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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes271Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingKids & Family

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Artwork for The Rare Life

Latest Episodes

Your child’s diagnosis can reshape everything, marriages included. The same partnership that once felt effortless can become consumed by care plans, schedules, and unspoken grief. Over time, love turns into teamwork—and sometimes, survival.

In this... more

When your days revolve around medical routines, sleepless nights, and endless caregiving, marriage can start to feel more like project management than partnership.

In this episode, Madeline and Alyssa unpack all the ways that marriage is impacted a... more

From the moment her daughter was born, Roya had an inkling that something was different. What followed was a long year of uncertainty, endless medical tests, and finally anofficial diagnosis of Schaaf-Yang syndrome... all on top of learning a new lan... more

When your life has revolved around caring for your medically complex child, their absence changes everything: your routines, your identity, your relationships, and evenyour purpose in life.

In this tender conversation, Stephanie Stanley shares what ... more

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Recent Guests

Roya Malika
A disability parent sharing her journey and insights
Episode: 201: Roya's Story | A Diagnosis Without a Map, Learning to Advocate + the Journey Back to Herself
Stephanie Stanley
Grieving mother and advocate for parents navigating child loss
Episode: 200: Facing End of Life Choices + The Way Life Changes After Child Loss w/ Stephanie Stanley
Kristen Henry
An adoptive mother who navigated infertility and adoption, discovering her daughter has cystic fibrosis
Episode: 199: Adopting a Medically Complex Child w/ Kristen Henry
Ashley Kaywood
Mother who experienced complex pregnancies and lengthy NICU stay for her son Bim
Episode: 198: Ashley’s Story | A Year in the NICU, Impossible Choices + Complex Joy
Madeline Cheney
Founder and President at The Rare Life
The Rare Life
Episode: 197: When Meaningful Friendship with Other Disability Parents Feels Elusive w/ Madeline Cheney
Ali Platt
Mother of Paisley, who has Eosinophilic Esophagitis, sharing her journey and struggles in parenting a child with a rare syndrome.
Episode: 195: Ali’s Story | An Invisible Disability, Living in Survival Mode + Giving Up Her Dream Career
Jessica Loey
Mother discussing the emotional complexities of parenting a child with disabilities.
Episode: Mixed Feelings When Your Child’s Health Stabilizes w/ Jessica Loey
Chrissy McGuire
Yoga teacher and mindfulness coach, single mom to two children with disabilities.
Episode: Mindfulness for Medical Parents w/ Chrissy McGuire
Rosey Schaefermeyer
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Episode: 185: Medical Parent Trauma | Dealing with Triggers + Ongoing Trauma w/ Rosey Schaefermeyer, LCSW

Hosts

Alyssa Newtile
Co-host for Season 12, contributing insights and facilitating discussions on disability parenting.
Madeline Cheney
Host, leading heartfelt discussions on the emotional journeys of parenting children with disabilities and facilitating community conversations.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 276 ratings
  • 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 Podcasts
    5
    A rare mom
    United States2 months 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 Podcasts
    5
    ReneeWray
    United States2 months 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 Podcasts
    5
    DuckFaninOregon
    United States7 months 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 States8 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 States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The content's focus on mental health and self-advocacy resonates strongly, providing both practical advice and emotional reassurance.
Many express gratitude for the sense of community it creates, helping them feel less isolated in their journeys as parents of disabled children.
Listeners appreciate the authenticity and emotional depth of the conversations, often feeling validated in their experiences.
Parents highlight a common thread of connection and understanding, making the episodes relatable and impactful for those navigating similar challenges.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

199: Adopting a Medically Complex Child w/ Kristen Henry
Q: Did you have much experience with disability prior to Joanna walking into this?
Kristen notes that her experience with disability was limited, but she had worked as a behavior analyst for autistic children and teens, which provided her some perspective.
199: Adopting a Medically Complex Child w/ Kristen Henry
Q: What did the process of adoption look like for your family?
Kristen describes the private adoption route they took, mentioning the importance of adopting a child from as young an age as possible to learn parenting from early on.
199: Adopting a Medically Complex Child w/ Kristen Henry
Q: What brought you to adoption?
Kristen shares that their decision to adopt came after several years of struggling with infertility, leading them to feel a need to change direction.
198: Ashley’s Story | A Year in the NICU, Impossible Choices + Complex Joy
Q: What would you want someone to know who is just starting to go through this?
Trust yourself and advocate for yourself. Your gut has something really relevant and important to say, and you shouldn't be afraid to ask questions.
198: Ashley’s Story | A Year in the NICU, Impossible Choices + Complex Joy
Q: Can you go ahead and tell us like when was the first time that you realized there was something like medically going on with Bim's pregnancy?
At 13 weeks, I started bleeding and assumed it was a miscarriage, but I was diagnosed instead with a blood clot in my uterus which led to multiple complications in the pregnancy.

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?

Content focuses on the challenges and emotional nuances of parenting children with disabilities, blending personal accounts and expert insights. Topics range from friendship dynamics among disability parents to navigating healthcare concerns, coping with grief, and understanding the realities of raising medically complex children. Notably, the conversations foster a sense of community and recognition among listeners, encouraging them to share their own stories and experiences. The emphasis on mental health and self-advocacy within the parenting landscape highlights a supportive environment where listeners feel acknowledged and empowered.

This platform's strength lies in its authentic and relatable discussions, unearthing the complexities t... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Rare Life?

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How many listeners does The Rare Life get?

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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. After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings
2. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
3. Caffeinated Caregivers
4. Oversharing
5. Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits

How many episodes of The Rare Life are there?

The Rare Life launched 6 years ago and published 271 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?

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What guests have appeared on The Rare Life?

Recent guests on The Rare Life include:

1. Roya Malika
2. Stephanie Stanley
3. Kristen Henry
4. Ashley Kaywood
5. Madeline Cheney
6. Ali Platt
7. Jessica Loey
8. Chrissy McGuire

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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