As our country has wrestled with the realities of racism over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been reflecting quite a bit over here and we’re guessing that many of you have too. So let’s talk about it. In this episode, we’re sharing our recent experience at protests, our own journeys/encounters with racism, and what we’re doing now to diversify our networks and stand with the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Plus, we’re diving deep into how being a mother of a child with Down Syndrome affects the way...
Jun 16, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Teresa Unnerstall is an author, speaker, consultant, and mother to Nick - her 26 year old son with a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Autism. She has nearly 3 decades of experience on dual diagnosis.. which means this episode is full of wisdom, and so is Teresa! She shares three tips to keep in mind for your kiddo with DS/ASD including behavior specialists, speech therapists, and sensory diets (and we’re not just talking about food here). We’re also chatting all about her book, “A New Course,...
May 26, 2020•58 min
Jessica Hunter and Larkin O’Leary are on Instagram as @JustTwoMomssr but we all know there’s no such thing as “just a mom!” And these ladies prove it. Jessica is a mother to three kids, and her middle child has Down Syndrome. Larkin has two children, and her oldest is rocking that extra chromosome! Down Syndrome brought them together many years ago and today, their passion for inclusion made them partners in advocacy, and even leaders of a non-profit: Common Ground Society. What started as a pre...
May 19, 2020•45 min
Let’s face it, we all love voice-command technology (maybe even a little too much sometimes..) and our kiddos love it too. But Siri and Alexa and Google Home can’t always understand our loved ones with Down Syndrome. That’s why Ed Casagrande, the chair of the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS), launched Project Understood. Ed and his team are collecting voices from individuals with Down Syndrome and working with Google to ensure that the future of voice technology includes everyone. Matthew M...
May 12, 2020•46 min
When all you see on Instagram is happy moms smiling with their children on Mother’s Day, it can be hard to remember that not every woman approaches the holiday the same way. That’s why we are so grateful to have Katie Jameson on to discuss all things grief and Mother’s Day. Katie is a mother to 4 year old twins (one w/Down Syndrome), a 2 year old, and her son Lochlan who would turn 6 this year. After losing Lochlan, Katie made it her mission to support women grieving the loss of a child on Mothe...
May 05, 2020•1 hr 4 min
We know that Down Syndrome does not affect one more race more than another so why is the advocacy space not more diverse? We have Jalondra Davis - author, scholar, feminist, and mother, on to address this topic and more. We’re chatting about everything from her son’s diagnosis story to the many systems that impact our children with Down Syndrome and the intersections between different types of injustice. Get ready to take notes, friends. We have so much to learn from Jalondra. __ Keep up with Ja...
Apr 28, 2020•1 hr 5 min
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 about his busy life, his future goals, and his journey from being sad about his Down Syndrome diagn...
Apr 21, 2020•36 min
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 madness to your kiddos, setting realistic expectations, giving yourself grace, and why homeschool should a...
Apr 14, 2020•51 min
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 inclusive playgrounds alongside the Magical Bridge Foundation. Join us for the incredible story about how he...
Apr 07, 2020•57 min
“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 Covid-19 precautions, medical myths, speech, pneumonia, hearing, and more! Dr. Spinazzi also shares wh...
Mar 31, 2020•1 hr 6 min
“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 Syndrome diagnosis? Who have you connected with? And is there a gap between the Down Syndrome community...
Mar 24, 2020•1 hr 10 min
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, we’re chatting all about a few of our favorite podcasts/non-profits/accounts that are shifting the n...
Mar 21, 2020•52 min
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 Candidato” explores the biggest questions surrounding this election: Can someone with DS run for office an...
Mar 18, 2020•56 min
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 Syndrome and we feel it too! So friends, let’s all agree to be intentional on Instagram, to honor o...
Mar 10, 2020•48 min
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 in Mexico! GiGi’s Playhouse is the ONLY international network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers ...
Mar 03, 2020•1 hr 3 min
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 with other moms, and what it’s like being a person of color raising a child with Down Syndrome. Kelli ...
Feb 25, 2020•1 hr 17 min
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 Syndrome to present an Academy Award on stage at the Oscars, he was the FIRST person with DS to be fully...
Feb 18, 2020•1 hr 2 min
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 Syndrome. Trust us, they know a thing or two about overcoming obstacles in marriage! They also know how to val...
Feb 11, 2020•56 min
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 daughter! Dr. Partridge started the Down Syndrome Program at Virginia Mason Medical Center in 2012 and has ...
Feb 04, 2020•52 min
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 yours. Plus we’re giving you a sneak peek into the workshop tools (like the seven story telling ground...
Jan 28, 2020•47 min
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 this year, spend more time with your kids, or finish that book you’re writing, we are cheering for YOU! So fr...
Jan 21, 2020•1 hr 3 min
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 narrative in big ways! That’s right friends, purchasing from these companies creates opportunities for entr...
Dec 02, 2019•1 hr 6 min
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 narrative in the entertainment industry! What a joy it was to sit down with the people who bring so much joy...
Nov 25, 2019•1 hr 16 min
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, thank you for learning, laughing, and (hopefully) growing alongside of us! This is only the beginning! Lis...
Nov 18, 2019•53 min
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 offers a unique perspective on how to deal with the pressures of parenting and what to do when it all just feels like too ...
Nov 11, 2019•53 min
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 first woman with Down Syndrome to EVER compete in a state Miss USA pageant, and she won two major awards...
Nov 04, 2019•38 min
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 Enable SNP (and probably all of you) is the belief that everyone has the ability to be impactful! That’s ...
Oct 28, 2019•40 min•Ep. 47
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 Wellness Co .! We’re talking about everything from t-shirt design to educator conferences and even mental h...
Oct 21, 2019•39 min
“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 the diagnosis process and now walks other parents through this journey. Knowing the uncertainty that accom...
Oct 14, 2019•31 min•Ep. 45
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 a “Congratulations!” And so, she took matters into her own hands and created Jack’s Basket, a nonpr...
Oct 07, 2019•31 min
