Born Fabulous

Send a text Discover how embracing inclusivity transforms a business and its community. Join us as we spotlight Jamie Minotti and Mark McLarry, the visionary co-founders of My Yard Live Beer Company, who are pioneering inclusive employment practices for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through their inspiring collaboration with remarkable individuals like James Zoul, who has Down syndro...

Send a text Discover how a unique brewery initiative is redefining community inclusion and empowerment as we sit down with My Yard Live Beer Company's co-founders, Jamie Minotti and Mark McLary. The "Four Dudes" – James Zoul and his friends, who all have disabilities – have turned what began as simple cleaning tasks into a powerful movement within the brewery, contributing significa...

Send a text Imagine transforming the excitement of a music festival into a community hub where families gather, connect, and enjoy a cold brew—this is the vision brought to life by Jamie Minotti and Mark McLary, co-founders of My Yard Live Beer Company. These innovative entrepreneurs have crafted a unique space in San Marcos, California, merging the vibrancy of a brewpub with family-friendly eleme...

Send a text Discover the vibrant, fulfilling lives of Kristen and James Zoll, a married couple who redefine independence and interdependence while living with Down syndrome. In this uplifting episode, Kristen reveals her journey to finding purpose through her work at Love Works and volunteer efforts at St. Michael's Center, while James brings a lighthearted touch by sharing his passion for br...

Send a text What happens when love transcends boundaries and societal expectations? Meet Kristen and James Zoll, a married couple with Down syndrome, whose remarkable relationship is nothing short of inspirational. In this heartwarming episode of the Born Fabulous Podcast, we explore their unique living arrangement, which balances independence with interdependence through a supportive network that...

Send a text What if living independently with a disability didn't just mean surviving, but thriving? Meet James Zoll and Kristen Ruppel Zoll, a remarkable couple both living with Down syndrome, as they share their story of love, independence, and teamwork. Joined by their dedicated Home Health Aid, Lynn Metzger, discover how James and Kristen have not only navigated the challenges of daily li...

Send a text What happens when the dreams you have for your children shift dramatically? June and Jim Zoll, along with Melody and Bob Ruppel, share their heartfelt stories of raising young adults with Down syndrome and the transformative role of advocates like Lisa Hotelen and organizations such as LifeWorks. Hear them recount their initial uncertainties and the pivotal moments that helped them emb...

Send a text What's the magic formula for a memorable wedding that honors family traditions and supports future financial stability for children with Down syndrome? Join us on this heartwarming episode of the Born Fabulous Podcast where we share the touching journey of James Zoll and Kristen Ruppel's engagement through the loving voices of their parents, June and Jim Zoll, and Melody and...

Send a text As parents, we're wired to worry about our children's future—what if that future includes an intellectual disability? This week, we're joined by June and Jim Zoll, alongside Melody and Bob Ruppel, who open their hearts about raising children with Down syndrome. Their stories are not just tales of parenting, but of fostering independence in James and Kristen, a married co...

Send a text Have you ever witnessed true love that not only defies the odds but also melts your heart? That's the story of James and Kristen, a delightful couple living with Down syndrome, whose marriage is a beacon of hope and joy. As we chat with their parents, June and Jim Zoll, and Melody and Bob Ruppel, we're swept into a narrative that celebrates the couple's five-year journey...

Send a text Navigating life with young adults who have intellectual disabilities can be a complex dance of fostering independence and cherishing interdependence. This heartfelt narrative unfolds as we reconnect with June and Jim Zoll alongside Melody and Bob Ruppel, who unveil the empowering decisions that shaped their children's growth into well-rounded individuals. Their stories breathe lif...

Send a text Have you ever witnessed a moment that beautifully defies the odds? That's precisely what we unravel in our latest conversation with June and Jim Zoll, and Melody and Bob Ruppel, as we celebrate the extraordinary lives led by their children, James Zoll and Kristen Ruppel. This pair of young adults, bound by love and a shared experience of Down syndrome, take us on a journey marked...

Send a text Have you ever witnessed the transformative power of a community that opens its arms to every member, no matter the challenges they face? That's the heartwarming reality June and Jim Zoll, and Melody and Bob Ruppel have lived as they raised their children, James and Kristen, who both have Down syndrome. In our latest episode, we're honored to invite these exceptional parents t...

Send a text How do you navigate the joys and challenges of raising young adults with intellectual disabilities? Join us for this heartwarming episode of Born Fabulous, where we uncover the inspiring stories of two extraordinary couples, Jim and June Soule and Melody and Bob Ruppel. You'll hear Melody's journey managing government contracts at WestEd, where her professional mission of ful...

Send a text Micah Fialka- Feldman and Katherine Sanderson are interviewed together in this episode.  Katherine is a critical member of Micah's support staff. This is the last of three episodes. Micah and Katherine talk about his strong Circle of Support, goals for the future, technology that helps Micah, social media, advice, sweet and funny stories, and more.  Micah is best known as one of t...

Send a text Micah Fialka- Feldman and Katherine Sanderson are interviewed together in this episode.  Katherine is a critical member of Micah's support staff. This is the second of three episodes. Micah and Katherine share her role as support staff, the concept of paid neighbors, what makes great support staff, what is an ideal roommate, how Micah's parents raised him to be strong and ind...

Send a text Micah Fialka- Feldman and Katherine Sanderson are interviewed together in this episode.  Katherine is a critical member of Micah's support staff. This is the first of three episodes. Micah updates listeners on his life since his episodes in season 2 of Born Fabulous Podcast.  Micah and Katherine talk about getting through the pandemic, Micah having Covid, share an update on Tori f...

Send a text Janice Fialka and Richard Feldman continue their discussion about the sibling perspective, sharing a very poignant quote by their daughter Emma. They also talk about fighting and loving hard, share many resources, give some advice, and sprinkle in more sweet stories. Their wisdom, advice, and experiences have golden nuggets for parents of younger children as well as adults with disabil...

Send a text Janice Fialka and Richard Feldman discuss Micah's ability to reach out to others, generational sense of security, giving a teacher hope, interdependence, how this journey has made lifelong profound personal changes, a sibling's perspective, and much more.  Every one of Janice and Rich's episodes are impactful, but this one has even more profound moments. Their wisdom, ad...

Send a text Janice Fialka and Richard Feldman discuss Micah's upcoming book, helping families develop their stories, the importance of revisiting-reflecting-reigniting, thinking "outside the box", turnover in support teams, interdependence as the goal, the profound effect of true inclusion on society, and much more.  Their wisdom, advice, and stories have golden nuggets for parents...

Send a text Janice Fialka and Richard Feldman discuss their guiding principles, Micah's living situation, the hard work of building and maintaining circles and community support, breaking the silence, inclusion's effect on society, and much more. Their wisdom, advice, and stories have golden nuggets for parents of younger children as well as adults with disabilities, and of course commun...

Send a text Janice Fialka and Richard Feldman discuss inclusion, how they got through the pandemic as a family, overcoming individualism, learning how to ask, letting go, and much more of interest to families of children and young adults with intellectual disabilities. Their wisdom, advice, and stories have golden nuggets for parents of younger children as well as adults with disabilities, and of...

Send a text Kayla McKeon and her roommate, Elyssa Stallcup, discuss a wide array of topics including the shortage of mentors,  making their apartment their home, sincere advice, healthy communication, and more. Their 50/50 commitment to their friendship and living situation is a wonderful, organic model for many.  Kayla is best known as the first professional lobbyist with Down syndrome.  She is a...

Send a text Kayla McKeon and her roommate, Elyssa Stallcup, discuss chores and their chore chart, Kayla's version of supported decision making, different circles of support, and more. Kayla is best known as the first professional lobbyist with Down syndrome. She is also a podcast host, sought after keynote speaker, community college graduate, and tireless advocate. Elyssa is her good friend a...

Send a text Kayla McKeon and Elyssa Stallcup are interviewed together in this episode, because they are roommates. Kayla updates listeners on her life now since they heard her in season 2 of Born Fabulous Podcast.  Kayla and Elyssa enlighten us on their planned, and patient journey to become roommates, and find the right apartment. They talk about their relationship and give advice, such as the im...