The Starry-Eyed Podcast®

It's a really important time for the WSA as we begin our strategic planning for the future. Thank goodness the WSA has its very own Fairy Godmother in Susannah Morgan! Susannah's years of expertise in the non-profit sector and mentoring future leaders has been a valuable resource as the WSA works through these years of transition. Now the WSA is at a point where we want to hear from you! Whether you're a person with Williams syndrome, a parent or caregiver, a sibling, a grandparent, a professional, or what have you, your voice matters as we start to answer the question: what's next?

Follow this link for information on the WSA Town Hall conversations and to take the survey.

Follow this link for information about participating in Sibling specific conversations to shape future programming.

This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty.

Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and a percentage of your purchase will go back to the WSA!

Also use promo code WSA15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

This week, the pod is joined by Alexa Bucci, her brand new support companion, Nelian, and the voice of her mother! Together Alexa and Nelian talk about how they're going about getting to know each other and the types of things where Nelian can help. It shows that sometimes being intentional about forming relationships can be a wonderful thing for all people involved and while you may have all the confidence in the world, having someone else there to bolster your courage is never a bad idea.

This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty.

Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and a percentage of your purchase will go back to the WSA!

Also use promo code WSA15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Another school year has started which means it’s time for our yearly check in with Dr. Robin Pegg. Dr. Pegg joins the pod fresh off her 2 night webinar series addressing the Top 10 things for back-to-school families to keep in mind. On today’s show, Jen and Brendan will dive deeper with Dr. Pegg on some of the more common concerns and opportunities.

This week, the podcast features Jennie Dopp, one of the founders of CaringTide, an organization dedicated to helping families of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities navigate the complexities of care throughout the whole lifespan. This past week, CaringTide and the WSA launched the first of 11 webinars aimed at helping families prepare for whatever the future holds. Join us to learn a little bit more of Jennie's story and what drives her to help others.

This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty.

Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and a percentage of your purchase will go back to the WSA!

Also use promo code WSA15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

This week, the podcast features Mackenzie Schonfeld from Lone Oak, TX. We chat about her life, and her experiences navigating the challenges and dynamics in the WS community.

This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty.

Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and a percentage of your purchase will go back to the WSA!

Also use promo code WSA15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Enough time has passed from Convention that it feels appropriate to check in with WSA Executive Director Sarah Schaefer and ask, "Where are we going?" Beyond the Convention, we have been talking and (more importantly) listening to families and individuals with WS to find out where their priorities lie - and we're not done! There's going to be much more listening coming soon to help guide the WSA in the right direction. That being said, there are webinars, new support/discussion groups, and other programs starting soon that will be very impactful to families of all age groups!

This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty.

Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and a percentage of your purchase will go back to the WSA!

Also use promo code WSA15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

This week, we're joined by Brian Whelan, a man who, despite being in his 50s, only discovered he has Williams syndrome last year. He lives on his own, is in his 28th year working for Best Buy, and now he has a whole new chapter in his life opening up in front of him - especially after attending his first WSA Convention with his brother, John!

This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty.

Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and a percentage of your purchase will go back to the WSA!

Also use promo code WSA15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Summer is winding down and Jen is still in Italy, so Brendan and Producer Joel are taking a trip up north to Ottawa, Canada, to visit our new friend Keon Eberhardt. Keon is a man of many talents including surfing...that's right...a Canadian who surfs! Enjoy our conversation about testing yourself and being free to roll with the waves because you can only control what you can control, dude.

This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty.

Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and a percentage of your purchase will go back to the WSA!

Also use promo code WSA15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

The boys are jealous since Jen is still away with family in Italy, so this week they're talking to Shannon Bohmann of @shannons.great.adventures. As a travel consultant, Shannon is used to the rigors of going on vacation with kids - including kids with WS, but now she and her family are taking it up a notch by renting a house in Orlando and spending August as "locals."

As always, this episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty.

Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and a percentage of your purchase will go back to the WSA!

Also use promo code WSA15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Even if you were at the Convention, you might have missed the big news from Day 1: Camp WSA is changing dates to a better week! Better for who? Well, better for kids who are most likely going to be out of school nationwide! Better for parents/caregivers who now can work camp into their summer plans for the next 3 years! And better for the WSA because we can hopefully welcome more kids, teens, and parents to a fantastic experience in Georgia!

Find out more about camp at http://williams-syndrome.org/wsacamp or email [email protected]!

As always, this episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty.

Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and a percentage of your purchase will go back to the WSA!

Also use promo code WSA15 to get 15% off your first purchase!