LPH69: Author and Filmmaker Cari Noga Shares the Story Behind Pacific Pilgrimage and More

By Wendy Ernzen | September 7, 2026

How can storytelling help families feel less alone?

In this episode, Cari Noga shares her family’s autism journey, from her son Owen’s diagnosis to navigating special education, caregiving, respite care, and advocacy while finding purpose through storytelling. She explains how parenting a child with autism changed the way she sees the world and inspired her to write.

Cari opens up about raising a young adult with autism, the importance of respite and community support, and her family’s current journey as Owen receives treatment for catatonia. She also shares how her novel, Sparrow Migrations, grew into the short film Pacific Pilgrimage, helping others better understand the autism experience through storytelling. This heartfelt conversation reminds families that even when the road is uncertain, hope, creativity, and perseverance can lead to unexpected opportunities.

More about the show…

Learn more about author Cari Noga, her book Sparrow Migrations, her movie Pacific Pilgrimage, and her other powerful work: https://www.carinoga.com/

Find more information about LPH host, Wendy Ernzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen.

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Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com.

Thank you!

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