This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and- yes- ask us anything! In this Ask Us Anything episode, #237, we’re responding to the question: “Hi Brave Together Podcast, I want to start off the new year with more work/life balance. I feel swamped with juggling it all and I need your help. How do you create balance?” In this conversation, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe Shaw talk honestly about the myth of perfect balance and ...

Hello Brave Friends! This is a Winter Re-Run of one of our favorite Ask Us Anything episodes from Seasons 5 and 6. Call in to our SpeakPipe to ask YOUR questions and tune in next season, starting in January 2026, for many more. This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ASK US ANYTHING! In this episode, #165, we are discussing how to get the most out of connection circles and in general, support groups, witho...

Hi Bravies! Welcome to Season 10 of Brave Together Podcast! I’m Jessica Patay, founder of the non-profit, We Are Brave Together. Since 2017 We Are Brave Together has been a supportive community for the brave moms of children with disabilities, neurodivergence and all unique needs. Our international community includes over 4000 moms in 50 states and 30 countries. I am also a mother to three children including a son with Prader-Willi Syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder. I am passio...

When a medical event rocks her son and family a week before Christmas, guest Karen Draper has to rapidly process everything and do her best to move through it with grace. From the life saving steps necessary for her son, to the protection of her family's hearts through the fear, many of you will relate to this story of shock, strength and ultimately recovery and laughter. In her story and sweet conversation with host Jessica Patay, we hear from another strong mother who has experienced ...

Hello Brave Friends! On this, our final episode of Season 5, we have such a great guest for you. Debbie Reber, who you guys probably know already, is a parenting activist, bestselling author, speaker and the CEO and founder of Tilt Parenting, a resource, top performing podcast, consultancy, and community with a focus on shifting the paradigm for parents raising and embracing neurodivergent children. Her most recent book, Differently Wired, A Parent's Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with Co...

Hello Brave Friends, do you think you fully understand ADHD and how it impacts school and everyday life? Although it is common, it is not simple, not by any means. It is extremely complex. There are many aspects to this disorder. There is no magic pill or formula that will help all kids and adults who struggle with ADHD, but there are proven methods, tips, skills, and wisdom to be applied. We have an incredible guest today for you: Leslie Josel, an ADHD-academic and parenting coach, who is an...

Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ASK US ANYTHING! In this Ask Us Anything episode, #236, we are responding to the question, How do I survive the holidays without support? In this conversation, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, Dr. Zoe Shaw discuss the concept of overwhelm and how to manage it by entering a 'survival mode' where non-essential activities are minimized to focus on what truly ...

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #235, with Molly Trexler, a pediatric nurse practitioner and coach for medical moms. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents. We discuss the unique challenges faced by mothers navigating the medical system, coping strategies for managing fear and anxiety, and the importance of community and support. With over 30 years experience, Molly shares personal stories and insights, emphasizing the need ...

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #234, with Jeremy and Ilana Hamburgh the creators of Social Life 360. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents. In this conversation, Susanna Peace Lovell interviews Jeremy and Ilana Hamburgh, a couple dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals in building friendships and relationships through their program, Social Life 360. They share their backgrounds, the inception of their program, a...

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #233, with certified life coach and clinical hypnotherapist Shelly Ehler. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents. In this enlightening conversation, Jessica Patay and Dr. Zoe Shaw interview Shelly Ehler about the transformative power of hypnotherapy, exploring its journey from skepticism to acceptance. Shelly shares her personal journey into hypnotherapy, addressing common misconceptions and t...

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #232, with Speech Dude, Chris Wenger, sharing his neurodivergent affirming approach to IEP’s and wow does he have a refreshing take on them. In this episode of the Brave Together podcast, Chris Wenger shares his journey as a neurodivergent educator and advocate for students with special needs. He discusses the importance of understanding neurodiversity, the need for a shift from deficit-based IEPs to a more affirming approach, and the si...

Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ASK US ANYTHING! In this Ask Us Anything episode, #231, we are discussing how we stay grounded in our own bodies and feelings when our children are struggling and needing us to be right there with them. In this conversation, Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw cover what to do when children are struggling. They discuss the importance of recognizing one's own...

Hello Bravies! Welcome to today's expert episode, #230, with podcaster, narrative shifter and author of I Like You So Much: Celebrating What Makes You, You!, Heather Avis. In this episode of the Brave Together Podcast, Heather Avis joins hosts Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe Shaw to discuss her journey as a parent and advocate in the disability space. Heather shares her experiences of adopting children with Down syndrome and the impact it has had on her life. The conversation...

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #229. These are true stories from a moment in the life of a caregiving parent. We hear a crafted story, and then have a conversation with our guests that goes deeper into their experience. Join Susanna Peace Lovell and Natasha M. Nurse, Esq. as they delve into the complexities of neurodivergence, motherhood, and personal growth. Natasha shares her journey of self-discovery, from her childhood experiences to her recent diagnosis of autism ...

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #228, with Chrissy Barlahan, who is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst with a degree in Psychology from Cal State Long Beach and a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. In this episode, join Jessica Patay, the founder of We Are Brave Together and Chrissy Barlahan as they delve into the complexities of parenting and marriage in the context of caregiving. With candid discussions on the chal...

Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ASK US ANYTHING! In this Ask Us Anything episode, #227, we are discussing how to approach and support other caregiving moms when we see them in the wild. In this heartfelt episode, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe Shaw dive into the challenges and triumphs of parenting children with special needs. They share personal stories and insights ...

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #226, with Kris Burbank, whose book, Embracing Another Normal: Resilience Stories and Strategies for Raising Children with Disabilities has a lot to teach us. On this episode, Jessica Patay welcomes Kris Burbank who shares her journey as a mother of three, including her son Andrew, who has cerebral palsy. We discover how Kris's experiences led her to co-authoring a book on resilience and get an overview of her researched strategies...

Hello Brave Friends! On this episode, #225, we are hearing about the experience of another Thriving Neurodivergent Adult, Author, Journalist and Influencer, Carrie Berk. In this episode of the Brave Together Podcast, Carrie Berk shares her journey from writing children's books to her memoir, MINDFIRE: Diary of An Anxious Twentysomething, which addresses her personal experiences with anxiety and OCD. The conversation delves into the importance of self-love, the misconceptions surrounding OCD, ...

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #224, with Amanda Griffith-Atkins. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents. On this episode Amanda Griffith-Atkins joins us to discuss the inspiration behind her book, 'How to Handle More Than You Can Handle: Raising a Disabled Child Without Losing Yourself.' In our conversation, she emphasizes the importance of self-care, compassion, and the emotional experiences of parents in similar situatio...

Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ASK US ANYTHING! In this Ask Us Anything episode, #223, we are discussing the New York Times Best Seller, The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, and applying it to caregiving life. In this conversation, the hosts reflect on their Summer experiences and transitions in their children's lives, leading into a discussion of The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. Th...