Episodes

  • Today, I have the pleasure of talking with author, Adelle Spindlove. Adelle lives in Portsmouth, UK with her partner and their two children. Her eldest son has a rare neuro-developmental syndrome called ADNP, and her youngest son is neuro-typical, which makes him a super sibling. When she is not writing, Adelle enjoys swimming in the sea, dancing in the kitchen and of course reading lots and lots of books to her boys.

    Freddie and the High Flying Kick is her first book for children and she hopes you enjoy reading it, as much as she enjoyed writing it.

    Guest, Adelle Spindlove

    Website www.adellespindlove.com.

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

    You can learn more about ADNP here: https://www.adnpkids.com/

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Leave me a voice message https://anchor.fm/larakitts

    Website and Flight Club https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • This episode is on Healing Yourself Through Nature. I talk about working through my own barriers to getting outside more and challenge you to acknowledge those things that keep you from spending more time in nature. Nature is one of the best, if not THE best, ways to find healing and nourishment for your soul.

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Leave me a voice message https://anchor.fm/larakitts

    Website and Flight Club https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • One of the many layers of grief experienced by some parents of kids with special needs is tied to the trauma experienced either at birth or at the time of diagnosis if it comes later. Today’s guest shares her traumatic story of receiving her daughter’s rare diagnosis of KIF1A when she was 18 months old.

    Shannon Dennis is the mom to six-year-old Sadie and three-year-old Weston. Shannon talks with us about the layers of Sadie’s rare diagnosis, coupled with a newly received autism diagnosis. She also shares what it means to navigate three-year-old Weston’s delays and developmental needs. And she has a message for medical professionals on how to/not to talk with families when delivering hard news.

    Thank you for listening as we discuss why the approach and words of medical professionals matters to the mental health of parents receiving a diagnosis for their child.

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Leave me a voice message https://anchor.fm/larakitts

    Website and Flight Club https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • This is a solo episode where I share my story about when I realized my gift as an Energy Healer. How do you know if energy healing is right for you?

    I welcome your questions via email at [email protected], or a voice message at https://anchor.fm/larakitts.

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    Host, Lara Kitts
    Website and Flight Club https://www.larakitts.com/
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/larakittsllc
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • Brandy Linen is the mom of five children, ages 10, 9, 6, 4 and 5 months. Her 10 year-old son, Dayvon, is diagnosed with autism and her 9 year-old daughter, Lyric, is diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and possibly Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.

    Brandy shares with us how raising her children was the catalyst and ongoing motivation for her to heal her own childhood trauma and PTSD. We discuss how after hitting bottom, she was able to work through her own healing with the help of therapy and determination to do the work.

    Thank you for listening as we discuss shame, grief, healing from trauma, and the best way other people can support ones they love who are walking through the hard places in life.

    Please forgive my technical issues with the sound. My team and I are working on improving this. And, by “team”, I mean me, me, and me. So…thank you for your grace!

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website and Flight Club https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • Today, I talk to Hannah Stainer about how communication can benefit the relationships with your children, partner, and yourself. We will explore how to take the stress out of interactions and how talking about our feelings, and helping our children to do the same, can be beneficial for our wellbeing.

    Hannah Stainer is a teacher, coach and mentor who supports parents of neurodiverse children to feel more confident in supporting their child. Hannah teaches in special education and mainstream settings. She has a master’s degree in Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Educational Needs, specializing in autism and dyslexia.

    Guest, Hannah Stainer

    Podcast: https://anchor.fm/psykhe

    Website https://www.psykhe.co.uk/
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hannah.stainer/and https://www.instagram.com/psykhecoaching/

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website and Flight Club https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • Today, I’m talking to Kara Latta about why we need to re-learn how to play as adults. Why is playing conditioned out of us, even at early ages? Reconnecting to your childhood-self to revive the joy takes a mindset shift.

    Kara Latta is the Founder and Chief Fun Officer of The Playful Warrior and a Play and Mindset Coach. She’s also a hypnotherapist, hip-hop and latin dancer, finger painter, bright red lipstick-wearer, and your biggest cheerleader.
     
    Kara created ThoughtPLAY, the only 8-week 1-on-1 play and mindset coaching program designed to help you ditch perfectionism, overcome self-doubt, and heal your inner child so you can create a life that lights you up from the inside out. It includes the PLAYBox and the PLAYBook delivered to your door.

    Guest, Kara Latta

    Website https://www.theplayfulwarrior.com/
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theplayfulwarrior/

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website and Flight Club https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • Today’s episode is an Intuitive Connection reading for Nikhi Joshi about her daughter. Nikhi struggles with her 3-year-old's “intense” personality and behaviors that trigger her own tendencies toward overwhelm as a Highly Sensitive Person, or HSP. She’s tried doctors and parenting coaches with no help. She came to me to seek support from her daughter's Spirit Guides to better understand her daughter and answer her questions about behaviors, sensory interventions, and more. Spirit sends me messages through images (clairvoyance), hearing things in my head (clairaudience), and by just knowing things (claircognizence). This episode begins after I have called in the Spirit Guides for me, Nikhi, and her daughter and asked them for clear messages that will help Nikhi feel better about parenting. 

    Do you sometimes find yourself feeling... 

    at a loss for what to do?  anxious or depressed thinking about the future?  grief about what your family/child is missing out on? 

    I have walked in your shoes and I can help. Using my gifts as an intuitive energetic healer and psychic, I help you get clarity on your parenting questions so you can all live your best lives. I have a personalized solution for you to unlock what your heart needs to know. My unique gifts: - get parents answers to lingering questions - provide clarity on your path forward - create a deeper parent/child connection - reassure you that you aren’t alone on your journey. If you would like a 45-minute private, online Intuitive Connection session with me to uncover answers to your deepest questions about your child, you can sign up here: https://www.larakitts.com/product-page/intuitive-channeling-session.

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  • In coming back for Season 2, I explain the need to honor your body, discuss my deep dive into intuitive guidance and healing, and talk about my BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious, Goal), which is building Little Cabins in the Woods as a place for caregivers to find rest, respite, and retreat. If you are interested in seeing this dream come true, please contact me! I want to know there is a need and support for this in the world.

    Contact me at https://www.larakitts.com/contact-1

    I'd love to see you on social media too! Follow me on Facebook @larakittsllc and on Instagram @lara.kitts. I'm doing a giveaway on IG through Nov. 12, 2021! Be sure to check my feed for all the details on how to win amazing prizes!

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  • This is the last episode of my first season of the podcast and I appreciate each and every one of you for being with me and listening and learning! I’ll be taking a short break over June and July to be a full-time mom. I’m excited to come back in August for season 2! I may pop in a couple of times over the summer with a mini episode or a quick check in. But, season 2 will start in August.

    As the parent of a child with special needs, I find myself with a lot of questions about my daughter’s well-being, health, her education and the future. Over the years, I have learned how to get clear answers about things for myself. Today’s conversation is with Jennifer Waller, mom to 7-year-old Bear, who has autism. She too had questions, so we sought out some spiritual guidance and wanted to share it with you.

    I really enjoy sharing my intuitive gifts with other special needs parents to help them get clarity too! Feel free to message me if you’d like more information on how to work with me like this. 

    Host, Lara Kitts
    Website, Flight Club and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/larakittsllc
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • Today’s conversation with Jess Ronne covers a lot of ground. From puberty to poopy diapers, and the grief of not giving enough to your other children, we explore what it means to be a caregiver vs. a mom.

    Jess Ronne is an author, speaker, podcast host at Coffee with Caregivers, and the founder and executive director of The Lucas Project—a non-profit dedicated to providing recognition and respite for special needs families. She and her husband Ryan live in Michigan with their 8 children, including their son Lucas who has profound special needs and autism. Her story of beauty from ashes has been shared on The Today Show, Daily Mail and Huffington Post and is detailed in her memoir Sunlight Burning at Midnight and in her new book Blended with Grit & Grace releasing June 15, 2021.

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website, Flight Club and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

    Guest, Jess Rone

    Websites at www.jessplusthemess.com

    www.thelucasproject.org,

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessplusthemess/?hl=en

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

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  • Self-care for special needs parents can be elusive. I break down easy ways to make it an everyday part of life so you, too, can have inner peace and healing. Few parents in this unique role give themselves the time, compassion, and grace needed to truly take care of their overall health. I acknowledge that all the teachings and clichés of self-care, like fill your own cup so you can pour into others, do not tell special needs parents how to fit self-care into their lives in a meaningful way. To balance such a heavy load, parents must add self-care into their lives every single day. I teach them the elements to make that possible.

    My three elements of self-care are: 

    1) The Foundation: mindset and mindfulness – Parents must believe they are worth the time and money. 

    2) The Methods: bite-sized pieces and habit stacking – This makes using the tools attainable in their overwhelming lives. 

    3) The Tools: meditation, journaling, spending time in nature, saying no, movement, gratitude, affirmations, and creativity.

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website, Flight Club and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • Liza Blas is a storyteller and the host of the Very Happy Stories podcast. She brings hope, empowerment, and validation to parents raising kids with unique challenges. Liza delivers inspiring stories and shares her best practices for healing through her podcast, speaking engagements, and personal transformational coaching. Her stories are inspired by her personal experiences raising two children, both challenged with conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, PANDAS and chronic Lyme disease. Prior to launching her podcast, Liza was a top commercial real estate broker and developed IVF medical facilities, autism schools and surgical centers in the Chicagoland area. In her free time Liza enjoys yoga, entertaining friends with yummy gluten free and dairy free dishes and spending time with her family.

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website, Flight Club and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

    Guest, Liza Blas

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/veryhappystoriespodcast/?hl=en

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  • Amanda Yoder describes what it’s like to have much of her life shaped by growing up with her younger brother, Spencer, who has autism. The uncertainty and violence that is often a reality in families living with autism lead to a life of anxiety and hiding behind a mask of perfectionism. Upon going to college, Amanda began to find out who she really is and at age 22, she still wonders what her future with her brother holds.
    Andréa Vugteveen is a Sibshops Facilitator, Children and Youth Coordinator/Volunteer Coordinator for Circles Grand Rapids, Social Work Lab Instructor at Calvin University, and Spiritual Direction Apprentice. Her purpose and passion is to walk alongside people, empowering them to thrive. One of her favorite ways to live out her purpose and passion is through her role as a Sibshops Facilitator. Sibshops are monthly peer support groups for children and youth who have siblings with special needs. She has created safe and engaging communities of support, encouragement, understanding and education for sibs in the Grand Rapids area for the past eight years. She’s looking forward to expanding the impact of Sibshops by bringing groups to Ottawa County this summer.
    TEDxSanAntonio - Alicia Arenas - Recognizing Glass Children
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSwqo-g2Tbk
    Host, Lara Kitts
    Website, Flight Club and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/larakittsllc
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en
    The Sibling Support Project
    https://siblingsupport.org/
    Founded in 1990, the Sibling Support Project is the first national program dedicated to the life-long and ever-changing concerns of millions of brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental, and mental health concerns. Our work spans books and publications, online communities for teen and adult siblings, and workshops and training. We are best known for helping local communities start Sibshops—lively peer support groups for school-age brothers and sisters of kids with disabilities and health concerns.
    Grand Rapids, MI Area Sibshops Facebook page
    https://www.facebook.com/siblingsgroup/
    Ottawa County, MI Area Sibshops Facebook page
    https://www.facebook.com/Ottawa-County-Sibshops-110430560572443

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  • Welcome to the fourth episode in our Sibling Series. Today, we talk to Brigette Heller. Brigette grew up with a sister who had Cerebral Palsy, epilepsy and was deaf, and who has since passed away. She now has children who have their own needs, including a son with autism and ADHD.

    Brigette is an adventure seeking, curious soul whose true passion resides with those who feel on the outside of normal or trendy but want to live a FULL life with all the happiness involved. These are her people, she is them and she believes that life on the outside is beautiful. She leads a group called The Strong and Capable to help others find their way there.

    TEDxSanAntonio - Alicia Arenas - Recognizing Glass Children

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSwqo-g2Tbk

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website, Flight Club and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

    Guest, Brigette Heller

    Website https://www.thestrongandcapable.com/

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brigette.heller/?hl=en

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  • Welcome to the third episode in my sibling series of Changing Your Dreams: Parenting a Child with Special Needs. I will be talking to each of my guests in the sibling series about a TED Talk that I watched recently from a woman who grew up as a sibling to a child with special needs. I encourage you all to go to the show notes to find the link and watch it. It discusses the term Glass Child, which is given to siblings because they often feel see-through, with their sibling’s needs always coming first. It’s an extremely moving presentation.

    Today’s guest is Marina Carlucci Goody. Marina grew up as the sibling to two brothers who had seizures and both passed away. Growing up in the 60’s, her parents didn’t talk to her about any of it and she was left to navigate her fear, grief, and guilt all by herself. Thank you for joining me in this raw conversation about what that was like and what her recommendations are to parents today.

    TEDxSanAntonio - Alicia Arenas - Recognizing Glass Children

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSwqo-g2Tbk

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website, Flight Club and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

    Guest, Marina Carlucci Goody and Goody Girl Flower Farm

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/goodygirlflowerfarm/?hl=en

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  • Shannon Patch is a government affairs professional from Buffalo, NY. She has spent over a decade working in New York politics, including for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Now, in addition to her work for global hospitality company, Delaware North, she is a Councilwoman in her hometown. Her sister, Tina, is the inspiration for her work in government, especially advocating for people with special needs. Tina is 33 years old and lives in a group home, but Shannon assists with many needs the home does not necessarily provide.

    TEDxSanAntonio - Alicia Arenas - Recognizing Glass Children

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSwqo-g2Tbk

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website, Flight Club and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

    Guest, Shannon Patch

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/patchfortonawanda/?hl=en

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  • Today’s episode is the first in our Sibling Series. I interviewed my own children about being a sibling to their sister with special needs. You will hear first from 11-year-old Remi, and then from 15-year-old Paige. My children are my greatest teachers. I have learned so much from each one of them about human nature, what each one’s soul needs from me as their mother, and what I need to do to grow and evolve in this life. I find lately, that I sit back a lot and just watch them with awe. They inspire me to be better and I’m incredibly grateful to be their Mama.

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website, Flight Club and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • Jessica Fein is the mom to three beautiful teenagers, the middle of whom has two rare diseases that make her 1 of 6 in the entire world. Listen as Jessica takes us on the journey of her daughter’s diagnoses and illness. It’s a story of love and hope like you’ve never heard.
    Host, Lara Kitts
    Website, Flight Club and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/
    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/larakittsllc
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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  • Today’s guest is Sarah Reckman. Sarah is a social worker with over 10 years of experience in mental health, and the mom of 2 little girls who love life!  She is on a beautiful journey, reclaiming freedom from anxiety, pursuing a meaningful career, and embracing each new stage of motherhood. She created the blog, The Wholehearted Mom, to support moms who are experiencing stress, anxiety, and burnout. Her passion is for moms to be able to embrace calm, and declare abundance, clarity, and joy over their lives and motherhood. This episode is packed full of great information, so many nuggets of wisdom, and concrete action steps toward reducing stress.

    Guest, Sarah Reckman

    Website and Blog https://www.sarahreckman.com/

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thewholehearted.mom/

    Host, Lara Kitts

    Website and Blog https://www.larakitts.com/

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

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lara.kitts/?hl=en

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