Special Needs Moms - Circle of Strength
A podcast where we shine a spotlight on the incredible journey of moms who are raising children with special needs. A place where the voices of amazing moms can be heard through a collection of narratives that embody resilience, hope and strength.
Here, we're redefining strength, rewriting stories, finding the beauty in every step of the journey and celebrating the love that unites us all.
Music acknowledgement: Audio Coffee - Denys Kyshchuk
Episodes
63 episodes
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
Advocating for Your Child: Empowering Families to Create Their Own "Normal" with Wendy Andersen
In this episode, I chat with Wendy Andersen, a passionate advocate for special needs families. Wendy, a mother of three, shares her journey that began with her son's rare diagnosis at six months old and how it shaped her life into one of resili...
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Episode 44
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33:46
Busting Myths About Making Time for Your Goals as a Special Needs Mom, with your host Valerie
Introduction: Hi there, and welcome to today's episode. We are looking at busting some myths about making time for your goals as a special needs mom. Let's get to it!Episode Overview: As special needs moms, caregiving is re...
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Episode 43
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11:34
One option for living arrangements for your child with disabilities with Dr. Lisa Campbell
Dr. Lisa Campbell is the author of Grow With Me, a book in which she shares her journey of resilience and perseverance, and introduces her daughter Jasmine in chapter 3. Dr. Campbell intimately understands the power of resilience firsthand....
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Episode 42
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33:34
What a lovely surprise!!! My guest Cheryll Wagner and I unknowingly reunite after 19 years on a Zoom interview as Cheryll shares about raising independent children.
Title: Strategies for Raising Independent ChildrenEpisode Description:In this episode, Valerie sits down with Cheryll, a dedicated mother of two sons with Joubert syndrome. They dive deep into the challenges and triu...
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Episode 41
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38:12
Creating a future with intention (I just love quotes... I have 5 for you!)
Creating a Future with IntentionEpisode Summary: Welcome to today’s episode where we delve into the power of quotes and personal stories. Your host Valerie shares five impactful quotes, each followed by reflections and pers...
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Episode 40
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11:40
Shelley Guess shares from a sibling perspective about disability in the family.
Show Notes:Shelley Guess is a Licensed Professional Counselor and PhD-Candidate in Las Colinas, TX. She has been working as a therapist for over a decade, and is the owner and founder of Hope Connects Counseling, PLLC, a mental h...
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Episode 39
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36:43