TPP #167 | Advocating for your Child with Brian Utter

The Parable Podcast with Danielle Zapchenk

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Have you felt like you are in the middle of your parable story? Joining me is Brian Utter, the director of World Mission Broadcast and Executive director of Olive Media Group, shares his passion for media and missions. He discusses his background in journalism and how he transitioned to broadcast communications. He emphasizes the importance of authentic and compelling content that connects with people and points them to Jesus.

He shares about how he and his wife continue to love and advocate for their son highlighting the challenges and rewards of raising a child with trauma and special needs. He discusses the difficulties of finding appropriate schools and services for his son, as well as the challenges of managing his son's outbursts. Brian emphasizes the importance of faith, community support, and self-care in navigating the journey of advocating for a child with special needs. He encourages parents to seek resources, join support groups, and share their stories to build a network of support. Grateful for Brian sharing his parable story so we can better understand and navigate those we love in this world.

Takeaways

• Media has the power to connect people and point them to Jesus.
• Authenticity and compelling content are crucial in capturing and maintaining audience attention.
• Raising a child with trauma and special needs requires a dedicated support system and access to appropriate resources. Finding appropriate schools and services for children with mental health and behavioral challenges can be extremely difficult and frustrating.
• Self-care is essential for parents advocating for their children, and seeking therapy and joining support groups can provide much-needed support.

Sound Bites

• "Within the first six seconds is how you capture the audience."
• "Our society is in a loneliness epidemic."
• "Because of his autism for a long time, the only emotion he could show us was rage."

Reflection Questions

1. What are some ways to release the tension in your life?
2. Isolation is very real and pretty easy to fall into. What is one way you can reach out to a friend to continue to strengthen your community base

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World Mission Broadcast

keywords: media, missions, journalism, broadcast communications, authenticity, foster care, adoption, trauma, special needs, parenting, mental health, behavioral challenges, advocacy, faith, community support, self-care, resources, support groups

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