In this heartfelt episode, I interview Jan Stewart, a mental health advocate, and author of Hold on Tight: A Parent's Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness. Jan shares her deeply personal journey of raising two neurodivergent children, Andrew and Ainsley, and the challenges her family has faced. From early signs of their children’s struggles to navigating a complex healthcare system, Jan's story is one of resilience, love, and relentless advocacy. Despite the immense challenges, Jan finds strength in her family, community, and mission to help others facing similar situations. This episode is a powerful testament to the strength of parents who dedicate their lives to supporting their children through adversity. Key Moments That Matter 1. Introduction and Family Background(0:00 - 2:00) - I introduce Jan Stewart and briefly discuss my pride as a father, setting up the episode's theme. 2. Jan’s Idyllic Childhood (3:10 - 4:40) - Jan reflects on her early life in New York, sharing how her upbringing was untouched by adversity and how she initially pursued a career in the performing arts. 3. Early Signs with Andrew (10:00 - 12:00) - Jan recounts the early signs of trouble with her son Andrew and how her concerns were dismissed by doctors, labelling her as an "over-concerned" parent. 4. Ainsley’s Different Path (13:10 - 15:00) - Jan discusses how her daughter Ainsley showed different but equally concerning behaviours as she grew older, contrasting with Andrew’s challenges. 5. Navigating Marital Strain (18:00 - 19:30) - The strain on Jan and David’s marriage as they faced the challenges of raising their children, and how they learned to trust and support each other through the difficulties. 6. Andrew's Escalating Challenges (20:40 - 22:50) - A challenging period where Andrew’s behaviours became increasingly alarming, leading Jan to intensify her efforts to find help. 7. Ainsley’s School Challenges (24:00 - 26:00) - Jan shares how Ainsley struggled in school with disruptive behaviours and anxiety and how these issues affected her self-esteem. 8. Dealing with Isolation (27:30 - 29:00) - Jan discusses the isolation that comes with raising children with mental health issues and the importance of finding a supportive community. 9. Successes and Current Status of Andrew and Ainsley (31:00 - 33:20) - Jan gives an update on how Andrew and Ainsley are doing today, highlighting their achievements and ongoing challenges. 10. My three Takeaways and Closing Remarks (34:00 - 38:00) - I summarize the key lessons from the interview, emphasizing assertiveness, community support, and Jan’s inspiring advocacy work, followed by my heartfelt tribute to parents like Jan and David. To buy Jan Stewart's book: https://www.amazon.ca/Hold-Tight-Parents-Journey-Children/dp/1988025974