The Rare Life
Madeline CheneyThis is the real, raw, and all the feels of loving a child with disabilities. Episodes feature parent-guests, professionals, and solo episodes with host Madeline Cheney. Their authentic conversations don’t shy away from the strong and mixed emotions that often accompany medically-complex parenting. Parents listen in to feel seen, validated, and receive much-needed solidarity. Professionals working... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 316 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ParentingKids & Family | |||
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Latest Episodes
When Carolina’s daughter Cruz was just days old, newborn screening revealed she had maple syrup urine disease. Almost overnight, Carolina went from first-time mom to managing hospital stays, oxygen, G-tube feeds, and a condition that could become dan... more
A hospital admission. A seizure. A certain time of year. Sometimes your body can react to medical trauma long after the moment itself has passed. But when does that become PTSD, and what does that look like when the trauma is tied to your child’s med... more
Exercise can be a powerful coping tool, a way to feel stronger, and something that improves our mental health as parents of disabled children. But for those in our community, it can also be hard to access, hard to sustain, and just one more thing on ... more
Scrolling. Comfort shows. Exercise. Reading. Keeping yourself so busy you don’t have time to think. Numbing out can look a lot of different ways.
In today’s episode, we’re talking about why medical parents numb out, especially during stressful seaso... more
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Reviews
- A lifeline
Such a good listen! The topics and interviews are real and relatable. It’s hard to find people who “get” my experience, and this podcast feels like talking with friends. They work hard to include a variety of voices and experiences, and their online (IG) content is thoughtful, inclusive and relatable too.
Apple Podcasts5A rare mom
United Statesa year ago - A Very Meaningful Podcast
I found The Rare Life early on in my disability parenting journey, and I’ve committed to listening ever since. Madeline and her team work hard to share stories and address topics that truly make rare families feel less alone. Each episode is created with so much intention and love. I would absolutely recommend! I look forward to listening in for many years to come.
Apple Podcasts5ReneeWrayUnited Statesa year ago - Awesome
As a parent of a child with a disability and medical complexities this podcast meets me right where I am. I enjoy listening and have listened for several years.
Apple Podcasts5DuckFaninOregonUnited States2 years ago - Just what I needed
As a parent of a child with a disability, this podcast has truly saved my sanity! Simply hearing that I am not alone and that what my husband and I go through is an experience shared by so many is extremely comforting. I wish I could meet all of these amazing parents that are shared on this podcast.
Apple Podcasts5JerichokauaiUnited States2 years ago - A belonging I longed for
Thank You Madeline, so much for The Rare Life. Your content touches more people than you may think. I am a mother of a medically complex child, though he does not have a rare diagnosis of any kind. I had a complicated pregnancy and traumatic birth with my son Vincent, who arrived unduly early at 25 weeks gestation. Due to his very early arrival, he has a laundry list of diagnoses. He’s now 17 months and I only recently saw “medically complex child” written in his medical record. Interestingly en... more
Apple Podcasts5littlebit322United States3 years ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #227 | United States/Kids & Family/Parenting |
Apple Podcasts | #209 |  Canada/Kids & Family/Parenting |
Apple Podcasts | #9 |  India/Kids & Family/Parenting |
Apple Podcasts | #94 | India/Kids & Family |
Apple Podcasts | #134 |  Netherlands/Kids & Family/Parenting |
Apple Podcasts | #166 |  Sweden/Kids & Family/Parenting |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Rare Life
What is The Rare Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A candid, parent-focused show that centers on parenting children with disabilities and medical complexities. Across recent episodes, conversations span practical guides for families navigating NICU experiences, decisions around clinical trials, travel logistics, safety and sexuality, and everyday care—often blending heartfelt personal stories with actionable takeaways for caregivers, educators, and healthcare professionals. The format leans into authentic, sometimes tough conversations, with a strong emphasis on community, advocacy, and reducing isolation for rare- and medically complex families. A notable strength is the mix of firsthand parent perspectives with expert input, creating a resource that feels like a supportive, informed commu... more
Where can I find podcast stats for The Rare Life?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Rare Life. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Rare Life and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does The Rare Life get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Rare Life?
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How many subscribers and views does The Rare Life have?
To see how many followers or subscribers The Rare Life has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to The Rare Life?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rare Life:
1. Once Upon A Gene
2. Confessions of a Rare Disease Mama
3. Raising Disabled
4. Something Was Wrong
5. What It Was Like
How many episodes of The Rare Life are there?
The Rare Life launched 6 years ago and published 316 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 The Rare Life?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Rare Life?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Rare Life from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Rare Life?
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What guests have appeared on The Rare Life?
Recent guests on The Rare Life include:
1. Alyssa Newtile
2. Ashley Caywood
3. Carrie Harbath
4. Joanne Bay-Rachel
5. Robin Kozerginski
6. James Catchpole
7. Kyrie Herman
8. Cindy Reinhard
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.