The Lucky Few

Latest Episodes:

208. Growing Through Uncomfortable Conversations (w/Ashley - TLFP Producer & Self-Advocate) May 23, 2023

Show notes

Friends, we recognize and appreciate that so many of you come to us for our open, honest, and candid conversations week after week. After seeing the response Heather was receiving over on @theluckyfewoffical under a post that she wouldn’t be celebrating an abled person asking a disabled person to prom, we knew this topic deserved another conversation. We also knew the conversation deserved to include a person with disabilities. Our producer and self-advocate Ashley Fraccalossi joins us for this candid conversation on honoring people with disabilities and when that line can get blurred or crossed. She helps break down with us what inspiration p*rn means in the disabled community, unconscious bias, and how her own experiences with disability have shaped her views on this topic. We’re grateful to not only hear from her today, but to continue this important conversation with all of you. May we all continue to learn, listen, and grow from conversations like this together.

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SHOW NOTES

We first talked about this topic on EP 169 The Harm in Using People with Disabilities As "Inspiration" in Clickbait Viral Videos

Learn more about unconscious bias

Watch Stella Young’s Ted Talk

Read Heather’s blog post, “Why Kindness and Good Intentions Are Not Enough”

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LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

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207. ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ Star: Noah Matthews Matofsky May 16, 2023

Show notes

Friends, we’re SO excited to have the star of the newest Disney reimagining of Peter Pan on the show today! Noah Matthews Matofsky joins us all the way from London to chat all about his leading role as Slightly, one of the Lost Boys, in ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ now streaming on Disney+. Before being scouted for the film by American casting agent Debra Zane, Noah had only ever been in school plays! We chat about what it’s like to be recognized, learning stunts, and he even gives us a performance of a favorite Disney song! He’s not only a trailblazer for actors with Down syndrome, but an ambassador for Down Syndrome UK, member of The Phoenix Theater Group, and hopes to go on to drama college. This is an episode you’re not going to want to miss!

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SHOW NOTES

Follow Noah on Instagram for more behind the scenes and see what’s next!

Noah has been invited to be a keynote speaker at the International Down Syndrome Congress in Florida this summer and is raising funds for his travel expenses.

DISCOUNT CODE

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!

LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

206. Nurturing Meaningful Connections With Our Kids May 09, 2023

Show notes

Happy Mother’s Day, friends!! On this week’s episode we’re celebrating with a candid conversation about connecting with your child with Down syndrome! We know how important making meaningful connections with our kids is, today we’re talking all about nurturing those connections. What we’re doing to develop the relationships with our kiddos, learning new ways to give and receive love, and so much more! And we might even have a surprise performance by none other than our very own Micha Boyett performing her original score of a still untitled Mother’s Day song. We hope all you lucky mama’s out there know we love you, and as always, we’re cheering you on!

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SHOWNOTES:

75. What makes a family? (Adoption + Motherhood w/Kayla Craig)

113. Happy Mother's Day! (Ft. Our Very Own Moms)

14. Marriage & Relationships: Parents Raising Children with Down Syndrome

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on ⁠⁠⁠The Lucky Few Merch Shop⁠⁠⁠ and use code PODCAST for 10% off!

LET’S CHAT:

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE: Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

205. Healthcare Equity in the Down Syndrome Community w/Dr. Spinazzi & Dr. Skotko May 02, 2023

Show notes

Friends, we’re so excited to have the brilliant Dr. Brian Skotko and Dr. Noemi Spinazzi back on the show today! They’re here to tell us about a big research project they worked on involving patients with Down syndrome who identify as Black as well as parents of patients who primarily speak Spanish. This work included conducting surveys of parents and primary care physicians from across the country over the last two years. Its primary goal was to identify the barriers for families looking to access adequate care that shouldn’t only be found at specialty Down syndrome clinics in large cities. We chat about structural racism in medical care, striving for cultural humility, some of the surprises they found in their research, and so much more. They share some valuable resources for those without access to a Down syndrome clinic and how we can all strive to be champions for the Down syndrome community. Thank you to Dr. Skotko and Dr. Spinazzi for their continued work in making sure everyone in the Down syndrome community has access to quality health care.

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SHOWNOTES:

Learn more about Down Syndrome Clinic To You

If you want to hear more from Dr. Skotko or Dr. Spinazzi, check out these episodes!

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on ⁠⁠The Lucky Few Merch Shop⁠⁠ and use code PODCAST for 10% off!

LET’S CHAT:

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE: Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

204. Self-Advocates On Capitol Hill w/Kayla McKeon, Matthew Schwab, & Charlotte Woodward Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Today we’re catching up with three self-advocates from previous episodes! Advocating for the Down syndrome community from the steps of Capitol Hill we catch up with self-advocates Kayla McKeon, Matthew Schwab, and Charlotte Woodward! We were so excited to chat with them during the National Down Syndrome Society’s Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference in Washington DC! From advocating equal rights in employment, healthcare, and education for people with Down syndrome these self-advocates are putting faces and names lobbying for these legislative priorities! They share the bills they’re passionate about and we catch up on the fun and interesting things they’ve been up to. From bocce ball, to ballroom dancing, to graduating college these incredible self-advocates have been busy since we last talked to them! Friends, you’re going to love this episode!

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SHOWNOTES:

Learn more about the Legislative Priorities that the NDSS Advocacy & Public Policy team work to champion in federal, state, and local policies that positively impact all people with Down syndrome across the country.

Book Matthew Schwab for your next speaking engagement!

Kayla McKeon Episodes:

17. Self Advocacy - Down Syndrome in DC with Kayla McKeon!

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

Matthew Schwab Episodes:

66. Public Speaking & Self Advocacy w/Matthew Schwab

183. Following the Lead of Self-Advocates (ft. Matthew Schwab)

Charlotte Woodward Episodes:

160. Organ Transplant Discrimination Against People with Disabilities (ft. incredible advocates!)

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on ⁠The Lucky Few Merch Shop⁠ and use code PODCAST for 10% off!

LET’S CHAT:

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE: Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

203. Beyond Checking A Box Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

Friends, some harmful statements were made recently by an online commentator about a recent SKIMS campaign and it got us thinking about all things inclusivity in the media. She who will not be named asked, “how far are we going to take this inclusivity thing?” Girl, we’re taking this inclusivity thing ALL the way! Today we ask all the questions that harmful narratives like this leave us with. What’s worthy of being seen as beautiful? Are companies being genuine or just checking an inclusion box? How we define ableism and so much more! So, listeners, we might be left with more questions than answers on this one, let’s keep this conversation going!

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SHOW NOTES

Forbes Article

Hollywood Reporter article with Christina Applegate reaction to comments.

112. Disability Representation In The Media w/Gail Williamson (Talent Agent & Mother)

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!

LET’S CHAT:

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE: Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

THROWBACK: Politics & Down Syndrome w/Kayla McKeon and Ashley Helsing Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

Friends, next week many of us are headed to DC for the NDSS Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference! Take a (re) listen to this fantastic episode! 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.

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SHOW NOTES

Follow Kayla McKeon on Instagram

Listen to our first episode with Kayla: Self-Advocacy in DC w/Kayla McKeon

Keep up with The National Down Syndrome Society

Instagram

Tik Tok

#DSvotes movement

Public policy and DS

SHOP:

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on theluckyfew.co and use code PODCAST for 10% off!

LET’S CHAT:

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE: Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

202. Living In Technicolor & Listening To Your Heart w/Jennifer Varanini Sanchez Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

Sofia Sanchez helped us celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st and today her Mom Jennifer Varanini Sanchez is here to chat with us! This mother of four opens up about the Down syndrome diagnosis of her youngest son Joaquin at 3-months-old that led her on a pursuit to learning more. Listen to how a charitable donation in honor of a family member's memory led this mama on a path to completing her family through international adoption. We chat about celebrating each child’s individual gifts, fostering independence, inclusion and diversity on a blockbuster film set, and so much more! Friends, you’re not going to want to miss this episode!

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Follow Jennifer on Instagram
Follow Sofia Sanchez on Instagram and Tik Tok
Learn more about ⁠Reece's Rainbow⁠

LET’S CHAT:

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE: Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

THROWBACK: Following the Lead of Self-Advocates (ft. Matthew Schwab) Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

Hey, Friends! Before next week’s new episode we want to (re) share another one of our favorite self-advocate episodes! Matthew Schwab is a 25 year old man with Down syndrome who is absolutely slaying it at life. There’s no better way to describe him! Since we last chatted with him in 2020, Matthew has moved into an apartment with his brother and started his own podcast! He’s officially entered the world of “adulting” where there’s no one around to remind you to do your chores! Today we’re chatting about the highs and lows of living away from home, the future of Matthew’s relationship (and why the law makes it SO difficult for couples with DS to get married), and what we think of the phrase “nothing about us without us.”

Friends, you’re going to love this episode! And if you want more behind the scenes of Matthew’s life, you can check out Matthew Schwab Speaks The Podcast: Thriving with Down Syndrome on anchor and spotify!

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Matthew Schwab Speaks The Podcast: Thriving With Down Syndrome

Matthew’s other podcast, Tales of Arcadia: Unlocking the Universe’s Secrets

Our previous episode with Matthew Schwab.. #66. Public Speaking & Self-Advocacy

Keep up with Matthew!

Instagram

Facebook.

Visit matthewschwabspeaks.com to book Matthew for your next speaking opportunity!

Watch Matthew’s TedX Talk: How I Know Including People With Down Syndrome Is A Good Thing

This episode was proudly sponsored by Enable Special Needs Planning.

Thinking about your child’s future can be pretty stressful. What will happen to them if something happens to you? Will their siblings feel overwhelmed with responsibility if you’re gone? ENABLE Special Needs Planning is here to help you create a strategic, specialized plan for the future that works for the unique goals of your family.

Go to ENABLEsnp.com to connect with one of their expert special needs consultants and ensure you have a plan that will truly give you peace of mind.

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The Lucky Few Shop DiscountExtended Through March 31st: Buy One Sweatshirt and Get Any One Tee or Hat at 50% off ! with code: WDSD23

201. Sofia Sanchez: Filming ‘The Hunger Games’, Her New Book, Self-Advocacy, & Middle School Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Today we have a very special guest here to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, the one and only Sofia Sanchez!! We just happen to be the first podcast interview (many more to come!) for this actress, model, author, and self-advocate. She has some fun projects going on: a new book, cartoon series, a feature film, and advocating on capital hill, just to name a few! Sofia gives us a tease of her experiences filming ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ coming to theaters this November! We’d say the odds are in this middle schoolers (almost high schoolers!) favor! We’re cheering you on Sofia! An episode you won’t want to miss, friends!

SHOW NOTES:

Follow Sofia on Instagram and Tik Tok

Check out Sofia’s website

Order: “Be You Tiful Love, Sofia” by Margaret O’Hair and Sofia Sanchez

Order: “You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion” by Margaret O’Hair and Sofia Sanchez

Order: ‘You Are Loved: A Book About Families’ by Margaret O’Hair and Sofia Sanchez

‘You Are Loved: A Book About Families’ by Margaret O’Hair and Sofia Sanchez

Celebrate the SIXTH anniversary of the release of Avis ‘The Lucky Few’ by Heather

Join the Avis crew in Washington DC for NDSS Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference: Registration Closes March 24th

The Lucky Few Shop Discount Extended Through March 31st: Buy One Sweatshirt and Get Any One Tee or Hat at 50% off ! with code: WDSD23

LET’S CHAT:

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE:
Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!

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