Special Chronicles Podcast

In this fourth episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast LIVE Coverage, host Daniel Smrokowski talks with Deanna E from Envision Unlimited.

We’re excited to announce that Special Chronicles provided exclusive LIVE and On-Demand Coverage of the The Arc of Illinois #SUSO2025 – the annual Speak Up and Speak Out Summit that celebrates the voices of people with disabilities.

You’ll hear directly from disability self-advocates, families, speakers, and professionals as they share their voices on leadership, advocacy, and inclusion. This annual self-advocacy conference empowers people with disabilities to speak up for themselves, take action, and create positive change in their communities. Let’s Speak Up. Let’s Speak Out. Let’s Be Heard.

Join The Conversation 💬✨ #SUSO2025 #SpecialChroniclesLIVE

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 third episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast LIVE Coverage, host Daniel Smrokowski talks with April McHenry and Leanne Mull who have been at the first SUSO 20 years ago.

We’re excited to announce that Special Chronicles provided exclusive LIVE and On-Demand Coverage of the The Arc of Illinois #SUSO2025 – the annual Speak Up and Speak Out Summit that celebrates the voices of people with disabilities.

You’ll hear directly from disability self-advocates, families, speakers, and professionals as they share their voices on leadership, advocacy, and inclusion. This annual self-advocacy conference empowers people with disabilities to speak up for themselves, take action, and create positive change in their communities. Let’s Speak Up. Let’s Speak Out. Let’s Be Heard.

Join The Conversation 💬✨ #SUSO2025 #SpecialChroniclesLIVE

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 second episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast LIVE Coverage, host Daniel Smrokowski talk to Eva Kott and her parents Michael and Alena about her self-advocacy story, first-time speaking at this conference, and her empowering story. 

We’re excited to announce that Special Chronicles provided exclusive LIVE and On-Demand Coverage of the The Arc of Illinois #SUSO2025 – the annual Speak Up and Speak Out Summit that celebrates the voices of people with disabilities.

You’ll hear directly from disability self-advocates, families, speakers, and professionals as they share their voices on leadership, advocacy, and inclusion. This annual self-advocacy conference empowers people with disabilities to speak up for themselves, take action, and create positive change in their communities. Let’s Speak Up. Let’s Speak Out. Let’s Be Heard.

Join The Conversation 💬✨ #SUSO2025 #SpecialChroniclesLIVE

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 first episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast LIVE Coverage, host Daniel Smrokowski talks with Speaker, Comedian and Television Writer Zach Anner about his Keynote Presentation “Joyful Grit: Turning Setbacks Into Setups” and about his role as a television writer on the hit ABC sitcom “Speechless.

We’re excited to announce that Special Chronicles provided exclusive LIVE and On-Demand Coverage of the The Arc of Illinois #SUSO2025 – the annual Speak Up and Speak Out Summit that celebrates the voices of people with disabilities.

You’ll hear directly from disability self-advocates, families, speakers, and professionals as they share their voices on leadership, advocacy, and inclusion. This annual self-advocacy conference empowers people with disabilities to speak up for themselves, take action, and create positive change in their communities. Let’s Speak Up. Let’s Speak Out. Let’s Be Heard.

Join The Conversation 💬✨ #SUSO2025 #SpecialChroniclesLIVE

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’s Unified at Work Series, host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes Samantha Alloway, Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois, for an inspiring conversation about the Wings for All program.

Recorded following the August 16, 2025 Wings for All event at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in partneship with United Airlines’ Bridge Disability Business Resource Group, this episode dives into:

🌟 Whether you’re a family member, advocate, airline professional, or community leader, this episode will leave you inspired to build a more inclusive world. Listen Now!

A post shared by Daniel Smrokowski (@podmandan)

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

Hello Folks! In this jam-packed episode 102 of The Georgia and Daniel Podcast, we wrap up summer with laughs, travels, and a whole lot of updates!

Georgia hits the road to Door County, Wisconsin and tees off at the OK Golf Tournament—plus she wins Gold at the SOILL State Championships in Golf Skills! 🏅

Daniel visits Old Town Alexandria and hosts live podcast coverage from the Arc of Illinois Speak Up and Speak Out Summit 2025! 🎙️

We both travel to the Chicago suburb of Countryside for our annual Pub & Pool Weekend! 🍻💦

Georgia and Daniel check out the Improvaneers Midwest Tour at Chicago’s Theater on the Lake 🎭

We see comedian Brian Bates at Zanies Comedy Club and talk about his hilarious set, from impressions to edgy jokes about Trump, church, men’s weird nicknames, and more. 😂

Daniel shares some quality family time biking with his nieces and nephew 🚴‍♂️👨‍👧‍👦

🎬 This week’s Reviews:

We’re ending summer with stories, laughter, and reflections—so hit play and join the fun!

🎉 That’s all folks!

🎧 Listen now: https://SpecialChronicles.com/GDPodcast102

📺Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/live/DH2WByckRx4?si=KuWaNPDePyZyRaQE

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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.

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 powerful episode, podcast host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with author and disability advocate Crystal Williams, who shares her journey of growing up with Kabuki Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Crystal discusses her new memoir, Finding My True Happiness: Life, Love and Everything In Between, and opens up about childhood surgeries, navigating hearing loss, and learning to live boldly as her authentic self.

💡 You'll hear:

This heartfelt conversation will inspire you to see strength in vulnerability and beauty in every journey.

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 Michelle Mark, Director of Athlete Leadership and Family Initiatives, and Emily Sullivan, Assistant Director of Athlete Leadership and Family Initiatives at Special Olympics Illinois.

Together, they explore the exciting updates to Athlete Leadership University (ALU) — a new, structured approach to helping athletes grow as leaders. Topics include:

Whether you're already involved in Athlete Leadership or just getting started, this episode offers valuable insight into how athletes are leading the inclusion movement — and how you can be part of it.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a story that gives respect and a voice to people with special needs!

📺Watch The Full Episode Here

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 Recorded LIVE at Theater on the Lake in Chicago, Join host Daniel Smrokowski (with a cameo from his love, Georgia) as The Improvaneers bring their Midwest Tour to the stage. Hear from Director Liz, mom of Improvaneer named Emily, plus real audience reactions — all in this inspiring, behind-the-scenes look at inclusion, performance, and personal growth.

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