Let's Plant Houses

06/01/2026

What if curiosity mattered more than judgment in parenting?

In this episode, Julie Kratz shares her family’s journey raising her youngest daughter, Dylan, who is on the autism spectrum. She talks honestly about the ups and downs, from early developmental differences to finding the right school and support. Julie opens up about the everyday challenges, the surprising joys, and what she’s learned about patience, empathy, and celebrating the little wins along the way.

Julie also talks about her new book, We Want You: An Allyship Guide for People with Power. It’s a practical guide for anyone who wants to be a better ally whether at work, in your community, or with friends and family showing how small actions and curiosity can make a big difference.

LPH: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/

18/12/2025

What guidance would you share with families just beginning their profound autism journey?

Ben Duff shares his thoughts in this clip from Let’s Plant Houses.

For the full episode, please see the comments.

16/12/2025

What is it really like to raise a child with profound autism who needs 24/7 support?

This episode explores profound autism, caregiving, and the real challenges families face every day. Guest Ben Duff shares his family’s honest and powerful story.

Ben talks about the early signs they noticed, the emotional process of getting a diagnosis, and the daily work of managing medications, therapy, and changing behaviors through different stages of life. He also opens up about moments of crisis, hard care decisions, residential program options, and the ongoing need to advocate within a complex system.

Ben offers simple and practical guidance for families just starting this journey. He shares how to build a strong support network, find resources that fit your child, and define what “success” means for your own family. This episode gives parents, caregivers, and anyone curious a clear and heartfelt look at the resilience involved in raising a child with profound autism.

LPH: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/

08/12/2025

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04/12/2025

What do you wish family, friends, and the community understood about truly supporting families living with autism?

Michael Pereira shares his thoughts in this clip from Let’s Plant Houses.

For the full episode, please see the comments.

02/12/2025

What happens when one family’s autism journey becomes a lifeline for thousands of others?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, you meet Michael Pereira, a husband, father, and advocate who helps families with autism and parenting support. Michael shares how his family first noticed signs with his son Christian and gives parents real hope so they feel less alone in their own autism journey.

Michael talks about the early days when home life changed fast, from skipping restaurants to unplugging blenders, and how friends and family had to learn and grow with them. He also explains why he created The Autism Voyage, a helpful platform built to give parents clear and trustworthy information. Today it includes more than 90 practical blog posts, a national directory of services, and a newsletter that reaches over 2,000 families.

The Autism Voyage blends education, guidance, and real stories that help parents feel supported and understood. If you want honesty, hope, and simple tools that make this journey easier, this is the episode to press play on.

LPH: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/

26/11/2025

18/11/2025

What moment in your life changed everything in an instant?

In this week’s episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Sarah Boes, a nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, author, and “heart mom,” shares the appointment that shifted her entire world. Late in pregnancy, a routine scan revealed that her unborn daughter had multiple complex heart defects. Suddenly, Sarah and her husband were swept into a world of specialists, emergency plans, and love stretched to its very edges.

As Sarah tells her story, you will hear how she and her husband learned to navigate surgeries, uncertainty, and the emotional weight of becoming parents inside a medical crisis. She speaks with honesty about grief, grit, and the unexpected ways community rises around you when life falls apart. This conversation holds moments that will make you hold your breath and others that will lift your spirit. It is a story about the heart in every sense of the word.

LPH: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/

07/11/2025

I did the thing!

I gave my first talk about my lived experience and Let’s Plant Houses. It focused on:

- Why lived experiences matter, including stories from my own family and the families featured on Let’s Plant Houses

- How nonprofits can discover and tell the stories within their own communities to help others understand the families they serve

- Ways to share those stories widely and meaningfully to support goals in advocacy, fundraising, and awareness

I dare say…it was fun! And I’d love to do more of this. If you’re looking for a speaker, please reach out.

05/11/2025

What happens when the services your child needs don’t exist yet?

Judi Uttal faced that challenge when her son Josh was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at age four. She reflects on the early challenges, including the lack of autism awareness and resources in the 1990s, and how her early advocacy, community support—including a pilot program in Irvine and the Orange County Asperger Support Group—and determination helped Josh thrive in film production.

Judi now runs the Orange County Asperger Support Group, helping teens and adults with level one autism improve their quality of life. She also founded the Autism in Entertainment (AIE) Workgroup, a California-based initiative that increases employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum in animation, film, and gaming. Through conferences, creator community meetings, and career resources, AIE connects autistic individuals with opportunities in the entertainment industry.

Listen to her fascinating story!

27/10/2025

I’m excited to share that I’ll be presenting at the Incompass Michigan re:con conference in two weeks, where I’ll be talking about the Let's Plant Houses podcast and the power of storytelling to build understanding and connection.

It’s amazing to think it’s already been TWO YEARS years since I began this journey and have had the privilege of sharing 45 family stories. It’s such an honor to talk about that experience and what I’ve learned along the way.

22/10/2025

What’s it really like raising two kids on totally different parts of the autism spectrum, especially when you’re on the spectrum yourself?

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, Wendy Ernzen chats with Eileen Lamb, a mom, author, photographer, and all-around autism advocate who knows the ups and downs firsthand. Eileen shares stories about her oldest, Charlie, who has profound autism, and her younger son Jude, who has level 1 autism. From the early diagnosis days to battling for the right school and figuring out what actually works, she’s got plenty of honest, real talk about what parenting looks like in her world.

Eileen is the founder of The Autism Cafe blog, author of All Across The Spectrum and Be The One, and the Senior Director of Social Media and Marketing at Autism Speaks. She’s also a podcast host and photographer based in Austin, Texas, where she juggles life with children. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or just curious, this episode is packed with practical insights and relatable moments.

LPH: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/