Friendships don’t all start the same… and they definitely don’t all last the same.

Some fade. Some fight to stay. And some arrive because of a diagnosis you never asked for.

In this episode, we kick things off in Chaos Corner, answering your listener Q&As — including a powerful conversation around comparison being the thief of joy. We’re talking social media spirals, mom guilt, and learning how to come back to your own lane.

Then we dive into friendships:
The ones you grew up with.
The ones you’ve outgrown.
And the ones life hands you through Down syndrome, special needs parenting, and unexpected community.

No sugarcoating. No pretending it’s easy.

Just honest conversation about grief, growth, loyalty, and the friendships that show up when you didn’t even know you needed them.

💬 If you’ve ever felt alone in a crowded room or found family where you least expected it — this episode is for you.

Don’t miss it. 🎙️

This week on Chromosomes & Chaos, we got to sit down with the incredible Jillian Benfield — author of Overwhelmed & Grateful and The Gift of the Unexpected. 💛

Jillian was one of the very first people we dreamed of interviewing because of the impact she’s had on our families. She writes so beautifully and speaks straight to the heart. ❤️ Her message about finding purpose and beauty in life’s unexpected turns will stick with you long after you listen.

We are SO thankful for her time, her words, and her light. 🌟

👇 Go show her some love!
 🌐 Blog: jillianbenfield.com
📸 Instagram: @jillianbenfieldblog
📖 Grab her newest book Overwhelmed & Grateful: https://a.co/d/gsyDxhC

🎧 Tune in now & don’t forget to FOLLOW her and SUBSCRIBE to Chromosomes & Chaos!

This week gets a little wild in Chaos Corner as Amber shares a CRAZY story you don’t want to miss 🤯. We also dive into a few listener Q&As about our favorite things about Addi and Pierce, and wrap up with a real conversation on how to overcome heavy seasons of life when it feels like you’re trying to do it all.

💛 Tune in, laugh with us, and maybe tear up a little too.
 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share — it helps us reach more hearts and stories like yours!

#ChromosomesAndChaos #DownSyndromeAwareness #ParentingRealTalk #ChaosCorner

This week on Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re talking IEPs — what they really mean, how to advocate for your child, and a few lessons we’ve learned the hard way. Whether you’re brand new to the IEP world or have a few under your belt, this episode is full of real talk and a of course, a few laughs along the way.

And we’re kicking off our newest segment — Chaos Corner! 🙃 Because every week comes with a little bit of crazy, and we’re here to share the “you won’t believe this happened” moments that keep us humble (and laughing).

Grab your coffee, plug in your earbuds, and join us for another dose of honest, chaotic, and heart-filled conversation. 💙

In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, host Patty opens up about one of the most difficult chapters of her life — losing her son Hudson shortly after the birth of her daughter Addi. 💔

Patty shares her story with raw honesty and courage, reflecting on the pain, the love that never fades, and the ways she found strength to move forward. This conversation is for every parent who has experienced unimaginable loss — and for anyone who wants to better understand how to show up with compassion and support.

Join us as we honor Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month and the babies we will always hold in our hearts. 

In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re tackling some of the biggest myths and misconceptions about raising a child with Down syndrome — the ones we heard before (and even after) our own journeys began.

From outdated beliefs about abilities and independence, to misconceptions about happiness and family life — we’re setting the record straight. Because raising a child with Down syndrome isn’t defined by limitations… it’s defined by love, joy, growth, and a whole lot of beautiful chaos. 💙

Join us as we share real experiences, honest conversations, and what we’ve learned along the way.

In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re getting real about one of the biggest moments in our journeys — the moment we received our Down syndrome diagnosis.

Was it at birth? Prenatal? A surprise in the delivery room? No matter how you found out, that moment changes everything. We’re opening up about our own experiences — the emotions, the fear, the love — and how those first moments shaped our perspective today.

We also want to hear from you. 💙 How did you receive your diagnosis? Message us or share your story in the comments — because no two journeys are the same, but none of us are alone.

From GiGi’s to Gold’s Gym to the wild world of social media—our paths kept crossing until we finally realized we were meant to team up. In this episode, we’re sharing the story of how two busy Iowa moms raising kids with Down syndrome went from acquaintances to friends to co-hosts of Chromosomes & Chaos.

It’s real, it’s a little chaotic, and it’s the perfect kickoff to our journey together. Hope you enjoy this episode as much as we loved recording it!

Meet your hosts: Patty & Amber!! On this trailer episode we give you some insight on who we are, how we both have kids with Down syndrome (who also happen to be our oldest) and how we both juggle multiple kids, busy schedules, and all the chaos in between.

Together, we’re sharing the laughter, the tears, the chaos, and the beauty of this journey—because no parent should feel alone. We are so excited your here! 

SUPPORT DOWN SYNDROME: https://kraveathlete.com/collections/frontpage

On this episode of Down with the Robinson's we discuss how our first IEP meeting went, what an IEP meeting is and our initial thoughts going into the meeting to talk to the teachers. We also talk about Pierce's first day of preschool and how excited we are about his future and next chapter of his life. 

This poem from Jillian Benfield also gives us all of the feels as we start this school journey:

I pray my child is embraced for who they are. I pray they are wanted not in spite of their differences, but because of them. May their diversity be celebrated.

I pray teachers and staff have a healthy balance of patience and high expectations because they are capable of much.

God, I pray you open up my child’s mind with readiness to grow. May they learn more about your world, so they can fully embrace the beautiful life you’ve given them.

God, I pray kindness abounds. May it flow steadily from both kids and adults through the classroom, playground, and hallways.

Beyond kindness, beyond inclusion, I pray my child makes a real friend. Because life is hard, disability can be complicated, and we all need someone to lean on.

God, this is my prayer above all, more than academic progress or meeting IEP goals, I pray my child walks into school every day knowing they belong.

Amen

On this podcast we want to share our journey with down syndrome and how it has completely changed our lives, We are here to spread awareness and information, make an impact and give back to the community that has given us so much!