Special Chronicles Podcast

To conclude Disability Pride Month, we’re rebroadcasting one of our most powerful conversations. Host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with his college friend Maria DiSabato in this encore episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, recorded on location at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Maria shares her lived experience with disability—exploring questions like: • What does disability mean to you? • Wh...

 In this special audio documentary episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, Host Daniel Smrokowski takes you behind the scenes of the 2025 Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games in Normal, IL! From the powerful Tribute to Champions Reception, to the walk with his SEASPAR team, inspiring Opening Ceremony speeches, and his personal reflections after an intense Bocce competition—this episode...

In this fun-filled episode, Georgia and Daniel kick off their summer travels with a wild start to their Louisville, Colorado adventure! Tune in as they share: 🛫 How they caught the last two standby seats on UA791 from Chicago to Denver—just seconds before the gate closed! 🙌 Shoutouts to the amazing @united ORDCS Gate C3 Team and warm greetings from DEN SOSA colleagues Chris & Cody—plus a sur...

In this powerful episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's EnergyForce Series S8:Pt5 , we sit down with Jessica Rojas from ComEd to explore how the Powering Lives Community Center and other ComEd education programs are lighting the way for students, families, and future energy professionals. From interactive K-12 field trips to immersive college experiences and STEM scholarships, ComEd is buildi...

In this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Matthew Brough , an Athlete Leader from Special Olympics Great Britain , based in York, England. Matthew’s journey began on the tennis court and led him all the way to the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, where he proudly won gold and bronze medals. Since then, he’s completed his Athlete Leadership...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's EnergyForce Series S8:Pt4: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kelvin Limbrick from ComEd to talk about the innovative and eco-friendly goat grazing program that’s helping manage vegetation under power lines in northern Illinois. With nearly three dozen goats on the job this summer, ComEd is leading the way in sustainability by using goats to clear...

We’re going LIVE for our 100th episode of the Georgia and Daniel Podcast! 🎉 Join us as we celebrate this milestone with a special recap of our incredible adventures during the first half of 2025 — from Daniel’s birthday bash in January to competing together at the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in June. 💥 We’re taking you behind the mic with: * Our most memorable moments from the past 6...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's EnergyForce Series S8:Pt4: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kelvin Limbrick, ComEd Vegetation Management Sr. Program Manager to discuss important environmental topics, including their vegetation management practices, the role of brush control, and their sustainability efforts in celebration of Earth Day.   Key Topics: Vegetation Management: Kelvi...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Jenny Fortner , a dedicated Special Olympics International Board Member to talk about how she volunteered with her son Joey Fortner, a Yale University student and his friends from Athletes in Action.  Jenny shares her personal journey and deep-rooted commitment to Special Olympics as...

On this heartfelt Father’s Day episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, we revisit a meaningful conversation with Adam Smrokowski , proud father of our very own award-winning host, Daniel Smrokowski. Adam opens up about the journey of raising a son with special needs, the early challenges and triumphs of fatherhood, and the profound impact the Special Chronicles platform has had on their lives....

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Carly Pietrzak, Chief of Staff at Bridge Business Resource Group , and John Kloosterman, Vice President of Bridge BRG at United Airlines. Together, they reflect on their powerful experience at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 and the impact of United Airlines’ ongoi...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Shawn Ferguson , the Chief of Global Government Relations at Special Olympics , to explore the mission and impact of the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion  . The Coalition is uniting global leaders, governments, and advocates to drive systemic change for people with int...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with sits down with three remarkable leaders who are paving the way for a more inclusive world: Sky Riley , Senior Manager of Global Youth and Education at Special Olympics, Louis Kleemeyer and Tim Pietrowski from the Global Youth Leadership Council .  Together, they provide insight into...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kellie Matthew , a Special Olympics USA athlete, who competed in Alpine skiing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 . Kellie, who has been a part of Special Olympics since she was just 9 years old, shares her incredible journey from Coral Springs, Florida, to the int...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Nick Mills , a dedicated Special Olympics athlete from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who has been part of the Special Olympics family for 20 years. Nick has competed in a variety of sports, including Alpine skiing, basketball, athletics, bowling, soccer, and volleyball. He’s also active...

🎙️ Episode 250 – Special Mother’s Day Live Podcast with Daniel & His Mom Recorded live from the Imperial Oak Brewery in Willow Springs, Illinois, this heartfelt 30-minute episode celebrates Mother’s Day with a very special guest—Daniel Smrokowski’s mom, Linda Smrokowski! Join Daniel and his mom for a touching and inspiring conversation as they reflect on: Daniel’s miraculous birth story—born t...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with two incredible athletes, Natalie Green and Trey Garrett, both of whom represented Special Olympics USA in DanceSport at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 . Join us as we dive into their journeys, advocacy for inclusion, and the transformative power of sport. In This...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down Jim Bluemond , a dedicated Special Olympics coach who will be representing Special Olympics USA as a snowshoeing coach at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, in 2025. Jim has been involved in the Special Olympics Movement   for the past three years, and his personal c...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down Mallory Marvin , a Special Olympics USA athlete who competed in Snowshoeing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, in 2025. Mallory has been involved with Special Olympics Movement  for 14 years and is a true leader in the movement, representing not just her sport but...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Tyler Lagasse , a Special Olympics USA athlete who’s making waves in the world of Alpine skiing. Tyler has been a part of the Special Olympics Movement   for over 21 years and is set to compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin 2025 . We talk about his incredible jo...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Grace Payne , Sargent Shriver Global Messenger for Special Olympics, as she reflects on the recently concluded Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin 2025. Grace shares her incredible journey with Special Olympics and her role as a Global Messenger, offering insight into the im...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Lou Lauria , the Chief of Sport and Competition for Special Olympics, to discuss his journey, the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin 2025 , and what it takes to organize such a global event. Lou shares insights on the Games, the athletes, and the incredible impact of the Sp...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Melissa Hart , the author of the highly anticipated book Down Syndrome Out Loud , which highlights over 20 inspiring stories of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Melissa shares the powerful motivation behind compiling these stories and why now is the right time for this book to make an impact. Meli...

On this rebroadcast episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Dr. Jackie Jodl , Chief Global Youth and Education Officer at Special Olympics . This Week, our focus of Spread The Word is on Inclusive Action. Join us for an education conversation about  Inclusive Mindsets ,  Unified Champion Schools   Create Universal Dignity and Empathy,  Leaders of Courageous Acti...

On this rebroadcast episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Laura Hertzog from Minnesota who wrote the article "The Short Bus Stops At My House." This Week our focus of Spread The Word is to Stand Up To Bullying. Tune in to hear Laura talk about: Challenges her brother has; Why she wrote “The Short Bus Stops At My House”; Why Kids Make Fun of Short Bus?; Laura’s...