The Lucky Few

Friends, you know we ask all the questions…even if we don’t have all the answers! Today, we're diving into a topic that hits close to home for many of us—volunteering. We're asking some tough questions: What happens when volunteering becomes more about extra credit or resume-building? How does this culture impact our efforts to shift harmful narratives? How can we make sure we teach our ki...

We’re excited to have Ashley Barlow back on the podcast today! We’re discussing the power of parental involvement in IEPs and why it’s so important for your child’s educational success. Ashley breaks down her research and shares personal stories from her journey with her son Jack, who has Down syndrome. This episode is packed with practical advice on how you can take an active role in your child&#...

Today, we're taking a trip down memory lane to revisit our very first IEP meetings! Let's be honest—those initial meetings can be a whirlwind of emotions: overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes even a bit intimidating. As we reflect on our experiences, we’ll dive into the questions we wish we had asked, the support we didn’t realize we needed, and the valuable lessons we’ve learned along t...

We’ve had many candid conversations about friendship and inclusion over the years. Today we’re excited to be joined by social worker, blogger, disability activist, and self-advocate, Kathleen Downes. Growing up in inclusive schools during the 90s, Kathleen shares her firsthand experiences, the struggles she faced in forming authentic friendships, and how involvement in disability-specific programs...

We’re excited to have April Rehrig, founder of Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting, on this week! With over 20 years of experience as an elementary school teacher and school psychologist, April has spent her career empowering parents and students to achieve the best educational outcomes. From understanding the IEP’s purpose to advocating for your child’s unique strengths, April provides actio...

Today we’re excited to talk to Pepper Stetler about her new book A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother's Reckoning with the IQ Test . She’s sharing her journey of questioning the authority and relevance of the IQ test after learning that her daughter, Louisa, who has Down syndrome, would be required to take it regularly to receive support in school. We’re chatting about the unsettling history...

We’re thrilled to have Carmen Vincent and Tom and Tina Felter join us to discuss their powerful Emmy award-winning documentary, Teacher of Patience . This film showcases the incredible journey of the Felter family and their daughter, Emily (who makes a surprise appearance!), who has Down syndrome. Tom shares the story behind developing The Emily Talk , a crucial presentation aimed at educating fir...

Friends, the last two weeks we got to hear from some amazing siblings. Today we hope you’ll join us for a very special episode, we're sitting down with our kids to talk about what it's like to have a sibling with Down syndrome. Micha chats with Ace’s older brother Brooks (13), Mercedes sits down with Sunny’s younger brothers Rhodes (9) and Shepard (7), and Heather with Macy & August’s...

Today we’re chatting with another amazing sibling! Taylor Gardner Chaney is a passionate entrepreneur whose younger sister with Down syndrome has influenced her understanding of disabilities and guided her career choices. Taylor discusses viewing life as a series of seasons and how focusing on the "why" behind her work helps her push through challenging times. We explore the realization...

Today, we're thrilled to chat with Matthew Von Der Ahe, known for his roles in 'Champions' and other films. Joined by his brother Tommy, they reminisce about childhood, explore their evolving adult relationship, and discuss maintaining their strong bond despite living apart. Matthew, an actor recognized for his work in 'The Secret Lives of Dorks' and 'Code Black,' is al...

Today, we're chatting about the mysterious and challenging world of Down Syndrome Regression Disorder (DSRD). This condition has left many parents searching for answers as they witness profound changes in their children. Joining us are two leading experts, Dr. Jonathan Santoro and Dr. Eileen Quinn, who will share their insights and experiences from the frontlines of diagnosing and treating DSR...

Today, we’re chatting with the creative minds behind Dance Happy Designs! Emily Scott is here to chat with us about the power of inclusive entrepreneurship, friendship, and creativity and share some of co-founder Julia’s thoughts on their friendship and partnership, plus what her favorite design is! Emily shares their experiences creating high-quality, amazing designs and fostering an inclusive mo...

We’ve been so grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) over the last few years. Today, we’re chatting with Kandi Pickard, the President & CEO of NDSS, and celebrating their 45th Anniversary coming up on June 20th! Kandi is sharing the organization's journey from a support group that has grown into a major policy and advocacy organizatio...

Join us for a special Father’s Day episode featuring the dynamic father-son duo, David and Andrew Olshine! They share their inspiring journey of writing and publishing the book Fearless As A Honey Badger, Brave Like A Wolverine . Learn about the lessons they've learned, the message of hope and resilience they aim to share with the world, and how Andrew’s remarkable recovery from Guillain-Barré...

Cheers to making it through another school year! Join us as we share our experiences, celebrate the successes, and learn from the challenges of the 2023-2024 school year. Discussing everything from what types of supports and settings worked for our kids, to the injustices in our education system and the reality of our kids still leading the way in 2024. We hope you’ll join us as we reflect on the...

Friends, we know there are so many ways to learn, join us today as Mercedes chats with fellow homeschool mama Rachel Prescott about what it's like to homeschool kiddos with (and without!)  Down syndrome. Mercedes has homeschooled her daughter Sunflower who has Down syndrome and her three boys for over five years now, Rachel who has twin six-year-old daughters Nettie and Lottie who have Down sy...

Friends, we’re so excited to be joined by Mrs. Brown today, you’ve heard us mention her many times over the years! She has developed a successful and innovative program that teaches reading and other academic skills to learners ages three to adult. We learned about her passion and gift for teaching individuals with Down syndrome in 2018 and had her on the show during our first season. Today, she’s...

Friends, today we have Manni and Reuben Coe, two remarkable brothers from the UK, who are here to share their deeply moving journey and new book, brother. do. you. love. me. Their story is one of extraordinary resilience, heartwarming repair, and the profound rediscovery of brotherly love. These magical brothers remind us of the power of love and resilience. Their story is not just about overcomin...

Friends, we put, “I’m A Really Good Mom” on a t-shirt because we know moms doubt this truth about themselves daily. Today in honor of Mother’s Day we’re celebrating the importance of community, friendship, and advocacy with our friends Kelli Caughman and Crystal Lotterberry! Kelli & Crystal are the founders of the Black Down Syndrome Association and they’re here to have an unfiltered conversat...

Friends, we’re so excited to have barber Vernon Jackson on the show today! In his barbershop and salon in Ohio, haircuts are more than just a service—they're an act of love and understanding. Through his viral program, The Gifted Event, Vernon provides free haircuts to children with disabilities, offering them patience, empathy, and a sense of belonging. A lifelong creative with a passion for...

254. The Next Step: Navigating Healthcare Transitions for Individuals with Down Syndrome (w/ Dr. Emily Johnson) Today, we’re chatting about navigating healthcare transitions with Dr. Emily Johnson, a dedicated advocate and physician specializing in the healthcare needs of individuals with Down syndrome. We discuss the importance of starting the transition process early, the challenges families may...

What does it mean to feel “lucky” to have a child with Down syndrome? We’re having a candid conversation about the evolving meaning of “lucky” within our community and personal journeys. Through the challenges and the joys, we know that things like toxic positivity and social media can leave us struggling to feel “lucky.” We’re sharing our thoughts, experiences, and some feedback from one of Heath...

We’re so excited to have Phillip Clark back on the show, he’s the founder of ENABLE Special Needs Planning and is here to chat with us about involving siblings in the guardianship and decision-making process. Phillip shares the importance of having open conversations early on with siblings about guardianship and gives advice about getting the conversation started. He dives into the differences bet...

You know and love her as the bubbly blonde that breaks into song on nearly every episode, today our girl Micha Boyett isn’t just The Lucky Few Podcast host, she’s our guest!! Join us in celebrating her new book Blessed Are The Rest Of Us (available April 9th!)! We’re chatting about her journey of writing this book, and how she chose to write more than just a memoir. What does it mean to be “blesse...

Friends, we had another hot topic in our group text that we knew we needed to bring on the pod to have with all of you! Today we’re chatting about the February 25th episode of “Saturday Night Live” with a guest host who used his niece and her Down syndrome diagnosis as a punch line to his set. We’re talking about our reactions and the larger conversation: who has the right to use Down syndrome and...