Take the Next Step with Amy Julia Becker

Amy Julia Becker

Disability

Parenting

Mental Health

Holiday Season

Disability Community

Grief

Hope Heals

Family Dynamics

Community Support

Family Support

Coping Strategies

Disability Parenting

Stress Management

Down Syndrome

Autism

Community

Gratitude

Community Connection

Family

Delight

Parenting a child with a disability can feel overwhelming and isolating—but you don’t have to journey this road alone. Take the Next Step offers practical insights to help you create a thriving future for your whole family. Join Amy Julia every Wednesday for honest conversations that offer simple next steps to build connection, belonging, and delight—at home and in community.

36 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	27	Founded	8 months ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	ParentingKids & FamilyRelationshipsSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

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

E25—What do you do when the child you imagined isn’t the child you have? Pastor Mike Erre experienced the slow dismantling of achievement-based parenting when his son with Down syndrome was born. If you’re exhausted by comparisons and milestones, thi... more

6 May 2026 • 29 min

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

E24—"I don't know what life can look like for my child." If you've ever felt that, this episode is for you. Sheli Reynolds, PhD, is a leader in disability innovation. She joins Amy Julia Becker to share free, practical tools that support individuals ... more

29 Apr 2026 • 27 min

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

E23—The meals stop coming. The texts slow down. And suddenly you feel like you’re navigating disability alone. Friends can be great at showing up in a crisis, but how do you find community for your family when life stays hard day after month after ye... more

22 Apr 2026 • 28 min

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

E22—Is having a sibling with a disability hard on kids? Researcher Meghan Burke has spent years studying (and living) this question. Her findings might surprise you. In this episode, she joins Amy Julia Becker to share:

• what siblings actually say ... more

15 Apr 2026 • 25 min

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Recent Guests

Curt Thompson

Psychiatrist, speaker, and author

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

Renee Dollenmayer

Speaker, coach; founder of Even If Ministries

Even If Ministries

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

Pam Harmon

Spiritual director; works with families affected by disability

Young Life Capernaum; With Ministries (church consultant)

Episode: Disability and Simple Faith Practices for Exhausted Parents with Pam Harmon

Emily Longino

Behavior analyst

Independent clinician/behavior analyst

Episode: Your Child’s Behavior Is Communication with Emily Longino

Rebecca Wall

Executive Director of With Ministries

With Ministries

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

Juli Henderson

Caregiving advocate, founder of In Our Arms

In Our Arms

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

Matt Mooney

Father, Writer, Attorney, Disability Advocate and Co-Founder of 99 Balloons

99 Balloons

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

Angela O'Brien

Professional organizer; founder of Your Space Reclaimed; host of Especially Organized

Your Space Reclaimed; Especially Organized

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

Todd Evans

Author, national speaker, disability parent

Co-author of How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities

Episode: Thriving in Marriage as Disability Parents with Todd and Kristin Evans

Host

Amy Julia Becker

Host of Take the Next Step, focused on practical guidance for families navigating disability and belonging.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings

So encouraging
This podcast has encouraged me so much, given me hope that our family is not alone, and has is helping me see disability in a new way. Thank you for this life giving podcast.
Apple Podcasts
5
LovingtheGoodLife
United Statesa month ago
Relatable, Helpful, Doable
This podcast is new but has quickly become one of my favorites, and I look forward to listening to each episode. They are the perfect length for busy parents, and are really valuable for parents of kids with disabilities, but I also feel that many concepts are helpful for all kinds of relationships! I have shared it with several other people and highly recommend it.
Apple Podcasts
5
hgiinde24?
United States4 months ago
Worth your time
When you care for someone with a disability this is a short podcast (usually less than 30 minutes) that understands the beauty and the struggles you encounter and gives you resources and inspiration. Thanks for supporting us giving us the ideas to Take the Next Step.
Apple Podcasts
5
Felicity’s mom
United States5 months ago
Leaning in to the practical
I've followed Amy Julia Becker's work since the birth of my son with Down syndrome. I've appreciated her ability to speak to our common life experience that is influenced by her faith and connection to the disability community. In Take the Next Step she is laying out the pragmatic and letting us in the disability world learn how. Thanks, Amy Julia, for taking the time to step toward us in this disability community as we support our loved ones and learn from self-advocates and seasoned practit... more
Apple Podcasts
5
suz wilso in texas
United States7 months ago
Hopeful and honest
Life with disability is good and hard. This podcast is so helpful in giving practical ways to navigate both and flourish as a family.
Apple Podcasts
5
MIsunnysideup
United States8 months ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience loves the blend of faith, disability community, and pragmatic advice.

Short episodes with real-world tips and resources; highly recommended.

Relatable and practical guidance for busy parents of kids with disabilities.

Honest, hopeful, and genuinely helpful for navigating both care and family life.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#245	United States/Kids & Family/Parenting
Apple Podcasts	#247	Sweden/Kids & Family/Parenting

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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

Q: Why is it important to acknowledge grief in order to imagine a good future?

Acknowledging grief helps prevent the future from feeling like an endless burden; naming it in trusted community makes it legible and manageable, allowing the imagination to imagine beyond the current pain toward beauty and hope.

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

Q: What practical steps can a caregiver take to care for themselves without abandoning their responsibilities?

Start with small, achievable self-care like five minutes alone, pace yourself, ask for help, build a support group, and rely on a caregiving team for medical tasks while you focus on what only you can do as a parent.

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

Q: Could you explain the distinction between being a mom and being a caregiver, and why that matters?

It matters because they are two different jobs: as a mom you nurture, but as a caregiver you manage medical needs, appointments, and coordination; recognizing both helps you seek the right kind of help and avoid exhausting yourself.

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

Q: What are the practical first steps a church should take to begin shifting from a separate model toward full inclusion?

Build a cross-functional team including staff, families, volunteers, and people with disabilities; have two kinds of conversations—one from the stage about the priority and direction, and another with families to determine supports and pace; implement small, meaningful adaptations (lighting, seating, transitions); and follow through with visible changes and ongoing communication, adjusting at the pace of the individuals involved.

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

Q: What are the main models of disability ministry you see in churches today, and where do they fit best?

There are four primary models: a specialized separate ministry for people with disabilities; an integrated model where everyone participates together in main worship and activities; a hybrid approach that combines spaces but prioritizes inclusion; and reverse inclusion where neurotypical peers join the disability space to foster relationships while keeping some level of separation when needed. The choice often depends on church size, space, and the needs of the community, with many churches gradually moving toward integration while keeping room for respite or parallel programming when appropriate.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Take the Next Step

What is Take the Next Step about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, family-focused program offering honest conversations and actionable steps for navigating life with a child who has a disability. Episodes frequently cover special education, inclusion, care responsibilities, mental health, belonging, and building supportive communities—always with a goal of helping families move from overwhelm to connection and delight. Notable threads include firsthand parenting experiences, insights from clinicians and advocates, and tools for advocacy, self-care, and navigating systems like schools and service networks. A distinctive strength is the blend of personal storytelling with concrete strategies, grounded in faith and lived experience, making it approachable for both newly navigating disability life... more

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How many listeners does Take the Next Step get?

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How many subscribers and views does Take the Next Step have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Take the Next Step?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Take the Next Step:

1. The GoodHard Story Podcast
2. The Russell Moore Show
3. Raising Boys & Girls
4. Good Faith
5. Dream Big Podcast with Bob Goff and Friends

How many episodes of Take the Next Step are there?

Take the Next Step launched 8 months ago and published 27 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Take the Next Step?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Take the Next Step?

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What guests have appeared on Take the Next Step?

Recent guests on Take the Next Step include:

1. Curt Thompson
2. Renee Dollenmayer
3. Pam Harmon
4. Emily Longino
5. Rebecca Wall
6. Juli Henderson
7. Matt Mooney
8. Angela O'Brien

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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