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PODCAST

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions

Michelle Choairy

Complex Kid, Simple Solutions is the go-to podcast for parents raising neurodivergent and medically complex kids. Hosted by Michelle Choairy, a seasoned advocate and mom of a complex child, this podcast delivers clear, actionable strategies to help you navigate the chaos with confidence.Each episode breaks down overwhelming challenges into simple, practical solutions—whether it’s advocating for your child, navigating the school system, or finding the right support team. You’ll hear expert insights,

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All Episodes

00:39:07

Cyndi Abundabar Ting — When Emotional Disability Is...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2026/04/01

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Cyndi Abundabar Ting—special education teacher, longtime instructional aide, and special needs mom—to unpack one of the most misunderstood eligibility categories in special education: ED, or Emotional Disability.Cyndi shares:Why ED is often misunderstood. Many parents hear “emotional disability” and immediately think of extreme psychiatric diagnoses, but ED can also describe students whose daily emotional dysregulation, trauma responses, anxiety, or

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00:33:00

Dara Wax — Reimagining Teen Vitamins as Tools for...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2026/03/11

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Dara Wax, founder of SAM+LEO, to unpack the missing market no one was really talking about: clean, teen-friendly supplements that support energy, sleep, stress, immunity, and eye health, without the junk, the shame, or the “what’s wrong with me?” messaging.Dara shares:A global-health career that turned into a kitchen-table mission. After years working in vaccine advocacy and global health—including at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—Dara stepped

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00:34:33

Dr. Theresa Lyons — Turning Autism Science into a...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2026/02/24

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Dr. Theresa Lyons—international autism educator, Ivy League scientist, and autism parent—to make autism research finally feel usable in real life. Through her platform Navigating AWEtism, Dr. Lyons breaks down overwhelming science into clear, actionable steps that help parents move from confusion to confidence.Dr. Lyons shares:Why parents feel stuck (and it’s not your fault). Autism information is everywhere, but it’s often contradictory, jargon-heavy,

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38:53

Melissa Schulz — Small Steps, Real Change: Rethinking...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2026/02/02

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions, Michelle sits down with parenting coach and BCBA Melissa Schulz to unpack what actually helps when parenting strong-willed, highly sensitive, and neurodivergent kids. With 20 years of professional experience—and lived experience as a mom of neurodiverse kids—Melissa shares why so many behavior plans fail families, how guilt keeps parents stuck, and what it looks like to meet kids (and parents) where they truly are. Thi...

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35:43

Robert C. DeLena — Without Restraint: Reimagining...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2026/01/26

Send us a text In this moving episode, Michelle talks with Robert DeLena about his journey parenting his son, Ryan. They discuss the evolution of a "strong-willed" child into a professional outdoor adventurer, the pitfalls of early 2000s behavioral interventions, and how a chance trip to a ski hill changed their lives forever. Robert shares a raw, honest perspective on moving past clinical labels and restrictive protocols to find the environment where his son could finally thrive. Robert shar...

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41:10

Bailey Payne — The Underdog Years: Seeing Behavior...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2026/01/19

Send us a text In this episode, Michelle sits down with Bailey Payne, BCBA, to talk about what truly helps complex kids and their families when behavior feels overwhelming and unclear. They explore why behavior is rarely simple, why traditional approaches often fall short, and how real change begins by adjusting the environment—not trying to fix the child. Bailey shares a practical, family-centered perspective on behavior analysis, emphasizing alignment, sustainability, and trust over rigid p...

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38:53

Melissa Schulz — Small Steps, Real Change: Rethinking...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2026/01/19

Send us a text In this powerful episode of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions, Michelle sits down with parenting coach and BCBA Melissa Schulz to unpack what actually helps when parenting strong-willed, highly sensitive, and neurodivergent kids. With 20 years of professional experience—and lived experience as a mom of neurodiverse kids—Melissa shares why so many behavior plans fail families, how guilt keeps parents stuck, and what it looks like to meet kids (and parents) where they truly are. Thi...

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33:37

Nicola Rose — Magnetosphere: Seeing the World Through...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2026/01/12

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Nicola Rose, independent filmmaker and writer-director of Magnetosphere, to explore how storytelling through film can deepen understanding, empathy, and awareness of neurodivergence—especially during the complex and vulnerable years of early adolescence. Nicola shares the journey behind Magnetosphere, a feature film centered on a neurodivergent 13-year-old girl who discovers she has synesthesia, and why telling this story from the c...

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37:23

Lisa Watson — Reparenting Yourself: Healing Limiting...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/12/15

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Lisa Watson, inner-child healing coach and creator of the Reparenting Method, to unpack why parenting—especially complex kids—can feel so emotionally overwhelming, and how our children often activate unhealed parts of ourselves that are asking for compassion, validation, and repair. Lisa shares: Why your triggers aren’t about your child. Our strongest reactions come from subconscious beliefs formed between ages zero to seven—long b...

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42:05

Jessica Setnick — Taking the Shame Out of Mealtimes...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/12/08

Send us a text In this episode, Michelle sits down with pediatric dietitian and eating-behavior specialist Jessica Setnick to talk about one of the most stressful parts of raising complex and neurodivergent kids: mealtimes. Jessica breaks down why picky eating, food battles, and nutrition worries are rarely about the food itself—and how families can create calmer, more connected routines around eating. Jessica shares: Why mealtimes feel so emotional. Parents carry their own childhood memorie...

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33:42

Joanna Lilley — Rethinking 18 for Complex Kids: What...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/12/01

Send us a text In this episode, Michelle sits down with young-adult consultant Joanna Lilley to talk about the moment so many parents fear: the 18th birthday. Joanna breaks down why turning 18 doesn’t magically make a child ready for adult life—and how families of complex and neurodivergent kids can create a calmer, more supported transition. Joanna shares: Why 18 feels so scary. Parents worry they’ll suddenly lose all control and access. Joanna reframes the transition as a process—not...

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37:39

Dr. Jack Hinman — The Anxious Generation: Guiding...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/11/24

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Dr. Jack Hinman, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Engage Young Adult Transitions, to unpack why so many 18- to 30-year-olds are stuck between adolescence and adulthood—and how parents can help their “kids” move forward with confidence, connection, and purpose. Dr. Hinman shares: The crisis of connection. Today’s young adults are more connected than ever online—but lonelier and more anxious than any generation before. Dr...

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29:17

Michael Ringel — Planning for Two Lifetimes: Protect,...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/11/17

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with special-needs family wealth strategist Michael Ringel to demystify the money side of raising complex kids—how to get organized fast, protect eligibility for services, and build a plan that cares for your child long after you’re gone. Mike shares: Why families delay (and how to start in 15 minutes). Your financial life isn’t a mess—it’s a junk drawer. Mike’s free “Living Balance Sheet” tool turns scattered accounts into a single snap...

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33:40

MegAnne Ford — From “Be Better” to Feel Better:...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/11/10

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with parent coach MegAnne Ford to flip the old script—away from forcing kids to fit our vision and toward building skills, safety, and connection so families actually feel better day to day. MegAnne shares: Why control backfires. Traditional “make them comply” tactics widen the gap; centering the child’s needs helps the message land. The CLEAR method (her 5-step roadmap). Connection → Limits → Empowerment → Accountability → Recovery—so ...

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34:44

Sharon Dunlevy — Trauma-Wise Parenting for Foster...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/11/03

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with educational advocate Sharon Dunlevy to demystify foster-care realities—what licensing really takes, why trauma shows up like “behavior,” and how schools can (and should) support healing with the right plans and people. Sharon shares: What becoming a foster parent actually requires. Background checks, home studies, annual license renewals, and 20–40 hours of new training each year—with CPR/First Aid often required in addition (and, i...

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28:56

Constance Lewis — Miles & the Colorful Capes of Feelings

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/10/27

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with nurse practitioner and mom-author Constance Lewis to share the story behind Miles and the Colorful Capes of Feelings—a playful, powerful system that helps kids name big emotions using color, costume, and connection. Constance shares: A family’s turning point. When her son Miles developed seizures at age four, words became hard—so the family created color-coded “capes” to show feelings when speech couldn’t. Why play works when words ...

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42:04

C. S. Wyatt — From Checklists to Conversations:...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/10/20

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle sits down with educator and accessibility advocate Dr. C. S. Wyatt to demystify the leap from K–12 supports to college reality—and how listening (not just checklists) drives real inclusion online and in the classroom. Dr. Wyatt shares: The cliff at 18. IDEA/IEP and most K–12 protections end at adulthood; in higher ed, students must personally contact Disability Services to receive ADA/504 accommodations—and parents can’t do it for them.Why online ...

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54:56

Russell Van Brocklen — Rethinking Dyslexia: Why...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/10/13

Send us a text In this conversation, Michelle Choairy sits down with Russell Van Brocklen, founder of Dyslexia Classes, to uncover a radically different way of helping kids with dyslexia, ADHD, and learning differences thrive—by flipping traditional methods on their head and using neuroscience, technology, and writing itself as the therapy. Russell shares: 🧠 A senator’s wake-up call. When a New York lawmaker discovered his daughter’s dyslexia too late for early intervention, he created the

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35:12

Dr. Emily Levy — Unlocking Every Child’s Learning...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/10/06

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Dr. Emily Levy, founder and director of EBL Coaching, to explore how customized, multi-sensory instruction can transform outcomes for students with dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and other learning differences. Emily shares: Why no one-size-fits-all works. With 22+ research-based methods in her toolkit, Emily explains why kids with unique learning profiles need a curriculum that’s both structured and flexible.The power of Orton-...

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37:09

Jeanine Mouchawar — Talking to Teens When “I Don’t...

Complex Kids, Simple Solutions ·

2025/10/01

In this conversation, Michelle sits down with parenting coach Jeanine Mouchawar to unpack why the strategies that worked for little kids fall apart in the teen years—especially for neurodivergent teens—and how small shifts in tone, timing, and language rebuild connection without power struggles. Jeanine shares: The teen transition = a parent transition. Your child’s needs change at puberty; your approach must, too. “What worked at 8 won’t work at 14”—and that’s normal.Side-door conversations ...

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50 results

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