We are finally back with a new episode of the A Little Something Extra podcast!! It has been a minute since we released a new episode, but we are kicking things off again with a great one! Nancy, GiGi, and Franco are joined by award-winning gospel/Christian rock artist Aaron Shust. Aaron is an award-winning talent in the music industry, a gifted writer, a profound minister, and most of all, a devoted husband and father to 3 boys, one of whom has Down syndrome.

The theme of this episode is, Never Loose Faith. This is a common theme in Nancy and GiGi’s journey, as well as so many others who have faced adversity in life. We walk with Aaron through his journey and some of the moments where God has challenged his faith, and WOW, are these moments profound and awe-inspiring. His stories of never losing faith in the wake of 2 sons facing life-threatening diagnoses will surely give you goosebumps.  We also talk about his creative process and his love for music. Then as we always do, GiGi shares her tips on staying faithful, as she has learned to do throughout her life. Make sure to pay attention to the stories and quotes from Aaron because each carries a special message that may help you see the world from a different perspective. Our favorite is his view on what Down syndrome means to him. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, and our I Have a Voice Gala happening in nearly 2 weeks A little Something Extra is releasing a surprise episode today, as a little sneak peek of season 2! Nancy and GiGi were joined by former NFL wide receiver, Wendell Davis and Tom Serpento, Executive Director of the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago

. Wendell and Tom, and the rest of the RPFPC have been HUGE supporters of GiGi’s Playhouse since 2015 and will continue to support at our 2022 I Have a Voice Gala!

Nancy, GiGi, Wendell and Tom discuss the importance of serving others, how to love, the impacts made by those most important and so many other important life lessons!

Visit the link in our bio to watch today’s episode on your favorite podcast platform, there you will also find more information on how to participate in this year's I Have a Voice Gala!

Learn more about the gala: https://gigisplayhouse.org/ihaveavoicegala/

Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/i5e5yHlwmHQ

#GenerationG #NFL #downsyndrome

This episode was the first podcast popup, recorded at the 2021 GiGi’s National Leadership Conference! This episode is so special and close to the GiGi’s heart because it focuses on the people of our organization. It features 18 interviews and 27 guests from the GiGi’s network. Nancy, GiGi and Franco talk with model and actor Amanda Booth. Author and influencer Kelle Hampton, Adult participants; Farzin, Michell, Samir, Brian Daniel and Harry, GiGi’s Playhouse Canton’s Nick Doyle, INC Board members Scott and Steve, Dan a GiGi’s Chicago Board member, Jason the board vice president of GiGi’s Syracuse, Andre an employee at GiGi’s Annapolis, Laura the founder of the third every GiGi in McHenry, Kim Hanna the CIO of GiGi’s Playhouse, Zayne a grandfather from GiGi’s Madison, 4 members of the Sacramento GiGi’s Team, founders of the GiGi’s National Youth Board, and Erin 2 time volunteer of the year winner from GiGi’s Cleveland!

Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/D-vOs316j8E

This episode of a little something extra features the rockstar father-son duo of Rick and Noah Smith! When Noah was born 10 years ago, Rick started a YouTube channel called Noah’s Dad and the sole purpose of the channel was to just highlight what it was like to raise Noah. Fast forward to now and Rick has amassed quite the following of over 300K followers across his social channels! Rick realized the need to share experiences and to provide hope for others in the same situation. This led to the creation of his non-profit, Hope Story. In this episode, hear all about how a dad with a vision to simply just share his experience with the world, turned into an organization that helps in providing hope and joy to families during the time that they need it most! This is what finding your something extra is all about!! Enjoy episode 17 of A Little Something Extra.

Watch the video version of this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd_B3J5sAW4

In this episode, we interview a guest who is a valuable member of the GiGi’s Playhouse family! Amy Smith is an adult ambassador at GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland, a role that allows her to inspire people every day. The theme of this episode with Amy is Love & Respect. We discuss her life growing up in a time where individuals who were different, never received the love and respect that they so deserved. We also discuss the impact that GiGi’s Playhouse has had on her life, by having an entire community embrace her with love and respect! Amy’s sweet soul will surely touch your heart and leave you questioning how anyone can disrespect such a beautiful spirit. Enjoy episode 15 of a Little Something Extra with Amy Smith!

Watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/5rIjxFW-vrs 

In this episode, we meet with Actress, dancer, model, and motivational speaker, Sarah Gordy! Sarah is best known for her in the British hit drama, The A Word, in a role written for her! As well as BBC shows, she has acted in short films, radio dramas, commercials, and many theatre productions. 

In 2018 she became the first woman with Down syndrome to be made an MBE (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations, and public service outside the civil service.) and the first person with Down syndrome to receive an honorary degree from a UK university.

Sarah is one of the principal dancers for Culture Device Dance Project, an experimental dance company for professional dancers with Down syndrome. She has also given talks in schools and gave a talk called “Escape from labels. Be free, be different” at TedX in Hackney, London. Sarah embodies everything it means to be a trailblazer, as she shows the world that there is nothing she can't accomplish!

Watch the video version of this at: https://youtu.be/LJJgTtByUwU

On this episode of A Little Something Extra, Nancy, GiGi and Franco interview Dr. Brian Chicoine of Adult Down Syndrome Center in Park Ridge IL. Dr. Chicoine is an expert on the Down syndrome diagnosis after working with Adults with DS early in his career, to then starting his own medical center in 1990. In this episode, Dr. Chicoine gives an extremely informative conversation on all things Down syndrome. We talk the growth of the diagnosis and how much has changed over the last 30 years. He provides expert advice to families and supporters of the diagnosis on maximizing potential. He talks about all the resources that his center has to offer for teens and adults with Down syndrome. Plus, we are also joined, at the end, by Linda and Mike Mussallem, who have been loyal supporters and friends of Brian’s since their brothers too visited his center. Lots to take in, on this amazing episode of A Little Something Extra!

Catch the video version of this podcast at: https://youtu.be/bvwC18x5wKM

This week’s episode is centered around siblings and the positive impact that a brother or sister with Down syndrome can have on your life! Nancy, GiGi and Franco sit down with siblings Mike Mussallem and his wife Linda. Mike is the CEO of Edwards Lifesciences, and organization that manufactures heart devices that quite literally have saved the lives of hundreds of thousands, while Linda is a leader in the California non-profit community! In this episode Mike and Linda talk about the impact that having older brothers made on their lives. From their brothers brining them together, to dedicating their lives to philanthropy, being siblings of Down syndrome made them both into the world changers they are today. Enjoy this touching episode of A Little Something Extra!

To watch the video version of this episode go to https://youtu.be/wuKLtXxRqEI

GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans very own, Craig Blackburn joins us on this episode of A Little Something Extra! Craig is an amazing man, who not only inspires those in his community but those around the world. Craig is a self-advocate, who has traveled all over the world to show that a Down syndrome diagnosis shouldn’t stop anyone from achieving their dreams! On top of being an advocate, Craig is also a team manager for the NBA team, New Orleans Pelicans! Craig Is also a loving husband to his wife Heather. Hear Craig talk about all these incredible pieces of his life, and more in this episode of A Little Something Extra!! 

Watch the video version of this podcast at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyukjLY9gn8