My Heart Is Aiken

Karrie Out Loud

Mon, 05 May 2025 03:31:03 GMT

On this episode Mara chats with Karrie Lemansky, business coach & strategist and ADHD educator, about getting an ADHD diagnosis later in life, and how you can work the chaos of your brain to be your most authentic f-ing self.

Karrie's Website

Karrie's Instagram

Karrie's Podcast on Youtube

America Ferrera's Barbie monologue

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Losing My Mind? Trying to Function Daily? Finding My Way Back?

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:36:11 GMT

Just a quick update to let you know what's going on with the My Heart Is Aiken Podcast, and give you a few resources to check out.

Allsides Media Bias Chart

Aaron Parnas Instagram

On the Road with Steve Hartman

BBC News

The Language of Love: A Universal Approach to Communication

Talk With Children About Politics

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Shannon Striner - Activist and Advocate

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:56:47 GMT

On this episode, Mara talks with Activist, Advocate, and Mother Shannon Striner about staying informed, fighting for our children's rights, and the importance of protecting Medicaid and the Department of Education from being totally gutted.

Important Links:

Shannon's Blog

Find Your Congress Members

Find Your PA State Legislators

Education Voters of Pennsylvania

5 Calls To Make Your Voice Heard

The ACLU

The Commonwealth Triple Whammy Video

Schoolhouse Rock Video About Branches of Government

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Sophie's Potluck Founder Amy Vogel Heart

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:41:43 GMT

On this episode, Mara chats with Amy Vogel Hart, founder of Sophie's Potluck, a not for profit in Southwestern PA that welcomes everyone to their events, regardless of their diagnosis. They talk about how Sophie's Potluck got started, the importance of fostering healthy friendships for kids with disabilities, and how the PA State Capitol building isn't the most accessible spot for a place called "The People's Building."

Sophie's Potluck Website

"Welcome to Holland" a poem by Emily Perl Kingsley

Learn more about the Disability Crawl in Harrisburg, PA

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Becky Parker - Life Coach

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 05:06:12 GMT

On this episode, Mara chats with Life Coach Becky Parker about trying to maintain your sanity, and your relationship, when you have three young kids at home who need all of your time, attention and energy.

Becky is offering all listeners her "Self-Worth Awakening" training FREE when you use the Code "Worthy" at checkout!

All Things Becky:

Website: relationshipsuccess4life.com

Instagram: @BeckyParkerrr

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Colleen Nichols - Digital Authenticity Expert

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 05:07:32 GMT

On this episode Mara is beyond excited to make an authentic connection with a woman who is delightfully talking the talk and walking the walk as she teaches entrepreneurs how to embrace their messy, awkward, and mundane selves on the internet. That's right, the force of nature behind the Instagram sensation No Shame Sales Game, the best selling book "Don't Make it Weird" - She's the CEO & Founder of Digital Sales Growth Community, a Digital Authenticity Expert, a Speaker, a Mom, a Wife - holy shit when does she sleep? - It's COLLEEN NICHOLS!

All things Colleen:

Her Website: colleennichols.com

Her Book: Don't Make It Weird

Instagram & Threads: @NoShameSalesGame

Facebook: facebook.com/micnich

Digital Sales Growth Community

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Jessica Patay - Executive Director of We Are Brave Together

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 05:01:00 GMT

On this episode Mara talks to Jessica Patay, Founder and Executive Director of We Are Brave Together, a supportive community for Moms of children with disabilities and all unique needs. They talk about the challenges of motherhood, finding support in community, and about the new book from the We Are Brave Together community, "Becoming Brave Together," an anthology of Mothers' stories about facing "unimaginable challenges with unwavering courage."

We Are Brave Together: www.wearebravetogether.org/

Buy the Becoming Brave Together book here: https://tinyurl.com/Brave-Together

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I'm Back, Bitches! (Minisode)

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 05:38:58 GMT

On this episode, Mara explains why her "couple of weeks" hiatus turned into several months.

New episodes starting next week!

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A Brief Pause

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 04:01:44 GMT

We're taking a brief, very brief, hiatus while we work on new stories. Mara has a quick message about her plans for the future, and we have an encore of the letter she wrote to new moms who have babies born with Down syndrome.

If you have suggestions for topics you'd like us to discuss, or someone you think Mara should talk to, please drop us a line at www.myheartisaiken.com

We'll be back in a couple of weeks with new episodes!

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Self Love & Mindset Coach Carley Weissert

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 04:01:12 GMT

On this mindful episode, Mara Zooms with Self-Love & Mindset Coach Carley Weissert about her journey of self-discovery that helped her walk away from her "perfect" life and into the one she really wanted. Plus, how she became a coach, and helpful mindfulness tips everyone can use to stop beating themself up and start living the life they truly want.

Useful Links:

Carley's Instagram: www.instagram.com/carleyweissert/

Carley's Website: www.carleyweissert.com/

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Back To School Tips

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 04:01:28 GMT

Ashley's back! On this episode, Mara and Ashley discuss some tips and advice for making sure you, and your child with and IEP, are prepared to head back to school. They talk about "one sheets", the current state of "full inclusion", and why it's important to communicate with the transportation department.

For templates and examples of the things they discussed, visit https://www.myheartisaiken.com/resourcelinks

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The Grief of Motherhood

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 04:04:33 GMT

On this episode, Mara talks with her friend Tracy about the grief that comes with motherhood, whether it's mourning for the mother you thought you'd be, the grief that comes from realizing your own mother, or parents, have let you down, and how to find your way through the darkness of postpartum depression.

If you, or someone you know, is dealing with postpartum depression speak to your health care provider, or a loved one to get the care you need. There is no shame in seeking help for you and your family.

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My Husband Brad, Finally

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 04:26:19 GMT

On this episode, Mara talks to her husband, Brad, about how having children really puts a strain on your relationship, how you have to work hard to make it work, and why you need to be making "investments" to keep your crockpot warm. ;)

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Usher Syndrome (Part 2)

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 04:01:01 GMT

On this episode, Mara concludes her chat with Ashley, her friend born with Usher Syndrome, as they discuss the challenges faced by a disabled person in the dating world, how a workplace can be a better ally to disabled employees, and the value in speaking your truth.

USEFUL LINKS:

Usher Syndrome: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/usher-syndrome

Training Seeing Eye Dogs: https://www.seeingeye.org/puppies-dogs/seeing-eye-dogs/training.html

How Cochlear Implants Work: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cochlear-implants/about/pac-20385021

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Usher Syndrome (Part 1)

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 04:01:44 GMT

On this episode, Mara talks to her sister's best friend, Ashley, about discovering that she had Usher Syndrome as a young adult. If you've ever wondered what it was like to have cochlear implants, use a seeing-eye dog, or how a person communicates when they cannot hear or see then you definitely want listen to this one.

USEFUL LINKS:

Usher Syndrome: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/usher-syndrome

Training Seeing Eye Dogs: https://www.seeingeye.org/puppies-dogs/seeing-eye-dogs/training.html

How Cochlear Implants Work: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cochlear-implants/about/pac-20385021

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I.E.P.s: The Very Basics

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:22:32 GMT

On this episode, Mara invites her sister Amanda back to talk about all things IEPs.* The "What", the "Why", and the try not to cry. If you're just getting started on the IEP journey, or if you've already started down this road but still have questions, then you're going to want to grab paper and pen and get ready to take notes.

Helpful Links:

IEP Binder Checklist: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/download-iep-binder-checklist

Annotated IEP: https://www.pattan.net/assets/PaTTAN/2b/2bc7d2b3-1bb2-42a4-a372-c81fe4cba007.pdf

IEP Tip Sheet: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1701848546/romaisdcom/x5mjyjmj02gornlvnngr/IEP-overview-parent.pdf

PA Procedural Safeguards: https://odr-pa.org/parent-resources/procedural-safeguards-notice/

PaTTAN: https://www.pattan.net/Publications/Education-ABCs

PA Back to School Guide: https://www.elc-pa.org/2023-back-to-school-guide-for-pa-students-and-families/

*All information in this podcast is based on Pennsylvania IEP procedures. If you live in another state please review your states regulations.

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Dealing With Mom Guilt

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 04:01:12 GMT

On this episode, Mara talks to her friend Michelle about feeling guilty about all the things they "should" be doing for their kids, working hard to be grateful for the little things, and how the laundry is supposed to be folded. If you've felt like you're not doing enough when you compare yourself to your friends on social media, or struggle with letting anyone else load the dishwasher, you need to listen to this one.

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PCOS and Infertility

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 04:01:46 GMT

On this episode, Mara talks to her friend Kelly about living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), struggling to get pregnant, and how hard it is to get a doctor to believe you when you tell them you are in pain. Plus, the relief of finding a school that helps your child thrive.

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The Haunting

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 04:01:59 GMT

On this episode, Mara has filter-free chat with her friend Karyn about the complicated feelings around dolls with Down syndrome, the journey of accepting a diagnosis, and how to get past the negative thoughts that sometimes creep up.

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Find Your Person

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 04:01:37 GMT

On this episode, Mara talks to her best friend, Ashley, about finding each other, having someone you can confide in that won't judge you, and being thankful for everything.

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The Beginning of My Journey With Down Syndrome

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 03:05:28 GMT

Mara talks with her sister, Amanda, about receiving a birth diagnosis of Down syndrome, and all the dark and scary thoughts that came with it. They discuss the lack of support for new parents receiving a diagnosis, and how that led to Mara wanting to create this podcast, where people can talk openly about their experiences raising a child with a disability without being ashamed of their feelings.

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