Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker

Do your conversations end in silence, defensiveness, or words you wish you could take back? Are unhealthy patterns undermining your marriage? How can you communicate with honesty, kindness, and self-control?

For parents of children with disabilities, communicating with each other in the midst of stress can be hard. Therapist Katie Gohde and her husband, Steve Gohde, join Amy Julia Becker to bring helpful skills to hard conversations. (And while this interview focuses on marriage, these communication tools are must-haves for every relationship.)

00:00 Communication and Marriage
05:17 Four Communication Styles
10:00 Emotional Regulation and Communication
12:19 Practicing Assertiveness
14:10 Tools for Better Communication
18:03 Staying Calm in Chaos
19:22 Practicing and Repairing
23:07 Next Steps for Better Communication
25:01 Encouragement for Men

MENTIONED IN EPISODE 34:

• Is Your Marriage Just Surviving? Disability, Chronic Stress, and Caregiving • Monica DiCristina, LPC {Episode 32}

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's weekly Substack newsletter: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT:

Katie Gohde is a licensed professional counselor who works with couples and families, and Steve spent 15 years in corporate America before starting his own firm. Together, they lead workshops on marriage, communication, conflict, boundaries, and what it takes to build strong families.

They’ve been married for 21 years and live in Atlanta with their two children and a growing collection of pets.

http://www.renewandrestore.comInstagram @katie_gohde
Facebook - @RenewAndRestoreAtlanta

_

Take the Next Step is a resource from the Hope Heals Network, a collective of thought leaders offering honest and hopeful wisdom to help people flourish in the good and hard parts of their stories. To learn more about the work of Hope Heals, visit http://hopeheals.com/ or follow @hopeheals on Instagram.

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

Will your child with a disability truly belong at church—or simply be accommodated? How can you recognize genuine welcome? How could a church rethink accessibility, Sunday school, and worship so your family can fully participate?

Nakoa Dantzler Merritt, the Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator for With Ministries, joins Amy Julia Becker to offer practical advice and real-life examples for families and churches. She invites families to approach imperfect churches with grace while still looking for a heart posture of welcome.

00:00 Nakoa's Story and Advocacy
04:14 Questions to Ask About Welcome
07:03 Understanding and Designing for Accessibility
09:00 Examples of Churches Moving Toward Welcome
10:18 Adapting Sunday School for All Abilities
13:23 Designing Worship Services for Accessibility
17:09 Starting Points for Families in Unwelcoming Churches
21:24 Practical Tips for Families Navigating Church Challenges

MENTIONED IN EPISODE 33:

• With Ministries

Questions for families:

• Is my family welcome?
• Is my family included in decision making?
• Is the church willing to ask what my child needs?
• Is the church willing to meet us partway?

Questions for churches:

• How are we communicating welcome?
• Can people with different abilities actually participate?
• Are families affected by disability helping shape our ministry?
• Are we creating belonging, rather than simply accommodation?

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's weekly Substack newsletter: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT:

Nakoa Dantzler Merritt is the Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator for With Ministries. She is also the Board Secretary for the Black Down Syndrome Association and an Advisory Board Member for the North Texas Disability Chamber. She combines professional leadership with lived advocacy to advance accessibility, inclusion, and equitable services both in churches and across communities. Nakoa is a devoted mother of twin boys and an advocate at heart. She enjoys encouraging others, spending time with her family, and creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect, contribute, and participate fully.

Socials

FB/IG: withministriesorg

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ndmerrittmba/

_

Take the Next Step is a resource from the Hope Heals Network, a collective of thought leaders offering honest and hopeful wisdom to help people flourish in the good and hard parts of their stories. To learn more about the work of Hope Heals, visit http://hopeheals.com/ or follow @hopeheals on Instagram.

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

Are you exhausted from caregiving? Anxious? Burned out? Do you find yourself resenting your spouse or keeping score in your marriage over who does most? Therapist Monica DiCristina joins Amy Julia Becker to help parents of children with disabilities recognize the signs of chronic stress, understand how it can affect marriage and family life, and discover small, meaningful ways to respond differently, even when the circumstances themselves don’t change.

00:00 Introduction to chronic stress and its effect on families & marriages
03:45 Understanding the physical and emotional signs of chronic stress
05:46 How chronic stress affects marriage dynamics
08:01 Common coping behaviors and their pitfalls
13:02 Practical ways to normalize and manage stress
17:14 Choosing connection when circumstances can’t change
21:47 Next steps for couples in chronic stress situations

__

MENTIONED IN EPISODE 32:

• Research mentioned in this episode: Coan, Schaefer, & Davidson, “Lending a Hand: Social Regulation of the Neural Response to Threat.”
• Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist’s Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are From What Hurts by Monica DiCristina

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's weekly Substack newsletter: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT:

Monica DiCristina is a therapist in Atlanta, where she runs a private practice serving individuals and couples. She became a therapist after one changed her life. Monica shares therapeutic content through her Still Becoming podcast, newsletter, speaking, and her book, that is being translated into 9 different languages: Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist’s Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are From What Hurts.

• Website: https://monicadicristina.com/
• Instagram: @monicadicristina/
• Substack: The In-Between
• Book: Your Pain Has a Name

_

Take the Next Step is a resource from the Hope Heals Network, a collective of thought leaders offering honest and hopeful wisdom to help people flourish in the good and hard parts of their stories. To learn more about the work of Hope Heals, visit http://hopeheals.com/ or follow @hopeheals on Instagram.

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

How can we help a child grieve when they may not have the words to tell us they’re hurting?

Therapist Sissy Goff joins Amy Julia Becker to explore how children with disabilities experience and express grief. Grief doesn’t always look like sadness; it can show up through regression, anger, anxiety, changes in behavior, and more.

Sissy shares practical ways parents and caregivers can help children express their emotions, set loving boundaries around difficult behaviors, use play and memory-making to process loss, and move toward hope without leaving grief behind.

00:00 Grief and kids with disabilities
05:13 Understanding regression as a coping mechanism
06:48 The stages of grief and their cyclical nature
10:25 Checking in on kids and their emotions
13:28 The role of play in healing
15:17 Helping children process complex emotions and behaviors
18:43 Fostering hope and remembrance in children
22:11 Next Steps to Process Grief

MENTIONED IN EPISODE 31:

• Helping Kids Through Grief: A Parent's Guide for Making Sense of Death, Processing Loss, and Finding Hope by Sissy Goff
• Take the Next Step: Ep2 Parenting Kids with Disabilities: The Power of Delight with Sissy Goff

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's weekly Substack newsletter: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT:

Sissy Goff is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, speaker, and Executive Director of Daystar Counseling in Nashville. With more than three decades of counseling experience, she helps children, teens, and families navigate anxiety, build resilience, and grow in confidence and connection. She’s the author of more than twenty books, including her newest, Helping Kids Through Grief, and co-host of the Raising Boys & Girls podcast, which has been downloaded more than 14 million times. You can connect with Sissy at https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/ or find daily encouragement on Instagram at @sissygoff and @raisingboysandgirls.

_

Take the Next Step is a resource from the Hope Heals Network, a collective of thought leaders offering honest and hopeful wisdom to help people flourish in the good and hard parts of their stories. To learn more about the work of Hope Heals, visit http://hopeheals.com/ or follow @hopeheals on Instagram.

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

What happens when the rhythms of caregiving make it difficult to establish any rhythms at all?

That’s the question guiding author Jen Pollock Michel as she considers what spiritual practices can look like in the midst of caregiving for a family member with a disability. Drawing on her own experience caring for her mom who has Alzheimer’s, Jen shares with Amy Julia Becker how caregivers can create space for meaning, connection, and faith even when days rarely go according to plan.

00:00 Understanding the Rule of Life
04:09 Caregiving and Its Challenges
10:01 Receiving Our Lives as They Are
14:58 A Personal Rule of Life: Tenderness, Gentleness, Gratitude
21:58 Finding Spiritual Rhythms in Chaos
28:32 Inviting Help and Community Support

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• A Rule for the Rest of Us: An Ancient Practice for Making the Daily Decisions that Shape Faithful Lives by Jen Pollock Michel
• Every Moment Holy: Death, Grief, and Hope
• Psalm 100
• Psalm 90

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's weekly Substack newsletter: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT:

Jen Pollock Michel is the award-winning author of six books: A Rule for the Rest of Us, Teach Us to Want (Christianity Today's Book of the Year), Keeping Place, Surprised by Paradox (Christianity Today's Book of the Year Award of Merit—Beautiful Orthodoxy), A Habit Called Faith, and In Good Time (Canada's Word Guild Book of the Year Award). Jen is a sought-after contributor to publications like Christianity Today, The Christian Century, The Gospel Coalition, Mockingbird, and The Dispatch, among others. She is also a first-year mentor in Whitworth University's MFA in Creative Writing program, and she travels to speak at churches, conferences, and retreats. Over the past several years, she has been teaching rule-of-life workshops to hundreds of people across various life stages. The mother of five children, she is married to Ryan, and they live in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Social handles:

Instagram: @jenpmichel

Substack: A Habit Called Faith

X: @jenpmichel

Website:JenPollockMIchel.com

_

Take the Next Step is a resource from the Hope Heals Network, a collective of thought leaders offering honest and hopeful wisdom to help people flourish in the good and hard parts of their stories. To learn more about the work of Hope Heals, visit http://hopeheals.com/ or follow @hopeheals on Instagram.

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

Do you have to fight everyone around the table to advocate well for your child? Many parents feel intimidated by disability advocacy. They worry they're not doing enough and don't know enough to be a good advocate for their child and a good teammate to the other people in their child's life. Researcher Meghan Burke joins Amy Julia Becker to share what non-adversarial advocacy looks like—from special education and IEPs to the transition into adult disability services—and where to find support along the way.

_

00:00:00 Introduction and Meghan Burke background
00:02:56 Defining advocacy and its levels
00:06:18 Barriers in advocacy and meetings
00:09:00 Strategies to overcome barriers
00:11:16 Resources for advocacy training and support
00:15:31 Non-adversarial advocacy and partnership with schools
00:18:54 Navigating adult disability services
00:23:49 Next steps and practical advice for parents
_

MENTIONED IN EPISODE 29:

• TNS episode 22: Disability + Siblings: What the Research Says with Meghan Burke, PhD
• Parent Input Statement Samples created by Meghan Burke
• Volunteer Advocacy Project (VAP) training
• Parent Training and Information Center (PTI)—find your PTI: https://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/
• Advocating for SupportS to Improve Service Transition (ASSIST): https://www.illinoislifespan.org/toolbox-transition/ (follow the link and scroll down to the section with YouTube videos; also available in Spanish)

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's weekly Substack newsletter: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT:

Meghan Burke is a professor of special education in Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Her research interests include advocacy, families (i.e., parents and siblings) of individuals with disabilities, and disability policy. Her research examines how families advocate for services with their family members with disabilities. She also conducts research examining how siblings of individuals with disabilities transition to caregiving roles.

_

Take the Next Step is a resource from the Hope Heals Network, a collective of thought leaders offering honest and hopeful wisdom to help people flourish in the good and hard parts of their stories. To learn more about the work of Hope Heals, visit http://hopeheals.com/ or follow @hopeheals on Instagram.

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

Overwhelmed, isolated, afraid of the future? You don't have to figure it all out at once. Author Misty Coy Snyder joins Amy Julia Becker to talk about family life and disability. She shares practical encouragement for parents and caregivers, including ways to:

• Find community and build meaningful connections
• Focus on what matters right now
• Make room for joy

00:00 Introduction to Misty and Her Family
03:09 Why "Happiness is Down Syndrome"?
07:17 The Role of Community in Parenting
11:02 Creating Connections and Resources
15:10 Planning for the Future Without Fear
22:45 Take the Next Step: Be Present

MENTIONED IN EPISODE 28:

• Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network
• Caring Tide
• Team Iron Will

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's weekly Substack newsletter: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT:

For over twenty years, Misty has been inspiring people through storytelling. Whether she is onstage taking the audience on a journey through her acting, transporting people through her vocal performance or challenging and edifying her readers through her writing, Misty relishes communication, connection and community. Misty utilizes her gifts as a performer, entrepreneur and content creator to advocate for and lift up the disability community. Upon receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis for her second son, Jed, she created a worldwide platform to promote inclusion and awareness called, Happiness is Down syndrome. In addition to creating content for this page, she launched her own podcast called, Bold Voices, Soft Hearts, featuring stories of those who have discovered their passion through pain. For World Down Syndrome Day in March of 2025, Misty spoke on a panel at the UN discussing community support for the Down syndrome community and frequently travels globally sharing her story of hope. She is currently the Creative Director at RODS Heroes where the mission is to uncover the superpowers of Down syndrome.

Website: http://mistycoysnyder.com

Social Media: @mistycoysnyder @happinessisdownsyndrome on Instagram

Misty Coy Snyder and Happiness is Down Syndrome on FB

@mistycoysnyder on TikTok

_

Take the Next Step is a resource from the Hope Heals Network, a collective of thought leaders offering honest and hopeful wisdom to help people flourish in the good and hard parts of their stories. To learn more about the work of Hope Heals, visit http://hopeheals.com/ or follow @hopeheals on Instagram.

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

How can my child with a disability learn and grow? What does it look like to cultivate capability while honoring their limitations? When am I wrongly making life easier for them? When should I let them struggle? And what if I feel incapable as a parent? Therapist David Thomas joins Amy Julia Becker to discuss:

• parenting in an anxious age
• building resilience
• helping children develop coping skills and confidence

00:00 Introduction to David Thomas
03:13 Why Now? The Rise of Anxiety and Youth Mental Health Crisis
09:09 The Three C's: Coping, Confidence, and Competence
13:37 Naming and Navigating Emotions in Children
19:28 Characteristics of Capable Parents
22:38 Rituals of Affirmation and Security
25:28 Next Steps for Parents and Kids

More: https://amyjuliabecker.com/capable-parenting-david-thomas-raising-resilient-kids/

__

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience by Sissy Goff and David Thomas
• Daystar Counseling Ministries

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's weekly Substack newsletter: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

David Thomas, LMSW, is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and Executive Director of Daystar Counseling in Nashville, Tennessee. For more than thirty years, David has helped children, teens, and families navigate the challenges of growing up with confidence, resilience, and hope.

Known for his humor, engaging storytelling, and practical wisdom, David is one of the country’s most trusted voices on parenting, child development, and family relationships. He is the author of fifteen books, including his newest release, Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills & Strategies to Build Resilience. David is the co-host of the Raising Boys & Girls podcast, which has been downloaded more than 15 million times.

David is a frequent speaker at conferences, schools, churches, and organizations across the country. His work has been featured on the TODAY Show and NBC News and in publications including The Washington Post and USA Today.

David and his wife, Connie, live in Nashville and are the proud parents of three adult children, along with a yellow lab named June.

You can connect with David athttp://raisingboysandgirls.com/ or find daily encouragement on Instagram at@raisingboysandgirls.

_

Take the Next Step is a resource from the Hope Heals Network, a collective of thought leaders offering honest and hopeful wisdom to help people flourish in the good and hard parts of their stories. To learn more about the work of Hope Heals, visit http://hopeheals.com/ or follow @hopeheals on Instagram.

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

When your child needs support now, “just wait” isn’t good enough. Chris Cipriano, mom and developmental psychologist, helps parents of children with disabilities move from frustration and apology to confident advocacy. She shares with Amy Julia Becker how to:

• navigate waitlists
• work with teachers and providers as partners, not opponents
• see disability as a different vantage point and a source of value

Discover how an asset-based mindset can help you advocate for your child and create change that benefits every family.

00:00 Introduction to Chris Cipriano
02:19 The Concept of Being Unapologetically Impatient
06:32 Reframing Disability: A Different Vantage Point
09:37 Navigating Waitlists and Access to Services
14:31 Building Community and Collaboration
21:07 From Reaction to Prevention: A Mindset Shift

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Be Unapologetically Impatient by Christina Cipriano, PhD

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's weekly Substack newsletter: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT:

Christina Cipriano, PhD, is the inaugural Joseph W. and Alma W. Keilty Endowed Chair in Education and Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she directs the Education Collaboratory at the College of Education. Drawing on her decade of research at the Yale Child Study Center, where she maintains a secondary appointment, Dr. Cipriano's work advances inclusive and equitable social and emotional learning so all students are seen, served, and safe to learn, in schools worldwide.

_

Take the Next Step is a resource from the Hope Heals Network, a collective of thought leaders offering honest and hopeful wisdom to help people flourish in the good and hard parts of their stories. To learn more about the work of Hope Heals, visit http://hopeheals.com/ or follow @hopeheals on Instagram.

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

Parenting a child with a disability can feel overwhelming, isolating, and uncertain, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Take the Next Step offers encouragement and practical guidance for navigating disability parenting, finding connection, advocating for your child, and creating more joy at home. Join Amy Julia Becker and fellow parents, therapists, researchers, and disability advocates for short, hope-filled conversations and meaningful, manageable steps toward a thriving future for your whole family.

_

SUBSCRIBE to Amy Julia's weekly Substack newsletter: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT:

Amy Julia Becker invites people to reimagine the good life through her writing and speaking on disability, faith, and culture. She is the author of To Be Made Well, White Picket Fences, Small Talk, and A Good and Perfect Gift. She is a guest opinion writer for national publications and hosts two podcasts: Take the Next Step and Reimagining the Good Life. Becker is a graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv). She is a member of the Disability Ministry Network, as well as the Alliance for Disability Justice and Ethics in Reproductive Genetics. She lives with her husband and their three children in western Connecticut.

_

Take the Next Step is a resource from the Hope Heals Network, a collective of thought leaders offering honest and hopeful wisdom to help people flourish in the good and hard parts of their stories. To learn more about the work of Hope Heals, visit http://hopeheals.com/ or follow @hopeheals on Instagram.

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

E25—What do you do when the child you imagined isn’t the child you have? Pastor Mike Erre experienced the slow dismantling of achievement-based parenting when his son with Down syndrome was born. If you’re exhausted by comparisons and milestones, this conversation invites a different way forward: noticing, delighting, and being with your child as they are.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Stories
03:06 Connecting with Your Child
06:54 Redefining Success and Celebration
11:40 Navigating Grief and Emotions
16:16 Building Connections and Community
19:01 How Dads Can Help Create a World of Belonging

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Voxology podcast
• Hope Heals Camp

_

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Mike Erre is the lead pastor of Journey Church in Tennessee and speaks on faith, culture, and spiritual formation. He is also the author of several books and cohost of the Voxology podcast. He is a dad to three children, including their youngest son who has Down syndrome.

_

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 http://hopeheals.com/. Follow on Instagram: @hopeheals and @hopeheals.camp

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

E24—"I don't know what life can look like for my child." If you've ever felt that, this episode is for you. Sheli Reynolds, PhD, is a leader in disability innovation. She joins Amy Julia Becker to share free, practical tools that support individuals and families experiencing disability in planning for friendship, independence, employment, and joy.

00:00 Dr. Sheli Reynolds and Disability Advocacy
03:40 Understanding the Lifecourse Framework
09:15 Tools for Envisioning a Good Future
12:29 Person-Centered Planning Explained
16:04 The Importance of Life Experiences
21:36 Taking the First Step: Practical Advice for Parents

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• LifeCourse (home page)
• Charting a LifeCourse Framework
• LifeCourse Facebook page

_

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Sheli Reynolds is the lead developer of the Charting the LifeCourse framework and a national leader in person- and family-centered disability innovation. Her passion, knowledge, and experience comes from growing up as a sibling of a brother with developmental disabilities. She has spent her career advancing research, policy, and practices that support individuals and families across the lifespan. She serves as Associate Director at the UMKC Institute for Human Development, where she has worked for 28 years, and has held national leadership roles, including on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. She has her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Rockhurst University and earned her doctorate in Public Administration and Sociology from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

http://www.lifecoursenexus.org/https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifecoursenexus/https://www.facebook.com/lifecoursenexus/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-sheli-reynolds-phd/

_

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 http://hopeheals.com/. Follow on Instagram: @hopeheals and @hopeheals.camp

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

E23—The meals stop coming. The texts slow down. And suddenly you feel like you’re navigating disability alone. Friends can be great at showing up in a crisis, but how do you find community for your family when life stays hard day after month after year? Katherine Wolf, stroke survivor, mother, and disability advocate, shares her story with Amy Julia Becker. They consider:

• Grief
• Limits of toxic positivity
• Finding community that helps families survive and flourish

00:00 Introduction and Connection
03:37 Is a Good Future Possible?
08:45 The Role of Community in Healing
13:01 Sustaining Community Connections
18:31 Navigating Disappointment in Community
21:05 Creating Long-Term Connections
25:12 Taking Steps Towards Connection

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Hope Heals
• Hope Heals Camp
• GoodHard Story podcast
• Voxer

_

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Katherine Wolf is an author, advocate, and co-founder of Hope Heals. After she survived a near-fatal brainstem stroke at age 26, her family’s journey through disability has become a public witness that good and hard can co-exist in the same story. Through caregiving, storytelling, and lived theology, Katherine is inviting others into a vision of hope, interdependence, and embodied resilience. She and her husband Jay live in Atlanta with their two sons.

Website: https://hopeheals.com/

Instagram accounts: @hopeheals; @opehealscamp; @mendcoffee

_

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 http://hopeheals.com/. Follow on Instagram: @hopeheals and @hopeheals.camp

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

E22—Is having a sibling with a disability hard on kids? Researcher Meghan Burke has spent years studying (and living) this question. Her findings might surprise you. In this episode, she joins Amy Julia Becker to share:

• what siblings actually say about growing up alongside disability
• why the "burden" narrative is mostly a myth
• the one conversation every family needs to have before a crisis hits

00:00 Introduction to Sibling Relationships in Disability
02:48 Research Insights on Sibling Dynamics
05:57 Understanding the Myths and Realities
09:34 The Experience of Being Overlooked as a Sibling
10:59 Common Strengths Among Siblings
12:48 Siblings' Needs and Involvement
16:41 The Normalization of Disability in Sibling Relationships
18:16 Fostering Mutual Care in Families
23:02 Future Planning and Sibling Responsibilities

_

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Meghan Burke is a professor of special education in Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Her research interests include advocacy, families (i.e., parents and siblings) of individuals with disabilities, and disability policy. Her research examines how families advocate for services with their family members with disabilities. She also conducts research examining how siblings of individuals with disabilities transition to caregiving roles.

Website:https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/bio/meghan-burke/

Linked in:https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-burke-4191239/

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

_

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 http://hopeheals.com/. Follow on Instagram: @hopeheals and @hopeheals.camp

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

E21—As the mom of a daughter with Down syndrome, I have felt my fair share of complicated emotions over these past twenty years. And sometimes, I haven't known what to do with those emotions, especially the ones that seem negative, like grief or fear. I'm talking today with psychiatrist, speaker, and author Curt Thompson about all these things—how we can name our emotions in safe and trusted communities, and the way receiving comfort in the midst of those emotions can also open us up to hope and joy.

00:00 Introduction to Grief
06:15 The Importance of Naming Grief in Community
11:58 Navigating Grief in the Context of Disability
18:32 Connecting to the Fullness of All of Our Emotions
24:12 Practical Steps for Emotional Awareness

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• John 9
• The Center for Being Known
• New Story Behavioral Health
• Books by Dr. Curt Thompson

_

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Psychiatrist, speaker and author Curt Thompson connects our intrinsic desire to be known with the need to tell truer stories about ourselves — showing us how to form deep relationships, discover meaning and live integrated, creative lives.

http://www.curtthompsonmd.com/IG @curtthompsonmd
FB@curtthompsonmd
Curt's podcast: Being Known Podcast

_

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 http://hopeheals.com/. Follow on Instagram: @hopeheals and @hopeheals.camp

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

E20—Does your child struggle to understand who they are in a world that sees disability as a deficit? Renee Dollenmayer, founder of Even If Ministries, shares how living with cerebral palsy shapes her joy, sorrow, and purpose—and why every person with a disability needs to know their presence matters.

00:00 Introduction to Renee's Story and Disability
03:15 Joy and Sorrow in the Context of Disability
05:56 Creating Space for Lament and Joy
11:49 Disability and Identity
19:50 Loving and Supporting People with Disabilities
22:23 Practical Next Steps

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Even If Ministries

_

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Renee is a speaker, coach, and founder and visionary of Even If Ministries. Renee was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of two and has experienced the joy and sorrow of disability. She has a passion to see the disabled transformed by the power of the Gospel. She believes God allowed disability for His glory and her good. Renee has a passion for sharing that suffering is never the end of the story and helping individuals find purpose and freedom in hardship. Furthermore, she finds joy in coming alongside church leaders to make their churches and communities more accessible.

Instagram and Facebook: @weareevenif
https://www.weareevenif.com/

https://www.reneedollenmayer.com/Instagram: @reneedollenmayerFacebook: renee.dollenmayer

_

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 http://hopeheals.com/. Follow on Instagram: @hopeheals and @hopeheals.camp

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

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: https://amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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

_

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

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:http://capernaum.younglife.org/ • Instagram: @ylcapernaum

_

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 http://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: https://amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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

_

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

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.

_

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 http://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: https://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: http://withministries.org/
• Barriers to Belonging: The Church Experiences of Families of Children with Disabilities | Erik Carter

_

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

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),http://withministries.org/ (website), With Ministries (FB)

_

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 http://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: https://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

_

WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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

JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

_

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.

_

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 http://hopeheals.com/. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals.

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