The Starry-Eyed Podcast

Ep 43 - Fight for Your Rights with Delaney O'Connell and Chad Wilson

Today's show exercises our civic duty as Jen and Brendan are joined by Delaney O'Connell, who is featured in the documentary Patrice, about a couple trying to fight the system that won't let them marry. On this show, we get to hear Delaney's story and how important self-advocacy is to her.
Then we are joined by Chad Wilson from the Minnesota Disability Law Center to talk about how to make sure your voice is heard at the ballot box. Whether it's transportation issues or understanding what is on the ballot, Chad shares some resources and tips on how to make your voting experience successful.
For more voting resources, go to https://www.williams-syndrome.org/resources/voting-resources

Ep 42 - Old Friends/New Challenges with Seth Link and Lisa Elm

Croutons and Hearts, my friends! This episode, Brendan introduces us to one of his longest and best friends: Seth Link. Seth tells us all about balancing the stress of his job with the rest of his life and how important the connection between friends is to him. 
Then we are joined by Lisa Elm who manages PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. We also get into the huge part she's played in the creation of The Girl Who Cried Different by previous guests Tommy Barbarella and Mariella Elm (spoiler: she's Mariella's mom). I say we, because Producer Joel pops in when Jen has some heat related internet issues. But hey! That's the way the cookie crumbles.
Like and subscribe and leave us a review here or on the video version on YouTube!
 

Ep 41 - Staying Busy with Leo Ryan

After plotting a mob-like takeover of jobs at Disney, Jen and Brendan are joined by Leo Ryan! He took brief break from doing seemingly everything to chat about working, volunteering, and giving back to the younger members of the WS community. You can look for him probably zooming from activity to activity on the WSA Adventure Seekers cruise next summer!
Reach out to us at podcast@williams-syndrome.org for information about anything you heard on the show or to let us know you want to be interviewed!

Ep 40 - Back to It with Joelle Packard and Robin Pegg

It feels like an eon since we did a "regular" podcast, but here we are! Brendan is sandwiched between Producer Joel and Joelle Packard - who tells us all about her experience in college. Back-to-School continues with Robin Pegg joining Jen and Brendan to really get into the nuts and bolts of how students with Williams syndrome learn.
The materials Robin references are found here: https://www.williams-syndrome.org/featured-education-resources

Ep 39 - 15 Minutes of Fame Live from Camp Whispering Trails!

Jen and Producer Joel are live at the WSA's Whispering Trails Camp for the Teen Camp's "15 Minutes of Fame" Talent Show! Join them as they channel their inner Gail and John from Pitch Perfect and provide commentary and cheers for the performers. 
Honestly I don't know if this show will be any good on audio, but we had a lot of fun recording it and I wanted to give people a taste of what WSA Camp is all about!
Video version available over on the WSA page on YouTube.

Ep 38 - I Got Next! Live at the 2024 WSA Convention

Recorded live in Phoenix at the 2024 WSA National Convention, Jen, Brendan, and Producer Joel welcome Emmy Coggshall and Chris Baxter to discuss their upcoming movie "I've Got Next" and the aspiration of inclusivity in front of and behind the camera. Then Gianna Morello joins the gang to talk about being on the Board of Trustees and a leader in the WS community.

Ep 37.75 - Post Convention Podlet

Brendan got sick. Jen got sick. Joel got sick. A good time was had by all!
The 2024 WSA Convention in Phoenix was a rousing success. Unfortunately the live podcast footage hasn't been delivered yet, so that will be released at a later date.
Meanwhile, an exhausted Brendan and Joel do a quick recap of the Convention and look ahead to future episodes!
Thank you to everyone who said HI to us at the convention.

Ep 37.5 - It's a Convention Podlet with the Gang!

The time has come! Preparations for the 2024 WSA National Convention in Phoenix are in the final stretch. The gang has just a few minutes to get together, do some last minute chatting, and get ready for the Live Podcast show on Wednesday, July 10th at 4PM!
If you come up to any of us and say "Croutons & Hearts," we'll give you an official Starry-Eyed Podcast sticker!

Ep 37 - Weekend for Williams Live with Barb Nelson and Tayden Larsen

Recorded Live on June 1st, Jen and Brendan and joined by Producer Joel and WSA Vice President of Programming Sarah Giddings during their marathon Weekend for Williams fundraiser. The podcast was also part of a POWER HOUR where all donations were doubled thanks to Barb Nelson, the owner of Brinkley's Boutique. Barb joined the gang to talk about all the different ways Brinkley's Boutique raises awareness and money for the WSA throughout Williams Syndrome Awareness Month. Finally, the gang is joined by Tayden Larsen fresh from the job site working with his brother's roofing company.
It's not too late to donate. Go to WeekendforWilliams.org to donate or text WEEKEND to 71777.

Ep 36 - Defiantly Choosing Joy with Jess Holsapple and Tabitha Toney

During Williams Syndrome Awareness Month, it's important to recognize that, while our community has much to celebrate, there are also some very real challenges and tragedies.
Jen and Brendan are joined by Jessica Holsapple and Tabitha Toney, two mothers who each lost their young boys from complications with Williams syndrome. Jess continues to share her journey with Griffin at Life in Griffinland on Instagram and TikTok, and on Facebook. In addition to training the next generation of nurses, Tabitha serves as the camp nurse for the WSA's yearly summer camps for kids and teens in Georgia.
We thank them for their honesty and vulnerability in sharing their stories with us.
Please join us on May 31st and June 1st for the Weekend for Williams fundraiser where we are turning Awareness into Action. For more information and to donate to fund WSA programs and research, go to weekendforwilliams.org.