Month: August 2026

LPH68: Kari Baker on Faith, Autism, and Hope

LPH68: Kari Baker on Faith, Autism, and Hope

Could embracing your child’s strengths change everything?

In this episode, Kari Baker shares her family’s autism journey, from the early days of searching for answers to embracing autism parenting, ADHD, and faith with hope and purpose. She explains how letting go of the need to “fix” her son opened the door to seeing the incredible gifts he already had.

Kari talks about raising her son, navigating school changes, supporting his love of writing and filmmaking, and learning to parent the child she has instead of the child she imagined. She also shares how her faith inspired her book, Finding Kind, and the Kind Families community, offering encouragement to parents who may feel alone. This conversation is a reminder that every child has purpose and every family has a unique journey.

More about the show…
Learn more about Kari Baker, her book, and the Kind Families community: https://kindfamilies.com/
Find more information about LPH host, Wendy Ernzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen.
Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/
Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com.
Thank you!

 

LPH67: Cassie Enea on Trusting Your Parent Instincts

LPH67: Cassie Enea on Trusting Your Parent Instincts

Could trusting your instincts change your child’s future?

In this episode, Cassie Enea shares her family’s autism journey, from noticing early developmental regression to fighting for the autism services, IEP support, and specialized school placement her daughter needed. Her story is a powerful reminder that parents are often their child’s strongest advocate.

Cassie opens up about the emotions of an autism diagnosis, navigating early intervention, speech and occupational therapy, and years of advocating through the special education system. She explains how finding the right behavioral-based school transformed her daughter Haley’s confidence, independence, and daily life. This heartfelt conversation offers hope, practical advice, and encouragement for families learning to trust their instincts, build their support network, and never stop advocating for their child.

More about the show…
Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/
Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com.
Thank you!

 

 

LPH66: Jessica Patay on Hope for Caregiving Moms

LPH66: Jessica Patay on Hope for Caregiving Moms

What if the strongest caregiver is the one who asks for support?

In this episode, Jessica Patay shares her family’s journey with Prader-Willi syndrome, caregiving, disability parenting, and caregiver support. She opens up about raising her son Ryan, building food security into everyday life, and creating hope for families through the nonprofit We Are Brave Together.

Jessica explains the unique challenges of Prader-Willi syndrome, from constant food insecurity and anxiety to planning for adulthood and independent living. She also shares how her own caregiving journey inspired her to found We Are Brave Together, a nonprofit that connects moms through support groups, retreats, books, and community. Whether you’re raising a child with a disability, supporting a caregiver, or looking for encouragement on your own journey, this heartfelt conversation reminds us that no family should have to walk this road alone.

Learn more about Jessica Patay and the We Are Brave Together Community: https://www.wearebravetogether.org/
Find more information about LPH host, Wendy Ernzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen.
Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/
Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com.
Thank you f
LPH65: Dr. Eric Weiss on Brain Inflammation, Stem Cells, and Autism

LPH65: Dr. Eric Weiss on Brain Inflammation, Stem Cells, and Autism

Could autism be more than a behavioral condition?

This is what Dr. Eric Weiss is challenging with this work. Dr. Weiss spent decades as a surgeon and is the father to a son diagnosed with autism at age two. After years of trying every therapy he could find, a 2019 Duke University study on umbilical cord blood and stem cells changed everything for him. Today, his son lives independently, drives a car, and holds a job.

Dr. Weiss left surgery behind to treat autistic children full time, and he shares what he believes families should know about brain inflammation, gut health and the emerging research shaping his work. His story is a powerful reminder that caregiving sparks ingenuity, and that parents are often the first to push medicine into new territory. If you are raising a child with autism, supporting a family who is, or simply want to understand the science shaping the future of care, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

More about the show…
Learn more about Dr. Weiss’ work and research: https://northfloridastemcells.com/
Find more information about LPH host, Wendy Ernzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen.
Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/
Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com.
Thank you for leaving a review and rating for LPH today!

LPH64: Linda Galarreta on Becoming the Resource She Never Had

LPH64: Linda Galarreta on Becoming the Resource She Never Had

What happens when a mom of two autistic sons becomes the resource she never had?

Linda Galarreta is raising three boys, two of whom are on the autism spectrum, and she has learned to navigate a system that rarely hands parents a map. From her son’s early speech regression and diagnosis at age two, to the meltdowns that came later, Linda has lived the daily reality of autism parenting. She talks honestly about the support that was missing when her son was first diagnosed, and how other parents became her greatest source of information, advocacy, and hope.

Today, Linda is a Student Integration and Community Engagement Strategist at Inroads to Opportunities and serves as President of the Special Education Parent Advocacy Group of the Roselle Board of Education. Linda has become the very resource she once needed, and her story shows what is possible when lived experience is turned into leadership for other families finding their way.

 

More about the show…
Learn more about Inroads to Opportunities: https://www.inroadsto.org/
Find more information about LPH host, Wendy Ernzen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen.
Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/
Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com.
Thank you for leaving a review and rating for LPH today!