Conquering Your Clownfish

In this episode of the Conquering Your Clownfish podcast, I sit down with Regina Catto, founder of Harleigh's Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to new and expectant parents of children with Down syndrome. Regina shares her personal journey of infertility, receiving a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis, and the transformative experience of raising her daughter, Harleigh. This emotional and inspiring conversation highlights the impact of faith and community in overcoming challenges and advocating for children with Down syndrome.

In this episode, I sat down with Courtney Morey, founder of the Annie Louise Foundation and mother to a child with Down syndrome. Courtney shares her experiences as an advocate for her children. Join us as she recounts the harrowing medical challenges Annie faced, and how those experiences inspired Courtney to create innovative support systems for other families. With a new baby on the way, Courtney offers a unique perspective that you won't want to miss.

In this episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, I sat down with Leah Crum, a young mom whose life took a sharp turn when her daughter Camilla was born and unexpectedly raced off to the NICU. Leah shares her thoughts on learning how to best care for her child despite the unique circumstances she had never assumed she would face. She discusses how God has prepared her for these challenges and ultimately strengthened and led her so she could embrace her new reality with confidence. Leah offers insights on navigating the healthcare system, dealing with public perception, and the importance of assuming competence in children with disabilities. Prepare to be impacted by Leah's mission to create a more inclusive environment for all children with special abilities.

In this episode, I sit down with Laney Wootten, who shared her family's story of raising a son with level three autism. Amidst the struggles, Lainey's faith and resilience shine through as she reveals how her son's disability has become a catalyst for hope and inspiration in their family as they had to make some very hard decisions. From praying for healing to finding purpose in pain, Laney's testimony is a beacon for families facing similar challenges. Even in life's darkest moments, nothing is wasted. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking strength, understanding, and a renewed perspective on the power of love and faith in the face of adversity.

Discover the inspiring journey of Amanda Owen, a lifelong disability advocate whose experiences as a special needs sibling shaped her mission to transform lives. From growing up with a brother with a rare chromosomal disorder to founding a groundbreaking nonprofit, Amanda shares intimate insights into the joys and challenges of disability advocacy. Learn how her childhood experiences and parents' tireless efforts fueled her passion for creating innovative support systems for individuals with disabilities and their families. Prepare to be moved and inspired by Amanda's unwavering dedication to ensuring every individual with a disability has a seat at the table and opportunities for happiness.   You can follow Amanda and her journey on Instagram @puzzlepiecesky  

In this episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, I sat down with Marci Dunning, a medical mom, and parent to her daughter Freya, who has the rare Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Marci shares the impact this has had on her family, and the challenges of raising a child with a life-altering condition. She discusses the weight of anticipatory grief, the struggle to plan for an uncertain future, and the power of living in the present. Offering invaluable insights for families facing similar challenges and those seeking to understand the complex world of rare disabilities, this episode is a must-listen for anyone grappling with simply wanting to expand their perspective on disability and parenthood.   

In this week’s episode, I was joined by Anna Owen, a Montessori mom and an advocate for a more natural way of life. Ana shares her family's experiences after her daughter Josephine was born with a rare musculoskeletal disorder called Antley Bixler syndrome, greatly affecting her physical development. Anna and her family have felt so much joy with Josephine in their lives, and through their faith, patience, and willingness to learn as they go in the face of the unknown, they have come closer together because of it. Join us as we dive deeper into what contributes to the joy of seeing your child sing the song they were meant to sing in this episode of Conquering Your Clownfish!  For more from Anna Owens and her experiences with Antley Bixler syndrome find her on Instagram @annaowen. 

In this powerful episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, Amanda Griffith Atkins opens up about her journey as the mother of Asher, who was born with the rare condition Prader-Willi syndrome. Amanda shares the challenges of living in a world that often feels inaccessible, adapting to new perspectives, and the hard parts of raising a child as a part of the rare disease community. Amanda is on a mission to give parents permission to acknowledge their struggles while still loving and supporting their kids. She offers advice for planning for the future as a caregiver and the importance of guilt-free self-care. Any parent or caregiver feeling alone in their journey will not want to miss this episode, offering validation, compassion, and the reminder that the special abilities community is in this together.  If you would like to learn more about Amanda and her experiences with Prader-Willi Syndrome, you can learn more about her on Instagram @amanda.griffith.atkins  

In this episode, Brady shares the incredible journey of his adopted son Cooper. From being abandoned on a street corner in China to throwing out the first pitch at iconic Major League Baseball stadiums across North America, Cooper's story is all about conquering limitations. For Brady, it’s about finding the courage to let his son spread his wings in the face of the unknown, pushing past his own worries to let his son truly shine. Cooper's infectious joy and determination help him enrich the lives of those around him as he and his special abilities help connect communities across America. Join us this week to hear Cooper’s story from China to the Major Leagues!  

In this powerful episode, Ashley Ashcraft shares her incredible journey as a military spouse, author, and mother to a daughter with Down syndrome. Discover how Ashley's experience with her husband's deployments to Afghanistan helped her embrace her daughter Finley's unexpected diagnosis. Be inspired by Ashley's unwavering faith, her commitment to building a supportive community, and her mission to change the narrative around Down syndrome, and learn how Finley has become the glue that holds their family together, radiating love and joy in the face of challenges. You won’t want to miss this moving conversation about finding strength through adversity, advocating for those with disabilities, and cherishing the remarkable gift of every human life. Learn more about Ashley Ashcraft:  @ashleyashcraftwrites  

In this week’s episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, host Brady Murray sits down with special guest Amber Andrews, a wife, mom of three, stylist, salon owner, educator, and unstoppable Down syndrome advocate. Amber openly shares the raw emotions and challenges she faced when her daughter Andy was prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome and discusses her journey after Andy’s birth which included two open-heart surgeries, a life-threatening virus, and long NICU stays, all while wrestling with her faith and fears as a special needs mom. Despite the pain and anxiety, Amber found beauty as she watched her daughter persevere, and their family grow closer than ever. Join us for this powerful discussion as Amber shares her journey of learning to give herself grace, focusing on what truly matters in life, and trusting that God will never give you more than you can handle.   

In this week’s episode, we have the opportunity to interview special guest Stephanie Hanrahan, a writer, TEDx speaker, activist, and autism mom who courageously made her private journal chronicling her journey as an autism mom public. Stephanie shares her transformative story of embracing vulnerability, overcoming perfectionism, and finding radical acceptance of those blessed with special abilities. Discover the life-changing power of telling the stories no one can see and learn how Stephanie's viral social media success is empowering a community. Be inspired by Stephanie's passionate advocacy for ditching mere "awareness" and "acceptance" in favor of true inclusion for the disabled. Gain invaluable insights and advice for families on the autism journey, from navigating a new diagnosis to unleashing a child's potential as a self-advocate. Don't miss this unforgettable conversation that will open your eyes, touch your heart, and leave you seeing the beauty and worth in every individual. Learn more about Stephanie Hanrahan: @tinklesherpants @thepip.co @labeledandloved TinklesHerPants.com

In this week’s episode, Kimberly Dowdell, a dedicated mother of four and popular social media influencer. Kimberly openly shares the joyous moments and inspiring journey of raising her son Jack, who has Down syndrome. Through her Instagram page, Kimberly spreads "good news" and gives hope to families navigating the ups and downs of having a child with special abilities. In this episode, she discusses the incredible bond between Jack and his siblings, his infectious catchphrase "good news," and the importance of inclusion. Kimberly's vulnerability and positive outlook will leave you feeling inspired and reminded of the limitless potential within every individual. Join us as we celebrate the unique superpowers of individuals with Down syndrome and learn how embracing their differences can lead to a more beautiful and better world.  To learn more about Kim and her story, you can find her on Instagram at @thekimberlydowdell  

In this week’s episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, Crystal Paine, New York Times bestselling author and founder of MoneySavingMom.com, shares the transformative story of welcoming her son David, who has Down syndrome, into her family through fostering and adoption. She opens up about the challenges, joys, and lessons learned on their journey and how David has taught her and her family to embrace life, celebrate uniqueness, and passionately advocate for those with disabilities. This episode will help you better understand that underneath perceived awkwardness or disability lies a superpower that can light up the world. If you would like to learn more about Crystal, you can find her on Instagram @themoneysavingmom  

In this episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, Brady interviews Andrew Lund, a disability advocate, and father to a daughter born with a rare craniofacial condition called Pfeiffer Syndrome. Andrew shares the emotional journey of his daughter Hadley's early medical issues, his hope that she lives comfortably, and his bittersweet realization that he will likely outlive his beloved child. This amazing conversation will open your eyes to viewing disability through a lens of empowerment over limitation as you learn that a human being’s worth is independent of their productivity.

In this empowering episode, Brady Murray welcomes Rebekah Lyons, mom, author, and disability advocate. Rebekah shares her family's story of raising a son with Down syndrome and later adopting her daughter Joy, who also has Down syndrome, detailing the challenges and joys. She offers inspiration for embracing life's difficulties, emphasizing that we're all wired to overcome. Rebekah discusses creating family resilience through teamwork, grace, and connection. Listen in as she gives parents hope and reminds us that none of us are perfect, so let’s stop pretending like we are. To learn more about Rebekah, visit her website: https://www.rebekahlyons.com/ Or to learn more about Joy’s story, visit: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0aXo1JsY0E/

In this episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, Brady interviews Kaley Stymeist, a registered behavior technician and passionate autism advocate. As a mother to three boys, including her youngest son, Hudson, who has non-speaking autism, Kaley shares her family's incredible journey of challenges, triumphs, and personal growth. She opens up about Hudson's miraculous birth story, his regression at age three, and how their family has rallied together to support and empower him. Kaley offers valuable advice for parents embarking on the autism journey, emphasizing the importance of finding community, allowing yourself to feel all the emotions, and embracing the different but still wonderful life path. This powerful conversation will inspire you to conquer your own clownfish and create a more accepting world where every child is empowered to sing the song they were meant to sing. Find Kaley on Social Media: @kaley_and_3

Sometimes, when life knocks you off your feet, and you're left overwhelmed, all you need is the power of a supportive community. With their help, you can get back on your feet and move forward with conviction. In this week’s episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, content creator, author, and Down syndrome advocate Misty Coy Snyder opens up with raw honesty about receiving her son Jed’s Down syndrome diagnosis amidst the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses coming out of the isolation of grief to find community among other mothers facing similar journeys and shares how the joy of meeting her son was the “game changer” that inspired her advocacy. Join us as Misty helps bridge divides with her bold vision for understanding, community, and shared humanity across all abilities and journeys. Happiness Is Down Syndrome Instagram: @happinessisdownsyndrome Misty’s Instagram: @mistycoysnyder Misty's original song: I Found My Way

Brady felt blessed when his son Ridge was born healthy. However, concerning symptoms eventually emerged, leading to a diagnosis of 22q Deletion Syndrome. Desperate for normalcy, Brady took their doctor’s advice and raised Ridge no differently than any other kid. Outwardly Ridge seemed fine, but inwardly he struggled greatly in many aspects. In this episode, Brady regrets missed early intervention opportunities that could have changed Ridge’s trajectory. Ridge’s path ultimately forced Brady to face reality. Now equipped with proper resources and support, the Murrays have embraced unexpected life detours, leaning on hope, faith, and each other. Ridge’s experiences have given Brady the perspective that some special abilities, while being largely unseen by society, aren’t any less important. We all have something to contribute, we just need to be given the chance.  

We all face challenges in life, some more profound than others. However, one's physical abilities do not determine their capacity to uplift and inspire others. This week on Conquering Your Clownfish, host Brady Murray interviews his childhood friend Tate Castleton. Growing up with paralysis on his left side, however, with the unwavering support of family and friends, Tate went on to achieve great success in academics, career, and family. From missionary service across the world to meeting his loving wife Emily, join us as Tate reflects on how his special ability opened unexpected doors and brought blessings into his life and the lives of others.  

There are many misunderstandings about those with disabilities. Because they often rely on support for many basic needs, it can be easy to overlook their profound gifts. This week on Conquering Your Clownfish, host Brady Murray shares inspiring stories about key figures from his life who, despite facing challenges, profoundly impacted him for the better. Join Brady as he shares his realization that while those with disabilities may require assistance with daily living, the hope, kindness, and acceptance they inspire has a tremendous positive impact on society. It is only when we fully include those with disabilities in our communities and lives that we allow ourselves to truly benefit from their unique perspectives that bring out the best in all of us.

We often assume a  disability diagnosis leads to only limitations for our child. The news leaves us fearing the worst about their future prospects and abilities. But what if their condition actually hides remarkable gifts within? This week on Conquering Your Clownfish, host Brady Murray explains how his perception shifted from grieving his son Nash’s diagnosis of Down syndrome to unveiling his hidden talents and potential. Join Brady as he shares the profound adventures that helped his family learn to embrace Nash’s differences as superpowers instead of something to fix. #DownSyndrome #SingYourSong