The Sensory Savvy Momma Podcast | Nervous system-first strategies for moms raising sensory kids—with more calm, confidence, and connection.

Ep 11// Redefining Family Travel for Neurodivergent Needs and Making it Possible with Kim

Hey Momma,
Planning a vacation might feel overwhelming—but it can also be a powerful invitation to reconnect, recharge, and create memories that feel just right for your family.
In this episode, we explore how to approach travel with intention, ease, and flexibility—so it becomes a source of joy, not just another stressor. Whether you’re road-tripping to a nearby town or dreaming of a bigger adventure, there’s space for your whole family to feel seen and supported.
Let us know if this episode was helpful by leaving a review and please share it with your neurodivergent mom bestie!
What We’re Chatting About Today: We’ll explore: 🧳 Why your sense of safety and comfort is a wise place to start when planning any trip 🧳 Creative ways to introduce travel in small, joyful steps—without pressure or comparison 🧳 How to set shared expectations as a family and build in space for everyone’s needs (including yours) 🧳 The freedom that comes from letting go of “perfect” and embracing presence instead
This conversation is filled with warmth, honest stories, and real strategies to help you rediscover the delight of travel—your way.
Key Moments: (00:00) Meet Kim + how her journey with her son shaped her travel philosophy (06:40) Why leading with familiarity and joy matters more than any itinerary (11:10) Letting go of perfection: what makes a trip truly meaningful (21:45) Navigating travel with multiple children and different neurotypes (32:20) Micro-invitation: Define what joy and ease would look like for your next trip
 
Resources + Next Steps:
🧳 Find Kim on Instagram @neuroadventurestravel
💡 Subscribe to Flip the Switch — our weekly love note with sensory tips, co-regulation strategies, and honest reflections to help you feel more anchored in your parenting. [Join here] 🌀 Start with The Clarity Lab — Your first step to understanding your child’s (and your own) nervous system blueprint. [Learn more] 🤍 Need deeper support? Let’s talk. If you’re craving more spaciousness and support in this season, [book a free curiosity call]. No pressure—just presence.

Episode 10 // The Power of Nature Play: Creating Sensory-Supportive Spaces with Jenna of N is for Nature Play

Hey Momma,
Do you feel stuck trying to support your child in an environment that seems to work against their needs?
Is your child overwhelmed by sensory input at school or in public spaces, and you’re not sure what to do?
Are you longing for more peace and connection but feel like your home or outdoor space just isn’t helping?
In this heartwarming and practical conversation, we are joined by Jenna Ponti Jachius, a landscape architect and founder of N is for Nature Play, to explore how the environment shapes nervous system health—especially for neurodivergent children.
Together, we’ll unpack the often-overlooked power of nature play and how even simple setups like a mud kitchen or a pot of herbs can restore regulation and connection.
This episode has inspiring and doable ideas for nature-based play, whether you live in a house with a yard or an apartment with a balcony. Jenna shares tangible ways to create safe, engaging, sensory-rich spaces that help children feel empowered and calm—while supporting the parent-child relationship in the process.
We’ll explore: 🌿 Why your child’s environment might be the missing piece in their regulation puzzle (and yours) 🌿 How to create simple sensory-rich spaces—even in an apartment or tiny backyard 🌿 The surprising power of dirt, seeds, and fresh air to restore your child’s sense of agency 🌿 One mindset shift that helps you move from burnout to a sense of possibility
This episode is a mix of real talk, regulation wisdom, and that loving nudge to meet your needs, too.
Find Jena  at www.nisfornatureplay.com
Key Moments: (00:00) Introduction + the overlooked role of the environment (06:10) Nature play defined + what it looks like in real life (14:45) Practical ideas for small spaces, balconies, or even indoor nooks (21:00) How the environment either supports or stresses your child’s nervous system (28:20) Micro-invitation: Go outside together—even just for a snack
Resources + Next Steps: 💡 Subscribe to Flip the Switch — our weekly love note with sensory tips, co-regulation strategies, and honest reflections to help you feel more anchored in your parenting. [Join here] 🌀 Start with The Clarity Lab — Your first step to understanding your child’s (and your own) nervous system blueprint. [Learn more] 🤍 Need deeper support? Let’s talk. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to explore if 1:1 support could help, [book a free clarity call]. No pressure—just presence.
Final Reminders: ✨ Tap “Follow” so you don’t miss a single episode ✨ If this resonated, leave a review—it helps more mamas find this safe corner of the internet ✨ Share this with a friend who needs to know she’s not alone in this work

Ep 09 // Regulation Starts with Us with Dr. Amber Thornton

Episode 09 // Regulation Starts With Us with Dr. Amber Thornton
Hey Momma, 
Do you ever notice yourself reacting in ways that don’t feel like you—and wonder what it would feel like to be more grounded in those moments?
Have you been carrying so much responsibility that you forget to check in on your own needs?
Are you starting to sense that your growth and healing are just as important as your child’s?
In this deeply personal and nourishing conversation, we have special guest Dr. Amber Thornton—a clinical psychologist, author, and fellow mother —who brings a refreshing and affirming perspective to the emotional journey of parenthood. Together, we discuss the often-unspoken truth that supporting your child’s regulation starts with honoring your own.
This episode is a powerful reminder that you don’t need to earn your worth as a mom—it’s already there. By naming the internal pressure many moms feel and offering tangible ways to shift from survival into intention, Dr. Amber helps reframe parenting as a relationship, not a performance.
You’ll walk away with:
Confidence that your emotions matter and deserve care
Encouragement to pause, reflect, and redefine “good parenting”
A deeper understanding of the repair process as a path to trust
The reminder that tending to yourself is an act of love—for both you and your child
Resources and Links
📖 The Self-Regulation Guide for Parents by Dr. Amber Thornton – Available on Audible and in print
🧠 Work with Dr. Amber: Individual therapy (in 40+ states) or parenting consultations – connect via Instagram @dramberthornton  her website or email: hello@dramberthornton.com
💡 Subscribe to Flip the Switch — our weekly love note with sensory tips, co-regulation strategies, and honest reflections to help you feel more anchored in your parenting. 
🌀 Start with the Clarity Lab — Your first step to understanding your child’s (and your own) nervous system blueprint. Learn more
🤍 Need deeper support? Let’s talk. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to explore if 1:1 support could help, book a free clarity call. No pressure—just presence.
 
Motherhood is such meaningful work—showing up, learning, growing, and nurturing your family with love. If this episode affirmed what you already sense deep down—that your care matters, and your joy is part of the equation—come be part of a supportive community of moms walking this path together.
 
💌 Join the Newsletter to stay connected and be the first to know about new resources and gatherings
🌱 Share this episode with a friend who’s ready to feel more resourced and affirmed in the beautiful, important work of motherhood 
✨SUBSCRIBE!  If this resonated, please consider leaving a review—it helps more mommas find this safe corner of the internet

Ep 08 //My Own Sensory Needs as a Momma- and Why They Matter

Hey Mama, Ever feel like your own needs are invisible—quietly simmering beneath everyone else's urgency? Like your child’s sensory world is so loud, so intense… and your system is running out of space to hold it all? You’re not alone—so many moms come to me feeling lost in isolation, but the truth is, many of us are navigating this too. It’s time we expose what’s really going on beneath the surface and begin healing as a collective.
In this episode, we unpack the quiet chaos happening inside your nervous system and why honoring your sensory needs isn’t selfish—it’s survival. Let’s pause, get curious, and reclaim your capacity with care.
🫶
What We’re Chatting About Today: We’ll explore:
Why parenting a high-needs child requires Olympic training-level nervous system care—and why crumbs on the floor aren’t the training plan
How your sensory profile may have shifted since motherhood (and what that means for your day-to-day overwhelm).
What being “touched out,” increased sensitivity to background noise aka “auditory cliffs”, or overwhelmed by clutter actually tells you about your sensory system—and how to respond with care
A small but powerful reframe to start recognizing your sensory cues and meeting them with care. Instead of ignoring our body’s whispers until they become screams, what is one small micro shift you can make today?
This episode is a mix of real talk, nervous system insight, and permission to meet your needs first—not last.
Highlights of Episode In this deeply validating episode, I pull back the curtain on some of my own personal and professional insights on the often-overlooked sensory needs of moms raising high-needs, neurodivergent children. With raw honesty and compassionate guidance, we unpacks why honoring your own sensory system isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. You’ll discover how sensory overload shows up in motherhood, the difference between traditional self-care and nervous system care, and simple, actionable steps to begin regulating your system today. This episode is both a love letter and a wake-up call for the mom who’s running on empty, reminding her that she’s not weak—she’s an Olympian in need of recovery, not more hustle.
Resources
🎯 The Clarity Lab – The Edison Collective’s signature tool to help you decode nervous system needs and track patterns for your child (and yourself).
📺 Related Episodes: • Ep 3 // One Small Shift Can Change Everything • Ep 5 – What if Meltdowns are Messages
📩 Sign up for the Sensory Savvy Newsletter for behind-the-scenes insights and weekly support.
Let’s Connect
💬 Share your biggest takeaway from this episode and tag us—we love hearing from you @The_Edison_Collective
👭 Want personalized support? Join The Clarity Lab or email me to learn more about support options.
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps more sensory mommas find this lifeline of support.

07 // Trusting Yourself in the Unknown with Christie Brown of Stims and Smiles

Hey Momma,
Have you ever felt like something’s off… but no one else seems to see it?
When your gut tells you something about your child’s development or behavior, but doctors say “wait and see,” it can leave you spiraling in self-doubt, confusion, and exhaustion. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Christie Brown—a mom of two, creator of Stims and Smiles, and powerful advocate for her neurodivergent son—about what it really looks like to trust your inner knowing when the system tells you to stay quiet.
 What We’re Chatting About Today:
This honest conversation is full of raw truths, emotional wins, and practical insights. Christie shares how her journey with early intervention, misdiagnosis, and navigating systems from scratch taught her to be her child’s most powerful advocate—and how sensory awareness transformed her family’s world.
We dive into:
Why the “wait and see” approach almost derailed early support
How Christie found clarity through sensory awareness before a formal diagnosis
What heavy work and home supports looked like (bookbags, body socks, burrito rolls!)
Navigating burnout as a mom and reclaiming tiny pockets of space and care
How one community and one instinctual “yes” changed everything
You’ll walk away reminded that you are the expert on your child—and that your voice matters.
Key Moments:
(02:00) When the baby had more words than the toddler
(08:00) The mis-scored early intervention eval that changed everything
(13:00) Finding therapy support and sensory tools that actually helped
(19:00) From burnout to boundaries: a mom’s healing arc
(25:00) One message for moms still stuck in the “unknown”
 
 Resources:
Christie’s account: @stimsandsmiles
The Pyramid of Learning 
👉 The Clarity Lab: A 10-minute reset to help decode your child’s meltdowns and connect with confidence
Stay Connected:
Website → theedisoncollective.com
Instagram → @the_edison_collective
Email → victoria@theedisoncollective.com
Next Steps:
Hit Follow on the podcast so you never miss a story or strategy
Share this episode with a fellow mom who’s deep in “Is this normal?” mode
Come back to your gut—it’s wiser than you think

06 // You Don't Need Permission

Hey Momma,
Ever walked into a pediatrician’s office, an IEP meeting, or even just a park conversation… and second-guessed everything you were about to say?
Felt that sinking “they’re not going to believe me” feeling? Or caught yourself wondering, “Am I allowed to ask for this?”
This episode is your reminder: you don’t need permission. You need language.
What We’re Chatting About Today:
In this heart-centered episode, we’re exploring what it means to advocate for your child—without armor, without apology, and without waiting for someone else to validate your knowing. You’ll hear the story of a misread IEP, how advocacy shifted when the right words were found, and why clarity is your strongest tool.
We’ll unpack:
Why you’re already an expert on your child—and how to own that
How your language reshapes how others see and support your child
Why nervous system regulation matters for you, too
How to reframe “defiant” and “dramatic” into “dysregulated” and “sensory overwhelmed”
Practical sentence starters to advocate with power and softness
This one is your deep breath before that next hard conversation—and your reminder that clear, regulated advocacy creates change. Key Moments:
(03:00) My co-sleeping shame spiral—and what it taught me about self-trust
(07:00) When I couldn’t find the words—and when I finally did
(12:00) How professionals respond when we reframe behavior with data + compassion
(17:00) Gentle advocacy: leading, not fighting
(21:00) Your micro-shift: Write one sentence you’ll practice before your next advocacy moment
Resources:
👉 The Clarity Lab: A 10-minute reset to help you see behavior through a sensory lens—and speak about it with confidence
Stay Connected:
Website → theedisoncollective.com
Instagram → @the_edison_collective
Email → victoria@theedisoncollective.com
Next Steps:
Hit Follow so you don’t miss the next tool or insight
Try writing one simple advocacy phrase today (“They’re not defiant—ther’re dysregulated”)
Share this with another sensory mama who’s finding her voice

05 // What if Meltdowns are Messages?

Hey Momma,
Have you ever thought: Why is this happening? What am I doing wrong? Why can’t I figure this out?
Or maybe the question that’s hardest to say out loud: Is there something wrong with my child… or with me?
You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not doing this wrong.
 What We’re Chatting About Today:
This episode is straight from my OT playbook—and my mama heart. I’m sharing the process I use with new clients to decode meltdowns, reframe behavior, and help parents finally feel like they have a map.
Inside this one, we’ll talk about:
Why most “behavior problems” are actually sensory system messages
How traditional approaches often miss the mark—and what to do instead
What it really means to “observe with compassion”
The difference between Seekers, Avoiders, Sensors, and Bystanders
One powerful question to guide your next 24 hours
This isn’t about fixing. It’s about understanding—and giving yourself permission to slow down and see what’s really going on.
Key Moments:
(01:00) The moment I realized we were approaching behavior upside down
(05:00) The truth about what your child’s “difficult” behavior might be saying
(09:00) The four sensory processing styles (and why they matter)
(13:00) Your micro shift: observe with curiosity, not control
(16:00) You’re not behind—you’re just beginning
 
👉 The Clarity Lab: A 10-minute reset to help you decode meltdowns and see your child through a sensory lens
Stay Connected:
Website → theedisoncollective.com
Instagram → @the_edison_collective
Email → victoria@theedisoncollective.com
Next Steps:
Hit Follow so the next episode lands right in your feed
Share this episode with a friend who’s feeling stuck in the “what am I missing?” loop
Grab The Clarity Lab and give yourself a few minutes of space and insight todayhttps://edisoncollective.thrivecart.com/the-clarity-lab/

04 // Grief, Guilt and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

Hey Momma,
This one’s a little deeper. A little more raw. And maybe... exactly what your heart needed to hear.
If you’ve ever grieved the version of motherhood you thought you’d have, or felt guilty for not catching things sooner, you’re not broken. You’re not alone. And you don’t have to carry it all in silence.
What We’re Chatting About Today:
In this episode, we’re cracking open two emotions almost every sensory mom knows—grief and guilt. Not because anything is “wrong,” but because so much is different than what you expected.
You’ll hear:
Why grief is valid—and why it’s about you, not your child
What guilt really means (and why most moms don’t actually deserve it)
How our words and stories shape our kids' inner world
The power of breaking old cycles and writing a new narrative
A peek into The Sensory Savvy Mama Manifesto—a rally cry for moms rewriting everything
This episode is both a love letter and a wake-up call. It's for the moments you’ve whispered, “This is so hard.” And the ones where you’ve wondered, “Am I doing this right?”
Key Moments:
(02:00) Naming grief and letting it breathe
(08:00) Why guilt feels loud—and what it really means
(13:00) The stories we tell (and the ones we can rewrite)
(17:00) Words that heal: what do you want your child to believe about themselves?
(21:00) The Sensory Savvy Mama Manifesto—listen to this part twice 💛
 Resources:
👉 The Clarity Lab: A 10-minute guide to start decoding meltdowns and building calm with confidence
Stay Connected:
Website → theedisoncollective.com
Instagram → @the_edison_collective
Email → victoria@theedisoncollective.com
Next Steps:
Hit Follow so next week’s episode lands right in your feed
Share this episode with a friend who’s navigating big feelings too
Write down the one sentence you want your child to believe about themselves—and say it out loud today

03 // One Small Shift Can Change Everything

Hey Momma,
Does it feel like helping your child means changing everything—all at once?
Maybe you're overwhelmed by all the tools, the routines, the “you shoulds.” But what if it didn’t have to be that way?
What if one tiny shift could actually help both of you feel more regulated, more grounded, and way less stressed?
What We’re Chatting About Today:
In this episode, we’re talking about the power of micro shifts—small, doable changes that can make a big impact on your child’s sensory experience and your family’s day-to-day life. You’ll hear the story of a little girl who struggled with clothing due to tactile defensiveness—and how one 3-minute strategy changed everything.
We’ll cover:
Why big transformations actually start with tiny changes
What “tactile defensiveness” is and how it shows up in daily routines
How deep pressure and “heavy work” can be game-changers
Why your nervous system matters too (and how to support it!)
How to stack new habits onto things you’re already doing
This episode is your gentle nudge to start small—because consistency beats complexity every time.
Key Moments:
(01:00) Why we need to ditch the “do it all” mindset
(03:00) Storytime: Tactile defensiveness, clothing battles, and the mom who made it work
(10:00) What deep pressure does for sensory regulation
(14:00) Micro shifts that actually fit into real life
(17:00) Start here: 3 minutes, one change, big ripple
Resources Mentioned:
👉 Check out The Clarity Lab: a quick guide to understanding meltdowns and decoding your child’s sensory needshttps://edisoncollective.thrivecart.com/the-clarity-lab/
Stay Connected:
Website → theedisoncollective.com
Instagram → @the_edison_collective
Email → victoria@theedisoncollective.com
Next Steps:
Hit Follow so you never miss a calming, clarifying episode
Try one micro shift today—then DM me what you tried!
Share this with a fellow sensory mama who could use some hope + help

02// It's Not Bad Behavior, It's a Nervous System Trying to Cope

Hey Momma,
Ever catch yourself wondering, “Why are they melting down over something so tiny?” Like... a tag in a shirt. The sound of the vacuum. The lights in Target. You’re not alone—and no, it’s not just “bad behavior.”
This episode is for you if your child’s reactions feel bigger than the moment—and you’re craving a deeper understanding of what’s really going on.
 What We’re Chatting About Today:
In this episode, we’re diving into the sensory system and why behavior that seems “extra” or “inappropriate” might actually be your child’s way of saying, “I’m overwhelmed.” You’ll meet Sam, a sweet preschooler whose story illustrates exactly how misunderstandings around eye contact, sensory thresholds, and regulation show up in real life.
We’ll talk about:
The 8 sensory systems (yep—there’s more than 5!)
What it means when your child avoids, seeks, or shuts down
Why regulation isn’t about “fixing” behavior—it’s about supporting the nervous system
How to observe your child through a new lens—no pressure, just gentle noticing
You’ll also hear about the “thresholds” that impact how your child interacts with the world—and why understanding this can totally shift your parenting (and your compassion for yourself, too).
 Key Moments:
(00:00) Why “small” things aren’t small to your child’s sensory system
(03:00) Sam’s story—eye contact, dysregulation, and a lesson in nervous system overwhelm
(09:00) Breaking down the 8 sensory systems
(14:00) The 4 processing patterns—seeker, avoider, bystander, sensor
(25:00) Your 24-hour sensory observation invite (no pressure!)
 Resources Mentioned:
Grab the Clarity Lab for insight into your child’s sensory processing style 👉 https://edisoncollective.thrivecart.com/the-clarity-lab/
 Let’s Stay Connected:
Website → theedisoncollective.com
Instagram → @the_edison_collective
Email → victoria@theedisoncollective.com
Your Next Steps:
Hit Follow so new episodes land right in your feed
Share this episode with a friend who’s wondering, “Is this behavior really about behavior?”
Get THE CLARITY LAB if you want to go deeper into understanding your child’s sensory world https://edisoncollective.thrivecart.com/the-clarity-lab/