E25—What do you do when the child you imagined isn’t the child you have? Pastor Mike Erre experienced the slow dismantling of achievement-based parenting when his son with Down syndrome was born. If you’re exhausted by comparisons and milestones, this conversation invites a different way forward: noticing, delighting, and being with your child as they are. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Stories 03:06 Connecting with Your Child 06:54 Redefining Success and Celebration 11:40 Navigating Grief a...

E24—"I don't know what life can look like for my child." If you've ever felt that, this episode is for you. Sheli Reynolds, PhD, is a leader in disability innovation. She joins Amy Julia Becker to share free, practical tools that support individuals and families experiencing disability in planning for friendship, independence, employment, and joy. 00:00 Dr. Sheli Reynolds and Disability Advocacy 03:40 Understanding the Lifecourse Framework 09:15 Tools for Envisioning a Good Future 12:29 Perso...

E23—The meals stop coming. The texts slow down. And suddenly you feel like you’re navigating disability alone. Friends can be great at showing up in a crisis, but how do you find community for your family when life stays hard day after month after year? Katherine Wolf, stroke survivor, mother, and disability advocate, shares her story with Amy Julia Becker. They consider: GriefLimits of toxic positivityFinding community that helps families survive and flourish00:00 Introduction and Connection...

E22—Is having a sibling with a disability hard on kids? Researcher Meghan Burke has spent years studying (and living) this question. Her findings might surprise you. In this episode, she joins Amy Julia Becker to share: what siblings actually say about growing up alongside disabilitywhy the "burden" narrative is mostly a myththe one conversation every family needs to have before a crisis hits00:00 Introduction to Sibling Relationships in Disability 02:48 Research Insights on Sibling Dynamics ...

E21—As the mom of a daughter with Down syndrome, I have felt my fair share of complicated emotions over these past twenty years. And sometimes, I haven't known what to do with those emotions, especially the ones that seem negative, like grief or fear. I'm talking today with psychiatrist, speaker, and author Curt Thompson about all these things—how we can name our emotions in safe and trusted communities, and the way receiving comfort in the midst of those emotions can also open us up to hope ...

E20—Does your child struggle to understand who they are in a world that sees disability as a deficit? Renee Dollenmayer, founder of Even If Ministries, shares how living with cerebral palsy shapes her joy, sorrow, and purpose—and why every person with a disability needs to know their presence matters. 00:00 Introduction to Renee's Story and Disability 03:15 Joy and Sorrow in the Context of Disability 05:56 Creating Space for Lament and Joy 11:49 Disability and Identity 19:50 Loving and ...

E19—Many parents of children with disabilities carry deep spiritual questions and have very little space to process them. Amy Julia Becker talks with Pam Harmon about spiritual direction and why it can be a lifeline for parents navigating caregiving, uncertainty, and burnout. Together they explore practical ways to slow down, notice God in everyday life, and find renewed hope in the middle of disability parenting. 00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Direction 03:48 Experiencing Spiritual Directio...

E18—Your child isn’t “misbehaving.” They’re trying to be understood. Many children with disabilities communicate through behavior, especially when spoken words aren’t available in the moment. Behavior analyst Emily Longino shares practical tools for recognizing communication signals before they escalate and helping parents build connection with their kids. Amy Julia Becker and Emily explore: How to look beyond behavior to understand the “why”How parents can recognize communication signals ear...

E17—Is your family welcome at church? If Sunday mornings leave you more exhausted than encouraged, you’re not alone. Rebecca Wall, Executive Director of With Ministries, joins Amy Julia Becker to explore why so many disability families are leaving church—and the small, practical changes that can create real belonging. Find (or help build) a community where people with disabilities aren’t just accommodated, but welcomed. Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me ...

E16 — Parent and medical caregiver. Many parents of children with disabilities know the complexity of these two full-time roles. Juli Henderson, founder of In Our Arms, was the caregiver for her son Robert, who passed away at eighteen from a rare mitochondrial disease. She joins Amy Julia Becker to explore: Caregiver burnout, guilt, and isolationHow to pace yourselfCreating community (even when you’re exhausted)Practicing small, sustainable acts of self-careNavigating griefAsk Me Anything: Re...