EPISODES

For the last 5 years, we’ve worked hard to bring you expert resources, meaningful connections, and loving encouragement each and every week. And we’re so grateful for those of you who have stuck with us for the last 200 episodes! This is a milestone we are celebrating with ALL of you! You’ve listened to us navigate parenthood, education, new diagnoses, and so much more with our kiddos. And today we’re taking you behind the scenes of the last 5 years! Join us for a chat about our origin story, quotes from our guests, and feedback from all of you. It’s been a rollercoaster but the heartbeat of the show remains the same: your child with Down syndrome is enough just as they are.

Raise your hand if the phone number of your kid's school popping up makes your stomach drop? Hands raised over here too, friends. Today, we (Heather + Josh Avis) are chatting about recent challenges with our children’s IEPs.. what’s working, what’s not working, and why we’ve hired a lawyer. We’re asking tough questions.. Why does it feel like this system is built on something broken? Are separate spaces made to actually accommodate children with disabilities or to make others feel more comfortable? Bottom line: giving someone a seat at the table or a high five in the hallway isn’t inclusion.

Friends! Did you know that not only are we in the middle of Black History Month but also Inclusion Month?! Today we’re honoring the adversities faced by advocates before us and celebrating the changes we’re making now that will impact future generations. After all, the end goal is the same: creating spaces of belonging for everyone, and we mean everyone. And we know we’re in a vulnerable moment in society, and in order to make lasting changes for future generations, we need to put in the hard (sometimes uncomfortable) work. And that’s what this episode is all about. We’re discussing microaggressions towards the Black and disabled communities, how we challenge systems to change, why separate programs can sometimes be a valuable asset, and what inclusion looks like in our own lives.

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! In honor of the holiday, we have three very special guests joining us.. Josh, Andy, & Chris! That’s right! We each sat down with our husbands to answer all of your questions about relationship dynamics and Down syndrome. How do you make time for each other (and away from each other)? How do you team up to advocate for your child? How do you process your feelings after the diagnosis? We’re not experts or anything friends, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned it’s that lots of grace, vulnerability, and some therapy can go a long way. Join us for this fun and practical conversation all about parenting styles, nontraditional partner roles, ableism in the household, + more!

Happy February, friends! We’re celebrating Black History Month with two of our favorite mamas (and returning guests!), Kelli Caughman and Crystal Lotterberry. Both of these ladies are raising kids with Down syndrome while running their new non-profit organization: The Black Down Syndrome Association. And friends, the work they’re doing is SO good. Today we’re talking about the many inequalities Black individuals with DS face, tokenism vs. intentionality, and how we can advocate and support every member of the DS community. 

April Aguilera is a mother of three beautiful girls, including her daughter Paloma, who has Down syndrome. She is also the writer of the short film, “For Paloma,” that stars brilliant actors with DS and details a mother’s unexpected journey through receiving a birth diagnosis. We’re so grateful April has joined us today to chat about undoing ableism as a mother of a disabled child, creating “For Paloma,” and disability representation in the media. We’re also getting vulnerable about mental health and recognizing how individuals with DS invite us to recognize our own worth.. you might need a tissue for this one!

It’s a new year and we have a new recording platform! Which means we now have access to sound effects.. so you’re welcome for that! We’re back with new episodes all year long, starting with a conversation about what we’ve been up to these last couple of months and what we’re doing (or better yet, NOT doing) in 2023! We’re rejecting hustle culture and prioritizing connections over accomplishments this year! Who’s with us!? Join us for a chat about all the things on our minds as we head into this new year.. therapy schedules, goal setting, medical vs holistic interventions, and MORE. Thanks for joining us!

You know how much we love celebrating people with Down syndrome all year long! We’re so excited for all the amazing self-advocates doing big things. But if you’re a parent of a child with DS who felt a little lost, sad, and maybe even lied to when you see certain posts on the internet.. then this episode is for you. We’re chatting about what happens when your child with Down syndrome doesn’t achieve all the things our society celebrates. Are they still worthy? Where does our value come from if not accomplishments? Our kids have been the greatest invitation to see the worth in others (and ourselves) apart from achievements.. and today we’re talking about why. We’re also chatting about how to share content about our children in honorable ways and how to receive content about other people’s children without comparing. Plus we’re exploring the “dark side to positive representation” that causes us to only celebrate people with DS who act the most like people without DS. WOW! So much to unpack here, friends. It’s a good one.