EPISODES

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98. Looking Back on 2020 & Moving Forward in 2021

98. Looking Back on 2020 & Moving Forward in 2021

Happy New Year, friends! We mustered up the courage to look back on our 2020 resolutions from last January.. and let’s just say, we didn’t quite meet all our goals for the year. But that’s okay. We’re moving forward with opportunities for growth in 2021 and we invite you to come alongside us! But first, join us for a chat about what we did over the holidays, health updates, 2021 goals (including T-swift and Beyonce aspirations) and so much more. We’ve missed you and we are so excited to release new episodes this year!

GeneralValerie SchliederJanuary 25, 2021Down Syndrome, AdvocacyComment

Throwback: (Un)learning the Advocacy Language

Throwback: (Un)learning the Advocacy Language

We’re re-releasing one of our favorite episodes all about advocacy and language. This conversation never gets old! Enjoy.. When it comes to finding the right language to use in this advocacy space, it can be tricky.. to say the least! Do we go with person-first or identity-first language? Should we say disabled or differently abled? And how can we use language to empower our kiddos with Down Syndrome? We’ve done a lot of learning (and unlearning!) to try and figure this all out. And as women who do not have any disabilities or diagnoses, we know we still have a long way to go!

GeneralValerie SchliederJanuary 12, 2021Down Syndrome, Advocacy, LanguageComment

Throwback: Is Inclusion Always The Best Option?

Throwback: Is Inclusion Always The Best Option?

We’re starting this year off strong with an important conversation all about school and inclusion. If you’re parenting a child with a disability, we think you’ll relate! Enjoy.. When Micha and her family moved across the country this summer, she realized it might be time to shift her son’s classroom setting as well. In this week’s episode, Micha’s discussing her decision to place Ace in a more restrictive classroom environment and we’re answering lots of hard questions about school for our kiddos with Down Syndrome.. Is inclusion really always the best option? Are you no longer an advocate if you choose a non-inclusive setting for your child?

GeneralValerie SchliederJanuary 5, 2021Down Syndrome, Inclusion, EducationComment

Throwback: Unpacking Privilege & Understanding Intersectionality w/Jalondra Davis

Throwback: Unpacking Privilege & Understanding Intersectionality w/Jalondra Davis

As we head into the new year, we invite you to confront your privilege and pursue justice alongside us. Start by listening (or listening again) to this interview with Jalondra Davis. Enjoy.. 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.

GeneralValerie SchliederDecember 29, 2020Down Syndrome, Advocacy, Inclusion, RaceComment

Throwback: Public Speaking & Self Advocacy w/Matthew Schwab

Throwback: Public Speaking & Self Advocacy w/Matthew Schwab

We’re back with another one of our favorite interviews! Join us for a fun and insightful conversation with an extraordinary self-advocate! Enjoy.. 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 diagnosis to embracing it!

GeneralValerie SchliederDecember 22, 2020Down Syndrome, Advocacy, Inclusion, SpeakingComment

Throwback: Shelley Gottsagen On Her Son Zack Gottsagen's Fame, The Oscars, + More!

Throwback: Shelley Gottsagen On Her Son Zack Gottsagen's Fame, The Oscars, + More!

Who remembers this awesome episode from earlier this year?! Listen (or listen again) for an amazing interview about an amazing self-advocate/celebrity! Enjoy.. 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. Tune in to hear more about a lifetime of self-advocacy, fighting systems, Zack’s relationship with Shia Lebeouf, The Oscars, Peanut Butter Falcon, what’s next for Zack, and so much more.

GeneralValerie SchliederDecember 15, 2020Down Syndrome, Advocacy, Story, MarriageComment

97. Our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide!

97. Our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide!

Looking for the perfect gift (that’s actually meaningful) to give your friends and family this year? We’ve got you covered! Our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide is here and we are so excited to tell you about all these wonderful, narrative-shifting, and worth-shouting businesses! Shop for bow ties and books, soaps and sweatshirts, and even jams, art, and coffee too! We have something for everyone on your list, including your furry, four-legged, friends! But don’t pay full price, use our discount codes!

GeneralValerie SchliederDecember 8, 2020Down Syndrome, Holidays, Christmas, GiftsComment

96. Handling Holiday Expectations

96. Handling Holiday Expectations

Covid-19 may have wiped out our December calendars, but let’s talk about the magic of a quieter holiday season.. Kids waking up in their own beds, playing in the snow without a care in the world, and actually making the gingerbread cookies you always said you would! Sounds a little bit better than going to a zoom holiday party doesn’t it? This week we’re chatting all about the good and the hard of this holiday season. We’re also giving some advice (or trying to) about dealing with difficult family members and what to do when your child just isn’t having it.

GeneralValerie SchliederDecember 1, 2020Down Syndrome, Holidays, ChristmasComment

95. What Are You Thankful For?

95. What Are You Thankful For?

As we head into the holidays and the end of 2020 (we made it!), we’re giving thanks for all the lessons learned this year. Let’s face it, 2020 hasn’t been easy and socially-distant holidays hold challenges of their own..But for now, we invite you to practice gratitude with us as we reflect on all the hard parts of this year that have opened our eyes to what we do have. We’re also chatting about why we’re thankful for Down syndrome, including the everyday moments with our kiddos that allow us (or force us) to pause and be grateful. And as always, we are thankful for all of you who listen and cheer us on. We love you, listeners!

GeneralValerie SchliederNovember 24, 2020Down Syndrome, Holidays, ThankfulComment

94. IEPs during Covid-19, ft. IEP Lawyers Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie

94. IEPs during Covid-19, ft. IEP Lawyers Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie

“There’s no way to make virtual learning fair for everyone…” Micha said it best but we’re all thinking it right?! Getting your child’s IEP needs met during virtual learning seems nearly impossible. And no one understands the legal battle behind a student’s disability rights quite like Vickie Brett and Amanda Selogie, two special education lawyers who created one of our favorite nonprofits: The Inclusive Education Project. We’re so grateful to have Vickie and Amanda on for an important conversation about IEP anxiety, disability education rights, virtual learning success stories (yes, they do exist!) and when to have your kiddo’s next distance learning IEP (the sooner, the better). Cheering you on, friends!

GeneralValerie SchliederNovember 17, 2020Down Syndrome, Education, InclusionComment

93. The (Older) Sibling Perspective, ft. Pat Ramirez

93. The (Older) Sibling Perspective, ft. Pat Ramirez

You may have been one of the 5 million people (no big deal right?) to see Zach & Pat’s viral videos on tik tok. This brother duo has taken social media by storm with their Down syndrome advocacy, positivity, and of course - dancing! So naturally, we needed to meet them.. which is why we sat down to chat with Pat all about growing up with a younger brother who has Down syndrome, navigating social media, and watching Zach find his passion!

GeneralValerie SchliederNovember 10, 2020Down Syndrome, SiblingsComment

92. Politics & Down Syndrome w/Kayla McKeon & Ashley Helsing

92. Politics & Down Syndrome w/Kayla McKeon & Ashley Helsing

The last time we chatted with Kayla McKeon back in November 2018, she was lobbying for the ABLE to Work act that allows individuals with disabilities to save money without losing their benefits. Today, the act has passed, but Kayla (the first registered lobbyist with Down Syndrome) has certainly not stopped working hard!

Her and Ashley Helsing are part of the National Down Syndrome Society’s policy team that lobbies on capitol hill and advocates for Down Syndrome in DC! They’re telling us all about what matters most for people with disabilities in the current political world: Covid-19 relief packages, marriage equality, meaningful employment, virtual school, and so much more.

GeneralValerie SchliederNovember 3, 2020Down Syndrome, Advocacy, VotingComment

91. Putting the "Social" In Social Distancing w/Jessica Hunter & Larkin O'Leary

91. Putting the "Social" In Social Distancing w/Jessica Hunter & Larkin O'Leary

Jessica Hunter and Larkin O’Leary may have started their advocacy journey as @justtwomomssr on Instagram, but they’ve now created their own nonprofit: Common Ground Society. And they're using their platform to put the “social” back in “social distancing” by creating a virtual buddy program for children with and without disabilities. We love the work these ladies are doing and we know you will too! So friends, join us for another chat with Jessica and Larkin about friendship in the days of distance learning, creating connections during Covid-19, and resources to advocate in your own school district!

GeneralValerie SchliederOctober 27, 2020Down Syndrome, Advocacy, MotherhoodComment

90. How To Advocate Right Where You Are

90. How To Advocate Right Where You Are

Alright friends, you asked! And we’re answering.. What’s the most challenging part of advocacy for you? How do you advocate if you don’t have tons of followers? What do you wish people knew about your child with DS? And how do you keep from comparing yourself to other advocates?... We’re chatting about all of this + more today! Because let’s face it, advocacy is exciting and rewarding but also hard and messy. So let’s give each other grace and keep showing up. Wherever we are.

GeneralValerie SchliederOctober 20, 2020Down Syndrome, AdvocacyComment

89. Let's Talk About Transitions, ft. Kenzie Clark

89. Let's Talk About Transitions, ft. Kenzie Clark

Kenzie Clark is a former special educator and the brains behind Able Transition Consulting, a service that equips individuals with disabilities with the resources to enter adulthood and thrive! The Able team is all about person-centered planning and making sure that young adults with disabilities have a voice in their transition! That’s why Kenzie’s here to chat about all things transitions, education, adulthood, + more. We’re also discussing practical tips you can use to empower your kiddos to make their own choices now and in the future!

GeneralValerie SchliederOctober 13, 2020Down Syndrome, Advocacy, TransitionComment