Special Chronicles Podcast

On this Season 7 Finale episode of Unified at Work: a Special Chronicles Podcast, We're coming to you live from the United Airlines Global Headquarters for a special conversation with David Kinzelman, Chief Customer Officer at United Airlines. Learn how leadership, customer experience, and inclusion come together to create opportunities and build a stronger workplace culture for all. From the fron...

On this Season 7, Episode 9 of Unified at Work : a Special Chronicles Podcast Series, join us on this special Best Of episode as we celebrate five years of impact, growth, and inclusion.  Hear empowering stories and memorable moments from United Airlines' Houston Service Ambassadors as they celebrate their 5 year work anniversary, and discover how inclusive employment continues to transform lives,...

On this Season 7, Episode 8 of Unified at Work : a Special Chronicles Podcast Series, join us on this special Best Of episode as we celebrate five years of impact, growth, and inclusion.  Hear empowering stories and memorable moments from United Airlines' Denver Service Ambassadors as they celebrate their 5 year work anniversary, and discover how inclusive employment continues to transform lives,...

On this Season 7, Episode 7 of Unified at Work : a Special Chronicles Podcast Series, join us as we go on the job with Ryan Musciotto, a United Airlines Service Ambassador at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and a Special Olympics New Jersey Athlete Leader.  Ryan shares his journey in Special Olympics, his path to inclusive employment at United Airlines, lessons learned through Athlete L...

On this Season 7, Episode 6 of Unified at Work : a Special Chronicles Podcast Series, join us as we go on the job with Daniel Block, a United Airlines Service Ambassador at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and the first Special Olympics New York Athlete Leader to be a Service Ambassador at at United!  Daniel shares his journey in Special Olympics, his path to inclusive employment at Unit...

On this episode of Unified at Work : a Special Chronicles Podcast Series, join us as we go on the job with Robert "Bobby" Fredericks Jr., a United Airlines Service Ambassador at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Special Olympics New Jersey Athlete Leader.  Bobby shares his journey in Special Olympics, his path to inclusive employment at United Airlines, lessons learned through Athlete...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's  Unified at Work Series Season 7, Episode 4, Host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Jimi Allen , founder of TalkLab and agency owner of Bureau Gravity , for a conversation rooted in connection, creativity, and inclusion. Jimi shares the story of how he became a longtime listener and follower of Special Chronicles, how he and Daniel first connected...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's  Unified at Work Series Season 7, Episode 3, Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Joanne Starkman , co‑founder of Innersense Organic Beauty , and her daughter Morgan Starkman Starkman, the company’s beloved Director of Joy. This heart‑centered conversation explores how Innersense is raising clean hair care to a higher standard through ingredient inte...

On this Season 7, Episode 2 of Unified at Work: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series, we feature a re‑released excerpt from our 2025 conversation with Bill Dwyer, CEO of Helping Hand, joining host Daniel Smrokowski to discuss the future of meaningful employment for people with intellectual disabilities. Together, they explore how High School Transition pathways, inclusive work initiatives, and incl...

In this special crossover episode of Special Chronicles' Unified at Work Series and Mental Health Series , host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes fellow United Airlines employees Melinda Riddle and Donna Paggi for a powerful conversation about grief, resilience, mental health advocacy, and hope. Melinda Riddle, Assistant Manager of Inflight, co-founder of UMatter, and volunteer with the American Foundati...

Join us for a special milestone episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: EnergyForce Series as we celebrate 15 years of the ComEd EnergyForce Ambassador Program with three guests who represent the program's incredible journey from past to present. Host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes Paula Conrad, Co-Founder of the EnergyForce Ambassador Program, Jessica Frantz, an original EnergyForce Ambassador, an...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast’s EnergyForce Series (Season 9, Episode 3), host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kara Schwer, Manager of Marketing & Customer Education at ComEd, for an energizing conversation about the fast‑growing world of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and the future of clean transportation. Together, they break down how EVs work, why they matter, and the innovat...

This week on the Special Chronicles Podcast, Host and Special Olympics Athlete Leader Daniel Smrokowski sits down with fellow Special Olympics Athlete Leader and author Ben Haack to discuss his new book, Reason for Hope: A Parent’s Playbook for Raising Happy and Resilient Kids . Written as a series of personal letters, Ben’s book offers comfort, clarity, and practical guidance for parents navigati...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast recorded on location from the Chicago Ducky Derby 2026, we bring you the excitement of 90,000 ducks splashing into the Chicago River from the Columbus Drive Bridge — all benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. You’ll hear conversations with sponsors RSM and WayMo, as well as media partners WBBM NewsRadio and WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, who helped shar...

On this Series Finale episode of “Road to 2026 Special Olympics USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series,” host Daniel Smrokowski, Founder of Special Chronicles and Special Olympics Athlete Leader, sits down with Jessica Poole, Director of Communications for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Together, they reflect on the meaning, impact, and legacy of the Games. 🌟 What You’ll Hear in Thi...

On this episode of Live From Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series, and in celebration of the anniversary of Special Olympics and the Global Week of Inclusion, this episode is all about Inclusion in Action. In this fast-paced montage episode, we hear from 10 unique voices—including athletes, fans, and families—sharing their heartfelt answers to one powerful question:...

On this episode Live From Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series, we’re podcasting from the heart of the action at the ESPN Unified Sports Challenge, where Special Olympics athletes, celebrities, NBA stars, and Olympic champions come together to compete side-by-side in the ultimate celebration of inclusion. Host Daniel Smrokowski takes you onto the field for exclusive...

On this episode Live From Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series, we're taking you inside the stories behind the storytellers — the athletes who are shaping how the world sees the Games. First, we meet Wyatt, a proud Special Olympics athlete and Sargent Shriver Global Messenger, who stepped onto one of the biggest stages in sports: ESPN. Wyatt’s voice, confidence, and...

On this episode of Live From Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series, it's all about the unforgettable Game Day Moments that bring the spirit of the USA Games to life! Join host Daniel Smrokowski from the heart of the action in Minnesota, where athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and fans are celebrating inclusion, determination, and community—one game, on...

On this episode of Live From the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, Daniel connects with Eric Wilfrid of Special Olympics Northern California, Debra Spears, a passionate fan, Sam Wagner, a Team Illinois Athletics athlete, Chris Ritchie, a volunteer from Huntington Bank, and Ty Bricker, co-founder of The Sunshine Stop. Each guest shares their unique perspective on...

On this episode of Live From Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, we’re reporting on location from Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota during the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics USAGames. From our press box vantage point, we capture the joy, pride, and inclusion that define the Games. As our friend Timothy Shriver reminds us, this celebr...

On this episode of LIVE From Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, host and Health Messenger Daniel Smrokowski is podcasting location at the University of Minnesota for the official Healthy Athletes Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.  Tune in as Daniel co‑emcees this event alongside fellow Health Messenger Kayte Barton, as they welcome leaders from the University of Minnesota...

On this heartfelt episode of Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes Cathy O’Neill, whose daughter Katie will compete in Gymnastics for Team Illinois at the 2026 USA Games. Cathy shares what it means to be part of her athlete’s support system, how her family prepares for the excitement of Minnesota hosting the Games, and the emo...

On this episode of Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, host Daniel Smrokowski spotlights the essential behind‑the‑scenes work that brings the Special Olympics movement to life. We sit down with Katelin Zandi, a dedicated Team Illinois staff member whose communications work helps shape how athletes, families, and fans experience the 2026 USA Games. Katelin...

On this episode of Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Coach Matt Corso, Head Coach for Team Illinois Bowling, to explore the deep impact coaches have on athletes preparing for the 2026 USA Games. Matt opens up about his coaching philosophy, the intentional preparation that goes into a national competition, and how he...