Ep 33: Surrendering To What Is: A Mother's Path to Acceptance and Empowerment in Raising a Child with Autism

Join Meghan and Susan Baker in an intimate conversation that delves deep into the heart of motherhood, autism, and the journey towards acceptance. In this raw and vulnerable episode, Susan, author of the poignant book 'A Life Beyond Words,' shares her profound experience raising Andrew, her nonverbal autistic son. Susan opens up about her initial struggles, holistic approaches, and the transformative moment of surrender that changed everything. From challenging moments of despair to finding unexpected paths of communication, Susan's journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.  Through tears and laughter, they explore the complexities of autism, the power of acceptance, and the beauty of embracing one's unique journey. This episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the profound love that binds families together, transcending words and limitations.  More from Meghan Subscribe: http://fun.meghantelpner.com Shop all courses: http://fun.meghantelpner.com/shop Join her community: https://fun.meghantelpner.com/communitylearning In this conversation Meghan and Susan discuss: Releasing expectations of a 'perfect life' and being a 'perfect' mother. The true test of resilience in motherhood. Managing the heated climate of autism terminology and how to know the 'right' and 'wrong' words to use. Susan's initial observations of Andrew's atypical development and communication and the process of diagnosis. Vxns and autism -- yes, we dare to go there. Transitioning from the need to fix her child to embracing him for who he is. The discovery of a unique method of communication for Andrew and the introduction to a brain-body movement therapy and its impact on Andrew's regulation. Susan's realization of the importance of letting go of control while still embracing holistic principles. The strength that comes from actively surrendering to what is.

This is an audio recording of a written essay. Read the full essay and access all referenced links at http://meghantelpner.com/climate More from Meghan Subscribe: http://fun.meghantelpner.com Shop all courses: http://fun.meghantelpner.com/shop We’re being told ‘climate change’ is the crisis we need to pay attention to. If this is true, is it possible we’re being pointed in the wrong direction regarding both primary causes and solutions? And what if it’s not true, or not in the way we’re being led to believe? This distinction could make a world of difference. What follows is a nuanced view. This is not a black-or-white issue but one that is deeply complex and that requires more thought and action than news headlines and public figures are leading us to believe. This episode explores: What we really need to consider when it comes to whether our climate is in fact changing Some important questions to ask regarding how much impact day-to-day human activity is having The habits and culture that should be addressed as it relates to our care for the environment The potential impact of clearing forests, modifying weather, and tech-based solutions What true ecological care means How we can learn from those who walked these lands before us

Here is a written version: https://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/showing-up-this-is-your-time More information on my 4-Week Wake-Up and Rise + Shine Intuition Masterclass: https://www.meghantelpner.com/superpowers Access to a free Coherence Session here:  https://www.meghantelpner.com/magic -- It's time to show up - because you get to write and re-write the instructions for how you operate in your life. This episode of On My Mind is about tuning in and rising up, ditching any fear or reservations you have about pursuing what brings you into the full expression of who you are. If we all operated from this place for as many minutes or hours of the day as we could manage, we’d be living in a very different world - on both the individual scale and the big wide world scale of things. Get the full scoop - along with simple tips for how to do this - in today's episode.

Here is a written version and references https://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/the-time-in-between-how-to-be-present/ More information on my 4-Week Wake-Up and Rise + Shine Intuition Masterclass: https://www.meghantelpner.com/superpowers Access to a free Coherence Session here:  https://www.meghantelpner.com/magic -- As adults we’ve been conditioned to fill all the time we have. We fill it with perpetual busyness and when we don’t have something to do, we get twitchy. We scroll, we click, we formulate comments, we scroll and click some more until it’s time for us to do something else. Every moment that passes us by where we fail to be present is a potential wasted opportunity of just being; of enjoying that time in between where we experience absolute joy and happiness. In this episode of On My Mind, I share strategies to help you stop and be in the present moments.

Here is a written version and references https://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/why-are-we-afraid-to-create/ More information on my 4-Week Wake-Up and Rise + Shine Intuition Masterclass: https://www.meghantelpner.com/superpowers Access to a free Coherence Session here:  https://www.meghantelpner.com/magic -- We have ideas – ideas for the company we work for, ideas for our own business or an idea of a new business, hobbies, or initiatives we want to do. We’re sparked, we’re excited and then do nothing. We don’t ever take the first step. We’re afraid it’s silly, or will be a lot of work, or it won't be good, or won’t succeed and so… nothing. What if creation could be part of our everyday lives? What if every single day we set the goal to do one thing that taps into that inner creative force we all have to create something? In this episode of On My Mind, I share how to start the creative process - and what I'm doing to tap into my creativity these days.

Here is a written version and references https://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/how-to-be-more-human/ More information on my Rise + Shine Intuition Masterclass: https://www.meghantelpner.com/intuition  Access to a free Coherence Session here:  https://www.meghantelpner.com/magic Where has our humanness gone? Locked in our homes for two years, glued to our devices and our humanness has declined. What does it mean to be more human? What connects us? And most of all, how do we get it back? In this episode of On My Mind, I delve into the reasons why we are out of touch with our humanity, and the steps we can take to reconnect with ourselves and one another, as well as how we can practice compassion, empathy, gratitude, appreciation and care.

Here is a written version and references: https://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/pursuit-of-purpose-and-rising-together/ Access the free Coherence Session here: https://culinarynutrition.lpages.co/magic/   -- I'm back with a brand new episode of On My Mind! I've been doing some new work lately, focused on coherence, mindfulness and connection, and this episode is based on a recent blog post that I wanted to share on the podcast so you could hear it in my own words. I dive into finding your purpose, handling today's unique challenges, overcoming resistance, trusting your intuition and more. Plus, you can find out how you can join my free online sessions, called Wake Up Wednesdays, in the coming months.

Here is a written version and references: https://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/fomo-to-jomo/ Access the free Coherence Session here: https://culinarynutrition.lpages.co/magic/  We’ve all done this at one point: we’re out for dinner and constantly check our phones, we double-, triple- or quadruple-book our schedules to have social plans, or we stalk other people’s photos and posts on social media. This is the condition of FOMO, or “Fear Of Missing Out”. And there are both mental and physical implications to FOMO. In this episode of On My Mind, I share how to shift from feelings of FOMO to feelings of JOMO - the joy of missing out. This concept invites us to enjoy and celebrate our disconnection from technology and social media and experience a healthier, happier life. Learn five different ways I achieve JOMO. They're simple, but I acknowledge they're not always easy!

Here is a written version and references: https://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/episode-25-sweetness-of-a-simple-life-and-inspiring-climate-change-solutions-with-diana-beresford-kroeger/ Meghan's Life Changing New Program: https://www.meghantelpner.com/theprogram/ I am extremely excited to share this very special episode of On My Mind with you. I have been a super fan of Diana Beresford-Kroeger since I read her book The Sweetness of A Simple Life in 2015. It basically changed my life. I’ve long advocated for resiliency and self-sufficiency, but reading her book made it feel both achievable and aspiration. Diana is a botanist and medical biochemist who is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom – I can’t wait for you to hear all that she has to say! We get into a lot in this conversation – including the details of trees, deforestation, the state of our food supply, and what we can each to be part of the solution to the critical situation we are all in. It was such a beautiful experience speaking to her – I’m ready to move to the forest and be her neighbour!

Here is a written version and references: https://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/why-mom-guilt-is-total-nonsense/  Meghan's Life Changing New Program: https://www.meghantelpner.com/theprogram/ Motherhood is simultaneously the best and hardest all at once. I do believe that for those of us who are blessed with the privilege of raising a little one (or two, or more!) motherhood is the single most brain-changing, delightful, challenging, rewarding, exhausting, and terrifying of life experiences. And if that isn’t enough, somehow feelings of guilt end up in that pile of emotion. In the latest episode of On My Mind, I share how I have chosen to refuse the 'mom guilt' in my life.