The Spreading Happiness Podcast

Launchpad 516 Studios
  • 5.0 (49)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

John (the son) and Mark (the father) Cronin, the duo behind the social enterprise John’s Crazy Socks, share stories from their lives and the lives of others to show you what’s possible, make you smile and most of all, to spread happiness.

  1. 04/08/2025

    Season 2 Finale (and Special Olympics and Mets updates, of course)

    We have made it all the way to April with Episode 27 plus special episodes, so this season has run for 30 episodes. You know things are looking up because baseball is back. The Mets just won three games in a row from the Blue Jays, and the season promises to be fun.  Special Olympics Update John had his first soccer practice of the season yesterday and scored two goals! And what a year for the Special Olympics. John is playing basketball on Thursday nights and running track on Tuesdays. Big shout out to John’s brother Jamie, who is not only the Lord of the Socks at John‘s Crazy Socks. And let’s not forget the snowshoe season, John’s favorite, where he took home a gold and bronze medal at the NY State games. Plus, Mark coaches the snowshoe team.  Speaking Engagements Across the Country Across the Country  From Washington State to Florida, From Maryland to Wisconsin, From Massachusetts to Oklahoma. This week, we fly to Portland, Oregon for the Disability Next Summit organized by Relay Resources. And at the end of the month, we’ll be in Washington, DC.  Season Two Highlights Flashback John’s love life escapades Launch of the Warehouse Store The 3/21 Inclusive Entrepreneur Award New sock releases: Braille Socks, All Abilities Crew, Wheels on Fire Inspirational businesses and Good News Stories Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john  Check out Mark’s Song of the Day: https://paumonokharbor.com/song-of-the-day  Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks.  Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios. For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1  Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712

    35 min

  2. 03/26/2025

    Warehouse Store, More Love Life, and Inclusive Entrepreneurs

    John and Mark are back for another episode and here's what’s on their minds today: more developments in John’s love life, a World Down Syndrome Day celebration, our 3/21 Inclusive Entrepreneur Award, opening a warehouse store, hiring people with differing abilities, Mark’s trip to Nashville, and whatever else might pop into John’s mind.  Business of the Week: Gabi’s Grounds https://poweredbygabis.org/  Gabi Angelini, founder of Gabi’s Grounds Coffee Shop, created a business to provide jobs for people with disabilities after experiencing employment challenges herself. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Gabi’s coffee brand is now available in grocery stores, and she continues to be a fierce advocate for inclusion in the workforce.   Good News Story of the Week: The University of North Carolina opens a Clinic for patients with Down syndrome https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2025/03/university-down-syndrome-clinic    Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john  Check out Mark’s Song of the Day: https://paumonokharbor.com/song-of-the-day  Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks.  Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios. For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1  Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712

    41 min

  3. 03/18/2025

    The Strength of Kindness, Nashville, and Fake London Trips

    John and Mark from John’s Crazy Socks are back and they are spreading happiness as always with jokes, stories, and their usual banter. Here's what’s on their minds tonight: John’s love life, a World Down Syndrome Day celebration, update on the dinner parties and Mark’s Song of the Day, Mark’s trip to Nashville,  fake trip to London, opening a warehouse store and whatever else might pop into John’s mind.  Business of the Week: Collette Devito of Collettey’s Cookies is starting a podcast: https://colletteys.com/ Good News Story of the Week: The Special Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy The 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games are being held in Turin, Italy, from March 8 to 15, 2025. Here are the key details about the event: Number of Athletes: Over 1,500 athletes are participating. Number of Countries: Athletes are representing 100 to 102 countries, depending on the source. List of Sports: The games include eight sports: Alpine Skiing Cross-Country Skiing DanceSport Figure Skating Floorball Short Track Speed Skating Snowboarding Snowshoeing The event is themed around “The Strength of Kindness” and marks the first Special Olympics World Winter Games since 2017 Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john  Check out Mark’s Song of the Day: https://paumonokharbor.com/song-of-the-day Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY  Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks.  Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios. For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1  Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712

    34 min

  4. 03/11/2025

    Bocce, Wold Down Syndrome Day, and Kevin James

    John and Mark from John’s Crazy Socks are spreading happiness again, offering jokes, stories, and their usual banter. Today's show: John’s love life, a new Special Olympic sport for John: Bocce, a World Down Syndrome Day celebration, dinner parties and Mark’s Song of the Day, hanging with Kevin James, and whatever else might pop into John’s mind.   Business of the Week: The Granola Kid (a.k.a. Zamaan Jivraj)  We’re celebrating an incredible entrepreneur who proves that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible! Meet Zamaan Jivraj also known as The Granola Kid. From the very start of his life, Liam faced health challenges, but his parents instilled in him the belief that no obstacle could stand in the way of his dreams. That mindset, combined with his love for healthy eating, led him to create The Granola Kid—a business dedicated to making the most nutritious and delicious granola out there.  At The Granola Kid, it’s all about starting your journey with the right fuel—granola made with real ingredients you can actually pronounce! Whether you eat it for breakfast or take it on the go as a snack, Liam’s granola is made to help you power through your day. His message is simple: he provides nutrition, and you bring the determination—together, we can all achieve our goals.  Want to support Liam’s mission and grab some tasty granola? Visit TheGranolaKid.com and get snacking!  Good News Story of the Week: Our Autism Can Do Scholarship has a deadline of March 15, 2025. Enter now. https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/autism-can-do-scholarship   Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/   Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john   Check out Mark’s Song of the Day: https://paumonokharbor.com/song-of-the-day   Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA  Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY   Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks.  Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios. For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1  Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712

    35 min

  5. 03/04/2025

    Winter Games, World Down Syndrome Day, and John's Love Life

    John and Mark from John’s Crazy Socks are back! Here's what’s on their minds tonight: Special Olympics Winter Games, John’s love life, World Down Syndrome Day is coming, supporting people with differing abilities in today’s cultural and political climate, and whatever else might pop into John’s mind.  Business of the Week: Sweet Jordan’s. Located in Paris, Tennessee, Sweet Jordan’s serves up delicious homemade treats while raising awareness for an even sweeter cause. The family-owned business started with Jordan St. John, son of Tommie and Brad St. John. Jordan, who was born with Down syndrome, always loved cooking and baking with his father. In 2017, he and his parents worked together to turn that passion into a business that has since become a beloved local bakery and an asset to the community. Sweet Jordan’s not only serves handcrafted ice cream, freshly baked cookies, sandwiches, espresso, smoothies and more but also hires adults with special needs like Jordan, honoring their slogan: “Focusing on abilities, not disabilities.” Good News Story of the Week: Texas Rangers infielder Jake Burger will wear number 21 this season to honor his daughter, Penelope.  Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john  Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks.  Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios. For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1  Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712

    34 min

  6. 02/25/2025

    Housing, Traveling, and Lunch in Indiana

    John and Mark from John’s Crazy Socks offer jokes, stories and their usual banter in another great episode. Here's what’s on their minds tonight: where is John going to live in the future and what are housing issues for people with differing abilities, looking for local food when traveling, promising lunch to people in Indiana when you live in New York and whatever else might pop into John’s mind.  Business of the Week: Ultranauts: Founded by two MIT engineers, Ultranauts Inc. (formerly Ultra Testing) is on a mission to demonstrate that neurodiversity is a competitive advantage for business. To achieve our mission, we’re building a world-class quality engineering firm that delivers superior value for our customers, and designing a Universal Workplace that embraces diversity and serves as a replicable blueprint for other employers. https://ultranauts.co/ Good News Story of the Week:  Daniel Chapin, a runner with Down syndrome, completing a half marathon in all fifty states. https://www.wistv.com/2024/10/09/runner-with-down-syndrome-makes-history-running-half-marathons-across-all-50-states/  Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john  Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks.  Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios. For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1  Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712

    36 min

  7. 02/18/2025

    Becoming an Author, Fantasy Football, and Trash Talk

    John and Mark from John’s Crazy Socks are continuing to spread happiness. Here's what’s on their minds tonight: John working on his book, “Down Syndrome Never Holds Me Back,” and how that has led to starting a new publishing company, Paumonok Harbor House. Getting ready for a trip to Ripon College in Wisconsin with Mark’s long ago memories of when he first visited Ripon College, fantasy football victories and trash talk, more Friends episodes travel as they recount some of their adventures and misadventures on the road, meeting with elected officials to advocate for the rights of people with differing abilities, sock seasons and whatever else might pop into John’s mind.  Business of the Week: Expedition Soaps https://expeditionsoaps.com   Good News Story of the Week:  Actress Bethany Asher Breaks Down Barriers with her Role on the BBC drama, “Sherwood.” https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24pr853rvno Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john  Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY  Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks.  Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios. For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1  Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712

    38 min

  8. 02/11/2025

    Valentine's Day, John's Love Life, and How I Met Your Mother

    John and Mark, two romantics, are here with a special Valentine edition of their podcast. They discuss the ins and outs of John’s love life as he tries to figure out the dating world. John gets Mark to share the story of how he and his mother met. They share some Valentine’s trivia (what country produces the most roses?). They walk through lists of great Valentine gifts (shared spa day anyone) and terrible gifts (hard to say I love you with a toaster). They close out the show with some Valentine jokes. Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john  Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY  Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks.  Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios. For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1  Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712

    32 min
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5
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49 Ratings

About

John (the son) and Mark (the father) Cronin, the duo behind the social enterprise John’s Crazy Socks, share stories from their lives and the lives of others to show you what’s possible, make you smile and most of all, to spread happiness.

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