Brave Together Podcast: Support and Community for Caregiving Parents

Jessica Patay
  • 5.0 (123)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This is Brave Together Podcast. On Brave Together Podcast, co-hosts Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw, will share interviews, celebrate stories, explore challenges, and rally hope for the motherhood journey. Through this inspirational and resourceful podcast, may all caregiving parents know that they are not alone. We Are Brave Together is a global nonprofit that creates community for mothers raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

  1. EXPERT: Understanding and Supporting Neurodivergent Children in Burnout with Tanya Valentin

    3D AGO

    EXPERT: Understanding and Supporting Neurodivergent Children in Burnout with Tanya Valentin

    Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today’s expert episode, #242, featuring Tanya Valentin, a neuro-affirming family coach, author and podcast host, who specializes in burnout in Autistic and ADHD children. These expert episodes are conversations with professionals whose work directly supports caregiving parents. In this episode, Tanya joins hosts Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell for a compassionate and eye-opening conversation about childhood burnout, nervous-system safety, and how deeply children’s overwhelm impacts the entire family. Together, they explore the ways burnout shows up in neurodivergent children, why it’s often misunderstood or misidentified, and what parents can look for when their child is chronically overwhelmed. Tanya shares practical tools and guidance to help children feel safer and more supported, while also addressing that parents of children in burnout need community and support too. Find out more about Tanya Valentin and her parent membership community, From Burnout to Balance, here. Find Tanya Valentin’s book, When She Wakes, She Will Move Mountains: 5 Steps to Reconnecting With Your Wild, Authentic, Inner Queen here. Leave us a message here. Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here.  Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here. Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

    50 min
  2. ASK US ANYTHING: How to Decide to Expand Your Family as a Caregiver

    FEB 3

    ASK US ANYTHING: How to Decide to Expand Your Family as a Caregiver

    Hello Brave Friends! 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, #241, we’re responding to the question:  “Hi Zoe, Susanna, and Jessica. You all have been moms a long, long time, and I am a newer mom. My first child, now age 3, was born with a disability…and I just can’t decide if I should have more kids or not. How did you decide?” In this conversation, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe Shaw respond with honesty, compassion, and deep respect for how complex this decision can be. They talk about the emotional weight of choice through the lens of their own experience, the role of grief and hope, and how different phases of parenting call for different questions. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all answer, they explore how to listen to your values, your capacity, and your support system- while giving yourself permission to take your time and trust that there is no “right” answer, only the one that is right for you and your family. Keep the questions coming—we’re here to support you. Whether you’re a newer parent navigating big decisions, a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs, or someone supporting a caregiving family, we would love to hear from you. We see you, and we love you. Leave us a message here. Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here.  Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

    47 min
  3. THRIVING DISABLED ADULTS: The Power of Authenticity with April Lockhart

    JAN 27

    THRIVING DISABLED ADULTS: The Power of Authenticity with April Lockhart

    Hello Brave Friends! On this episode, #240, we are hearing about the experience of another Thriving Disabled Adult, April Lockhart.  April is the founder of Disabled& and an advocate for the disabled community. She is a contributing fashion editor at Marie Claire and a member of the Hello Sunshine Collective. April has been featured in Vogue, The Cut, Byrdie, Refinery29, Who What Wear, and Fast Company, among others. Her 2023 debut at New York Fashion Week walking for Victoria’s Secret’s adaptive line, along with her work modeling for Anthropologie’s adaptive collection, solidified her status as a trailblazer in both the fashion industry and advocacy space. In 2025, April was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. In this conversation with Susanna Peace Lovell and Jessica Patay, April Lockhart shares her journey from hiding her limb difference to becoming an advocate and influencer in the disability community. She discusses the pivotal moments that led her to embrace her identity and the positive responses she received after sharing her story on social media. The discussion highlights the importance of authenticity, community, and the role of social media in amplifying disability representation. She also touches on the criticism faced within the disabled community and the need for a shift in how disability is perceived, advocating for a narrative that celebrates aspiration rather than mere inspiration. Find April Lockhart on IG, TikTok and Youtube. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here. Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

    40 min
  4. EXPERT: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans with Dr. Maya Shankar

    JAN 20

    EXPERT: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans with Dr. Maya Shankar

    Hi Bravies! Today Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell are talking to another expert on a topic deeply relevant to you, the caregiving parent.  In this expert episode, number 239, they sit down with Dr. Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist and host of the acclaimed podcast ‘A Slight Change of Plans.’ Maya shares her profound insights on navigating life's unexpected turns and the transformative power of change. Through her personal stories and expert knowledge, she reveals how embracing change can lead to self-discovery and growth. Join us as we explore the revelations that come with life's challenges and learn how to harness them for personal evolution. Dr. Maya Shankar is a cognitive scientist and creator of the podcast A Slight Change of Plans, previously named “Best Show of the Year” by Apple. She served as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Obama White House where she founded and chaired the Social and Behavioral Sciences Team, which President Obama formalized by Executive Order in 2015. She was also appointed as the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations. Maya has a B.A. from Yale and a doctorate from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience at Stanford. She has been profiled by The New Yorker, has been a guest on NPR, CBS Mornings, and The Today Show, and was featured as a neuroscience expert on National Geographic’s Limitless with Chris Hemsworth. She is a former violin student of Itzhak Perlman at Juilliard, and is the author of the forthcoming book with Penguin Random House, The Other Side of Change. Website: https://mayashankar.com/ Instagram: @drmayashankar Book Order Link: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/729180/the-other-side-of-change-by- maya-shankar/ Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here. Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

    52 min
  5. STORY: Hope and Humor in Hardship with Kristina Kuzmič

    JAN 13

    STORY: Hope and Humor in Hardship with Kristina Kuzmič

    Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #238. 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. In this episode of the Brave Together podcast, Kristina Kuzmič shares her journey from childhood in Croatia to becoming a voice of hope and humor for parents navigating the challenges of altered motherhood. Kristina shares her personal journey of navigating guilt as a parent while dealing with her son's mental health struggles. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and how it can positively impact both parents and children. Kristina introduces the concept of 'No, thank you' as a powerful tool to reject judgment and negativity from others. The discussion also touches on the ongoing stigma surrounding mental health and the need for open conversations to combat shame. Finally, Kristina presents her new app, Hope and Humor Daily, designed to provide support and encouragement for parents. Find out more about Kristina Kuzmič here. Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here. Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here. Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

    43 min
  6. ASK US ANYTHING: Work/Life Balance for Caregivers—Possible or Pipedream?

    JAN 6

    ASK US ANYTHING: Work/Life Balance for Caregivers—Possible or Pipedream?

    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 why it so often feels impossible for caregiving parents. They explore what balance can realistically look like in different seasons of life, how to recognize when you’re overwhelmed, and how to make intentional choices that protect your energy, mental health, and relationships. Together, they share compassionate reframes, practical ideas, and encouragement for starting the new year with more grace and less pressure. Keep the questions coming—we’re here to support you! Whether you’re a parent caring for a child with complex medical or mental health needs, or someone looking to better support a caregiving parent in your life, we would love to hear from you. We see you, and we love you. Leave us a message here. Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here.  Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame here. Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

    45 min
  7. Winter Re-Run: Will A Caregiver Support Group Make Me More Depressed?

    12/31/2025

    Winter Re-Run: Will A Caregiver Support Group Make Me More Depressed?

    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, without taking on other attendee’s pain.  In this community we are ALREADY dealing with our own tough feelings when we step into a group sharing environment and as Dr. Zoe Shaw says, in this episode, “we’re wired for protection not connection” so dealing with other people’s emotions on top of our own can feel daunting. BUT it doesn't have to feel that way and the community and sisterhood that comes with sharing and holding space for those emotions is so worth facing your own.  There are so many wisdom gems, AHA moments and tools in this episode for helping us deconstruct the emotions we feel when in the presence of other people’s pain. Please enjoy this important episode of Ask Us Anything.  Whether you have questions as a parent to a child with complex medical or mental health needs or you’re someone looking to support a care-giving parent, we would LOVE to hear from you.  If you have any topic requests or if you would like to ask a question, leave us a message here. Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here.  Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here. Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here. Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

    30 min

  8. SEASON 10 TRAILER

    Welcome to Season 10!

    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 passionate about encouraging and serving caregiving moms everywhere and I’m not alone. I have two brave mom co-hosts, the vivacious author and life coach to disability families across the globe, Susanna Peace Lovell and the deeply wise author, Clinical Psychotherapist, and complex shame expert, Dr. Zoe Shaw. Together we use our exponential motherhood experiences to support, guide and lovingly witness our fellow caregiving mom audience.  This season we are beyond thrilled to announce that we are now streamable on UK Health Radio. This means our beautiful community of genuine superhero moms will be growing and we have some incredible guests lined up to help celebrate. Guests like self-proclaimed ‘disabled fashion girlie’ April Lockhart, Mental Health Advocate, Author and Comedian Kristina Kuzmic, and the parenting guru for navigating the spicy ones, Mary Van Geffen. So what can you expect from the podcast this season? We are offering Story episodes from moms just like you, Expert episodes on topics that impact you, Thriving Disabled Adult episodes to give you insights into the experiences of your children and Ask Us Anything episodes to answer your burning questions. We make this podcast as a lifeline for you, the caregiving parent, so please, submit stories through our website, call into our Speakpipe through the link in the show notes and leave us messages with your questions, or comment on our Instagram and Youtube posts @wearebravetogether. We’d love to hear from you and do our best to create episodes to address your questions. We are also on Youtube so come see the faces behind this podcast there. And please take a moment to rate and review our podcast so we can continue to grow and reach more brave moms.  We offer you community here at Brave Together Podcast and remind you every chance we get—that you are strong, capable and definitely not alone.  We see you and we love you. Welcome to Se Brave Together Podcast is a resource produced by We Are Brave Together, a global nonprofit that creates community for moms raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere. JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here. Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube. Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here. Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance! Disclaimer

    3 min
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This is Brave Together Podcast. On Brave Together Podcast, co-hosts Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw, will share interviews, celebrate stories, explore challenges, and rally hope for the motherhood journey. Through this inspirational and resourceful podcast, may all caregiving parents know that they are not alone. We Are Brave Together is a global nonprofit that creates community for mothers raising children with disabilities, neurodivergence, or complex medical and mental health conditions. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to preserve and protect the mental health of caregiving moms everywhere.

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