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Michael Pereira's journey from corporate traveler to autism advocate began when his son Christian started showing developmental concerns around his first birthday. Like many parents, Michael and his wife initially struggled with denial – a phase he now recognizes was rooted in focusing on their own feelings rather than their child's needs. "The extent of denial reflects the extent of selfishness," Michael shares with remarkable candor, explaining how acceptance finally allowed them to move forward and create real solutions.

The turning point came when COVID temporarily halted Michael's 80% travel schedule, revealing how his son's symptoms improved with his consistent presence. When travel resumed, Christian's difficulties with transitions, head-banging behaviors, and communication regressions returned, ultimately leading to his autism diagnosis. Rather than immediately seeking external support groups, the family chose to strengthen their internal bonds first – a powerful reminder that healing journeys aren't one-size-fits-all.

What makes Michael's story particularly valuable is how personal challenge transformed into purpose. Frustrated by financial advisors who couldn't address special needs planning without trying to sell products, he created The Autism Voyage, a resource helping families navigate everything from early diagnosis to financial security. His comprehensive approach focuses on three critical areas: income protection strategies, using life insurance to fund special needs trusts, and long-term care planning – protections many families don't realize they need until it's too late.

Beyond practical advice, Michael offers profound wisdom about balancing the needs of both his children (Christian with autism and three-year-old Amanda), choosing positive mindsets daily, and embracing discomfort as necessary for growth. As former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty wisely noted, "Growth and comfort cannot coexist." For anyone navigating unexpected challenges in parenting or life, these words and Michael's lived experience offer both comfort and courage to move forward.

Michael Pereira, Founder of The Autism Voyage®, helps parents of special needs children navigate financial and life-planning challenges. As a financial professional focusing on insurance planning, and autism dad himself, Michael knows firsthand how critical it is to have a proactive plan in place. His mission is to bridge the gap between insurance strategies and real-life challenges, empowering families to secure their future with confidence. No one understands the challenges, wins, and fears quite like another parent walking this path.

• Website: www.TheAutismVoyage.com
• Instagram Personal: https://www.instagram.com/autismdrivendad/
• Instagram TAV: https://www.instagram.com/theautismvoyage/

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Host Candace Fleming
Co-host Janet Hale

visit the website at https://www.essentialmotivation.com/
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visit Janet's website https://haleempowermentllc.com/

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Tired of failed relationships? You might be asking one person to fill too many intimacy needs. In this deeply thoughtful episode, relationship expert Tannaz shares her transformative concept of the six intimacy tanks we all have: physical (non-sexual touch), sexual, emotional, experiential, intellectual, and spiritual connection.

Instead of expecting a single person to fill every tank, Tannaz encourages taking inventory of your relationships to identify who fills which roles in your life. When your partner lacks emotional capacity, who else can you turn to? Which tanks are non-negotiable for your romantic relationships? This perspective removes the crushing weight of expecting partners to "be everything" while honoring our need for community.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when Candace vulnerably shares her post-divorce experience with a situationship, revealing how honesty about what she could and couldn't give transformed a confusing dynamic into a nurturing friendship. "When I can't give you what you deserve, I need to be honest about that," she reflects, demonstrating how candor creates safety in relationships.

Tannaz, who left a law career after witnessing too many divorces, explains the crucial components of relationship healing: cognitive understanding paired with somatic bodywork to help our nervous systems feel safe enough for change. "We will always choose familiar chaos over unfamiliar peace," she notes, highlighting why we stay in dysfunctional patterns.

Whether you're single, dating, partnered, or married, this episode offers practical tools to evaluate your relationships and create more intentional connections. As Tannaz reminds us: "Your presence matters — you were born with a unique blueprint to share gifts with the world."

Tannaz Hosseinpour is a certified life coach specializing in relationships—both with oneself and with others. With an academic background in conflict resolution law and counselling psychotherapy, she blends neuroscience, psychology, and mindfulness to help individuals regulate their nervous system and build healthy, secure connections.

Explore more resources at minutesongrowth.com, where Tannaz offers a free ebook on nervous system regulation and consultations for those seeking relationship guidance.

Website: www.minutesongrowth.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/minutesongrowth

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/minutes-on-growth/id1294464255

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L0KjxeqLW0WFMsHVJnQe0

Support the show

Host Candace Fleming
Co-host Janet Hale

visit the website at https://www.essentialmotivation.com/
visit the store at https://shopessentialmotivation.com/
Instagram instagram.com/essentialmotivationllc

visit Janet's website https://haleempowermentllc.com/

To be a guest on our show email me at candacefleming@essentialmotivation.com
In the subject line put EMH Guest

Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988

Music by Lukrembo: https://soundcloud.com/lukrembo
Provided by Knowledge Base: https://bit.ly/2BdvqzN

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It's Therapy Thursday

Your screen time is shaping you in ways you might not realize. Every show, movie, and social media scroll leaves an imprint on your mind, influencing everything from your daily thoughts to how you interact with others.

Candace and Janet take us on a revealing journey through their personal media consumption habits, examining how what we watch creates a "mental diet" that nourishes or depletes us. Candace shares the surprising story of experiencing her first panic attack while watching a television drama during her separation, highlighting the powerful connection between emotional vulnerability and media consumption. Janet explains why she deliberately avoids fear-based news programming, choosing instead content that fosters hope and community connection.

The conversation takes delightful turns as the hosts laugh about their Grey's Anatomy obsession leaving them convinced they could diagnose medical conditions ("I could probably give some surgery!"), while also exploring deeper territory about how religious programming can bring ancient texts to life. The contrast between "trash TV" and spiritual content reveals that it's not about judging what we watch, but rather understanding its impact on our mental well-being.

What makes this discussion particularly valuable is the practical wisdom shared. The hosts suggest mindfully observing how different shows affect your mood, behavior, and outlook, then adjusting accordingly. They explore how algorithms shape what appears in our feeds and how we can take control by deliberately curating content that aligns with our values and goals.

Whether you're a binge-watcher, social media scroller, or selective viewer, this conversation will transform how you think about your screen time. Take a moment to reflect on your own media habits – are they feeding your mind with what truly nourishes you? Subscribe now and join our community of mindful media consumers who are learning to harness the power of what they watch to create more positive, purposeful lives.

Support the show

Host Candace Fleming
Co-host Janet Hale

visit the website at https://www.essentialmotivation.com/
visit the store at https://shopessentialmotivation.com/
Instagram instagram.com/essentialmotivationllc

To be a guest on our show email me at candacefleming@essentialmotivation.com
In the subject line put EMH Guest

Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988

Music by Lukrembo: https://soundcloud.com/lukrembo
Provided by Knowledge Base: https://bit.ly/2BdvqzN