Shows
Don't Cut Your Own BangsPauses Don't Mean You're Failing (They Mean You're Listening) | Repost Remix with Ashlyn ThompsonLife keeps lifeing—and sometimes you need a reminder that pauses don't mean you're failing, and hard seasons don't get to decide your worth. This week I'm sharing one of my favorite conversations with Ashlyn Thompson, co-founder of Parent Empowerment Network. Ashlyn is one of those rare humans who can hold heavy things without making them heavier—and somehow still make you laugh, breathe deeper, and feel less alone. We talk about: Why asking "why me?" keeps you stuck (and what to ask instead) The expansion and contraction of life—and why re...
2026-02-2345 min
Empowered by HopeEmily K. Whiting: Love, Impact, and the Work that ContinuesSend us a text, we want to hear from you!January on Empowered by Hope is dedicated to something we talk about often but live out imperfectly: self-care. Or, as we prefer to name it in medical-parent reality, self-preservation — the small, necessary choices that allow us to be the parent advocates we want and need to be.This episode opens with a deeply personal conversation as we honor Emily K. Whiting, our incredible co-founder of Parent Empowerment Network and co-host of Empowered by Hope. Emily shares her decision to pause her fo...
2026-01-1932 min
Life Of A LotusAshlyn Reilly - It Starts With You Choosing What You WantIn this episode, I’m talking with my friend Ashlyn Reilly about her experience growing up with bullying, which led to her being emancipated at 16 and ultimately shaped her decision to become the friend she needed growing up. We talk about the importance of being in choice when deciding your future, having grace and compassion for ourselves and others, and how vulnerability—through sharing her story—helped her heal and brought deep connection into her life.To hear more of Ashlyn’s story, find her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/imashlynreilly?igsh=MXEyN2Q2OG94M2RwNA==
2026-01-161h 19
Empowered by HopeCaring for the Caregiver: Nurturing You, Nurtures Your ChildSend us a text, we want to hear from you!This open conversation between co-hosts, Emily & Ashlyn, offers clear language, practical insight, and zero judgment for parents, caregivers, and anyone walking the tightrope of medical advocacy and family life.What changes when the caregiver’s well-being becomes the foundation of the family—not an afterthought squeezed into the margins? We dig into the real-world difference between mental well-being (clear thinking, decision-making, stress management) and emotional well-being (awareness, regulation, expression), and show how both systems work together when you’re navigating complex care, hospital stays...
2025-10-0627 min
Empowered by HopeSupport Now: The All-in-One Support Registry That Turns Offers Into ActionSend us a text, we want to hear from you!When you’re caring for a medically complex child, you need help—but it’s overwhelming and exhausting to field the constant “Let me know how I can help,” “Just call me if you need anything,” or “What can I do for you?” messages. The decision fatigue for parents in crisis is grueling. We desperately need the help, but our supporters need a clear path that empowers them to actually be helpful.That’s why Ashlyn sat down with Jordan Arogeti, co-f...
2025-08-2746 min
Don't Cut Your Own BangsPain as a Professor: Growing Through Life's Challenges with Ashlyn ThompsonWelcome back to 'Don't Cut Your Own Bangs!' In this lively and heartfelt episode, Danielle Ireland chats with Ashlyn Thompson from the Parent Empowerment Network. Ashlyn shares her journey from growing her nonprofit organization to the emotional rollercoaster of her daughter's complex medical journey. Get ready to explore how pain can be an unexpected teacher, the magic of community support, and why tapping into creativity can be your secret weapon against anxiety. Filled with laughs, valuable insights, and touching moments, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and joy...
2025-06-231h 03
Empowered by Hope"Keep Your Head Up": Dr. Tasha Faruqui on Anticipatory Grief, Joy, and a Mother’s Fierce HopeSend us a text, we want to hear from you!How do you hold on to hope when you know your child is dying—and there’s no diagnosis, no cure, and no roadmap forward? Co-hosts, Ashlyn Thompson & Ashley Milbourne are joined by Dr. Tasha Faruqui—award-winning pediatrician, rare disease parent, and now debut author—who invites us into the heart of her story, which inspired her forthcoming memoir: Keep Your Head Up: A Mother’s Story of Chasing Joy in the Face of Grief, releasing September 16, 2025.Dr. Faruqui's second daughter, Soraya, was born w...
2025-06-1658 min
Moms Like Me Podcast by SupportNowEmpowering Parents: Ashlyn Thompson's Advocacy with Parent Empowerment NetworkWelcome back to The Moms Like Me podcast! In this heartfelt episode, host Jordan is joined by Ashlyn Thompson, a mom and community leader who is making a tremendous impact. Ashlyn is one of the co-founders of the Parent Empowerment Network, an organization dedicated to supporting families with children who have medical needs. Ashlyn delves into her compelling personal journey, from her childhood experiences to becoming a third-generation parent advocate. She shares the profound challenges and inspiring moments that led her to create an impactful nonprofit. Listen as Ashlyn discusses the importance of providing emotional triage and building a...
2025-04-0135 min
Empowered by HopeThe Silver Lining for Siblings: How Siblings of Medically Complex Kids Grow in Strength & CompassionSend us a text, we want to hear from you!As parents of children with complex medical needs, our hearts often ache with worry about our other children. Are they getting enough attention? Will they feel less important? Do they resent their sibling's conditions? These questions haunt us during late-night hospital stays and therapy appointments.What we rarely discuss, though, is the remarkable beauty that emerges in these siblings' lives. Through heartwarming stories like seven-year-old Nora proudly telling her class about her sister's rare condition on Rare Disease Day, or Cole developing an extraordinary voice...
2025-03-1135 min
Empowered by HopeWhat Matters Most: A Medically Complex Adult Reflects on Childhood & Parental LoveSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Every parent of a medically complex child wonders: Will my child grow up knowing how deeply they are loved? Will they appreciate how hard I fought for them? In this episode, we bring you a powerful answer straight from someone who’s been there.Annelise Frazier, born with a rare and complex medical condition, shares her story of growing up with surgeries, complications, and hospital stays—but more importantly, growing up surrounded by love. She reflects on the biggest gift her parents gave her: they love...
2025-03-0448 min
Empowered by HopeEmpowering Parents: Celebrating the Launch of the Parent Empowerment Network & Building a Supportive Community TogetherSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Discover the journey behind the rebranding of our organization to the Parent Empowerment Network, where our mission to uplift caregivers of children with complex medical needs remains steadfast. In this episode, we reveal the thoughtful process of selecting a new name that truly reflects our dedication to supporting those in the parent role. Uncover the significance of our new logo, a beacon of empowerment and hope with sun rays symbolizing new beginnings. We also invite you to explore our freshly launched website, parentempowermentnetwork.org, a hub for...
2024-11-2811 min
Empowered by HopeBattling Caregiver Burnout: Finding Calm and Support in the Caregiving StormSend us a text, we want to hear from you!The ceaseless demands of caregiving could be captured in the powerful metaphor of "death by a thousand paper cuts." Join us as we open up about the raw emotions and daily challenges faced during National Family Caregiver Appreciation Month. Ashlyn and Emily share their deeply personal stories, revealing the overwhelming cycle that comes with managing children’s return to school while juggling relentless caregiving tasks. Even amidst the chaos, there's a shared understanding of the necessity to find calm and peace, and we explore how acknowledging these st...
2024-11-2030 min
Empowered by HopeFrom Isolation to Empowerment: Jamie Olson's Journey in Building a Special Needs Community Through Uniquely You MagazineSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Jamie Olson, publisher of "Uniquely You Magazine," joins us to share her transformative journey from isolation to empowerment. Her story begins with her raising her 12-year-old son with autism, epilepsy, and nonverbal communication, and her relentless quest to find community and resources. Dive into how her involvement with Purposeful Living Inc. not only healed her but also inspired her to create a lifeline for other parents through her magazine.As COVID turned the world upside down, Jamie saw a divine opportunity to launch a special...
2024-11-1235 min
Empowered by HopeConsiderations Before Launching a Nonprofit with Gabie Benson from Sprout FundraisingSend us a text, we want to hear from you!We're thrilled to spotlight Gabie Benson, owner and founder of Sprout Fundraising, our insightful fundraising and leadership coach, who has been pivotal in elevating our nonprofit endeavors with her expert guidance and empathetic approach.Have you considered starting a nonprofit in honor of your journey with your child's medical challenges? If so, you aren't alone and that's why we invited Gabie to speak to you today. With over 20 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, she shares a passion for empowering nonprofit founders, especially those who feel...
2024-10-2231 min
Empowered by HopeYour Child's Diagnosis: Why It's Not Your Fault and How to Move ForwardSend us a text, we want to hear from you!"What did I do wrong?" "How did I cause this?""Is this my fault?"Some form of this question is the first thing to cross the mind of almost every single parent at what we refer to as "the moment of impact" - the moment a parent learns their child is not ok and requires medical intervention.Take a trip back with us to our original episode of Empowered by Hope as we share our emotional journeys through parenting children with c...
2024-10-1841 min
Empowered by HopeTransforming Fear into Courage: Empowering Children Through Medical ProceduresSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Finding it hard to imagine your child transforming their fear of medical appointments into proud moments of bravery? This episode of Empowered by Hope illuminates that journey through the inspiring story of Charlotte, Emily’s daughter, who recently earned a bravery award for her courage. Navigating the complexities of medical procedures with your child is never easy, but preparation and self-care can make a world of difference. Ashlyn opens up about her own experiences with Emery, sharing pivotal moments that taught her the importance of bei...
2024-10-0135 min
Empowered by HopeFacing a Rare Diagnosis: Finding Hope & CommunitySend us a text, we want to hear from you!Receiving a life-altering diagnosis for your child reshapes everything. In this episode, Emily shares the emotional journey of discovering Charlotte’s rare condition—Hardikar Syndrome, a diagnosis with only nine documented cases worldwide at the time. We reflect on those heart-wrenching days and how hope and support helped Emily & Dan navigate the unknown. A key figure in our story is Dr. Alanna Strong, whose expertise and care have been invaluable.We explore how using #hardikar on social media led us to a global network of 21 fami...
2024-09-2423 min
Empowered by HopeBringing Hope Home: A Mother's Journey to Secure Life-Changing Surgery for Her Child & Bring It to America for More FamiliesSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Imagine discovering that the best medical treatment for your child's rare condition is halfway across the globe. Join us, Ashlyn and Emily, as we recount the incredible journey of Ashlyn's daughter, Emery, who was born with bladder exstrophy. Ashlyn's advocacy journey for Emery led them to a life-changing procedure at Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK, making Emery the first American to undergo the 20+ year old surgery. This episode of Empowered by Hope underscores the importance of global medical options and the pivotal role of empowered...
2024-09-1728 min
Empowered by HopeEmpowering Parents: Navigating School Preparation for Children with Complex Medical NeedsSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Imagine facing the overwhelming task of preparing your child with complex medical needs for school. Emily knows this journey all too well with her daughter Charlotte, and in this heartfelt episode of Empowered by Hope, she shares her invaluable experiences. From dealing with feeding tubes and medications to navigating physical limitations, Emily and Ashlyn provide practical strategies and compassionate insights to help you become a confident advocate for your child within the school system. Learn how to tailor educational experiences that allow your child to grow, develop...
2024-09-1122 min
Empowered by HopeCourageous Parenting: Advocating for Your Child's Health and Wellbeing while Managing Your FearsSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Imagine the fear gripping you as you hear your child’s complex medical diagnosis for the first time. It’s a fear Ashlyn Thompson and Emily Whiting deeply understand and tackle head-on in this episode of Empowered by Hope. Join us as we explore ways to transform that paralyzing fear into a wellspring of courage and hope. From acknowledging the terror of the unknown to verbalizing your fears and reducing their grip, we share strategies to help parents advocate fiercely for their children while navigating their unique jour...
2024-08-2020 min
Empowered by HopePractical Strategies for Balancing Chaos: Prioritizing Tasks and Finding Sanity in Special Needs ParenthoodSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Imagine creating an eight-page care document for your in-laws just to ensure your child's complex medical needs are met. That's the reality many parents face, and it's exactly the kind of challenge we're tackling in this episode of Empowered by Hope. Emily, our go-to for all things organization, shares her tried-and-true methods for turning chaos into clarity. We explore the delicate balancing act required to manage medical appointments, household chores, and personal relationships, all while keeping your sanity intact.When everything feels like it's on...
2024-08-1328 min
Empowered by HopeMindful Parenting: Navigating Complex Medical Needs and Finding Joy in the MomentSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Discover the transformative power of living in the moment as we navigate the intricate world of parenting children with complex medical needs. You'll hear Ashlyn's heartfelt account of her daughter Emery's remarkable journey through a tough post-surgery recovery in England. Emery's amazing ability to bounce back from pain to joy teaches us valuable lessons about mindfulness, and we'll discuss how children naturally embrace this state of being and how, unfortunately, adults can often disrupt this instinct.We'll take you on a family beach trip where...
2024-08-0625 min
Empowered by HopeUnderstanding Trauma in Pediatric Care: Insights from Sarah Curry on Fostering Resilience and CompassionSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Discover the transformative power of understanding trauma with the expertly insightful Sarah Curry, communication manager for Cincinnati's Ronald McDonald House and a certified trauma and resilience specialist. Sarah guides us through the complexities of trauma, particularly as it relates to caregiving for children with complex medical needs. Through her invaluable expertise, we explore how recognizing and comprehending trauma can shift our approach, allowing us to ask more compassionate questions like "what happened to you?" instead of "what's wrong with you?"We delve into the science...
2024-07-3039 min
Empowered by HopeNavigating Post-Surgery Challenges Surgeons Don't Understand: Empowering Parents with Pracitcal StrategiesSend us a text, we want to hear from you!How do you navigate the daily challenges of your child's post-surgery recovery when the experts can only provide clinical advice? Join us on Empowered by Hope as Emily and Ashlyn share their heartfelt journeys, illustrating the real-world struggles and triumphs of managing a child's medical condition, side effects and challenging realities after surgery. Regardless of the surgery type, we promise you’ll come away with practical strategies and clarity on who and where to get the help your child needs. You'll hear firsthand how other parents have bu...
2024-07-2320 min
Empowered by HopeIntroducing a New Era of Empowered by Hope: Bite-Sized Episodes for Caregivers on the GoSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Ever wish you had a quick, powerful resource to tackle your biggest pediatric caregiving challenges? We promise to make every minute count as we unveil our refreshed, streamlined podcast format designed just for you! Join Ashlyn Thompson and Emily Whiting as they return to Empowered by Hope, eager to share how our bite-sized, focused episodes will bring you clear, actionable advice on topics that matter most to caregivers. Whether you're navigating complex medical needs or seeking ways to be heard by healthcare professionals, our concise episodes will...
2024-07-2310 min
Empowered by HopeStirring Souls and Supporting Families at the Upcoming Celebration of Hope GalaSend us a text, we want to hear from you!Embark on a journey of hope and celebration with us, as Emily Whiting and Ashlyn Thompson unveil the grandeur of the upcoming Celebration of Hope Gala. This episode of Empowered by Hope is about painting the town with the vibrancy of giving, where every dance step taken and every bid placed at the auction is a stride toward empowering families with children facing complex medical needs. Get ready to don your Derby hats and raise your mint juleps to the cause that binds us in unity and...
2024-04-1114 min