DanTalks

By Special Chronicles NetworkSociety & Culture Personal Journals

DanTalks episodes

March 31 DanTalks: Polar Plunge 2026 | Ep.828
In this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast’s DanTalks Series, host Daniel Smrokowski shares his heartfelt speech from the 2026 Polar Plunge—an inspiring event that brings communities together in support of Special Olympics athletes.
More than just a jump into icy waters, the Polar Plunge represents courage, inclusion, and the power of unified action. In his speech, Daniel reflects on the importance of belonging, the impact of Special Olympics, and how each of us can play a role in creating a more inclusive world.
Tune in for a powerful message filled with passion, purpose, and the spirit of inclusion.
Visit SpecialChronicles.com/Podcast828 for show notes, to follow us on social media, listen to more episodes on demand, and subscribe to our newsletter.
The post DanTalks: Polar Plunge 2026 | Ep.828 first appeared on Special Chronicles.
11 min
September 01, 2025 DanTalks: Podcasting For Social Change Live From Speak Up and Speak Out Summit | Ep.783
On this encore Special Chronicles Podcast episode: host Daniel Smrokowski shares his keynote from the 2020 Speak Up and Speak Out Summit, presented by The Arc of Illinois and funded by the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. Hear the origin story of Special Chronicles, nearly two decades of disability media storytelling, tips for creating social change, live audience Q&A, and musician Peter Leidy’s song “Speak Up and Speak Out.”
This episode originally aired on November 17, 2020.
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Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission: https://specialchronicles.com/BittyandBeausCoffee
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About the Podcast Host:
Daniel Smrokowski is a columnist and the founder and host of the award-winning podcast, Special Chronicles, which has released over 750 episodes in over 15 years. In recognition of these accomplishments, Daniel is a recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice for his efforts through media to give people with disabilities a voice. Read more about Daniel HERE: https://specialchronicles.com/DanielSmrokowski
The post DanTalks: Podcasting For Social Change Live From Speak Up and Speak Out Summit | Ep.783 first appeared on Special Chronicles.
1 hr 9 min
January 20, 2025 DanTalks: Knights of Columbus | Ep.751
On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's DanTalks series: Join Award-winning Podcaster Daniel Smrokowski as he speaks to the Knights of Columbus about his story in Special Olympics and the many opportunities he has had because of Athlete Leadership, from being a former Sargent Shriver Global Messenger to his jobs of this podcasting platform and working at United Airlines. Tune in to hear the latest speech he's presented to the Knights of Columbus, thanking them for supporting Special Olympics Illinois.
Episode 751 Show Notes & Links:
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Enjoyed this episode? Tune in to our DanTalks series, an audio collection of speeches presented by acclaimed disability advocate and Award-winning Podcaster Daniel Smrokowski https://specialchronicles.com/DanTalks
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Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission. https://specialchronicles.com/BittyandBeausCoffee
Sponsor Break Background Music:Puzzle by Roa Used with permission: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream | Music promoted by Audio Library
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About the Podcast Host:
Daniel Smrokowski is a well-known columnist and the founder and host of the award-winning podcast, Special Chronicles, which has released over 750 episodes over the last 15 years. In recognition of these many accomplishments, Daniel is a recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice for his efforts through media to give people with disabilities a voice. Read more about Daniel HERE: https://specialchronicles.com/podmandan
The post DanTalks: Knights of Columbus | Ep.751 first appeared on Special Chronicles.
18 min
July 24, 2023 Real Magic of Coca-Cola and Special Olympics LIVE From Berlin | Ep.536
Click Here to Watch on YouTube On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger Daniel Smrokowski speaks at a Coca-Cola Luncheon, Recorded From Berlin, Germany. Daniel talks about the REAL MAGIC of the partnership of Special Olympics and Coca-Cola, which is a Founding Partnership of Special Olympics and has been … Continue reading Real Magic of Coca-Cola and Special Olympics LIVE From Berlin | Ep.536
The post Real Magic of Coca-Cola and Special Olympics LIVE From Berlin | Ep.536 first appeared on Special Chronicles.
16 min
July 17, 2023 Storytelling LIVE From Global Youth Leadership Summit in Berlin| Ep.535
On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger Daniel Smrokowski kicks off the storytelling session at the 2023 Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Summit, Recorded From Berlin, Germany. Daniel’s remarkable journey as the founder and leader of this award-winning Special Chronicles Podcast touches thousands of people each month. His story … Continue reading Storytelling LIVE From Global Youth Leadership Summit in Berlin| Ep.535
The post Storytelling LIVE From Global Youth Leadership Summit in Berlin| Ep.535 first appeared on Special Chronicles.
20 min
October 28, 2022 DanTalks: From Challenges To Opportunity LIVE From Missouri (Ep.MissouriTalk2022)
Join us as Special Chronicles Podcast Host and Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger Daniel Smrokowski presents his latest keynote talk “From Challenges To Opportunity,” recorded LIVE From Special Olympics Missouri.
Daniel will speak to us today about what we can learn from challenges to opportunity in his leadership journey and encourage you to overcome your challenges and rise to success!
Listen, Subscribe, and Find the ShowNotes & Links to this week's podcast episode at: https://specialchronicles.com/missouritalk2022
Watch the livestream video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_uIRDIhSWuA
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The post DanTalks: From Challenges To Opportunity LIVE From Missouri (Ep.MissouriTalk2022) first appeared on Special Chronicles.
38 min
December 21, 2021 2021 Holiday Message Bonus Episode (Ep.Bonus21Dec)
Thank you for joining us this past year of 2021 for listening, sharing, and supporting Special Chronicles.

We're excited about all of our new podcasts and content we are planning to produce in 2022.

We're asking for your continued support so we can continue our mission to give respect and voice to people with special needs. Visit https://specialchronicles.com/give to support Special Chronicles today.

Listen to the bonus episode at: https://specialchronicles.com/2021holidaymessage
Watch the livestream video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiDujjhMrV0

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23 min
November 30, 2021 Voices of Champions Talks, November 2021 (Ep.456)
Join us for an evening of TED-Style Talks of about 5-7 minutes in length presented by Special Olympics athletes from around North America including Canada, Caribbean and the United States. Tune in to the fourth edition of Voices of Champions, recorded live on 9 November 2021 in front of a live Zoom audience.

ORDER OF SPEAKERS: (time stamps relate to the audio podcast)

00:00 - Introduction by Jason Schriml, VP Athlete Leadership at SO Maryland
01:45 - Alexander Burlec, SO Quebec
10:45 - Kristine Hughes, SO North Carolina
19:25 - Devan Mahadeo, SO Trinidad and Tobago
28:00 - Eric Baumann, SO Illinois
33:45 - Carmen Houston-Ludlam, SO Maryland
40:50 - Andrew Peterson, SO Indiana

The next Voices of Champions Talks will be resuming in 2022.
Special Olympics Athlete Leaders interested in speaking at an upcoming Voices of Champion Talks, send an email to Jason Schriml, VP Athlete Leadership at Special Olympics Maryland at [email protected]
For updates on future Voices of Champions Talks, Join the Facebook Group: “Special Olympics North America Athlete Leadership Programs”

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Show Notes for this week's episode: http://specialchronicles.com/Podcast456

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52 min
November 09, 2021 DanTalks: Keynote at Special Olympics US CEOs Meeting (Ep.453)
Special Chronicles Founder and Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger Daniel Smrokowski gives the Opening Keynote at the Special Olympics US CEO Meeting. Pre-recorded from Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago in front of a live audience, Daniel talks about his backstory in Special Olympics and Athlete Leadership, and how his challenges led to his passion by podcasting on Special Chronicles. Tune in to one of Daniel's latest keynote speeches!
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Show Notes for this week's episode: https://specialchronicles.com/Podcast453
Support SpecialChronicles by becoming a supporter today at https://SpecialChronicles.com/give
The #SpecialChronicles Show is streamed LIVE weekly every Monday 6pm CT on SpecialChronicles at https://specialchronicles.com/watch/live
Connect with Daniel: https://specialchronicles.com/podmandan @podmandan
Subscribe to Daniel’s Mailing List: https://specialchronicles.com/Journal
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Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://specialchronicles.com/Newsletter
Write a Review for this podcast: https://specialchronicles.com/feedback
Send us audio or email to: [email protected]
Subscribe to this podcast: https://specialchronicles.com/Show
Subscribe to the DanTalks Series, an audio collection of speech’s presented by Daniel Smrokowski and a few other Special Olympics Athlete Leaders on the Voices of Champions Talks: https://specialchronicles.com/DanTalks
More on Special Chronicles Network: https://specialchronicles.com/Shows
……
Thank you to our partners!
ComEd EnergyForce Ambassador Program: https://SpecialChronicles.com/ComEd
Amazon: Shop using our affiliate link: https://specialchronicles.com/shop
StreamYard: Create easy and professional livestreams and get $10 in credit when you sign up with our referral link at https://specialchronicles.com/streamyard
The post DanTalks: Keynote at Special Olympics US CEOs Meeting (Ep.453) first appeared on Special Chronicles.
30 min
November 01, 2021 DanTalks: LIVE From Illinois Plane Pull 2021 (Ep.452)
Special Chronicles Founder and Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger Daniel Smrokowski emcees and speaks at the Illinois Plane Pull 2021. Pre-recorded from O'Hare International Airport in front of a live audience, Daniel talks his backstory in Special Olympics, Challenges to Passion with Athlete Leadership, Unified Employment at United Airlines and his experience at the Plane Pull. Tune in to one of Daniel's latest speeches!
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Show Notes for this week's episode: https://specialchronicles.com/Podcast452
Support SpecialChronicles by becoming a supporter today at https://SpecialChronicles.com/give
The #SpecialChronicles Show is streamed LIVE weekly every Monday 6pm CT on SpecialChronicles at https://specialchronicles.com/watch/live
Connect with Daniel: https://specialchronicles.com/podmandan @podmandan
Subscribe to Daniel’s Mailing List: https://specialchronicles.com/Journal
Connect with SpecialChronicles: https://specialchronicles.com/Socials @SpecialChronicles
Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://specialchronicles.com/Newsletter
Write a Review for this podcast: https://specialchronicles.com/feedback
Send us audio or email to: [email protected]
Subscribe to this podcast: https://specialchronicles.com/Show
Subscribe to the DanTalks Series, an audio collection of speech’s presented by Daniel Smrokowski and a few other Special Olympics Athlete Leaders on the Voices of Champions Talks: https://specialchronicles.com/DanTalks
More on Special Chronicles Network: https://specialchronicles.com/Shows
……
Thank you to our partners!
ComEd EnergyForce Ambassador Program: https://SpecialChronicles.com/ComEd
Amazon: Shop using our affiliate link: https://specialchronicles.com/shop
StreamYard: Create easy and professional livestreams and get $10 in credit when you sign up with our referral link at https://specialchronicles.com/streamyard
The post DanTalks: LIVE From Illinois Plane Pull 2021 (Ep.452) first appeared on Special Chronicles.
24 min