The Lucky Few The Lucky Few Podcast

Friends, we’re so excited to have barber Vernon Jackson on the show today! In his barbershop and salon in Ohio, haircuts are more than just a service—they're an act of love and understanding. Through his viral program, The Gifted Event, Vernon provides free haircuts to children with disabilities, offering them patience, empathy, and a sense of belonging. A lifelong creative with a passion for serving others, he’s committed to seeing The Gifted Event continue to expand across the country and world, making barbershops and salons a safe and inclusive space for everyone. More than just a barber, Vernon is shaping a future where everyone feels embraced and accepted, one haircut at a time.



NOTE: This interview contains some adult language.



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SHOW NOTES


Follow Vernon Jackson on Instagram


Follow Vernon Jackson on TikTok


Follow Vernon Jackson on Facebook


Follow Vernon Jackson on Youtube


Learn more about The Gifted Event



JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $0.99, $4.99, or $9.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Your support makes a difference in our ability to create meaningful content, enable us to cover production costs, and explore additional opportunities to expand our resources. Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today! 



THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:

Thank you, Enable SNP for sponsoring this episode!


47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP


191. Future Planning for the WHOLE Family - ft. Phillip Clark, Enable SNP



DISCOUNT CODE

Mother's Day is coming! You know this. But did you know we have a “I am really good mom shirt”?! Just for Mother's Day, we are offering a 21% discount on all orders until Mother's Day. Head over to theluckyfew.co and use code: LUCKYMAMA 



HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!



LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.


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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/support

254. The Next Step: Navigating Healthcare Transitions for Individuals with Down Syndrome (w/ Dr. Emily Johnson)

Today, we’re chatting about navigating healthcare transitions with Dr. Emily Johnson, a dedicated advocate and physician specializing in the healthcare needs of individuals with Down syndrome. We discuss the importance of starting the transition process early, the challenges families may face, and the key considerations for a successful transition. Dr. Johnson also shares her personal experience as a mother and sister, to individuals with Down syndrome, and how her personal experiences have shaped her career as a physician. Friends, this episode will leave you with valuable insights that left us confident in starting conversations with our kid's providers that will set them up for successful transitions of care. This is an episode you’re going to want to bookmark!





SHOW NOTES




Global Down Syndrome Foundation medical care guidelines 
More information on the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network



Our episode with DSDAN:


45. Adoption & Down Syndrome w/Stephanie Thompson from the NDSAN



JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $0.99, $4.99, or $9.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Your support makes a difference in our ability to create meaningful content, enable us to cover production costs, and explore additional opportunities to expand our resources. Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today! 



THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:

Thank you, Enable SNP for sponsoring this episode!

47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP

191. Future Planning for the WHOLE Family - ft. Phillip Clark, Enable SNP



DISCOUNT CODE

Mother's Day is coming! You know this. But did you know we have a “I am really good mom shirt”?! Just for Mother's Day, we are offering a 21% discount on all orders until Mother's Day. Head over to theluckyfew.co and use code: LUCKYMAMA 

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!



LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.


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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/support

What does it mean to feel “lucky” to have a child with Down syndrome? We’re having a candid conversation about the evolving meaning of “lucky” within our community and personal journeys. Through the challenges and the joys, we know that things like toxic positivity and social media can leave us struggling to feel “lucky.” We’re sharing our thoughts, experiences, and some feedback from one of Heather’s social media posts on what “lucky” in The Lucky Few has come to mean. Join the conversation and share your experiences, perspectives, and advice on reframing the narrative around parenting a child with Down syndrome. Whether you’re feeling “lucky” or not, this episode offers a space for honesty and support. 



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SHOW NOTES


Learn more about Kate Bowler


Study “Self Perceptions For People With Down syndrome” mentioned by Heather



Other episodes to check out:


95. What Are You Thankful For?
117. Discussing "Dignity Beyond Accomplishment," An Article by Justin Hawkins (ft. author, Justin Hawkins)
138. What do you wish you knew when you got your child's diagnosis?
151. Finding People That Don't Feel Sorry For You (ft. Jo Lopez)



JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $0.99, $4.99, or $9.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Your support makes a difference in our ability to create meaningful content, enable us to cover production costs, and explore additional opportunities to expand our resources. Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today! 



MICHA’S NEW BOOK

Pre-order Micha’s new book Blessed Are The Rest Of Us coming April 9, 2024! (All pre-order’s purchased through Baker Book House receive a signed copy with a lucky few temporary tattoo!)



DISCOUNT CODE

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!



HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!



LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.


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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/support

We’re so excited to have Phillip Clark back on the show, he’s the founder of ENABLE Special Needs Planning and is here to chat with us about involving siblings in the guardianship and decision-making process. Phillip shares the importance of having open conversations early on with siblings about guardianship and gives advice about getting the conversation started. He dives into the differences between guardianship and supported decision-making and the importance of personalizing decisions for each individual’s needs. Phillip shares his journey and experience with his sister, Sarah, who has Down syndrome, emphasizing how beneficial it has been for his family to have a plan, open communication, and involvement of the entire family in the process of planning for Sarah’s future. Friends, we know there are so many what-ifs to the future of having a loved one with Down syndrome, this episode gives valuable tips and resources on approaching a plan for the future.



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SHOW NOTES

Previous episodes with Phillip Clark:


47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP


191. Future Planning for the WHOLE Family - ft. Phillip Clark, Enable SNP


Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning


Enable Special Needs Planning Facebook Group


National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) Sibling Resources



More episodes to check out:


214. Guardianship, Conservatorship, & Supportive Decision-Making



JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $0.99, $4.99, or $9.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Your support makes a difference in our ability to create meaningful content, enable us to cover production costs, and explore additional opportunities to expand our resources. Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today! 



MICHA’S NEW BOOK

Pre-order Micha’s new book Blessed Are The Rest Of Us coming April 9, 2024! (All pre-orders purchased through Baker Book House receive a signed copy with a lucky few temporary tattoo!)



DISCOUNT CODE

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!



HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!



LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/support

You know and love her as the bubbly blonde that breaks into song on nearly every episode, today our girl Micha Boyett isn’t just The Lucky Few Podcast host, she’s our guest!! Join us in celebrating her new book Blessed Are The Rest Of Us (available April 9th!)! We’re chatting about her journey of writing this book, and how she chose to write more than just a memoir. What does it mean to be “blessed”? What makes us worthy? What makes life good? Micha shares how her journey with Ace’s Down syndrome and Autism diagnosis made her see society’s obsession with success for what it actually is: fear of vulnerability. In finding language to push against society’s intrinsic ableism she found the connection in the Beatitudes, an ancient sacred text. She explores the concept of worthiness and the good life inviting us to reconsider the meaning of blessing and envision a world where everyone’s worth is recognized. It’s an honor to celebrate our magnificent friend’s work, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!



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SHOW NOTES


Learn more about Micha Boyett, and The Slow Way Podcast & Newsletter


Pre-order Micha’s new book Blessed Are The Rest Of Us coming April 9, 2024! (All pre-order’s purchased through Baker Book House receive a signed copy with a lucky few temporary tatoo!)


Learn more about Nadia Bolz-Weber


Learn more about Richard Rohr



JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $0.99, $4.99, or $9.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Your support makes a difference in our ability to create meaningful content, enable us to cover production costs, and explore additional opportunities to expand our resources. Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today! 



DISCOUNT CODE

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!



HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!



LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/support

Friends, we had another hot topic in our group text that we knew we needed to bring on the pod to have with all of you! Today we’re chatting about the February 25th episode of “Saturday Night Live” with a guest host who used his niece and her Down syndrome diagnosis as a punch line to his set. We’re talking about our reactions and the larger conversation: who has the right to use Down syndrome and disability as a joke or punch line? Join us as we discuss the discomfort when jokes are made for an audience not connected to someone with Down syndrome and whether the laugh is at the expense of the person with the disability. Listen in as we unpack the complexities of comedy, connection, and the importance of shifting narratives.



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SHOW NOTES


Comedian Shane Gillis opening the February 25, 2024 episode of “Saturday Night Live”


One of the articles written about the backlash



Learn more about Josh Blue



More episodes to check out:


245. Can An Advocate Get It Wrong Sometimes?
234. Producing A Diverse, Authentic, & Honoring Netflix Series (w/Down For Love Producer Robyn Paterson)
217. The Things People Say
208. Growing Through Uncomfortable Conversations (w/Ashley - TLFP Producer & Self-Advocate)
186. Our Response to the Ableist Comments on Netflix's "Love Is Blind"
169. The Harm in Using People with Disabilities As "Inspiration" in Clickbait Viral Videos



JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $0.99, $4.99, or $9.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Your support makes a difference in our ability to create meaningful content, enable us to cover production costs, and explore additional opportunities to expand our resources. Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today! 



MICHA’S NEW BOOK

Pre-order Micha’s new book Blessed Are The Rest Of Us coming April 4, 2024! (All pre-order’s purchased through Baker Book House receive a signed copy with a lucky few temporary tatoo!)



THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:

Thank you, Enable SNP for sponsoring this episode!


47. Planning for the Future w/Phillip Clark from Enable SNP


191. Future Planning for the WHOLE Family - ft. Phillip Clark, Enable SNP



DISCOUNT CODE

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!



HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE

Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com for more information!



LET’S CHAT

Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/support