How to Embrace Rest as Mothers of Autistic Children (feat. Renee Firth)

In this episode of Rough Edges, I am joined by Renee Firth, a mental health advocate and founder of ASD Mum Club, an online community dedicated to supporting mothers raising autistic children. Renee shares her personal mental health journey including experiencing PTSD, anxiety, and depression after a traumatic car accident and how she rebuilt her life by developing practical tools to manage and protect her mental well-being.We get to discuss the importance of stepping back and reassessing life during overwhelming seasons and why prioritizing mental health is a strategic decision rather than a sign of weakness. Renee opens up about her experience as a mother to an autistic child, the mental and emotional toll caregiving can take, and how easily mothers can neglect themselves while trying to meet their child’s needs.The conversation also explores the heart behind ASD Mum Club on why Renee created a calm, supportive space specifically for mothers, and how it helps them move from burnout and overwhelm to feeling more in control of their mental health.Renee also addresses common misconceptions about parenting autistic children, emphasizing that mothers deeply love their children and are not wishing for a different life, but rather need support to navigate the challenges.In this episode, we cover:● Renee’s mental health journey and recovery after PTSD● The realities of parenting an autistic child● How caregiving impacts a mother’s mental health● The inspiration and mission behind ASD Mum Club● Common misconceptions about autism and parenting autistic childrenResources and links mentioned in this episode:● Connect with Renee Firth on INSTAGRAM!● Find out more about the ASD Mum Club HERE on their website● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]

Hello everyone! Welcome to another episode of Rough Edges. In this episode, I sit down with stress-management expert and author Lolita Guarin to explore what it truly means to live a life rooted in peace, presence, and self-alignment. Lolita shares how traveling across the world shaped her understanding of happiness, and why so many people who “have everything” still feel overwhelmed and unfulfilled. We talk about the emotional and physical impact of long-term stress, the importance of reclaiming rest, and learning to be instead of constantly doing. Lolita also breaks down her C.A.L.M. method, a practical approach to managing stress and creating sustainable well-being in everyday life.In this episode we talk about:● Lolita Guarin and her work as a stress management expert and author● Why people with “everything” can still be stressed and unhappy● The way constant stress affects health over time● Tips for managing stress like taking small breaks during the day (Pomodoro-style but flexible)● Generational conditioning especially for women being taught to constantly give, care, produce, and never restResources and links mentioned in this episode:● Connect with Lolita on ⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠!●Learn more about Lolita’s CALM process ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠! ● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]

Welcome back to part 2 of our episode topic. In this episode I continue my conversation with Jesse Mercury, host of the Major Pain Podcast on chronic illness, mental health, and the stigma surrounding men's emotional expression. Jesse shares his experience navigating an undiagnosed chronic illness throughout his thirties, the emotional and physical challenges that came with it, and the eventual gratitude he developed in learning to manage his condition. He speaks openly about anger, fear, depression, and the importance of developing coping tools and support systems. The conversation shifts toward men’s mental health and the societal pressure placed on men to remain stoic and suppress emotional needs. Jesse reflects on how harmful messaging including being told to “tough it out” or being dismissed by doctors impacts the journey of seeking help. He emphasizes the importance of therapy, self-advocacy, and redefining strength as vulnerability and honesty.In this episode we talk about:● Living with chronic illness: losing years (the “lost 30s”) and learning to play catch-up● Stigma around men expressing emotions and the damage of “tough it out” messaging● Importance of therapy (finding a therapist who understands chronic illness; CBT tools)● Gratitude that emerged from surviving/learning to manage illnessResources and links mentioned in this episode:● Connect with Jesse Mercury on ⁠INSTAGRAM⁠!● Find out more about Jesse’s Creative website ⁠HERE⁠! ● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]

Hi everyone! In this episode of Rough Edges, I sit down with my uncle, Dr. Stephen Fox, to talk about his journey of faith, military service, education, and mental health. Dr. Fox shares how he first came to faith as a child, how his walk with God shifted during his military service, and how prayer and spiritual community kept him grounded over the years. He also opens up about traumatic experiences he encountered during his time in the Army including the aftermath of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and surviving a serious car accident that resulted in post-traumatic stress. Dr. Fox discusses how counseling, grounding strategies, and leaning into his faith helped him process trauma and continue serving others, particularly children, through his work in early childhood education and instructional leadership. This conversation highlights the importance of support systems, faith, mental health resources, and representation in education and sheds light on the often-overlooked emotional realities faced by veterans. In this episode we talk about:● Why Dr. Stephen Fox chose to pursue elementary education especially as a male educator● Understanding the mental health challenges and suicide risks among veterans● How Dr. Fox approached earning his doctoral degree and contributing to curriculum development● The importance of faith, therapy, and emotional support in healingMental Health Topics Mentioned:● Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)● Trauma processing and triggers● Veterans’ mental health challenges● The role of counseling and coping strategiesResources and links mentioned in this episode: ● Check out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]

Today is the fourth anniversary of the podcast, and I'm so excited because this not only marks a very grand milestone of four years of podcasting, but it also shows that Rough Edges is valuable and that my voice does matter in the long run. So for this episode, I'm going to do four different chapters of the podcast. I'm going to talk about how Rough Edges started, and I'm also going to talk about how I found my voice, and I'm also going to go over the why of Rough Edges.I also share how my journey with bipolar 1 disorder and my walk with faith led me to create a space where mental health can be spoken about honestly, especially within communities of color and faith-based circles. This episode explores the evolution of Rough Edges from an idea meant for a written blog to a podcast that has reached listeners around the world, supported healing conversations, and encouraged others to embrace their stories.Finally, I share what’s ahead and how I plan to expand and strengthen my voice in future seasons. This episode honors growth, healing, and the courage to speak openly about mental health within faith-based spaces.In this episode I cover:● Why Rough Edges was created● How my bipolar 1 diagnosis shaped my calling to share my story● How I transitioned from a blog idea to full podcast● How community support helped me find confidence in my voice● Plans for the next chapter, including collaboration and new platformsResources and links mentioned in this episode: ● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]

Hi everyone! In today’s episode of Rough Edges, I sit down with Jesse Mercury, who is the host of the Major Pain podcast. He shares his personal journey with mental health, self-discovery, and hope. Jesse opens up about his experience living with chronic illness, his path toward healing, and how creativity has been a grounding force through it all.We talk about what it means to embrace your diagnosis without letting it define you, the importance of community and compassion, and how faith and music can coexist beautifully in the midst of struggle. This conversation is honest, heartfelt, and full of moments that remind us that healing is never linear but always possible.What I Hope You Take Away:Healing doesn’t mean having it all figured out it means learning to live fully and freely, even in the uncertainty.In this episode we talk about:● Jesse’s journey with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and small fiber neuropathy and how it has shaped his understanding of himself● The power of creativity as a tool for expression and emotional grounding● How faith and self-compassion play a role in recovery and acceptance● What it means to find purpose and beauty even in the midst of mental health challengesResources and links mentioned in this episode:● Connect with Jesse Mercury on INSTAGRAM!● Find out more about Jesse’s Creative website HERE! ● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]

Happy Tuesday everyone, it’s Sarah here! In this midseason update of Rough Edges, I wanted to take a moment to open up about where I’ve been, what’s been happening, and what recovery has looked like for me lately. Over the past few months, I experienced another mental health episode after going off my medication, and while it’s been a difficult journey, it’s also reminded me that recovery is not a setback, it's part of healing.In this episode I share honestly about my own recovery process and the lessons I’ve learned along the way, from learning to get back up after a fall, to building a strong support system and giving myself permission to rest. My hope is that by sharing my story, you’ll be reminded that recovery is normal, that it’s okay to take your time, and that God’s grace is present even in the process.What I Hope You Take Away:Recovery doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re brave enough to keep going. Whether you’re in a season of rest, rebuilding, or rediscovery, know that you’re not alone and it’s okay to take the time you need. In this episode I talk about:● Healing isn’t a straight line. There are seasons when life feels heavy or uncertain, but recovery reminds us that getting back up is always possible.● Falling doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. What matters is the courage to rise again, even when it’s hard. As the Bible says, “A righteous man falls seven times and rises again.” (Proverbs 24:16)● Healing is not meant to be done alone. I talk about how having my care team, family, and friends made all the difference and why therapy and culturally competent support are so important.● Resting, slowing down, and taking breaks can feel uncomfortable in a world that praises busyness. But choosing recovery is an act of resistance it’s choosing yourself and your peace over pressure.Resources and links mentioned in this episode:● Listen to the very first episode HERE if you want to know about mania and everything that entails bipolar● Also listen to PHENOMENAL HEALING on what it means to be Black, Christian and bipolarCheck out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]

We're back! In this episode of Rough Edges, Sarah continues her conversation with Mzwa in part two of their interview on men finding hope and healing. Mzwa opens up about his personal journey with mental health, faith, and cultural expectations of manhood. He introduces his "Triple M" method -Mind, Money, and Matter as a framework to understand how mental health, finances, and the body are all interconnected.Through candid reflections, Mzwa discusses the importance of vulnerability, breaking stigmas such as “men don’t cry,” and learning to care for oneself without shame. He highlights how cultural expectations, faith experiences, and personal struggles with bipolar disorder and depression have shaped his outlook.The episode encourages men to embrace authenticity, break cycles of silence, and prioritize both their healing and their well-being.In this episode we cover:● Mzwa Manciya’s "Triple M” method, Mind (mental health & mindset), Money (finances), and Matter (body/physical health) and how they are all connected.● How Mzwa’s church community though not always fully informed, supported him during episodes of mania and psychosis.● The belief that “men don’t cry” and the tendency to sacrifice self for others, often leaving men empty and unsupportedResources and links mentioned in this episode:● Connect with Mzwa Manciya on ⁠INSTAGRAM⁠!● Find out more about Mzwa’s blog HERE! Also check out his bipolar Black Bear community ⁠HERE⁠!● If you missed last week’s episode, listen to it ⁠HERE⁠!Check out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]

In this heartfelt and vulnerable conversation, I sit down with Mzwa, a teacher, mentor, and mental health advocate from Cape Town to explore his journey navigating life with multiple mental health diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and bipolar type 1.Mzwa opens up about the silent struggle of living undiagnosed for years, the weight of cultural and religious expectations, and how faith and community played both complicating and redemptive roles in his healing journey.We discuss what it means to hold space for others while battling your own pain, the misconceptions around mental illness in Black and Christian communities, and the power of brotherhood, vulnerability, and grace.This episode is a raw exploration of what it means to unlearn survival and embrace rest, honesty, and spiritual wholeness as a Black man in South Africa.In this episode we cover:● Encouragement for Black men who feel isolated in their struggles● Mzwa Manciya’s experience in living with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and bipolar type 1● Mental health stigma in Black South African communities● The importance of safe spaces and spiritual brotherhoodResources and links mentioned in this episode:● Connect with Mzwa Manciya on INSTAGRAM!● Find out more about Mzwa’s bipolar Black Bear community HERE!● If you missed last week’s episode, listen to it HERE!Check out our faith based women of color ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here where you can get a variety of products from T shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, journals and many more● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Martine Laventure, an experienced social worker, mother, and passionate autism advocate to discuss parenting, mental health and the power of community. Dr. Laventure opens up about her personal and professional journey, sharing how raising her autistic son has shaped her advocacy and purpose.Together we unpack what it really means to parent beyond labels, to sit with the discomfort of unknowns and to show up for your child when the world doesn’t always understand them. Dr. Laventure shares her family’s autism journey, starting from her son’s diagnosis to the powerful ways she’s learned to advocate, love, and let go of societal expectations.Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just someone trying to understand autism better, this episode will move you. It’s about shifting perspectives, building support systems, and trusting your instincts as a mother especially when the world tries to tell you otherwise. Don't miss this uplifting episode that promises to uplift and inspire. In this episode, we cover:● The emotional reality of receiving an autism diagnosis as a parent● The experience of being dismissed or misunderstood by systems due to race and cultural norms● How to advocate in schools and healthcare settings even when it feels intimidating● What led Dr. Laventure to create “Parenting Beyond Labels,” a space for moms to find comfort and community● Faith, surrender, and trusting God’s purpose even in the messiness of parentingResources and links mentioned in this episode:● To connect with Dr.Martine and find out more about her Parenting Beyond Labels community, find her on Instagram!● Find Dr. Martine’s Laventure Consulting Services website HERE● Leave a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here by if anything in today’s episode resonated with you!● Connect with us on Instagram! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on YouTube! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Connect with us on Facebook! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rough.edges.podcast)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠● Follow us on TikTok! (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@roughedgeswithsarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)● Want to be a guest on our show? Send us an email at [email protected]