E19—Many parents of children with disabilities carry deep spiritual questions and have very little space to process them. Amy Julia Becker talks with Pam Harmon about spiritual direction and why it can be a lifeline for parents navigating caregiving, uncertainty, and burnout. Together they explore practical ways to slow down, notice God in everyday life, and find renewed hope in the middle of disability parenting.

00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Direction
03:48 Experiencing Spiritual Direction in Real Time
05:20 The Hummingbird's Lesson: A Reflection on Action
07:17 Spiritual Needs of Parents of Kids with Disabilities
10:30 Finding Space for Spiritual Direction
12:59 Practical Spiritual Practices for Parents
21:23 Recognizing the Need for Spiritual Direction

Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Young Life Capernaum
• Spiritual Directors International
• Grafted Life Ministries
• With Ministries
• Pam’s email: pharmonyl@comcast.net

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WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

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ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Pam Harmon is a leader in disability ministry with more than 20 years of experience serving youth with disabilities nationwide. She launched Young Life Capernaum in the Washington, DC region and now serves as a Church Consultant with With Ministries, helping congregations become more inclusive and create spaces of belonging for all. She holds a Master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and is a certified Spiritual Director through Lipscomb University.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withministriesorg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/withministriesorg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/with-ministries

Capernaum Young Life: capernaum.younglife.org • Instagram: @ylcapernaum

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Take the Next Step is produced in partnership with Hope Heals Camp. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram: @hopeheals and @hopeheals.camp

We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

E18—Your child isn’t “misbehaving.” They’re trying to be understood. Many children with disabilities communicate through behavior, especially when spoken words aren’t available in the moment. Behavior analyst Emily Longino shares practical tools for recognizing communication signals before they escalate and helping parents build connection with their kids. Amy Julia Becker and Emily explore:

• How to look beyond behavior to understand the “why”
• How parents can recognize communication signals earlier
• Ways to support alternative communication skills
• How understanding behavior can reduce crises and build connection

00:00 Introduction to Behavior Analysis
03:31 Understanding the Functions of Behavior
08:31 Functional Communication as a Survival Skill
12:31 Where Parents Can Find Behavior Support
16:00 Practical Examples of Functional Communication
22:15 It’s Never Too Late to Change Behavior

Questions:

Have a question for Emily or for Amy Julia? Record (or email) your questions, and we’ll do our best to respond to them in an upcoming episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Hope Heals Camp
• FREE RBT TRAINING - Autism Partnership Foundation

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WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

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ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Emily Longino is a Senior Board-Certified Behavior Analyst at Glenwood, a residential facility and specialized school serving children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities. She has seven years of experience assessing and treating severe maladaptive behaviors, providing staff training on crisis management, and supporting functional communication. Emily’s work is grounded in compassionate care and trauma-informed practices. She has published in Behavior Analysis in Practice, presented at state and national conferences, and shared her expertise on supporting transition-aged individuals with autism.

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Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals.

We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

E17—Is your family welcome at church? If Sunday mornings leave you more exhausted than encouraged, you’re not alone. Rebecca Wall, Executive Director of With Ministries, joins Amy Julia Becker to explore why so many disability families are leaving church—and the small, practical changes that can create real belonging. Find (or help build) a community where people with disabilities aren’t just accommodated, but welcomed.

Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

00:00 Creating Welcoming Church Communities
04:43 Models of Disability Ministry
07:31 The Role of Church Size in Inclusion
10:28 Separate Programming: When and Why?
13:35 Transitioning to Integration
16:21 Finding the Right Church for Families
19:42 The Heart of Belonging in Churches

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• With Ministries: withministries.org
• Barriers to Belonging: The Church Experiences of Families of Children with Disabilities | Erik Carter

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WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

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ABOUT OUR GUEST:

As Executive Director of With Ministries, Rebecca has spent more than a decade at the intersection of education and parachurch ministry, equipping leaders to transform their churches into places where every person is known, valued, and truly belongs. Through her vision and catalytic leadership, she has helped congregations across the country move from surface-level inclusion to authentic belonging, reflecting beauty and wholeness. Rebecca’s work continues to inspire a movement toward churches that don’t just welcome but flourish, through the participation of every member of the community.

@withministriesorg (instagram), withministries.org (website), With Ministries (FB)

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Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals.

We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

E16 — Parent and medical caregiver. Many parents of children with disabilities know the complexity of these two full-time roles. Juli Henderson, founder of In Our Arms, was the caregiver for her son Robert, who passed away at eighteen from a rare mitochondrial disease. She joins Amy Julia Becker to explore:

• Caregiver burnout, guilt, and isolation
• How to pace yourself
• Creating community (even when you’re exhausted)
• Practicing small, sustainable acts of self-care
• Navigating grief

Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

00:00 Caregiving, Disability, and Family Dynamics
07:05 The Distinction Between Mom and Caregiver Roles
09:28 Balancing Family Needs with Caregiving Responsibilities
13:47 Self-Care Strategies for Caregivers
17:17 Building a Supportive Community for Caregivers

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• In Our Arms
• Amy Julia's book: A Good and Perfect Gift

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WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

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ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Juli Henderson is a disability communicator, writer, and advocate who supports families navigating disability, caregiving, and grief. She is the founder of In Our Arms, inspired by her son Robert, who passed away at eighteen from a rare mitochondrial disease. Through her writing, speaking, and nonprofit leadership, Juli offers hope and connection to caregivers around the world.

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Take the Next Step is produced in partnership with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals.

We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

E15 — Tired of feeling like you have to “fix” your child—or turn their life into an inspiration story? Parents of kids with disabilities are often pushed toward two extremes: tragedy or triumph. But what if both miss the point? In this conversation, Amy Julia Becker and Matthew Mooney (co-founder of 99 Balloons) offer a healthier way to understand disability—rooted in shared humanity, vulnerability, and real relationships.

Plus: simple language shifts you can use at home and with friends starting today.

Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

00:00 Intro: Understanding Disability
04:52 The Four Myths of Disability
08:01 Theology and Disability
11:21 The Importance of Relationships in Disability
14:39 Defining Disability: A Shared Human Experience
21:18 Practical Language Shifts in Discussing Disability
25:36 Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Joys

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Websites: 99 Balloons
• Exploring disability as tragedy on Amy Julia’s Reimagining the Good Life podcast: RFK Jr., Autism, and the Story We Need Instead

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WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

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ABOUT OUR GUEST:

When Matthew Mooney and his wife, Ginny, were 30 weeks pregnant, they learned their son Eliot had trisomy 18. Eliot was born eight weeks later and lived for 99 days. The Mooneys founded 99 Balloons, a nonprofit supporting individuals with disabilities locally and globally.

Matt now serves on the 99 Balloons Board and lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with Ginny and their three children—Hazel, Anders, and Lena.

A writer, speaker, and consultant on disability and inclusion, Matthew is also an attorney and received his PhD in Theological Ethics at Aberdeen University. His work has taken him to Haiti, Mexico, Ukraine, Uganda, India, and beyond.

Websites: 99 Balloons :: matthewlylemooney

Social: insta

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Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals.

We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

Ep 14 — If paperwork and clutter are exhausting you, you’re not alone. Professional organizer Angela O’Brien, mom to a young adult daughter with Down syndrome, talks with Amy Julia Becker about the unique organizing challenges of disability parenting. From managing medical appointments and IEP paperwork to creating a home that works for everyone, Angela shares simple, realistic steps to help you move toward greater peace and presence.

00:00 Organizing for Disability Caregivers
06:22 Challenges Faced by Disability Caregivers
10:39 Starting Small: Practical Steps to Organize Spaces
15:27 Managing Time Effectively
16:49 Organizing Paperwork
21:53 Organizing Tips

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Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Your Space Reclaimed: https://yourspacereclaimed.net/
• Amy Julia on Angela’s Especially Organized: Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms podcast: 90 | Reimagining the Good Life with Kids with Disabilities

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WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

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ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Angela O’Brien is a mom of 2, professional organizer, Enneagram coach, and host of the podcast Especially Organized: Sensible Solutions for Special Needs Moms. As the mom of an amazing young adult daughter with Down Syndrome, Angela is passionate about advocating for and supporting families like hers who are raising kids with disabilities. In fact, after 18 years of sharing her daughter with the world, volunteering her time to support other families and raising money for local Down Syndrome support organizations, Angela took her almost-obsessive passion for home organizing and turned it into a business where she speaks to and coaches fellow caregivers through their clutter so that they can reclaim the space, freedom, and energy to do what they love. She lives in Dallas, TX with her husband and daughter and is constantly trying to find her way to a beach.

Links:

Website: https://yourspacereclaimed.net/

Instagram: @yourspacereclaimed

Facebook: Your Space Reclaimed

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Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals.

We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

Ep 13 — There's a myth out there that raising a child with disabilities will doom a marriage. But the data tells a different story. In our conversation, authors Todd and Kristin Faith Evans join Amy Julia Becker to offer simple ways for couples to connect in the midst of both the ordinary and the most intense family circumstances. There's a lot of hope in this episode!

00:00 Intro: Marriage and parenting a child with a disability
05:52 Challenges and possibilities parents face
09:28 The power of vulnerability in relationships
12:02 Marriage Triage: What to do when your marriage is in crisis
16:36 Alone Time, Together Time: Why both matter

Mentioned:

• www.DisabilityParenting.com
• How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities by Kristin Faith Evans, MA, MS, LMSW and Todd Evans, PhD, MA

Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

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WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

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ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Dr. Todd and Kristin Faith Evans are celebrating twenty-four years of marriage. They are award-winning authors, national speakers, and disability parents. They are passionate about empowering other parents of children with additional needs with the skills to thrive at www.DisabilityParenting.com. They co-wrote their multi award-winning book, How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities (Baker Books). They both earned their MA in Christian Spiritual Formation at Wheaton College in Illinois and have served together in full-time ministry in church, camping, and retreat settings. Todd received his PhD from Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering and currently manages his own businesses, and Kristin earned her MSW from the University of Tennessee and is a licensed master social worker experienced in couples, child and family, substance abuse, and crisis counseling. They enjoy traveling and the outdoors together.

Website and social media links:

https://disabilityparenting.com/

https://www.instagram.com/disabilityparenting/

https://www.facebook.com/kristin.evans.5895/

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Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow us on Instagram @hopeheals.

We want to hear from you. Send us a text!

Ep 12 — What if inclusion in schools didn’t have to be a constant fight? Adrian Wood, PhD, shares what actually helped her son with autism thrive in their public school system. Adrian and Amy Julia Becker explore:

• Building trust with educators
• Collaboration and creativity
• Navigating IEPs and transitions
• Small changes that make a big difference

03:36 Navigating Public School for Children with Disabilities

05:59 Creative Thinking and Working Together as a Team

15:01 Strategies for Success

22:01 Preparing for Transitions in Education

Ask Me Anything: Record (or email) your question for our upcoming Ask Me Anything episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• VLOG: Tales of an Educated Debutante

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WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's Substack: amyjuliabecker.substack.com

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

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ABOUT:

Adrian Wood is the creator of the vlog Tales of an Educated Debutante. She has a PhD in Educational Research and contributes to Today Parents, The Today Show, and the Love What Matters blog. She lives in rural eastern North Carolina with her family. She is the co-author of Autism Out Loud.

CONNECT with Adrian on her website (talesofaneducateddebutante.com), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals.

We want to hear from you. Send us a text!