The Starry-Eyed Podcast
Presented by the Williams Syndrome Association, the Starry Eyed Podcast will explore the joys and challenges of living with Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disability. Each episode will feature interviews with adults with WS and professionals and caregivers who are dedicated to raising awareness and resources.
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Episodes
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Live from Camp!!
This episode was recorded on July 31st live from Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Georgia, at the WSA's Whispering Trails Therapy and Teen Camp. Producer Joel and Jen went live on Facebook with Brendan (at his headquarters in CT) to introduce everyone to the fantastic facility we enjoyed (despite the heat).
While we promised a new episode, Joel got covid, preventing him from finishing it. Meanwhile, enjoy this rebroadcast of Live from Camp!
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Have you read the article on the young woman from Oregon with Williams syndrome who competed in Dressage in France at the Virtus Global Games? Oh you have? That's great because this week Jen and Brendan interview Maddie Woo and her dad, Aaron, about her experience and everything she overcame to make that dream happen. Then Producer Joel steps in for Jen (who is very busy) to interview Cassandra Davide and Kim Scheier, team teachers from New York who share their experience running an inclusive classroom that included a student with Williams syndrome.
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
It's 7q11.23 Day! Jen and Brendan are joined by Kieran Devin Johnson, a young man from the Denver area who loves both paintball and @Southwest Airlines! Seriously, @Southwest , you must give this guy a listen! The Geneticist and WS Mom Jocelyn Krebs teaches Jen and Brendan about the importance of 7q11.23, what it means, and her wonderful artwork to help us celebrate this once-a-century event!
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
As Jen was returning home from her trip to Rhythm Nation, Joel and Brendan caught up with Steph to talk about the exciting developments going on in her life. Then, Brendan and Jen talk to Victoria and Alexandra Birch (thebirchfamilyllc.com) about their life on social media and their mission to spread kindness to everyone!
Got a question for the show? Write us at podcast@williams-syndrome.com
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Whew! Jen and Brendan are back after a week off recovering from Awareness Month! This week, Tyler Levy from Louisville, KY, joined them to discuss the importance of workplace inclusion, community support, and self-advocacy. He's followed by Dr. Barbara Pober, who has been at the forefront of genetic research and care for Williams syndrome for over 40 years. Her tireless work to understand WS continues today, seeing patients and conducting studies on all aspects of the WS lifespan.
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
You know the song that you hear at the beginning of every episode? Our first guests, Mariella Elm and Tommy Barbarella, wrote that song. Mariella is 17 and has Williams syndrome, and her dad has been a professional musician for years, playing with such artists as the Jonas Brothers and Prince! They join us to discuss their musical, "The Girl Who Cried Different." Next, Kristen Van Handel talks to us about working for make-up giants Sephora and knowing that beauty can come in all kinds of packages! Did I mention Stella's back for a bit? Oh yeah, she's back!
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
This episode is going back in time with Dr. Marty Levinson! He sits down with Jen (with Stella!) and Brendan to talk about Williams syndrome's early days and the WSA's beginnings. Then they are joined by Coco and Aaron Lombard, a sister and brother team from Phoenix (by way of New Orleans). They discuss finding Williams syndrome resources later in life and what it was like finally finding community!
Write us at podcast@williams-syndrome.org and don't forget to like and subscribe! The video version is available on the WSA YouTube channel and on The Starry-Eyed Effect group on Facebook.
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
This week, episode 1 guest Brendan Lemieux is now episode 8 guest host! He and Jen talk to the President of the Canadian Association for Williams Syndrome (CAWS), Melanie Côté, about her journey to create real job opportunities for people with developmental disabilities by creating her own donut shop, Do Good Donuts. Then they're joined by Joanne and Morgan Jane Starkman. Joanne and her husband created Innersense Organic Beauty, a line of all-natural haircare products. Morgan is the Director of Joy for Innersense and once you meet her, you'll see why!
Reach out to us at podcast@williams-syndrome.org and follow us on our Facebook page! Rate and subscribe to our channels on YouTube and Apple Podcasts - or wherever you get your podcast delights!
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Steph is back!! She makes a brief appearance to give an update on her health and what's going on in her life! Then Jen and Producer Joel talk with WSA Educational Consultant Robin Pegg about the work she's doing to change how we think about education and our young people with Williams syndrome. Then they talk to Amy Nussbaum, mother of 4 (including Libi, who's 5 and has Williams syndrome), advocate, and member of the WSA Board of Trustees, about spreading awareness of WS in the month of May and her work to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community.
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
With Steph under the weather, Producer Joel steps in to co-host with Jen! They talk about his work with the WSA and being a dad of a kiddo with WS. Then they talk to author and awesome WS mom, Kristen Cagadas, about moving cross-country with a young family, finding your community, and her book: Elsie with the Great Smile: A First Look at Williams Syndrome. Learn more about Kristen and order the book at https://www.purejoymama.com/
Got a question for Jen and Steph, email us at podcast@williams-syndrome.org
