Specialness Pod

Specialness
  • 4.7 (3)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Specialness, the YouTube channel where love, resilience, and the extraordinary journey of parenting a special needs child take center stage. Hosted by Kim and Jeff Kribs, this heartfelt podcast-turned-video-series invites you into their world as they share their unique story, from adopting their son as a baby to navigating the joys and challenges of raising him into adulthood. Through candid conversations, touching anecdotes, and moments of humor, Kim and Jeff explore what it means to build a family filled with compassion and strength. Whether you're a parent, a family member, or s

  1. 2d ago

    S3_Ep-06: A Special Needs Mom Doctors Gave No Hope, Twice | Julia Erman (Part 1 of 2)

    Our first ever guest. Julia Erman is a special needs mom, author, and founder of The Hazelnut Movement, and both of her children live with a diagnosis that only has a handful of documented cases in the world. In Part 1 of 2, Julia walks us through the beginning. A perfect birth that turned into a NICU emergency in 48 hours. A neurologist who took away every ounce of hope in two words. A second pregnancy that uncovered the cancer four doctors had missed. And the moment, two days after her son was born, when she realized it was happening all over again. This is one of the most honest conversations we have had on this show about grief, diagnosis, and how long it can actually take to find joy again. ABOUT OUR GUEST Julia Erman is a speaker, author, and founder of The Hazelnut Movement, a nonprofit school assembly program that helps kids understand disability through storytelling. She has written 18 children's books and has been featured in People Magazine and NBC Today Parents. Julia's website, books, and speaking: https://www.juliaerman.co/ The Hazelnut Movement, school assemblies and educator resources: https://www.thehazelnutmovement.com/ Julia is currently booking school assemblies and keynotes, and she has packets parents can send to their own school administrators. She also offers a free 7-day encouragement series for special needs moms called 7 Days of Hope. Find her on Instagram at @ermanjulia and @thehazelnutmovement. If this episode helped you feel a little less alone, subscribe and share it with a family who needs it. #SpecialNeedsParents #SpecialNeedsMom #RareDisease #SpecialNeedsFamily #TheSpecialnessPodcast

    S3_Ep-06: A Special Needs Mom Doctors Gave No Hope, Twice | Julia Erman (Part 1 of 2)

  2. Jul 15

    S3_Ep-05: Who Has It Harder in a Special Needs Marriage?

    A few weeks ago we posted a reel about the roles each parent plays in a special needs marriage. It passed 70,000 views and lit up our comments, so this week we're unpacking what we actually meant. Jeff said one of us drew "the short end of the stick," and it ruffled feathers. In this episode we clarify that comment, talk through the roles of breadwinner and caregiver, and get honest about the resentment and burnout that nobody warns you about. After 24 years, here's how we've split the load without losing each other. CHAPTERS 0:00 The viral reel and why context gets lost 1:45 What "the short end of the stick" really meant 2:38 Secondhand medical info and surprise medication costs 7:45 Deciding our roles before we even had kids 11:16 How resentment and caregiver burnout creep in 13:42 Why special needs divorces mirror regular ones, only magnified 21:24 Personality decides roles, not gender stereotypes 26:09 Why denial is one of the most dangerous things in our world 29:06 How your roles shift as your child grows 31:04 The jobs that became Dad's, from reading to infusions 34:18 "I'm off the clock" and why the caregiver needs real breaks 47:31 Balancing a neurotypical sibling 52:25 What 24 years has actually taught us 53:35 Next week: our first guest, Julie Erman Thank you to everyone following along from all over the world. Your comments, questions, and stories shape every episode we make. If this helped you feel a little less alone, subscribe and share it with a family who needs it. New episodes every week. #SpecialNeedsParents #SpecialNeedsMarriage #SpecialNeedsFamily #Caregiver #TheSpecialnessPodcast

    S3_Ep-05: Who Has It Harder in a Special Needs Marriage?

  3. Jul 9

    S3_Ep-04: Special Needs Parenting Took Away Our Ability to Plan the Future

    We had plans.That sounds simple, but when you are raising a child with profound special needs, plans come with an asterisk.In this episode, we talk about the part of special needs parenting that is hard to explain to people who have never lived it. It is not just that your child’s future changes. Your future changes too.This conversation started with a reel that hit a nerve because so many parents said the same thing: you can’t really plan when you never know what is coming next.If you are a special needs parent, caregiver, or family member living with the constant unknown, this episode is for you.Watch the episode and let us know, what is something you had to stop planning the way other families do?

    S3_Ep-04: Special Needs Parenting Took Away Our Ability to Plan the Future

  4. Jul 2

    S3_Ep-03: The Pediatric Cliff: What Happens When a Special Needs Child Becomes an Adult?

    When Cason started aging out of pediatric care, we thought the hardest part would be finding new doctors. We were wrong. The harder part was walking into the adult medical world and realizing how different everything felt. For years, pediatric specialists knew Cason, understood his history, and treated him like a whole person. Then suddenly we were in adult offices where the records had not always been read, guardianship was not always understood, and people expected Cason to answer questions he could not understand. In this episode, we talk about the pediatric cliff, the transition from pediatric specialists to adult doctors, and what it feels like when your special needs child becomes a legal adult but still needs the same level of support. We also talk about one appointment that stayed with us, the kind of appointment that makes every future appointment harder. If you are a parent, caregiver, or family member navigating adult care, guardianship, disability, special needs parenting, or medical advocacy, this one may feel very familiar. Watch the episode and let us know, has your family experienced the pediatric cliff too?

    S3_Ep-03: The Pediatric Cliff: What Happens When a Special Needs Child Becomes an Adult?

  5. Jun 26

    S3_Ep-02: Does raising a special needs child really lead to an 87% divorce rate?

    After one of our Instagram reels reached more than 180,000 views, hundreds of parents shared their stories, challenged the statistic, and started one of the most meaningful conversations we've ever had.In this episode, we revisit that viral reel, correct the misinformation, and talk about what the research actually says.More importantly, we talk about what the comments revealed.Special needs parents opened up about marriages that grew stronger, marriages that fell apart, single parenting, caregiver burnout, trauma bonding, financial stress, and the daily realities that most people never see.This episode isn't about fear.It's about honesty.Whether you're raising a child with autism, a rare genetic condition, Down syndrome, or another disability, we hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone.If you've ever wondered whether your marriage is the only one carrying this weight, this episode is for you.🎧 Watch now and join the conversation.If this episode speaks to you, we'd love to hear your story in the comments.#SpecialNeedsParenting #AutismParenting #SpecialNeedsFamily #CaregiverLife #Marriage #DisabilityAwareness #RareDisease #ParentingPodcast #SpecialnessPodcast

    S3_Ep-02: Does raising a special needs child really lead to an 87% divorce rate?

  6. Jun 16

    S3_Ep-01: One Phone Call Changed the Next 10 Months of Our Lives

    After nearly a year away, we're back.What was supposed to be a simple three-day getaway turned into one of the hardest seasons we've faced as special needs parents.The day before our trip, our son Cason suffered a devastating ankle injury that required surgery and months of recovery. What followed was nine weeks of around-the-clock caregiving, medication complications, mobility challenges, emotional exhaustion, and the return of struggles we thought were behind us.At the same time, we were fighting another battle: a 30-month journey through the Social Security disability system. After multiple denials, endless paperwork, medical evaluations, appeals, and a court hearing, we finally received an answer.In this episode, we share what really happened during our time away, what special needs caregiving looked like behind closed doors, and what we learned when life changed overnight.If you're caring for a child or adult with disabilities, this episode is for you.💙 You're not alone.🎧 Listen on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.#SpecialNeedsParenting #SpecialNeedsFamily #DisabilityAwareness #CaregiverLife #AutismFamily #ParentingJourney #SpecialNeedsAdult #FamilyCaregiver #SSI #SpecialnessPodcast

    S3_Ep-01: One Phone Call Changed the Next 10 Months of Our Lives

  7. 07/07/2025

    S2_Ep-10: We Thought We Had a Plan… Hopeful Plans vs. Hard Reality

    In this episode, we talk about the emotional aftermath of travel, how even the best vacations can take a toll—and what recovery looks like when you're caring for someone with special needs. From unexpected triggers to the slow return to normal, we share what it's really like behind the scenes.🌟 Special Shoutout:We want to take a moment to thank Special Soul Mama. If you're not already following her, you're missing out!👉 https://www.facebook.com/specialsoulmama/👉 https://www.instagram.com/specialsoulmamaShe’s a light—and we’re grateful to walk this road with her.If this episode resonates with you, please like, share, and comment. It helps more families like ours find this show. And don’t forget to subscribe!#MentalHealthAwareness #SpecialNeedsParenting #InvisibleStruggles #DisabilityAwareness #ParentingJourney #BipolarAwareness #AutismAndMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #SpecialnessPodcast

    S2_Ep-10: We Thought We Had a Plan… Hopeful Plans vs. Hard Reality

  8. 06/12/2025

    S2_Ep-9: We Thought We Had a Plan… Hopeful Plans vs. Hard Reality

    Buckle up—this is the one where everything went sideways.In this raw, emotional, and at times chaotic episode, Kim and Jeff recount a whirlwind 24 hours that took them from hopeful to heartbroken. What started as a routine trip to Houston turned into a spiral of medication issues, ER visits, and total emotional overload.🎙️ They open up about:* How quickly Cason’s behavior escalated* Their experience navigating the hospital system (again)* What it feels like when every plan you made unravels in real timeThis is the reality of parenting a medically complex, special needs child. It’s overwhelming, unrelenting—and rarely shown in this level of honesty.🔗 Watch, share, and don’t forget to subscribe for more unfiltered episodes of The Specialness Podcast.#MentalHealthAwareness #SpecialNeedsParenting #InvisibleStruggles #DisabilityAwareness #ParentingJourney #BipolarAwareness #AutismAndMentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #SpecialnessPodcast

    S2_Ep-9: We Thought We Had a Plan… Hopeful Plans vs. Hard Reality
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Specialness, the YouTube channel where love, resilience, and the extraordinary journey of parenting a special needs child take center stage. Hosted by Kim and Jeff Kribs, this heartfelt podcast-turned-video-series invites you into their world as they share their unique story, from adopting their son as a baby to navigating the joys and challenges of raising him into adulthood. Through candid conversations, touching anecdotes, and moments of humor, Kim and Jeff explore what it means to build a family filled with compassion and strength. Whether you're a parent, a family member, or s

Information

  • Creator
    Specialness
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Specialness
  • Show Website
    Specialness Pod

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