Sip and Stim

About Sip and Stim

Sip and Stim is a podcast for parents raising children with autism who want honest conversations, practical support, and a reminder that they are not alone. Hosted by Toni, an experienced autism leader, and Kate, a mom raising two children on different ends of the spectrum, each episode blends trusted guidance with real-life experience. From diagnosis and daily routines to relationships, overwhelm, and small wins, Sip and Stim is here to help you take it one day at a time.

Publisher

Kate Martin and Toni Toole

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Apr 2026

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

23 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Who Ordered the Silver Lining?

   What if the fastest way to find more joy is to stop forcing your family to live the way you think you’re supposed to? In this episode of Sip & Stim, Toni and Kate talk about finding joy again when parenting, autism, appointments, milestones, expectations, and everyday life start to feel overwhelming. They get into how easy it is to focus so much on what should be happening next that you miss what is good right now. They talk about the pressure to compare your family to others, make life look “normal,” and keep traditions that may no longer work for your child or your family. The conversation also gets personal about accepting the family you actually have, rather than chasing the version you once imagined. Sometimes date night happens at home. Sometimes Christmas looks completely different. Sometimes staying home creates better memories than doing what everyone else expects. And sometimes the thing your child loves most is the wonderfully weird tradition you never would have planned. Because joy doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It can mean letting go of comparison, changing the plan, embracing what works, and giving your family permission to create traditions that actually make everyone happy. WATCH, LISTEN AND FOLLOW SIP & STIM https://links.sipandstim.com (https://links.sipandstim.com) CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Sip & Stim 02:49 When You Finally Get Time Away… and Still Talk About the Kids 04:38 When It Feels Strange to Just Be 08:35 When Learning More About Your Child Feels Heavy 13:12 Navigating Insurance, Waivers, School and Everything Else 15:34 How Do You Find the Joy Again? 15:41 Milestones Can Steal Your Joy 17:34 Acceptance, Humor and Letting Go 19:19 When Date Night Looks Different 19:42 Comparison Is a Thief of Joy 20:52 The Pressure to Make Your Family Look “Normal” 23:39 Stop Doing What Makes Everyone Miserable 26:30 When Family Traditions Have to Change 29:08 Choosing What Works Over What’s “Supposed” to Work 30:27 Pivoting Is Not Failing 33:35 Embracing the Things Your Child Loves 38:03 Finding Joy in the Experience 38:29 Flexibility Can Make More Room for Joy 40:25 When Home Is Your Happy Place 41:03 Creating Traditions the Whole Family Can Enjoy ABOUT SIP & STIM Welcome to where parenting on the spectrum pairs best with caffeine, coping skills, and stims. Subscribe for more honest conversations about autism, parenting, caregiving, family life, and figuring out what actually works for your family. CREDITS Hosts: Toni Toole: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinette-toole-7039ba41/) Kate Martin: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-m-22926839/) Producer: Mike Axe: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeaxe/) Editor: Derek Kedell: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-kedell/) Theme Song From: Derek Martin: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-martin-mm-lbs-pa-bcba-lba-ga-92578717/)

2. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Well I Didn't See That Coming

   Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs are the ones you never saw coming. In this episode of Sip & Stim, Toni and Kate are joined by Kayla for a conversation about the moments when children surprise us, exceed expectations, and remind us why their future should never be defined by where they are today. They talk about recognizing progress that may not show up on a treatment plan, why natural learning can be so meaningful, and how a child’s interests, motivation, relationships, and environment can reveal abilities that might not appear in more structured settings. They also get into a question many parents know well: why will my child do something for a therapist, teacher, or caregiver, but not for me? Toni explains why that difference does not mean you are failing and why every relationship with a child comes with its own history. And when it comes to the future, no one can know exactly what a child will eventually be capable of. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is leave room for growth, self-advocacy, interests, and possibilities. Because what looks small to someone else may be huge to your family. And that deserves to be celebrated. WATCH, LISTEN AND FOLLOW SIP & STIM https://links.sipandstim.com (https://links.sipandstim.com) CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Sip & Stim 00:36 Meet Kayla 02:43 Leave Room for Your Child to Surprise You 03:18 When Your Child Does Something You Never Expected 11:04 The Different Ways Kids Surprise Us 16:28 Motivation, Interests and Showing Their Potential 17:39 Don’t Miss the Progress That Wasn’t on the Plan 18:09 Why Natural Learning Moments Matter 25:07 Every Season of Development Can Look Different 27:10 We Can’t Predict Where a Child Will Be Next Year 27:53 Making Room for Your Child’s Own Goals 28:52 Don’t Let Today Define Their Tomorrow 36:03 Why Will They Do It for Someone Else, but Not Me? 36:25 If They Do It for Someone Else, You’re Not Failing 39:00 What Professionals Need to Understand About Parents 39:35 A Clinician Should Never Make You Feel Like a Bad Parent 42:18 What Good Support Should Ultimately Lead To 45:17 Finding the Right Fit for Your Family 48:23 Advocating for the Right Person 49:17 What Looks Small to Others Can Be Huge to You ABOUT SIP & STIM Welcome to where parenting on the spectrum pairs best with caffeine, coping skills, and stims. Subscribe for more honest conversations about autism, parenting, family life, support, progress, and the moments that don’t always get talked about. CREDITS Hosts: Toni Toole: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinette-toole-7039ba41/) Kate Martin: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-m-22926839/) Guest: Kayla Producer: Mike Axe: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeaxe/) Editor: Derek Kedell: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-kedell/) Theme Song From: Derek Martin: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-martin-mm-lbs-pa-bcba-lba-ga-92578717/)

3. 

   16 Sept 2026

   CEO of Keeping Everyone Alive

   There’s the parenting everyone sees. Then there’s everything you’re carrying in your head that no one else can see. In this episode of Sip & Stim, Toni and Kate talk about the invisible mental load that can come with raising a child with autism: appointments, therapies, schedules, safety planning, sensory needs, medications, school, travel, backup plans, and the constant responsibility of remembering what everyone else may never have to think about. They talk about what it feels like when a simple outing requires a checklist, when coming home doesn’t mean you get to stop, and when having support in your home can still mean never fully turning off. Toni also shares what it’s like to be the default planner and information keeper for her family, including preparing for emergencies, packing what Greyson may need, and thinking through the “what ifs” before they happen. They also get into the difference between someone helping with a task and actually taking ownership of it, why routines can make sharing the load easier, and why being exhausted does not mean you’re failing. WATCH, LISTEN AND FOLLOW SIP & STIM https://links.sipandstim.com (https://links.sipandstim.com) CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Sip & Stim 05:23 “Chaos Coordinator” Doesn’t Even Cover It 08:32 When Appointments Take Over the Week 11:05 Getting Home Doesn’t Mean You’re Done 13:00 Sometimes You Never Really Get to Turn Off 17:11 What Support at Home Can Actually Look Like 20:02 Even a Simple Outing Can Require a Plan 22:36 Planning for the What-Ifs 24:07 Why Family Outings Take So Much Preparation 27:34 Vacations, Backup Plans and Everything You Have to Remember 29:19 A New Place Can Mean Starting From Scratch 33:16 Becoming the Default Information Keeper 35:45 Helping vs. Actually Owning the Task 38:27 Why Routines Can Make Sharing the Load Easier 39:33 Being Exhausted Doesn’t Mean You’re Failing 40:26 Coming Next on Sip & Stim ABOUT SIP & STIM Welcome to where parenting on the spectrum pairs best with caffeine, coping skills, and stims. Subscribe for more honest conversations from Sip & Stim. CREDITS Hosts: Toni Toole: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinette-toole-7039ba41/) Kate Martin: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-m-22926839/) Producer: Mike Axe: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeaxe/) Editor: Derek Kedell: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-kedell/) Theme Song From: Derek Martin: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-martin-mm-lbs-pa-bcba-lba-ga-92578717/)

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Contact Sip and Stim

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.