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Forever Home for our kids with disabilities.
Formerly Special Needs Moms - Circle of Strength.
This podcast has begun a shift in focus...
Hey, I’m Valerie, mom to two with disabilities (one visible, one invisible). We came up with housing solutions for our children.
This space has been created to help you navigate the journey of creating a secure, sustainable forever home for your child.
We’ll chat with parents on this path, realtors, financial planners, and other experts who can make the process easier. We'll be dropping an episode twice a month.
Seeing my eldest thrive living independent of us was a gift I didn’t always know I could give. I'm excited for you to have the opportunity to explore giving that gift to your child.
Keep building your child’s future!
Music acknowledgement: Audio Coffee - Denys Kyshchuk
Episodes
69 episodes
Planning a Forever Home: Turning Fear into Hope with Angela O'Brien
This week's guest is Angela O’Brien a mom of 2, professional organizer, Enneagram coach, and host of the podcast, Especially Organized: Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms. After spending 18 years raising her kids and advocati...
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Episode 3
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39:17
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Creating a Forever Home: Planning for Your Child’s Future
Welcome to Forever Home for Our Kids with Disabilities! I’m Valerie, a mom, life coach, and author passionate about helping parents create secure futures for their children with disabilities.Key Topics:1. &n...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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16:50
First episode with our new focus - three moms talk about their forever home solutions
Episode Summary: In this first episode of Forever Home for our kids with disabilities, we explore various options for creating a forever home for children with disabilities. I speak with two moms who have taken different approaches to en...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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25:03
The Gift of Failure: Encouraging Independence in Our Kids with Disabilities
Episode Summary:In this episode, I sit down with K. Crystal Griffith to discuss the importance of giving our children the opportunity to grow, learn, and develop independence—especially when raising kids with disabilities. We dive in...
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Episode 65
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40:57
Check out what's new with your host - Valerie
Episode Highlights:New Focus for 2025:Valerie announces the podcast’s transition from sharing stories to offering practical, step-by-step guidance for forever home planning.The mission remains the same...
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Episode 64
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14:57
Insights from Aaron DeVries - The Inclusive Dad
Aaron DeVries is a relentless advocate for building stronger communities through inclusion. Aaron's journey into the world of disability and special education began when his daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy and cerebral palsy at a young age...
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36:13
Building Routines for Stability and Success in 2025 with your host Valerie
Building Routines for Stability and Success in 2025Episode Summary:Welcome to the first episode of 2025! Get ready to shape your day with intention and embrace the power of small, consistent habits!
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Episode 62
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18:55
Happy New Year!!!
Hey there,Quick announcement to say we are now publishing two episodes a month.See you January 8th 2025!Best wishes for 2025 and may you experience good health, more love, peace and joy! Live with Intention - Em...
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2:24
The Gift of Reflection: Cherishing Progress and Connection with your host
Join me, Coach Valerie, in this special Christmas episode of Special Needs Mom’s Circle of Strengthas I share insights on how reflection helps families celebrate both the small victories and significant milestones, fosters resilience, ...
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19:49
Navigating the Holidays with joy, grace, and practical strategies for an imperfectly perfect holiday season, with your host Valerie
The holiday season can bring excitement, chaos, and unique challenges—especially for families of children with disabilities. In today’s episode, I share encouragement and practical strategies to help you create a meaningful, imperfectly perfect...
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Episode 60
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30:21
Strengthening Your Nervous System: Simple Tools for Busy Moms with Jorunn Liland
Special guest Jorunn Liland joins us to share her expertise on how strengthening your vagus nerve can transform how you navigate stress, create calm, and find balance in your day-to-day life.Jorunn is an occupational therapist who specia...
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Episode 59
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35:44
Framework for finding PEACE during the Holiday Season
Description:The holidays can be a season of joy, but for parents of children with disabilities, they can also bring unique challenges. In this episode, we explore how to navigate the holiday season with peace, intention, and resilien...
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Episode 58
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30:23
The Power of Community and Navigating Big Feelings with Author Meredith Rusu
Welcome to another episode of Special Needs Moms Circle of Strength!Episode Description:Welcome back to Special Needs Mom's Circle of Strength! In this episode, Valerie sits down with Meredith Rusu, a talen...
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Episode 57
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28:57
Transforming Devastation with Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon
Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon is a special needs parenting speaker and coach who works to prevent special needs parents from feeling isolated and overwhelmed to the point where they lose touch with joy and fulfillment in their lives. She and her...
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Episode 56
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40:50
Come and learn what KIND families are with Kari A. Baker
Episode Summary:Valerie is joined by Kari A. Baker, a dedicated advocate for families raising neurodivergent children. Kari is former financial services executive and business owner turned author, speaker, and podcaster. She is the f...
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41:15
Your host Valerie asks "Emotional waves - do you experience them?"
This episode is packed with practical tools like the 4-7-8 breathing technique, ‘affect labeling,’ and self-compassion practices—all designed to help listeners respond thoughtfully to life's emotional waves rather than being swept away by them....
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Episode 54
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20:53
Interview with Jenifer Breaux on Family Travel with children with disabilities
In this episode, Valerie interviews travel expert and special needs mom, Jenifer Breaux, who shares her insights on creating memorable, inclusive family travel experiences for children with neurodiverse needs. Jenifer provides valuable tips on ...
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Episode 53
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38:43
Beyond pampering with Annie Joy Carter.
Annie Joy Carter is a certified life coach with a psychology degree. She has worked for many years in the mental health field and is a single momma of 2 children. Her oldest child has Autism and ADHD. She helps moms who have lost themselves so ...
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Episode 52
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41:23
Ramona Kossowan helps us recognize trauma as a mom parenting a child with disabilities - it's not what you think!!
Ramona Kossowan discusses how parents can release trauma, regulate their nervous systems, and embrace their own worth beyond caregiving. Ramona walks us through her intuitive, strategic process for trauma release, offering insights on how unres...
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Episode 51
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29:52
Finding Joy in the Midst of Adversity with Jessica Fein
Jessica Fein is a mom to three adopted children from Guatemala and is a relentless warrior in the memory of her daughter who she lost to a rare disease in 2022. Jessica is a working mother who balances advocacy in her corporate job, writing (se...
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Episode 50
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31:48
Your host Valerie shares about building a deeper connection with her teen while commuting!
Welcome & Thank You:A heartfelt thank you to all our dedicated listeners! Episode Highlights:Your host Valerie shares a personal story about returning to the office after working from home for some time. Bu...
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14:43
Breaking the Cycle of Guilt and Finding Strength with Natalie Karras
Meet Natalie Karras, who is a passionate advocate for children on the spectrum and their families. With 24 years of experience across industries like travel, recruitment, and marketing, she holds a Master Practitioner of Coaching and is ...
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33:31
Empowering Moms to Build Digital Products and Embrace Their Own Dreams with Carolyn Gardner
Carolyn Gardner is a solo mom by choice through adoption. She's been parenting her amazing son with chronic medical issues for ten years. Five years ago she left her teaching career to create a life that works better for her and her son. Caroly...
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31:42
Embracing Resilience & Mindful Presence as a Special Needs Mom with Jenn Fredericks
Episode Summary:Jenn Fredericks, a Pro-sillience Coach and Personal Resilience Practitioner shares her deeply personal journey as a special needs mom. Jenn talks about navigating the challenges of raising a child with a brain tumo...
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30:00
Never thought we would have our daughter live independent of us - It is possible!!!
Your host Valerie, shares an exciting announcement about an upcoming seminar that’s tailored just for parents of children with disabilities. If you're looking for actionable steps and hands-on tools to plan for your child’s future, you won’t wa...
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Episode 45
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8:28