finding joy in her connection with her dog and the unconditional love it brings. The conversation concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with and support the disabled community, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment for all.

Nicole Demos, a disabled inclusive educator for over 32 years, holds an M.A in Education and an M.Ed in International Counseling. Nicole worked in Greece, the US, Russia and the UK before teaching Learning Support at the International School of Helsinki. She has presented workshops on educational trends, and participated in podcasts and blogs. As an active member of the Diversability Leadership Collective and SENIA Europe, Nicole strives to educate on the importance of inclusion, disability identity, advocacy, equity and belonging. Since leaving the International School of Helsinki, Nicole has recently discovered a love for writing and has published poetry online here and here.This has led to her writing this poem to be included in a Danish architectural press publication highlighting diversity and inclusion. In addition Nicole has also been nominated to Diversability’s 2024 D-30 Disability Impact List for her continued efforts. Her hobbies include reading, singing, baking, flower rescue and spending time with friends and her toy poodle Sisu.

Find Nicole Demos: on Instagram here. on LinkedIn here. on Facebook here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.

This episode was sponsored by Rise Educational Advocacy.

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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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!

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EXPERT: Financial Strategies for Special Needs Families with Brian Altounian Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's practical episode, #207. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents.

Our guest today is Brian Altounian. He is an entrepreneur, executive, and financial educator. His background includes business development, finance, operations and administration, and he has applied his skills to a variety of startups, Fortune 100 companies, and public and private organizations. He currently provides financial advice to individuals, families, and companies. Working in the areas of investments and insurance products and services through his Harborlight Financial Strategies company. He is also the co-founder and co-host of a weekly podcast supporting the special needs community called Just Two Dads. And he also sits on the board for We Are Brave Together He is a loving father of three and resides in Los Angeles, California.

In this episode, Susanna Peace Lovell interviews Brian Altounian, discussing the financial challenges and solutions for families with special needs children. Brian shares his personal journey, and the critical role of financial professionals who get it. They dive into basic financial planning for when you have a child with unique needs, including trusts and life insurance, to ensure peace of mind for parents. They explore misconceptions about government support and the necessity of proactive financial strategies to secure a stable future for their children.

Find Brian on Facebook here.

Find Brian on Instagram here.

Find Harborlight Financial Strategies here.

Find the Just Two Dads Podcast here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.

This episode was sponsored by Rise Educational Advocacy.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Donate to keep this podcast going here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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

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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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

STORY: The Hard and Holy Act of Caregiving with Jess Ronne Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #206. 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 guests that goes deeper into their experience.

In this conversation, hosted by Dr. Zoe Shaw, Jess Ronne shares her profound journey as a caregiver, navigating the challenges of raising a child with special needs while dealing with personal loss. She discusses the emotional and practical aspects of caregiving, the importance of community support, and the judgment faced from others in similar situations. Jess emphasizes the need for resilience and the creation of spaces for advocacy and support for families like hers. Jess also talks about her new book, 'Caregiving with Grit and Grace,' which serves as a devotional for caregivers, emphasizing the therapeutic nature of writing and the need for caregivers to step out of isolation and engage with their communities.

Jess Ronne is an author, speaker, podcast host at Coffee with Caregivers, associate producer of the Unseen Documentary, and caregiver advocate. She is founder and executive director of The Lucas Project, a non-profit dedicated to providing recognition, resources and respite support for special needs families. She and her husband Ryan live in Michigan with their 8 children, including their son Lucas who has profound disabilities. Her story of beauty from ashes has been shared on The Today Show, Daily Mail and Huffington Post and is detailed in her memoir Sunlight Burning at Midnight.

Want more Jess Ronne? Here are some links:

www.thelucasproject.org

www.caregiverdoc.com

www.facebook.com/jessronneofficial

www.instagram.com/jessplusthemess

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.

This episode was sponsored by Rise Educational Advocacy.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships 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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.orgIf 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

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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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

EXPERT: Exploring the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Model with Dr. Laura Froyen Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's practical episode, #205. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents.

In this episode, Susanna Peace Lovell interviews Dr. Laura Froyen, who shares her journey as a parent and expert in human development. They discuss the challenges of parenting neurodiverse children, the importance of understanding different neurotypes, and the need for new parenting skills. Dr. Froyen introduces the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions model, emphasizing its accessibility and effectiveness in addressing parenting challenges.

In this conversation, Laura Froyen, PhD, discusses the unique challenges faced by children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and introduces the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model as a framework for effective parenting. She emphasizes the importance of compassion, understanding, and breaking down tasks into manageable steps to support children with executive functioning difficulties. The discussion also highlights the significance of involving children in problem-solving processes and offers resources for parents seeking guidance and support.

Connect with Dr. Laura Froyen here.

Find Dr. Laura Froyen on IG here.

Find Dr. Laura Froyen on Facebook here.

Find the Balancing U Membership here.

Find The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene here.

Find the Lives in the Balance website here.

Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.

Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.

This episode was sponsored by Rise Educational Advocacy.

JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.

Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.

Donate to keep this podcast going here.

Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?

Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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

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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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

ASK US ANYTHING: How to Talk to Kids about Natural Disasters Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

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, #204, we are responding to the question, How do I Talk to My Kids about Natural Disasters?
In this conversation, our hosts discuss the emotional impact of natural disasters and how to communicate effectively with children during these times. They emphasize the importance of choosing truth over comfort, validating children's feelings, and preparing for emergencies. The conversation also touches on the significance of using real words when discussing difficult topics and the hosts share personal experiences and resources to help families navigate these challenging situations together.

Keep the questions coming! Whether you have questions as a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs or you’re someone looking to support a care-giving parent, we would LOVE to hear from you. Leave us a message here.

Find They Hold the Line book here
Find the Good Inside Podcast with Dr. Becky on this topic here.
Find an Emergency Go Bag Pack List here.
Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here.
Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.
Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here.
This episode was sponsored by Rise Educational Advocacy.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.
Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 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 our Retreats and Respite Scholarships 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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
Disclaimer

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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org

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