Disabilities Episodes

Send a text We dig into the real-life supports that help neurodivergent brains thrive, from the hard science of FASD to daily tools for executive function, transitions, sensory needs, and affect regulation. RJ Formanek and Ann Kagarise share candid stories, and swap strategies that trade shame for …

Ever watch someone recite the rules and still miss the first step? We dive into that gap with FASD advocate RJ Formanek to reveal what’s actually happening under the surface —and why replacing blame with understanding can change a life. We’re talking brain wiring, not character flaws; symptoms, not…

Send us a text Today on Real Talk with Tina and Ann we are talking about neurodivergence and share a raw, practical look at “diagnosis day,” advocacy, and the tools that actually help our kids thrive. Nothing about our kids changed with labels; only our map did, and that map guides support with les…

Send us a text Tina and Ann explore gratitude that tells the truth in crisis: not a list, but a lifeline beside cancer, caregiving, and long grief. Kara Lockwood’s story and Robert Emmons’ research anchor practical ways to find small joys that help us keep showing up. • Cara Lockwood’s remission st…

Send us a text Some stories don’t fit inside neat arcs. Rebecca Galli’s life holds a brother gone at 17, a son who passed at 15, two children with special needs, and sudden paralysis nine days after divorce. What unfolds is not a list of tragedies but a blueprint for living when certainty disappear…

Send us a text A glossy holiday is easy to post, but the real story of Thanksgiving often lives in the places that ache. This year, our table looks different—empty chairs, fading memories, and traditions that no longer fit who we are now. Still, gratitude finds a seat beside grief. We talk about th…

Send us a text We share real, lived experiences from someone navigating life with FASD: the diagnosis, the data, and the dignity that often get lost in the conversation. Together, we unpack the daily struggles and the deep relief that comes from hearing the words, “It’s not your fault.” What follow…

Send us a text What if the love you learned was never love at all—but performance, peacekeeping, and fear dressed up as care? Ann sits down with Denise Bard to tell the truth about growing up inside conditional love, the survival roles that helped them get through, and the slow, stubborn work of bu…

Send us a text Ron Souers joins us to explore how ADHD minds can transform perceived weaknesses into remarkable strengths through self-discovery, mindfulness, and acceptance. We examine the experience of navigating a neurotypical world with a neurodivergent brain and uncover practical strategies fo…

Send us a text Ann explores the power of manifesting through intention and action rather than perfectionism, inspired by Halle Berry's insight about focusing on what we want instead of what we don't want. • Manifesting isn't about magic but about aligning thoughts, beliefs, and actions • You don't …

Send us a text What makes George's story so compelling isn't just his professional evolution but the profound personal transformations that accompanied it. After reaching nearly 400 pounds and receiving a stark health warning, he underwent gastric bypass surgery, losing 140 pounds and regaining con…

Send us a text What happens when a devastating brain injury leads to an unexpected creative breakthrough? For Sarah Sparks, it meant birthing the "Monsters on Mill Street" series – vibrant, heartfelt stories that are transforming how children handle big emotions and life's challenges. Sarah's journ…

The simple act of handing a ham and cheese sandwich to a homeless woman named Millie sparked something extraordinary – a movement that would transform the lives of over a million people experiencing homelessness across Americ...

Rebecca Galli's story isn't just about survival—it's about creating a magnificent life from the pieces that remain after tragedy shatters your original plans. Picking up where Part 1 left off, this powerful conversation delve...

What does resilience look like after losing your brother, your son, your marriage, your ability to walk, and raising a child with autism? Rebecca Galli knows this terrain intimately. As a bestselling author of over 400 column...

Ever found yourself facing life's sourest moments with nothing but a flimsy straw and sheer determination? That feeling when survival feels scrappy, resilience feels exhausting, and hope comes in sips rather than gulps? In th...

Do you like where your thoughts are taking you? Our minds are powerful instruments, capable of leading us toward hope or trapping us in cycles of fear and doubt. When facing situations we can't change – like caring for a love...

Tina and Ann explore the complex relationship between joy and grief, examining how these seemingly opposite emotions often coexist and even strengthen each other. They share personal stories of experiencing both simultaneousl...

When was the last time you truly appreciated an ordinary moment? In this heartfelt conversation, we unpack the counterintuitive idea that mundane moments might actually be the most meaningful parts of our lives. After recover...

Can a children's book change a life? In this inspiring episode, author Sasha Saidman reveals how stories about adoption, differences, and self-acceptance meet kids exactly where they are—sparking empathy, imagination, and con...

Can a children's book change a life? In this inspiring episode, author Sasha Saidman reveals how stories about adoption, differences, and self-acceptance meet kids exactly where they are—sparking empathy, imagination, and con...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kari Baker as we dive into the complexities and triumphs of parenting children with invisible neurological differences. Kari shares invaluable insights on navigating special education systems, mastering IEP meetings, and understanding parental rights. From…

Join us for an inspiring and heartfelt exploration into the world of parenting children with neurological differences. Our guest, Kari Baker, shares her courageous journey from a thriving career in financial services to her n...

What if life’s greatest challenges could become stepping stones to purpose and resilience? On this episode of Real Talk with Tina and Ann , we welcome Ann Marie Thrives—Amazon bestselling author, speaker, and life coach—who h...