If We Knew Then - Down Syndrome Podcast

104. Lena Dunham: A Champion For Diversity and Inclusion

This week we are honored to interview actress, writer, producer and director Lena Dunham. Lena cast our son, Liam, in her film SHARP STICK and it was one of the most supportive, inclusive and beautiful experiences we’ve had on this journey. Her set was a model environment for our society and we talk to her about how she developed her advocacy for so many marginalized groups and individuals, what she learned from working with Liam and her future family plans.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/06/08/104-lena-dunham-a-champion-for-diversity-and-inclusion/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

103. Finding Our Way Through A Tough Conversation - Lynette Louise

*Trigger Warning: The r-word is used in this conversation.
This week we interview Lynette Louise who is board certified in Neurofeedback. We were very interested in the science of Neurofeedback but early on in the conversation we moved to a serious discussion about the use of the r-word and the reasons why Lynette uses it. This episode may feel a bit intense for many of you and we understand why, but we highly recommend listening all the way through to the end.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/06/03/103-finding-our-way-through-a-tough-conversation-lynette-louise/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

102. DSC2U: Preventative and Proactive Means To Staying Healthy with Dr. Brian Skotko

This week we get to talk to Dr. Brian Skotko again! Dr. Brian has some updates to DSC2U.org to discuss and we also chat about the T21RS International Conference that will be taking place in Long Beach, CA. June 9-12.
Dr. Brian Skotko is the director of the Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, a Board-certified medical geneticist and has dedicated his professional energies toward children with cognitive and developmental disabilities.
DSC2U: https://www.dsc2u.org
5-min video about DSC2U: https://youtu.be/u-DlSQanj54
Trisomy 21 Research Society International Conference (June 2022): http://www.t21rs.org
More about Dr. Skotko: https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/19069/brian-skotko
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/05/26/102-dsc2u-preventative-and-proactive-means-to-staying-healthy/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

101. Learning To Take Things Step By Step: with Michelle & Paul Tesori

We were so fortunate to get to spend some time with Michelle and Paul Tesori. We met this Dynamic Duo through our good friend, actor Andy Buckley, and it is fitting that this episode is being released on PGA Championship weekend since Paul has been a PGA Tour caddie for nearly 20 years. Inspired by their son Isiah, Michelle and Paul created the Tesori Family Foundation to help support the Down syndrome community. We talk about education frustrations, what the Tesori's are doing to make a change and how we can harness our anger into a motivator to make a change.
The Tesori Foundation: https://tesorifamilyfoundation.org
Robb Scott’s Viral Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8sPT6-iGBE
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/05/19/101-learning-to-take-things-step-by-step-with-michelle-paul-tesori/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

100. Celebrating 100 Episodes

Well here we are! We’ve learned so much in these two years and one hundred episodes and take this time to reflect on this experience and focus on where we go next.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/05/13/100-celebrating-100-episodes/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

99. Remembering Your Power: Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’ Day! We dedicate this Mothers Day episode to celebrating your power and strength.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/05/06/99-remembering-your-power-happy-mothers-day/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

98. The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge and The Importance of Everyone’s Story Being Told

This week we discuss the details of the 2022 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. We touch upon how and why we created this year's film, what the challenge has meant to our family in the last eight years and how allowing other's to share their stories is the key to true inclusion.
Our Entry’s Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/O_ENIwMCKls
Our Entry’s Website: www.JustForOneDayFilm.com
All Our Previous Entry's: https://ttmaba.com/dfc
The Festival’s Website: https://disabilityfilmchallenge.com
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/04/14/98-the-easterseals-disability-film-challenge-and-the-importance-of-everyones-story-being-told/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

97. Trusting Your Journey and Embracing The Pivot - Karen Maezen Miller

In this episode we sit down with Maezen and discuss the different paths this journey has taken us, the pivot in directions we have chosen, how to trust those choices and allow some ease and embrace the gifts.
Maezen’s Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Karen-Maezen-Miller/e/B001JP2RQ0/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/04/07/97-trusting-your-journey-and-embracing-the-pivot-karen-maezen-miller/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

96. The Power Of Words: The Words We’ve Learned and How They Give Us Power

In this episode we talk about some of the language/words we have learned that have had a profound impact on our journey and more specifically our quest for equality in Liam’s education.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/04/01/96-the-power-of-words-the-words-weve-learned-and-how-they-give-us-power/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

95. Aorta Borealis: Telling His Story Through Music with Jesse Norell

In this episode we talk with Jesse Norell whose daughter’s diagnosis of Down syndrome and a heart condition inspired him to write an album. Using music as a cathartic means to heal and find his way through the unknown, Jesse shares his story in hopes of helping others find their song.
Order a CD: https://jessenorell.com/store
For people in the Minneapolis area, Jesse is playing an album release concert on Friday, April 8, 2022. Tickets are here: https://theparkwaytheater.com/all-events/jesse-norell-and-friends
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/03/24/95-aorta-borealis-telling-his-story-through-music-with-jesse-norell/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

94. Assuming Intelligence: Changing the Narrative of Down Syndrome with Dr. Vaish Sarathy

Today we are joined by Dr. Vaish Sarathy to discuss her Non-Linear Education method and to explore the positive affects that assuming intelligence has on all students regardless of presumed abilities.
Non-Linear Education: www.functionalnutritionforkids.com/nonlineareducation
Her TEDx talk "Who decides how smart you are'' where she talked about the value of Assuming Intelligence.
Vaish is a  Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Science Educator. She is the founder of  Functional Nutrition for Kids, and Plum Pudding Chemistry, both practices designed to optimize the learning potential of kids with Down Syndrome and/or Autism using both Functional Medicine and Non-Linear Education Principles.
She comes to Functional Nutrition with a mission to reframe health, cognition and optimal function for children with disabilities.  Her perspective is shaped by her non-speaking 14 year old son, who is (in his words) an Autist with Down Syndrome - a published poet, writer, and budding advocate.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/03/18/94-assuming-intelligence-changing-the-narrative-of-down-syndrome-with-dr-vaish-sarathy/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

93. Willie Dawkins: Desegregation and the Foundational Ingredients in the Fight for Inclusion

In 1969 Willie Dawkins was finishing first grade when his mother received a letter saying he would be transferring into a desegregated school the following year. In this episode we honor his story, his parents who gave him a foundation of love and support he needed to find his way through an unjust world and the advocates who came before us who fought for equality and laid the groundwork for our fight for inclusion.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2022/03/11/93-desegregation-and-the-foundational-ingredients-in-the-fight-for-inclusion/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.