Evolving Together with Christine L’Abbé: Beyond the diagnosis: into a new realm of possibilities

In this deeply moving episode of Evolving Together, Christine sits down with Lillian, a mother whose life took an unexpected turn when her son Mirai was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy.   Lillian shares the raw and emotional journey of navigating hospital visits, facing life-threatening moments, and the profound transformation of her motherhood experience. From initially striving to “get her son back” to discovering the true essence of joy and acceptance in her relationship with him, Lillian’s story speaks to the power of resilience, love, and self-care.   Tune in as she reflects on the importance of creating memories, letting go of expectations, and the continual evolution as both a mother and a woman. This episode is a testament to finding light and hope amidst life's hardest challenges, offering inspiration to all parents navigating the complexities of caring for a child with complex health needs.

In this powerful episode of Evolving Together, I sit down with Susan Baker, author of A Life Beyond Words, to explore her journey as a mother raising a non-speaking autistic child while navigating the deep grief of losing her second son, James. Together, we dive into themes of surrender, healing, and transformation, uncovering the profound wisdom shared by Susan’s son, Andrew, who communicates his beautiful gifts and insights through a letterboard.   We discuss how Andrew’s view of the world—one rooted in love, connection, and presence—offers us all a deeper understanding of true purpose and the meaning of life. This episode will inspire you to reconsider what really matters and show you the power of embracing life’s challenges with an open heart. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or simply curious about connecting beyond words, you won’t want to miss this heartfelt conversation.   Tune in for a transformative dialogue about love, resilience, and the remarkable lessons we can learn from our children.

In this heartfelt episode of Evolving Together, Christine L'Abbé sits down with Andrew Newman, the brilliant mind behind Conscious Stories, a collection of 24 children's books designed to foster deeper connections between parents and children. Together, they explore the power of storytelling in helping children, especially those who are neurodiverse or facing complex health challenges, find a sense of belonging and understand their emotions. Andrew shares the inspiration behind his beautifully crafted stories, such as The Hug Who Got Stuck and The Girl with Waterfall Eyes, and how these tales can serve as tools for emotional regulation and healing.   Christine also reflects on how these books have played a pivotal role in her journey with her own daughter, Gabi, emphasizing the importance of creating safe and loving environments for our children to thrive. The episode concludes with a special live reading of The Unicorn Who Found Her Magic, offering listeners a magical moment of connection and wisdom.   Tune in to discover how these enchanting stories can transform bedtime into a space of healing, growth, and unconditional love.

In this episode, Christine and Cindy dive into the concept of the inner sanctuary and its profound role in parenting.   Together, they explore what it means to create a nourishing inner space, one that fosters trust, safety, and empowerment.   Christine shares a personal story of holding space for her daughter during a near-death experience, demonstrating how cultivating an inner sanctuary can help parents stay grounded amidst chaos.   Cindy discusses how embodying this sanctuary allows us to face challenges with resilience and peace.   Join the conversation as they share practical tips on how parents can begin this transformative journey, nourishing themselves from within to show up fully for their children.

In this episode of Evolving Together, Christine L’Abbé welcomes Sylvia Shordike, a seasoned expert in child development who has dedicated nearly 30 years to refining her distinctive approach, particularly for children with special needs. Drawing from the pioneering work of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, Sylvia emphasizes the importance of embodying a relational presence and harnessing intentional movement to unlock each child’s unique learning potential.   During their conversation, Christine and Sylvia explore the natural learning process of children and how their development begins from the moment they are born. Sylvia explains how children learn through movement and sensory experiences, highlighting the crucial role of the environment and the importance of giving children the time and space to explore and develop at their own pace.   Sylvia also shares her expertise on supporting children who face developmental challenges, offering strategies for creating experiences that foster neural development without forcing progress. She discusses the power of small, intentional movements and how a caregiver’s embodied awareness can significantly influence a child’s growth.   This episode provides valuable insights for parents, caregivers, and professionals on fostering a nurturing environment that encourages confidence, self-worth, and a strong sense of identity. Join us for an inspiring conversation that redefines growth and learning, embracing the unique path of every child.

In this heart-opening episode of Evolving Together with Christine L’Abbé, we sit down with Tosha Schore, a renowned parent coach, author, and advocate for boys. Tosha is on a mission to create a more peaceful world, one sweet boy at a time, by helping parents raise emotionally intelligent and connected sons. As the author of Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges, Tosha offers practical, compassionate guidance to parents navigating the complexities of raising boys in today's world.   We dive deep into her personal journey, from advocating for women's empowerment to becoming a champion for boys, and explore the transformative power of creating a loving environment that separates a child's essence from their behavior, particularly in dealing with aggression. Tosha shares powerful strategies from her book and her work, helping parents stay calm, foster connection, and support their children through big feelings, all while navigating their own healing journey. This episode is a must-listen for any parent striving to build a more compassionate, understanding, and emotionally resilient home.

Join us on a transformative journey in our latest episode featuring Anat Baniel, founder of the Anat Baniel Method® NeuroMovement® and acclaimed author of "Kids Beyond Limits" and "Move Into Life." In this enlightening exchange, we discuss the profound changes experienced through this unique movement modality, which integrates the body, mind, and psyche.   Anat Baniel's groundbreaking work focuses on slow, subtle movements with attention, awakening the brain to new possibilities and leading to greater awareness and understanding of the self. Her holistic approach emphasizes creating the right conditions and environment for individuals to learn, heal, and transform, aligning with natural brain development and accessing brain plasticity to achieve remarkable results.   In this episode, Anat explains the foundational principles of her training, highlighting the importance of differentiation, intentionality, and creating conditions for growth. She shares how her method helps individuals come home to themselves, opening pathways to deeper healing and transformation. By expanding our ways of feeling, sensing, and moving, we can transform our perceptions and view of the world.   Tune in to explore the transformative potential of the Anat Baniel Method® NeuroMovement® and gain inspiration for creating a more connected and joyful life. Whether you're a parent, professional, or simply curious, this episode offers valuable insights into holistic approaches to supporting neurodiverse individuals.   Want to explore more? Make sure to check out these links:   ABM®NeuroMovement® Practitioner Training: https://www.devinim.ist/abmnm-trainingABM®NeuroMovement® Upcoming Workshops: https://www.devinim.ist/category/all-products One month Free of NeuroMovement for Your Busy Life - https://www.anatbanielmethod.com/1monthfree/eBook – How to Use the Nine Essentials of ABM®NeuroMovement® with Children -

Have you ever felt like your life circumstances made it impossible for you to find joy again? Do you often reflect on what you don't have or mourn what could have been for your diagnosed child? In this heartfelt episode, we delve into the inspiring story of Melanie, a stay-at-home mom of two, whose youngest is non-ambulatory and non-verbal due to an undiagnosed condition. During the early years of her youngest daughter's life, Melanie struggled with intense anxiety and stress, manifesting in physical symptoms like skin rashes, food intolerances, and vision challenges. Her fear of the world deeply affected her and her youngest child, who cried incessantly, mirroring Melanie's inner turmoil. Join us as we explore her incredible journey from fear to joy, from a need to fix her child to embracing unconditional love, and from a mindset of lack to one of gratitude. Discover how this courageous mother transformed the health and energy of her home, leading to a life filled with happiness, authenticity, and celebration of life’s offerings, irrespective of conditions or environments. Witness the profound power of the parent-child connection, and how a parent's healing journey can empower a child to flourish in happiness and health, just as they were meant to. Be inspired by this remarkable path of healing and joy.

Are you struggling to create a supportive and enriching environment for your neurodiverse child? Do you feel overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly 'fix' perceived issues rather than celebrate your child’s unique strengths?   In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of slowing down and co-creating with your child to foster an optimal learning environment. By shifting our focus from rigid outcomes to being present and attuned to our children's needs, we can nurture their self-discovery, empowerment, and joy.

Have you ever pondered how different your experience in the early stages of parenting your child would have been if messages about them included hope and possibility? Do you ever wonder if receiving additional emotional support and understanding during those initial stages could have alleviated some of the suffering you encountered?   Entering parenthood is a transformative milestone, a journey towards evolving into a more authentic version of ourselves. But becoming a parent to a child with a neurodiversity or complex medical needs takes this journey to unparalleled depths, challenging us to confront our deepest fears and insecurities.   In this episode, we explore the early stages of parenting a child with special needs, navigating through fear, uncertainty, and the overwhelming narratives of limitation to discover a path of hope, growth, and empowerment.