Mama Bear Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Who Lives Like This? Joint Show w/ Fellow Podcasters & SN Parents Elizabeth Aquino & Jason Lehmbeck Nov 19, 2018

Show notes

In this episode Mary Susan joins Elizabeth Aquino & Jason Lehmbeck for a joint show of two podcasts: The "Mama Bear Podcast" & Elizabeth and Jason's show "Who Lives Like This?" Listen in as they discuss their own journeys through parenthood as life-long caregivers and parents to individuals with profound special needs. Topics include caregiver burnout and making plans for the future...

29. Caregiver Burnout: Signs of Stress & Strategies for Success from the Mayo Clinic Nov 12, 2018

Show notes

In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, spearheaded by Caregiver Action Network (caregiveraction.org), host Mary Susan McConnell speaks on an article published by the Mayo Clinic on caregiver stress and strategies for success. Article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784

28. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Or is it?): Cozy Challenges & Common Stressors Nov 05, 2018

Show notes

In this episode Mary Susan covers common stressors for families raising kids with special needs during the holiday season: grief, gifts, travel, sensory challenges, breaks in routine, family acceptance, and more. Additionally, she shares 10 things she will be doing during the last 2 months of the year to try to have a STRESS FREE but cozy and intentional season- and she invites you to do the same. Mary Susan can be found on instagram: @marysusanmcconnell

27. What Happens if Something Happens to Me? Estate Planning w/ Attorney & Fellow SN Mom Laura Croft Oct 29, 2018

Show notes

In today's episode host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with attorney (and fellow special needs mama) Laura Croft about estate planning for families of children with special needs. They discuss many topics including short-term vs long-term guardianship, special needs trusts, building an exceptional future for an adult child as parents age, life insurance, the Kids Protection Plan and more. Despite the heavy nature of this topic, Mary Susan and Laura keep the conversation positive and realistic. "Impassioned by the pursuit to provide families with the greatest level of protection for the people whom they love most, Laura transitioned into a boutique personal family practice, focusing on family protection and wealth planning; special needs legal planning and trust administration. Laura will educate and guide you through estate planning, family wealth and protection planning and planning for your child with special needs to make sure the assets that you leave your child do not disqualify your child from critical government benefits." (www.timelessestateplanning.com) Find Laura's website here: www.timelessestateplanning.com Find Laura on IG Here: @laura_d_croft

26. Making Money, Building Businesses & Doing Life w/ Single SN Mama & Entrepreneur Genesis A. Emery Oct 22, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Mary Susan McConnell speaks with Genesis A. Emery about her life as a single special needs mama and entrepreneur. They discuss the challenges of facing an unknown medical journey with your child, the common fear of "what if something happens to me", the many victories Genesis and her son Noah have had in the last year, how her company The Little Dapper Collection gives back to the special needs community, and how she works to inspire other moms to balance motherhood with entrepreneurship. Genesis has been featured on Fox, NBC, and WCL. She has also spoken twice at Mommycon. Genesis can be found on IG at @amourgenesis and @thelittledappercollection and you can subscribe to her websites at www.amourgenesis.com and www.thelittledappercollection.com .

25. Halloween: Common Challenges for Kids w/ Special Needs & the Power of Creating New Traditions Oct 16, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Mary Susan McConnell speaks on some of the common challenges for children with special needs during Halloween: sensory overload, wheelchair accessibility, food aversions, and more. Mary Susan shares the freedom of redefining traditions and some of the specific ways she has reduced challenges and made the day fun for the whole family.

The Freedom to Feel How You Feel: Processing Your Child’s Unexpected Special Needs w/ Kelle Hampton Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Mary Susan McConnell speaks with New York Times Bestselling author, Kelle Hampton about her unexpected journey into the world of special needs. Kelle speaks transparently about the shock of finding out in the delivery room that her daughter, Nella, had Down syndrome. Together, Mary Susan and Kelle talk about the early days of grief, the profoundly beautiful gifts of this unique path, and the power of allowing yourself to feel what you actually feel. Kelle can be found on instagram @etst and online at kellehampton.com. Her New York Times Bestselling memoir, Bloom, can be found on Amazon. *This episode was also published during October, Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Don’t Apologize for Your Child, Build a Village, Trust Your Gut & Other Life Lessons w/ Ashley Stock Oct 01, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with Ashley Stock about her unanticipated journey into the world of autism and the powerful lessons she has learned along the way. Ashley speaks candidly about what she refers to as the "dark ages", the power of following the light into a brighter present, building a village- including tips for introverts- praising yourself (knowing you kick ass and claiming it), and so much more. Ashley's wisdom will hit you in the chest and have you thinking about her words for a long time. Ashley is the creator of the wildly popular blog Little Miss Momma and can be found at www.littlemissmomma.com & on Instagram at littlemissmomma.

22. How Do You Manage ALL the Papers & Appointments? Organizing w/ Badass Mom of 6, Megan Garrett Sep 25, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with long-time friend & singer/songwriter Megan Garrett about the unexpected journey that led her from single woman with no children to married mother of 6 in a few short years. (4 adopted children, 2 biological.) They talk candidly about her journey, what her world looks like now, and how the heck she organizes all the doctors appointments, school papers, IEP's, sports schedules, and so much more. Listen in as Mary Susan and Megan enjoy a beverage on a rainy night in Tennessee and chat about ALL the things. EXPLICIT.

21. Residential College Program for Students w/SN- Speaking w/ Director & Fellow SN Mom Rachel Heinz Sep 17, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with Rachel Heinz about her life as the mama to a son with special needs as well as her work as the director of a residential inclusive post-secondary education program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Missouri State University. Listen in as they talk about the early days of an unexpected diagnosis for your child, medical procedures, surgeries, hospital life, following your gut and not underestimating yourself, and the steps that led Rachel to develop Bear Power, a residential program for adults with special needs at her alma mater Missouri State. Bear POWER: Promoting Opportunities for Work Education and Resilience Website: https://www.missouristate.edu/bearpower/ Facebook: facebook.com/msubearpower Instagram: msubearpower

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