Uniquely Qualified

Brittany is UQ | Being the Child of an Incarcerated Person

Brittany's life has never been "normal." Born to teenage parents, a father who struggled with a drug addiction and who was then sentenced to 25 years in prison when she was 10, her life experience has shaped her into the empathetic, driven, solution-oriented woman she is today.This episode centers on Brittany's experience as the child of an incarcerated person, what it was like for her, how it has impacted her, and how it informs how she shows up for her life now. We are honored to amplify her beautiful voice and shine a light on the experience of 1 in 28 children nationwide: the experience of having a person serving time in prison.

Brooke is UQ: Life with Crohn's Disease

Before Brooke was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, she had never experienced intensive medical intervention. But when her chronic discomfort turned to pain, things quickly changed. Brooke's story highlights the mental and physical toll of living with a chronic condition, her journey to becoming her own best advocate, and the impact corporate food manufacturers have on the physical lives of Americans. As always, we hope that you'll leave feeling more aware, connected, and supported the human experience. You can follow Brooke's story on @crohnsmyway and the podcast @uniquelyqualifiedpod on Instagram. Links: Mayo Clinic on Crohn's Disease: Crohn's disease - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353304]Hopkins Medicine on Crohn's Disease: Crohn's Disease | Johns Hopkins Medicine [https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/crohns-disease]

Cleo is UQ: Moving With Grief and Grace

This week, Liz sits down with Cleo Childs to discuss hergrief journey in losing her mom to early onset Alzheimer’s when Cleo was just 28 years old. Cleo began caretaking for her mother while she was still in undergraduatestudies and was faced with the unexpected enormity of caring for one of her most precious relationships while her mother’s disease rapidly altered her. Cleo’s grief experiences center primarily on losing hermother, however Liz and Cleo discuss grief if in its many forms, dating experiences while in grief, corporations profiteering off grief, and above all, the deeply human connection that we all may experience when we are vulnerable and real with ourselves and others about the reality of our suffering. In her spoken word poetry album “Moving With” Cleo shows the path her grief took from having her mother, losing her mother, and the peace and acceptance she feels now. Her book “Moving With” will be released later this year. Learn more about Cleo and her the projects at cleochilds.com [http://cleochilds.com/]

Amanda is UQ: Remarks on Addiction Recovery Pt 3/3

In this, the final installation in Amanda's episode arc, Liz and Amanda celebrate the fact that both of Amanda's daughters are now in long term recovery, living lives that bring them fulfillment and purpose. Throughout this episode, Amanda and Liz relate to one another as fellows in recovery, sharing personal anecdotes from their life experiences. This three-part series is dedicated to all families suffering from the disease of addiction, especially those who have or have had children struggling with substance abuse. We see you, we support you, and we recognize the many ways a heart can break as a part of this vicious cycle. Show notes: * Amanda mentions an educational film that was shown to her when her middle daughter was admitted into rehab and suggests it to listeners as an accessible way to learn about the brain science of addiction. The title of the film: Pleasure Unwoven

Amanda is UQ: Parenting with Acceptance, Courage, & Wisdom, Pt 2/3

In the second part of Amanda’s story, Liz and Amanda discussthe experience of mothering two teen children during their struggles with addiction. Amanda recounts and celebrates her oldest daughter’s entrance into long term sobriety (almost three years sober!) and transition to adulthood. The remainder of the episode centers on her middle daughter’s tribulations with drug use. Chock full of tools and resources for folks in and out of recovery, Liz and Amanda share openly about the importance of therapy, support in addiction recovery, and loving people when they are in the depths of their suffering. This series is dedicated to all families impacted by theopioid drug epidemic sweeping the United States. Amanda and Liz see you, hear you, and are here to support you through this podcast and beyond. We encourage all listeners to challenge society’s stigmata around adolescent drug addiction as you listen. #WeDoRecover