Month: January 2025

LPHS02E09: Todd Turner, founder of Team GUTS, talks family, fitness and community

LPHS02E09: Todd Turner, founder of Team GUTS, talks family, fitness and community

In this episode, I sit down with Todd Turner, the inspiring founder of Team GUTS—a nonprofit transforming lives through fitness and sports programs for individuals with special needs. Todd opens up about his family’s journey raising his incredible daughter, who has both Down syndrome and autism. He shares heartfelt stories of challenges, triumphs, and the lessons learned along the way. From the impact of early intervention and advocacy to the life-changing power of fitness and community, this conversation is packed with insights, hope, and inspiration.

LPHS02E08: Jess Ronne on caregiving with grit, grace, and community

LPHS02E08: Jess Ronne on caregiving with grit, grace, and community

What would you do if you faced profound loss while raising a child with special needs—could you find grit and grace to move forward?

In this episode, I sit down with Jess Ronne—an author, podcaster, nonprofit executive, and passionate advocate for families of children with special needs—to explore this question and more as she shares about her family’s incredible journey. Jess opens up about raising her son, Lucas, who has profound autism, and navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of early childhood, including the heartbreaking loss of her first husband, Lucas’s father. She reflects on finding love again, expanding her family, and now transitioning Lucas to supported housing as an adult, all while balancing caregiving with self-care. Jess also discusses her new book, Caregiving with Grit and Grace, and the creation of The Lucas Project, a nonprofit providing vital resources and respite for caregivers. This heartfelt conversation highlights the power of resilience, community, and love.

 

LPHS02E07: Sarah Raphael’s ‘neurospicy’ parenting, Extra Lucky Moms, and more

LPHS02E07: Sarah Raphael’s ‘neurospicy’ parenting, Extra Lucky Moms, and more

On this episode, I chat with Sarah Raphael, a mom of two young children, who shares her family’s journey navigating parenting ‘neurospicy’ kids, her advocacy in schools, her focus on self-care and mental health, and the value of connecting with others through special groups like Extra Lucky Moms.