EPISODES

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 School rower, lives in Dallas, staying close to Matthew through FaceTime and visits. Their supportive dynamic shines as they share stories of family (18 cousins), pulling pranks, funny viral posts, sibling love, and mutual encouragement - they are each other's HYPE MAN.

This episode celebrates their unique sibling bond and shared understanding of what it means to shift the narrative through enduring family ties. It's a good one, friends.

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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 Director of Research for the Neurologic Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. He also has clinical research expertise in DSRD. Dr. Quinn serves as the Medical Director of the Down Syndrome Clinic at ProMedica Ebeid Children’s Hospital in Toledo. Dr. Quinn is also the mother of four perfect daughters, the youngest of whom, Sara, has Down syndrome. They’re helping us understand the symptoms, treatment options, and the ongoing fight to understand this perplexing disorder. Friends, we’re glad to bring this important conversation to everyone’s attention.

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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 being named a Tory Burch Foundation fellow, securing deals with Nordstrom and Aerie, and their commitment to collaborating with the Down Syndrome community. Plus, we hear about some new products AND they share an exclusive discount with our listeners!

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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 what the future holds for NDSS! We chat about the honor of learning from and advocating alongside self-advocates, and the commitment NDSS has to representing the beauty and diversity of the Down syndrome community. We’re so grateful for the vital work they do to support and create opportunities for the community, tune in and be inspired by Kandi’s dedication and vision for the future of NDSS!

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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 included in the book, drawn from movies, Eleanor Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela, and Bible verses. Enjoy an excerpt read by Andrew himself and hear about his plans for his next book. This is a fun and heartfelt episode you don’t want to miss!

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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 good and the hard another school year has brought. Remember friends, we’re cheering you on every step of the way!

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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 syndrome, and two boys ages 8 and 10. They share what an average homeschool day looks like for them, the benefits they’ve seen for their families, resources they’ve found helpful, and so much more! Learn how co-ops, standardized testing, and therapies have played a role in their journeys so far, and what kinds of activities their kids have participated in. Whether you’re considering homeschooling or are just curious about what a day in the life of a homeschool mama looks like, this episode is one you don’t want to miss!

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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 back to talk about her program, “So Happy To Learn,” to share memorable teaching moments, give us tips and strategies for every learner, and so much more! We know we’re headed into summer breaks and vacations, today our episode is packed with tips for summer learning and lifelong learners. As Mrs. Brown says, “Learning is continual!”

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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 overcoming obstacles; it's about finding strength in vulnerability, embracing hope in the face of adversity, and discovering the true meaning of brotherhood. This book and interview truly filled our hearts to the brim, grab a few tissues, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! 

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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 conversation about the messy and beautiful parts of being a mama! We're chatting about how Down syndrome has influenced our perspective on life and motherhood, our advice for those feeling overwhelmed, what we shouldn’t have worried about (or if we ever worried), and so much more! Being a mama is the hardest and best, we want you to know you’re doing a good job. Now say it with us, “I’m a really good Mom!”

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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 serving others, he’s committed to seeing The Gifted Event continue to expand across the country and world, making barbershops and salons a safe and inclusive space for everyone. More than just a barber, Vernon is shaping a future where everyone feels embraced and accepted, one haircut at a time.

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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 face, and the key considerations for a successful transition. Dr. Johnson also shares her personal experience as a mother and sister, to individuals with Down syndrome, and how her personal experiences have shaped her career as a physician. Friends, this episode will leave you with valuable insights that left us confident in starting conversations with our kid's providers that will set them up for successful transitions of care. This is an episode you’re going to want to bookmark!

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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 Heather’s social media posts on what “lucky” in The Lucky Few has come to mean. Join the conversation and share your experiences, perspectives, and advice on reframing the narrative around parenting a child with Down syndrome. Whether you’re feeling “lucky” or not, this episode offers a space for honesty and support.

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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 between guardianship and supported decision-making and the importance of personalizing decisions for each individual’s needs. Phillip shares his journey and experience with his sister, Sarah, who has Down syndrome, emphasizing how beneficial it has been for his family to have a plan, open communication, and involvement of the entire family in the process of planning for Sarah’s future. Friends, we know there are so many what-ifs to the future of having a loved one with Down syndrome, this episode gives valuable tips and resources on approaching a plan for the future.

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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 “blessed”? What makes us worthy? What makes life good? Micha shares how her journey with Ace’s Down syndrome and Autism diagnosis made her see society’s obsession with success for what it actually is: fear of vulnerability. In finding language to push against society’s intrinsic ableism she found the connection in the Beatitudes, an ancient sacred text. She explores the concept of worthiness and the good life inviting us to reconsider the meaning of blessing and envision a world where everyone’s worth is recognized. It’s an honor to celebrate our magnificent friend’s work, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

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