This episode: When Adversity Hits a Family—and Becomes Their Greatest Teacher: The Kristina & Herb Heagh-Avritt Story.

Here’s what you’ll learn about:

Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast (0:00)

• Host Drew Deraney initiates the recording and introduces Kristina and Herb Heagh-Avritt.
• Drew thanks the guests and mentions the rarity of having a couple on the show, highlighting the synchronicity and alignment in their relationship.
• Drew discusses the linear view of life taught at a young age and how external circumstances can derail this path, leading to three types of people: those who don't see adversity, those who see it as a barrier, and those who see it as an opportunity.
• Drew introduces Kristina and Herb as examples of the third type of people who see adversity as an opportunity and take massive action to become stronger individuals.

Kristina and Herb's Background and Defining Moments (2:37)

• Drew asks Kristina to share her defining moment that transformed her from a woman who didn't see adversity to one who sees it as an opportunity.
• Kristina shares that having a son on the autism spectrum changed her and her husband's perspective on life, leading them to look at things differently and grow together.
• Drew inquires about the preparation for this new path, and Kristina explains that they were not prepared initially but learned to adapt and see adversity as an adventure.
• Herb shares his journey of moving from a level two person who saw adversity as a barrier to a level three person who takes control of his life, mentioning various defining moments such as a health crisis and a mountain accident.

Impact of Adversity on Their Lives (6:53)

• Herb discusses the impact of a mountain accident on his life, including brain damage and the subsequent involvement in psychedelic medicines to help with his recovery.
• Kristina shares the additional challenges they faced, including her father's death, her son stopping communication with them, and their granddaughter being taken away.
• Herb and Kristina talk about how these challenges led them to help other families communicate and stay strong through adversities.
• Drew highlights the importance of resilience and communication in families, especially when dealing with neurodivergent children.

Their Business and Mission (9:20)

• Kristina explains their business mission to help families communicate and stay strong through adversities, focusing on education.
• Herb adds that they also help entrepreneurs incorporate their families into their daily lives through homeschooling.
• They discuss the importance of personal development and how it can be integrated into family life and education.
• Drew and the guests delve into the differences between traditional education and individualized education, emphasizing the need to teach children based on their strengths and interests.

Challenges and Solutions in Education (13:30)

• Drew and the guests discuss the limitations of the current education system and the need for a more personalized approach.
• Kristina shares her experience as a teacher and the frustrations she faced with the rigid curriculum and lack of support for special needs children.
• Herb and Kristina talk about the increase in homeschooling during the pan...

• (00:00:00) - Herb and Christina Hay
• (00:01:46) - Adversity and the Types of People
• (00:03:48) - Christina and Her Herb
• (00:04:24) - What Changed My Life?
• (00:06:41) - What's Your Defining Moment in Your Life?
• (00:11:02) - One Mother's Experience with a Neurodivergent Son
• (00:14:54) - Gen Xers on the Issues
• (00:15:39) - What is the Mission of Your Business?
• (00:17:09) - Family and the Business
• (00:19:36) - Neurodivergent Education
• (00:25:52) - The lockdown affected one student's mental health
• (00:26:51) - Teachers on the Issues
• (00:30:06) - How To Give Advice To Your Daughter
• (00:30:39) - What Would You Tell Your 7-Year-Old?
• (00:31:42) - Do You Need a Business Partner?
• (00:32:24) - Don't Try to Get Started in Business
• (00:34:31) - A message for Christina and Herb
• (00:34:54) - Take Care of Yourself