Turin2025: United Airlines On The Job with Carly Pietrzak and John Kloosterman
Episode description
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’ ongoing partnership with Special Olympics.
From walking alongside athletes during the Opening Ceremony to supporting the Global Youth Leadership Summit, Carly and John share how these moments reflect United’s deeper commitment to inclusion and global unity. They also offer insight into how Bridge BRG fosters a culture of belonging within the company and supports meaningful volunteer engagement.
Listen in as we discuss:
- United’s journey with Special Olympics since 2017
- The role of Bridge BRG in advancing inclusion and accessibility
- Employee-led initiatives like Plane Pulls and volunteerism on the Deed platform
- Firsthand stories of connection and community from Turin 2025
- Why investing in youth leadership is crucial to the future of the inclusion movement
💬 Plus, Carly and John open up about what this work has meant to them personally—and what they want others to know about building truly inclusive spaces for people of all abilities.
🔗 Tune in and be inspired by how United Airlines is helping lead the way in creating a more welcoming world.
Episode 771 ShowNotes & Links: SpecialChronicles.com/Podcast771- 🎧 Listen Now! Listen and Follow on Special Chronicles
- 📺Watch Now! Watch (and Subscribe) Full Episode on YouTube
- Enjoyed this episode? Tune in to our Special Chronicles Podcast Series "A Recap of Turin2025" to hear more stories from the World Winter Games
- Tune in to our Special Chronicles Podcast Series "Unified at Work" to hear more conversations about the meaning of inclusion employment!
- Learn more about United Airlines' Bridge Business Resource Group
- Watch Recap of Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 on YouTube
- Get involved in the Special Olympics Movement
- Support This Podcast: Click Here to Donate Now and support the mission of Special Chronicles
- WATCH Producer's Cut of Full Episode 771 HERE: Available Only on SpecialChronicles PLUS
- ➕Join SpecialChronicles+ PLUS! Go to SpecialChronicles.com/PLUS for our Premium Pre Show with behind the scenes podcast chats, exclusive bonus content, and to help support the show.
- 🛒Shop Our Merch: Shop Our Disabled Voices Matter Collection
- 📱Follow us on Socials: @SpecialChronicles
- 📧Email: Send us a message here
- 📧Newsletter: Subscribe to our Mailing List HERE
- 🎤Speaking Engagements with Daniel: Learn more and Book Daniel to speak HERE
- 💡Partner: ComEd EnergyForce
- ✈️Partner: United Airlines Bridge BRG
- 📻Podcast Hosting: Podbean
- 📡Recording Studio: StreamYard
- 🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge Now!
- Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission.