Ever been asked "what's going on with you genetically?" while reaching for cookies? Nick and Mackenzie have—and they've learned to turn life's most awkward moments into comedy gold. In this inaugural episode, discover why humor might be the secret ingredient to building a fulfilling life.
Welcome to Short Takes, where siblings Nick and Mackenzie kick off their journey from feeling stuck to discovering what fulfillment actually means. Through stories about NASA turbines, existential debates at trade shows, and the genetics behind their dwarfism, they prove that the path to a meaningful life starts with laughing at the absurd. You'll hear about the real science behind their condition (hello, phosphatidylcholine!), workplace encounters that range from hilarious to horrifying, and why kids asking questions might be the most honest conversations you'll ever have.
What You'll Learn:
- The surprising genetic mutation (PCYT1A gene) that causes their rare form of dwarfism—and why eating Brussels sprouts won't fix it
- How to handle wildly inappropriate comments at work without losing your cool (or your job)
- Why humor isn't just a coping mechanism—it's a foundational tool for personal growth
- The difference between childhood innocence and adult awkwardness when people encounter differences
- How to turn your biggest challenges into your most relatable stories
Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to Short Takes: The origin story
02:31 – The dessert night question that stopped Nick cold
08:15 – Deep dive: What's actually going on genetically (the science explained)
14:38 – Mackenzie's trade show tales: NASA turbines and existential debates
19:01 – The T-Mobile "is this your son?" moment
21:47 – Kids say the darndest things: The bike park conversation
23:53 – Using humor as your superpower for building a fulfilling life
Key Quotes:
- "I was like, it was one of those moments where I just blanked out for a second. I was like, wait, what? It was so out of the blue." – Nick
- "Real short, real fat lady. And I was like, holy smokes. We were buckling up getting ready for anything." – Mackenzie
- "We all have our crazy crap and some people can see it right away and with some people you can't." – Nick
About the Hosts: Nick and Mackenzie are siblings navigating life with a rare form of dwarfism (spondylo metaphyseal dysplasia with cone-rod dystrophy) and visual impairment. After years of feeling stuck, they're documenting their journey toward fulfilling lives—with plenty of humor, vulnerability, and stories you won't hear anywhere else.
Subscribe to Short Takes and join us every week as we discover what it really means to live well. Got a story about turning your challenges into comedy? We'd love to hear it—leave us a review and share what resonates with you.
