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Artwork for The Rare Life

The Rare Life

Madeline Cheney
Disability Parenting
Family Dynamics
Medical Complexities
Parenting
Community Support
Friendship
Mental Health
Sexual Intimacy
Support Systems
Hospitalization
Disabled Children
Glass Children
Holidays
Grief
Sibling Relationships
Children's Health
Emotional Support
Caregiving
Rare Disease Day Fundraiser
Community Building

This 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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes246Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingKids & Family

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Artwork for The Rare Life

Latest Episodes

For the first time in The Rare Life history... we need a little extra time to work on the next few episodes. Not because we haven’t been preparing and planning, but because some current events have thrown a wrench into the works.

In this episode, Ma... more

When you’re the parent of a medically complex or disabled child, the experience touches every aspect of our life – including our faith, often in unique and surprising ways.

Today, I’m sharing a vulnerable and tender episode, where I interviewed four... more

For a lot of us, the answer isn’t simple. You can miss your lighter, less-traumatized self and feel proud of who you’ve become.

That’s the tension so many of us sit in as medical parents: grieving the carefree, well-rested version of ourselves while... more

When Leah Crum gave birth to her daughter Camilla, she had no idea she was about to be launched into a world of medical unknowns, an undiagnosed rare condition, and 118 days in the NICU.

In this episode, Leah talks about the emotional whiplash of li... more

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Recent Guests

Rosey Schaefermeyer
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Episode: 185: Medical Parent Trauma | Dealing with Triggers + Ongoing Trauma w/ Rosey Schaefermeyer, LCSW
Hailey Adkisson
Wise and articulate parent advocate and educator with a focus on disability-related topics.
Episode: 183: Epilepsy | Unpredictability + Emotional Toll it Takes on Parents w/ Hailey Adkisson
Kait Parrish
Retired emergency room nurse and author of 'Be Different, Be You'
Episode: 181: Kait’s Story | Fertility Struggles, A Surviving Twin, + “What Could Have Been”
Jessica Fein
Writer and author of a memoir called Breath Taking, A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes
Episode: 178: Jessica Fein’s Story |Adoption, a Progressive Disease, + The Illusion of Control
Kara Berasi
Poet and advocate for parents of children with disabilities
Episode: Holiday Mini 3: The Silent Suffering | A Poem Reading + Discussion w/ Kara Berasi
Katie Taylor
Child Life Specialist
Episode: 175: Our Children’s Medical Trauma w/ Katie Taylor, CCLS
Carolina Quijada
A long-time listener turned board member of The Rare Life
The Rare Life
Episode: SC Mini #2 | Behind the Heart of a Listener and Supporter
Alyssa Nutile
Producer and assistant to the host, co-founder of a caregiver advocacy group.
Caffe Needed Caregivers
Episode: 170: Hospitalizations | Triggers, Shoddy Sleep and Food, + Discharge Hangover w/ Alyssa Nutile and Larisa Bothma
Larisa Bothma
Homemaker, caregiver, and artist with significant experience in hospital stays.
Episode: 170: Hospitalizations | Triggers, Shoddy Sleep and Food, + Discharge Hangover w/ Alyssa Nutile and Larisa Bothma

Host

Madeline Cheney
Host of discussions that authentically address the emotional complexities of parenting children with disabilities, aiming to create a supportive community for listeners dealing with similar challenges.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 260 ratings
  • 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 Podcasts
    5
    DuckFaninOregon
    United Statesa month 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 Podcasts
    5
    Jerichokauai
    United States2 months 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 Podcasts
    5
    littlebit322
    United Statesa year ago
  • 5-Star Review - Dr. Tay

    I love this podcast because of the honest and authentic conversations Madeleine brings to the table. As a licensed psychologist that works with neurodivergent children, it makes my heart so full that there are resources like this podcast for all families to listen to!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    doctorTND
    United States2 years ago
  • Nicu nurses

    I am a nicu nurse. It was so nice to hear how so many of us feel. And what parents can expect. I am retired now but I still miss the babies and the families I got close too. It is a privilege to take care of these little babies who fight to live. And make no mistake we do love the babies I mean real love.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    555387654
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many reviews speak of the therapeutic nature of the discussions, emphasizing their relevance and relatability to the audience's struggles.
The podcast is recognized for providing essential community support, offering parents insight into the complexities of raising children with disabilities.
Listeners appreciate the authenticity and emotional depth of the conversations, often feeling seen and validated by shared experiences.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

184: Rachel’s Story | Widowed During Pregnancy, Misdiagnoses, + Sibling Dynamics
Q: Have you found yourself seeing those families and being envious at any point?
Initially, Rachel struggled with memories of two-parent families during weekends and holidays but eventually found solidarity with friends who also faced challenges.
184: Rachel’s Story | Widowed During Pregnancy, Misdiagnoses, + Sibling Dynamics
Q: When they gave you that kind of tentative diagnosis, did you feel relieved, or was it enough where you were like, that just doesn't sit right?
Rachel felt it was jolting to receive a tentative diagnosis, recognizing the permanent challenges ahead but found relief when she got the definitive diagnosis of JdVS.
184: Rachel’s Story | Widowed During Pregnancy, Misdiagnoses, + Sibling Dynamics
Q: Can you tell us when you're pregnant with Wells and the first time that you found out that he had any disabilities or medical complexities?
Rachel describes a whirlwind journey with her seemingly normal pregnancy that turned complicated with the unexpected loss of her husband, leading her to navigate the medical complexities after realizing Wells wasn't developing as expected.
183: Epilepsy | Unpredictability + Emotional Toll it Takes on Parents w/ Hailey Adkisson
Q: Do you have advice for those parents?
It's important to focus on the joy despite the challenges of living with epilepsy. Seek support from the community and recognize that even with seizures, life can still be fulfilling.
180: Does Disability Parenting Ever Get Easier? Survival Mode, Burnout Mode, and Beyond w/ Erica Stearns and Alyssa Nutile
Q: Does it ever get easier for parents of children with disabilities?
The concept of ease is complex; while caregivers become more skilled and confident over time, the challenges can remain intense and context-dependent.

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?

Focusing on the emotional complexities of raising children with disabilities, the content offers a blend of personal narratives, expert insights, and discussions on navigating the challenges that come with medically complex parenting. Guests include parents who share their heartwarming and heartbreaking stories, as well as professionals who provide valuable knowledge about the psychological and emotional landscapes of disability parenting. This platform fosters a sense of community among listeners, allowing them to feel seen, supported, and empowered as they engage with themes of trauma, grief, and resilience in the face of adversity. Moreover, it emphasizes self-care, advocacy, and the importance of finding joy amidst the struggles, making... more

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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. Neurodiversity Podcast
2. Good Hard Story Podcast
3. The Really Very Crunchy Podcast
4. Coffee + Crumbs Podcast
5. Confessions of a Rare Disease Mama

How many episodes of The Rare Life are there?

The Rare Life launched 5 years ago and published 246 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Rare Life?

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What guests have appeared on The Rare Life?

Recent guests on The Rare Life include:

1. Rosey Schaefermeyer
2. Hailey Adkisson
3. Kait Parrish
4. Jessica Fein
5. Kara Berasi
6. Katie Taylor
7. Carolina Quijada
8. Alyssa Nutile

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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