The Lucky Few

Latest Episodes:

286. Beyond The Gift: Celebrating Non-Profits This Giving Tuesday Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

Today is Giving Tuesday! This year we’ve decided to switch up our traditional gift guide and bring you some of our favorite non-profit organizations doing incredible things for our community. In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we encourage you to consider supporting their work with your time, resources, or donations. From advocacy to education to direct support, these organizations are transforming lives, and Giving Tuesday is a powerful opportunity to join them in making a lasting change. We hope you enjoy hearing from Karmel Garcia from Zoe’s Toolbox, Stephanie Thompson from the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network, and Crystal Lotterberry from Black Down Syndrome Association. Every bit of support counts, and today is the perfect day to give back meaningfully.

SHOW NOTES

Zoe’s Toolbox:

Learn more about Zoe’s Toolbox

Donate to Zoe’s Toolbox

Follow Zoe’s Toolbox on Instagram and Facebook

National Down Syndrome Adoption Network:

Learn more about the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network

Follow NDSAN on Instagram and Facebook

Listen to our previous episode with NDSAN:

45. Adoption & Down Syndrome w/Stephanie Thompson from the NDSAN

Black Down Syndrome Association:

Learn more about Black Down Syndrome Association

Follow Black Down Syndrome Association (BDSA) on Instagram and Facebook

Join the Black Down Syndrome Association Facebook Family Group

Listen to our previous episodes with BDSA:

195. Connecting with the Black Down Syndrome Association (ft. Kelli Caughman & Crystal Lotterberry)

256. Celebrating Motherhood, Advocacy, & Community (w/Black Down Syndrome Association)

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $0.99, $4.99, or $9.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Your support makes a difference in our ability to create meaningful content, enable us to cover production costs, and explore additional opportunities to expand our resources. Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today!

DISCOUNT CODE

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

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:

Thank you, ABLEnow for sponsoring this episode!

115. How The ABLE Act Supports Your Child's Future (ft. Catherine Beck)

LET’S CHAT

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

BONUS. Dreaming Big and Showing Up From The NDSS Adult Summit Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

That’s right friends, we’ve got a BONUS episode for you this week! Today, we’re bringing you our closing keynote from the NDSS Adult Summit, we’re sharing our takeaways from the weekend, practical tips, and tools for building a future that people with Down syndrome deserve. From dreaming about employment and supporting Down syndrome-owned businesses to creating transition plans and embracing independence, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable steps. You’ll also hear from incredible advocates sharing their hopes and dreams for the next generation of people with Down syndrome. This is your reminder that your voice, your story, and your advocacy matter!

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SHOW NOTES

Links from our Favorite Tips & Tools from the Adult Summit!

Dream about employment. Sit down with a loved one and write down your future dreams and goals for employment. NDSS has resources and templates for future planning, entrepreneurship, starting a business with your family, and more! Check out their website to get started!

Support businesses owned and run by people with Down syndrome. Follow them on social media, sign up for their newsletter, purchase their products, and share with family and friends. Friends, this holiday season, take a look at the NDSS interactive holiday gift guide to help you find businesses to support!

Apply for an ABLE account (tax advantaged saving account for individuals with disabilities)

Sign up to be part of research. Stay up to date with research. Did you know NDSS even has a research studies page on their website where you can search by age and sign up for their newsletter where they send out new research opportunities from time to time! Look into the Alzheimer’s research, if you are 35 or older talk to your doctor about Alzheimer’s disease and prevention.

NDSS resources and Adult Down Syndrome center website has a resource gallery with videos and worksheets on dating, puberty, social boundaries, and more.

Make a transition plan. Contact your department of rehabilitation. Pick up transition guide from NDSS table or download online.

Take a step towards independence. Is there an area of life you dream of having more independence? Living alone? Making your lunch? Navigating your community? Initiating social fun with friends? Sit down with your loved ones and make a plan for the next steps to meeting that goal.

Watch the new NDSS PSA Town 21

Listen to EP 284 Why Does Inclusion for People with Down Syndrome Have to be a Distant Dream?

Thank you to Camilynne Photography for capturing so many of our Adult Summit memories!

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

DISCOUNT CODE

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

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

LET’S CHAT

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

285. The World We Deserve: LIVE From The NDSS Adult Summit Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Friends, we had an epic time at the National Down Syndrome Adult Summit in Costa Mesa, CA! It’s a weekend of connection and educational sessions on a variety of topics that address adulthood and aging for the disability community. We had the honor of helping to launch the NDSS Town 21 PSA and spoke with Town 21 news anchor Jessica Kishner about her role in the video, her passion for music, and her dreams. We also got the chance to talk with NDSS President Kandi Pickard and the creator of the NDSS Adult Summit, Jadene Ransdell, about the importance of dreaming big and creating opportunities. Together, we reflected on how we can take the energy and education from this weekend to better support adults with Down syndrome. This episode captures the inspiration, hope, and energy of the weekend and we’re so excited to share it with all of you! This is an episode (and weekend) you don’t want to miss!

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SHOW NOTES

Watch the new NDSS PSA Town 21

Our episode with BTS of Town 21 on EP 284 Why Does Inclusion for People with Down Syndrome Have to be a Distant Dream?

Our episode with Kandi Pickard celebrating their 45th anniversary:

262. 45 Years of Advocacy: A Conversation w/ NDSS President Kandi Pickard

Our episode with Alex Bolden (who is in the closing scene):

277. Can A Person With Down Syndrome Vote? (w/Alex Bolden & Genevieve Thompson)

Thank you to Camilynne Photography for capturing so many of our Adult Summit memories!

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

DISCOUNT CODE

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

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

LET’S CHAT

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

284. Why Does Inclusion for People with Down Syndrome Have to be a Distant Dream? Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

We’ve talked about impactful PSAs that the Down syndrome community has put out over the years. Today we’re talking about the most recent PSA from our friends over at the National Down Syndrome Society, if you haven’t seen it already follow the link in our show notes and go watch their powerful, important, and impactful message and listen to some behind-the-scenes interviews on this weeks episode! We’re chatting with the president of NDSS Kandi Pickard, an amazing couple Jeremy and Audrey featured in the wedding scene, and Jamie Weitzman whose kiddos Hannah and Jedidiah were featured in the crowd at the wedding! We’re talking about every little detail, why it matters, and what we can do to help create this world that we all dream of for people with Down syndrome and that people with Down syndrome and disabilities deserve. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

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SHOW NOTES

Check out Jeremy & Audrey’s Non-Profit Down Syndrome Rocks

Our episode with Kandi Pickard celebrating their 45th anniversary:

262. 45 Years of Advocacy: A Conversation w/ NDSS President Kandi Pickard

Our episode with Alex Bolden (who is in the closing scene):

277. Can A Person With Down Syndrome Vote? (w/Alex Bolden & Genevieve Thompson)

Our episode with Matthew & Lucia:

244. Love, Advocacy, & A Viral Proposal (w/Matthew Schwab & Lucia Romano)

Our episode with Craig & Heather:

231. Love, Marriage, & Eqaulity w/ Craig & Heather (w/Moms Lisa & Pat)

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

DISCOUNT CODE

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

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Thank you, Enable SNP for sponsoring this episode!

47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP

191. Future Planning for the WHOLE Family - ft. Phillip Clark, Enable SNP

Thank you, ABLEnow for sponsoring this episode!

115. How The ABLE Act Supports Your Child's Future (ft. Catherine Beck)

LET’S CHAT

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

283. Navigating Tube Feeding With Down Syndrome (w/Dr. Lauren Fiechtner) Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

Nutrition is key to a child's development, but for some children with Down syndrome, feeding challenges make it difficult to get the nutrition they need. That’s where tube feeding comes in. Today, we’re chatting with Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, Director of Nutrition at Mass General for Children, to talk about the different types of feeding tubes, why they are sometimes necessary, and the unique feeding challenges that children with Down syndrome may face. We’re chatting about when tube feeding is typically used, the emotional and physical challenges parents may experience, and how feeding therapies and supportive resources can make a difference. We hope Dr. Fiechtner’s compassionate advice helps families feel empowered and reassured as they navigate tube feeding and nutrition.

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SHOW NOTES

Learn more about Feeding Matters

Learn more about The Oley Foundation

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

DISCOUNT CODE

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

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Thank you, National Down Syndrome Society for sponsoring this episode!

Check out episode 174 on The Down Syndrome Learning Profile

Check out episode 181 with NDSS team member Dana Sciullo and her brother Anthony!

Check out episode 262 with NDSS President Kandi Pickard celebrating their 45 years of advocacy!

Thank you, Enable SNP for sponsoring this episode!

47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP

191. Future Planning for the WHOLE Family - ft. Phillip Clark, Enable SNP

LET’S CHAT

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

282. Adoption, Purpose, and the Founding of RODS Heroes (w/Brady Murray) Nov 05, 2024

Show notes

Happy first week of November AND National Adoption Month! Today we’re thrilled to welcome Brady Murray, the passionate founder of RODS Heroes. Brady’s nonprofit has helped hundreds of children with Down syndrome find loving homes around the world. As a father of eleven—including two children with Down syndrome—Brady shares his personal journey with adoption, from being adopted himself to adopting seven of his children from around the globe. Hear the inspiring story behind how a triathlon became the seed for RODS Heroes, the miracles he’s witnessed along the way, and why he believes that when we invest in causes greater than ourselves, we experience incredible transformation. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

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SHOW NOTES

Learn more about RODS Heroes
Follow RODS Heroes on Instagram and Facebook
Follow Brad Murray on Instagram
Follow Cooper Murray on Instagram
NBC Nightly News story of Cooper Murray throwing out MLB first pitches

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

DISCOUNT CODE

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

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Thank you, National Down Syndrome Society for sponsoring this episode!

Thank you, ABLEnow for sponsoring this episode!

115. How The ABLE Act Supports Your Child's Future (ft. Catherine Beck)

LET’S CHAT

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

281. Can A Person With Down Syndrome Shift Narratives? (w/ Hilary Gauld & Kate Herron) Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

This month we’ve celebrated Down Syndrome Awareness Month with episodes based on popular Google search topics! Today we’re joined by award-winning photographer Hilary Gauld and advocate Kate Herron for this episode all about answering the question: Can a person with Down syndrome Shift Narratives? In 2014, Hilary and Kate collaborated on a fundraising calendar featuring Kate's 10-month-old son, Caleb, for the Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society (WWDSS). What began as a local project quickly grew into a decade-long advocacy journey, evolving into an internationally recognized series that challenges stereotypes and represents the Down syndrome community in meaningful, thought-provoking ways. Hilary’s sharing how her friend Kate’s invitation sparked her dedication to authentically representing the Down syndrome community, the impact her work has had on families seeing themselves and their loved ones reflected in media, and the powerful role of storytelling in breaking down barriers. We’re also chatting about their documentary Decade, which celebrates the ten years of this incredible project, the impact the last ten years have had on their advocacy, what they hope for the future, and so much more! Friends, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

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SHOW NOTES

Follow One For The Wall on Instagram and Facebook

Follow Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society on Instagram

Learn more about Decade documentary

Check out the ‘Here I Am’ series

People Magazine article about the series ‘Believe in Me’

Check out all the incredible series from One For The Wall

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

DISCOUNT CODE

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

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Thank you, National Down Syndrome Society for sponsoring this episode!

174. Learning About the Down Syndrome Learning Profile! (ft. Jessica Kuss from the National DS Society)

181. How has your sibling changed your life? (ft. Dana & Anthony Sciullo from the NDSS team)

262. 45 Years of Advocacy: A Conversation w/ NDSS President Kandi Pickard

Thank you, Enable SNP for sponsoring this episode!

47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP

191. Future Planning for the WHOLE Family - ft. Phillip Clark, Enable SNP

LET’S CHAT

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

280. Can A Person With Down Syndrome Find Community & Belonging? Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

This month we’re celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month with episodes based on popular Google search topics! On today’s episode, we’re answering the question: Can a person with Down syndrome find community & belonging? Today’s conversation is sparked by a recent blog post of Heather’s on why her daughter Macy didn’t attend homecoming this year, we’re chatting about what it truly means for someone with Down syndrome to feel a sense of belonging in school and their wider community. What can we all do to ensure inclusion happens? How can we help build bridges where isolation exists? From clubs and activities to real friendships, we’re chatting about inclusion, community, and what happens when we work together to make existing opportunities even better. Do we have all the answers…never! But we have hope having these tough conversations helps build and maintain those bridges toward community and belonging.

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SHOW NOTES

Read Heather’s blog post Why My Daughter with Down Syndrome Won't be Going to Her Homecoming Dance

Learn more about Best Buddies

Listen to our episode with Val Schleider: 43. Back to School & All Things Best Buddies w/Val Schlieder & Allison Covell

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

DISCOUNT CODE

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

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:

Thank you, ABLEnow for sponsoring this episode!

115. How The ABLE Act Supports Your Child's Future (ft. Catherine Beck)

LET’S CHAT

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

279. Can A Person With Down Syndrome Live Independently? (w/Emily Kendall & Chad Mayer) Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

This month we’re celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month with episodes based on popular Google search topics! Today we’re joined by Emily Kendall & Chad Mayer from EmpowerMe Living for this episode all about answering the question: Can a person with Down syndrome live independently? Today, we’re talking about the incredible work of EmpowerMe Living, a program designed to support individuals with disabilities in choosing the best living arrangement for their unique needs. We're with EmpowerMe Living founder, Emily and Chad, who lives independently through the program, as they share their insights on independent versus supported living, overcoming challenges, and how EmpowerMe Living helps families navigate these important decisions. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

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SHOW NOTES

Check out EmpowerMe Living’s website to learn more about our:

Incredible team
Microhome concept
First property in Cincinnati
Our Cincinnati Housing Market Analysis

First Place Global Leadership Institute –Check out their groundbreaking research on housing, including “A Place in the World” and their housing market analyses. Organizations can partner with First Place to conduct a housing market analysis in their community to collect and analyze data about housing needs and preferences directly from adults with I/DD and their families which can then be used to drive effective solutions.

Learn more about Beyond Down Syndrome – a wonderful resource for people with Down syndrome and their families focused on independence

Blog Emily wrote for this summer about trusting intuition advocating for her son with Down syndrome

Emily wanted us to share her son, Luke Kendall on the news! It has been awesome for Luke’s confidence and skill building, foundations for independence!

Learn more about Timothy M Freeman Center, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities provides adults with I/DD interdisciplinary, patient-centered healthcare. It is one of the few centers in the country pioneering this approach within an academic healthcare system.

Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning to create a plan that enables your child with disabilities to live a great life

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

DISCOUNT CODE

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

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

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

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Thank you, National Down Syndrome Society for sponsoring this episode!

Learn more about the Adult Summit in Orange County and reserve your spot today!

Thank you, Enable SNP for sponsoring this episode!

47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP

191. Future Planning for the WHOLE Family - ft. Phillip Clark, Enable SNP

LET’S CHAT

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

278. Can A Person With Down Syndrome Travel The World? (w/ Erik & Emily Orton) Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

This month we’re celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month with episodes based on popular Google search topics! Today we’re joined by Erik & Emily Orton for this episode all about answering the question: Can a person with Down syndrome travel the world? They’re sharing their incredible story of sailing the Caribbean, with their family of seven and how their daughter Lily, who has Down syndrome, has inspired them to break boundaries, live without limits, and travel the globe! We’re chatting about caregiver fatigue, challenging conventional ideas of therapies, parenting our kids with and without Down syndrome, and so much more. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

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SHOW NOTES