The Starry-Eyed Podcast

Ep 57 - The Joys of Community and Pickleball with Megan McNeil and Terry Monkaba

Happy Williams Syndrome Awareness Month! To kick things off we have a extra-large episode for you!
Jen and Brendan are joined by Megan McNeil to share the love of being part of the WS community and how much brighter the world is when people choose kindness over bullying.
Then we welcome back former Executive Director Terry Monkaba for her first interview in a couple years! They discuss the early days of the WSA and being part of some of the major breakthroughs in WS research. Terry also lets us in on how she's enjoying her retirement and the surprising joy of finding balance after dedicating nearly four decades to the WSA and the WS community. 
It's shaping up to be a really special Awareness Month so please get out there and tell people about Williams syndrome, the Williams Syndrome Association, and the importance of a robust and interesting community for all!
For information on Camp Blue Skies, go to campblueskies.org
For information on Bennett's 2nd Annual Chili Pepper Challenge, go to wsinfo.org/peppers
 

Ep 56 - Maryland Terps and the House of Mouse with Erin & Sophie Rupolo and Alex Bentley

On this episode, Jen and Brendan are joined by Erin & Sophie Rupolo who, thanks to Team Impact, are jet setting all over the country with the Maryland Terrapins Women's Basketball Team. The Lady Terps have truly made Sophie one of their own..even when she is in full teenager mode.
Then, Alex Bentley joins the pod to talk about working at Disney World. It was a childhood dream, and thanks to hard work, determination, and help from his family, he turned his dream into reality. Is he going to stop there? No way! He's still setting goals and putting in the work to achieve them!
Join us at The Starry-Eyed Podcast page on Facebook or watch the video version of the podcast on Youtube.

Ep 55 - A Three-fer with Brett Beger, Carl Hanson, & Ben Monkaba

Today we have not one, not two, but three guests at once - A THREE-FER!
Jen and Brendan are joined by Brett Beger, Carl Hanson, and Ben Monkaba to discuss what it's like living together as 3 dudes under the same roof. It's a fantastic story of friends, independence, and the courage to try something scary.
Speaking of scary, we, of course, talk about the one clown who is an exception to Jen and Producer Joel's fear of clowns - Big Red!
We hope you enjoy this absolutely fantastic hang with these guys!
Interested in being on the podcast? Go to Williams-syndrome.org/podcast and fill out the interview form. 
Enjoying the audio version? Check out the video version of the show on YouTube or check out the show on Facebook.

Ep 54 - Camp Blue Skies with Dick and Brent Sesler and a whoooole lotta campers!

Gird your ears for Producer Joel has lost his voice. Before it went completely away, he was able to spend the week at Camp Blue Skies in Georgia, with around 75 adults with Williams syndrome. 
Camp creator Dick Sesler and his son, Brent the Mayor of camp, sat down to talk about the need for community for our adults and what the future holds.
Then, Producer Joel set up the camera and mics and interviewed whoever was willing to sit down - making for a fantastically eclectic segment!
For more information about WSA Camps including Camp Blue Skies, go to Williams-syndrome.org/camps.
Croutons & Hearts!

Ep 53 - 2 Years, 1 Kent

Two years! 53 episodes! 3 podlet mini-sodes!
Two years is longer than Blackbeards reign of terror on the high seas!
Two years is longer than the existence of the Pony Express!
Technically our show has lasted longer than the Disco era (2 years...look it up)!
On this episode, Jen and Brendan welcome Jon Kent, who has been a part of the Williams syndrome community for decades, but only recently joined the staff as the new Vice President of Philanthropy and Communication. He helps us understand that "fundraising" isn't nearly as scary a word as some of us might think.
Then we take a trip down memory lane revisiting some of our favorite moments, guests, and episodes from the last 2 years. Thank you all so much for coming along on this journey. We can't wait to see what the future brings.

Ep 52 - Sarah and Cara, Leading the Charge with Style and Flair-a!

In this episode, Jennifer, Brendan, and Producer Joel kick things off with a celebration—Brendan’s appointment as WSA Secretary! He is the first person with WS to hold a position on the Executive Committee of the WSA Board of Trustees!Next, we welcomed newcomer Sarah Schaefer, the new Executive Director of the WSA (Just kidding, it’s the same Sarah we already know and love)! She shared her vision, passion, and what’s ahead for the organization. It’s an exciting time for the WSA, and Sarah’s leadership is sure to bring incredible momentum.Finally, Cara Romanowski joined the pod. She’s a member of the Dream Team— our fantastic group of older individuals with Williams syndrome who inspire us with their experiences and advocacy.Make sure to “Like” and Subscribe to the YouTube version or the audio version wherever you get your podcast delights and don’t forget to leave a review!

Ep 51 - Talking Without Words & Best Buddies for Life with Gabby Cornelio and Charles Calhoun

This week, the pod is packed with big hearts & big laughs.
First up, Gabby Cornelio joins Brendan and Joel to talk about life with her son's feeding challenges and his own unique way of communicating—because let’s be real, words are so overrated anyway. She also wrote a bilingual book, My Brother Doesn’t Speak, but His Heart Does, proving that sometimes, siblings just get each other—no words necessary.
Then, we shift gears for a trip down memory lane with Charles Calhoun, Brendan’s partner-in-crime for 20 years through the Best Buddies program. Jen and Brendan grill Charles on their decades of friendship, the secrets to staying best buds, and whether Brendan was always this awesome (spoiler: probably).
Join us for an episode full of love, laughter, and proof that true connection goes way beyond words.
Get Gabby's book here or wherever you get your books.
Join the conversation on Facebook or by writing the show at podcast@williams-syndrome.org

Ep 50 - Tech Talk and Banjo AC/DC with Milton Neuenschwander and Christopher McClung

It's tech time on the pod! Producer Joel got his son his own mobile phone and now he needs some help to make sure everyone stays safe and the technology can be used for good - not evil.
Jen and Brendan are joined by Milton Neuenschwander from Tennessee's Department of Disabilities and Aging to talk about internet and phone safety, but also how assistive technology and AI can make navigating the world a bit easier.
Then, Christopher McClung joins Brendan and Joel for a bro-down talking about mashing up country music with AC/DC. Jen joins in later to talk first and wish-list concerts!
For some resources on assistive technology and internet safety, go to williams-syndrome.org/resources/internetsafety.
To reach out directly to Milton Neuenschwander, write him at Milton.Neuenschwander@tn.gov.
Croutons & Hearts y'all!

Ep 49 - HeARTs in the New Year with Marna Kalman

Let's make 2025 the year of Croutons and Hearts!! We kick it off with another longtime friend of Brendan's, Marna Kalman. She, Jen, and Brendan talk about living independently, working in a gallery, her jewelry business, and fine art! Check out her stuff at @mbymarna on Instagram. If you'd like to collaborate with her on jewelry or send her beads to create new work, email us at podcast@williams-syndrome.org, and we'll put you in touch!
So break out into song 'cause it's the start of a whole new year with The Starry-Eyed Podcast!

Ep 48 - Auld Shabang Syne with Sarah Giddings and Bret Fleming

The final pod of the year means we take a moment to look back on the year that was 2024 with the woman who kept the WSA chugging along for most of it: Sarah Giddings. From Convention to Camp to upcoming cruises, it was a year of amazing accomplishments and there's so much to look forward to in 2025.
Our final guest for 2024 is one of Brendan's best friends, Bret Fleming. They discuss all the music and mayhem from the last 25 years! Then Jen and Producer Joel surprise them with a game to determine who knows whom the best!
Thank you to all the audio listeners as we have passed over 10,000 downloads! Keep listening and we will keep the episodes coming!
If you'd like to be on the podcast or have questions for the hosts, go to Williams-syndrome.org/podcast!