“I look at pictures of my child when he was young, and I remember his young, innocent light, and he’s still in there.”

In this heartfelt episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris speaks with writer, mindfulness teacher, and mental health advocate Shelley Karpaty, also known as “Spicy Soul Mama.” Together, they explore the complex intersection of motherhood, mental health advocacy, neurodiversity, and spiritual healing.

Shelley opens up about her personal journey parenting a neurodivergent child, navigating the mental health system, and how mindfulness and writing became essential tools for survival and growth.

Topics covered:

• Parenting through mental health crises
• Embracing neurodiversity without stigma
• The healing power of writing and spiritual practice
• Finding hope and connection in the face of isolation

Whether you’re a parent navigating a child’s mental health journey, a writer looking for healing, or a seeker on a spiritual path, this episode is for you.

Here is information on Shelley’s Substack and upcoming events:

• On Fridays – Mindful Parents at 4 pm PT – for all Spicy Soul Mama subscribers – Soulful, supportive sessions for parents, meditation, conversation, and some magic. You are not alone.
• A Special Partnership with HerStories Project – Workshop: Creative Soul Revival – Friday, June 6 at 9am PT– Find your creativity again with some free-writing combined with mindfulness, uncensored writing, and active listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to other mental health episodes, including Episode #52 – “3 Ways to Lift Yourself Out of Depression with Garry Cosnett” or Episode #50 “Why Talking About Mental Health Builds Stronger Kids with Sandra Lau.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.

Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our newsletter email list or get a list of upcoming events visit donnayferris.com

Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.

And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.

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