x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Lucky Few

The Lucky Few Podcast

Hey friends! Welcome to the Lucky Few Podcast where we are shifting the narrative by shouting the worth of people with Down syndrome. With your hosts, Heather Avis, Micha Boyett, and Mercedes Lara.

kids & family

All Episodes

00:59:49

213. The Beauty & Challenges of Adaptive & Inclusive...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/06/27

Today we’re talking about our personal experiences with adaptive and inclusive programs. We know both can be successful, we also know what's worked and what hasn’t worked for our kiddos. From basketball, baseball, dance, surfing, theater, gymnastics, ski lessons, soccer, and swim team, we’ve tried what seems like every activity imaginable! We’ve seen our kids thrive in both inclusive and adaptive programs, and we’ve also seen our kids face challenges with both. Let’s pause and realize that these

en

00:49:53

212. Working Together & Impacting Change w/ NDSC’s...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/06/20

Friends, we’re so excited to have National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Executive Director, Jordan Kough on the show today! He’s here to tell us what to expect at the 51st NDSC Convention, discuss the impact of the Down syndrome community working together, and so much more! We chat about the disability rights movement and how advocacy has created meaningful changes that have impacted policy changes at State and Federal levels. How coming together at NDSC Convention and participating in the advocacy

en

00:47:30

211. Connecting, Supporting, & Balancing It All (ft....

The Lucky Few ·

2023/06/13

Dads, father figures, this one’s for you! Today The Lucky Few Dads are taking over to chat about nurturing the connections with their kiddos with Down syndrome and what this journey of fatherhood has taught them so far. Josh, Andy, and Chris share what they’d tell their younger selves and how they’ve grown as fathers so far. Some of the changes they’ve made in their careers and family dynamics that have benefited their families. How important it is to normalize asking for support from friends and

en

00:36:08

210. Champions On & Off Screen: Madison Tevlin &...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/06/06

Today on the show we have two talented self-advocates and the stars of the movie Champions! Madison Tevlin and Matthew Von Der Ahe join us to chat about the audition process, working with Woody Harrelson, some behind the scenes secrets, and so much more! They tell us about their characters' sassy and hilarious attitudes and warning an explicit word or two may be used…ear muffs!! From voiceover acting, modeling, speaking at conferences, working at a restaurant, dancing and crafting these dynamic

en

01:09:06

209. End of School Year Reflections

The Lucky Few ·

2023/05/30

Let's give ourselves all a round of applause, high fives, and cheers. We've made it through another school year! We know each year comes with its challenges and triumphs, today we’re reflecting on the good, bad, and in between of the 2022-2023 school year. We catch you up on what grades our kiddos are finishing up and what next year has in store. We’re chatting about homeschooling, charter schools, our frustrations with IEP’s, placement testing, and more. Looking ahead to next year we give

en

01:14:41

208. Growing Through Uncomfortable Conversations...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/05/23

Friends, we recognize and appreciate that so many of you come to us for our open, honest, and candid conversations week after week. After seeing the response Heather was receiving over on @theluckyfewoffical under a post that she wouldn’t be celebrating an abled person asking a disabled person to prom, we knew this topic deserved another conversation. We also knew the conversation deserved to include a person with disabilities. Our producer and self-advocate Ashley Fraccalossi joins us for this

en

00:40:06

207. ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ Star: Noah Matthews Matofsky

The Lucky Few ·

2023/05/16

Friends, we’re SO excited to have the star of the newest Disney reimagining of Peter Pan on the show today! Noah Matthews Matofsky joins us all the way from London to chat all about his leading role as Slightly, one of the Lost Boys, in ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ now streaming on Disney+. Before being scouted for the film by American casting agent Debra Zane, Noah had only ever been in school plays! We chat about what it’s like to be recognized, learning stunts, and he even gives us a performance of a

en

00:50:34

206. Nurturing Meaningful Connections With Our Kids

The Lucky Few ·

2023/05/09

Happy Mother’s Day, friends!! On this week’s episode we’re celebrating with a candid conversation about connecting with your child with Down syndrome! We know how important making meaningful connections with our kids is, today we’re talking all about nurturing those connections. What we’re doing to develop the relationships with our kiddos, learning new ways to give and receive love, and so much more! And we might even have a surprise performance by none other than our very own Micha Boyett

en

00:45:05

205. Healthcare Equity in the Down Syndrome Community...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/05/02

Friends, we’re so excited to have the brilliant Dr. Brian Skotko and Dr. Noemi Spinazzi back on the show today! They’re here to tell us about a big research project they worked on involving patients with Down syndrome who identify as Black as well as parents of patients who primarily speak Spanish. This work included conducting surveys of parents and primary care physicians from across the country over the last two years. Its primary goal was to identify the barriers for families looking to access

en

00:49:53

204. Self-Advocates On Capitol Hill w/Kayla McKeon,...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/04/25

Today we’re catching up with three self-advocates from previous episodes! Advocating for the Down syndrome community from the steps of Capitol Hill we catch up with self-advocates Kayla McKeon, Matthew Schwab, and Charlotte Woodward! We were so excited to chat with them during the National Down Syndrome Society’s Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference in Washington DC! From advocating equal rights in employment, healthcare, and education for people with Down syndrome these self-advocates are putting

en

00:54:05

203. Beyond Checking A Box

The Lucky Few ·

2023/04/18

Friends, some harmful statements were made recently by an online commentator about a recent SKIMS campaign and it got us thinking about all things inclusivity in the media. She who will not be named asked, “how far are we going to take this inclusivity thing?” Girl, we’re taking this inclusivity thing ALL the way! Today we ask all the questions that harmful narratives like this leave us with. What’s worthy of being seen as beautiful? Are companies being genuine or just checking an inclusion box? How

en

00:45:08

THROWBACK: Politics & Down Syndrome w/Kayla McKeon...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/04/11

Friends, next week many of us are headed to DC for the NDSS Down Syndrome Advocacy Conference! Take a (re) listen to this fantastic episode! The last time we chatted with Kayla McKeon back in November 2018, she was lobbying for the ABLE to Work act that allows individuals with disabilities to save money without losing their benefits. Today, the act has passed, but Kayla (the first registered lobbyist with Down Syndrome) has certainly not stopped working hard! Her and Ashley Helsing are part of the

en

00:45:50

202. Living In Technicolor & Listening To Your Heart...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/04/04

Sofia Sanchez helped us celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st and today her Mom Jennifer Varanini Sanchez is here to chat with us! This mother of four opens up about the Down syndrome diagnosis of her youngest son Joaquin at 3-months-old that led her on a pursuit to learning more. Listen to how a charitable donation in honor of a family member's memory led this mama on a path to completing her family through international adoption. We chat about celebrating each child’s individual

en

00:42:07

THROWBACK: Following the Lead of Self-Advocates (ft....

The Lucky Few ·

2023/03/28

Hey, Friends! Before next week’s new episode we want to (re) share another one of our favorite self-advocate episodes! Matthew Schwab is a 25 year old man with Down syndrome who is absolutely slaying it at life. There’s no better way to describe him! Since we last chatted with him in 2020, Matthew has moved into an apartment with his brother and started his own podcast! He’s officially entered the world of “adulting” where there’s no one around to remind you to do your chores! Today we’re chatting

en

00:27:32

201. Sofia Sanchez: Filming ‘The Hunger Games’, Her...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/03/21

Today we have a very special guest here to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, the one and only Sofia Sanchez!! We just happen to be the first podcast interview (many more to come!) for this actress, model, author, and self-advocate. She has some fun projects going on: a new book, cartoon series, a feature film, and advocating on capital hill, just to name a few! Sofia gives us a tease of her experiences filming ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ coming to theaters this

en

01:10:35

200. It's our 5 year anniversary!

The Lucky Few ·

2023/03/14

For the last 5 years, we’ve worked hard to bring you expert resources, meaningful connections, and loving encouragement each and every week. And we’re so grateful for those of you who have stuck with us for the last 200 episodes! This is a milestone we are celebrating with ALL of you! You’ve listened to us navigate parenthood, education, new diagnoses, and so much more with our kiddos. And today we’re taking you behind the scenes of the last 5 years! Join us for a chat about our origin story, quotes

en

00:58:23

199. What We Wish We Knew, Had, & Told Ourselves In...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/03/07

Take it from us, parenting is hard and those first years can feel like the hardest, especially with an unexpected diagnosis. But we promise that when you look back, you’re going to remember the sweet moments the most. Today’s episode is for all the new parents in the Down syndrome community. We’re sharing all the items we wish we used, the wisdom we wish we had (especially when it comes to all the therapies..) and what we wish we would have told ourselves to get through those early years. We’re also

en

00:42:32

198. The Best We Can: An Unscripted Conversation on...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/02/28

Raise your hand if the phone number of your kid's school popping up makes your stomach drop? Hands raised over here too, friends. Today, we (Heather + Josh Avis) are chatting about recent challenges with our children’s IEPs.. what’s working, what’s not working, and why we’ve hired a lawyer. We’re asking tough questions.. Why does it feel like this system is built on something broken? Are separate spaces made to actually accommodate children with disabilities or to make others feel more

en

00:59:06

197. Exposing The Roots (Racism, Ableism,...

The Lucky Few ·

2023/02/21

Friends! Did you know that not only are we in the middle of Black History Month but also Inclusion Month?! Today we’re honoring the adversities faced by advocates before us and celebrating the changes we’re making now that will impact future generations. After all, the end goal is the same: creating spaces of belonging for everyone, and we mean everyone. And we know we’re in a vulnerable moment in society, and in order to make lasting changes for future generations, we need to put in the hard

en

01:02:46

196. Couples Q & A! (ft. our husbands)

The Lucky Few ·

2023/02/14

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! In honor of the holiday, we have three very special guests joining us.. Josh, Andy, & Chris! That’s right! We each sat down with our husbands to answer all of your questions about relationship dynamics and Down syndrome. How do you make time for each other (and away from each other)? How do you team up to advocate for your child? How do you process your feelings after the diagnosis? We’re not experts or anything friends, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned it’s

en

353 results

Similar Podcasts

Tale Teller Kids™

Sarnia de la Mare

米克馬故事坊

咪萊

Imagination Station

Imagination Station

Die Pferde sind nicht das Problem - und du bist nicht zu blöd. Der Aha-Podcast für Pferdemenschen

Silke Jahn & Maren Diehl

Hanna fragt Papa - Der Podcast für neugierige Kinder und Eltern

Hanna und Thomas Schamberger