My First Podcast Opportunity

I captured this photo at our nearby park - December 2025

I’m excited to share that I’ve been invited to be a guest on the Let's Plant Houses podcast with Wendy Ernzen. This will be my first time speaking on a podcast about our Walking Through Autism journey, and it means a lot to me that this opportunity came from simply sharing pieces of our life.

As many of you know, my daughter Linda has profound autism with high support needs, and caring for her has shaped every part of my life. Over time, that journey has also opened my eyes in ways I never expected. It has changed how I see others, deepened my empathy, and brought a level of awareness that can only come through lived experience. One of the things I feel strongly about is the importance of honest awareness. There are aspects of profound autism and lifelong caregiving that are not often seen or talked about, and without that visibility, it’s hard for others to truly understand.

Alongside that, my heart has grown deeply toward caregivers. This life is not just about supporting our loved ones, it’s also about sustaining ourselves so we can continue to show up every day. This balance is crucial. As I’ve shared our story through writing, video design, and production, I’ve found it has become a form of self-care for me through these creative expressions.

This opportunity came about in part through my connection with Jess Wellington, an NIH/NINR Predoctoral Fellow and PhD candidate, who conducted a mixed-method research study focused on parents raising adult children with profound autism. I had the opportunity to take part in that study, and it was incredible to see her work receive 1st Place in the Doctoral Paper category for her presentation on caregiver burden and quality of life. Through that connection, I began sharing our journey on LinkedIn, which is how Wendy Ernzen from Let’s Plant Houses came across my videos and reached out. It’s been amazing to see how these connections unfold, and how simply sharing our story can open unexpected doors. If all goes well, I’ll be joining the Let’s Plant Houses podcast in June, and I’m looking forward to the conversation and what may come from it. I'm grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who has followed our journey.