Rockin the Difference

Today is one of my favorite episodes yet. ❤️🎙️
 
For the first time, I’m talking with the person who inspired this entire podcast… my son, Ryan, AKA Biscuit
 
So often, people hear words like blind or autistic and stop there. But Ryan is so much more than a diagnosis. He’s hilarious, kind, determined, sports-obsessed, a music lover, and the guy who keeps me laughing every single day.
 
In this episode, we’re sharing funny stories, inside jokes, memories from school, his love of hockey, surfing, Taekwondo, and life at Agape Village. You’ll get a glimpse into the little moments that make Ryan… Ryan.
 
Mostly, though, this is just a conversation between a mom and her son.
 
I hope by the end of this episode you’ll feel like you feel you understand him and our dynamic a little better. .
 
If Ryan makes you smile, laugh, or see the world a little differently, would you do us a favor? Share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that ability comes in so many different forms.

NEW EPISODE: The Friends Who Walk This Journey With Me 
When people talk about raising a child with special needs, they often focus on the parents. But what about the friends who choose to stay?
In this episode of Rockin’ the Difference, I’m joined by two of my best friends who’ve been in my life since before Ryan was born. Andrea Heuer and Jenn Kiesby. They’ve watched him grow from a baby into the incredible man he is today. They’ve celebrated the victories, witnessed the challenges, and eventually raised their own children alongside him.
Together, we talk about how Ryan’s blindness and autism didn’t just shape our family’s story—it influenced theirs too. We discuss what inclusion looked like before it was a buzzword, how their children learned empathy and acceptance simply by growing up together, and why true friendship means showing up through every season of life.
This conversation is a reminder that the special needs journey doesn’t just change one family—it has the power to transform everyone it touches.
 

No experts. No scripts. No agenda.
Just five special needs parents, three incredible individuals with disabilities, a beach house, and some honest conversations about life.
This week’s Rockin the Difference episode is a reminder that while our journeys may be different, the understanding we find in one another can be life-changing.
Come join us for laughter, stories, and a little beachside wisdom. 
Special Thank you to Rob, Beckie, Christina, Jenna, Jonathan, Kali and Ryan for making this episode so very special.  I love you all so much!

Beyond What You See | Featuring Tiffany V. Easterbrook
What if everything you thought you understood about someone… was only a fraction of the story?
In this special episode, Ryan and I sit down with Tiffany V. Easterbrook for her YouTube interview series to share our journey—one that goes far beyond first impressions. We talk about what it’s really like raising and living as a blind and autistic young man, the challenges we’ve faced, the growth we’ve experienced, and the powerful moments that have shaped who we are today.
Ryan joins the conversation in his own voice—bringing his personality, humor, and even singing a little and that reminds us all just how important it is to truly see people for who they are.
This conversation is heartfelt, eye-opening, and filled with reminders that inclusion starts when we look beyond what’s on the surface.
🎥 Be sure to check out Tiffany’s YouTube channel @TiffanyEasterbrook to watch the full interview and experience the connection for yourself.
https://youtu.be/X9FxbwZOJsU?si=dwBq9ItxQ3BflbUA
And stay tuned… this is just the beginning. I’ll be sitting down with Tiffany soon for another powerful conversation as she prepares for the release of her upcoming book—you won’t want to miss it.

What happens when the traditional path no longer feels like the right one for your child?
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Tiffany Henry as she opens up about the deeply personal decision to homeschool her autistic son. From navigating unmet needs in a conventional school setting to trusting her instincts as a mother, Tiffany shares the pivotal moments that led her to choose a different path.
We dive into the real, unfiltered side of homeschooling—the challenges, the doubts, the logistical hurdles, and the emotional weight of stepping outside the norm. But we also explore the powerful rewards: the freedom to tailor learning, the strengthening of their bond, and the breakthroughs that happen when a child is truly seen and supported.
If you’re a parent questioning whether the traditional system is serving your child…If you’ve felt that quiet nudge that there might be another way…If you’re wondering whether you have what it takes to do something different…
This conversation will meet you right where you are—and maybe even give you the clarity and courage to explore what’s possible.

This episode wasn’t planned.I found out my mother-in-law passed away just days before I leave on a big trip with my mom.And as a special needs parent, moments like this hit differently.How does your child process grief?What does change feel like in their nervous system?How do you hold space for them while also preparing to step away?In this episode, I share how Ryan responds to unexpected news, what grief can look like in neurodivergence, and the tension of missing him deeply while also being grateful I’m able to travel at all.Caregiving is learning to pivot without losing yourself.If you’re walking through change right now, you’re not alone. 🤍#CaregiverSupport #NeurodivergentAdults #SpecialNeedsMom #ParentingThroughChange

In this episode of Rockin’ the Difference, I site down with Jennifer Caryn Brown—financial advisor and adoptive mom to a child with special challenges—for an honest and empowering conversation about caregiving, planning ahead, and finding peace of mind.
Jennifer shares her personal journey navigating special services, advocacy, and parenting, while also offering practical guidance on how families can financially prepare for their child’s future. From understanding key planning tools to shifting from fear-based decisions to intentional ones, this episode bridges lived experience with professional insight.
Whether you’re a caregiver just starting to think about long-term planning or someone feeling overwhelmed by the “what ifs,” this conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to do it all at once—and you don’t have to do it alone.
You can find more information forJennifer below: Website: www.browninvestmentmanagement.comemail: jennifer@browninvestmentmanagement.comSocial Media: @BrownInvestmentManagement

As 2025 comes to a close, this  episode of Rockin the Difference reflects on a year of profound change, challenges, and growth. I share what it meant to navigate major caregiving transitions for my son Ryan, face unexpected delays and emotional strain, and arrive at year’s end feeling both stretched and resilient. As I turn 50 on New Year’s Eve and reflects on shedding old layers to step into a new season, this episode marks the beginning of a year-end tradition—one rooted in honesty, healing, hope, and moving forward with intention.

Today on Rockin the Difference, we’re talking with someone whose story rewrites what resilience can look like.Josh Bridgewater is the oldest skateboarder with spina bifida — a title he never set out to earn, but one he carries with pride. Born with his spine outside his body, Josh has endured more than 46 surgeries just to keep moving through life as normally as possible.
Growing up, he faced bullying, isolation, and the kind of challenges most of us will never understand. But everything changed the day he found skateboarding — and with it, a community that accepted him exactly as he was. What started as a personal escape evolved into a calling.
As an adult, Josh as poured his energy into teaching kids with spina bifida and other disabilities how to ride, how to fall, how to get back up, and how to hold onto a positive mental attitude even when life hits hard. He knows the darkness of suicidal thoughts, and he knows the light that comes from purpose and connection.
Josh and his wife Shawna, are an amazing team that work together to show the resiliency of love for each other and community through all the ups and downs that life brings.  
His story is raw, real, and incredibly inspiring — and I’m honored to share it with you.
Let’s get into it.

💫 What do you get when you mix courage, comedy, two white canes and 3 canines?Meet Brennan (21) and Mina (17) — two siblings who are blind, bold, and breaking barriers every day alongside their amazing mom, Parisa. ❤️
In this week’s Rockin the Difference episode, we dive into what it’s really like navigating a world that’s not always designed for them — the funny moments, the frustrating ones, and how they use their Instagram @yes_I_cane to educate and inspire others. 👩‍🦯✨
🎧 Tune in and see the world through a whole new lens — one full of strength, laughter, and love.