The KIND Families Podcast

Some KIND Coaching with Life Coach and Podcast Host, Kara Ryska

I grew up playing team sports, so I remember how good coaches helped me rise to my potential, build skills, break out of ruts, and sometimes, just get out of my own head. I realize now, that when I became a KIND mom, I needed a coach for those very same reasons.  Maybe you do too.
If so, today’s guest, Kara Ryska, may be just the resource you are looking for. Kara is a devoted mother of four, ranging in ages from 7 to 17. Kara's son Levi is the survivor of multiple brain tumors, and is a child with diverse disabilities, encompassing physical, visual, behavioral, and medical challenges.
Driven by her personal experiences, Kara has become an advocate for families facing similar hurdles, offering support as a life coach and through her role as the host of The Special Needs Mom Podcast. She created the "Pathway to Peace," a transformative group coaching community that has touched and changed countless lives. She also offers one-on-one coaching, and her resilience and wisdom make her a sought-after speaker.
Today Kara shares her difficult backstory, which is evidence of just how resilient she is. But as we find so often, the painful circumstances of Kara’s life led her to understand her purpose. She emerged from a state of surviving to a place of thriving and is helping KIND parents just like you do the same. We discuss the difference between coaching and therapy, the myth that doing more is the solution, and the importance of community in the healing process.
Follow Kara on Instagram at @thespecialneedsmompodcast, listen to The Special Needs Mom Podcast wherever you find your podcasts, and visit her website https://kararyska.com for more information on her group and individual coaching services.
Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available now! Visit Amazon to purchase a hard cover, paperback, or ebook by clicking HERE!
Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by my amazing son, Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter. Also, ask about the new Group Study Guide for Finding KIND! 
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A KIND Place for All, with Denise Resnik, Founder, President & CEO of First Place AZ

As we approach the end of Autism Awareness/Acceptance month, I am honored to bring you a conversation with one of the true heroes of the autism community. When I took that quiz in 2014 which awakened me to the truth of Brady’s autism, it was the organization Denise co-founded, the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, which provided the screener.
After her two-year old son Matt was diagnosed with autism, Denise was told to “love, accept, and plan to institutionalize” him. She refused to accept that kind of future for Matt, and so began her lifelong advocacy for those on the spectrum. She was inspired to start SARRC in 1997 with another mother and their developmental pediatrician, to “provide better answers and more reliable, comprehensive support for families impacted by autism.” That organization has grown to provide community schools, skills training, and other supports for those with autism at any age.
Denise’s vision for SARRC went far beyond the needs of parents immediately after a diagnosis. She envisioned a life-long model of support, inclusion, and dignity for everyone on the spectrum. In 2012, she formed a sister non-profit, First Place AZ, which is an independent-living, residential real estate project for those with autism and other neurodiversity.
In addition to residential locations, and a civic movement called Vote the Spectrum, the Denise founded the Global Leadership Institute, which provides research, public policy recommendations, and indepence-enabling ideas to governments, employers, educational institutions and medical professionals.
If you are in Phoenix and get a chance to visit First Place AZ, I highly recommend it. I know Denise’s passion will inspire you, and bring you so much hope for the future of those with autism. So without further ado, let’s jump in to today’s KIND word.
Learn more about First Place AZ at https://firstplaceaz.org/, and the Global Leadership Institute at https://firstplaceglobal.org/
Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available now in hard cover, paperback, and ebook! Visit Amazon to purchase your copies HERE, and don’t forget to leave a review when you’re done! 
Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by my amazing son, Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter.
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Visit www.kariabaker.com and www.kindfamilies.com for more content!
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Autism Brain Empowerment with KIND Mom, Author, and Coach, Taiba Bajar

We continue Autism Awareness/Acceptance month with a fascinating discussion with Taiba Bajar, founder of Autism Brain Empowerment, and author of the book, Unlock Autism. Taiba, who is autistic herself, is another mom who would not accept the dire prognosis for her son, who experienced rapid and dramatic regression in skills at 18 months old. She refused to believe his autism was simply genetic and set out on a quest to find the most effective ways to treat her son, even as the medical community encouraged her to accept his limitations.
As a medically trained dentist and award-winning researcher, she performed a deep dive literature review to find common links between autism symptoms and other facets of life including environment, brain development, gut health, and more.
The result is a seven-step process of interventions which she has turned into a book and a coaching program for parents. Her ultimate goal is to help autistic children meet their developmental milestones and thrive.
This conversation is especially interesting for me, since our family has been experimenting with some of the strategies Taiba recommends, specifically related to diet and toxins. 
You can contact Taiba through her website, autismbrainempowerment.com or follow her on the platforms below:
Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok: @autismbrainempowerment
LinkedIn: Taiba Bajar
YouTube: youtube.com/@AutismBrainEmpowerment
You can also purchase her book, Unlock Autism, on Amazon HERE.
Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available now in hard cover, paperback, and ebook! Visit Amazon to purchase your copies HERE, and don’t forget to leave a review when you’re done!
Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by my amazing son, Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter.
Connect with Kari on Instagram
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Visit www.kariabaker.com and www.kindfamilies.com for more content!
Subscribe HERE!
 

Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month Kickoff with OG KIND Kid, Brady Baker

This episode is launching on April Fools Day, but I promise this is not a prank! Today, I welcome back my first ever repeat guest, and also my favorite guest, my son Brady, as we kick off Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month. 
We are thankful for the opportunity to help others better understand autism, and to recognize the super powers and gifts autistic people bring to the world. Brady and I discuss our favorite pranks, his thoughts on what others need to know about autism, and we finish with a sneak peak of Brady's latest film project.
You won't want to miss this one!
Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available now in hard cover, paperback, and ebook. Visit Amazon to purchase the book HERE!
Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter. If you've already read Finding KIND, it would be so helpful if you would head over to Amazon to write a review.  It just takes a minute and no purchase is necessary!
Connect with Kari on Instagram
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Visit www.kariabaker.com and www.kindfamilies.com for more content!
Subscribe HERE!
 

When KIND-ness Overcomes Challenges with Ann Kagarise

As the parent of an autistic child, one of the most affirming experiences you can have is meeting an autistic adult who has overcome many of the challenges your child currently faces, and is thriving personally, professionally and spiritually. Today’s guest is all that and more and is a KIND mama herself to three autistic children.
Ann Kagarise is a prolific author, podcaster, speaker, journalist, and photographer, just to name a few of her professional endeavors. She is the co-host of "Real Talk with Tina and Ann," where they explore mental health topics and overcoming challenges. After being told as a child that she would likely not graduate from high school, Ann completed degrees in mental health, and later earned a master’s in divinity.  She has dedicated herself to sharing stories that inspire and uplift.
In our conversation we talk about Ann’s amazing journey from a child diagnosed with learning disabilities, to an accomplished, faith driven, multi-faceted autistic mom who doesn’t accept “can’t” as an option.
You can learn more about Ann on her website, www.annkagarise.com, and be sure to listen to “Real Talk with Tina and Ann” on your favorite podcast channel or YouTube. www.realtalktinaann.com
Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available on October 22nd! Visit Finding KIND to get your hardback copy today, or, if you prefer ebooks, head over to Amazon and purchase HERE!
Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by my amazing son, Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter.
Connect with Kari on Instagram
@kariabaker
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Visit www.kariabaker.com and www.kindfamilies.com for more content!
Subscribe HERE!
 

KIND Faith with Larah Roberts of Raising Autistic Disciples

Today’s episode came to be through God’s sweet hand and just a bit of stalking. I found Larah Roberts (like Sarah but with an L) through her Instagram page Raising Autistic Disciples last year and messaged her right away when I heard she had a book coming out called How to Advocate and Stay Christian, which she wrote with her husband Collin.
Larah and her husband are lifelong followers of Jesus, but just like many of us, their world was rocked when they received an autism diagnosis for their middle son, Graham. Along with many questions most parents ask in that moment, like, “Will my child go to high school or college? Will my child ever get married or live on his own?” or even more in the moment, “Will my child ever be potty trained?” Larah and Collin discovered the biggest and most important question was “Will my son ever know Jesus?” Unwilling to accept the prevailing opinions that Graham would never be able to understand and grasp a strong faith, Larah and Collin set out to prove to families that God does not create an image bearer without the ability to reach his or her heart.
In a very short time, the Roberts have gathered a huge Instagram following for Raising Autistic Disciples, and have built on their leadership in the Christian autism community with their book How to Advocate and Stay Christian. Larah is also the operations director for Key Ministries, the organization behind the huge national conference, Disability and the Church. She and Collin live with Graham and their two other beautiful children in North Carolina.
One note about this episode. Most of you know how important my faith is in my life, and this episode is an open discussion about the impact of Larah’s and my faith in our KIND journey. If you walk a different path, please don’t let that stop you from hearing the wisdom you can draw from Larah and her experiences. We all need strength to draw from in challenging circumstances. I hope wherever you are, you are not relying solely on your own resources. Your child has purpose and promise in this life, and so do you.
Follow Larah at @raisingautisticdisciples, listen to the Raising Autistic Disciples Podcast wherever you find your podcasts, and pick up her book How to Advocate and Stay Christian HERE.
Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available on October 22nd! Visit Finding KIND to get your hardback copy today, or, if you prefer ebooks, head over to Amazon and purchase HERE!
Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by my amazing son, Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter.
Connect with Kari on Instagram
@kariabaker
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@kariabaker
Visit www.kariabaker.com and www.kindfamilies.com for more content!
Subscribe HERE!
 

A Blueprint for KINDness with Janeen Herskovitz, LMHC, Host of the Autism Blueprint Podcast

Today’s guest Janeen Herskovitz is an autism mom, a licensed psychotherapist, an autism strategist, and the host of the long-running podcast, The Autism Blueprint. As often happens when I meet heroes in the KIND community, Janeen and I bonded quickly. Like me, she struggled with her son’s autism diagnosis at age three. But eventually, Janeen took the lessons she learned and decided to embark on a new career focused on providing the kind of help she wished she had access to when she was starting her journey.
She went back to school, while raising two teenagers no less, got her masters in Mental Health Counseling, and subsequently founded Puzzle Peace Counseling. That’s p-e-a-c-e for those listening and not reading. Janeen also started The Autism Blueprint podcast in 2016 so she could provide more free resources to families impacted by autism, and loves working with parents and neurodivergent children.
Janeen and I talk about the proven therapeutic impact of community, the progression of the autism conversation over the years, and never underestimating our KIND kiddos. You will love Janeen’s perspective so without further ado, let’s jump in to today’s KIND word.
Visit www.puzzlepeacecounseling.com and www.autismblueprint.com for more information, and follow Janeen on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/autismblueprint.
Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available on October 22nd! Visit Finding KIND to get your hardback copy today, or, if you prefer ebooks, head over to Amazon and purchase HERE!
Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by my amazing son, Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter.
Connect with Kari on Instagram
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Visit www.kariabaker.com and www.kindfamilies.com for more content!
Subscribe HERE!
 

A KIND Play on Words with Dinalynn Rosenbush, host of The Language of Play Podcast

At Brady’s two year well check appointment, I vividly remember the pediatrician telling me that because he walked and talked on time, autism was off the table. Brady was verbal, and in fact had a surprising vocabulary at the time, so the idea that he had speech delays never crossed my mind. When he was finally diagnosed with autism a year and a half later, I realized that while he had words, he was severely delayed in many facets of speech and language.
Today’s guest, Dinalynn Rosenbush, has spent the last 30 years as a school Speech Language Pathologist, helping families like ours to understand how to help our children communicate better so they can connect with others. In addition to her daily practice, Dinalynn is also a Consultant and Parenting Coach, Speaker, international best-selling Author, and she is the Creator and Host of the podcast: The Language of Play, which is in the 1.5% of podcasts in the world.
If you have concerns about your child’s ability to listen, read, and communicate, Dinalynn will provide you with practical tips for recognizing a problem and understanding that behaviors are often the result of a child’s very real inability to process and respond to others’ words. We discuss the importance of play in the learning process, and how parents can feel more confident as advocates for their children in a school setting.
Whether or not you are struggling with speech issues in your life, I know Dinalynn’s upbeat approach and positive message will resonate with you. If you would like to contact Dinalynn, simply email her at hello@thelanguageofplay.com.
Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available on October 22nd! Visit Finding KIND to get your hardback copy today, or, if you prefer ebooks, head over to Amazon and purchase HERE!
Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by my amazing son, Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter.
Connect with Kari on Instagram
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Visit www.kariabaker.com and www.kindfamilies.com for more content!
Subscribe HERE!
 

Changing the World to be more KIND with Dr. Lauren Megrew

Today’s guest checks ALL the boxes for a fantastic first episode for our second season, even some boxes that didn’t exist last season. Dr. Lauren Megrew is a friend I met several years ago when my son Brady attended a school for kids with learning differences in second grade. Her daughter was in Brady’s class, and they hit it off.  Her credentials were impressive enough – she holds a Ph.D. as an industrial and organizational psychologist, she is a licensed clinical therapist, and an international speaker with a specialization in the understanding and support of neurodiversity. 
What I didn’t realize when I first met Lauren, is that she herself, is neurodiverse, diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult. In fact, her whole family is what she describes as neurospicy. In addition to helping individual clients, Dr. Megrew assists organizations in understanding and proactively supporting their neurodivergent talent by redefining neurodiversity through a strengths-based perspective. She provides guidance to neurodiverse individuals on self-advocacy and educates organizations on the development of neuro-inclusive environments, employee resource groups, and effective management techniques.
Dr. Megrew is also a certified equine therapist and equine-assisted learning facilitator dedicated to creating innovative models tailored to the neurodiverse population. 
This conversation will inspire and empower you, and just may be the first step in changing the world to be more KIND.
You can reach Lauren on her website, https://www.laurenmegrew.com/, or email her at hello@laurenmegrew.com.
Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available on October 22nd! Visit Finding KIND to get your hardback copy today, or, if you prefer ebooks, head over to Amazon and purchase HERE!
Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by my amazing son, Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter.
Connect with Kari on Instagram
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Visit www.kariabaker.com and www.kindfamilies.com for more content!
Subscribe HERE!
 

KIND-ness in the Wilderness with Justin Garrard, Executive Director of Adam's Camp

One of the unexpected gifts I’ve received since starting The KIND Families Podcast is getting to meet so many heroes of the KIND community. People who are champions for those with neurological differences or any other special needs and who serve selflessly and passionately to make life better for everyone.
Today I speak with one of those champions, Justin Garrard. Justin is the Executive Director of Adam’s Camp, a therapy based summer camp program in Colorado for children and adults with any kind of difference or disability. Adam’s Camp began nearly four decades ago by a mother who would not accept what the doctors and so-called experts told her was possible for her son with cerebral palsy. Last year Adam’s Camp touched the lives of 550 individuals and their families, and they are looking to expand further.
Justin’s passion for the special needs community stems from his personal experiences growing up with his older brother John, who is on the Autism Spectrum. This firsthand exposure to the challenges faced by families, coupled with a strong desire to effect positive change, has driven Justin to dedicate himself to serving individuals with special needs.
Justin has a passion for helping those around him realize their dreams through life-changing opportunities. He has his Bachelors and MBA from Ottawa University, where he was also an All-American distance runner.  Fun fact – he was recently inducted into the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame, but I think his real Hall of Fame performance is what he does every day for the KIND and special needs Communities.
 
You might want to grab some Kleenex as we jump into today’s KIND word with Justin Garrard.
 
Learn more about Adam’s Camp or find ways to support the organization by visiting www.adamscamp.org.
 
Have you picked up a copy of my book yet?  Finding KIND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences is available on October 22nd! Visit Finding KIND to get your hardback copy today, or, if you prefer ebooks, head over to Amazon and purchase HERE!
Want a free preview of the book before you buy? Click HERE and I will send you a pdf of the foreword, (written by my amazing son, Brady!), the introduction and the first chapter.
Connect with Kari on Instagram
@kariabaker
Connect with Kari on Facebook
@kariabaker
Connect with Kari on LinkedIn
@kariabaker
Visit www.kariabaker.com and www.kindfamilies.com for more content!
Subscribe HERE!