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Rising Above Ministries is lifting up the special needs community through support, encouragement, inspiration, and community.
Episodes
7 hours ago
7 hours ago
This podcast honors a dear friend and supporter of Rising Above, Becky's sister, Susan. She unexpectedly passed two weeks ago, and we wanted to take an opportunity to honor her life and legacy through some of her messages of hope.
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
About the Episode
Dusti joins Becky to discuss By the Brook (coming up this weekend!) and the opportunity to join us virtually or at a host site!
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Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
About Chris
Chris and Andrea from Nashville, Tennessee, adopted two babies from Russia in 1998. That began a lifelong journey, including an autism diagnosis for their son, Joshua, when he turned 18 years old. Chris discovered Jeff's book "Common Man, Extraordinary Call" to lead a group of special needs dads in 2020. This group spent two years carefully navigating this wonderful "trailblazing book" that digs deep into the heart of a dad with a special needs child. From those years of transformation and inspiration from Jeff's example, Chris wrote a small group study guide as a starting point for special needs dads called "The Journey with Our Kids". Today is a different story for Chris and Josh, a contentious and anger-filled childhood restored through God's mercy, Josh's forgiving heart, and Jeff's book.
About the Episode
In this conversation, Chris Riley shares his journey as a father of children with special needs, detailing the challenges and transformations he experienced through adoption, diagnosis, and emotional struggles. He reflects on the importance of connection, forgiveness, and the impact of a pivotal book that changed his perspective on parenting. The discussion emphasizes the significance of delighting in children and the journey of personal growth as a father. In this conversation, Chris Riley shares his journey of creating a supportive community for fathers of special needs children. He discusses the importance of understanding the unique communication needs of these children and how shared experiences can transform the lives of dads. Chris emphasizes the need for resources tailored to special-needs parenting and reflects on the lessons learned through his own parenting journey. He concludes with insights on finding joy in imperfection and the importance of humility in the parenting process.
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Common Man, Extraordinary Call
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
About Me (from Elizabeth)
My name is Elizabeth, and my journey started with me asking God what He wanted out of my life instead of me asking for doors to be opened. He clearly said “I want you to have children who you teach to know and love me but they will not ask come through you.” Then He sent me to China! I adopted this beautiful 11 month old baby who Chinese name was Ya Wei which is pronounced the same as Gods Yahweh. Every step of the journey was God! Three months home, we got an unexpected diagnosis of athetoid cerebral palsy. I grieved, cried, but also put on my big girl pants and tried to do the only thing I knew…to tackle it! I researched, embraced the world of therapies, and learned to be a servant! Every season was hard and sweet all at the same time. Then came a season of zero sleep! This was the hardest season. I just cried out to God. I felt the covenant between us and just cried out for help because I couldn’t function at all. We as a family were falling apart. Well he sent two people asking why she didn’t have a neurologist. At this point, I was questioning the journey! I knew God is good but this journey was not always feeling good. After the hard seasons, I have been praying about finding the joy in this journey in this season. God has pointed out so many joyful moments. It has taught me God truly cares about of it and to asks him for help!
About the Episode
In this conversation, Elizabeth Jones shares her profound journey of motherhood, focusing on her experiences with adoption and raising a child with special needs. She reflects on her initial struggles with infertility, her decision to adopt, and the challenges faced during the adoption process, particularly in China. Throughout her story, she emphasizes the importance of faith, joy, and the unexpected turns that life can take, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of love and family. In this heartfelt conversation, Elizabeth shares her journey of adopting a special needs child, navigating the complexities of grief, faith, and the joy found in small milestones. She discusses the ongoing challenges of parenting a child with cerebral palsy, the importance of community support, and how her faith has been a guiding force through difficult times. Elizabeth emphasizes the significance of celebrating every achievement, no matter how small, and the transformative power of love and resilience in the face of adversity.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
About Dustin
Dustin Rawls is married to Mandy Smith Rawls and has two children, Dylan 11 and Madison 14 who was born with Spina Bifida. Dustin serves as the Men’s Ministry director at his church and has a passion for discipleship. He works for the financial aid arm of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and has never met an audience he didn’t love. Whether it was bowling a perfect 300, becoming the first ever homecoming king at MTSU, or finishing his fourth degree, clearly Dustin has a need to prove something that nobody else cares about.
About the Episode
In this engaging conversation, Becky Davidson and Dustin Rawls explore the emotional journey of parenting a child with special needs, the importance of community support, and the role of faith in our lives. The discussion highlights the significance of vulnerability, the need for open communication in relationships, and the joy found in caregiving. In this conversation, Dustin Rawls shares his journey of navigating the complexities of marriage and parenting a child with special needs. He discusses the transformative impact of faith on his relationships, the challenges faced in his marriage, and the importance of finding joy amidst difficulties. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of love, support, and faith in overcoming life's challenges.
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Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
About Me (from Kandis)
I love a lot of things. I LOVE Jesus. I love my family, including my church family at Collegeside, where I also enjoy working. I love my 5 children immensely. I HATE being a widow, but I love seeing God's goodness and care for me as a widow. Oh, and I love the Green Bay Packers and 7Brew.
About the Episode
In this heartfelt conversation, Becky Davidson and Kandis Moss share their experiences of navigating life as widows, reflecting on the profound impact of loss, the challenges of solo parenting, and the emotional weight of anniversaries. They discuss the importance of family support, the concept of 'widow fog', and the ongoing journey of raising children without their fathers. Through their candid dialogue, they explore the complexities of grief, the necessity of open communication, and the resilience required to move forward in life after loss. The conversation highlights the significance of connection, support, and finding joy amidst loss.
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Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
About Rachael
Rachael Vermeulen is a writer, speaker, and founder of A Little Extra Love, a ministry dedicated to creating spaces of true belonging for families raising children with disabilities. As a mother to two boys— one with Down syndrome, Autism and complex medical needs, her journey has shaped her passion for faith-rooted encouragement, community, and advocacy. Through Bible studies, church inclusion initiatives, and community engagement, she empowers parents and equips churches to embrace families affected by disability. Her work bridges the gap between faith and special needs parenting, offering hope, strength, and a reminder that every family is seen and valued in God’s design.
About the Episode
In this conversation, Becky Davidson and Rachael Vermeulen discuss Rachael's journey into special-needs motherhood, the challenges she faced, and how her faith evolved through trials. Rachael shares her experiences with grief and gratitude, the importance of community support, and how she founded 'A Little Extra Love' to help families in similar situations. The conversation highlights the transformative power of faith, community, and resilience in the face of adversity. In this conversation, Becky Davidson and Rachael Vermeulen discuss the importance of community and support for families with disabilities. They emphasize the role of churches in creating inclusive environments, the need for practical assistance, and the emotional burdens that families carry. Rachael shares insights on how to foster belonging and understanding within church communities, and the conversation concludes with a focus on finding joy in the journey of raising children with disabilities.
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Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
About Andrea
Andrea is a follower of Jesus, wife of Shawn, and mom of two boys; Sam (who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) and Zach. As a younger adult, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, but left the workforce to homeschool her kids 15 years ago. Her family plays a small part in the special needs ministry 'Joni and Friends' via volunteering for their Wheels for the World program and enjoying their annual family camps. She's blessed to be mentor and friend to newer homeschool moms and to younger moms who are navigating the joys and the hard messiness of this special needs life.
About the Episode
In this conversation, Andrea Duerkop shares her journey as a special needs parent, discussing the challenges and triumphs of raising her son Sam, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. She reflects on the emotional journey of receiving the diagnosis, the importance of community support, and the lessons learned through faith and resilience. Andrea emphasizes the significance of sibling dynamics, the feeling of being loved and chosen, and the impact of giving back through service. The conversation highlights the importance of finding joy amidst challenges and the power of community in navigating the complexities of special needs parenting.
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Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
About Amy
Amy J. Brown is a writer, mentor, and spiritual director based in Michigan. With a Master's Degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership, she brings both academic insight and lived experience to her work. Amy is a co- author of "The Other Side Of Special: Navigating the Messy, Emotional, and Joy-Filled Life of a Special Needs Mom," a book that shares her journey and offers guidance to others on similar paths. As the mother of six children, Amy writes candidly about adoption and the unique challenges of parenting children with mental health issues and trauma. Her work focuses on developing life-giving spiritual practices specifically designed for overwhelmed caregivers. Through her writing, mentorship programs, and spiritual direction sessions, she creates spaces where parents can find both practical support and emotional renewal. Amy lives in Michigan with her husband, where she continues to expand her impact through various forms of outreach to the special needs parenting community.
About the Episode
In this conversation, Becky Davidson and Amy discuss the importance of spiritual practices for caregivers, particularly those dealing with invisible disabilities. They explore how to create accessible spiritual practices that fit into the busy lives of overwhelmed caregivers. Amy shares her journey of mentoring and spiritual direction, emphasizing the need for personal connection with God through small, life-giving practices. The discussion also highlights the transformative nature of spiritual direction as a form of soul care, contrasting it with traditional therapy and mentoring. In this conversation, Amy shares her experiences with spiritual direction, the challenges of parenting children with hidden disabilities, and the importance of finding joy amidst life's difficulties. Amy emphasizes the need for support and understanding among parents facing similar challenges, encouraging them to seek connection and find joy in small moments.
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Instagram: @amyjbrown_writer
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
About the Episode
Introducing: RISING ABOVE DADS – The Podcast for Dads Raising Exceptional Kids
Calling all dads in the special-needs world—whether you're navigating IEP meetings, meltdowns, or just trying to get through the day without stepping on a LEGO... this one’s for you.
Rising Above Dads is the podcast where we talk real-life parenting with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart. No sugarcoating. No expert-only jargon. Just dads supporting dads, sharing laughs, and reminding each other we’re not in this alone.
Tune in for funny fails, small victories, dad wisdom, and stories that’ll lift you up (or at least make you feel slightly more sane).
Because fatherhood doesn’t come with a manual—but at least now, it comes with a podcast.
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