The Caffeinated Advocate

02/20/2026

🌻 National Caregivers Day 🌻

Caregiving is not a title—it’s a lived experience.

It’s showing up when systems are heavy, answers are very unclear, and the weight feels endless.

It’s becoming an advocate because love leaves you no other choice.

At The Caffeinated Advocate, caregiving is the heartbeat behind everything I do.

It’s the countless hours of researching, the early mornings coordinating, quiet moments of grief, the nights lying awake wondering “what now?”, and the fierce moments of hope.

It’s the deep knowing that caregivers don’t need to be stronger—they need to be supported.

To every caregiver navigating disability, neurodiversity, aging, illness, and the in-between:

You are seen.
Your voice matters.
Your lived experience is powerful.
And I’m with you.

Caregivers are changemakers—building pathways, pushing for dignity, and creating belonging where none may have existed before.

And yes, sometimes we do it with a coffee in one hand and courage in the other. Am I right?

☕️💛

Today, we honor caregivers.
Today, we center caregivers.
Today, we say what should be said every day: you are not alone.

🌻💛

02/20/2026

Two years ago today, an article I contributed to Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine was published. It's a must read for newly diagnosed families! If you are new to my platform(s), new to the diagnosis of autism, or serve families who might need this information, please share with others.

Hearing that your child has an autism diagnosis for the first time is a different experience for everyone. Maybe you wondered how you would handle this experience?

For many parents, they are only learning about autism for the first time! As you go through the journey, you realize there are many supports available to you and while it may be different from the typical parenthood you expected…it can be a beautiful experience full of love and unexpected beauty!

Catherine Hughes shares some excellent advice for parents and caregivers who have recently received an autism diagnosis for their child. While receiving a diagnosis for the first time can seem overwhelming, Catherine breaks down the importance of some of the basics of the journey that are important in order to thrive. Catherine shares the importance of ongoing self-education, building a support network, advocacy, embracing self-care, prioritizing health and more.

If you are new to this journey, be sure to check out Catherine’s advice in the February issue of Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine.

Grab it here ⬇️
www.autismadvocateparentingmagazine.com
link in bio

02/19/2026

🎤 Keep the Love Flowing -After-Valentine’s Day Sing-Along! 🎶

Join us for a fun-filled karaoke afternoon with Band Together Pittsburgh at SpectroDolce Monroeville!

📅 Date: Saturday, February 21st
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: SpectroDolce Monroeville, 711 Mall Circle Drive, Monroeville Mall

🍓 Enjoy sweet snacks and treats while singing your heart out! Whether you’re a shower-singer or a stage star, everyone’s welcome!

Bring your friends, bring your smiles, and let’s make it a musical celebration you won’t forget! 🎶💖

02/19/2026

Less than 48 hours away! 🥹

My Breakup Was My Breakthrough releases on Amazon at 12AM Saturday morning. Kindle version still only $2.99! This book provides inspiring stories and a trauma-informed guide for healing ❤️‍🩹. I’m so honored to have contributed to this new collaboration.

I can’t wait for you to read it. Grab some extra coffee ☕️ and get comfy 🛋️.

“Because sometimes, collapse isn’t punishment. It’s permission. And suddenly …

… you start becoming.”

💛☕️🌻

02/18/2026

Next up, in your ’s reflections …

You know, lately, I’ve been reminded that the most meaningful work rarely looks flashy from the outside. It’s just not always sparkly.

It looks like conversations most people don’t hear.
Emails written with extreme care.
Advocacy that happens quietly, consistently, and with a ton of heart.
And sometimes, it includes a load of tears.

Between my full-time work supporting families, the projects unfolding through The Caffeinated Advocate, and other creative efforts finding their way into the world, I’m learning to appreciate the process just as much as the outcomes.

It’s a reminder that progress is not measured by applause, but rather the alignment with who I am and what I stand for.

By the people who feel seen and heard — maybe for the first time.
By the moments that truly feel purposeful.
By having confidence in knowing that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, right now, because the Universe knows what it’s doing.

If you’re doing work that matters — even when it feels completely invisible or maybe pointless — I hope you know it counts and it truly does matter.

What keeps you grounded when it all gets too heavy? Or, what brings you back from the edge?

🫶🏻☕️🌻💛🙏🏻

Much love,
Me

02/16/2026

Some days I sit quietly with my morning coffee and think about how wildly full this season of my life feels.

Not full just in a busy way. I mean, full in a grateful, steady, “becoming” kind of way. (If you know the name of my chapter in my latest collaboration coming Sunday, then you see what I did there. 😉)

This coming weekend, a new book collaboration I poured my heart into is being released — and I still have moments where that doesn’t feel real even though I’ve done so many. Next week will be the second meeting of the new women’s group I formed in my hometown. This spring, there are author and vendor events on the calendar, speaking opportunities that make my heart race (the good kind of racing heartbeat), and new connections forming that already feel meaningful and completely aligned with where I’m going.

And alongside all of that, there’s the daily work I’m so deeply blessed to do in my full-time role — walking with families, advocating, listening, building, and showing up for my team and all those I serve in the ways that matter most.

None of this happened overnight.

None of it came without exhaustion, doubt, or learning to trust myself again.

But all of it feels rooted in sheer purpose.

I’m sharing this not to brag — but to breathe it all in.
To honor the growth.
To remind myself (and maybe you) that quiet momentum is still momentum
Reflect. Recharge. Renew. Reframe.

Rejoice in it all.

If you’re in a season where things are unfolding — even slowly — I see you.
And if you’re in a season where you’re just holding on, I’ve been there too. Believe me.

What’s something you’re looking forward to right now? 💛 ☕️🌻

I’d love to hear from you.

02/15/2026

THIS.

My newest collaboration with Chou Hallegra - The Be Well Lady and three other amazing woman releases THIS SATURDAY! I can’t wait for you all to read my chapter:

“My Breakup Was My Becoming” 📚

Available now through Chou’s website OR on Amazon. Kindle version only $2.99 for a limited time!

"A breakup is not just the end of a relationship—it can also be the loss of a shared future, familiar routines, emotional safety, and a version of yourself that existed within that partnership."

Book available at www.writewithchou.com

02/15/2026

One thing I believe deeply in is clear, honest pricing—because you deserve to know exactly what you're investing in with me. 💛

With 25+ years of experience supporting individuals, caregivers, groups, and organizations in disability and neurodiversity spaces (plus my coaching certifications), my work is rooted in:

✨ real-world professional expertise
💛 compassion
🫶 lived experience
🧠 strategy that actually works
🙌 and practical support you can use immediately

Whether you have a story to tell, need resources and mentoring, or are you looking for a speaker to inspire your audience, I'm here.
(Sometimes, with an extra -- extra large?!?! -- cup of joe). ☕️🌻

Not sure what you need yet? That’s okay — most people aren’t at first.

👉 Every service begins with a FREE 15-minute exploratory call so we can:

✅ clarify your goals
✅ talk through what’s you might need
✅ and choose the best next step together

📩 Comment “CALL” or send me a message, and I'll be in touch.

02/14/2026

“Sometimes the person you need to leave is the one you’ve been pretending to be.”

This quote reflects one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my entire life: healing after a breakup is not just about grieving a relationship — it’s often about releasing the version of ourselves we created to feel accepted, safe, or “enough” -- for anyone.

I’m honored to be featured as an Editor & Co-Author in the newly released book:
📖 My Breakup Was My Breakthrough: Raw Stories and a Trauma-Informed Guide for Your Healing and Renewal After a Breakup

My chapter is titled: “My Breakup Was My Becoming.”
It’s a trauma-informed reflection on identity, resilience, and what it means to rebuild your life from the inside out.

💻 The Kindle version is currently available for only $2.99, and paperback editions are coming soon.

And ... to all of you. I love you all, no matter how close or far away you are. Your support of my work, my business, and my calling is a true act of caring.

🔗 Purchase link:
https://www.amazon.com/My-Breakup-Was-Breakthrough-Trauma-Informed-ebook/dp/B0GKMGF2QB

02/14/2026

Advocacy is built in the everyday choices — the moments you keep showing up even when it’s hard. Remember, our voices are POWERFUL and need to be heard.🔥

I deliver presentations that blend stories, science, and strategy—so audiences feel inspired, informed, and well-equipped to take meaningful action across neurodiversity and disability spaces.

I'm now booking for events in the spring and beyond. If you need me to lend my voice to YOUR event, conference, or group, I'm ready to serve you. Let's talk.

02/13/2026

“I didn’t need to break up with a person… I needed to break up with the persona who believed love and acceptance had to be earned.” 🔥💔

Oof. That’s IT. That's the one.

Because sometimes the breakup isn’t just about OTHERS.

Sometimes it’s about the version of you that was built from survival, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and fear of not being “enough.”

And when we can't love ourselves, we tolerate a lot of people, and a lot of things that just don't serve us, do they? 🥹

And the truth is… you were never too much.
You were never not enough.
You were just ready to be FREE. 🕊️✨

I’m beyond honored to be an Editor & Co-Author in this powerful collection and to share my chapter: “My Breakup Was My Becoming.”

📖 My Breakup Was My Breakthrough: Raw Stories and a Trauma-Informed Guide for Your Healing and Renewal After a Breakup
🔥 Only $2.99 on Kindle right now!
📌 Paperback coming soon!

🛒 Get it here:
https://www.amazon.com/My-Breakup-Was-Breakthrough-Trauma-Informed-ebook/dp/B0GKMGF2QB