Brave Together Podcast: Support and Community for Caregiving Parents

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today’s story episode, #247. These are true stories from a moment in the life of a caregiving parent. We hear a crafted story, and then have a conversation that goes deeper into the experience and themes shared.
In this episode of the Brave Together Podcast, Dr. Zoe Shaw shares her personal journey as a writer, therapist, and caregiver, exploring the powerful and often hidden impact of shame. Drawing from her own life and the insights that shaped her book, Stronger in the Difficult Places, Zoe unpacks the difference between simple guilt and complex shame—explaining how complex shame attaches itself to identity and can quietly influence how caregivers see themselves.
Zoe reflects on the “phantom critic” that so many parents carry, the cultural and societal pressures that intensify feelings of inadequacy, and how writing became her therapy and path toward healing. She offers practical insight into how shame manifests in caregiving, why guilt can be a healthy, adaptive emotion, and how forgiveness—“giving up all hope of a better past”—can open the door to freedom and self-acceptance.
In the conversation that follows, hosts Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell explore how shame shows up in the lives of caregivers, the ripple effects it has on families, and how parents can begin to untangle these deeply rooted beliefs. Together, they remind listeners that good-enough parents are more than enough for a child to thrive.
Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here. 
Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame here.
Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.
Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough
Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.
Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
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Hello Brave Friends!
In this Expert episode, hosts Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with therapist and behavior analyst Monica Fyfe, LMFT, BCBA, to explore the evolving landscape of therapy for neurodivergent youth.
Monica brings a unique perspective to her work, blending her experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist with her training as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In this thoughtful conversation, she explains how therapy for neurodivergent children has shifted in recent years toward more compassionate, individualized, and strengths-based approaches.
Together, they discuss how modern therapeutic practices—including updated approaches to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)—are increasingly centered on dignity, consent, and the unique needs of each child. Monica also shares how integrating different therapeutic frameworks, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), can help children and teens better understand their emotions, identify their values, and build confidence navigating the world.
The conversation also explores the powerful role of language in shaping how families understand diagnoses and neurodiversity. Monica encourages parents to focus less on labels and more on specific goals and supports that help their children thrive. She also discusses the importance of helping neurodivergent youth build “social navigation” skills that allow them to create meaningful connections and engage with their communities.
Finally, Monica introduces her children’s book series, which uses storytelling and bibliotherapy to introduce therapeutic concepts in accessible, engaging ways for kids and families.
This episode is full of practical insight and reassurance for parents seeking thoughtful, respectful, and effective support for their neurodivergent children.
Find more about Monica Fyfe’s children’s series Welcome to Petsville here.
Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe Shaw here. 
Find Dr. Zoe’s book, Stronger in the Difficult Places: Heal Your Relationship with Yourself by Untangling Complex Shame
Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.
Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
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Hello Brave Friends! This is an Ask Us Anything episode in which YOU, the listener, get to write or call in and, you guessed it, ask us anything.
In this Ask Us Anything episode, #245, we’re responding to the question:
“Hi Dr. Zoe, Susanna and Jessica, I was wondering if you could shed light on us parents who will NOT BE EMPTY-NESTERS? I am struggling right now because I see friends who are so free and spontaneous and honestly, I am envious. As you guys always say, the grief buttons are getting pushed again. Thanks.”
In this conversation, Susanna Peace Lovell, Dr. Zoe Shaw, and Jessica Patay talk honestly about what it means to be a “forever nester”—a caregiver who may never experience the traditional empty nest. They define what empty nest and forever nest can look like, while also acknowledging that it’s not always a simple either/or; there are many unknowns, in-between seasons, and times when adult children launch and then return home.
Together, they name the complicated mix of emotions that arise when friends are traveling, retiring, or enjoying spontaneous freedom, while caregiving parents are still managing high-support needs, sleep deprivation, food vigilance, and constant responsibility. Jessica and Zoe share candidly about life with children who have Prader-Willi syndrome and the relentless focus on food and safety; Susanna reflects on lifelong rigidity, shame, and a longing to be more spontaneous. They speak to grief as cyclical, normal, and deeply human—especially when future dreams like travel, retirement, or hands-on grandparenting feel uncertain or out of reach.
The hosts also offer hope and reframes: the power of naming longings out loud, seeking pockets of “empty nest cosplay” (brief moments of freedom and joy), practicing radical acceptance of the life you’re living, and being intentional about creating memories and glimmers of joy right now. They remind listeners that wanting freedom, rest, and space is not selfish—it’s human—and encourage caregivers to seek support when resentment or grief feels overwhelming.
Keep the questions coming—we’re here to support you. Whether you’re a parent to a child with complex medical, developmental, or mental health needs, or someone supporting a caregiving family, we would love to hear from you. We see you, and we love you.
Leave us a message here.
Find more information about Lic
Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.
Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today’s expert episode, #244, featuring Mary Van Geffen, author of Parenting a Spicy One and parenting coach for families raising strong-willed, intense children.
These expert episodes are conversations with professionals whose work directly supports caregiving parents. In this episode, hosts Susanna Peace Lovell and Jessica Patay sit down with Mary to explore what it really means to parent a child who feels like they “need more than you have to give.”
Mary reframes the concept of the “spicy one”—a child who is strong-willed, emotionally intense, and often misunderstood—and challenges traditional parenting approaches that rely solely on discipline and control. Instead, she emphasizes compassion, emotional regulation, positive reinforcement, and what she calls “self-mothering” for parents. The conversation explores how self-care is essential—but not selfish—and how parents can protect themselves during aggressive outbursts while still leading with calm and clarity.
They also discuss sibling dynamics, navigating public perception, and the emotional complexity that can arise when one child requires significantly more energy than others. Mary encourages parents to name challenges openly, normalize the struggle, and create supportive environments where both parents and children can grow.
This episode offers practical tools, hopeful reframes, and the reminder that strong-willed children can grow into powerful advocates and leaders when met with steadiness and understanding.
Find more information about Mary Van Geffen here.
Find her book, Parenting a Spicy One, here.
Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.
Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.
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Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.
Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
Disclaimer

Hello Brave Friends!
In this special collaboration episode, Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell are joined by Tash Dillmon and Brittney Crabtree, two of the hosts of Moms Talk Autism for a heartfelt and reflective conversation about podcasting, parenting, and the power of community.
Together, they reflect on how podcasting has transformed their lives as mothers raising children with autism and how building connection—especially during the isolation of the pandemic—became essential. What began as a creative outlet became something much deeper: a space for vulnerability, resilience, and shared stories that remind caregivers they are not alone.
This conversation explores the ongoing journey of grief and how it often resurfaces in everyday moments. Brittney shares, “Grief is an ocean for me,” capturing the cyclical and layered nature of caregiving. The group discusses how joy and heartache coexist, how community stories offer perspective and hope, and why vulnerability fosters deeper connection. They also honor the unique perspectives dads bring to caregiving and the importance of diversifying support systems.
From the challenges and rewards of podcasting to the quiet strength that grows when we share our stories, this episode is a reminder that we are doing this together.
Find more information about Moms Talk Autism here.
To subscribe to Moms Talk Autism see Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify.
Find more information about Life Coach, Susanna Peace Lovell here.
Find Susanna’s book, Your True Self is Enough here.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together
Brave Together is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to support all of We Are Brave Together's programs and offerings here.
Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast? Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Youtube.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
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