Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast

Disability Ministry Series

'Autism and the Church' with Pastor Russ Ewell

Welcome back to the Podcast.  Today we have Russ Ewell, lead pastor of Bay Area Christian Church and father of two children with special needs as our guest.  As a father and an advocate in the special needs community he understands the need for creating inclusive environments for our children.  As a Pastor, he and his wife have launched a free, step-by-step guide to help leaders begin or grow this ministry at their church.  He knows that many Pastors are interested in serving the special needs community, but lack the resources to make this a reality and is meeting the need with this resource.

In addition, Russ has create E-Sports and E-Life which are inclusive community programs enabling kids with special needs to participate in sports and activities alongside their peers.

As we approaching Autism awareness month, Russ brings a fresh perspective of what is possible for individuals special needs and the greater community.  Let’s listen in as we join Russ.

BIO

Russ Ewell is Executive Minister of the Bay Area Christian Church. A minister for more than 40 years, Russ’s teaching is rooted in providing hope for those turned off by tradition, and infused with vision for building the transformative church for which the 21st century public hungers.

Contacts:
BACC Website: bacc.cc

Family Series

'Motherhood & Special Needs' with Becky Wall

Welcome back. On this episode the focus is on moms. As moms we have our own unique stories to share. And as we approach World Down Syndrome Day, we are delighted to have Becky Wall on with us again to share her story as a mom of a son diagnosed with both Down Syndrome and Autism. Becky works for FamilyLife as a field staff leader serving families and moms connected to disability, and on this episode she and I really enjoyed getting to catch up mom to mom. Let’s get the conversation started.

Bio:

Becky is married to Garett and they have two children, Lily (14) and Isaac (12). Shortly after their son Isaac was born they received the news that Isaac had Down Syndrome. Just before the age of 10, Isaac was diagnosed with Autism as well. Becky serves part-time with FamilyLife - a ministry of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) and is a Field Staff Leader serving families and moms connected to disability. Her prayer is to create spaces for families touched by disability to hear the hope of the Gospel and find purpose in growing God’s kingdom with the life He has given them. A graduate of University of Louisville, Becky has been on staff with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) for 21 years. She served 20 years with the college campus ministry and this past year moved over to FamilyLife - a Cru ministry. A native of Troy, Michigan, Becky is married to Garett and they have two children, Lily and Isaac. They currently reside in Louisville, KY. Isaac.

Contacts:

Becky Wall

www.FamilyLife.com

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Family Series: “Creativity in Marriage & Parenting” with Angela and Mike O’Brien

You are going to love this episode! We have Angela O’Brien of the Especially Organized Podcast back on and she’s joined by her husband Mike.

This is going to be another fun and heartfelt episode in our marriage and family series that you won’t want to miss!

Angela and Mike have been married for 26 years and live in Texas and have 2 adult children, with a daughter who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. As we approach World Down Syndrome Day on Mar 21^st we talked about advocacy along with marriage and parenting, and a so much more. Eric and I really enjoyed connecting with these 2 and found that we had a crazy amount of similarities in this stage of life. Listen in to our conversation with Mike and Angela O’Brien. 

Bio: (see bio)

Angela and Michael O’Brien met in the early 90’s while working as sales representatives for a paper company in St. Louis. As good friends and colleagues, they started dating when they both went off to graduate school. Married since 1997, they have a son living and working in Madison, WI and a 21-year-old daughter who has a diagnosis of Down Syndrome. Their journey as a family has been deeply enriched by the disability community. Angela has been an advocate since their daughter’s birth and is now a professional organizer and podcast host for moms of kids with special needs. Mike is co-founder of Roosevelt Capital Management, having met his business partner on the sidelines of a Special Olympics basketball game watching their girls. They live in Dallas, TX with their daughter and beloved dog, Coco.

Contacts: (see contacts)

Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (@yourspacereclaimed)
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(Your Space Reclaimed)
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Your Space Reclaimed Professional Organizing

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Family Series: 'Building a Healthy Marriage' with Garett and Becky Wall

We are continuing on in our family series with an episode on marriage and parenting with Garett and Becky Wall. These 2 are an amazing couple and team! Becky and Garett live in Louisville, Kentucky and have two children, Lily (14) and Isaac (12), who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome and Autism.

Garett serves as the Connections Minister with Shine Disabilities Ministry and Becky serves with FamilyLife. Together they are raising a busy family and creating spaces to support families touched by disability. 

Lets listen as they share their story.

Bio:

Becky and Garett live in Louisville, KY and have two children, Lily (14) and Isaac (12). Shortly after their son Isaac was born, they received the news that Isaac had Down Syndrome. Just before the age of 10, Isaac was diagnosed with Autism as well. Becky serves part-time with FamilyLife - a ministry of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) and is a Field Staff Leader serving families and moms connected to disability. Garett serves as the Connections Minister with Shine Disabilities Ministry at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he faithfully shepherds kids, teens and adults with disabilities as well as supporting their families. Together they are raising a busy family and creating spaces to support families touched by disability to hear the hope of the Gospel and find purpose.

Contacts:

Becky Wall

www.FamilyLife.com

Garett Wall

www.southeastchristianchurch.org/shine

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Family Series:

“Teammates in Marriage”

Intro:

With our Date Night coming up on Feb 15th, on this episode we’re sharing last year’s Date Night presentation. As caregiving couples it is often hard to find quality time to connect. That is what our Date Night is all about. We hope you’ll be inspired and encouraged by this message of hope on how even under the hardest of circumstances we can still thrive as “Teammates in Marriage”.

Bio:

Eric and Christen Freund are co-founders of Hope on the Hard Road Inc. College sweethearts, they have been married for 26 years and live in San Diego with their son and daughter. Their family’s journey with special needs began when their daughter was diagnosed with Autism a week before her fourth birthday. There vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead.

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

Show Notes: Camille Block

Family Series: “Hope for Secondhand Suffering”

Intro:

We begin our Family Series with an episode dedicated to all of the amazing siblings out there. If you are a sibling of someone with special needs we want you to know that we see you and we celebrate you. Siblings often miss out on allot in life and yet siblings also often become some of the most empathetic and caring people we know.

On this episode our guest Camille Block:  sibling, career coach, and author of “Hope for Secondhand Suffering™ – Tools for the Heart When You Can’t Fix Your Loved One’s Pain” speaks with us on what it is like to be a sibling. As conservator, advocate and “voice” for her beloved brother Kevin who lives with cerebral palsy quadriplegia, Camille felt called to write this new book to help give a voice to silent sufferers and connect people to their purpose.

Let’s listen in to our conversation

Bio:

Camille Block is an author and career coach and serves as conservator, advocate and “voice” for her beloved brother Kevin who lives with cerebral palsy quadriplegia. After earning a degree in Social Science from Pepperdine University, she set out on a lifelong pursuit of emotional and spiritual wholeness, driven by an empathetic heartache for her brother and a restlessness for answers that extend beyond shallow cliches. Her passion is to have her new book, Hope for Secondhand Suffering™ – Tools for the Heart When You Can’t Fix Your Loved One’s Pain - help give a voice to silent sufferers and connect people to their purpose. As empty nesters with three adult children, Camille and her husband live in Southern California, just across the hills from Malibu. She enjoys sipping frothy lattes in a real mug, engaging in deep talks with friends, walking on the beach in the sunshine, and playing a variety of games with her family when her kids visit. She and her husband are also exploring some new hobbies such as beekeeping and gardening. Her book is available wherever books are sold, worldwide.

Contacts:

Website: www.camilleblock.cc

Facebook: @camilleblock.author

Instagram: @camilleblock.author

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website. Email us: [email protected] Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459 Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

🎉 2025 Happy New Year Preview! 🎉

Welcome to a brand-new year with Hope on the Hard Road! In this special episode, we reflect on the challenges and victories of the past year and share an exciting look at what’s ahead in 2025.

Get a sneak peek of upcoming episodes featuring topics like navigating family dynamics, self-care strategies for caregivers, and inspiring guest stories of resilience and hope. Plus, we’ll share ways you can get involved in our growing community this year!

🌟 Save the Date! 🌟
Don’t miss our Fifth Annual Date Night 2025 – an evening of connection and encouragement for couples, happening on February 15th. Sign up now at hopeonthehardroad.org!

Join us as we celebrate the road ahead, together. Here’s to a year of finding strength, joy, and connection in the midst of the challenges we face.

For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode. We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website.

Email us: [email protected]

Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459

Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz

2024 Year End Review

As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on some of the most powerful and inspiring moments from our fall season. In this special year-end review episode, we revisit stories of resilience, the power of community, and the joy of celebrating milestones — big and small.

Join us as we highlight these memorable clips and the incredible voices that remind us we’re never alone on this journey. Thank you for being part of our community, and here’s to more hope, encouragement, and connection in the New Year!

Don’t forget to follow us so you’re ready for the next season of inspiration.

Connect with Us:

If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won’t miss an episode.  We’d love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website. 

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