Special Chronicles Podcast

In this powerful episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Rob Snow, comedian, speaker, and creator of The Improvaneers, the world’s first all-Down syndrome improv troupe, and with Nick Doyle, Assistant Director/National Sales Executive, from The Improvaneer Method. 

Rob and Nick share how a casual conversation turned into a life-changing movement, the impact of the Improvaneer Method, and how improv is helping individuals with developmental disabilities gain confidence, communication skills, and new opportunities.

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

To conclude Disability Pride Month, we’re rebroadcasting one of our most powerful conversations. Host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with his college friend Maria DiSabato in this encore episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, recorded on location at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Maria shares her lived experience with disability—exploring questions like:

• What does disability mean to you?

• What do you wish peers, professors, and classmates understood?

• Is disability a part of how you describe yourself?

• Do you feel there’s a stigma, and how can we break it?

• And why disability is truly another face of diversity.

This thoughtful and empowering dialogue offers fresh insights—and is the perfect conclusion to Disability Pride Month.

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

 In this special audio documentary episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, Host Daniel Smrokowski takes you behind the scenes of the 2025 Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games in Normal, IL! From the powerful Tribute to Champions Reception, to the walk with his SEASPAR team, inspiring Opening Ceremony speeches, and his personal reflections after an intense Bocce competition—this episode brings you along for the full journey.

Daniel placed 4th in an incredibly close match that went into overtime—coming down to just 1/8 of an inch! Hear the sounds, the emotions, and the inspiration of the Summer Games through Daniel’s firsthand storytelling and audio coverage.

What You’ll Hear:

1:15:00 - 💬 Special Segment: Inside the Action with Eric Baumann shares personal commentary on the energy, excitement, and spirit of the Games. Through Eric’s lens, hear what inclusion, determination, and the Special Olympics movement truly sound like.

1:20:00 - Closing Segment

🧡 Until next time—Stay Empowered. Stay Cool. And Choose To Include.

📲 Follow: @SpecialChronicles on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), and YouTube

Call to Action:

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

In this fun-filled episode, Georgia and Daniel kick off their summer travels with a wild start to their Louisville, Colorado adventure!

Tune in as they share:

🛫 How they caught the last two standby seats on UA791 from Chicago to Denver—just seconds before the gate closed!

🙌 Shoutouts to the amazing @united ORDCS Gate C3 Team and warm greetings from DEN SOSA colleagues Chris & Cody—plus a surprise reunion with Daniel’s former manager Steve!

🏞️ Poolside relaxation with stunning Boulder mountain views at the Meadows Pool & Tennis Club

🏊‍♀️ Cheering on Georgia’s niece Abby and nephew Max at their swim meet

🎮 Playing Mario & Sonic Olympic Games

☕ Planning a visit to Bitty & Beau’s Coffee Boulder—a place close to their hearts

🎂 A sweet early birthday dinner for Georgia, complete with a homemade cake from niece Abby!

But the trip home had its own plot twists…

🧳 Navigating TSA PreCheck with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard

💼 Running into United’s VP of the Denver Hub and CEO Scott Kirby at the airport

⏳ Dealing with standby seat drama, hours long delays, and gate returns

🛫 Finally taking off on the 5:25pm flight, landing in Chicago just after midnight

This heartfelt travel diary is filled with laughter, reunions, surprises, and the classic highs and lows of non-rev travel. Don’t miss this peek into Ganiel Travels and their journey from ORD to DEN and back again.

Follow The Georgia and Daniel Podcast: https://SpecialChronicles.com/GDPod

Visit https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf9HemrAQXjmmJSzlc2d7-RHg9F1wBHzf&si=E7fdwYcvdJmKpsvd to watch full episodes

Email- https://specialchronicles.com/contact

Watch us on Fox32's Good Day Chicago: https://specialchronicles.com/GDPodFox32

Read the full newspaper article on us: https://SpecialChronicles.com/WJGDPODNewspaper2025july

Join SpecialChronicles+ PLUS! Go to SpecialChronicles.com/PLUS for our Premium Pre Show with behind the scenes podcast chats, exclusive bonus content and to help support the show.

Visit the MERCH shop: https://specialchronicles.com/Shop

Get social with Georgia and Daniel:

Georgia Instagram: https://Instagram.com/peachgeorgia22

Daniel Instagram: https://instagram.com/podmandan

Follow Our Adventures on Instagram & Facebook: https://specialchronicles.com/danielandgeorgia

Our Podcast Theme music: “When You Say My Name by Keith Semple and is Used with permission 

Follow The Special Chronicles Podcast: https://specialchronicles.com/Pod 

Follow Georgia's Grill video podcast: https://specialchronicles.com/GeorgiaKitchenShow

More Original Series and Podcasts From the Special Chronicles Network: https://specialchronicles.com/Shows

#GanielTravels #NonRevLife #StandbyStories #TravelPodcast #DisabilityAdvocacy #GeorgiaAndDaniel

In this powerful episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's EnergyForce Series S8:Pt5, we sit down with Jessica Rojas from ComEd to explore how the Powering Lives Community Center and other ComEd education programs are lighting the way for students, families, and future energy professionals. From interactive K-12 field trips to immersive college experiences and STEM scholarships, ComEd is building a brighter, more inclusive energy future. Jessica shares stories, insights, and opportunities that empower lives and communities across the region.

🗣️ Topics Covered:

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

In this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Matthew Brough, an Athlete Leader from Special Olympics Great Britain, based in York, England.

Matthew’s journey began on the tennis court and led him all the way to the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, where he proudly won gold and bronze medals. Since then, he’s completed his Athlete Leadership training, become an advocate in his local community, and shared his story through public speaking and media appearances.

Now working at The Grand Hotel in York and serving as a Level One tennis coach, Matthew continues to inspire others by breaking barriers and promoting inclusion wherever he goes.

💬 In this episode, Matthew discusses:

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, advocate, or ally, Matthew’s story is a reminder that with courage and opportunity, anything is possible.

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

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's EnergyForce Series S8:Pt4: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kelvin Limbrick from ComEd to talk about the innovative and eco-friendly goat grazing program that’s helping manage vegetation under power lines in northern Illinois. With nearly three dozen goats on the job this summer, ComEd is leading the way in sustainability by using goats to clear brush and keep the power grid resilient in challenging terrains.

Kelvin shares the story behind this unique initiative, explaining how goats are the perfect solution for rocky, steep areas where traditional methods would be difficult or unsafe. We dive into sharing the Goats story with the public — adding some fun and lighthearted moments to the program’s impact.

From the environmental benefits to community engagement and the goats’ "office" quirks, you’ll hear how these hardworking goats are not just a solution for vegetation management, but also a symbol of ComEd’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Join us for this fun and informative episode about one of the most unconventional and effective approaches to powering the grid!

Key Topics Covered:

Don’t miss this fun conversation about the G.O.A.T. of vegetation management — literally!

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

We’re going LIVE for our 100th episode of the Georgia and Daniel Podcast! 🎉 Join us as we celebrate this milestone with a special recap of our incredible adventures during the first half of 2025 — from Daniel’s birthday bash in January to competing together at the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in June. 💥

We’re taking you behind the mic with:

* Our most memorable moments from the past 6 months

* The story of how we first met 💑

* Favorite podcast memories from over a decade of podcasting

* A special LIVE audience Q&A session 💬

Relive the laughter, love, and life we’ve shared — all from the heart of Oak Park!

Follow The Georgia and Daniel Podcast Wherever You Get Podcasts: https://specialchronicles.com/gdpodcast100

Visit https://youtu.be/gvWxD206UtE to watch the full episode.

Watch Our PRE-show of this 100th episode— Available on SpecialChronicles+ PLUS: https://specialchronicles.com/premium/gdplus100

Watch us on Fox32Chicago: https://youtu.be/YgdONe9VYr8

Connect with us:

EMAIL: https://specialchronicles.com/contact

➕Join SpecialChronicles+ PLUS! Go to SpecialChronicles.com/PLUS fo our Premium Pre Show with behind the scenes podcast chats, exclusive bonus content and to help support the show.

Want our Merch? Visit https://specialchronicles.com/Shop to shop our Disabled Voices Matter collection!

Our Podcast Theme music: “When You Say My Name by Keith Semple and is Used with permission 

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's EnergyForce Series S8:Pt4: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kelvin Limbrick, ComEd Vegetation Management Sr. Program Manager to discuss important environmental topics, including their vegetation management practices, the role of brush control, and their sustainability efforts in celebration of Earth Day. 

 Key Topics:

Tune in to learn more about ComEd’s efforts to promote sustainability, protect the environment, and ensure a reliable energy system for the communities they serve.

Don't miss this enlightening conversation about how power companies can lead the way in sustainability and environmental stewardship!

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

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Jenny Fortner, a dedicated Special Olympics International Board Member to talk about how she volunteered with her son Joey Fortner, a Yale University student and his friends from Athletes in Action. 

Jenny shares her personal journey and deep-rooted commitment to Special Olympics as she reflected on her and her son's roles at the 2025 World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. From Jenny's early days as a freshman volunteer at the University of Chicago to Joey's first experience as a student-athlete at the World Winter Games, we dive into their powerful experiences and lessons learned from over three decades of volunteering.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

Key Takeaways:

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