Take Heart is a podcast for special needs moms by special needs moms. It is a place for special needs moms to find authentic connection, fervent hope, and inspiring stories. Contact us! Amy J. Brown: amy@amyjbrown.com Carrie M. Holt: carrie@carriemholt.com Sara Clime: sara@saraclime.com
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Ever wondered why Frasier Crane is such a snob? How Tyrion Lannister’s bawdy humour saves him in Game of Thrones? What makes Schitts Creek’s Moira Rose a narcissist? ‘Shrink the Box’ is where actor comedian Ben Bailey Smith and psychotherapist Nemone Metaxas put their favourite fictional characters such Tommy from Peaky Blinders and Sydney from The Bear on the couch - to analyse why their behaviour causes them so much drama. Nemone and Ben explore why these characters make certain decisions, ...
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Lead the Generation is all about helping students become better leaders. Leadership is influence. Students have influence. Students can be great leaders in their school, church, home and job. Join us throughout the school year for multiple short episodes a week to talk leadership.
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A program in which Robert learns from a variety of creative and professional guests.
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Practical Tips for Thriving in Prolonged Caregiving
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Long-term caregiving requires a mindset shift for our emotional life and our relationship with God and others. Carrie, Amy, and Sara discuss practical tips for surviving and thriving long term. They discuss spiritual practices, practical habits to avoid burnout, and mindfulness to address the stressors and difficulties that come with caregiving. Yo…
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Show up and Bring Coffee! How to Support Your Friends With Disabled Children with Megan Amrich
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In this episode, Amy Brown interviews Megan Amrich, author of the book 'Show Up and Bring Coffee: How to Support Your Friends with Disabled Children.' They discuss practical ways to support parents of children with disabilities, including being knowledgeable but not a know-it-all, being an extra set of hands, and making events and celebrations acce…
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Do you have a critical inner voice? Plus forgotten actors enjoying a renaissance and your questions answered - SHRINK THE INBOX
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For the last episode of this season, team STB gets real with those pesky inner monologues (as promised in the Carrie: Sex and the City episode). Plus, what's the connection between 80s comedy-thriller Lovejoy and The Matrix? We explore actors who have come back from obscurity with aplomb. We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, wha…
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CARRIE BRADSHAW – How to fight the patriarchy and stop obsessing over relationships – SHRINK THE BOX
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51:57
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In our final character episode of this season, we put Carrie from Sex and the City on the couch. Nemone looks at why Sex and the City hasn’t aged well, and Ben talks about diversity in the privileged, white world of the show. We get into Carrie’s shopping habit, low self-esteem, and why everyone in the show is SO obsessed with relationships, even t…
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Finding Joy: Practical Strategies for Special Needs Parents
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In this episode, we sit down together to discuss joy and how we can capitalize on the moments that we have. We talk about adjusting our expectations, addressing past trauma, and embracing the fleeting nature of life to cultivate joy in the present moment. We discuss the struggle of feeling constantly on guard and the tendency to brace oneself for n…
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JACKSON LAMB in SLOW HORSES: Do spies make the best therapists? – SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone put Jackson Lamb from Slow Horses on the couch. Gary Oldman’s version of Mick Herron’s character has become household name, and you can see why. A man with many layers, a million secrets, and a lightning rod for other’s emotions – perhaps he is the perfect Freudian analyst. Nemone gives us a crash course in transference and counter-t…
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CAPTAIN HOLT of BROOKLYN 99: Neurodiverse, gay and battling racism – SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone put Raymond Holt on the couch. We look at how this trailblazing policeman (the first black, gay police captain in the force) stands out from the rest of the precinct. We learn how family dynamics inform behaviour and what it takes to be a great leader. Nemone looks at a diagnosis of ASD or Asperger’s Syndrome for the captain, and Ben…
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SCHITT’S CREEK and Moira Rose: this is narcissism – SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone put Moira Rose on the couch and take a deep dive into her narcissistic tendencies, and what effect that has on the rest of the Schitts. Nemone explains how narcissism is not as easy to spot as its widespread use would have you believe. We also discuss the collection of wigs that Moira keeps in her closet and why they are transitional…
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Explaining addicts' behaviour, ‘trapped’ dramas (Handmaid’s Tale) and your questions - SHRINK THE INBOX
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If characters in ‘trapped’ dramas escape, is that the end of the show? Ben and Nemone explore The Handmaid’s Tale and Severance as examples. Plus, Ben reacts to a listener’s ‘constructive’ feedback and Nemone explores Polyvagal Theory to explain why we might react in the way we do from childhood trauma. We want to hear about any theories we might h…
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THE WIRE’S Bubbles: How do you help an addict? – SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone discuss The Wire’s ‘Bubbles’ aka Reginald Collins. An informant and heroin user, a man with a fragile support network who finds himself stranded while trying to forge closer bonds with those around him. Nemone tells Ben how unconditional love is the hardest thing to give an addict, and the key to helping them start their journey to s…
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PEAKY BLINDERS’ Polly Shelby: the silent observer in all of us – SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone discuss Helen McCrory’s iconic Poly Shelby from Peaky Blinders. She’s a devout Catholic, but up to her neck in the murky world of bootlegging and murder. Nemone gets into the thorny question of how she might match those up, and reveals how each of us has a ‘silent observer’ inside. We also dive into the history of women’s rights in 1…
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ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’S “Taystee”: Adoption, Child States and Attachment Theory – SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone discuss Tasha Jefferson, aka Taystee, from Orange is the New Black. We get fascinating insights into child states and how difficult they are to escape; attachment theory and why prison can be a better alternative to living in the outside world. Expect to laugh and cry while reliving one of the early bingeable series on Netflix. And i…
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REESE WITHERSPOON and JENNIFER ANISTON’s Alex and Bradley tackle sexism and false selves on The Morning Show - SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone put Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon’s The Morning Show characters, Alex and Bradley, on the couch. We ask how a person creates a false self at work, what makes Bradley break the mould and find out how Alex could ever have respect for her male boss in the middle of a #MeToo scandal. Stay tuned for more on false selves in our up…
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Addiction in “Euphoria”, Analysis vs. Therapy and Sir Salman Rushdie! - SHRINK THE INBOX
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Ben and Nemone answer your questions and explore your suggestions. They talk about whether they have any friends who are spies and explore some brilliant female led comedies you've either missed or forgotten. We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop t…
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TYRION LANNISTER knows how to play the Game...of Thrones SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone put Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones on the couch. Tyrion doesn’t conform to society’s norms. How does he use that to his advantage? He’s booksmart, cunning and the most open-minded man in Westeros. This ‘half-man’ is, in fact, three times as impressive as any of his peers. We look into difference, diversity and skulduggery in t…
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SYDNEY from THE BEAR: when will she reach her boiling point? SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone put sous-chef Sydney Adamu from The Bear into therapy. She helps whip the team at the restaurant into shape, she’s nurturing but anxious and riddled with self-doubt, not to mention a person of colour with the highest of ambitions in a profession dominated by white men. Mouthwatering, no? We want to hear about any theories we might ha…
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Reclaiming Life as a Caregiver: An Interview with Dr. Maureen Michele Peterson
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Today, Sara talks with Dr Maureen Michele, physician, life coach, and author of the book Reclaiming Life: A Guide For Parents of Chronically Ill Children. We dive deep into the essential aspects of advocacy and emotional resilience, particularly in the context of parenting chronically ill children. We discussed the "4 C's" - consciousness, curiosit…
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CHANDLER BING: could it BE any more complicated? SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone put Chandler from Friends on the famous Central Perk couch to talk about his phobia of commitment, his attachment patterns and how he feels about mum AND dad putting on a black dress and trying to seduce one of your best friends. Expect doses of sarcasm, celebrity cameos and Janice’s laughter peppered throughout. We want to hear abou…
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MICHAEL SCOTT invites you into The Office: SHRINK THE BOX
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Ben and Nemone stroll into The Office (USA). They consider the differences between Michael Scott and David Brent, explore ego and ask why some people think they’re funny (when they’re just not). We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the team an ema…
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Navigating Emergencies as Disability Parents
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50:48
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There are emotional complexities and practical considerations of caring for children with disabilities or special needs during emergencies. In this episode, we discuss our conversations with our kids about emergencies, how we prepare for these inevitabilities, and how to recognize our personal needs to find emotional support during these crises. Th…
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Ben and Nemone answer your questions and explore your suggestions. They talk about whether they have any friends who are spies and explore some brilliant female led comedies you've either missed or forgotten. We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop t…
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LARRY DAVID: Curb star who falls out with everyone in SHRINK THE BOX
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He’s grumpy, belligerent, stubborn, filterless and has to win every single argument. We ask how Larry David has any friends left and why he is so concerned with manners, yet is rude to virtually everyone he meets. Plus, Ben and Nemone look at why some people find Curb Your Enthusiasm excruciating whilst others just can’t get enough of the hit show.…
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Join "The Student Leadership Podcast" hosts Eran Holt & Jordan Kolarik as we talk leadership with students. Connect with Eran HERE. Connect with Caleb Leake HERE. Connect with Jordan HERE. Connect with Colin HERE Connect with Caleb Holt HERE Connect with Lead the Generation HERE. Get more info on Lead the Generation at www.leadthegeneration.com Wan…
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How To Build a Thriving Marriage in Disability Parenting: An Interview with Kristin Faith Evans & Todd Evans
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Carrie sat down with Kristin and Todd Evans to discuss their newly released book, How to Build a Thriving Marriage As You Care for Children with Disabilities. They talk about communication strategies for couples, how they manage stress, and the ongoing grief we experience as special needs parents. This episode offers practical advice and emotional …
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TOMMY SHELBY: We Peek Behind the Blinders in SHRINK THE BOX
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Gang dynamics, whether you can escape a criminal heritage and the physiological cause and effect of PTSD. Plus, race rigging, opium smoking and casual violence - all in a day's work for The Peaky Blinders. Here’s the article Ben mentioned by his sister Zadie Smith: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1399593/My-father-the-accidental-hero.html W…
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Join "The Student Leadership Podcast" hosts Eran Holt & Jordan Kolarik as we talk leadership with students. Connect with Carrie HERE. Connect with Eran HERE. Connect with Jordan HERE. Connect with Lead the Generation HERE. Get more info on Lead the Generation at www.leadthegeneration.com Wanna go deeper into leadership? Check our YouTube Channel: h…
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CERSEI LANNISTER’s Power Behind the Throne: SHRINK THE BOX
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As Cersei says: ‘power is power’ and she’s got it in spades. We investigate how she becomes a master manipulator, and we take an honest objective look at her over-familiar relations with her brother Jaime. We want to hear about any theories we might have missed, what you’ve thought of the show so far and your character suggestions. Please drop the …
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Join "The Student Leadership Podcast" hosts Eran Holt & Jordan Kolarik as we talk leadership with students. Learn more about Idols from Tim Keller HERE. Connect with Eran HERE. Connect with Caleb Leake HERE. Connect with Jordan HERE. Connect with Colin HERE Connect with Caleb Holt HERE Connect with Lead the Generation HERE. Get more info on Lead th…
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Ep.165: Digging Deeper Into Grief as Disability Parents
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Join hosts Carrie, Sara, and Amy as we take a deep dive into the grief we face as mothers of children with disabilities. In this episode, we talk about how grief can feel like fear or anger, the need to be honest with ourselves, and the transformative nature of lament. This topic is something you may not know that you need until you allow yourself …
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FRASIER CRANE: Inside the mind of the Seattle psychiatrist on this week’s SHRINK THE BOX
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Where does Frasier’s snobbery originate from? Why does he revert to his ‘child state’ when around his father? And... the hidden story behind Frasier being a Freudian analyst and Niles (his brother) being a Jungian analyst. Plus, Ben and Nemone’s minds are blown when they realise a crazy coincidence with Frasier and Tony Soprano. We want to hear fro…
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Join "The Student Leadership Podcast" hosts Eran Holt & Jordan Kolarik as we talk leadership with students. Connect with Carrie HERE. Connect with Eran HERE. Connect with Jordan HERE. Connect with Lead the Generation HERE. Get more info on Lead the Generation at www.leadthegeneration.com Wanna go deeper into leadership? Check our YouTube Channel: h…
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Ep.164: Navigating Family Trauma: Finding Hope amidst Hardship with Michele Cushatt
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We are excited to share Amy’s conversation with Michele Cushatt, an author, communicator, and 3-time cancer survivor. Michele's latest book, "A Faith That Will Not Fail," offers practices to strengthen faith during challenging circumstances. Amy and Michele talk about acknowledging and dealing with trauma honestly, offering hope. They also discuss …
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Ever wondered why Frasier Crane is such a snob? How Tyrion Lannister’s bawdy humour saves him in Game of Thrones? What makes Schitts Creek’s Moira Rose a narcissist? ‘Shrink the Box’ is where actor comedian Ben Bailey Smith and psychotherapist Nemone Metaxas put their favourite fictional characters such Tommy from Peaky Blinders and Sydney from The…
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Decisions, Diagnosis, and Jealousy: Questions from our Listeners
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Carrie, Amy, and Sara answer listener’s questions in this episode. Questions like, “How do you make good decisions regarding your child’s health?” and “What’s the appropriate amount of information you give when answering someone’s question about your child?” We have learned some real lessons over the years through trial and error and want to share …
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Stuff They Don’t Tell Parents of Children with Disabilities: An Interview with Kelley Coleman
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We are honored to welcome the inspiring Kelley Coleman to our podcast. Kelley shared her deeply personal journey as a parent of a child with multiple disabilities and how she ended up writing her book, "Everything No One Tells You About Parenting." Her authenticity and wisdom shine through in this interview. We discuss the lack of information paren…
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As caregivers, we are well acquainted with transitions, and very much so in regard to our children. In this collaborative, Amy, Sara, and Carrie discuss the difficulties of life transitions as parents. They talk about their personal experiences, including making medical decisions and educational changes. The challenges of balancing autonomy and out…
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When Special Needs Moms Are Misunderstood
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Being a parent to a child with special needs comes with its own unique set of challenges, and being misunderstood is a chief issue. As Amy, Carrie, and Sara share their personal experiences and insights, they provide valuable guidance on responding with grace and resilience when faced with misunderstandings…even though they don’t do it perfectly ev…
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5 Things I Wish Others Knew About Me As A Caregiver
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Summary: Sara opens up about the challenges of feeling misunderstood as a mom and caregiver to a son with disabilities. Her top 5 instances when she has felt misunderstood touch on assumptions about strength, the perpetual feeling of needing to do more, finding a balance between identity and the constant impact of the diagnosis, and more. We know y…
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Join "The Student Leadership Podcast" hosts Eran Holt & Jordan Kolarik as we talk leadership with students. Learn more about Spiritual Gifts HERE. Connect with Eran HERE. Connect with Caleb Leake HERE. Connect with Jordan HERE. Connect with Colin HERE Connect with Caleb Holt HERE Connect with Lead the Generation HERE. Get more info on Lead the Gene…
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As parents of special needs kids, we have felt the weight of being misunderstood. In this episode, Carrie shares her experience with people who have made assumptions about us or our children and how it affects us as parents. She explains three things she wishes people understood about her parenting journey and three ways to handle ourselves when we…
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Navigating Misunderstanding: Breaking Down Walls and Building Connections
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Do you ever feel like people just don't get it? We've all had those experiences - whether it's strangers at the grocery store or even our closest friends not understanding our journey as special needs parents. Amy shares some practical things you can do to bridge the divide and navigate the challenges of being misunderstood. We don’t want to stay i…
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Join "The Student Leadership Podcast" hosts Eran Holt & Jordan Kolarik as we talk leadership with students. Learn more about Spiritual Gifts HERE. Connect with Eran HERE. Connect with Caleb Leake HERE. Connect with Jordan HERE. Connect with Colin HERE Connect with Caleb Holt HERE Connect with Lead the Generation HERE. Get more info on Lead the Gene…
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How God Creates Purpose & Meaning From Our Pain
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Carrie welcomes her longtime friend, Erika Weise, a mother navigating the complexities of caring for a son with a trach and ventilator. Erika shares her personal insights on acceptance of this new life vs. living in denial, finding meaning in adversity, and creating a support network for families facing similar challenges. This down-to-earth discus…
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The Power of Perspective: Amy, Carrie, and Sara Share Their Stories
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The Power of Perspective: Amy, Carrie, and Sara Share Their Stories Summary: Amy, Carrie and Sara look back at their early years of parenting. They share the stories from the days of early diagnosis and what they thought back then…noting with humor how ridiculous it seemed back then. But looking at the early days has helped them appreciate how far …
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Join "The Student Leadership Podcast" hosts Eran Holt & Jordan Kolarik as we talk leadership with students. Learn more about Spiritual Gifts HERE. Connect with Eran HERE. Connect with Caleb Leake HERE. Connect with Jordan HERE. Connect with Colin HERE Connect with Caleb Holt HERE Connect with Lead the Generation HERE. Get more info on Lead the Gene…
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Parenting and Caregiving Are Not The Same
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Summary: There are real differences between parenting and caregiving. Sara shares about the dichotomies of the responsibilities that we have and how those play out in our daily lives when considering traveling, hiring a babysitter and even just going to the grocery store. Noticing the differences in the roles allows us to give ourselves grace for t…
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Join "The Student Leadership Podcast" hosts Eran Holt & Jordan Kolarik as we talk leadership with students. Learn more about Spiritual Gifts HERE. Connect with Eran HERE. Connect with Caleb Leake HERE. Connect with Jordan HERE. Connect with Colin HERE Connect with Caleb Holt HERE Connect with Lead the Generation HERE. Get more info on Lead the Gene…
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Do you have times when things are chaotic, and you wonder if God is even there? Looking back on her earlier parenting, Carrie discusses three things she wished she knew and fully understood as a mom to a medically fragile child: giving herself grace as she prioritized different things in life, releasing self-criticism, and living fully in the midst…
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Join "The Student Leadership Podcast" hosts Eran Holt & Jordan Kolarik as we talk leadership with students. Connect with Peter HERE. Connect with Eran HERE. Connect with Jordan HERE. Connect with Caleb HERE. Connect with Lead the Generation HERE. Get more info on Lead the Generation at www.leadthegeneration.com Wanna go deeper into leadership? Chec…
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What I Wish I Had Known: Four Lessons in Parenting
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Episode 152: January 2,2024 Summary: Amy shares her top four things she wishes she could have done differently through her 31-year journey as a mom, particularly to her kids with invisible disabilities. Things like managing emergencies, acknowledging responsibility boundaries, and understanding the limitations of love are topics she touches on in t…
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