Podcast · Kids & Family

Specialness Pod

by Specialness · English · Kids & Family

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 58 min
Latest: 26 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

26 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 13 min

S3_Ep-10: They Stopped Inviting Us | The Isolation of Special Needs Parenting

For most people, isolation is a choice. For special needs families, it isn't. It happens to you, and it comes wrapped in a grief that has no recognizable end. Jeff and Kim talk about the two things their community lives with that rarely get named together: isolation and grief, and why the two are so tightly intertwined. The invitations that slowly stop coming. The birthday parties you leave early. The milestones that hit just as hard at 25 as they did at 5. And the quiet decision so many families make to just stop going, because it is easier than being stared at. They also share something…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S3 · E9 · 2 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

S3_Ep-09: When Special Needs Means Mental Illness, and No One Takes It Seriously

In the mental health world, there is no blood test. No x-ray. Just a subjective judgment that changes from one doctor's office to the next, and a family left to live with the consequences.Jeff and Kim get honest about the part of special needs parenting that society files under "dangerous" or "crazy" and refuses to take seriously. They walk through Cason's mental health journey from the beginning: the manic behavior at four, the neuropsychologist who suspected bipolar one, the renowned psychiatrist who dismissed it as "just ADHD," and the medication trial and error that made everything…
S3 · E8 · 15 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 13 min

S3_Ep-08: The Special Needs Grief No One Talks About

When people hear the word grief, they think someone died. For special needs parents, the grief is different. It's the life you planned for and never got to live, and it doesn't fade. It compounds. In this episode, Jeff and Kim talk openly about the grief nobody in the special needs world seems allowed to name. The milestones that never come. The family gatherings where the gap becomes impossible to ignore. The jealousy that shows up watching friends drop their kids at college. And why, after almost 25 years, the grief has actually gotten heavier, not lighter. If you have ever felt guilty for…
S3 · E7 · 31 Jul 2026 · 47 min

S3_Ep-07: A Special Needs Mom Doctors Gave No Hope, Twice | Julia Erman (Part 2 of 2)

Part 2 of our conversation with Julia Erman, a special needs mom whose two children share an ultra rare diagnosis. This is the half about what she did with it.Julia found out her kids were dying on her birthday, over a Zoom call. In this episode she talks about the faith that gave her peace that same day, why suffering builds a muscle most people never have to grow, and how a conversation at a backyard cookout turned into The Hazelnut Movement, a school program that has now reached 25 schools in 5 states.She also says something that stopped us: her daughter isn't the problem. Her own grief…
S3 · E6 · 24 Jul 2026 · 46 min

S3_Ep-06: A Special Needs Mom Doctors Gave No Hope, Twice | Julia Erman (Part 1 of 2)

Our first ever guest. Julia Erman is a special needs mom, author, and founder of The Hazelnut Movement, and both of her children live with a diagnosis that only has a handful of documented cases in the world. In Part 1 of 2, Julia walks us through the beginning. A perfect birth that turned into a NICU emergency in 48 hours. A neurologist who took away every ounce of hope in two words. A second pregnancy that uncovered the cancer four doctors had missed. And the moment, two days after her son was born, when she realized it was happening all over again. This is one of the most honest…
S3 · E5 · 15 Jul 2026 · 55 min

S3_Ep-05: Who Has It Harder in a Special Needs Marriage?

A few weeks ago we posted a reel about the roles each parent plays in a special needs marriage. It passed 70,000 views and lit up our comments, so this week we're unpacking what we actually meant. Jeff said one of us drew "the short end of the stick," and it ruffled feathers. In this episode we clarify that comment, talk through the roles of breadwinner and caregiver, and get honest about the resentment and burnout that nobody warns you about. After 24 years, here's how we've split the load without losing each other. CHAPTERS 0:00 The viral reel and why context gets lost 1:45 What "the short…
S3 · E4 · 9 Jul 2026 · 58 min

S3_Ep-04: Special Needs Parenting Took Away Our Ability to Plan the Future

We had plans.That sounds simple, but when you are raising a child with profound special needs, plans come with an asterisk.In this episode, we talk about the part of special needs parenting that is hard to explain to people who have never lived it. It is not just that your child’s future changes. Your future changes too.This conversation started with a reel that hit a nerve because so many parents said the same thing: you can’t really plan when you never know what is coming next.If you are a special needs parent, caregiver, or family member living with the constant unknown, this episode is…
S3 · E3 · 2 Jul 2026 · 57 min

S3_Ep-03: The Pediatric Cliff: What Happens When a Special Needs Child Becomes an Adult?

When Cason started aging out of pediatric care, we thought the hardest part would be finding new doctors. We were wrong. The harder part was walking into the adult medical world and realizing how different everything felt. For years, pediatric specialists knew Cason, understood his history, and treated him like a whole person. Then suddenly we were in adult offices where the records had not always been read, guardianship was not always understood, and people expected Cason to answer questions he could not understand. In this episode, we talk about the pediatric cliff, the transition from…
S3 · E2 · 26 Jun 2026 · 54 min

S3_Ep-02: Does raising a special needs child really lead to an 87% divorce rate?

After one of our Instagram reels reached more than 180,000 views, hundreds of parents shared their stories, challenged the statistic, and started one of the most meaningful conversations we've ever had.In this episode, we revisit that viral reel, correct the misinformation, and talk about what the research actually says.More importantly, we talk about what the comments revealed.Special needs parents opened up about marriages that grew stronger, marriages that fell apart, single parenting, caregiver burnout, trauma bonding, financial stress, and the daily realities that most people never…
S3 · E1 · 16 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 4 min

S3_Ep-01: One Phone Call Changed the Next 10 Months of Our Lives

After nearly a year away, we're back.What was supposed to be a simple three-day getaway turned into one of the hardest seasons we've faced as special needs parents.The day before our trip, our son Cason suffered a devastating ankle injury that required surgery and months of recovery. What followed was nine weeks of around-the-clock caregiving, medication complications, mobility challenges, emotional exhaustion, and the return of struggles we thought were behind us.At the same time, we were fighting another battle: a 30-month journey through the Social Security disability system. After…
S2 · E10 · 7 Jul 2025 · 55 min

S2_Ep-10: We Thought We Had a Plan… Hopeful Plans vs. Hard Reality

In this episode, we talk about the emotional aftermath of travel, how even the best vacations can take a toll—and what recovery looks like when you're caring for someone with special needs. From unexpected triggers to the slow return to normal, we share what it's really like behind the scenes.🌟 Special Shoutout:We want to take a moment to thank Special Soul Mama. If you're not already following her, you're missing out!👉 https://www.facebook.com/specialsoulmama/👉 https://www.instagram.com/specialsoulmamaShe’s a light—and we’re grateful to walk this road with her.If this episode resonates…
S2 · E9 · 12 Jun 2025 · 57 min

S2_Ep-9: We Thought We Had a Plan… Hopeful Plans vs. Hard Reality

Buckle up—this is the one where everything went sideways.In this raw, emotional, and at times chaotic episode, Kim and Jeff recount a whirlwind 24 hours that took them from hopeful to heartbroken. What started as a routine trip to Houston turned into a spiral of medication issues, ER visits, and total emotional overload.🎙️ They open up about:* How quickly Cason’s behavior escalated* Their experience navigating the hospital system (again)* What it feels like when every plan you made unravels in real timeThis is the reality of parenting a medically complex, special needs child. It’s…
S2 · E8 · 6 Jun 2025 · 6 min

S2_Ep-8.5: Life Interrupted: When Everything Happens at Once

We’re calling this one Episode 8.5 — a special edition update from Jeff.Life doesn’t always go as planned — especially when you're raising a child with special needs. In this honest solo update, Jeff shares why there was no episode last week and what hit their family all at once:Kim’s melanoma diagnosis and emergency surgeryAnother frustrating Social Security denialA three-hour cardio-pulmonary test for CasonA high school graduation road tripThis isn’t just a delay. It’s a glimpse into the unpredictable, exhausting, and deeply human side of life behind the podcast.💬 New episode next week…
S1 · E8 · 20 May 2025 · 48 min

S2_Ep-8: Mental Health Awareness Month… for Families Like Ours

"It’s Mental Health Awareness Month… but where is the awareness?"In this powerful episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff open up about the realities of living with mental illness in the family, especially when your child’s life is shaped by complex diagnoses like bipolar disorder, autism, and schizophrenia spectrum symptoms.💬 In this episode:✔️ Why Mental Health Awareness Month still feels invisible✔️ What people get wrong about depression, hallucinations, and “invisible” struggles✔️ The silent grief of watching life pass you by while you're stuck surviving✔️ The failure of our healthcare…
S1 · E7 · 20 May 2025 · 1 hr 4 min

S2_Ep-7: The Disability System Is Failing Families Like Ours

"We’ve done everything right. But that still wasn’t enough."For over two years, Kim and Jeff Kribs have been fighting to secure basic SSI benefits for their son, Cason—who is intellectually disabled, legally under guardianship, and cannot live independently.In this explosive episode of Specialness, they read aloud from the denial letters, dissect inaccurate evaluations from government-appointed doctors, and expose the broken system that so many special needs families are forced to navigate.💬 In this episode:✔️ The exhausting maze of paperwork, deadlines, and duplicate forms✔️ False claims…
S2 · E6 · 2 May 2025 · 56 min

S2_Ep-6: Did He Just Say That? Our Response to RFK Jr. and the Autism "Destroyed Families" Comment

"Autism destroys families."That’s what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said—and we had to respond.In this powerful and emotional episode, Kim and Jeff unpack their reaction to RFK Jr.’s comments about autism, disability, and the value of people who won’t “pay taxes” or “write a poem.”💬 In this episode:✔️ The truth about what life is like for their family and for Cason✔️ Why “destroy” is a dangerous word✔️ How stigma, lack of services, and government failure impact real families every day✔️ The difference between speaking truth and speaking harm✔️ Why Cason, despite all the challenges, is not a…
S2 · E5 · 23 Apr 2025 · 58 min

S2_Ep-5: The Truth About Raising Siblings in a Special Needs Home - Specialness Pod

"We were doing everything we could for our special needs son… but what about his brother? "In this heartfelt episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff open up about the emotional journey of raising their neurotypical son, Jackson, while navigating the chaos of parenting a child with severe special needs. 💬 In this episode: ✔️ How sibling jealousy, resentment, and isolation showed up ✔️ The emotional toll on Jackson—and what he remembers most ✔️ The turning point when everything finally shifted ✔️ What they wish they could’ve done differently ✔️ How faith, therapy, and time brought hope and…
S2 · E4 · 8 Apr 2025 · 1 hr

S2_Ep-4: The Hidden Impact on Siblings of Special Needs Kids - Specialness Pod

"When you’re raising a child with special needs, the whole family feels it."In this emotional episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff open up about what it was like raising their younger son, Jackson, alongside his older brother Cason, who has complex special needs.💬 In this episode:✔️ How guilt shaped their parenting decisions✔️ The trauma Jackson experienced from a young age✔️ The survival strategies they used to protect both their boys✔️ Why Jackson grew up walking on eggshells—and how they helped him heal✨ This isn’t just a story about parenting a special needs child—it's a story about how…
S2 · E3 · 8 Apr 2025 · 54 min

S2_Ep-3: We Almost Gave Up… Then Came a God Wink - Specialness Pod

🎙 Specialness Podcast – Season 2, Episode 3What keeps a marriage alive when life gets unthinkably hard? For Kim and Jeff Kribs, it’s faith. In this deeply personal episode, they open up about how their belief in God has carried them through some of the darkest moments of parenting a child with special needs.From failed adoptions to brutal hospital nights, and even moments where they feared for their safety—this episode is filled with the kind of raw honesty and hope that makes you feel less alone.✨ Hear how their faith was tested… and how, time and again, they experienced what they call…
S2 · E2 · 19 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 7 min

S2_Ep-2: Raising a Special Needs Child: The Ongoing Grief No One Talks About - Specialness Pod

"We had dreams for our life, for our child, for our future… then reality hit." In this episode of Specialness , we open up about something every special needs parent feels—but not everyone talks about: grief . Grief for the child you expected, the life you imagined, and the milestones you’ll never experience. 💬 In this episode: ✔️ The moment we realized Cason’s life—and ours—would be different ✔️ How grief shows up in everyday moments, even years later ✔️ The way we’ve learned to process that grief and find joy in our reality Whether you’re in the middle of your own grief or just trying to…
S2 · E1 · 18 Mar 2025 · 55 min

S2_Ep-1: 87% of Special Needs Marriages End in Divorce—Here’s Why We Didn’t - Specialness Pod

"The divorce rate for special needs parents is 87%. Here’s why we’re still standing." Welcome to Season 2 of Specialness ! One of the biggest questions we get is: How have you stayed married for 30 years while raising a special needs child? The truth? It hasn’t been easy. The stress, the unknowns, the financial strain— special needs parenting tests a marriage in ways most people will never experience. 💡 In this episode: ✔️ The biggest challenges that nearly broke us ✔️ How we navigated resentment, finances, and emotional burnout ✔️ The mindset shift that kept us from becoming part of the…
S1 · E9 · 21 Feb 2025 · 1 hr 5 min

S1_Ep-9: Navigating Special Needs Adulthood: Guardianship, Medical Battles & Hope - Specialness Pod

"When your special needs child becomes an adult, everything changes—but not in the way you expect." In this episode of Specialness , we’re reflecting on the last five years of Cason’s life—from turning 18 to where he is today at 23. Adulthood brought new challenges we never saw coming, from securing guardianship to transitioning into adult medical care. We’re sharing the realities of what happens when the system no longer sees your child as a child—and why the fight never really ends. 💡 In this episode: ✔️ The emotional & legal battles of transitioning into adulthood ✔️ The struggle to find…
S1 · E8 · 17 Feb 2025 · 50 min

S1_Ep-8: The System Isn’t Built for Special Needs Adults—Here’s Why - Specialness Pod

"When Your Child Turns 18: Guardianship, Medical Battles & The Harsh Reality of Adulthood" "Becoming an adult means freedom—but what if your child will never be able to live independently?" In this episode of Specialness , we take you through one of the biggest transitions in Cason’s life—turning 18. But unlike most teens, Cason wasn’t preparing for college or getting his driver’s license. Instead, we were navigating legal guardianship, mounting medical bills, and the heartbreaking reality that the system isn’t built for special needs adults. 💡 In this episode: The emotional and legal…
S1 · E7 · 28 Jan 2025 · 1 hr 6 min

S1_Ep-7: 1 in 740 Million: Discovering a Rare Genetic Disorder - Specialness Pod

"What do you do when you’re told your child is 1 in 740 million?" In this episode of Specialness , we dive into one of the most pivotal moments in our parenting journey: receiving the results of Cason's genetic testing. The discoveries? A rare chromosomal deletion (15q25.2), unknown mitochondrial mutations, and a list of conditions that left us with more questions than answers. 💡 In this episode: The emotional rollercoaster of waiting for genetic testing results What it’s like to parent a child with an ultra-rare condition The balancing act of managing diagnoses, symptoms, and treatment…
S1 · E6 · 21 Jan 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

S1_Ep-6: New Meds, New Doctors: What Happens When Nothing Goes as Planned - Specialness Pod

“We never imagined we'd be here—new medications, new doctors, and facing words we hoped we'd never hear." In this emotional episode of Specialness , we dive deep into the life-changing moment when our son’s diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder became a reality. As his hallucinations worsened and fear took over his daily life, we were forced to make the difficult decision of trying Clozaril, a powerful but risky medication. 💬 In this episode: The signs that led us to seek new treatment The emotional toll of navigating complex medical systems How we balanced hope and fear in the face of…
S1 · E5 · 3 Jan 2025 · 50 min

S1_Ep-5: The Day We Went to the Hospital - Specialness Pod

When your child is in crisis, you expect the hospital to step in immediately—but what happens when you’re left waiting?In this episode of Specialness, we recount a terrifying hospitalization where our son Cason faced lithium toxicity, a life-threatening condition. Despite clear symptoms, the stigma of being labeled a ‘psych patient’ delayed his treatment for hours. It was up to us to advocate relentlessly to get him the care he needed.This is a raw and emotional look at what it takes to fight for your child in an imperfect system.💬 In this episode:What led us to the hospital and how we…
S1 · E4 · 18 Dec 2024 · 59 min

S1_Ep-4: The Last Option: Hospitalizing Our Child - Specialness Pod

What would you do if your child began hallucinating and acting completely unlike themselves? In this episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff share the raw and emotional journey of navigating their son Cason’s worsening symptoms, from intense fear and hallucinations to a medical crisis that led to his first hospital stay. They reflect on the hard decisions they had to make, the struggles of managing a cocktail of medications, and the emotional toll of feeling isolated as a family. This heartfelt episode sheds light on the resilience required to parent a child with complex needs while offering…
S1 · E3 · 18 Dec 2024 · 1 hr 21 min

S1_Ep-3: Buckle Up: Our Battle with Early Onset Bipolar - Specialness Pod

Parenting a child with special needs is a journey unlike any other. In this episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff recount the emotional rollercoaster of discovering their son Cason’s diagnoses, from ADHD to pediatric onset bipolar disorder. This is a raw, heartfelt account of perseverance, unconditional love, and learning to advocate for your child when the road ahead seems uncertain. 💬 In this episode: Navigating a maze of evaluations, therapies, and medications The chaos of trial-and-error with treatment plans Breakthrough moments that gave them hope amidst the challenges 🔔 Subscribe for…
S1 · E2 · 18 Dec 2024 · 1 hr 3 min

S1_Ep-2: When Joy Turns to Chaos: The Parenting Challenges We Never Expected - Specialness Pod

Becoming parents is supposed to be a joyful experience—but what happens when the challenges feel overwhelming? In this episode of Specialness, Kim and Jeff recount the early days of parenting their adopted son, Cason. From the excitement of bringing him home to endless crying, sleepless nights, and navigating behaviors they didn’t understand, their story offers a raw and relatable look at the early signs of parenting a child with special needs. Whether you’re a parent, a caregiver, or someone who wants to better understand the complexities of raising a child with special needs, this episode…
S1 · E1 · 18 Dec 2024 · 44 min

S1_Ep-1: The Heartbreak That Brought Us Together - Specialness Pod

How do you move forward when life delivers the unimaginable? In this episode of Specialness, we open up about a tragedy that shaped the rest of our lives. Join us as we share the heartfelt story of how loss brought us together, taught us the power of connection, and prepared us for an even bigger journey ahead. 💬 In this episode: Recognizing the signs of someone struggling Finding connection through grief How one pivotal moment reshaped our future Whether you've faced loss, are navigating life’s challenges, or want a story of resilience, this episode is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for more…

About Specialness Pod

Welcome to Specialness, the YouTube channel where love, resilience, and the extraordinary journey of parenting a special needs child take center stage. Hosted by Kim and Jeff Kribs, this heartfelt podcast-turned-video-series invites you into their world as they share their unique story, from adopting their son as a baby to navigating the joys and challenges of raising him into adulthood. Through candid conversations, touching anecdotes, and moments of humor, Kim and Jeff explore what it means to build a family filled with compassion and strength. Whether you're a parent, a family member, or s

Specialness Pod is a English kids & family podcast from Specialness. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Specialness
Language: English
Category: Kids & Family
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 58 min
Latest episode: 26 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790472992
Rights: Specialness

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