Even If. The Special Needs Parenting Podcast.

Michaela & Moriah
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Parenting

Even If: The Special Needs Parenting Podcast is hosted by sisters Michaela and Moriah. Between Moriah's life in the Texas Panhandle, raising three kids, two with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and Michaela's world near Houston, raising three kids, one with autism and one with cerebral palsy, these sisters bring the ultimate blend of raw sisterly humor, professional expertise, and fierce parenting wisdom. Together, they share honest conversations about special needs parenting, raising children with disabilities, navigating medical challenges, caregiver burnout, mental health, family life, and finding support along the way. They're here to laugh through the chaos, cry through the heavy days, and remind other special needs parents and caregivers that they're not alone. Because joy is possible—even if the path looks different from what was planned.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 15 - Motherhood, Caregiving, and Advocacy with Holly Robinson Peete

    Motherhood, Caregiving, and Advocacy with Holly Robinson PeeteWhat happens when the future you imagined for your child suddenly looks different? And how do you find the strength to keep advocating while navigating the challenges of caregiving? In this special episode of Even If. The Special Needs Parenting Podcast, sisters Moriah Potter and Michaela Smith sit down with actress, author, and autism advocate Holly Robinson Peete for an honest, heartfelt, and sometimes humorous conversation about motherhood, special needs parenting, caregiving, and advocacy. Holly opens up about her son RJ's autism diagnosis, the loneliness she experienced in those early years, and the doctor's words that turned diagnosis day into what her family calls "Never Day." She shares why parents should trust their instincts, hold on to hope, and never stop believing in their children's possibilities. We also talk about raising children with autism into adulthood, the importance of employment opportunities and inclusion, and how RJ continues to challenge expectations. Holly shares how caring for her father after his Parkinson's disease diagnosis shaped her understanding of caregiving, and why caregiver burnout, respite care, and asking for help deserve more attention. We also discuss the HollyRod Foundation, its work supporting families affected by autism and Parkinson's disease, and its annual DesignCare Gala, this Saturday, November 7th. Through it all, Holly reminds us that building a strong support system around our children is one of the most important things we can do. Whether that support comes from family, friends, schools, churches, or other parents walking a similar road, finding your community matters. If you're a special needs parent, autism parent, disability advocate, or caregiver feeling overwhelmed or alone, this conversation is for you. Learn more about the HollyRod Foundation: https://hollyrod.org Topics: Holly Robinson Peete, autism parenting, autism diagnosis, special needs parenting, caregiver burnout, Parkinson's disease, disability advocacy, adults with autism, caregiver support, HollyRod Foundation, motherhood, and building a support system.

  2. Oct 27

    Episode 14 - The P Word: Puberty

    Puberty is challenging for any parent, but what happens when your child has special needs or developmental disabilities? How do you navigate physical changes, personal hygiene, hormones, and growing independence when your child still depends on you for everyday care? In this episode of Even If: The Special Needs Parenting Podcast, sisters Michaela and Moriah sit down with two moms, Jeri Lynne Lansford and Sandi Reese, who have already navigated puberty with their children with disabilities. We're having an honest conversation about the challenges of puberty and special needs parenting, including: Physical changes in boys and girls with disabilitiesMenstruation, body hair, hygiene, and personal careCommunication challenges and sensory sensitivitiesHormonal changes, seizures, anxiety, and behaviorTeaching privacy, boundaries, and maintaining dignityThe emotional challenges of watching our children grow up while continuing to provide hands-on careFrom awkward conversations to practical caregiving challenges, these moms share their experiences, what surprised them, and what they wish they'd known before puberty began. Whether you're parenting a child with cerebral palsy, Angelman syndrome, autism, or another developmental or physical disability, we hope this conversation helps you feel a little more prepared for the changes ahead. Because even if puberty brings a whole new set of challenges, you don't have to navigate them alone. Content note: This episode includes candid, educational discussions about sexual development, masturbation, menstruation, and reproductive health.

  3. Oct 20

    Episode 13 - It's a Big Deal To Us

    Episode 13: It's a Big Deal to Us Sometimes the smallest victories are actually the biggest ones. In this episode of Even If: The Special Needs Parenting Podcast, we're talking about those moments in special needs parenting that might not seem like a big deal to anyone else, but mean absolutely everything to us. From celebrating new abilities and unexpected progress to navigating setbacks and learning not to compare our children's journeys, we're sharing why these little wins deserve to be celebrated. We also share some incredible victories from other special needs families, reminding us that every milestone matters, no matter how big or small it may seem. Because sometimes what looks like an ordinary moment to someone else is something we've been hoping and praying for. And to us, that's a really big deal. ❤️ Join sisters Michaela and Moriah for another honest conversation about the joys, challenges, and unexpected moments of special needs parenting.

  4. Oct 13

    Episode 12 - The Never-Ending To-Do List

    The mental load of special needs parenting goes far beyond everyday parenting responsibilities. Between medical appointments, insurance battles, therapies, IEP meetings, prescriptions, and coordinating care, the to-do list never seems to end. In this episode of Even If: The Special Needs Parenting Podcast, we talk about the invisible work of care coordination, staying organized, managing caregiver stress, and learning when to ask for help. Whether you're raising a child with a disability, navigating a rare disease diagnosis, or feeling overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities, we hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone.

  5. Oct 6

    Episode 11 - More Than a Caregiver

    This week, we’re joined by Emily for an honest conversation about caregiving, mental health, asking for help, finding community, and remembering that somewhere underneath all the appointments, responsibilities, and daily care… **you’re still you.** Because you are more than the care you give.

  6. Sep 29

    Episode 10 - It's OK To Not Be OK

    We’re sitting down with LPC-Associate Jennifer to talk about navigating some of the harder parts of this life and how professional support can help.

  7. Sep 22

    Episode 9 - When Self-Care Isn't Enough

    Self-care matters. The quiet coffee, the walk, the book, the night out, or simply sitting alone for a few minutes—those things can help us breathe. But sometimes what we’re carrying needs more than a break. Self-care cannot process our trauma, provide dependable respite, quiet persistent anxiety, or make an unsustainable situation sustainable. In our episode, “When Self-Care Isn’t Enough,” we talk honestly about the difference between needing self-care, mental health care, and practical support—and why some of us may need all three. Needing more than self-care doesn’t mean you failed at taking care of yourself. It may simply mean you’re asking one tool to do a job it was never meant to do.

  8. Sep 15

    Episode 8 - The Cost of Keeping It Together

    We share our own lived experiences, along with honest stories submitted by other parents, about how caring for and advocating for our children affects our mental health every single day—the constant worry, guilt, exhaustion, fear, and pressure to keep going even when we’re struggling. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it just me?”—this episode is for you.

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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Even If: The Special Needs Parenting Podcast is hosted by sisters Michaela and Moriah. Between Moriah's life in the Texas Panhandle, raising three kids, two with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and Michaela's world near Houston, raising three kids, one with autism and one with cerebral palsy, these sisters bring the ultimate blend of raw sisterly humor, professional expertise, and fierce parenting wisdom. Together, they share honest conversations about special needs parenting, raising children with disabilities, navigating medical challenges, caregiver burnout, mental health, family life, and finding support along the way. They're here to laugh through the chaos, cry through the heavy days, and remind other special needs parents and caregivers that they're not alone. Because joy is possible—even if the path looks different from what was planned.

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