Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast
For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead.
Episodes
Spellers Series:
“The Spellers Method” with Dawnmarie Gaivin
Dawnmarie Gaivin, is the cofounder of Spellers MethodTM and the Executive Director of Spellers Freedom Foundation. A former trauma and transplant nurse who spent more than a decade working in prestigious teaching hospitals in Boston and San Francisco, when she became a mother in 2003, her life took ...
Spellers Series:
“Finding Their Voice: A Family’s Journey with Spelling” with J Brad and Paulette Britton
Today we continue our Spellers Series and are joined by Paulette and J Brad Britton. Paulette and J Brad have a 24-year-old autistic son with apraxia, named Sam. For years, his intelligence and humor were missed. That changed when he began using spelled c...
Spellers Series:
“Spelling Adventures and Advocacy” with Kelly and Pamela Schlenz
Hey guys, we’re excited you’re joining us for this episode! Today we begin our Spellers Series, highlighting this incredible form of communication. You won’t want to miss this informative and heartwarming series this month!
Kelly Schlenz is the Executive Director of Idyllwild Pines...
Down Syndrome Awareness Month Series:
“Happiness is Down Syndrome” with Misty Snyder
Welcome back to the Down Syndrome Awareness Month Series! Today, we’re joined by a truly inspiring guest — Misty Coy Snyder. Misty is an actor, singer, writer, entrepreneur, and a powerful advocate for the Down syndrome community. After receiving a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis for her sec...
Down Syndrome Awareness Month Series:
“The Lucky Few : Shifting Narratives” with Heather Avis
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and on today’s episode we are excited to welcome guest Heather Avis — New York Times best-selling author, podcaster, and founder of The Lucky Few.
For over a decade, Heather has been shifting the narrative around Down syndrome, ...
Future Planning Series: “The Dani Plan” Hey guys, we’re excited you joined us today! This is such a great episode! Our families know all too well the endless amounts of documentation required of us, just to get through the day let alone to plan for the future. Medication charts, daily schedules, appointment calendars there is so much to track. Our guests today get it. And what’s more they’ve created something to help...
Future Planning Series:
“Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together” with Amanda Owen
You’re not gonna want to miss this inspiring episode with author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Amanda Owen, founder and executive director of Puzzle Pieces in Owensboro, Kentucky. Amanda shares her journey from special education teacher and sibling to nonprofit leader, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and personal motivations behind her mission. On t...
Future Planning Series:
“Welcome to Season 5” with Eric and Christen
Welcome Back for Season 5 of the Hope on the Hard Road podcast. We’re glad you joined us It’s going to be an incredible season! Don’t forget to subscribe so we you never miss an episode!! We have some really amazing guests on this season who many of you likely already know and follow! We have Chris Wenger o...
“That’s a Wrap for Season 4!” with Eric and Christen Freund
Hey guys, That’s a wrap for season 4!
We had so many great episodes this season and we can’t wait for Season 5 starting in August! Guys, We can hardly believe we’re headed into year 5 of the podcast!
We have some incredible guests coming on this season, many of whom you likely already know and follow. So be sure to follow the podcast and our Youtube channel to catch all ...
Mental Health Series
“Mental Health in Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities” with Cheryl Jordan
Today is the final episode of our Mental Health Series. We are thrilled that board director and licensed therapist, Cheryl Jordan could join us today for this informative discussion. It’s Mental Health Awareness Month and we’re talking about “Men...
Series: Mental Heath
“Mental Health for Families with Special Needs” with Elizabeth Strout
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Studies show that individuals with disabilities, including children, experience higher rates of mental health distress and mental health disorders compared to those without disabilities. Today as we discuss this important topic we are excited to introduce you to Elizabeth Strout, licensed clinical soc...
Ministry Series:
“International Disability Ministry” with Linda Martin
We are so excited to have Linda Martin, Founder & President of Miracle 139 International, back on with us, for today’s podcast episode!
Linda is a Board-Certified Music Therapist, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders, behavior management, and music therapy assessment. With over two...
Disability Ministry Series
'Autism and the Church' with Pastor Russ Ewell
Welcome back to the Podcast. Today we have Russ Ewell, lead pastor of Bay Area Christian Church and father of two children with special needs as our guest. As a father and an advocate in the special needs community he understands the need for creating inclusive environments for our children. As a Pastor, he and his wife have launched a free, step-by-step ...
Family Series
'Motherhood & Special Needs' with Becky Wall
Welcome back. On this episode the focus is on moms. As moms we have our own unique stories to share. And as we approach World Down Syndrome Day, we are delighted to have Becky Wall on with us again to share her story as a mom of a son diagnosed with both Down Syndrome and Autism. Becky works for Fa...
Family Series: “Creativity in Marriage & Parenting” with Angela and Mike O’Brien
You are going to love this episode! We have Angela O’Brien of the Especially Organized Podcast back on and she’s joined by her husband Mike.
This is going to be another fun and heartfelt episode in our marriage and family series that you won’t want to miss!
Family Series: 'Building a Healthy Marriage' with Garett and Becky Wall
We are continuing on in our family series with an episode on marriage and parenting with Garett and Becky Wall. These 2 are an amazing couple and team! Becky and Garett live in Louisville, Kentucky and have two children, Lily (14) and Isaac (12), who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome and Autism.
Family Series:
“Teammates in Marriage”
Intro:
With our Date Night coming up on Feb 15th, on this episode we’re sharing last year’s Date Night presentation. As caregiving couples it is often hard to find quality time to connect. That is what our Date Night is all about. We hope you’ll be inspired and encouraged by this message of hope on how even under the hardest of circumstances we can still thrive as “Teammates in Marriage”.
Bio...
Show Notes: Camille Block
Family Series: “Hope for Secondhand Suffering”
Intro:
We begin our Family Series with an episode dedicated to all of the amazing siblings out there. If you are a sibling of someone with special needs we want you to know that we see you and we celebrate you. Siblings often miss out on allot in life and yet siblings also often become som...
🎉 2025 Happy New Year Preview! 🎉
Welcome to a brand-new year with Hope on the Hard Road! In this special episode, we reflect on the challenges and victories of the past year and share an exciting look at what’s ahead in 2025.
Get a sneak peek of upcoming episodes featuring topics like navigating family dynamics, self-care strategies for caregivers, and inspiring guest stories of resilience and hope. Plus, we’ll share ways you can...
2024 Year End Review
As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on some of the most powerful and inspiring moments from our fall season. In this special year-end review episode, we revisit stories of resilience, the power of community, and the joy of celebrating milestones — big and small.
Join us as we highlight these memorable clips and the incredible voices that remind us we’re never alone on this journey. T...
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