In this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with Rebecca Faye Smith Galli, bestselling author, columnist, and resilience expert, about overcoming loss, navigating parenting challenges, and finding hope in the face of adversity.
A mother of four — including two children with special needs — Smith Galli has faced extraordinary challenges, from the tragic death of her brother to her own paralysis following divorce. Through it all, she’s learned how to transform hardship into growth and purpose.
The conversation explores:
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What resilience truly means and how to cultivate it as a parent
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How to support children through grief, change, and emotional struggle
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Balancing hope and reality when facing life’s toughest moments
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Lessons from raising children with autism and epilepsy
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How journaling, mindset, and daily intention can create emotional strength
Smith Galli shares deeply personal insights and practical tools for parents who want to raise emotionally aware, adaptable, and hopeful children — even in difficult times.
REBECCA FAYE SMITH GALLI
Columnist
Bestselling Author
Advocate
Mother of 4
““Our kids watch us more than they listen to us. They saw me struggle in my wheelchair — getting through doors, over bumps — but they also saw me figure out how to play basketball and soccer from that wheelchair. They saw me problem-solve. If children watch us face challenges with creativity and persistence, they learn how to solve problems themselves.”