Shows
Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 18: Defying the Odds: A Father’s Fight for His Son and the Rare Disease Community with Christopher VelonaIn this powerful episode of Rockin’ the Difference, I sit down with my dear friend Chris Velona — a devoted father, rare disease advocate, and founder of Project Sebastian, a nonprofit inspired by his son Sebastian, who was diagnosed with Batten disease, a rare and terminal neurodegenerative disorder.
Chris shares his family’s emotional journey, the heartbreaking diagnosis, and how he chose to turn pain into purpose by creating a platform for awareness, connection, and hope. We talk about the emotional toll of caregiving, and what it's like to live day by day when the future is uncertain — yet stil...2025-06-201h 05
Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 17: What I Would Tell My Younger SelfIn this episode, I open up about the early years when first learned my son had special needs—and all the emotions that came with it: grief, fear, uncertainty. If I could sit with that younger version of myself, I’d tell her this...
2025-05-1919 min
Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 16: Love Beyond Limits: A Family’s Journey Through Life, Loss, and Legacy"In this heartfelt episode of Rocking the Difference, I sit down with an incredible mom Becky, and her two adult daughters, Hannah and Nicole, to honor the life and legacy of Breanna—their daughter and sister who had multiple disabilities, including blindness and mobility challenges, and who passed away three years ago. Together, we explore the deep love, joy, and challenges they experienced as a special needs family, and how Breanna’s presence shaped their bond.
We talk about the funny memories, the hard days, the strength Breanna unknowingly gave them, and what life looks like now withou...2025-04-061h 04
Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 15:Helping Special Needs Kids Advocate for Themselves – When They Don’t Speak UpToday we’re talking about something so many special needs parents struggle with—helping our kids learn to advocate for themselves.
I’ve personally been dealing with this forever with my son, who is now 21-year-old, who is blind and autistic. He has a hard time voicing his needs—whether it’s letting me know if he’s hungry or not feeling well, asking for help, or even just problem-solving in everyday situations.
Today, I want to share some real-life examples of the challenges we face, explore why this happens, and—most importantly—open up the conversation...2025-03-1015 min
Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 14: Breaking Free: Overcoming Shame, Embracing Identity, and Rising Strong with Amanda CasarellaOn today’s episode of Rocking the Difference, I am honored to welcome an incredible guest whose story is one of resilience, transformation, and the power of self-belief. Amanda Casarella grew up facing challenges that many of us can relate to—struggling with a learning disability, battling debilitating migraines that kept her out of school, and navigating the stigma of being placed in special education. On top of that, she endured shame and abuse that made her believe her identity and worth were tied to her disability.
She made the courageous choice to reclaim her narrative, break free...2025-02-051h 22Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 13: ReconnectingAfter the busyness of the holidays, I wanted to get back in touch with you all and talk about intention, creating community and upcoming changes and challenges this year.
Here is a quick episode to get reconnected!
Some great Podcasts to check out:
The Special Needs Mom Podcast - Episode: Stabilizing After Winter Break
and
Moms Talk Autism Podcast
You can find me on Instagram @Rockin_the_Difference
Email: rockinthedifference@gmail.com
2025-01-2514 minRockin the DifferenceEpisode 12: SacrificeToday I talk with my friend, Nada, on the sacrifices we make as parents of special needs individuals.
We all make sacrifices to ensure our kids are getting the best of what we can give them. With Nada, this meant moving countries with her kids, while her husband stayed. It meant giving up what she was familiar with to make sure her son lived a full life and adjusting to a new family dynamic with her kids and long distance marriage.
She's an amazing woman and I hope you can resonate with her story.
2024-11-2637 minRockin the DifferenceEpisode 11: OverwhelmIn this episode we discuss how life can just be OVERWHELMING.
2024-09-0118 min
Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 10: If I Need HelpIn today's episode I talk with Erin and Bruce Wilson who founded If I Need Help.
They started this non profit which provides a system to help find special needs kids, as well as individuals suffering from dementia or Alzheimers, that go missing, especially for those who can’t communicate. It uses modern technologies to help reunite those who might become lost, disoriented or need assistance in a critical moment.
They share what inspired them to start this business, how it has impacted their family, how to learn more about it as well as some awesome...2024-07-1000 minRockin the DifferenceEpisode 9: Forever ChildIn this episode I talk about my son, Ryan, reaching a milestone and moving towards that next phase from being in the school years bubble into adulthood and how that unpredictability and foreverness hit me hard.
If you have comments or ideas you'd like to share on this topic, I'd love to hear them and possibly expand on them in future episodes.
You can DM on Instragram: /rockin_the_difference or email me at rockingthedifference@gmail.com
2024-06-0314 min
Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 8: Aubrie Forte; Experiences from a Special EducatorAubrie Forte has been a special person in our lives for almost 17 years now. She has been a teacher in special education and now works directly with schools to support programs on campus, with students, teachers and families. She was Ryan's teacher throughout elementary school and is lovingly known as Ryan's Forever Teacher because she continues to be a part of his life.
She has a BA in SpED and an MA in mod/severe disabilities. She shares her insights on what she has learned along her journey from the students and families she has been involved wi...2024-04-251h 01Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 7: 8 Things I have learned from my kidBeing a mom of a blind and autistic adult, you have many experiences and learn so many things. Some of the most valuable things you learn are from your child themselves. In this episode I share 8 valuable things I have learned from my kid.
If you would like to share your stories please DM on Instagram @rockin_the_difference or email rockinthedifference@gmail.com
Please rate and review this podcast if you found this content helpful.
Until next time, Keep Rockin the Difference!
2024-04-0521 min
Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 6 - A Dad's Perspective with Pat CoskranThis episode I talk with Pat Coskran, a father of 37 year old Sean, who is autistic.
He has been a special education teacher and coach in the Special Olympics.
He is also the author of "Growing up with Sean" found where most books are sold.
He shares his perspective as a dad, finding connection with community in his way as he took over being Sean's primary caregiver; his struggle with his ego to be in control, grief and denial; the IEP process from the perspective of a parent and an educator, how the fut...2024-03-091h 09Rockin the DifferenceEpisode 5 - Connection - get itIn this episode I share how connections with my friends and my community inside and outside of the special needs space has been a life saver for me.
I didn't realize how much I needed to connect with others in order to feel fulfilled in my life. This can take a lot when you're raising a special needs kid, but it is vital and the effort to get connected is well worth it.
If you can any information you would like to share or hear on this podcast, you can email at rockinthedifference@gmail.com or...2024-02-1717 minRockin the DifferenceEpisode 4 - The BBBsIn this special episode I bring on my amazing friends, Ashley, Tricia and Parisa, better known as the BBBs or Bonded By Blindness. We have an amazing bond because we all have blind kids. And although we all have unique stories, we can relate to each other on this journey. And it is so important to have someone to relate to in this special needs life.
We share our stories and experience, share laughter and tears, struggles and love. I hope you enjoy my first guests on Rockin The Difference!
2024-01-2801 minRockin the DifferenceThe AAAs of Moving ForwardThis episode talks about the AAAs of moving forward through the challenges and fears you face being a special needs parent and how working through these ideas could help you live a happy special life.
2024-01-0715 minRockin the DifferenceEpisode 2 - The A BombIn this episode I continue sharing my experience of becoming a special needs mom. After first finding out my baby was blind, a second diagnosis was on its way.
I share how this impacted me and how I moved forward with it.
I hope it can resonate with many of you.
2023-12-1724 minRockin the DifferenceEpisode 1- In The BeginningIn this first episode of Rockin The Difference, Chandra shares how her journey of being a parent of a special needs kid began.
2023-11-2718 minRockin the DifferenceRockin The Difference - TrailerTrailer introducing Rockin the Difference, a podcast meant to connect with people living alongside someone with special needs.
2023-11-0505 min
JavaScript JabberJSJ 267 Node 8 with Mikeal Rogers, Arunesh Chandra, and Anna HenningsenJSJ 267 Node 8 with Mikeal Rogers, Arunesh Chandra, and Anna HenningsenOn today’s episode of JavaScript Jabber we have panelists Joe Eames, AJ O’Neil, Amiee Knight and Charles Max Wood and we are talking about Node 8. To help us we have special guests Mikeal Rodgers, Arunesh Chandra, and Anna Henningsen. It’s going to be a great show. Tune in.[1:56] Is Node 8 just an update or is there more?- More than just an update- Two main points:- Improved https://www.npmjs.com/package/prana support- Native API- Native APIs are helpfu...2017-06-2753 min