Nutrition is key to a child's development, but for some children with Down syndrome, feeding challenges make it difficult to get the nutrition they need. That’s where tube feeding comes in. Today, we’re chatting with Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, Director of Nutrition at Mass General for Children, to talk about the different types of feeding tubes, why they are sometimes necessary, and the unique feeding challenges that children with Down syndrome may face. We’re chatting about when tube feeding is...

Happy first week of November AND National Adoption Month! Today we’re thrilled to welcome Brady Murray, the passionate founder of RODS Heroes. Brady’s nonprofit has helped hundreds of children with Down syndrome find loving homes around the world. As a father of eleven—including two children with Down syndrome—Brady shares his personal journey with adoption, from being adopted himself to adopting seven of his children from around the globe. Hear the inspiring story behind how a triathlon...

This month we’ve celebrated Down Syndrome Awareness Month with episodes based on popular Google search topics! Today we’re joined by award-winning photographer Hilary Gauld and advocate Kate Herron for this episode all about answering the question: Can a person with Down syndrome Shift Narratives? In 2014, Hilary and Kate collaborated on a fundraising calendar featuring Kate's 10-month-old son, Caleb, for the Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society (WWDSS). What began as a local project...

This month we’re celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month with episodes based on popular Google search topics! On today’s episode, we’re answering the question: Can a person with Down syndrome find community & belonging? Today’s conversation is sparked by a recent blog post of Heather’s on why her daughter Macy didn’t attend homecoming this year, we’re chatting about what it truly means for someone with Down syndrome to feel a sense of belonging in school and their wider community. What...

 This month we’re celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month with episodes based on popular Google search topics! Today we’re joined by Emily Kendall & Chad Mayer from EmpowerMe Living for this episode all about answering the question: Can a person with Down syndrome live independently? Today, we’re talking about the incredible work of EmpowerMe Living, a program designed to support individuals with disabilities in choosing the best living arrangement for their unique needs. We're with...

This month we’re celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month with episodes based on popular Google search topics! Today we’re joined by Erik & Emily Orton for this episode all about answering the question: Can a person with Down syndrome travel the world?  They’re sharing their incredible story of sailing the Caribbean, with their family of seven and how their daughter Lily, who has Down syndrome, has inspired them to break boundaries, live without limits, and travel the globe! We’re...

Friends, we’re coming to you with a BONUS episode this week. Over the years we’ve worked hard to provide you with topics that are helpful resources, to be sources of encouragement, and never shy away from difficult conversations. Today, we’re coming to you with a difficult, yet important conversation. This one is taken directly from comments by one of the Presidential candidates. We want to be clear we’re not endorsing either candidate but as a platform that promises to shout worth and work...

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month!! We’re celebrating this month with episodes based on popular Google search topics about people with Down syndrome. Today we’re kicking off the celebration with Alex Bolden and Genevieve Thompson from the National Down Syndrome Society as we answer one of the most searched questions: Can a person with Down syndrome vote? Alex shares his experience voting for the first time, tips for deciding who to vote for, and resources like NDSS's free checklist and...

We’re a week away from the start of Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Today we’re kicking off our celebration early with a conversation about common misconceptions people still have about Down syndrome. We’ll be celebrating next month by talking to self-advocates, organizations, and parents who are breaking down the stereotypes of some of the most Googled misconceptions about Down syndrome. We’re sharing our thoughts on the CoorsDown PSA ‘Assume That I Can’ featuring Madison Tevlin and how...

Today, we’re excited to chat with Amanda Owen, the founder and executive director of Puzzle Pieces! Amanda has dedicated her life to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities—a passion deeply rooted in her own family’s experiences. She’s sharing her experience growing up with a sibling with disabilities and how the dynamic has evolved as an adult that led to her journey of starting a non-profit. We’re chatting about having conversations around disability with our kids, how to...

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 kids that volunteering isn’t just for show or awards? We’re chatting about how to make sure our...

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's education, navigate challenges, and become a stronger advocate. Whether you’re facing challenges...

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 the way. Whether you’re preparing for your very first IEP meeting or you’re a seasoned pro, we hope our...

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 was pivotal in her life. We talk about the challenges that still persist in today’s inclusive...

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 actionable tips on communicating effectively, collaborating with school teams, and resolving...

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 of the IQ test and how its contributed to everything from ableism to terms used by schoolyard bullies....

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 first responders about disabilities to prevent unnecessary tragedies, and how it led to meeting...

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 sister Truly (13)! They’re sharing the things they love to do with their siblings, the advice they’d give...

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 that siblings with disabilities often don't have the same choices and opportunities as those without, and...

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 also active in the arts community and charity initiatives. Meanwhile, Tommy, a robotics enthusiast and former Loyola High...

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 DSRD. Dr. Santoro serves as the Director of Neuroimmunology and Demyelinating Disorders Program and...

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 movement that centers and honors people with disabilities. Hear about their achievements, including...

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 organization, she shares her experience from becoming a volunteer to taking over as President & CEO, and...

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 syndrome inspired him to write the book. They also discuss the inspiration behind the powerful quotes...