Special Chronicles Podcast

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Tyler Lagasse, a Special Olympics USA athlete who’s making waves in the world of Alpine skiing. Tyler has been a part of the Special Olympics Movement  for over 21 years and is set to compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin 2025. We talk about his incredible journey, from his early days as a Special Olympics athlete to his experiences as a multi-sport competitor, including athletics, basketball, and golf.

Tyler shares what it’s been like to represent Special Olympics USA on the world stage, the impact of his family and community's support, and the preparation that goes into competing in Alpine skiing. He also opens up about his inspiration, drawing motivation from Olympic champion Bode Miller, and his goal to earn a medal in his honor.

In this episode, Tyler discusses the highs and lows of his athletic career, including being inducted into the Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame, receiving an honorary ESPY Award, and co-authoring a book with his mother that raises awareness about autism. He offers valuable advice for young athletes and anyone facing challenges in their own journey.

Tune in to hear about Tyler's experiences in Turin, how Special Olympics has shaped his confidence and self-advocacy as an athlete with autism, and the powerful message of inclusion he hopes to share with the world.

Key Topics:

We explore Tyler’s personal take on inclusion and how the Special Olympics movement has shaped him not only as an athlete but as a person, inspiring others to embrace their differences and find strength in their uniqueness.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Tyler whose dedication, perseverance, and advocacy continue to make a lasting impact.

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 Grace Payne, Sargent Shriver Global Messenger for Special Olympics, as she reflects on the recently concluded Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin 2025. Grace shares her incredible journey with Special Olympics and her role as a Global Messenger, offering insight into the impact of these Games on the athletes and the global community.

Episode Highlights:

Tune in for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation about the power of Special Olympics, the importance of inclusion, and the incredible impact of the World Winter Games in Turin 2025!

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 Lou Lauria, the Chief of Sport and Competition for Special Olympics, to discuss his journey, the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin 2025, and what it takes to organize such a global event. Lou shares insights on the Games, the athletes, and the incredible impact of the Special Olympics movement.

Lou reflects on how we connected through the Special Olympics World Games 2019 in Abu Dhabi and takes us through his personal journey into the world of Special Olympics. He also gives us an overview of his responsibilities as Chief of Sport and Competition for the upcoming World Winter Games in Turin 2025, sharing what it takes to prepare for such a monumental event.

We dive deep into the World Winter Games, discussing what makes the 2025 Winter Games in Turin so special and what we can expect from the competition. Lou talks about how athletes are preparing for the winter sports, the challenges they face, and how Special Olympics ensures athletes are fully prepared. He also highlights how inclusion of athletes with intellectual disabilities is front and center, even in traditionally able-bodied sports. Plus, we hear why the beautiful city of Turin, with its rich history in hosting major sporting events, will provide an unforgettable backdrop for the Games.

Lou discusses his role in ensuring the fairness and safety of the competition, while also celebrating the spirit of the Games. He reflects on how the Special Olympics emphasizes personal growth and inclusion, not just competition, and how these values are integrated into the sports events. We also learn about new or exciting sports being introduced in 2025 and how Special Olympics selects the events. Lou touches on the support systems in place for athletes, ensuring their success beyond the competition, and how the Games impact local communities and promote inclusion on a global scale.

Looking to the future, Lou shares his hopes for the future of Special Olympics, particularly in expanding access to winter sports for athletes with intellectual disabilities worldwide. He also reflects on the most memorable moments from the athletes, volunteers, and fans during the Games, and why people should support and engage with the Special Olympics movement.

Tune in to hear Lou’s inspiring perspective and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring the world’s largest sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities to life!

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this conversation!

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: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Melissa Hart, the author of the highly anticipated book Down Syndrome Out Loud, which highlights over 20 inspiring stories of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Melissa shares the powerful motivation behind compiling these stories and why now is the right time for this book to make an impact.

Melissa dives into the process of connecting with families, interviewing individuals, and curating personal stories that reflect the resilience and determination of those with Down syndrome. She opens up about how she decided which stories to include, the key themes that emerged during her research, and what she hopes readers will take away from these powerful narratives.

The conversation also explores how the voices of people with Down syndrome are authentically represented in the book, as well as the significance of determination as an essential theme in the stories featured. We talk about the common misconceptions about Down syndrome and how Down Syndrome Out Loud aims to debunk them, while also celebrating the diversity within the Down syndrome community.

Melissa shares her reflections on the impact of storytelling in changing attitudes toward disability and offers advice for families raising children with Down syndrome. We also explore the role of storytelling in advocating for better inclusion and policy change, and discuss the barriers still facing individuals with Down syndrome.

Lastly, Melissa gives us a glimpse into a story from the book that will leave a lasting impression on readers and offers insight into her vision for the future of disability representation. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on inclusion, determination, and the power of personal stories.

Be sure to check out Down Syndrome Out Loud for a truly unique perspective on the lives of individuals with Down syndrome!

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

On this rebroadcast episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Dr. Jackie Jodl, Chief Global Youth and Education Officer at Special Olympics.

This Week, our focus of Spread The Word is on Inclusive Action. Join us for an education conversation about Inclusive Mindsets, Unified Champion Schools  Create Universal Dignity and Empathy,  Leaders of Courageous Action, and how Special Olympics programs are leading the way in inclusive education! 

We think the world would be better if everyone were included. Around the world, exclusion and discrimination continue to divide people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are changing that with grassroots action for inclusion. That's Spread the Word. This year, you can engage and activate in multiple ways by choosing your focus: derogatory language, bullying or inclusive action. Visit SpreadTheWord.Global to access resources, sign the pledge, and grab your official gear. Together, let's create a more inclusive world!

This episode originally aired on April 10, 2023

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

On this rebroadcast episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Laura Hertzog from Minnesota who wrote the article "The Short Bus Stops At My House."

This Week our focus of Spread The Word is to Stand Up To Bullying. Tune in to hear Laura talk about: Challenges her brother has; Why she wrote “The Short Bus Stops At My House”; Why Kids Make Fun of Short Bus?; Laura’s inspiration; Special Education and Standardized Tests- David and Daniel have similar stories; Beautiful part of her brother’s innocence; Her Brother’s Gifts/Abilities; Why Laura’s Mother Upholds Human Dignity and PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center; Laura’s Thoughts on ADA; “And the Short Bus Stopping At My House Was The Greatest Blessing”

We think the world would be better if everyone were included. Around the world, exclusion and discrimination continue to divide people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are changing that with grassroots action for inclusion. That's Spread the Word. This year, you can engage and activate in multiple ways by choosing your focus: derogatory language, bullying or inclusive action. Visit SpreadTheWord.Global to access resources, sign the pledge, and grab your official gear. Together, let's create a more inclusive world!

This episode originally aired on May 10, 2015

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

On this rebroadcast episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Soeren Palumbo, co-founder of Spread The Word, to talk about the Spread the Word Day of Activation this week on March 5th.

This Week, our focus is on derogatory language. Tune in to a rebroadcast conversation with Soeren as he talks about: his backstory of growing up with his sister who has intellectual disabilities; why he co-founded this campaign; how he met Timbo Shriver; Importance of the r-word campaign; Backstory of article he and Tim co-authored entitled “Spread This: Be Good to People with Intellectual Disabilities”; Soeren’s thoughts on this year’s awareness day; Future of the r-word campaign; and much more!

We think the world would be better if everyone were included. Around the world, exclusion and discrimination continue to divide people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are changing that with grassroots action for inclusion. That's Spread the Word. This year, you can engage and activate in multiple ways by choosing your focus: derogatory language, bullying or inclusive action. Visit SpreadTheWord.Global to access resources, sign the pledge, and grab your official gear. Together, let's create a more inclusive world!

This episode originally aired on March 8, 2015

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

On this rebroadcast episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's EnergyForce Series S8:Pt2: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Charlie Carpenter, a ComEd EnergyForce Ambassador from Misericordia to talk about Charlie's Challenges and Accomplishments because of his disability; Being an EnergyForce Ambassador, a Real Passion of Music, and we chat about the Arts and Cultures Programs and enjoy swimming at Misericordia.

This episode originally aired on October 16, 2023

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

On this rebroadcast episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run Commander Bill Devine on the Special Chronicles Podcast to talk about how you can be cool and take the Polar Plunge in support of the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.

We talk about: What the Polar Plunge is and how long Bill has been plunging, Why so many are taking the plunge, History of the event’s 23 years of Polar Plunges, How you can Plunge Our Way or Your Way, Cool School Challenge, What it takes to be a plunger, and the impact of the Polar Plunge.

This conversation with Bill will encourage you all to Be Cool and Take The Plunge in in support of the athletes of Special Olympics!

This episode originally aired on January 31, 2022

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

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Pete Beale-DelVecchio, President and CEO of Special Olympics Illinois to reflect on his first year and introduction to Special Olympics.

We talk about his Accomplishments and Challenges, Leadership Style, Vision for future of Special Olympics Illinois, Inclusivity Goals, Program Highlights, Athlete Impact, Athlete Leadership, Voices, Community Engagement, and Corporate Partnerships. We look forward to his Future Goals, Challenges Ahead, Personal Growth, Memorable Moments, and Pete gives his advice for leaders stepping into a leadership role within a Special Olympics program.

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