The Starry-Eyed Podcast

Ep 61 - How Did We Get Here? with Drs. Pober, Levinson, Jacob, Barnhardt, Lyren, and Krebs with Terry Monkaba

This special episode takes a look back at the journey of understanding Williams syndrome—and how the WSA has grown alongside it. Through past interviews, we hear from leading voices in the field: Dr. Barbara Pober, Dr. Marty Levinson, Dr. Elizabeth Barnhardt, Dr. Becca Lyren, Dr. Jocelyn Krebs, Dr. Ben Jacob, and former WSA Executive Director Terry Monkaba.
Together, their insights paint a picture of how research, diagnosis, care, and community support have evolved over time. Whether you're new to the WS world or have been walking this path for years, this episode connects the dots between where we started—and where we're headed.
Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA!
Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Ep 60 - Trusting Your Innersense with Joanne Starkman

Recently, creator of Innersense Organic Beauty and friend of the show Joanne Starkman, invited the gang to be on her new podcast, "Trust Your Innersense." It was a wonderful conversation about how Williams syndrome has touched all aspects of our lives and irrevocably changed our respective life paths. We also get into the early days of the show and how it's evolved over the last 2 years. We hope you enjoy this this little trip into our Innersense.
Rebroadcast with permission from Joanne Starkman and Innersense Organic Beauty. This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty!
Click on https://innersensebeauty.com/products... and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA!
Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Ep 59 - Weekend for Williams Live! with Varun Indugula

Last Saturday marked the end of Williams Syndrome Awareness Month and to cap it off, WSA Executive Director Sarah Schaefer and Producer Joel held a 14-hour Give-A-Thon to reach $100,000! Around hour 9 1/2, Jen and Brendan joined for a live podcast featuring Varun Indugula. Varun is a student at the University of North Carolina and the younger brother of Prannoy, who has WS. Varun moderates the Adult Siblings Support Group for the WSA and shares his story on growing up with Prannoy and how it has already shaped his future. We hope you enjoy his touching story.
On either side of that, it's absolute silliness as the uber-tired Sarah and Joel try to make sense with Jen and Brendan the realities of going from a week-long camp with teens and kids with WS straight into a 14 hour broadcast.
May might be over, but it's not too late to donate! Go to weekend4williams.org or text WEEKEND to 71777 to donate.
This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty! Click on this link and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA!
Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Ep 58 - Avi is the King

We're well into Williams Syndrome Awareness Month and in this episode, Jen, Brendan, and Producer Joel welcome singer, bon vivant, and raconteur Avi Lesser! He (along with his mother Carol Patinkin and special guest Jon Kent) recount the many hours spent in Graceland, his trips abroad and his love for all kinds of national anthems! This is one gets silly! 
We'd also welcome our first sponsor: Innersense Organic Beauty! Click on this link and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA!
Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!
You can see Avi Visits the Court of the King by clicking here!

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!