Mama Bear Podcast

Latest Episodes:

10. Squad Goals: Building a Village That Makes You and Your Kid Feel Seen and Supported Jun 25, 2018

Show notes

It’s my TENTH EPISODE! (?!?) and today I’m talking about Squad Goals: Building a Village That Makes You and Your Kid Feel Seen and Supported... this includes doctors we trust, therapists who see how wildly capable our kids are, caregivers that keep us from hyperventilating when we leave the house, and friends that get it. I’m sharing personal stories of success (and jackassery) on all of these topics along with 7 ways that either I or my friends have used to find caregivers that we trust- 2 of which cost zero dollars (and I’m not talking about using your family.) Building a village can be so very challenging, but I truly believe it’s worth every ounce of effort we can possibly muster to make it happen. Also, in honor of today you can use discount code TENTHEPISODE at checkout in my Mama Bear Shop for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more. www.themamabearsite.com THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO ALL MY GUESTS!!! Your stories continue to resonate with me. I can’t wait to celebrate 100!

9. A Self-Care Journey: Motherhood, Special Needs, Grief, and Transformation w/ Guest Tracie Loux Jun 18, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell speaks with Tracie Loux about self-care and her personal journey with motherhood, special needs, grief, and healing. Tracie is an author, a coach, and the founder of Just Breathe Women’s Wellness Program. She is also the mother to 7 children. Tracie speaks openly about her journey through motherhood including adoption, raising multiple children with special needs, and walking through profound grief. Tracie shares how she has handled life after the unexpected deaths of her beautiful son Mattie (almost 4 years old) and her beloved brother-in-law, Derek. Tracie now uses her experiences to help other women walk through their own unique journeys. Tracie’s words are powerfully transparent and her ability to make others feel genuinely seen and appreciated is exceptional. Tracie can be found at the following places: Just Breathe Women’s Wellness Program : www.thehealingbreath.org/just-Breathe Instagram: @tracieloux Mattie Breathes (tracheostomy awareness book for kids and families) can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online

8. Losing Yourself in Motherhood: A Common Struggle for Women(w/ Guest Angie Ardolf) Jun 11, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Mary Susan speaks with guest Angie Ardolf about common struggles in motherhood and the tendency to lose oneself in the role. Angie's daughter Ruby has Stromme Syndrome, a diagnosis so rare there were less than 12 known cases in the world when Ruby was diagnosed. Angie discusses the early days raising Ruby as a single mom, and the journey of motherhood over the last 13 years. Together, Mary Susan and Angie discuss ways they have found caregivers, how they make time for themselves, and more. Angie is fun, and wise, and her strong spirit is contagious. Angie can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube as "AngieandRuby" and she can also be found on her blog www.raregemsblog.com.

7. Creating an Accessible Home that Can Last a Lifetime w/ Guest Jennifer Dean Jun 04, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, host Mary Susan McConnell and her friend Jennifer Dean discuss the journey the Dean family took to create a fully accessible home for their 17 year old daughter Katherine. Katherine was born 16 weeks early and has cerebral palsy. As Katherine entered adolescence, the home they had loved for so long was no longer fitting their lives. They needed more room for Katherine’s power wheelchair, a safe and accessible bathroom, and systems that would allow them to care for Katherine when they were older. The space they designed not only provides efficient solutions, it is also a beautiful haven for Katherine to experience independence. Learn how the Dean’s deigned the space and what Jennifer feels like are some of the most important factors to consider when beginning a long-term accessibility renovation. This home is AMAZING and it will get you so excited to dream up a space that works for you and your family. You can see photos of the space on Jennifer’s Instagram at JenJenDean. **The accessibility book we refer to throughout this episode is The Accessible Home: Designing for All Ages and Abilities by Deborah Pierce.

6. Daily Life with a Child who is Medically Fragile w/ Guest Stephanie Wolfe May 28, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Mary Susan McConnell speaks with Stephanie Wolfe about what life is like raising a child who is considered medically fragile. Stephanie’s daughter, Addie, was born at 36 weeks with a chromosomal abnormality, sacroccygeal teratoma, and hydrocephalus. She spent 6 months in the NICU. During this time she had multiple surgeries, including a heart surgery at 8 days old, surgery to remove her teratoma at 2 weeks old, g-button surgery, a tracheotomy, and a bilateral craniotomy for a subdural hematoma. After her craniotomy, Addie also developed epilepsy. After 6 months in the NICU, Addie went home for 6 days, only to return unexpectedly to the hospital where she spent another 4 months in the PICU. Today, Addie has been home for 3 years and is the big sister to a new baby brother. During the interview, Stephanie talks about daily life with Addie- how they do everything from going to Target, to how they get some sleep every night. Stephanie is honest and encouraging. Stephanie can be found at: Blog: thevintagemodernwife.com Facebook: thevintagemodernwife Instagram: MathewsBambina Go Fund Me for Van: www.gofundme.com/vanforaddie

5. The Early Days of an Autism Diagnosis: A Mother's Reflection w/ Guest Jen Stegall May 18, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, guest Jen Stegall speaks candidly with Mary Susan about the early days surrounding her incredible son, Silas's autism diagnosis. They discuss her son's regression, the lack of sleep, early intervention therapies, AAC devices, and what life is like raising a child with autism as a single mom. Jen is fun, honest, and beautifully reflective. Jen Stegall is in the music industry in Nashville, TN and has had multiple pieces published by The Mighty.

4. Cheers to Us! A Mother's Day Special Episode May 13, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, Mary Susan reads first-hand narratives submitted by women raising children with special needs regarding the many feelings that often surround Mother's Day.

3. Alone in a Foreign Land Raising a Child with Special Needs: The Story of Rebecca & Ellie May 11, 2018

Show notes

The day after graduating high school, Rebecca Kuntz traveled to Ghana, West Africa from her hometown of Chicago. Six years later she returned as the mother to a beautiful little girl she had met during her advocacy work for children with special needs. This love story reminds you of the power of a mother's love and the fierce nature in all mama bears.

2. The First Cut is the Deepest: Finding Your Footing in the Beginning of a Special Needs Journey May 04, 2018

Show notes

Mary Susan McConnell speaks with guest and friend Alison Bynum about the early days surrounding Alison's daughter Charlotte's unexpected medical diagnosis- a diagnosis that would signal a future with profound special needs.

1. Who is Mary Susan McConnell & What is The Mama Bear Podcast? Apr 11, 2018

Show notes

The Mama Bear Podcast is a place for women raising children with special needs to get together and chat about life. Mary Susan McConnell and her guests discuss the beautiful highs and the extreme lows that can come with parenting on such unique journeys. Conversations are fun, candid, and you may want headphones (adult language warning). In this episode, Mary Susan introduces herself and this podcast by telling stories of her own journey into the world of parenthood as the mother to a truly magical little girl with profound special needs.

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