
STORY: Autism Out Loud with Carrie Cariello, Kate Swenson and Adrian Wood
05/14/25 • 50 min
Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #218. These are true stories from a moment in the life of a caregiving parent. We hear a crafted story, and then have a conversation with our guests that goes deeper into their experience.
This episode is VERY special because we have on the podcast today, not one, not two, but ALL THREE authors of the instant New York Times Bestseller, Autism Out Loud: Life with a Child on the Spectrum, from Diagnosis to Young Adulthood―Moving Stories and Parenting Lessons Learned from Three Mothers of Children with Autism. Carrie Cariello, Kate Swenson and Adrian Wood join me and my other two co-costs Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw, and let me tell you, it’s a party!
In this engaging conversation, a group of mothers share their experiences and insights on parenting children with autism, focusing on the challenges and joys of navigating their children's journeys into adulthood. They discuss the importance of community, the collaborative effort behind their book, and the emotional complexities of letting go as their children grow. The conversation highlights the need for resources and support for parents, especially those facing the transition to adulthood, and emphasizes the beauty and joy that can be found in the journey of raising children with autism. The discussion also touches on the societal perceptions of autism and the need for honest dialogue about the realities of living with autism.
Order your copy of Autism Out Loud here.
Find more about Carrie Cariello here.
Find more about Adrian Wood here.
Find more about Kate Swenson here.
This episode was generously sponsored by Pediatric Minds.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.
Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on
Brave Together Parenting is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.
Donate to keep this podcast going here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?
Follow us on Instagram or on Facebook.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's story episode, #218. These are true stories from a moment in the life of a caregiving parent. We hear a crafted story, and then have a conversation with our guests that goes deeper into their experience.
This episode is VERY special because we have on the podcast today, not one, not two, but ALL THREE authors of the instant New York Times Bestseller, Autism Out Loud: Life with a Child on the Spectrum, from Diagnosis to Young Adulthood―Moving Stories and Parenting Lessons Learned from Three Mothers of Children with Autism. Carrie Cariello, Kate Swenson and Adrian Wood join me and my other two co-costs Susanna Peace Lovell and Dr. Zoe Shaw, and let me tell you, it’s a party!
In this engaging conversation, a group of mothers share their experiences and insights on parenting children with autism, focusing on the challenges and joys of navigating their children's journeys into adulthood. They discuss the importance of community, the collaborative effort behind their book, and the emotional complexities of letting go as their children grow. The conversation highlights the need for resources and support for parents, especially those facing the transition to adulthood, and emphasizes the beauty and joy that can be found in the journey of raising children with autism. The discussion also touches on the societal perceptions of autism and the need for honest dialogue about the realities of living with autism.
Order your copy of Autism Out Loud here.
Find more about Carrie Cariello here.
Find more about Adrian Wood here.
Find more about Kate Swenson here.
This episode was generously sponsored by Pediatric Minds.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.
Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on
Brave Together Parenting is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.
Donate to keep this podcast going here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?
Follow us on Instagram or on Facebook.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
Previous Episode

EXPERT: A PBS Documentary Called Caregiving with Tom Chiodo
Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #217. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents.
Today, Brave Together founder, Jessica Patay and author Kelley Coleman interview Tom Chiodo. Tom Chiodo is the Executive Producer Special Projects, National Productions at WETA, flagship PBS station in Washington D.C., developing primetime documentary films and original digital content, accompanied by national impact and engagement campaigns, for 330+ PBS stations.
Tom joins us to discuss the upcoming PBS documentary on caregiving, called Caregiving , highlighting the joys and challenges faced by caregivers. He shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of community support and resources for caregivers. The discussion also touches on mental health, self-care, and the need to change the narrative around caregiving to foster understanding and support. Tom advocates for breaking routines to find joy and suggests innovative resources to assist caregivers in their journey.
Caregiving , the documentary created with executive producer Bradley Cooper highlighting the challenges and triumphs of caregiving in America, will premiere Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings), and on the PBS YouTube Channel. Caregiving will be available to stream on PBS.org and the PBS App beginning Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
Check out the Caregiving trailer at wellbeings.org here.
Check out Kelley Coleman’s book, Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child here.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.
Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.
Brave Together Parenting is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.
Donate to keep this podcast going here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?
Follow us on Instagram or on Facebook.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
Next Episode

EXPERT: How to Prepare for Police Involvement with Tammie Penta PD
Hello Brave Friends! Welcome to today's expert episode, #219. These are conversations with experts in fields relevant to caregiving parents.
On this episode we have Tammie Penta PD, a retired Police Sergeant and Brave Mom to an adult son with Prader-Willi syndrome who trains police departments all over the country to interact safely with adults living with PWS and other intellectual disabilities.
In this conversation, Jessica Patay and Tammie Penta PD, discuss the importance of preparing families with developmental disabilities for interactions with law enforcement. Tammie shares her personal experiences and insights on how to effectively communicate with law enforcement, engage with neighbors, and prepare for a potential crisis. The discussion emphasizes the need for proactive measures, such as creating a blue form for quick reference during emergencies, and fostering relationships with local law enforcement to ensure better outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Retired Sergeant Tammie Penta worked for the Tucson Police Department where she was a police officer for over 27 years, with the last 20 as a sergeant. Tammie was a detective sergeant for the Elder Abuse Task Force, which included investigations of vulnerable adults, the Child Abuse/Homicide Unit, Special Investigations and Aggravated Assault Unit. Additionally she was the training supervisor responsible for new officers coming into law enforcement and completed her career as the administrative supervisor for the largest division in the city.
Find more information about Tammie Penta PD here.
Download Blue Forms here and here.
This episode was generously sponsored by Pediatric Minds.
Find our first book from We Are Brave Together here.
Find full episodes from Season 7 and clips from Season 8 on Youtube here.
Brave Together Parenting is the podcast for We are Brave Together, a not-for-profit organization based in the USA. The heart of We Are Brave Together is to strengthen, encourage, inspire and validate all moms of children with disabilities and other needs in their unique journeys.
JOIN the international community of We Are Brave Together here.
Donate to our Retreats and Respite Scholarships here.
Donate to keep this podcast going here. Can’t get enough of the Brave Together Podcast?
Follow us on Instagram or on Facebook.
Feel free to contact Jessica Patay via email: [email protected]
If you have any topic requests or if you would like to share a story, leave us a message here.
Please leave a review and rating today! We thank you in advance!
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