In this powerful episode, Wendy Hooton opens up about the raw and real journey of raising her son Matt, who has Down syndrome. As a single mother, she faced overwhelming fears—not just about her son’s future, but about whether she could give him the life he deserved. From battling societal misconceptions to navigating the complexities of dating as a special needs parent, Wendy shares the deeply personal moments that shaped her into the fierce advocate she is today.
Her story is one of radical acceptance, unconditional love, and the transformative power of community. At the Dear Mom Conference, Wendy found not only healing but a tribe of mothers who reminded her that vulnerability is strength. She reflects on Matt’s incredible progress and the importance of celebrating each child’s path without comparison or shame.
Wendy doesn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff—divorce, isolation, the fear of adulthood—but she also doesn’t let it steal the joy. She urges other parents to stop apologizing for their children’s differences and instead, start building a life filled with laughter, connection, and bold hope. Because the truth is: the world is still catching up to what parents like Wendy have known all along—kids like Matt are not a burden; they’re the revolution.
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Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.