It's Okay To Laugh
20 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 42 ratingsHi! We're Rich and Hilary, and we have a daughter with special needs named Jane.
Loving someone with disabilities can be a rocky journey! We want listeners with special needs loved ones to know they're not alone.
We also want to help listeners outside of the special needs lifestyle not feel too awkward about it. Because let's be honest, special needs can get SUPER weird.
So whether you're a caretaker or just want to learn more, remember - it's okay to laugh!
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Episodes
"I Feel Like Frodo In Lord Of The Rings"
January 01, 2023 16:30 - 21 minutes - 29.8 MBSURPRISE!! We're still alive! And we're here to talk about how J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" speak to us on a deep level as special needs parents. So if you're a special needs parent, a Tolkien lover, or just someone who might enjoy two nerds making the ridiculous comparison that one man's beloved WWI-inspired fantasy epic is even remotely like parenting a special needs child, THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU!! CONTACT US! IG: @hilaryharris_
"A Real Doozy" (Lifelong Caregiving Plan??)
August 23, 2021 18:33 - 14 minutes - 27.1 MBWe're back! And we're answering a doozy of a question... have we ever thought about how Jane will be cared for when we're ELDERLY and INFIRM?? ...OR DEAD?! Join us in this episode to find out! CONTACT US! IG: @hilaryharris_
"I Don't Want To Explain Sex To ANY Five-Year-Old" (Maintaining Consistent Intimacy)
June 02, 2021 04:59 - 29 minutes - 53.7 MBIn this episode, Rich and Hilary awkwardly attempt to answer a listener's question about maintaining intimacy as parents of small, needy and/or special needs-y children. Do we kiss in front of our kids? Do we schedule times to "be intimate"? Should intimacy feel like hard work? Listen to find out! Also BUY SOME ATTALUS COFFEE! attaluscoffee.com / IG: @attaluscoffee CONTACT US! IG: @hilaryharris_
Interview! with Lauren Lowery (Life Coach For Special Needs Families)
May 03, 2021 15:41 - 37 minutes - 67.9 MBIn this episode, we interview Lauren Lowery, a life coach for special needs families. This is a very insightful conversation both for parents of special needs children and for anyone who knows and loves someone with special needs. We hope you enjoy it! Lauren's website: lowerylifecoaching.com Lauren's IG: @laurenlowery Contact us! IG: @hilaryharris_
"The Hamster On The Wheel Inside Of My Brain" (Mental Health - Anxiety)
March 12, 2021 21:12 - 42 minutes - 76.9 MBAre you sick of talking/hearing about mental health yet? NO?? Then this episode is for YOU!! Hilary shares her experiences about dealing with anxiety, and Rich shares a little of his side of trying to support her. Hilary also shares some practical "do's" and "don't's" when it comes to dealing with anxiety. Also, more "Special Needs In Media", kicking off a review-in-progress of a new (to Rich) show! Simon Sinek video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL8AsaEJDdo Contact us: IG @hilary...
"You Kinda Just Sat Back And Watched Me Do All Of It" (Advocacy)
February 13, 2021 18:49 - 30 minutes - 55.9 MBIn this episode, we talk about advocacy! Hilary advocates for a special needs swing in our local park, and Rich advocates for himself when Hilary says he did nothing in the process! Love, laughter, and mutual respect abound. Plus! -"Special needs in the media"! -We talk about crying! ... a LOT! -Ignorance and injustice, and how YOU can help! But no pressure or anything! Contact us: IG - @hilaryharris_ Gmail - [email protected]
"It's Complicated" (Milestones)
January 17, 2021 22:15 - 33 minutes - 61.7 MBWelcome back to SEASON 2 of It's Okay To Laugh! In this episode, we talk about the complicated nature of defining and celebrating milestones in the life of a special needs loved one. A.k.a., Jane had a birthday and we decided impromptu - in the middle of recording - to use this episode for our own cathartic experience BECAUSE WE CAN. Contact us: IG - @hilaryharris_ GMAIL - [email protected]
"It's Not Depressing When You Just Own It" (Handling the Holidays)
December 07, 2020 19:44 - 32 minutes - 59.5 MBEver wondered what the HOLLY JOLLY HOLIDAYS hold for a special needs family? In this episode, we talk about our least-favorite Christmas songs and share tips we've learned about having a special needs family during the holiday season. We also have our first LISTENER "Special Needs Moment of the Week"! Contact us: IG: hilaryharris_ Gmail: [email protected] Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and have a wonderful New Year!
"A Beautiful, Radiant, Strong Koala" (An Interview with Hilary)
November 23, 2020 17:46 - 42 minutes - 77.9 MBLast episode Hilary interviewed Rich, and we had such a good time and got such a good response that we decided to turn the tables this time! In this episode, Rich interviews Hilary and they talk about the challenges of parenting a child who doesn't reciprocate affection, how to not let your child's diagnosis become your identity, and how to navigate when having children presses "pause" on the rest of your life! IG: hilaryharris_ Gmail: [email protected]
"Eff You, Lennox-Gastaut" (An Interview with Rich)
November 09, 2020 19:33 - 45 minutes - 82.9 MBThis episode has something for everyone: -People who have contracted a mild strain of COVID -People who have cussed out a mental disorder -All other people See? Literally EVERYONE. In honor of Rich's 30th birthday, Hilary interviews him about the ups & downs of being the dad to a little girl with epilepsy. They talk about the struggles of parenting a non-verbal child, the painful reality of seizures, and the little unexpected moments of joy and beauty found in all of it. IG: @hilar...
Interview! with Christina Pann, C.N. (Part 2)
October 29, 2020 02:38 - 30 minutes - 55.2 MBIn part 2 of our interview with Christina Pann, C.N., she tells us about the importance of activating our parasympathetic nervous system (say that 10 times fast), gives her input on some current health trends, and reminds us to offer ourselves compassion for all the trauma (a.k.a. CRAPOLA) our bodies and minds have been through! Also, podcast listeners get ONE HUNDRED dollars off Christina's "Science and Soul Method" program if you use the promo code we mention in the episode! christinap...
Interview! with Christina Pann, C.N. (Part 1)
October 19, 2020 22:06 - 41 minutes - 76.5 MBThis week, we recorded an episode that was so good, we turned it into TWO episodes! Continuing the topic of health and wellness, we decided to interview our first guest, functional nutritionist Christina Pann! Christina is a close friend of ours, and after receiving a cancer diagnosis (spoiler: she beat it!) she decided to become a freakin' PRO at health, and in this episode, she teaches us (and YOU!) some of her tricks! Also in this episode... we have MERCH now! Contact us: IG: @hil...
"I Made A Noodle Sandwich Once" (Health, Fitness, Nutrition)
October 05, 2020 17:52 - 34 minutes - 63.7 MB**THANK YOU to everyone who donated to help us keep putting out new content! We've got some fun new stuff coming your way soon!** Do you enjoy Taco Bell beefy crunch burritos, but also want to live a long and healthy life? Are you allergic to sweating and hard work? Have you ever made a noodle sandwich? In this episode, we share parts of our 11-year journey of fitness and nutrition. We also share some of our favorite healthy(ish) snacks! Contact us! IG: hilaryharris_
"Turns Out I've Got Baggage" (Things We Wish We Would Have Known)
September 28, 2020 23:35 - 38 minutes - 69.6 MBEver get yourself into a situation and think, "I wish someone would have warned me about this"? And by "situation", we mean "receiving an unexpected special needs diagnosis". And by "get yourself into", we mean, "blind-folded, pantsed, and sucker-punched by life". Metaphorically, of course. In this episode, we talk about the grief of special needs that no one talks about, the need for close friendships when carrying long-term trauma, and the benefits of counseling. Contact us: IG: hila...
"Ussdetick. Esstethick? AESTHETIC." (Special Needs, But Make It Cute)
September 21, 2020 23:44 - 32 minutes - 59.7 MBDid you know that most special needs equipment is clinically proven to be HECKA UGLY? And that's 100% unbiased fact, in our opinion. So in this episode, we figure out how to pronounce the word "aesthetic", and give tips on how to get creative with making a special needs space look & feel nice. "Clean space, clean mind." (Or something like that.) Plus! Special needs media reviews! Shia LaBeouf impressions! "Little Tea Pot" references! AND MORE! IG: hilaryharris_ Gmail: itsokaytolaughp...
"That Says A Lot About Jessica Simpson" (Special Needs Siblings)
September 09, 2020 04:24 - 46 minutes - 85 MBWhy the heck would parents with a special needs kid have MORE kids?! The decision to grow your family can be intimidating and complex. In this episode, we talk about our process (having 3 kids) and listen to some valuable stories of grown siblings of special needs adults. Contact us! IG: hilaryharris_ Gmail: [email protected]
"I like Being Taken To A Different World That's Not This One" (Coping)
September 01, 2020 19:48 - 37 minutes - 69 MBIn this episode, we give specific examples from our own lives of what can drive special needs families to cope on a regular basis. We also talk about how to take healthy steps in the coping process. Plus: -Guilty coping pleasures! -Caregiver fatigue! -"New Girl" parallels! -And more! Caregiver fatigue article: https://www.agingcare.com/articles/caregivers-veterans-share-emotional-enemy-154917.htm Contact us! IG: hilaryharris_ Gmail: [email protected]
"I Know What It's Like To Lose Your Mom; We Lost Our Dog" (How To Communicate With People Going Through Tragedy)
August 25, 2020 00:57 - 38 minutes - 70.7 MBWhen tragedy strikes someone, it's natural to want to comfort them. Most people mean well, but oh boy can they say some stupid things! In this episode: How to not be that person who says stupid things! The healthy way to sit in trauma and not run from it! The smart way to connect with someone about their special needs loved one! How to not compare a pet with a suffering / deceased loved one! Contact us! Gmail: [email protected] IG: hilaryharris_
"We're Gonna Make Out In This Car Wash" (Marriage, Romance, and Sex)
August 17, 2020 19:02 - 36 minutes - 67.5 MBHave you ever wondered how a couple with a special needs kid maintains the burning flame of sexual passion? Probably not! But in this episode, we're gonna talk about it anyway. We'll also talk about how our special needs daughter is NOT our first priority, and how we've worked through our different ways of processing life with her. Plus: A new segment! Your questions, answered! "BOING" sound effects! AND MORE! Contact us! Gmail: [email protected] IG: @hilaryharris_ Inti...
It's Okay To Laugh
August 14, 2020 15:47 - 20 minutes - 37.1 MBHi! We're Rich & Hilary, and we have a daughter with special needs named Jane. Loving someone with disabilities can be a rocky journey! We want listeners with special needs loved ones to know they're not alone. We also want to help listeners outside of the special needs lifestyle not feel too awkward about it. Because let's be honest, special needs can get SUPER weird. So whether you're a caretaker or just want to learn more, remember - it's okay to laugh!