The Lucky Few

Latest Episodes:

76. Making the Shift w/Kenny Clutch, “The Dancing Dad” Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

In just one day, Kenny Clutch went from dancing in the hospital room for his son Kristian who had cancer, to speaking on the news and being reposted by celebrities everywhere. Not only is he “The Dancing Dad,” Kenny is also a husband, father of 4, Down Syndrome advocate, and a motivational speaker. Today he’s sharing the story behind his nickname and how his experiences have lead him to host “Shift Makers,” a special event focused on developing positive strategies to deal with life’s challenges. So friends, join us for a chat about advocacy, adversity, pain, positivity, and of course— dancing.

Keep up with Kenny on Instagram and Facebook!

Learn more about Kenny’s Shift Makers event happening on July 25th!

Listen to The Clutchvision Podcast

Check out the beautiful creations made by Kenny’s wife on Instagram: @kenjoscreations

LET’S CHAT

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

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

75. What makes a family? (Adoption + Motherhood w/Kayla Craig) Jul 07, 2020

Show notes

Kayla Craig is a mother, author, podcaster, journalist, and so much more. She and her husband lead a diverse family made up of four beautiful children -- including two adopted kiddos and one with Down Syndrome! After realizing how curious other kids were about her unique family, she put pen to paper and decided to write “Just Really Joseph,” a book to help young children understand what really makes a family.

Today, Kayla is sharing about her motherhood journey, her daughter’s experience with infantile spasms, and how to have hard conversations about faith. We’re also touching on ethical and safe adoption, white savior complex, and the reasons people actually pursue international adoption.

Keep up Kayla + her family on Instagram @kayla_craig and @liturgiesforparents

Read Just Really Joseph by Kayla Craig

Listen to the Upside Down Podcast

Visit Kayla’s website for more info!

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!

74. Building Brain Power in People w/Down Syndrome, ft. Dr. Brian Skotko Jun 30, 2020

Show notes

As parents of children with Down Syndrome, we’ve heard of about 1 million things we should be doing to improve the brain power of our kiddos… and we’re guessing you’ve heard them too! Do we say yes or no to B-12, Tylenol, dairy? Is gluten really that bad? And what on earth do we do about vaccines?

We’ve brought on an expert to answer all of this and more! Dr. Brian Skotko is the director of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Down Syndrome Program, a brother to a sister with DS, and the creator of Brain Train: a program for individuals with DS designed to boost brain function and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Brain Train focuses on “SMART” actions that you and your loved one with DS can take everyday to "work out" your brain! Grab a pen and get ready to take notes from an amazing expert and advocate then head on over to downsyndromebraintrain.com to learn more about this wonderful program!

Visit downsyndromebraintrain.com to access all of Dr. Skotko’s resources on Down Syndrome and cognition!

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!

73. What to do when things feel out of control (IEPs, summer, social distancing, + more) Jun 23, 2020

Show notes

Just when we thought IEPs couldn’t get any more complicated (and summer couldn’t sound any better!)... Enter Covid-19! Join us for a chat about how we’re handling unfinished plans for kids going into middle school and new plans for a future kindergartener, in the midst of a global pandemic! We’re also discussing our exciting summer plans… Does anyone want to hang out with the dog in the front yard?! (Again…)

So friends, if you’re feeling like things are out of control right now -- know that you are not alone. We are cheering you on and (virtually) holding you close.

72. What do we stand for? - A Conversation About #BLM, Protests, Resources, + More Jun 16, 2020

Show notes

As our country has wrestled with the realities of racism over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been reflecting quite a bit over here and we’re guessing that many of you have too. So let’s talk about it. In this episode, we’re sharing our recent experience at protests, our own journeys/encounters with racism, and what we’re doing now to diversify our networks and stand with the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Plus, we’re diving deep into how being a mother of a child with Down Syndrome affects the way we see racism and oppressive systems.

Please join us for this important conversation then head straight to our show notes for links to books that can help each of us identify privilege and create change. Thanks for being here, friends.

Books to Read by Black Authors

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity In A World Made For Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right by Lisa Sharon Harper
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison

Books to Read by White Authors

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DeAngelo
The Color of Life: A Journey Toward Love and Racial Justice by Cara Meredith
White Picket Fences: Turning Towards Love In A World Divided By Privilege by Amy Julia Becker
Scoot Over and Make Some Room: Creating A Space Where Everyone Belongs by Heather Avis

LET’S CHAT

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

71. Down Syndrome, Autism, & Motherhood w/Teresa Unnerstall May 26, 2020

Show notes

Teresa Unnerstall is an author, speaker, consultant, and mother to Nick - her 26 year old son with a dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Autism. She has nearly 3 decades of experience on dual diagnosis.. which means this episode is full of wisdom, and so is Teresa! She shares three tips to keep in mind for your kiddo with DS/ASD including behavior specialists, speech therapists, and sensory diets (and we’re not just talking about food here). We’re also chatting all about her book, “A New Course, A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome And Autism” and what to ask for in an IEP meeting. Teresa’s experiences over the last 26 years offer a glimpse into what the future might hold for our kids with a dual diagnosis. (Hint: it looks pretty good).

Keep Up w/Teresa!

Instagram: @downsyndromewithasliceofautism
Facebook: Down Syndrome With A Slice of Autism
Twitter: @tjunnerstall
Website: teresaunnerstall.com
Blog: nickspecialneeds.com

Purchase “A New Course, A Mother’s Journey Navigating Down Syndrome And Autism” by Teresa Unnerstall on Amazon

Learn more about the book and join the Facebook group here!

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!

70. The Power of "Just Two Moms" w/Jessica Hunter & Larkin O'Leary May 19, 2020

Show notes

Jessica Hunter and Larkin O’Leary are on Instagram as @JustTwoMomssr but we all know there’s no such thing as “just a mom!” And these ladies prove it. Jessica is a mother to three kids, and her middle child has Down Syndrome. Larkin has two children, and her oldest is rocking that extra chromosome! Down Syndrome brought them together many years ago and today, their passion for inclusion made them partners in advocacy, and even leaders of a non-profit: Common Ground Society. What started as a presentation on Down Syndrome in a preschool classroom has lead to advocacy at over 30 different schools in their county, and even a trip to California’s capitol!

We are so happy to have chatted with Jessica and Larkin all about their friendship, changed perceptions, school presentations, and the many beautiful stories that have emerged. So grab a tissue and text your favorite lucky mama and tell them to join you for a listen to this episode!

SHOW NOTES

Keep up with Jessica and Larkin!

Instagram: @justtwomomssr
Facebook: Just Two Moms
Stay tuned for more details on Common Ground Society!

Read the book they use in their school presentations: Faith Has Freckles and Walter Has Wheels

LET’S CHAT

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

SPONSOR: ENABLE SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING

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HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

69. Project Understood: Down Syndrome & Voice Technology w/Ed Casagrande & Matthew MacNeil May 12, 2020

Show notes

Let’s face it, we all love voice-command technology (maybe even a little too much sometimes..) and our kiddos love it too. But Siri and Alexa and Google Home can’t always understand our loved ones with Down Syndrome. That’s why Ed Casagrande, the chair of the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS), launched Project Understood. Ed and his team are collecting voices from individuals with Down Syndrome and working with Google to ensure that the future of voice technology includes everyone. Matthew MacNeil is among the many individuals with Down Syndrome to have donated his voice to this campaign, recording nearly one thousand unique phrases in the span of just a few days!

So friends it’s time to tell your phones to play our latest episode and join us for a chat about accessibility and technology with Ed and Matthew. Then, learn more about how your loved one with Down Syndrome can donate their voice by visiting projectunderstood.ca!

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Visit projectunderstood.ca to learn more and donate your voice!

Watch ‘Introducing Project Understood’ on Youtube

Learn more about the Canadian Down Syndrome Society

Follow the Canadian Down Syndrome Society on Instagram

LET’S CHAT

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

SPONSOR: JONAS PAUL EYEWEAR

Jonas Paul Eyewear makes stylish glasses for kids and teens! We’re sure you’ll love them just as much as our families do! The frames even perfectly fit our kiddos with Down Syndrome thanks to their unique adjustable tips. Head on over to jonaspauleyewear.com and use code THELUCKYFEW for 15% off your order!

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

68. Approaching Mother's Day While Grieving w/Katie Jameson May 05, 2020

Show notes

When all you see on Instagram is happy moms smiling with their children on Mother’s Day, it can be hard to remember that not every woman approaches the holiday the same way. That’s why we are so grateful to have Katie Jameson on to discuss all things grief and Mother’s Day. Katie is a mother to 4 year old twins (one w/Down Syndrome), a 2 year old, and her son Lochlan who would turn 6 this year. After losing Lochlan, Katie made it her mission to support women grieving the loss of a child on Mother’s Day. Her beautiful ‘Grief Pins & Cards’ provide tangible support for anyone dealing with loss and grief. If you know someone who needs this, head over to katiejameson.ca. Then join us for this important conversation on how to support a woman grieving on Mother’s Day and how to approach the holiday after losing a child.

To all of the women who have lost a child, and to those holding their children close this Mother’s Day, we see you, we love you, and as always, we are cheering you on.

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Learn more about Katie Jameson!

LET’S CHAT

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

SPONSOR: JONAS PAUL EYEWEAR

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

67. Unpacking Privilege & Understanding Intersectionality w/Jalondra Davis Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

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.

Keep up with Jalondra Davis

Listen to our episode with Kelli Caughman

Join the Black Families Down Syndrome Network group on Facebook or find the DSDN group that’s right for you!

LET’S CHAT

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

SPONSOR: JONAS PAUL EYEWEAR

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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