Shows
A Little Extra LoveIn His Image - God Knew Before I Did: Parenting, Diagnosis & Finding Faith (with Sunita Theiss) | Episode 9Episode Summary:In this profoundly honest and tender episode, Rachael sits down with Sunita Theiss, an autistic and ADHD writer, advocate, and mother of two neurodivergent children, to explore what it means to be seen by God even when life feels misaligned, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood.Sunita shares how her children’s diagnoses led her to her own, and how, in the midst of that unraveling, she encountered the unshakable presence of God. From her Hindu upbringing to the grief of losing her father, from substance use to late diagnosis, Sunita’s journey testifies to the fait...2025-07-2433 min
A Little Extra LoveIn His Image - Rainbows After the Rain: Autism, Faith, and Unfolding Grace (with Renee Sellers) | Episode 8In this heartfelt conversation, Renee Sellers shares her journey as a mother of two autistic daughters, exploring the intersection of faith and disability. She discusses the initial struggles with the diagnosis, the shift from despair to joy, and the importance of celebrating her daughters' uniqueness. The conversation emphasizes the need for church communities to be inclusive and supportive, recognizing the beauty in every individual's story. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Renee highlights God's presence in their journey, encouraging other parents to trust in His love and timing.Follow Renee Sellers on Instagram Inclusive Pathways equips...2025-07-1024 min
A Little Extra LoveIn His Image - Why Celebration Isn’t Optional (with Rachael Vermeulen) | Episode 7In the first episode of the In His Image - Disability Pride Month Mini Series from the A Little Extra Love podcast, Rachael Vermeulen discusses the intersection of disability and faith, particularly in the context of Disability Pride Month. She explores the theological implications of disability, emphasizing that every person, regardless of ability, reflects the image of God. The conversation challenges traditional views of disability as a flaw and instead presents it as a vital part of God's design, deserving of honor and celebration. Rachael calls for a shift in church culture towards true inclusion and belonging for individuals...2025-07-0323 min
A Little Extra LoveEmbracing Joy and Strength in Disability Parenting (with Amber Mustain) | Episode 6In this episode of A Little Extra Love, Rachael Vermeulen is joined by Amber Mustain, a wife and mother navigating the complexities of raising a child with disabilities. Amber is the host of the Wait & See Podcast, and a creative florist located in Colorado. Amber shares the profound story of her son Colton, who was diagnosed with congenital CMV, and how her faith has been the anchor through the storm of challenges. Together, they explore the importance of surrendering control, building a supportive community, and finding joy even in the midst of hardship. Amber’s story is a reminder th...2025-04-0331 minA Little Extra LoveCalled to Love: Trusting God in Special Needs Adoption and Parenting (with Sarah Lane) | Episode 6Have you ever felt unprepared for what God was calling you to?In today’s episode of A Little Extra Love, we’re sitting down with Sarah Lane—wife, mom, nurse, writer, and adoptive parent to Benny, her joyful and determined little boy with Down syndrome. Sarah’s story is one of obedience, trust, and stepping into the unknown with faith.She shares:How she and her husband knew they were called to adopt a child with special needsThe fears and uncertainties they faced while saying yes to God’s planHow she navigated medical challenges...2025-03-2026 minA Little Extra LoveFaith, Infertility, and Finding Hope in a Dwarfism Diagnosis (with Laura Powell) | Episode 5SummaryIn this heartfelt conversation, Rachael Vermeulen and Laura Powell discuss the profound journey of faith, resilience, and community support through the challenges of infertility and a dwarfism diagnosis for her daughter. Laura shares her personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of trusting God during uncertain times and finding beauty in the struggles. The discussion highlights the significance of community, the impact of social media, and the transformative power of faith in navigating life's challenges. You can find Laura on instagram at @laupow_! TakeawaysLaura's journey through infertility lasted 10 years, filled with challenges and hope...2025-01-3038 minA Little Extra LoveThe Importance of Belonging & 2025 Updates! | Episode 4In this episode, Rachael and Kyle Vermeulen discuss their journey of stepping back from their podcast in 2024 to focus on building a community for families affected by disabilities. They emphasize the importance of belonging, connection, and support within the church and the broader community. The couple shares their experiences of creating safe spaces for families, launching new programs for 2025, and the mission of Inclusive Pathways to equip churches to foster true belonging for all families.TakeawaysBuilding a community where families feel seen and belong is essential.Sometimes obedience means stepping away from what you thought...2025-01-1633 minA Little Extra LoveNavigating Marriage and Disability Parenting | Episode 3SummaryIn this episode, Rachael and Kyle Vermeulen discuss the importance of maintaining a strong marriage during the challenges of disability parenting. They emphasize the role of faith in navigating crisis and the need for open communication and teamwork. The couple shares their own experiences and offers practical tips for building a strong foundation in marriage, including the use of love maps, turning towards each other, and making repair attempts during conflicts. They highlight the importance of seeking therapy and finding a supportive community. Overall, the episode encourages disability parents to prioritize their marriage and find strength in...2024-04-1237 minA Little Extra LoveFinding Strength Through Faith | Episode 2In this episode, Rachael and Kyle Vermeulen discuss the role of faith in navigating the challenges of disability parenting. They share personal stories of finding strength in faith during difficult times and how their faith has evolved over the years. They emphasize the importance of surrendering worries to God and finding comfort in His promises. The couple also highlights the guidance and direction they have received through prayer and the peace that comes from trusting in God's plan. They encourage listeners to lean on their faith and know that they are not alone in their journey.Takeaways2024-03-2840 minA Little Extra LoveOur Why at A Little Extra LoveIn this episode, Rachel and Kyle introduce themselves and share their personal experiences as disability parents. They discuss the importance of bringing God into the conversation and finding beauty in the broken places of life. They also highlight the need for community and support in the disability community. The inspiration behind their podcast, A Little Extra Love, is to provide spiritual nourishment and soul support to disability parents. Rachel focuses on serving moms, helping them find strength and joy in their journey, while Kyle aims to support dads and raise awareness about mental health in the disability community. In...2024-03-2148 min
A Little Extra LoveTrailer - A Little Extra Love - Disability Parenting, Special Needs Parenting, Faith Journey, Down Syndrome, Autism, Medically Complex, Christian ParentingStep into a world of faith-driven resilience and unwavering love in disability parenting with "A Little Extra Love," the podcast dedicated to empowering special needs families through the transformative power of community and faith. Join hosts Rachael and Kyle Vermeulen as they share their personal journey of parenthood, advocacy, and finding beauty in the broken moments of life.In each episode, Rachael and Kyle invite you to explore the intersection of faith, hope, and disability parenting, offering heartfelt conversations, relatable stories, and biblical truths to inspire and uplift. From navigating the challenges of special needs parenting to...2024-03-1602 min