The Lucky Few

At 22 years old, Matthew Schwab is a public speaker, employee, volunteer, ambassador, intern, campaign manager, and so much more. You may have even seen him advocating for employing people with disabilities on his TedX Talk! When he’s not writing speeches or selling merchandise, he’s sending emails or hanging out with his girlfriend. We’re so happy he took the time to sit down with us and chat all...

Raise your hand if your quarantine situation is nothing like you and your Pinterest board thought it would be! (We’ve got both arms up at this point). And it’s okay if you do too, friends. Because educating your children and working from home and surviving a global pandemic is hard. We’re right there with you. So today, join us for a chat about our quarantine situations, how to explain this madnes...

Magical Bridge playgrounds are beautiful places where ALL kiddos can play together. Think accessible ramps, wide paths, kindness corners, and the cutest little huts for when you just need some space.  We are so lucky to have Barbara Butler on to tell us more about these playgrounds. She is a luxury play structure and treehouse designer who uses her architect background to create incredible in...

“Stay home, wash your hands, don’t touch your face….” you’ve heard it all before. But now you can hear from pediatrician Dr. Noemi Spinazzi, who specializes in Down Syndrome! She works at a children’s hospital in Oakland, CA and is the medical director of Charlie’s Clinic - a Down Syndrome specific health care center! Today we’re asking her about all things health and Down Syndrome from special Co...

“Our kids do not have to fit any measurement for their value or worth.” Micha said it here first but we’re pretty sure we all agree, right? That’s why today we’re discussing all things dual diagnosis with Micha Boyett, who’s son Ace recently received an Autism diagnosis. What has it been like to join the dual diagnosis community? How was receiving Ace’s Autism diagnosis different than his Down Syn...

Thanks to Covid-19, it seems like #EverythingIsCancelled… except World Down Syndrome Day! We might not be presenting about DS in our kid’s classrooms but we can still shout their worth! Because if there is one thing people with DS have taught us, it’s how to be flexible! So let’s do it, friends. Down Syndrome has also taught us how to come together as a community to support one another. So today,...

Bryan Russell is the first person with Down Syndrome to ever run for political office anywhere in the world, and we are here for it! This past January, Bryan showed Peru (and the world) what he’s made of, earning over 13,000 votes in his efforts to earn a congressional position.  And thankfully, Katie and Ryan Marley followed his journey every step of the way. Their upcoming documentary, “El...

Anyone else ever questioned how much you share about your child or loved one with Down Syndrome on social media? We sure have! (Would I say this out loud to her friends? What would she think if she heard me saying this about her? Can I share this in a way that honors her and continues to bring our community together?) There is so much pressure to share (or not share) about your loved one with Down...

When Nancy Gianni received her daughter GiGi’s Down Syndrome diagnosis, it was “all condolences and no congratulations.” But it didn’t take long for Nancy to decide that she wanted to live in a world that celebrates Down Syndrome, and so she quickly took action. Just one year after GiGi’s birth, the first GiGi’s Playhouse opened! Today, there are 48 GiGi’s locations across the country and even one...

We all know what it feels like to receive a Down Syndrome diagnosis and realize that you hardly ever see people with DS represented anywhere. But what does it feel like if your child with Down Syndrome might not even be represented amongst the DS community? In honor of Black History Month, Mercedes and fellow lucky mama, Kelli Caughman , are talking all things advocacy and diversity, connecting wi...

You’ve seen Zack Gottsagen on the big screen during his hit movie, The Peanut Butter Falcon, and you’ve seen him onstage at the Oscars, but have you ever wondered about the woman who’s supported him since the beginning? In this VERY special interview, we’re talking to Zack’s mom, Shelley Gottsagen, who’s been shouting his worth boldly for 34 years. Not only was Zack the FIRST person with Down Synd...

Ever feel like you’re keeping score in your marriage? You’re not alone! In this very special couples episode (Happy Valentine's Day!), Micha and her husband Chris are chatting about all things marriage, raising a child with Down Syndrome, and how to invert the infamous ‘scoreboard!’  They have been married for 15 years, 10 of those being before having Ace, their youngest son who has Down Synd...

Nervous about raising your kids with Down Syndrome through puberty? Don’t worry friends, we’re right there with you! That’s why we’re chatting with Dr. Rebecca Partridge about all things puberty today. Dr. Rebecca Partridge is a pediatrician who is doing big things for the Down Syndrome community! She is a mother to Joshua, her 18 year old son with Down Syndrome, and Megan, her 12 year old daughte...

Your story has the power to shift narratives. We repeat, YOUR story has the power to shift narratives. That’s right, friends! You are a world changer and today we’re encouraging you to own that. It’s time to own your story. Join us as we recap Heather’s most recent event - The Own Your Story Workshop. You’re invited to hear all about how storytelling has impacted our lives and how it can impact yo...

Happy New Year, dear listeners! It may have taken us a few weeks to celebrate 2020 with you all, but that’s because we were dreaming up big ideas for future episodes! Today, we’re sharing a few of our new year's resolutions with you all.. but these aren’t your typical goals!  We know that this time of year brings on a lot of expectations, so whether your goal is to go to the gym just once thi...

Happy Holidays, friends! We’re celebrating BIG this year with our 2019 Holiday Gift Guide! Once again, we’ve put together a list of a few of our favorite small shops and online businesses so you know just where to shop this year! We have gift ideas for your kids, teachers, friends, family, + more! (You can thank us later!) You’ll love buying from these small businesses who are shifting the narrati...

LIVE from Southern California, we have actors Jamie Brewer, Cole Sibus, Jared Kozak, and their amazing talent agent, Gail Williamson here to chat all about Down Syndrome and the media! Jamie, Cole, and Jared are not only incredible actors on wonderful shows (like American Horror Story, Stumptown, and The Loudhouse), they’re also rocking that extra chromosome and shifting the Down Syndrome narrativ...

50 episodes, friends! Can you believe it? (It’s okay, we can’t either)!  We hope you’ve enjoyed listening to these past 50 episodes as much as we have recording them! We’ve enjoyed it so much that today we’re chatting all about our awesome guest roster, our favorite moments, some behind the scenes details, and why we are so thankful for this podcast + all of YOU! That’s right dear listeners,...

Raise your hand if you need to rest!  (Don’t worry, we’re right there with you!)  That’s why we’ve invited Rebekah Lyons to sit down and chat all about her new book: Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose. Not only is she a best selling author and national speaker, Rebekah is a mother to four children, two of whom have Down Syndrome.  She offe...

Mikayla Holmgren is a dancer, pageant star, winner of Miss Minnesota’s Spirit Award and Director’s Award, college graduate, Best Buddies ambassador, and most recently -- a Sephora representative! She also has what she calls “a little side of Down Syndrome!” Not only is this self-advocate the winner of the Miss Amazing pageant that celebrates women with different abilities, Mikayla is also the firs...

What does the future look like for your child with Down Syndrome? It’s a tough question that can overwhelm even the greatest planners. That’s why Phillip Clark created Enable Special Needs Planning (SNP), a company that helps families create comprehensive plans for their children, tailored to their unique abilities, which allow them to thrive each and every day of their lives. At the core of Enabl...

Wondering how to turn your passions into narrative-shifting movements? (So are we!) That’s why we sat down and chatted with some incredible advocates at the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network’s Rockin’ Moms Retreat last month! What a joy it was to interview Kristie Magnuson (mother to @gabe.the.babe.and.co ), Tamara Pursley of the National Down Syndrome Congress , and Sinead Quinn of Grateful Wellnes...

“My doctor told me that my baby would have Down Syndrome and then they brought up termination, so I came home and googled Down Syndrome and adoption and you were the first thing that came up..” the beginning of countless conversations Stephanie Thompson shares with expectant parents.  A mother of a 27-year-old son with Down Syndrome herself, Stephanie has walked through those scary stages of...

Last month, we went to DSDN’s Rockin’ Mom Retreat in Nashville, Tennessee and partied with over 700 moms who have kiddos with Down Syndrome. And we even sat down to interview a few.. including Carissa Carroll , the founder and president of Jack’s Basket ! This mother of three children (one of whom rocks an extra chromosome!) learned the hard way that a Down Syndrome diagnosis is not often met with...

We’re all hoping for great friends for our kiddos, right? And as parents of kids with Down Syndrome, we might be hoping for those great friends even more than most. That’s why we are so excited to talk to you all about Best Buddies , an international non-profit organization that focuses on creating meaningful, one on one, friendships between students with and without different abilities. Here toda...