Brave Together Podcast: Support and Community for Caregiving Parents

Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today’s expert episode, #260, with relationship advocate and speaker Julia Woods.
These expert episodes feature conversations with professionals, advocates, and community voices whose work supports caregiving parents and families navigating complex life experiences.
In this episode, hosts Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with Julia for a powerful conversation about marriage, emotional connection, and navigating suffering together as partners.
Julia shares her personal journey and the experiences that shaped her work supporting couples through hardship and transition. Together, the conversation explores how caregiving, stress, grief, and changing family dynamics can deeply impact relationships—and why emotional honesty, vulnerability, and compassion are essential during difficult seasons.
Jessica, Susanna, and Julia discuss practical ways couples can strengthen connection, improve communication, and remain emotionally present for one another even when life feels overwhelming. The episode also highlights the importance of support systems and community, particularly for men who are often socially conditioned to navigate pain and stress in isolation.
Throughout the conversation, Julia emphasizes that partnership does not require perfection. Instead, healthy relationships are built through honesty, empathy, shared support, and a willingness to turn toward each other during suffering rather than away from it.
This episode is a compassionate and encouraging reminder that even in life’s hardest seasons, connection and support remain possible—and deeply important.
Find more information about Julia Woods here. 
Follow Julia on Instagram 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, Becoming Brave Together here.
Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here. 
Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here.
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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org 
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! Welcome to today’s expert episode, #259, with documentary filmmaker and disability advocate Dan Habib.
These expert episodes feature conversations with professionals, advocates, and storytellers whose work supports caregiving families and the disability community.
In this episode, hosts Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe talk with Dan about his journey from photojournalist to acclaimed filmmaker and advocate for disability inclusion.
Dan shares how the birth of his son Samuel transformed both his family’s life and the trajectory of his work. Through projects like Including Samuel and The Ride Ahead, Dan has used storytelling and documentary filmmaking to challenge misconceptions about disability, amplify disabled voices, and advocate for systems rooted in belonging, mentorship, and interdependence.
The conversation explores the impact of mentorship in disability advocacy, the importance of authentic representation in media, and the lessons Dan has learned from Samuel about patience, communication, and community. Dan also speaks candidly about the fragility of support systems for families and the ongoing work of creating a more inclusive society where disabled individuals are valued, supported, and empowered.
Jessica, Susanna, and Zoe also discuss the emotional realities of parenting children with disabilities, balancing independence and support, and the importance of building communities where families feel seen and understood.
This episode is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about advocacy, storytelling, and the power of community to create meaningful change.
Find more information about Dan Habib here. 
Follow Dan on social media here. 
Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe 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 here.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here.
Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here. 
Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here.
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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org 
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

In this Thriving Neurodivergent Adults episode, hosts Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with artist, advocate, and neurodivergent creative Alexis Brygider for a deeply personal and unforgettable conversation about communication, creativity, disability justice, and finding belonging. On this episode, Alexis is joined on this episode by Anthony Rivello, a personal mentor on her support staff and a founding board member of We Are Brave Together.
Alexis shares memories from early childhood, including growing up nonverbal and experiencing the world through intense sensory and emotional awareness. She reflects on how art became her first language and how watching expressive performers and comedians helped her learn communication and human connection. 
Throughout the conversation, Alexis speaks candidly about frustration, emotional overwhelm, and the internal experience of being misunderstood while desperately wanting connection. She offers compassionate insight into emotional dysregulation and explains how patience, support, and understanding can help neurodivergent individuals build communication skills and self-awareness over time.
Alexis also honors the people who shaped her life, especially her mother Barbara, whose steady love and belief in her became a foundation for growth and resilience. The episode explores the importance of support staff, community, disability advocacy, and creating environments where disabled adults can thrive authentically.
Listeners will also hear Alexis discuss her artistic work, disability justice communities, and her dream of creating meaningful art and animation that helps others feel understood and connected.
This conversation is equal parts insightful, emotional, philosophical, and joyful—and serves as a beautiful reminder that every person deserves to be seen, heard, supported, and valued exactly as they are.
Find more information about Alexis Brygider 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, Becoming Brave Together here.
Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here. 
Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here.
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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org 
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! 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, #257, we’re responding to the question:
“HI LADIES. I know the new book is coming out soon. I am very excited! What's a question you were afraid to ask early on as a mom — and what's the answer you wish someone had given you?”
In this heartfelt conversation, Jessica Patay, Susanna Peace Lovell, and Dr. Zoe reflect on the fears, grief, uncertainty, and unspoken questions they each carried early in their caregiving journeys.
The hosts share personal stories about the questions they were afraid to voice out loud—questions about identity, marriage, loneliness, resentment, joy, the future, and whether they would ever truly feel okay again. Together, they explore how silence and shame can keep caregivers isolated, and why honest conversations and community support are so important.
Jessica, Susanna, and Dr. Zoe also discuss the answers they wish someone had given them earlier: that grief and joy can coexist, that perfection is not required, that asking for help is healthy, and that caregivers deserve support and compassion too.
Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize that there is no “perfect” way to navigate caregiving and that vulnerability can become a powerful pathway toward healing and connection.
This episode is a tender reminder that many of the questions caregivers are afraid to ask are actually deeply human—and that no one should have to carry those fears alone.
Keep the questions coming—we’re here to support you. Whether you’re parenting a child with complex medical, developmental, or mental health needs, or supporting someone who is, we would love to hear from you. We see you and we love you.
Find more information about Licensed Psychotherapist, Dr. Zoe 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 here.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together, Becoming Brave Together here.
Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here. 
Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here.
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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org 
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, #256, with Laurie Magulac, an advocate focused on supporting caregivers navigating the financial realities of raising children with disabilities.
These expert episodes feature conversations with professionals and advocates whose work directly supports caregiving parents and families navigating complex needs.
In this episode, hosts Jessica Patay and Susanna Peace Lovell sit down with Laurie to discuss the financial challenges many caregivers face when raising children with disabilities. Laurie shares her perspective on the intersection of caregiving, poverty, and public assistance systems, and explains why so many families struggle financially despite working tirelessly to support their children.
The conversation explores how caregiving responsibilities can limit employment opportunities, create long-term financial strain, and force families to navigate complicated support systems that are often difficult to understand or access. Laurie also highlights resources available to caregivers, including programs that support student parents and families pursuing education while raising children with disabilities.
Jessica and Susanna discuss the emotional impact financial stress can have on families and the stigma that can prevent caregivers from seeking help. Laurie emphasizes that accessing public assistance or community resources is nothing to be ashamed of and encourages families to pursue support systems designed to help them survive and thrive.
The discussion also touches on the importance of advocacy, policy change, and collaboration between organizations to create stronger support networks for caregivers. Laurie shares her hope for more accessible, centralized resources and greater public awareness of the financial realities many caregiving families face.
This episode is a powerful reminder that caregivers deserve support, safety, and community—and that sharing these stories can help shift public perception and drive meaningful change.
Contact Laurie Magulac at lauriewallin@gmail.com 
Sign up for one of Laurie’s upcoming in-person or virtual support groups for Moms of Teens 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, Becoming Brave Together here.
Find our second book from We Are Brave Together, Suddenly Brave Together here. 
Find FULL episodes and clips of our podcast on Youtube here.
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: jpatay@wearebravetogether.org 
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