E7: Raising Autistic Disciples with Larah Roberts — Author of Letters to Lindsey
In this episode, we talk with author and advocate Larah Roberts, creator of Raising Autistic Disciples and author of the brand-new book Letters to Lindsey: Seeing your Child’s Autism Diagnosis Through a Gospel Lens.
We explore what it means to parent, disciple, and advocate for autistic children while staying rooted in faith, hope, and the goodness of God.
In this episode, we cover:
📘 Larah’s new book: Letters to Lindsey
• Why she wrote it
• How the diagnosis changed their family
• What she hopes parents will take away
⛪ What churches can do to be truly inclusive
• Practical steps
• Heart-level shifts that matter
• Why inclusion is discipleship, not charity
📄 How to stay true to your beliefs in tough IEP meetings
• Grounding yourself emotionally
• Holding boundaries with compassion
• Advocacy through a gospel lens
🧩 Raising an autistic disciple
• Understanding discipleship for neurodivergent kids
• How autistic children uniquely reflect God
• Letting go of rigid expectations
🕊️ Daily rhythms that build a spiritual life at home
• Simple practices that fit real families
• Creating connection, safety, and peace
Links:
Larah’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingautisticdisciples/
Larah’s Podcast: https://zencastr.com/z/JQVoVzM9
Letters To Lindsey https://amzn.to/3LJuRS7
How To Advocate and Stay Christian: https://amzn.to/4i8wXae
Beauty In The Real Website: https://www.beautyinthereal.com/
Samantha’s Ig: https://www.instagram.com/honestly_samantha0/
Rohnda’s Ig: https://www.instagram.com/beauty.in.the.real/
🎙️ Episode Title: Q&A + Assumptions: Tattoos, Travel, and the Apocalypse?!
Episode Description:
We’re flipping the script this week and answering your questions — plus reacting to the funniest assumptions you’ve made about us! From tattoos and our favorite trips, to the random places we’ve lived, guilty-pleasure movies, our opinions on MLMs and influencers, and of course… who would actually survive an apocalypse 😅
It’s lighthearted, a little chaotic, and full of stories we’ve never shared before. Come hang out with us for an episode that feels like a late-night chat with your best friends.
In this episode:
• 🎨 Our thoughts on tattoos — do we have them or would we ever get a matching one?
• ✈️ Favorite trips + what made them unforgettable
• 🏠 The random places we’ve each lived
• 🎬 Favorite comfort movies we’ll never get tired of
• 💼 MLMs + Instagram influencers — hot takes and honest opinions
• 💥 Who would be more likely to survive an apocalypse (and why it’s probably not who you think!)
Grab your coffee, throw on your comfy clothes, and let’s get into it.
Links & Mentions:
Rohnda's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/beauty.in.the.real/
Samantha's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/honestly_samantha0/
Website: https://www.beautyinthereal.com/
My Rebounder LInk: https://www.needak.com#2868
Rohnda's Jewelry: https://shorturl.at/hi7Tc
🎙️ Episode 5: Understanding OCD — Intrusive Thoughts, Faith, and Finding VictoryIn this week’s episode, we’re joined by a special guest who shares her personal experience living with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) — an often misunderstood mental health condition that goes far beyond being “a little anxious” or “extra clean.”We dive deep into the realities of intrusive thoughts and compulsions, and how they can affect everyday life. We also talk about scrupulosity — when OCD takes aim at faith, morality, or spirituality — and how that can feel especially heavy in Christian circles.Together, we unpack what it’s like to navigate therapy, counseling, medication, and supplements, and the importance of finding what works for you. We also touch on how other people’s opinions (and misconceptions) can make the healing journey harder — and how to handle that with both grace and boundaries.Our guest shares her perspective on what victory looks like — both in the short-term (those small daily wins that add up) and the long-term (learning to live with peace, not perfection).And, of course, we end on a lighter note — with a fun question: What’s your favorite chick flick? 💕Whether you’ve been personally impacted by OCD or love someone who has, this episode offers compassion, understanding, and hope.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube — and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments or message us with your own experience.Links & Mentions:Rohnda's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/beauty.in.the.real/Samantha's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/honestly_samantha0/Website: https://www.beautyinthereal.com/Resource mentioned by Emily:https://markdejesus.com/about/Emily's Blog: https://www.emilyclaire.co/blog
This Solo Episode is a recording of a message that Rohnda gave to a group of moms with the Embrace Family Ministry.
It is a teaching on James 1 and how we are encouraged to "count it all joy" when we go through trials. Rohnda teaches from God's word and her own painful experiences to give us tools and perspectives to do that in our own lives.
Links & Mentions:Rohnda's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/beauty.in.the.real/Website: https://www.beautyinthereal.com/
Embrace Family Ministry https://embracefamilymn.squarespace.com/
✨ Episode 3: “Seasons of Self-Care: Bubble Baths or Bare Minimum?”
Episode Description:
Self-care: is it a spa day… or just brushing your teeth before noon? 🤔 This week, we’re unpacking what self-care actually means, especially for moms juggling neurodivergent kiddos, faith, and the everyday chaos of life.
We share why it’s necessary (not selfish!), the ways we each think about it differently, and even lovingly disagree. You’ll hear how self-care has changed for us over the years — from survival mode to slowly reclaiming pieces of ourselves again.
And of course, we wrap things up with something delicious: our current go-to breakfasts. Because nothing says “I’m taking care of me” like a a good breakfast!
In This Episode:
• What self-care is…and what it is not
• How we can plan ahead for the next hard season.
• How building friendships gives back 100 fold.
• Where we don’t see eye-to-eye on self-care (and why that’s okay!)
• Our favorite breakfast staples
Pull up a chair, pour your coffee, and join this honest convo about choosing life giving care for our body & soul, even when that is uncomfortable!
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Links & Mentions:
Links & Mentions:Rohnda's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/beauty.in.the.real/Samantha's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/honestly_samantha0/Website: https://www.beautyinthereal.com/
Bible Study Fellowship https://www.bsfinternational.org/our-studies/
Jen Wilkin Women Of The Word https://amzn.to/3JxX4ue
Jen Wilkin None Like Him https://amzn.to/4oK0WHM
✨ Episode 2: “Diagnosis, Detours & Dry Shampoo”Episode Description:This week, we’re diving into the real stuff — the moment that changes everything: diagnosis. We’re opening up about our journeys through autism and ADHD with our kids: the evaluations, the emotions, the therapies we’ve tried, the supplements that helped (and the ones that… yeah, didn’t 😅), and how all of it has shaped our families and our friendship.We talk about how overwhelming those early days can be, the importance of trusting your gut as a mom, and the surprising places we’ve found support along the way.But don’t worry — we’re not leaving you in the heavy. We end with something fun: our current favorite hair care products, because sometimes surviving motherhood literally comes down to a good shampoo and a miracle styling cream. 💁♀️✨In This Episode:• What autism and ADHD diagnosis looked like for our families• Navigating Therapies, Meds & other options while holding onto faith.• How friendship has been a lifeline through it all• Our top hair-care picks of the moment (you’re welcome) 😉Come hang out with us, feel seen, and maybe snag a new hairspray rec while you’re here.⸻Links & Mentions:Rohnda's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/beauty.in.the.real/Samantha's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/honestly_samantha0/Website: https://www.beautyinthereal.com/Keratin Heat Spray https://amzn.to/3X2xvEELiving Proof Texture Spray https://amzn.to/43COqRW
✨ Episode Title: “From Hawaii to Here: Welcome to the Beauty In The Real Podcast
Episode Description:
This week, we’re taking you back — all the way to Hawaii, 1997, where two young women (yes, us!) crossed paths and accidentally kicked off a 28-year friendship. 🌺
We’re spilling the story of how we met, the chaotic and hilarious moments that bonded us, and what it’s looked like to stay connected through motherhood, autism/ADHD journeys, moves, marriage, and the FAITH that shaped us through the hard seasons.
Plus, we wrap up with a fun little check-in: What are we reading right now? (Spoiler: one of us may have five books going at once… 👀)
In This Episode:
• How a Hawaii meet-up turned into lifelong BFF status
• The secret to lasting friendship through major life transitions
• Why moms need friends who really get them
• Our current reads and why they’re giving us life 📚
Grab your coffee (or a diet soda — we don’t judge), settle in, and join the conversation!
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Links & Mentions:
Rohnda's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/beauty.in.the.real/
Samantha's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/honestly_samantha0/
Website: https://www.beautyinthereal.com/
Books Discussed: Slow Theology https://amzn.to/48Pvsep
The Poppy Field https://amzn.to/4oecGlQ