Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast

"Happiness is Down Syndrome” with Misty Coy Snyder



Welcome back to the Podcast. October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and we are
celebrating all month long with this next series.

Today we welcome back guest Misty Coy Snyder. Misty is an actor, singer, writer, entrepreneur,
and advocate for the Down syndrome community. In 2020, when Misty learned prior to birth that
her second son would have Down syndrome, instead of letting that moment remain defined by
fear, she created Happiness is Down Syndrome, a worldwide platform that promotes inclusion
and awareness. And In 2023 she also launched her podcast, Bold Voices, Soft Hearts, which shares stories of
people who found their passion through pain. Misty and her family want to show the world the beauty of diversity, and today she’s here to share that hope with you. So let’s listen in to today’s conversation with Misty Coy Snyder

Misty Coy Snyder is an actor, singer, writer, entrepreneur, content creator and advocate for the Down syndrome community. She recently accepted the role of Creative Director for Global Outreach and Advancement for Down syndrome at RODS Heroes, which seeks to uncover the superpowers of individuals with Down syndrome. Upon receiving a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis for her second son in 2020, she created a worldwide platform to promote inclusion and awareness called, Happiness is Down syndrome. She launched her own podcast in 2023 called, Bold Voices, Soft Hearts, which features stories of those who have discovered their passion through pain. She, along with her family hope to show the beauty of diversity on a global scale!

https://youtu.be/BYQuLinx_dA?si=9xW6pFLOQjtALp8g

rods.org

https://www.instagram.com/happinessisdownsyndrome

https://www.instagram.com/mistycoysnyder

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

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.

"Crazy Socks" with Mark Cronin

Mark X. Cronin is a social entrepreneur, policy leader, and passionate advocate for disability inclusion. As co-founder of John’s Crazy Socks and Abilities Rising, he builds mission-led businesses that create opportunity and spark change. Mark earned his Masters from Harvard and has led healthcare reform as the leader of Medicaid Health Care Services in New York City, founded health care management and consulting firms, advised a variety of companies and non-profits and taught at Columbia and NYU. He’s a two-time TEDx speaker, published author, and winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Mark’s talks and ventures blend storytelling, business acumen, and social mission: showing what’s possible when strategy and soul work together. 

Speaking Website: https://johnandmarkcronin.com

John’s Crazy Socks: https://johnscrazysocks.com

Abilities Rising: https://abilitiesrising.com

Facebook (Speakers page): https://www.facebook.com/johnandmarkcronin

Facebook(JCS): https://www.facebook.com/johnscrazysocks

Twitter (JCS): https://twitter.com/JohnsCrazySocks

Twitter (Mark): https://twitter.com/mxcronin

LinkedIn (Mark): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mxcronin/

LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-s-crazy-socks/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Johnscrazysocks/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnscrazysocks 

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

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.

Fatherhood Tranformed Series: "Presuming Competence: An Autism Dad's Journey" with J. Brad Britton

Welcome back to the podcast, Today we continue our Fatherhood Transformed Series and are joined by my friend and fellow San Diego Dad, J. Brad Britton.  J Brad is an author and autism dad who recently released his Book Real Words with Sam. 

Brad spent his career building championship teams in business by seeing potential in people others overlooked. But it took a room full of spellers and a letterboard to make him realize he hadn't been doing the same for his own son. This is a really honest, beautiful conversation about learning to see ability instead of disability — and what it costs a dad to lay down his own plans and truly show up.

Let’s Listen in to our conversation.

Insta and Facebook: RealWordsWithSam
www.realwordswithsam.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

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.

Transformational Dads Series: "Hope for the Autism Dad" with Jamiel Owens

Welcome back! This episode is one you are going to want to share with every dad you know. Weare joined by Jamiel Owens — autism father, founder of the Autism Fathers Conference, andcommunity outreach specialist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.Jamiel's story is one of transformation in every sense of the word. From walking away from hisson Shane after his autism diagnosis, to becoming one of the most passionate advocates for dadsin the special needs community — his testimony will move you. We talked about fatherhood,faith, and what it looks like to show up when it's hard.Eric and I loved this conversation. Listen in to our talk with Jamiel Owens.

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.

https://ausomenessinc.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theausomeshow/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ausome-show/id1517496103

https://www.research.chop.edu/car

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

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.

“Season highlights and summer send off” with Eric and Christen

Hey guys, welcome back to the podcast. We’re doing something a little different today. It’s just Eric and I and we’re talking about the podcast season, the past 100 episodes, and life with a little bit of fun and a whole lot of heart and then we’re going to share some helpful tips in a sendoff to summer!

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

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.

"Celebrating Our 100th Episode!" with Eric and Christen

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

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.

“Creating a Neuro Affirming Environment” with Chris Wenger “Speech Dude”    

Intro:

Today on the podcast we have an amazing guest who is revolutionizing how we support neurodivergent students. 

Speech therapist Chris Wenger, also known as "Speech Dude!" is internationally acclaimed for his work with autistic students.  He's transforming therapy practices and creating spaces to support families with his neurodiversity-affirming approach.

Through his assessment tools, viral social media content, clinical work, and new book; He's on a mission to ensure that belonging—not just fitting in—becomes the standard for how we support neurodivergent learners.

Let's listen in to today’s conversation.

TAP👇the link to Register for Moms Day Out conference retreat

https://hopeonthehardroad.regfox.com/moms-day-out-conference-may-2026

Bio:

Chris Wenger is a neurodivergent high school speech-language pathologist of over 20 years, international speaker, and creator of the Dynamic Assessment of Social Emotional Learning, a strengths-based assessment for autistic students. He is also the founder of NeuroAffirm, a first-of-its-kind worldwide interactive directory connecting providers and families. Globally known as Speech Dude, he has amassed nearly one million social media followers, sharing inspiring and educational content, always with a humorous twist.

Contacts:

www.speechdude.com

Tik Tok/Instagram - @speechdude

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

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice. 

Family Series:  

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

Welcome back, you are going to love the replay of this episode! We have Angela O’Brien of the Especially Organized Podcast joined by her husband Mike. Ladies, Angela will also be one of our speakers at this year’s Moms Day Out! So grab your 1 day or full weekend tickets today! 
 
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 27 years and live in Texas and have 2 adult children, with a daughter diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Having just celebrated World Down Syndrome Day on Mar 21st, we talked about advocacy, 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.

TAP👇the link to Register for Moms Day Out conference retreat

https://hopeonthehardroad.regfox.com/moms-day-out-conference-may-2026

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:

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

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.