Diversity & Down The Podcast

Meet Mariana Pease.. She was born and raised in Mexico City.  She moved to California for an internship to work with businesses in Spanish speaking countries as well as the Spanish speaking community in the USA. She is a wife and mother of 3 wonderful children including one who happens to have Down syndrome and autism.  Her mission is to empower people with disabilities and their families so they can achieve their maximum potential while creating inclusive communities.

When I first had a Ami I wasn't sure what life was going to look like as far as jobs, school, and my friendships…To my surprise; my constant was my friendships… They have supported me through some of the most difficult and scary times, but the outcome was that Ami has improved all of our lives for the better… Join us as we talk about how Ami is not only changing us as individuals but our kids as well.

Meet the incredible Megan DeJarnett. She is an author, speaker, disability DEI educator and inclusion advocate. At the age of two, she was diagnosed with SMA, which has had her in an electric wheelchair ever since. In this episode, Megan shares her determination to experience life to the fullest and choose joy over despair; as well as her vision behind her newest book, “No Such Thing as Normal”..Link to purchase “No Such Thing as Normal”.. : nosuchthing.co

This weeks Episode Features the amazing Amy Amaradio. You may have seen her featured on “Born this Way” on A&E, but she is also the Co-founder of the Dear Mom Conference held in California. Having her son Rocco, inspired her to help create a safe space for moms to come and unite, regroup, and unload.Amy is am amazing woman, mother and friend, But also a true inspiration for any mom who is raising a child with a disability.This is an episode you don't want to miss!Follow Dear Mom Conference on Instagram:https://instagram.com/dearmomconference?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=To purchase tickets to Dear Mom Conference tap link: https://www.dearmomco.com/?fbclid=PAAaaxqmQ62KQa4LVkuQdD0Psfa76rHz4t8-V50H1qFsRCSVgbVmE2EIox5NM

You've noticed I've been missing.. Today's Episode is me catching you up on what's been going on and why I haven't recorded in a while.. Today's Episode.. Bill and I are back at it sharing the hardest parts and why I've been absent from Social and the Podcast… 

Nusrat's Vulnerability and transparency is amazing in this episode. She is hoping with her testimony to help moms who have also struggled Receiving their child's diagnosis.You don't want to miss this beautiful share from this incredibly strong mother. 

Elana Meyers Taylor is AMAZING! She was recently named the Most Decorated Black Winter Olympian after this Years Winter Olympics and she is SO Inspiring! Such an Honor to have had her as a guest and you don't want to miss anything she has to say!! You can follow her and her incredible family at https://instagram.com/elanameyerstaylor?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Thank you to our sponsors at Meenta for making each Episode possible. Be sure to check out their link below. https://www.meenta.io/

I love this Episode with Brandy Coleman.. Such an easy conversation and we talk about hard topics… Brandy is an incredible Advocate for new moms with a new diagnosis especially in the black and brown community.. Be sure to follow her and her precious at  https://instagram.com/divab78?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Thank you to our sponsors at Meenta for making each episode possible https://www.meenta.io/More important links:https://juliasway.org/https://www.facebook.com/tinytreasureT21/

Today's Episode is the incredible Rachel Richards. She started @_heychurch as a call to action for the evangelical church to repent of its ableism. The page discusses deconstructing toxic and harmful theology that has harmed disabled people for centuries. It also touches on the abmesut parent trope that too often accepted and excused because 'having a disabled child is hard'. Rachel's hope is to create a community where the culture of disability within the Christian church will be a place of acceptance and not fear, and that parents will come to see their disabled children as fully deserving and capable of having a fulfilling life. Follow Rachel on Instagram at: https://instagram.com/_heychurch?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Thank you to our amazing Sponsors https://www.meenta.io/ for making each Episode possible. 

Amber gets to Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with a few moms from her 2017 Birth group. Join Amanda, Alison, Amy, and Amber as they look back on the last 4 years  up until now.. And thank you to our sponsors https://www.meenta.io/ for believing in our mission and the continued support for making this Podcast possible. 

Today's Episode Amber answers hard and some fun questions that were submitted by her following on Instagram. Lean in and get comfortable being uncomfortable.. Follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tv/CbHLEYNDo8E/?utm_medium=copy_linkThank you to our amazing Sponsor for making every episode possible https://www.meenta.io/

Markeisha is an amazing wife and mom. After adopting her son who is non verbal and has a diagnosis of Autism, having a new understanding of what life is like with a Diagnosis… She now assist families through parent coaching, IEP's, as well as helping families book Vacations they may have not were possible… You don't want to miss this and don't forget to follow her at https://instagram.com/markeisha_hall?utm_medium=copy_linkAnd thank you to our amazing Sponsors https://www.meenta.io/ for making these Amazing Episodes possible. 

Hard hard hard conversations but I'm so thankful for Nick's Transparency…My biggest fear as a mom is that I put too much pressure on my other kids and that I'm not able to give them equal attention.. Tune in Today…. Good News is that even though Nick shares about his challenges growing up with a Brother with Down Syndrome, he later writes a book, Halo Effect, about how having a Brother with Special Needs is what made him the man he is Today…Link to book below https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HGRZMJ4

Feleceia is an Amazing Entrepreneur and an incredible Force not just in life but in the DS Community as well… Now married but shares about being a single mom, navigating life with her precious teammate Zoe. 

I love this conversation with Lauren Tarpley. She is a wife, a mom, and was Diagnosised at a young age with breast cancer. She now is a breast cancer survivor turned author and wrote the book, “Type A Guide to Cancer” … Join us in the conversation and see what Motivated her to keep going. https://linktr.ee/TypeAGuideToCancer?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=b8fc65ca-a432-4d9d-a584-cce098752625And thank you to our sponsors:https://www.meenta.io/

Stephanie is an Amazing Advocate for her son Sebastian who was Diagnosed with CDLS.  They have a very strong social media presence but in doing that have faced many challenges. Listen in and hear our hard conversations about the challenges of being an Advocate and an Influencer in the Special Needs community….. 

Daniel and Kara Lee make an AMAZING Team!!! Cayden is definitely very lucky as they are as well to all have each other! Listen in and hear how Daniel had to step in and care for his son, as his wife was fighting for her life at a different hospital…. 

I'm beyond Excited to Introduce Meenta, our Newest Sponsors of Diversity and Down the Podcast. I get to have a one on one Conversation with Stephan Smith, the CTO and a co-founder of Meenta. He shares about how Meenta, through Curesology allows donors to maximize the Impact per dollar donated for researchers to get the funds and tools they need to discover cures and treatments and SO MUCH MORE!!!https://www.meenta.io/

I have so much respect for these incredible Women and I'm beyond thankful that they are part of our journey… I had the Honor of Interviewing 2 of Ami's therapists that got Ami where she is Today. 

Today's episode is a bit different in that we have captured highlights from our previous 13 episodes.  Please subscribe as new content will be coming soon!

Clara Lee is such a light and she shares about her darkest moments. Her transparency about NICU life, Hydrops, and a diagnosis of Down Syndrome you don't want to miss…  It's a real honor to have her as a guest. 

Sinead and Amber; Host and Co-Host of Stronger Together the Event, openly share what Mental Health looks like for them. There is no one size fits all for Mental Health but it is important to discuss it and address it in ways that is helpful. 

Tiffany is a Wealth of Knowledge and what better way to learn about the Autistic community than by someone who lives and breathes it daily. Come get comfortable with Tiffany as we learn about her and what it's like to use a communication device (AAC).

You don't want to miss my conversation with Michelle as she shares her life with her son; Devon, who is 27 years old and thriving with the duel diagnosis of Autism and Cerebral palsy. 

Amber speaks with Patty about her challenges with fertility and dealing with miscarriages and the tragic loss of her son with a rare genetic abnormality shortly after birth.  Experience how Patty was able to get through it with her partner, friends, family and support groups.

 Amber talks with Melanie as shares about her battle with Suicidal thoughts during the Pandemic, as a single mother of 2… A set of Twins; One son diagnosed with Autism and her daughter who is part of the Rare Diagnosis Community. 

Amber speaks with Tiffany Hammond who is a brilliant writer and strong advocate for her 2 sons who are both Autistic. 

Amber gets the privilege to speak with a local couple, Ashley and Chris, after a moving post from Chris about how their son with Down Syndrome has changed him for the better. 

Amber speaks with Samantha, first time mom who shares her experiences of learning early on during pregnancy that she had to begin to speak life over her unborn child after several offers to terminate. 

Join Amber as we hear 1st time mom Stacy  Harris' experience with her pregnancy and postpartum depression during the lockdown due to the pandemic.

Mahala Turner; Special Needs Educator,  shares the fears of not only being a special needs mom, but her  fears for her biracial special needs son.  

Amber talks with Gabriella Mendez; Special Needs Mom, Advocate,  and NICU Nurse about the much needed change in the Medical and Governmental  systems that should provide better support for the Special Needs Community.

Amber and her producer Bill talk about Amber's life with all its joys and pain bared for all to hear leading up to the motivation to create Diversity & Down The Podcast.