Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker

Amy Julia Becker
  • 5.0 (30)
  • PARENTING

Parenting a child with a disability can feel overwhelming and isolating—but you don’t have to journey this road alone. Take the Next Step offers practical insights to help you create a thriving future for your whole family. Join Amy Julia every Wednesday for honest conversations that offer simple next steps to build connection, belonging, and delight—at home and in community.

  1. 3D AGO

    Disability: Tragedy, Inspiration… or Something Else? with Matthew Mooney

    E15 — Tired of feeling like you have to “fix” your child—or turn their life into an inspiration story? Parents of kids with disabilities are often pushed toward two extremes: tragedy or triumph. But what if both miss the point? In this conversation, Amy Julia Becker and Matthew Mooney (co-founder of 99 Balloons) offer a healthier way to understand disability—rooted in shared humanity, vulnerability, and real relationships. Plus: simple language shifts you can use at home and with friends starting today. Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/ 00:00 Intro: Understanding Disability 04:52 The Four Myths of Disability 08:01 Theology and Disability 11:21 The Importance of Relationships in Disability 14:39 Defining Disability: A Shared Human Experience 21:18 Practical Language Shifts in Discussing Disability 25:36 Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Joys MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Websites: 99 BalloonsExploring disability as tragedy on Amy Julia’s Reimagining the Good Life podcast: RFK Jr., Autism, and the Story We Need Instead_ WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/ _ ABOUT OUR GUEST: When Matthew Mooney and his wife, Ginny, were 30 weeks pregnant, they learned their son Eliot had trisomy 18. Eliot was born eight weeks later and lived for 99 days. The Mooneys founded 99 Balloons, a nonprofit supporting individuals with disabilities locally and globally.  Matt now serves on the 99 Balloons Board and lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with Ginny and their three children—Hazel, Anders, and Lena.  A writer, speaker, and consultant on disability and inclusion, Matthew is also an attorney and received his PhD in Theological Ethics at Aberdeen University. His work has taken him to Haiti, Mexico, Ukraine, Uganda, India, and beyond. Websites: 99 Balloons :: matthewlylemooney Social: insta  _ Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals. We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

    30 min

  2. FEB 18

    How Disability Parents Can Get Organized Without Burning Out with Angela O’Brien

    Ep 14 — If paperwork and clutter are exhausting you, you’re not alone. Professional organizer Angela O’Brien, mom to a young adult daughter with Down syndrome, talks with Amy Julia Becker about the unique organizing challenges of disability parenting. From managing medical appointments and IEP paperwork to creating a home that works for everyone, Angela shares simple, realistic steps to help you move toward greater peace and presence. 00:00 Organizing for Disability Caregivers 06:22 Challenges Faced by Disability Caregivers 10:39 Starting Small: Practical Steps to Organize Spaces 15:27 Managing Time Effectively 16:49 Organizing Paperwork 21:53 Organizing Tips __ Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/ __ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Your Space Reclaimed: https://yourspacereclaimed.net/Amy Julia on Angela’s Especially Organized: Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms podcast: 90 | Reimagining the Good Life with Kids with Disabilities_ WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/ _ ABOUT OUR GUEST: Angela O’Brien is a mom of 2, professional organizer, Enneagram coach, and host of the podcast Especially Organized: Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms. As the mom of an amazing young adult daughter with Down Syndrome, Angela is passionate about advocating for and supporting families like hers who are raising kids with disabilities.  In fact, after 18 years of sharing her daughter with the world, volunteering her time to support other families and raising money for local Down Syndrome support organizations, Angela took her almost-obsessive passion for home organizing and turned it into a business where she speaks to and coaches fellow caregivers through their clutter so that they can reclaim the space, freedom, and energy to do what they love. She lives in Dallas, TX with her husband and daughter and is constantly trying to find her way to a beach. Links: Website: https://yourspacereclaimed.net/ Instagram: @yourspacereclaimed Facebook: Your Space Reclaimed _ Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals. We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

    27 min

  3. FEB 11

    Thriving in Marriage as Disability Parents with Todd and Kristin Evans

    Ep 13 — There's a myth out there that raising a child with disabilities will doom a marriage. But the data tells a different story. In our conversation, authors Todd and Kristin Faith Evans join Amy Julia Becker to offer simple ways for couples to connect in the midst of both the ordinary and the most intense family circumstances. There's a lot of hope in this episode! 00:00 Intro: Marriage and parenting a child with a disability 05:52 Challenges and possibilities parents face 09:28 The power of vulnerability in relationships 12:02 Marriage Triage: What to do when your marriage is in crisis 16:36 Alone Time, Together Time: Why both matter Mentioned: www.DisabilityParenting.comHow to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities by Kristin Faith Evans, MA, MS, LMSW and Todd Evans, PhD, MAAsk Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/ _ WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/ _ ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Dr. Todd and Kristin Faith Evans are celebrating twenty-four years of marriage. They are award-winning authors, national speakers, and disability parents. They are passionate about empowering other parents of children with additional needs with the skills to thrive at www.DisabilityParenting.com. They co-wrote their multi award-winning book, How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities (Baker Books). They both earned their MA in Christian Spiritual Formation at Wheaton College in Illinois and have served together in full-time ministry in church, camping, and retreat settings. Todd received his PhD from Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering and currently manages his own businesses, and Kristin earned her MSW from the University of Tennessee and is a licensed master social worker experienced in couples, child and family, substance abuse, and crisis counseling. They enjoy traveling and the outdoors together. Website and social media links: https://disabilityparenting.com/ https://www.instagram.com/disabilityparenting/ https://www.facebook.com/kristin.evans.5895/ _ Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow us on Instagram @hopeheals. We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

    27 min

  4. FEB 4

    When Special Education Works with Adrian Wood

    Ep 12 — What if inclusion in schools didn’t have to be a constant fight? Adrian Wood, PhD, shares what actually helped her son with autism thrive in their public school system. Adrian and Amy Julia Becker explore: Building trust with educatorsCollaboration and creativityNavigating IEPs and transitionsSmall changes that make a big difference03:36 Navigating Public School for Children with Disabilities 05:59 Creative Thinking and Working Together as a Team 15:01 Strategies for Success 22:01 Preparing for Transitions in Education Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/ __ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: VLOG: Tales of an Educated Debutante_ WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/ _ ABOUT: Adrian Wood is the creator of the vlog Tales of an Educated Debutante. She has a PhD in Educational Research and contributes to Today Parents, The Today Show, and the Love What Matters blog. She lives in rural eastern North Carolina with her family. She is the co-author of Autism Out Loud.   CONNECT with Adrian on her website (talesofaneducateddebutante.com), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.  __ Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals. We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

    29 min

  5. 12/10/2025 · BONUS

    A Lifeline for Disability Parents: Your Feedback, Our Future

    Feeling alone in the hard parts of parenting a child with a disability? Hear how other families are finding support, encouragement, and practical ways to navigate the challenges while celebrating the joys. Plus, a quick review is the perfect Christmas gift to help more families discover Take the Next Step! Mentioned: Niro Feliciano's Take the Next Step episode00:00 Intro 00:31 Your Feedback 03:33 Backstory and Future Reimagining _ SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/ _ Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow us on Instagram @hopeheals. We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

    6 min

  6. 11/26/2025

    From Chaos to Calm-ish: Holiday Survival for Disability Parents with Niro Feliciano, LCSW

    E11 — Feeling the holiday overwhelm creep in already? Psychotherapist Niro Feliciano, author of All is CALMish, unpacks why disability families carry extra emotional weight this time of year—and how small, doable shifts can bring more peace. We explore: realistic expectationsmicro-moments of delightasking for helpbuilding a holiday season that fits your family, not InstagramMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: All is CALMish: How to Feel Less Frantic and More Festive During the Holidays by Niro FelicianoSubscribe to Amy Julia’s Substack newsletter: amyjuliabecker.com/subscribe__ WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/ _ ABOUT OUR GUEST: Niro Feliciano is a psychotherapist and an expert on anxiety, stress, and relationships. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University and is the author of This Book Won't Make You Happy and All is CALMish. She is a frequent guest on the TODAY show and her column, "Is This Normal?" appears on Today.com. Her work has appeared in publications such as Real Simple, Oprah Daily, the New York Times, HuffPost, and Psychology Today. Niro is a first-generation Sri Lankan American and lives with her family in Connecticut. Web: nirofeliciano.com Instagram: @niro_feliciano Facebook: /nirotherapy _ Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow us on Instagram @hopeheals. We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

    28 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    The Power of Proximity in Disability Parenting with Sho Baraka

    E10 — From Frustration to Connection: If your home feels tense or chaotic, connection might be a missing piece. Recording artist Sho Baraka joins Amy Julia Becker to share how his family moved from daily breakdowns and aggression to a home marked by peace. Sho reflects on his story of parenting two sons with autism and the surprising power of proximity—how simply being with our kids can open doors to communication, trust, and calm. 00:00 Introduction to Sho Baraka 03:07 Navigating Communication with Nonspeaking Children 11:14 The Power of Proximity 13:25 Moving from Aggression to Peace 18:52 Marriage and Family Life 21:55 Practical Tools for Families MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Words, 2006: https://youtu.be/VImB2ALPQic?si=ej0PI35tdMPCN1RWSho on the GoodHard Story podcast with Katherine Wolf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=512teMbA_gwDr Marion Blank: https://dmlearninglab.com/about-us-2/ASD Reading: https://www.asdreading.com/_ WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/ _ ABOUT OUR GUEST: Sho Baraka has spent the last 18 years traveling the world as a recording artist, consultant, speaker and writer. He is a co-founder of The And Campaign and founding member of the internationally known hip-hop consortium 116 Clique and record label, Reach Records. Sho served as a visiting professor at Wake Forest University & Warner Pacific University and is currently an editorial director at Christianity Today. Sho is also working with MyBLVD to build a community called "Good Culture". A space that will galvanize cultivators around story, art & ideas. Sho lives in Atlanta, GA with Patreece, his wife of 22 years, and their three children. Sho and Patreece have two boys on the autism spectrum and find themselves as ambassadors and advocates in the Autism community. Sho Baraka (@amishobaraka) • Instagram photos and videos https://substack.com/@goodculture https://www.shobaraka.com/ https://www.youtube.com/shobarakashow https://www.facebook.com/shobaraka _ Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow us on Instagram @hopeheals. We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

    26 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    How to Handle Awkward Questions About Disability with Carrie Hahn

    E9 — Awkward questions about disability happen. Here’s how parents can respond. Carrie Hahn, a pediatric speech-language pathologist and mother, joins Amy Julia Becker to share actionable strategies to: navigate conversations and correct misconceptionsmake disability normal in playhelp kids feel seen and respected without feeling singled out00:00 Intro 03:14 Myths About Disability 05:33 Talking About Disability in Public 09:05 Challenging Assumptions of Incompetence 14:32 Making Disability Normal in Play 19:08 Turning Conversation Mistakes into Learning 23:38 Practical Tools for Caregivers MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Beyond Inclusion: Raising Anti-Ableist Kids by Carrie Hahn_ WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/ _ ABOUT OUR GUEST:  Carrie Hahn is a pediatric speech-language pathologist and mother. She has served children of a variety of ages in a variety of settings and has taken on additional endeavors of interest, such as an autism support group for caregivers, the distribution of a parent education newsletter, and giving talks at conferences for family advocacy groups. She creates and shares content related to disability and neurodivergence on her website and social media and uses her platform to promote education and advocacy. Hahn is the mother of two neurodivergent children, one of whom also has physical disabilities. Her book Beyond Inclusion: Raising Anti-Ableist Kids came out in July of 2024. Carrie’s professional and personal lives have intensified her passion for making a safer and less ableist world. CONNECT with Carrie Hahn on her website (informdisability.com), Facebook (@informspeechandlanguage), and Instagram (@carriecch80) _ Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow us on Instagram @hopeheals. We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

    28 min
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Parenting a child with a disability can feel overwhelming and isolating—but you don’t have to journey this road alone. Take the Next Step offers practical insights to help you create a thriving future for your whole family. Join Amy Julia every Wednesday for honest conversations that offer simple next steps to build connection, belonging, and delight—at home and in community.

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