The Starry-Eyed Podcast

Ep 27 - The Tale of Alex and Alexandra

Hark! Come gather ye round to hear the tale of Alex and Alexandra, who live lives touched by Williams syndrome!
The show is joined today by Alexandra Reneer, an adult with WS living in Utah. She shares with us how being a dancer has allowed her to stay physically healthy and gives her the confidence to teach dance to others with developmental disabilities!
Then we're joined by Alex Chiarappa. She is the mother to 5-year-old Collins and almost 2-year-old Jax, who has WS. She shares their journey through these first couple of years and how she uses Yoga to center herself and find mindfulness through stress. Her 2nd annual Stretch into Rest Fundraiser is coming up soon. More information HERE.

Ep 26 - Phreezing in Phoenix with Nick, Lindsey, and J Chap!

The WSA team is in Phoenix, AZ, doing more prep work for the upcoming WSA Convention, July 9-13, 2024, at the Downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel. Since the room block will be available for reservations starting Wednesday, January 10, we thought it would be a good time for more convention talk! Nick and Lindsey are back to talk about how preparations are coming. Then Jen is joined by Jen...Jen Chaplin, the WSA Convention Czar, who is handling all the logistics here in Phoenix! 
If you want to see the video version of them touring the hotel, please check out the video version of the podcast available at https://www.youtube.com/@Williams-syndromeOrg.
Questions about the convention? Email convention@williams-syndrome.org. 

Ep 25: Sharing Journeys with Anne Lemieux-Pocock, Tobi Akbas, and Hayley Cuccinello

Happy Holidays from all of us at The Starry-Eyed Effect!
It's a very special episode as we're joined by Anne Lemieux-Pocock, who, in addition to being Brendan's mom, is an accomplished writer. She's sharing her journey of being a mom to an individual with WS in beautiful chapters called "Being & Becoming: A Williams Syndrome ‘Mom-oir'” available at https://medium.com/@annelemieuxpocock.
Then we're joined by Tobi Akbas and Business Insider writer Hayley Cuccinello to talk about a fantastic article available now at https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-williams-syndrome-living-loving-strangers-2023-12.
 
Thank you all so much for joining us in our first year of the show. We can't wait to bring you more stories in 2024! Email us at podcast@williams-syndrome.org

Ep 24: Ottenheimer to the Rescue! with Scott Ottenheimer

Look...did I have a whole other episode planned and then couldn't get it scheduled and was bailed out by awesome Board member Scott Ottenheimer? Maybe, but we were always going to have Scott as a guest! As his time on the WSA Board of Trustees comes to a close, Scott talks to Brendan and Jen about his time serving the WSA and how it has set the organization up for the future! As a community, we are so lucky to have amazing people like him advocating for not only what he is passionate about but what is going to be best for our entire WS community.
Thank you, Scott, for your leadership!
 

Ep 23: Caregiving the Caregivers with Sarah Giddings

In this episode, Jen, Brendan, and Producer Joel delve into the crisis in this country surrounding parents and caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities - specifically Williams syndrome.
After watching the documentary "UNSEEN: How We're Failing Parent Caregivers & Why It Matters" (which you can watch at www.caregiverdoc.com), they share their reactions for the first time in the recording. 
Then, WSA Vice-President of Programs and Services, Sarah Giddings, joins to talk about how the WSA makes an intentional effort to provide education and resources to our community in an effort to alleviate the stress felt by parents and caregivers. She also shares her experiences as a parent to Matthew, her son with WS.
We hope that this episode helps spark conversations about how this country can do better for families and caregivers.
Also, please check out the 2023 WSA Holiday Gift Guide this giving season.

Ep 22: ’Zona Talk with Nick and Lindsey

Brendan joins from Austin, TX, where he just wrapped a weekend of working with the WSA Board of Trustees. What is that like? Well, he tells us. Then Jen and Brendan talk to Lindsey and Nick about planning the 2024 WSA Convention in Phoenix, AZ! Look out for Haboobs!!

Ep 21: The Spooky Oooky Effect with Megan, Julie, Marty McFly, a Cloud, and Professor Dilo Ph’Saurus from the Planet Spielberg

Make sure the little ones are off to dreamland because this week, Jen and Brendan have terrifying tales of horrors, hayrides, and haunted houses! Joining the show is Megan McNeil and Julie Polansky to share everything they love about this ghoulish holiday. Then the gang gets together to bust some myths about Halloween and about Williams syndrome!
Are you brave enough to listen?!
Mwaaaahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!! 

Ep 20: Gratitude and Gettin’ Fancy with Callie Truelove, Camille and Anthony Filippazzo

Dust off your finest prêt-à-porter cause we're going to the society pages!
Jen and Brendan catch up with Callie Truelove to share gratitude for red carpet premieres, celebrating stories, and everything surrounding the release of Truelove: The Film. Then, Joel joins Brendan to talk to Camille and Anthony Filippazzo about building community and the importance of medical research into WS with the AF Research Grant. Think of how good Joel would look in a little "off-the-shoulder number" at the "A Night of Love, A Celebration of Life" event on November 3rd in Brooklyn, NY.
As Walter Winchell used to say at Sardi's, "Cowabunga!"

Ep 19: Live from Orlando with the Adventure Seekers

Producer Joel is live in Orlando with the Adventure Seekers (the group of adults (18+) with WS. This trip was a couple of years in the making, with around 150 individuals with WS and their parents/caregivers descending on the Drury Plaza Hotel in Orlando, FL. Jen and Brendan chat with about a half-dozen attendees about what this trip means to them.
Enjoy!

Ep 18: Volunteering with the Gang

Producer Joel joins Jen and Brendan for an old-fashioned hang where they talk about all the events going on with the WSA and with all the amazing volunteers around the country. From hosting events to becoming part of the WSA Board of Trustees, there are many ways to get involved.
Interested in helping out the WSA? Reach out to us at podcast@williams-syndrome.org.