Rockin the Difference

Chandra Neal/Single Mom/Special Needs Mom/Special Needs Sports Program Board Member
  • 4.8 (20)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Monthly

Hello There! Welcome to Rockin the Difference, a podcast meant to share the experiences and information with those on their journey in the special needs world. I am your host, Chandra Neal, a mom of a young adult with special needs. My intent is to create a community where we can connect, be real and share in the humor and the tears, challenges and triumphs of what it’s like traveling down this path that is so unique as a special needs parent. Together, we can encourage and support each other as we are all Rockin the Difference!

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 33: Nashville: Big Breakthroughs and a Whole Lot of Heart

    Nashville was more than just a fun getaway for Ryan and me. It was a trip filled with laughter, new experiences, unexpected breakthroughs, and some pretty special reminders of just how much growth can happen when we step outside our comfort zones. In this special episode of Rockin' the Difference, Ryan joins me as we talk about our Nashville adventure, visiting dear friends, and some moments that were especially meaningful. We talk about Ryan's bathroom breakthrough (yes, even going on an airplane!), navigating an unfamiliar home independently, and the confidence that comes from trying something new. We also share plenty of laughs about Ryan's unforgettable personality, his amazing calendrical savant abilities, and the many hearts he touched along the way. As a mom, watching your child grow in ways you once wondered were possible is one of the greatest gifts. This trip reminded me that our kids are so much more than their challenges, and sometimes the smallest victories are actually the biggest milestones. To all the parents and caregivers raising children with special needs: keep encouraging, keep creating opportunities, and don't be afraid to let your kids surprise you. Growth doesn't always happen on our timeline, but it happens in moments worth celebrating. Join Ryan and me for a little Nashville fun, a lot of heart, and a reminder that our kids deserve every opportunity to bloom! Because the difference isn't just in how we see our kids. It's in giving them the opportunity to show us what they can do. ❤️ #RockinTheDifference #SpecialNeedsParenting #AutismAwareness #BlindnessAwareness #Independence #CelebrateTheWins

  2. Aug 29

    Episode 32: When Independence Gets Messy

    The Independence I Asked For I spent 23 years fighting for Ryan’s independence. Now that he’s an adult, he’s giving me exactly what I asked for… and it’s driving me a little crazy. 😂 From clogged toilets and broken furniture to shaving mishaps, dirty walls, and a whole lot of “Mom, I’ve got this!”—we’re talking about the messy, frustrating, hilarious reality of letting an adult child with blindness and autism become more independent. Because sometimes the hardest part of independence isn’t teaching them how to do it… It’s learning when to let go. And yes, Ryan is also a Taurus. So…there’s that. ♉️😂

  3. Jul 28

    Episode 31: The Reason Behind Rockin The Difference; An Interview with Ryan

    Today is one of my favorite episodes yet. ❤️🎙️   For the first time, I’m talking with the person who inspired this entire podcast… my son, Ryan, AKA Biscuit   So often, people hear words like blind or autistic and stop there. But Ryan is so much more than a diagnosis. He’s hilarious, kind, determined, sports-obsessed, a music lover, and the guy who keeps me laughing every single day.   In this episode, we’re sharing funny stories, inside jokes, memories from school, his love of hockey, surfing, Taekwondo, and life at Agape Village. You’ll get a glimpse into the little moments that make Ryan… Ryan.   Mostly, though, this is just a conversation between a mom and her son.   I hope by the end of this episode you’ll feel like you feel you understand him and our dynamic a little better. .   If Ryan makes you smile, laugh, or see the world a little differently, would you do us a favor? Share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that ability comes in so many different forms.

  4. Jun 30

    Episode 30: The Friends Who Walk This Journey With Me

    NEW EPISODE: The Friends Who Walk This Journey With Me  When people talk about raising a child with special needs, they often focus on the parents. But what about the friends who choose to stay? In this episode of Rockin’ the Difference, I’m joined by two of my best friends who’ve been in my life since before Ryan was born. Andrea Heuer and Jenn Kiesby. They’ve watched him grow from a baby into the incredible man he is today. They’ve celebrated the victories, witnessed the challenges, and eventually raised their own children alongside him. Together, we talk about how Ryan’s blindness and autism didn’t just shape our family’s story—it influenced theirs too. We discuss what inclusion looked like before it was a buzzword, how their children learned empathy and acceptance simply by growing up together, and why true friendship means showing up through every season of life. This conversation is a reminder that the special needs journey doesn’t just change one family—it has the power to transform everyone it touches.

    Episode 30: The Friends Who Walk This Journey With Me

  5. Jun 1

    Episode 29: Beach Getaway Conversations

    No experts. No scripts. No agenda. Just five special needs parents, three incredible individuals with disabilities, a beach house, and some honest conversations about life. This week’s Rockin the Difference episode is a reminder that while our journeys may be different, the understanding we find in one another can be life-changing. Come join us for laughter, stories, and a little beachside wisdom.  Special Thank you to Rob, Beckie, Christina, Jenna, Jonathan, Kali and Ryan for making this episode so very special.  I love you all so much!

  6. Apr 29

    Episode 28: Beyond What You See with Tiffany V. Easterbrook

    Beyond What You See | Featuring Tiffany V. Easterbrook What if everything you thought you understood about someone… was only a fraction of the story? In this special episode, Ryan and I sit down with Tiffany V. Easterbrook for her YouTube interview series to share our journey—one that goes far beyond first impressions. We talk about what it’s really like raising and living as a blind and autistic young man, the challenges we’ve faced, the growth we’ve experienced, and the powerful moments that have shaped who we are today. Ryan joins the conversation in his own voice—bringing his personality, humor, and even singing a little and that reminds us all just how important it is to truly see people for who they are. This conversation is heartfelt, eye-opening, and filled with reminders that inclusion starts when we look beyond what’s on the surface. 🎥 Be sure to check out Tiffany’s YouTube channel @TiffanyEasterbrook to watch the full interview and experience the connection for yourself. https://youtu.be/X9FxbwZOJsU?si=dwBq9ItxQ3BflbUA And stay tuned… this is just the beginning. I’ll be sitting down with Tiffany soon for another powerful conversation as she prepares for the release of her upcoming book—you won’t want to miss it.

  7. Mar 31

    Episode 27: Deciding to Homeschool with Tiffany Henry

    What happens when the traditional path no longer feels like the right one for your child? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Tiffany Henry as she opens up about the deeply personal decision to homeschool her autistic son. From navigating unmet needs in a conventional school setting to trusting her instincts as a mother, Tiffany shares the pivotal moments that led her to choose a different path. We dive into the real, unfiltered side of homeschooling—the challenges, the doubts, the logistical hurdles, and the emotional weight of stepping outside the norm. But we also explore the powerful rewards: the freedom to tailor learning, the strengthening of their bond, and the breakthroughs that happen when a child is truly seen and supported. If you’re a parent questioning whether the traditional system is serving your child… If you’ve felt that quiet nudge that there might be another way… If you’re wondering whether you have what it takes to do something different… This conversation will meet you right where you are—and maybe even give you the clarity and courage to explore what’s possible.

  8. Feb 24

    Episode 26: When Plans Change: Pivoting as a Special Needs Parent

    This episode wasn’t planned. I found out my mother-in-law passed away just days before I leave on a big trip with my mom. And as a special needs parent, moments like this hit differently. How does your child process grief? What does change feel like in their nervous system? How do you hold space for them while also preparing to step away? In this episode, I share how Ryan responds to unexpected news, what grief can look like in neurodivergence, and the tension of missing him deeply while also being grateful I’m able to travel at all. Caregiving is learning to pivot without losing yourself. If you’re walking through change right now, you’re not alone. 🤍 #CaregiverSupport #NeurodivergentAdults #SpecialNeedsMom #ParentingThroughChange

See All (34)

Trailer

4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Hello There! Welcome to Rockin the Difference, a podcast meant to share the experiences and information with those on their journey in the special needs world. I am your host, Chandra Neal, a mom of a young adult with special needs. My intent is to create a community where we can connect, be real and share in the humor and the tears, challenges and triumphs of what it’s like traveling down this path that is so unique as a special needs parent. Together, we can encourage and support each other as we are all Rockin the Difference!

Information

  • Creator
    Chandra Neal/Single Mom/Special Needs Mom/Special Needs Sports Program Board Member
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Rockin the Difference