Behind the Capes Podcast

Traditions, Tweaked: Holiday Prep in Medical Motherhood

The holidays don’t look the same when you’re a medical mom — and that’s okay. In this episode, we talk about what it really means to prepare for Christmas and the holidays while juggling the needs of our kids, the safe foods they can eat, shifting expectations, and the emotional weight that comes with caring for a medically complex child.
We share how traditions are adjusted, expectations are lowered (sometimes lovingly, sometimes painfully), and how flexibility becomes the most important holiday skill. From planning around health needs and energy limits to finding meaningful moments that don’t require perfection, this conversation is about honoring what is instead of mourning what was.
And in the midst of caring for everyone else, we remind ourselves — and you — to look for your own sparkle too. To notice the small joys, protect moments of light, and remember that your joy matters just as much during this season.

A Holiday Pause: Checking In with Eachother and Ourselves

The holidays are approaching, and before the rush fully takes over, we’re pressing pause to check in—honestly and openly—on how we’re really doing. In this episode, we talk about the big transitions and heavy moments happening behind the scenes: starting special preschool, preparing for upcoming holidays while juggling medical needs, navigating the emotions around a child’s surgery, and the intense process of training a service dog.
We also step into one of the hardest conversations medical moms face—planning for our children’s futures and what happens when we’re no longer here, and the deep worry of not wanting our children or their care to ever feel like a burden to others. It’s a tender, real discussion filled with love, worry, strength, and the deep devotion that comes with raising medical kids.
This episode isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about being present, holding space for each other, and reminding medical moms everywhere that they’re not alone this season.

Raising Awareness, Raising Warriors: Epilepsy Month

In this episode, we’re going purple and going deep. Epilepsy Awareness Month isn’t just about statistics or social posts—it’s about the families who live in the unpredictable rhythm of seizures, the parents who become experts overnight, and the kids who fight battles most people never see.
From emergency plans taped to the fridge to navigating medications, side effects, sleepless nights, and the emotional roller coaster in between, we’re sharing what epilepsy truly looks like in the life of a medical family. We talk about the fear, the strength, the routine that’s anything but routine, and the fierce love that keeps us moving forward.
We’ll break down common misconceptions, share real stories from moms in the trenches, and shine a much-needed light on the resilience of our children—the warriors we’re raising and advocating for every single day.
Whether you’re an epilepsy parent, walking alongside one, or learning how to better support this community, this episode brings honesty, solidarity, and a whole lot of heart.

Tiny But Mighty: Honoring Prematurity Awareness Month

In this episode, we’re shining a big light on our tiniest warriors. Prematurity Awareness Month is more than a date on the calendar — it’s a reminder of the NICU nights, the monitors beeping like a techno concert no one asked for, the first breaths, the fierce hope, and the incredible strength packed into babies who arrived long before anyone expected.
We’ll talk about what prematurity really looks like for families, how it impacts parents emotionally and physically, and the unexpected ways it reshapes life long after leaving the NICU. From celebrating inch-stones or milestones that others take for granted to carrying the weight of fear, love, and resilience all at once, this episode honors every parent who has walked the early-arrival journey.
Whether you’re a preemie parent, know one, or just want to understand the world behind those tiny but mighty fighters, join us as we share stories, support, and solidarity—all in the spirit of awareness, advocacy, and love.

The Great Halloween Pivot

It’s Halloween — which means it’s time for costumes, candy… and pivoting like pros. 🎃 In this episode, we laugh our way through all the ways our “perfect plans” turned into last-minute reroutes. The itchy costume that didn’t make it out of the house? The meltdown halfway to trick-or-treating? The spontaneous candy swap in the living room? Been there, done that, ate the chocolate. We’re talking about how special needs moms become masters of the Halloween pivot — finding magic in the mayhem and joy in the detours.

Every Month Is Our Month (and We’ve Got the Awareness Days to Prove It)

As medical moms, it can feel like every month brings another awareness ribbon — and honestly, many of them hit close to home. In this episode, we talk about the meaning behind all those awareness months and special days, the causes that matter most to our families, and how we choose to celebrate, educate, and sometimes just survive them. From social media campaigns to hospital hallway celebrations, we’ll share ideas for honoring these moments in ways that feel real, not performative — and maybe even a little fun. And, true to form, we take a few side conversations along the way, because when you live this life, awareness isn’t once a year... it’s every day.

Big Feelings, Bigger Hearts: Siblings of Medical Kids

In this episode, we dive into the world of the other kids — the siblings of medically complex children. These are the ones who’ve grown up in hospital waiting rooms, learned compassion beyond their years, and sometimes had to share their parents with doctors, nurses, and care teams. We talk about the big feelings they carry, the quiet strength they build, and the unique challenges they face along the way. From jealousy and guilt to empathy and pride, we unpack it all with real stories, expert insight, and a little humor (because medical families always find a way to laugh through the chaos). We’ll also share how parents can support these incredible siblings — through counseling, special one-on-one time, and finding meaningful, creative ways to celebrate their milestones too.

Welcoming Down Syndrome with Love and Advocacy; A medical moms perspective

In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, this episode is your warm and informative Down Syndrome 101 from a mothers perspective — a compassionate introduction for anyone looking to better understand what Down syndrome is, what it isn’t, and how we can support individuals and families in this community. 

Finding Joy (and Excuses for Cake)

In this episode, we’re talking about the art of celebrating—medical mom style. From the tiny victories (like when your kid finally decides they will try that new food) to the huge milestones (surgeries, school days, or long-awaited milestones), we believe every win deserves a little joy… and maybe a slice of cake. We’ll share the creative, funny, and heartfelt ways we mark the moments that matter, even in the middle of the chaos. Because when life gives you medical challenges, you grab the sprinkles (maybe some glitter) and celebrate with love laughter and a bit of humor! 

Taking Our Own Vitals

In this episode, we pause the hustle of appointments, paperwork, and advocacy to check in on ourselves. From juggling the chaos of back-to-school season to surviving the first wave of school colds (because of course the germs come home as fast as the homework), we’re taking our own vitals. We’ll talk about how we’re really doing, the emotional ups and downs of this season, and maybe laugh a little about the irony of sending kids to school only to have them bring back every virus in a 10-mile radius. Think of this as your permission slip to take a breath, grab some coffee (or tissues), and check in with us.