In this episode of Rockin’ the Difference, I site down with Jennifer Caryn Brown—financial advisor and adoptive mom to a child with special challenges—for an honest and empowering conversation about caregiving, planning ahead, and finding peace of mind.

Jennifer shares her personal journey navigating special services, advocacy, and parenting, while also offering practical guidance on how families can financially prepare for their child’s future. From understanding key planning tools to shifting from fear-based decisions to intentional ones, this episode bridges lived experience with professional insight.

Whether you’re a caregiver just starting to think about long-term planning or someone feeling overwhelmed by the “what ifs,” this conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to do it all at once—and you don’t have to do it alone.

You can find more information forJennifer below: Website: www.browninvestmentmanagement.com email: jennifer@browninvestmentmanagement.com Social Media: @BrownInvestmentManagement

As 2025 comes to a close, this episode of Rockin the Difference reflects on a year of profound change, challenges, and growth. I share what it meant to navigate major caregiving transitions for my son Ryan, face unexpected delays and emotional strain, and arrive at year’s end feeling both stretched and resilient. As I turn 50 on New Year’s Eve and reflects on shedding old layers to step into a new season, this episode marks the beginning of a year-end tradition—one rooted in honesty, healing, hope, and moving forward with intention.

Today on Rockin the Difference, we’re talking with someone whose story rewrites what resilience can look like. Josh Bridgewater is the oldest skateboarder with spina bifida — a title he never set out to earn, but one he carries with pride. Born with his spine outside his body, Josh has endured more than 46 surgeries just to keep moving through life as normally as possible.

Growing up, he faced bullying, isolation, and the kind of challenges most of us will never understand. But everything changed the day he found skateboarding — and with it, a community that accepted him exactly as he was. What started as a personal escape evolved into a calling.

As an adult, Josh as poured his energy into teaching kids with spina bifida and other disabilities how to ride, how to fall, how to get back up, and how to hold onto a positive mental attitude even when life hits hard. He knows the darkness of suicidal thoughts, and he knows the light that comes from purpose and connection.

Josh and his wife Shawna, are an amazing team that work together to show the resiliency of love for each other and community through all the ups and downs that life brings.

His story is raw, real, and incredibly inspiring — and I’m honored to share it with you.

Let’s get into it.