OSBORNE ADVENTURE

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we sit down with Ms. Rhonda Schock, educator, community builder, and the woman who’s helped raise half the kids in Rogue River, including ours. For 39 years, she’s championed play-based learning, inclusion, and meeting each child exactly where they are. We talk about parenting shifts over the decades, the value of letting kids get dirty, how to spo...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I share the 10 things we wish we knew about Down syndrome when Ren was born. We didn’t know he had Down syndrome until the moment he arrived, and what followed wasn’t encouraging. It felt like an endless list of warnings about everything he might never do, instead of any recognition of the potential and beauty that would come to define his...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down with Tressie Albee, a therapist whose candid and unconventional approach to life and therapy has been shaped by her own profound experiences. In this raw, unscripted conversation, Tressie shares her journey from tribal Kenya during the Somali war and her eventual shift in understanding that life is about being fully alive, not ti...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down with Freyja, our 7-year-old daughter, to hear how she imagines our expedition unfolding. From her love of animals (even the sharks!) to what it might be like living on a boat with her brothers, she shares it all with the spark of wonder only a kid can bring. It’s a beautiful, light-hearted conversation that lets you see through t...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I sit down with Matt Knighton, director, adventure photographer, and award-winning filmmaker. Matt shares his experiences as the Onboard Reporter for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing during their winning 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race . He reflects on what it was like to race around the world on a Volvo 65, what it means to be a sailor, and offers candid insight...

On this episode of The Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down with Joy and Bobby, parents to Allanah, a child with level 3 autism and additional diagnoses. They share an unfiltered look at their daily reality—the struggles, the exhaustion, and their unwavering fight to ensure Allanah has the best possible life. Their journey is a testament to the lengths parents go to for their children. It...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I continue our conversation with my dad, diving into the moments, challenges, and lessons that have shaped us as a family and made this expedition possible. We reminisce about my childhood and the many adventures that followed, reflecting on how those experiences prepared us for the journey ahead. Along the way, we explore how life’s experi...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I’m taking you on a real, raw journey through the ups and downs of planning this expedition—one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Being a parent is tough, but raising a child with special needs brings its own set of challenges. Adding a global voyage to the mix? That’s a whole new level. We’re not here to sugarcoat things or only share the happ...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we sit down with my dad to talk about Ren and our expedition—but the conversation takes an unexpected turn into his career as a whale trainer at SeaWorld in the 1970s. It was an era of firsts, discovery, and working with incredible animals in ways few people ever have. We talk about what it was like to pioneer marine mammal training, SeaWorld’s ear...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we sit down with someone who has been part of this journey from the very beginning—Val’s mom. From living with her when we moved from San Diego to the role she’s played in shaping our family, she has been a constant source of support and love. We talk about the adventure ahead, what it means to take on something this big as a family, and how she fe...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we explore balancing our family’s privacy with sharing our story. Our global sailing expedition often puts the spotlight on our children—but where do we draw the line? We’ll share how we navigate social media and the internet, the steps we take to keep their lives private, and how we stay focused on what matters most. Join us for an honest conversa...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I’m joined by my 10-year-old son, Roake, for a hilariously fun and completely unscripted conversation. Between his quick, excited answers about the trip and his running commentary on his love of fruit, there are plenty of one-word responses like “no” that remind us he’s a 10-year-old through and through. This episode is equal parts insight and laug...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I dive into what it really takes to prepare our kids for this next big step— heading to British Columbia and ultimately life aboard Salome. From helping them adjust to new routines and changing their diets to exploring how homeschooling will work both on land and at sea, a lot of our focus right now is on making sure they’re ready for this...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I share what it will look like to homeschool our kids while sailing around the world. Over the last few years, we’ve transitioned from public school to homeschooling, and it’s been quite an adventure! With plenty of questions—and some concerns—about how sailing will affect our kids’ education, we’re tackling it head-on. Join us as we reflec...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I take a moment to dive into the final big step before our expedition—our upcoming move to British Columbia. After two and a half years of preparation, we are about to undertake one of the biggest milestones of hauling Salome out of the water for her refit. We share what it will take to get the boat ready, the excitement of this next chapte...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we dive into the joy, humor, and heartfelt moments of raising a child with Down syndrome. Through stories and reflections, we share what life is really like parenting Ren—from the challenges to the unexpected moments that keep us smiling. It’s an honest and lighthearted look at our family life and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. Whether yo...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I open up about 2024 being one of the most difficult years of our lives. In February, Val lost her dad, and the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I lost my mom unexpectedly. While planning a global expedition, we’ve found ourselves trying to balance the death of our parents, the guilt of leaving family behind, and the relentless pace of our live...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we’re excited to announce our weekly educational docuseries Adventure Without Boundaries coming in the fall of 2025. The series will be created specifically for special needs classrooms and it will bring the excitement of our global sailing expedition straight to students around the world! It will follow our son Ren (10), a young adventurer with Do...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down with Dr. Chris David, Emergency Department Medical Director and former Air Force emergency medicine physician. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Dr. David dives into his biggest concerns about our expedition. Together, we explore the fine line between adventure and danger, offering a candid and unfiltered look at the risks and...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I’m joined by Kevin Garcia, a retired United States Coast Guard helicopter rescue pilot. Kevin shares his journey from flight school to high-stakes marine rescues. We dive into some of the more dangerous aspects of boating, drawing on Kevin’s firsthand experiences. As we talk, Kevin shares his perspective and concerns for our expedition, offering i...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down to plunge headfirst into the latest updates on our countdown to setting sail. We cover everything from our refit timeline and the current projects underway to key dates and responsibilities as we prepare for our global expedition. We’ll take you behind the scenes of our recent trip to the Annapolis Boat Show, share insights on ne...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we invite you to sit around the table with us for an intimate, long-form conversation with Lou and Judy, the incredible couple behind the foundation of our expedition, Salome. From the start, Lou and Judy believed in us and, through unimaginable kindness, made the purchase and refit of Salome possible. Most importantly, they have become our dearest...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I’m joined by Jenn Taylor, an airline pilot and epic rock climber who’s also one of my oldest friends. We’ve shared many adventures over the years, but her journey parenting Ford, a bright and challenging child with ADHD and a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile, stands out as truly remarkable. PDA is a lesser-known part of the autism spect...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I sit down with my dear friend, Chelsea Pepperman. Chelsea has been a part of my life even before my marriage to Val and the arrival of our kids. If there is one thing I can say about Chelsea it is her kindness and compassion have always stood out. In this episode, Chelsea shares a deeply personal story from Ren's birth, one she witnessed firsthand...

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we dive into one of our most frequently asked questions: “What does sailing have to do with Down syndrome?” Join us as we unravel the unexpected link between our global expedition and our mission to challenge the world’s perceptions of Down syndrome. The connection will shock you! CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding...