Episodit
-
About Dustin
Dustin Rawls is married to Mandy Smith Rawls and has two children, Dylan 11 and Madison 14 who was born with Spina Bifida. Dustin serves as the Men’s Ministry director at his church and has a passion for discipleship. He works for the financial aid arm of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and has never met an audience he didn’t love. Whether it was bowling a perfect 300, becoming the first ever homecoming king at MTSU, or finishing his fourth degree, clearly Dustin has a need to prove something that nobody else cares about.
About the Episode
In this engaging conversation, Becky Davidson and Dustin Rawls explore the emotional journey of parenting a child with special needs, the importance of community support, and the role of faith in our lives. The discussion highlights the significance of vulnerability, the need for open communication in relationships, and the joy found in caregiving. In this conversation, Dustin Rawls shares his journey of navigating the complexities of marriage and parenting a child with special needs. He discusses the transformative impact of faith on his relationships, the challenges faced in his marriage, and the importance of finding joy amidst difficulties. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of love, support, and faith in overcoming life's challenges.
Related Links
Common Man, Extrordinary Call
Rising Above Dad podcast
-
About Me (from Kandis)
I love a lot of things. I LOVE Jesus. I love my family, including my church family at Collegeside, where I also enjoy working. I love my 5 children immensely. I HATE being a widow, but I love seeing God's goodness and care for me as a widow. Oh, and I love the Green Bay Packers and 7Brew.
About the Episode
In this heartfelt conversation, Becky Davidson and Kandis Moss share their experiences of navigating life as widows, reflecting on the profound impact of loss, the challenges of solo parenting, and the emotional weight of anniversaries. They discuss the importance of family support, the concept of 'widow fog', and the ongoing journey of raising children without their fathers. Through their candid dialogue, they explore the complexities of grief, the necessity of open communication, and the resilience required to move forward in life after loss. The conversation highlights the significance of connection, support, and finding joy amidst loss.
Related Links
By the Brook
-
Puuttuva jakso?
-
About Rachael
Rachael Vermeulen is a writer, speaker, and founder of A Little Extra Love, a ministry dedicated to creating spaces of true belonging for families raising children with disabilities. As a mother to two boys— one with Down syndrome, Autism and complex medical needs, her journey has shaped her passion for faith-rooted encouragement, community, and advocacy. Through Bible studies, church inclusion initiatives, and community engagement, she empowers parents and equips churches to embrace families affected by disability. Her work bridges the gap between faith and special needs parenting, offering hope, strength, and a reminder that every family is seen and valued in God’s design.
About the Episode
In this conversation, Becky Davidson and Rachael Vermeulen discuss Rachael's journey into special-needs motherhood, the challenges she faced, and how her faith evolved through trials. Rachael shares her experiences with grief and gratitude, the importance of community support, and how she founded 'A Little Extra Love' to help families in similar situations. The conversation highlights the transformative power of faith, community, and resilience in the face of adversity. In this conversation, Becky Davidson and Rachael Vermeulen discuss the importance of community and support for families with disabilities. They emphasize the role of churches in creating inclusive environments, the need for practical assistance, and the emotional burdens that families carry. Rachael shares insights on how to foster belonging and understanding within church communities, and the conversation concludes with a focus on finding joy in the journey of raising children with disabilities.
Related Links
By the Brook retreat for Moms
Instagram:@[email protected] -
About Andrea
Andrea is a follower of Jesus, wife of Shawn, and mom of two boys; Sam (who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) and Zach. As a younger adult, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, but left the workforce to homeschool her kids 15 years ago. Her family plays a small part in the special needs ministry 'Joni and Friends' via volunteering for their Wheels for the World program and enjoying their annual family camps. She's blessed to be mentor and friend to newer homeschool moms and to younger moms who are navigating the joys and the hard messiness of this special needs life.
About the Episode
In this conversation, Andrea Duerkop shares her journey as a special needs parent, discussing the challenges and triumphs of raising her son Sam, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. She reflects on the emotional journey of receiving the diagnosis, the importance of community support, and the lessons learned through faith and resilience. Andrea emphasizes the significance of sibling dynamics, the feeling of being loved and chosen, and the impact of giving back through service. The conversation highlights the importance of finding joy amidst challenges and the power of community in navigating the complexities of special needs parenting.
Related Links
By the Brook
-
About Amy
Amy J. Brown is a writer, mentor, and spiritual director based in Michigan. With a Master's Degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership, she brings both academic insight and lived experience to her work. Amy is a co- author of "The Other Side Of Special: Navigating the Messy, Emotional, and Joy-Filled Life of a Special Needs Mom," a book that shares her journey and offers guidance to others on similar paths. As the mother of six children, Amy writes candidly about adoption and the unique challenges of parenting children with mental health issues and trauma. Her work focuses on developing life-giving spiritual practices specifically designed for overwhelmed caregivers. Through her writing, mentorship programs, and spiritual direction sessions, she creates spaces where parents can find both practical support and emotional renewal. Amy lives in Michigan with her husband, where she continues to expand her impact through various forms of outreach to the special needs parenting community.
About the Episode
In this conversation, Becky Davidson and Amy discuss the importance of spiritual practices for caregivers, particularly those dealing with invisible disabilities. They explore how to create accessible spiritual practices that fit into the busy lives of overwhelmed caregivers. Amy shares her journey of mentoring and spiritual direction, emphasizing the need for personal connection with God through small, life-giving practices. The discussion also highlights the transformative nature of spiritual direction as a form of soul care, contrasting it with traditional therapy and mentoring. In this conversation, Amy shares her experiences with spiritual direction, the challenges of parenting children with hidden disabilities, and the importance of finding joy amidst life's difficulties. Amy emphasizes the need for support and understanding among parents facing similar challenges, encouraging them to seek connection and find joy in small moments.
Related Links
By the Brook
Amy's Website
Amy's Substack
Instagram: @amyjbrown_writer
-
About the Episode
Introducing: RISING ABOVE DADS – The Podcast for Dads Raising Exceptional KidsCalling all dads in the special-needs world—whether you're navigating IEP meetings, meltdowns, or just trying to get through the day without stepping on a LEGO... this one’s for you.Rising Above Dads is the podcast where we talk real-life parenting with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart. No sugarcoating. No expert-only jargon. Just dads supporting dads, sharing laughs, and reminding each other we’re not in this alone.Tune in for funny fails, small victories, dad wisdom, and stories that’ll lift you up (or at least make you feel slightly more sane).Because fatherhood doesn’t come with a manual—but at least now, it comes with a podcast.
Related Links
Common Man, Extraordinary Call
-
About Sara
Sara currently lives in Houston with my husband, Dustin, and her son, Camilo. She was raised in a single-parent household with two brothers who both have autism. She has a degree in social work and has only worked a little in that field. She's been a stay-at-home mom ever since their son joined their family through adoption from Colombia in 2022. He was 6 at the time and is now 9. He has cerebral palsy, fine and gross motor control delays, an intellectual delay, a speech delay, hearing loss, and ADHD.
About this Episode
In this conversation, Becky Davidson and Sara discuss Sara's journey through adoption, particularly focusing on her experiences with her son Camilo, who has special needs. They explore the emotional challenges of adoption, including trauma, depression, and the importance of community support. Sara shares her insights on parenting a child with special needs, the joys and challenges they face, and how her relationship with God has evolved throughout this journey.
Related Links
Rising Above Website / Online Resources
-
About this episode
In this conversation, Becky Davidson and Larah discuss the journey of parenting a child with autism, exploring themes of faith, advocacy, and personal growth. Larah shares her experiences with her son Graham's autism diagnosis, the impact on her family, and how it has deepened her understanding of God. They also delve into the importance of seeing autism through a gospel lens and the role of the Holy Spirit in parenting. In this conversation, Larah and Becky discuss the challenges of parenting children with autism, focusing on understanding emotional behaviors, the importance of advocacy, and the role of faith in navigating these experiences. They share personal stories and insights on how to approach parenting with love, responsibility, and spiritual guidance, emphasizing the significance of communication and understanding in fostering positive relationships with their children.
About Larah
Larah Roberts is a Bible teacher, author, podcaster, and Instagram content creator at Raising Autistic Disciples. She is passionate about encouraging and equipping others to grow in personal discipleship—and having fun while doing it. Raised in Louisiana and now calling North Carolina home, Larah shares life’s adventures with her college sweetheart, Collin. Together, they co-authored How to Advocate & Stay Christian, a practical resource on navigating advocacy with a gospel lens. Beyond ministry and writing, Larah’s greatest joy is being a mom to three fun and energetic kids who keep life exciting. She loves road trips, collecting earrings, cheering for every team in the WNBA, reading, naps, and deep conversations over coffee.
Related Links
By the Brook
Instagram: @raisingautisticdisciples
-
About Susanna
Susanna lives in Jacksonville, FL and is a special-needs mom times three. Larson, age 23, survived a near-fatal brain aneurysm rupture at age 14 and lives with short-term memory impairment and left-side hemiparesis. Andrew, age 21, has high-functioning autism, and Wesley, age 15 has Down syndrome. Susanna and her husband Larry have been married for 28 years. In her “former life” before Larson’s medical issues began, Susanna taught middle and high school at Trinity Christian Academy, her alma mater. Susanna is now full-time mom and caretaker of her three guys and leads the special needs ministry at Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL which connects special needs families with the Church, with each other, with community resources, and ultimately to the hope found in Christ even in the midst of extreme difficulties. The ministry of Special Needs at Trinity includes weekly Kaleidoscope classes, family socials, By the Brook, and more! Nothing thrills Susanna more than meeting a new family who realizes with relief that there is a place for their loved one with special needs at church or seeing a participant who was hesitant when coming to class the first time but now runs through the door every Sunday excited to be there!About the Episode
In this conversation, Susanna Zekas shares her journey as a mother of three boys, each with unique needs, including Down syndrome and autism. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of special-needs parenting, the impact of early diagnoses, and the importance of community support. Susanna reflects on significant breakthroughs in her children's lives and her hopes for their futures as they transition into adulthood. She emphasizes the significance of understanding grief, connecting with other families, and finding joy in adversity through love and gratitude.
Related Links
By the Brook
-
About Kaylee
Kaylee Lazaro is a wife and a mom. She has been married to her husband for 10 years. They have two young boys with a rare condition called Cohen Syndrome. Kaylee and her family live in Alaska and they love the outdoors. They enjoy taking their boys kayaking and biking during the summer months and fat tire biking and sledding in the winter months. Kaylee has learned through her special-needs journey that God is good all the time and that everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God.
Related Links
Respite For You Mind
-
About Leslie
Leslie is a new medical parent, with a 10-month-old daughter, Evelyn. She grew up in the Cookeville area and has stayed in Tennessee her whole life. Her husband, Cole is an Ohio native and moved down to Tennessee after meeting Leslie at Lee University, in Cleveland, TN. They got married in 2019 and waited to start trying to have kids until their 5th anniversary, when they discovered it wasn’t going to be an easy journey for them. They went through multiple miscarriages before finding out they were pregnant with twins in 2023. One of the twins didn’t make it past 9 weeks, but Evelyn stayed strong throughout the pregnancy. After 41 weeks of pregnancy, Leslie went into an induction and ended up having an emergency c section, that started their journey into the medical world with caring for Evelyn. It is a walk they didn’t anticipate and has taken them by a storm, but one God called them to walk, one step at a time.
Related Links
By the Brook Early Bird
-
About Kim
For the past several decades, Kim has led children’s and student ministries at the local church while also leading initiatives around adoption and foster care. Kim was also Director of Training and Development at a Cincinnati nonprofit working with multi-system involved youth. As an adoptive mom and advocate for kids and teens who have experienced trauma or are neurodivergent or disabled, her passion is creating spaces for all kids—regardless of their background, behavior or unique needs—to belong, contribute and grow. Through speaking, writing and coaching Kim works with parents, church leaders and organizations to equip volunteer and staff teams, strengthen families and support parents. She has a Masters in Family Ministry, Masters in Business Administration, is a Trauma Free World Affiliate Trainer, a TBRI Practitioner®, and a frequent speaker on topics related to trauma, disability, and neurodivergence and the author of the new book, Boundless Hope for Every Child.
Related Links
Rising Above resources
Kim's Website
Purchase Boundless Hope
-
About Carrie
Carrie M. Holt is a wife, homeschooling mom of four, writer, speaker, and podcast host. She is passionate about encouraging special-needs parents to identify, accept, and thrive in the grieving cycle that is an on-going part of the journey.
Related Links
By the Brook early bird tickets
Carrie's Website
Carrie's Instagram
Carrie's Facebook
-
About Camille
Camille Block was raised in a suburb outside of Los Angeles, over the mountain from beautiful Malibu, where her father worked as a college professor of business at Pepperdine University. At three and a half years old, Camille’s comfortable life took a dramatic turn with the birth of her brother—a healthy baby who lost oxygen at birth, causing a lifelong disability for him and a character-forming emotional imprint on her.
Finding a voice for her brother, Camille has also uncovered her voice for many other silent sufferers. Hope for Secondhand Suffering: Tools for the Heart When You Can’t Fix Your Loved One’s Pain is a memoir and spiritual journey of a sister who wrestles honestly with universal cries of the heart, such as the question of why, along with grief, justice, faith, God, and hope. She comes alongside readers, step by step, offering personal anecdotes, honest insights, practical tips, and her own spiritual reflections to help others facing similar struggles.
Through the publication of Hope for Secondhand Suffering, Camille seeks to help silent sufferers feel seen, heard, and known—equipping them to find their unique purpose, as she continues to find hers.
Related Links
BTB Early Bird
Hope for Secondhand Suffering
-
About Mandy
Mandy is the wife to Dustin and mom to Dylan, 11, and Madison, 14, who was born with Spina Bifida. Professionally, she has been a high school teacher for nearly 20 years and loves working with students in FCCLA, the student organization she sponsors. Personally speaking, she’s obsessed with Christmas, loves to shop and entertain in our home, and is a huge Elvis fan. Her family is very active in their church.
About the Episode
As special-needs parents, we have to make decisions daily for our children regarding their care. There are times when decisions come our way that may have life-altering effects. What do you do when those decisions come your way? How do you process through making difficult decisions regarding our children with disabilities?
Related Links
Rising Above Family Resources
-
About Max
Max Brooks is a 16-year-old passionate about all things theatre and singing. Despite being born with a rare condition called congenital central hyperventilation syndrome (CCHS), which significantly impacts his breathing, Max has never let it hold him back from pursuing his dreams. His love for the stage and performing shines through in every role he takes on, whether in school productions or community theatre. When he’s not rehearsing or performing, Max works at Chick-fil-A, where he’s affectionately known as Clay’s brother. His determination to overcome challenges and follow his passions inspires everyone around him.
Related Links
Rising Above app
-
About the Episode
Austin is 22 and loves friends, music, and his new job at Old Navy. Austin was diagnosed with autism when he was 2.5. He has a heart of gold!
In this episode we get to hear about his life as an adult with autism.
Related Links
Rising Above app
-
About the episode
Enjoy this conversation Becky has with our friend, Mattea, about her experience "adulting with a disability." Mattea was on the show in 2020 shortly after she graduated from HS. She has two degrees from Tennessee Tech University. She now has a travel agency where she helps families with disabilities plan vacations.
Related Links
Sponsor the podcast!
Instagram and Facebook: trustytravelco
-
Today, Becky is joined by her friends Kim and Meredith to discuss how they have come alongside she and her family during a long, challenging hospital stay.
Related Links
Rising Above app
-
Steve & Becky sit down to discuss plans for the coming year, and how you can be a part of it in our 250th episode of the Rising Above with Becky Davidson podcast!
- Näytä enemmän
