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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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What happens when a child finds a community that truly believes in them?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Jennifer VanSkiver shares her family’s journey raising her daughter CJ, who has an intellectual disability. Jen talks about early therapy appointments, navigating school systems, building friendships, and learning to trust her instincts as a mom. She also shares how programs like Special Olympics opened doors to confidence, connection, work, and independence.

From a packed gym cheering for CJ during her first basketball game to seeing her thrive in a career she loves, this episode is about trusting the journey, building support that truly works, and never underestimating what is possible.

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What does it take to raise a child with multiple rare genetic conditions while fighting systems that constantly underestimate what your child needs?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Bill Cushing shares his family’s journey raising his son Gabriel, who was born with rare genetic disorders, developmental disabilities, strokes before birth, and physical challenges that required years of therapy and support. This conversation explores disability parenting, caregiving, medical advocacy, accessibility, and life after aging out of the school system. Bill opens up about adapting their home, navigating insurance battles, planning for Gabriel’s future, and learning how to push back when systems say no.

But this story is also about joy, resilience, and seeing the whole person beyond a diagnosis. Bill shares Gabriel’s love of music, art museums, the symphony, and volunteering in the community. It’s a powerful reminder that caregiving requires creativity, persistence, and a willingness to keep showing up, even when the path forward is uncertain.

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