Take the Next Step Podcast

Is your family experiencing disability?

Take the Next Step Podcast
is for you.

Is your family experiencing disability?

TAKE THE NEXT STEP PODCAST is for you!

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For families experiencing disability—a podcast with Amy Julia Becker in partnership with Hope Heals Camp

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Practical next steps to build
connection, belonging, and delight—
at home and in community

Culture often tells us that families with disability are a problem. At Take the Next Step, we see your family as a gift—to society and to your community. Your family matters. Your child matters. We need you here.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, longing for connection, or unsure what’s next—you’re not alone. Tune in every Wednesday for short, honest, hopeful conversations with parents, therapists, and disability advocates.

Cultivate a thriving future for the whole family.

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New Episodes

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Real talk. Real tools. Real hope.

practical steps to help your whole family thrive

a posed photo of Amy Julia and her husband Peter and their three teenagers smiling at the camera

Our Story

I’m Amy Julia Becker, a writer, speaker, podcaster, and mother to Penny, a 19-year old young woman with Down syndrome. When Penny was born and diagnosed with Down syndrome, we, like many parents facing unexpected news, experienced a complex web of grief, love, fear, joy, guilt, and hope. We faced an uncertain future. And we found that we couldn’t imagine a good life for our family.

But through the gift of friends, family, faith, supportive experts, and both mentors and peers in the disability community, we eventually learned how to reimagine disability and take steps towards a good future for Penny and for our family. We’ve come to understand disability as a natural aspect of the human condition that most of us will experience at some point in our lives. We’ve come to understand each human being as a vulnerable, limited, beautiful, significant member of our society.

We take steps forward together.

The Take the Next Step podcast is a free resource created to support you as you cultivate a thriving future for your whole family. Looking for insight on a particular topic or pain point? 
Maybe we can make an episode just for you! Record your audio message here. Or send a written message below.

Recent Episodes

Mike Erre poses for a portrait outside. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 25

How Disability Changed This Dad’s Idea of “Normal” with Mike Erre

Listen
Sheli Reynolds poses for a portrait outside. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 24

From Fear to Future: How Families Plan for a Good Life with Sheli Reynolds, PhD

Listen
Katherine Wolf poses for a portrait outside in a garden. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 23

How to Find Your People When You Feel Invisible with Katherine Wolf

Listen
Meghan Burke poses for a portrait inside a library. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 22

Disability + Siblings: What the Research Says with Meghan Burke, PhD

Listen
Dr. Curt Thompson poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 21

After Diagnosis: Grief Isn’t the End of the Story with Dr. Curt Thompson

Listen
Renee Dollenmayer poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 20

Disability + Family: What Is Good? What Is Hard? with Renee Dollenmayer

Listen
Pam Harmon poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 19

Disability and Simple Faith Practices for Exhausted Parents with Pam Harmon

Listen
Emily Longino poses for a portrait outside. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 18

Your Child’s Behavior Is Communication with Emily Longino

Listen
Rebecca Wall poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 17

Why “Special Needs Ministry” Isn’t Enough with Rebecca Wall

Listen
Juli Henderson poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 16

Parent + Caregiver: How to Do Both Without Burning Out with Juli Henderson

Listen
Matthew Mooney poses for a portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 15

Disability: Tragedy, Inspiration… or Something Else? with Matthew Mooney

Listen
Angela O'Brien poses for an indoor portrait. In the lower left is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 14

How Disability Parents Can Get Organized Without Burning Out with Angela O’Brien

Listen
Todd and Kristin Evans poses for an indoor portrait. In the lower left corner is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 13

Thriving in Marriage as Disability Parents with Todd and Kristin Evans

Listen
Adrian Wood poses for an indoor portrait. In the lower left corner is the cover of the “Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker” podcast with Penny, who has Down syndrome, walking with Amy Julia on a dirt path.
  • Episode 12

When Special Education Works with Adrian Wood

Listen
Amy Julia sits on a porch resting her arms on her knees
  • Bonus

A Lifeline for Disability Parents: Your Feedback, Our Future

Listen
Niro Feliciano poses for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.
  • Episode 11

From Chaos to Calm-ish: Holiday Survival for Disability Parents with Niro Feliciano, LCSW

Listen
Sho Baraka poses for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.
  • Episode 10

From Frustration to Connection: The Power of Proximity in Disability Parenting with Sho Baraka

Listen
Carrie Hahn poses for a portrait. Bold text in yellow text boxes near the middle of the photo says Take the Next Step.
  • Episode 9

How to Handle Awkward Questions About Disability with Carrie Hahn

Listen