Mama Bear Podcast

Latest Episodes:

20. I Created an Inclusive Coloring Book + Seizure Activity and Other Things Sep 11, 2018

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20. I Created an Inclusive Coloring Book + Seizure Activity and Other Things by Conversations w/ Women Raising Children with Special Needs

19. When You're Tired AF: Two Dozen Self-Care Tips That Don't Break the Bank Aug 28, 2018

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In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell talks about 24 self-care ideas, for when you are running low on energy, that are easy and affordable.

18.The Death of a Spouse, Raising a Child w/ Special Needs, & Finding Love Again: Jess Ronne's Story Aug 21, 2018

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Jess Ronne, author of the memoir, Sunlight Burning at Midnight and founder of The Lucas Project, a nonprofit providing respite care for families in rural areas, speaks with host Mary Susan McConnell about the unexpected diagnosis of her son Lucas in utero, followed by her husband Jason’s terminal diagnosis of brain cancer. Within a few years, Jess found herself as a widow and mother to 4 young children, including one with profound special needs. Jess speaks candidly about her journey and how a random message from a stranger one night led her to a man who had recently lost his wife to the same diagnosis and was also raising young children alone. Jess, her husband Ryan, and their 8 children have been featured on the Today Show and continue to share their journey online. Find Sunlight Burning at Midnight online and follow Jess and her nonprofit The Lucas Project on FB, IG, Youtube, and on their websites: www.jessplusthemess.com FB: jessplusthemess IG: jessplusthemess Youtube: jessplusthemess www.thelucasproject.org FB: thelucasproject IG: thelucasproject

17. Oh S*#@, It's the 1st Day of School: Common Concerns & Expert Tips for Special Needs Parents Aug 14, 2018

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In this episode Mary Susan discusses some of the top concerns parents of students with special needs often have at the beginning of a new school year. Additionally, she discusses tips sent in from a special education expert (a good friend of Mary Susan's) about practical and easy things parents can ask a school system for to help alleviate anxiety for both the student and the parents.

16. Blame, Grief, and Healing Aspects of Travel: An Honest Conversation w/ Iz Harris Aug 06, 2018

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Iz Harris is an award winning travel filmmaker and the amazing mama to her two children Henry (5) and Oliver (2). Iz speaks openly with host Mary Susan McConnell about traveling the world with her family and how her son Henry, who has autism, thrives in the rhythm of travel. Mary Susan and Iz also talk about common themes of blame and grief in the world of special needs parenting, along with Iz's desire to normalize the conversation around depression. Iz can be found on Instagram at Iz.Harris and on youtube at www.youtube.com/izharris .

15. ARTHUR Jul 30, 2018

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15. ARTHUR by Conversations w/ Women Raising Children with Special Needs

14. Hold Onto Your Undies & Other Hospital Hacks from Listeners: Volume 2 Jul 23, 2018

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In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell reads submissions from listeners regarding ways to maintain your sanity during hospital stays with your child. In episode 11, Mary Susan and friend Alison Bynum discussed their own tips and tricks to handling the hospital season and then asked listeners to send in their own hospital hacks. Tips range from practical to hilarious (thus the title.) Thank you listeners and thank you contributors!

13. Choosing Joy Over Defeat: Raising Multiple Kids w/ Special Needs w/ Little Support Jul 16, 2018

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Host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with guest Ashley Montano about raising multiple kids with special needs when you have very little support. Ashley and her husband received an unexpected diagnosis two years into their son Ryder’s life: Williams syndrome and a heart condition. They were surprised again, when their second child Harper was diagnosed with severe autism and a chromosome deletion. Ashley speaks openly about what it’s like facing these challenges without a support network, and how her challenges have taught her to find joy despite extreme circumstances. Ashley can be found on facebook at Hope for Ryder and on Instagram at _ashleymontano.

12. What the Heck Happens After High School? The Transition into Adulthood for Kids w/ Special Needs Jul 09, 2018

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In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with friend Lindsay Williams, an experienced high school guidance counselor and student advocate, about the transition period from high school to adulthood for individuals with a variety of special needs. What does it look like to stay in the public school system into your twenties? What are the various graduation tracks? How do you access resources after school is over? Lindsay is a fierce advocate for all learners and she uses her past experiences to address these questions while sharing practical tips, resources, and realities for parents.

11. Hospital Hacks: Tips for Maintaining Your Sanity During Hospital Stays w/ Guest Alison Bynum Jul 02, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Mary Susan McConnell and guest Alison Bynum share tips they have found useful in maintaining their sanity during hospital stays with their children. As moms to beautiful little girls with profound special needs, they both have significant experience with hospital life. Alison was formerly on episode 2, "The First Cut is the Deepest: Finding Your Footing at the Beginning of Your Special Needs Journey." --Alison can be found on instagram at @alisonbynum --Host Mary Susan McConnell can be found on instagram @marysusanmcconnell or at www.themamabearsite.com

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