On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Carly Pietrzak, Chief of Staff at Bridge Business Resource Group, and John Kloosterman, Vice President of Bridge BRG at United Airlines. Together, they reflect on their powerful experience at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025and the impact of United Airlines’ ongoing partnership with Special Olympics.

From walking alongside athletes during the Opening Ceremony to supporting the Global Youth Leadership Summit, Carly and John share how these moments reflect United’s deeper commitment to inclusion and global unity. They also offer insight into how Bridge BRG fosters a culture of belonging within the company and supports meaningful volunteer engagement.

Listen in as we discuss:

United’s journey with Special Olympics since 2017

The role of Bridge BRG in advancing inclusion and accessibility

Employee-led initiatives like Plane Pulls and volunteerism on the Deed platform

Firsthand stories of connection and community from Turin 2025

Why investing in youth leadership is crucial to the future of the inclusion movement

💬 Plus, Carly and John open up about what this work has meant to them personally—and what they want others to know about building truly inclusive spaces for people of all abilities.

🔗 Tune in and be inspired by how United Airlines is helping lead the way in creating a more welcoming world.

Episode 771 ShowNotes & Links:

Watch Full Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/15OCCNK18vk

Watch the Producer's Cut of Episode 771 (Available Only on Special Chronicles PLUS) at https://specialchronicles.com/premium/plus771

Learn more about United Airlines' Bridge Business Resource Group: https://specialchronicles.com/united

Enjoyed this episode? Tune in to our Special Chronicles Podcast Series "A Recap of Turin2025" to hear more stories from the World Winter Games! Follow Now on https://specialchronicles.com/Turin2025

Tune in to our Special Chronicles Podcast Series "Unified at Work" to hear more conversations about the meaning of inclusion employment! Follow Now on https://SpecialChronicles.com/UnifiedatWork

Watch Recap of Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIHbm7j-AXsVNDkcqICXeEgjeugXpfOuS&si=xfoWV8jdaQf1PcFO

Get involved in the Special Olympics Movement: https://www.specialolympics.org/get-involved?locale=en

ShowNotes & Links:

🎧Click to Follow and Listen on SpecialChronicles or Wherever You Get Podcasts: https://SpecialChronicles.com/POD

📺Click to Subscribe and Watch on YouTube: https://SpecialChronicles.com/WATCH

😀Support This Podcast: SpecialChronicles.com/GIVE

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

🛒Visit our Merch Shop: https://SpecialChronicles.com/SHOP

📧Send us an Email: https://SpecialChronicles.com/CONTACT

📱Get Social with us: https://SpecialChronicles.com/SOCIALS

📧Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://SpecialChronicles.com/NEWSLETTER

🎤Speaking Engagements with Daniel: https://SpecialChronicles.com/SPEAKING

💡ComEd EnergyForce Partner: https://SpecialChronicles.com/COMED

✈️United Bridge BRG Partner: https://SpecialChronicles.com/UNITED

🎙️Podcast Hosting by Podbean: https://SpecialChronicles.com/PODBEAN

📡Recording Studio by StreamYard: https://SpecialChronicles.com/STREAMYARD

Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission: https://specialchronicles.com/BittyandBeausCoffee

. . . . . .

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's Unified at Work Series S6:Pt2: Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower sits down with Award-winning Podcaster Daniel Smrokowski for a thorough understanding of the Sunflower initiative, its importance for people with hidden disabilities, and tune in to the final segment for an exciting new development of the Sunflower Extra Cards!

Creation and Inspiration of the Sunflower scheme, Personal and impactful stories from individuals with hidden disabilities, Sunflower helps address common misconceptions about hidden disabilities, Sunflower supports colleagues in workplace not just customers, Sunflower and Legos, Raising Awareness and Education, Sunflower scheme contributes to education in promoting inclusivity, and in looking ahead to the future, Paul announces the launch of the new Sunflower Extra Cards in using technology to tap card to any phone!

Episode 753 Show Notes & Links:

🎧 Listen on SpecialChronicles or Wherever You Get Podcasts https://specialchronicles.com/podcast753

Get your Sunflower lanyard and personal card at https://hdsunflower.com

Enjoyed this episode? Listen to the past five seasons of our Unified at Work Series to hear more conversations about the meaning of inclusive employment: https://specialchronicles.com/UnifiedatWork

Support This Podcast: Visit https://SpecialChronicles.com/Give to Donate Now and support the mission of Special Chronicles.

➕Want bonus content? Join Now at https://SpecialChronicles.com/PLUS to access our premium bonus content and support the podcast!

🛒Want our Merch? Visit https://SpecialChronicles.com/SHOP to shop our Disabled Voices Matter collection!

📱Follow This Podcast on Socials:

📱Follow Podcast Host Daniel Smrokowski on Socials:

📧Email: Send us a message at https://SpecialChronicles.com/CONTACT

. . . . .

✈️Partner: United Airlines https://SpecialChronicles.com/UNITED

📻Podcast Hosting: Podbean https://SpecialChronicles.com/PODBEAN

📡Recording Studio: StreamYard https://SpecialChronicles.com/STREAMYARD

🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge at https://JoinTheRevolution.org

Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission. https://specialchronicles.com/BittyandBeausCoffee

About the Podcast Host:

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Presents Unified at Work Series S6:Pt 1: Amanda Spies from Special Olympics Illinois joins us for a presentation to Ingredion. Join us for an inspiring episode with Daniel Smrokowski, a pioneering advocate and original Special Olympics Service Ambassador at United Airlines. Host of the award winning podcast Special Chronicles, with over 750 episodes, and recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice, Daniel has dedicated his career to giving people with disabilities a voice. Don't miss the opportunity to hear his story and learn from his journey.

Episode 750 Show Notes & Links:

🎧 Listen on SpecialChronicles or Wherever You Get Podcasts https://specialchronicles.com/podcast750

📺Like watching your podcasts? Visit https://youtube.com/@specialchronicles/podcasts to Watch Full Episode.

Support Our Special Chronicles 2025 Giving Campaign and Donate Now at https://specialchronicles.com/2025Giving

Get involved in Special Olympics Illinois or Find Special Olympics Near You: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs?locale=en

Enjoyed this episode? Listen the past five seasons of our Unified at Work Series to hear more conversations about the meaning of inclusive employment: https://specialchronicles.com/UnifiedatWork

. . . . .

🛒Want our Merch? Visit https://SpecialChronicles.com/SHOP to shop our Disabled Voices Matter collection!

. . . . .

📱Follow Podcast Host Daniel Smrokowski on Socials:

📧Email: Send us a message at https://SpecialChronicles.com/CONTACT

. . . . .

✈️Partner: United Airlines https://SpecialChronicles.com/UNITED

. . . . .

📡Recording Studio: StreamYard https://SpecialChronicles.com/STREAMYARD

🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge at https://JoinTheRevolution.org

. . . . .

Sponsor Break Background Music:Puzzle by Roa Used with permission: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream | Music promoted by Audio Library

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This Week on the Special Chronicles Podcast: We are so excited to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October with the Season 5 Finale of our popular Unified at Work Series, celebrating the 5 Year Workiversary of United Airlines’ Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) Program.

Join Award-winning Podcast Host and ORD SOSA Daniel Smrokowski as he recounts the Origin Story of the 5 Year Milestone of working at United Airlines, Excerpt clips from Original SOSAs, Executives and Airport Leaders, and we look back to the groundbreaking first year of the innovative and impactful inclusive employment program.

Episode 603 Show Notes & Links:

🎧 Follow: Wherever You Get Podcasts https://SpecialChronicles.com/Listen

📺Like watching your podcasts? Visit

Enjoyed this episode? Re-live Season 1 https://specialchronicles.com/WorkSeason1 and all five seasons of our popular  Unified at Work Series https://specialchronicles.com/UnifiedAtWork

Sponsored by United Airlines' Bridge Disability Business Resource Group https://specialchronicles.com/united

Your Local Special Olympics Program: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs?locale=en

. . . . .

🛒Want our Merch? Shop our store at https://SpecialChronicles.com/SHOP

. . . . .

📱Follow Podcast Host Daniel Smrokowski on Socials: @podmandan https://SpecialChronicles.com/PODMANDAN

📧Email: Send us a message at https://SpecialChronicles.com/CONTACT

. . . . .

✈️Partner: United Airlines https://SpecialChronicles.com/UNITED

. . . . .

📡Recording Studio: StreamYard https://SpecialChronicles.com/STREAMYARD

🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge at https://JoinTheRevolution.org

. . . . .

Sponsor Break Background Music:Puzzle by Roa Used with permission: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream | Music promoted by Audio Library

. . . . .

This Week on the Special Chronicles Podcast’s  Unified at Work Series S5:P10: We're On The Job with IAD Service Ambassador Sophia Gheblawi sits down with ORD Service Ambassador and Award-winning Podcaster Daniel Smrokowski for an engaging conversation about: Becoming a Special Olympics Virginia Athlete, Journey Coming to United Airlines, and we hear about her first year of inclusive employment as a Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA), Recorded From Washington Dulles International Airport.

Episode 602 ShowNotes & Links:

🎧 Follow: Wherever You Get Podcasts https://SpecialChronicles.com/Listen

📺Like watching your podcasts? Visit https://www.youtube.com/live/NJr6oCqfbzQ?si=iUmkqLwyC8ODbXWv podcasts to see full episode.

Enjoyed this episode? We have five seasons of our popular  Unified at Work Series https://specialchronicles.com/UnifiedAtWork

Sponsored by United Airlines' Bridge Disability Business Resource Group https://specialchronicles.com/united

Connect with Special Olympics Virginia: https://www.specialolympicsva.org

Your Local Special Olympics Program: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs?locale=en

. . . . .

🛒Want our Merch? Shop our store at https://SpecialChronicles.com/SHOP

. . . . .

📱Follow Podcast Host Daniel Smrokowski on Socials: @podmandan https://SpecialChronicles.com/PODMANDAN

📧Email: Send us a message at https://SpecialChronicles.com/CONTACT

. . . . .

✈️Partner: United Airlines https://SpecialChronicles.com/UNITED

. . . . .

📡Recording Studio: StreamYard https://SpecialChronicles.com/STREAMYARD

🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge at https://JoinTheRevolution.org

. . . . .

Sponsor Break Background Music:Puzzle by Roa Used with permission: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream | Music promoted by Audio Library

. . . . .

This Week on the Special Chronicles Podcast’s  Unified at Work Series S5:P8: We're On The Job with IAD Service Ambassador John Gionfriddo sits down with ORD Service Ambassador and Award-winning Podcaster Daniel Smrokowski for an engaging conversation about: Becoming a Special Olympics Virginia Athlete, Journey Coming to United Airlines, and we hear about his first year of inclusive employment as a Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA), Recorded From Washington Dulles International Airport.

Episode 601 ShowNotes & Links:

🎧 Follow: Wherever You Get Podcasts https://SpecialChronicles.com/Listen

📺Like watching your podcasts? Visit https://www.youtube.com/live/ee6FsVVI2dA?si=JPKKvU75WR_gEXJJ podcasts to see full episode.

Enjoyed this episode? We have five seasons of our popular  Unified at Work Series https://specialchronicles.com/UnifiedAtWork

Sponsored by United Airlines' Bridge Disability Business Resource Group https://specialchronicles.com/united

Connect with Special Olympics Virginia: https://www.specialolympicsva.org

Your Local Special Olympics Program: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs?locale=en

. . . . .

🛒Want our Merch? Shop our store at https://SpecialChronicles.com/SHOP

. . . . .

📱Follow Podcast Host Daniel Smrokowski on Socials: @podmandan https://SpecialChronicles.com/PODMANDAN

📧Email: Send us a message at https://SpecialChronicles.com/CONTACT

. . . . .

✈️Partner: United Airlines https://SpecialChronicles.com/UNITED

. . . . .

📡Recording Studio: StreamYard https://SpecialChronicles.com/STREAMYARD

🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge at https://JoinTheRevolution.org

. . . . .

Sponsor Break Background Music:Puzzle by Roa Used with permission: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream | Music promoted by Audio Library

. . . . .

This Week on the Special Chronicles Podcast’s  Unified at Work Series S5:P8: We're On The Job with IAD Service Ambassador John Gionfriddo sits down with ORD Service Ambassador and Award-winning Podcaster Daniel Smrokowski for an engaging conversation about: Becoming a Special Olympics Virginia Athlete, Journey Coming to United Airlines, and we hear about his first year of inclusive employment as a Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA), Recorded From Washington Dulles International Airport.

Episode 600 ShowNotes & Links:

🎧 Follow: Wherever You Get Podcasts https://SpecialChronicles.com/Listen

📺Like watching your podcasts? Visit https://youtube.com/@specialchronicles/podcasts to see full episodes.

Enjoyed this episode? We have five seasons of our popular  Unified at Work Series https://specialchronicles.com/UnifiedAtWork

Sponsored by United Airlines' Bridge Disability Business Resource Group https://specialchronicles.com/united

Connect with Special Olympics Virginia: https://www.specialolympicsva.org

Your Local Special Olympics Program: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs?locale=en

. . . . .

🛒Want our Merch? Shop our store at https://SpecialChronicles.com/SHOP

. . . . .

📱Follow Podcast Host Daniel Smrokowski on Socials: @podmandan https://SpecialChronicles.com/PODMANDAN

📧Email: Send us a message at https://SpecialChronicles.com/CONTACT

. . . . .

✈️Partner: United Airlines https://SpecialChronicles.com/UNITED

. . . . .

📡Recording Studio: StreamYard https://SpecialChronicles.com/STREAMYARD

🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge at https://JoinTheRevolution.org

. . . . .

Sponsor Break Background Music:Puzzle by Roa Used with permission: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream | Music promoted by Audio Library

. . . . .

This Week on the Special Chronicles Podcast’s  Unified at Work Series S5:Pt7: We're On The Job with IAD Service Ambassador Margaret Goodman sits down with ORD Service Ambassador and Award-winning Podcaster Daniel Smrokowski for an engaging conversation about: Becoming a Special Olympics Virginia Athlete, Journey Coming to United Airlines, and we hear about her first year of inclusive employment as a Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA), Recorded From Washington Dulles International Airport.

Episode 599 ShowNotes & Links:

🎧 Follow: Wherever You Get Podcasts https://SpecialChronicles.com/Listen

📺Like watching your podcasts? Visit https://youtube.com/@specialchronicles/podcasts to see full episodes.

Enjoyed this episode? We have five seasons of our popular  Unified at Work Series https://specialchronicles.com/UnifiedAtWork

Sponsored by United Airlines' Bridge Disability Business Resource Group https://specialchronicles.com/united

Connect with Special Olympics Virginia: https://www.specialolympicsva.org

Your Local Special Olympics Program: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs?locale=en

. . . . .

🛒Want our Merch? Shop our store at https://SpecialChronicles.com/SHOP

. . . . .

📱Follow Podcast Host Daniel Smrokowski on Socials: @podmandan https://SpecialChronicles.com/PODMANDAN

📧Email: Send us a message at https://SpecialChronicles.com/CONTACT

. . . . .

✈️Partner: United Airlines https://SpecialChronicles.com/UNITED

. . . . .

📡Recording Studio: StreamYard https://SpecialChronicles.com/STREAMYARD

🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge at https://JoinTheRevolution.org

. . . . .

Sponsor Break Background Music:Puzzle by Roa Used with permission: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream | Music promoted by Audio Library

. . . . .

On this special solo episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast’s  Unified at Work Series S5:Pt6: ORD Service Ambassador and Award-winning Podcaster Daniel Smrokowski recaps the 2024 SOSA Summit, where last week United Airlines' 18 Service Ambassadors (SOSAs) traveled to ORD for a day of networking and professional development.

United’s Airport Operations SVP kicks off the summit, followed with a safety briefing, a Fireside Chat with DEN HUB VP and Special Olympics Illinois President and CEO, and we wear from Service Ambassadors and Supervisors on the impact of how SOSAs are bringing bringing smiles to the Airport Operations Teams at United Hubs.

🎧 Listen Now: https://specialchronicles.com/podcast580

New episodes drop weekly so be sure you tap Follow wherever you get podcasts to be notified every Monday: https://specialchronicles.com/listen/pod/

Episode 580 ShowNotes & Links:

Tune in to this Playlist and hear a collection of conversations with United’s SOSAs from Chicago, Denver and Houston.  (IAD SOSA’s Coming Soon): https://specialchronicles.com/MeetSOSAs

Follow and Listen to our Unified at Work Series and hear more conversations about the meaning of inclusive employment: https://specialchronicles.com/UnifiedAtWork

Check out United Airlines’ Social Story to help you prepare for travel: https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/trip-planning/social-story.html

Book your travel today on https://United.com or on the award-winning United mobile app: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/mobile-tools.html

Learn more about United’s commitment to disability inclusion for employment and travel HERE: https://specialchronicles.com/united

Support: https://SpecialChronicles.com/Give

Go to https://SpecialChronicles.com/PLUS for Special Chronicles PLUS Behind The Scenes Podcast, Bonus Content and to help support the show!

Merch: https://SpecialChronicles.com/Shop

Socials: @SpecialChronicles https://https://SpecialChronicles.com/Socials

Email: https://SpecialChronicles.com/contact

Partners: https://SpecialChronicles.com/ComEd | https://SpecialChronicles.com/United

Services: https://SpecialChronicles.com/Podbean | https://SpecialChronicles.com/StreamYard

Pledge #InclusionRevolution: https://JoinTheRevolution.org

Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission. https://specialchronicles.com/BittyandBeausCoffee

Sponsor Break Background Music:Puzzle by Roa Used with permission: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream | Music promoted by Audio Library

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast’s  Unified at Work Series S5:Pt5: ORD Service Ambassador Daniel Smrokowski also doubles as the host of this award-winning podcast "Special Chronicles."

This week, he sat down with United Airlines Chief Customer Officer & EVP Linda Jojo to chat about inclusive service, first-ever accessibility showcase, how United’s Service Ambassadors benefit the customer experience and how United truly show that Good Leads The Way with their commitment to disability inclusion.

"We are proud of you and all of our Service Ambassadors," shared Linda on the podcast. "They are -- you are -- among our best employees."

Listen in 🎧 https://specialchronicles.com/podcast576

New episodes drop weekly so be sure you tap FOLLOW wherever you get podcasts to be notified every Monday!

Episode 576 ShowNotes & Links:

Book your travel today on https://www.united.com/ or on the award-winning United mobile app: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/mobile-tools.html

Learn more about United’s commitment to disability inclusion and accessibility HERE: https://specialchronicles.com/united

Check out United Airlines’ Social Story to help prepare you for travel: https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/trip-planning/social-story.html

Follow and Listen to our Unified at Work Series to hear more conversations about the meaning of inclusive employment: https://specialchronicles.com/UnifiedAtWork

Tune in to this Playlist and hear a collection of conversations with United’s Service Ambassadors from Chicago, Denver and Houston: https://specialchronicles.com/MeetSOSAs

Connect with your local Special Olympics Program: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs?locale=en

Other Important Links:

Visit Our MERCH Store: Shop Our Disabled Voices Matter Collection at https://specialchronicles.com/shop

Follow this podcast on Socials:

Email Feedback: Send a message to our team at https://specialchronicles.com/contact

Join Our Newsletter: https://specialchronicles.com/newsletter

Rate and Write a Review for this podcast on ApplePodcasts or Spotify: https://specialchronicles.com/feedback

Follow Daniel Smrokowski on Socials: @podmandan

Book Daniel to speak at your event: Daniel's Official Speaking Page https://specialchronicles.com/speaking

ComEd EnergyForce Ambassador Program: https://specialchronicles.com/comed

Podbean Podcast Hosting: https://SpecialChronicles.com/Podbean

StreamYard Recording and Livestream Studio: https://SpecialChronicles.com/StreamYard

Sign The Inclusion Revolution Pledge! https://JoinTheRevolution.org

Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission.

Sponsor Break Background Music:Puzzle by Roa Used with permission: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream | Music promoted by Audio Library