283 episodes
The Lucky Few The Lucky Few Podcast
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- Kids & Family
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4.9 • 325 Ratings
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Hey friends! Welcome to the Lucky Few Podcast where we are shifting the narrative by shouting the worth of people with Down syndrome. With your hosts, Heather Avis, Micha Boyett, and Mercedes Lara. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/support
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253. What If You Don’t Feel “Lucky”?
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 -
252. Planning For The Future: Involving Siblings In The Decision-Making Process
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.
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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 -
251. Rethinking What It Means To Be “Blessed” (w/AUTHOR Micha Boyett)
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.
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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 -
250. Who Has The Right To Use Down Syndrome Or Disability As A Punch Line?
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 -
249. One Million Reasons To Celebrate….The Lucky Few Podcast LIVE!
For nearly 250 episodes we’ve had educational, encouraging, and meaningful conversations amplifying voices and shifting narratives for individuals with Down syndrome. Over the last 6 years, we’ve tackled topics on education, health & wellness, accessibility, stereotypes, legal rights, media representation, advocacy, and so much more! We were even recognized with the 2023 Media Award at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention! We’ve had so many great moments but the best part of this podcast is being part of this one-in-a-million community!
March 8th we got to celebrate LIVE in San Diego, California! It was so special getting to meet our listeners, play some trivia, chat about the many ways we’ve learned, advocated, and celebrated over the last six years, and have a special guest share their good news!!
On March 14, 2024, we marked our MILLIONTH DOWNLOAD, we’re so grateful to every one of you, for listening, sharing, and being part of The Lucky Few community. We look forward to a million more laughs and reasons to learn, advocate, and celebrate alongside this incredible community. Thanks for your support narrative shifters, cheers to a million more!!!
SHOW NOTES
Trivia Links:
17. Self Advocacy - Down Syndrome in DC with Kayla McKeon!
92. Politics & Down Syndrome w/Kayla McKeon & Ashley Helsing
204. Self-Advocates On Capitol Hill w/Kayla McKeon, Matthew Schwab, & Charlotte Woodward
57. Shelley Gottsagen On Her Son Zack Gottsagen's Fame, The Oscars, + More!
10. Inclusion - An Educator’s Perspective with Kristin Enriquez Pt. 1
85. Is Inclusion Always The Best Option?
198. The Best We Can: An Unscripted Conversation on Inclusion In Our Schools
218. Creating Inclusion For All Learners (w/Tim Villegas)
Ways we’ve learned, advocated, and celebrated:
26. Owning Your Influence By Using Your Words with Amy Julia Becker
88. (Un)learning the Advocacy Language
172. Defining Ableism, Allyship & Advocacy + Redefining "Inclusion" - ft. Dr. Priya Lalvani
117. Discussing "Dignity Beyond Accomplishment," An Article by Justin Hawkins (ft. author, Justin Hawkins)
163. What does success mean to you?
160. Organ Transplant Discrimination Against People with Disabilities (ft. incredible advocates!)
217. The Things People Say
16. Live From the Dear Mom Conference!
225. NYC Buddy Walk Highlights
150. Cole Sibus on Being An Actor w/Down Syndrome, Moving Away From Home, + SO Much More!
227. French Fries, Modeling, & Meeting the Vice President (w/Ronnie "The Fry Guy" and Sister LaTasha)
229. Poet, Author, "Levitator of Language" Sid Gosh (w/Mom Dr. Vaish Sarathy)
Thank you to our event sponsors and vendors:
ARCC Center Respite
Inclusive Education Project
Functional Nutrition For Kids
Weaver & Associates
San Diego Regional Center
Path-Now
Resounding Joy
Amanda’s Adaptive Martial Arts
Includ(Ed) San Diego
Grace Place Art
Special thanks to our partner:
GiGi’s San Diego
Special thanks to Haven by Communal, Jen Byard, Jen & Addie Jones
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.
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Send i -
248. Everything No One Tells You About Parenting A Disabled Child (w/Kelley Coleman)
We’re so excited to welcome feature film executive turned author and disability advocate, Kelley Coleman to the show! Her book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Support releases TODAY!! Friends, this book is like gold, it provides the kind of support and confidence we all need to navigate and understand the complex systems, services, and supports no matter what diagnosis our kids have. It’s a resource we’ll be looking to for years to come, providing us with helpful questions, checklists, and ways to access services based on your child's individual needs. We celebrate finding friendship and community throughout the disability community, and Kelley shares how the Down syndrome community has embraced her and her son. She even shares how disability rights activist Judy Heumann shared her enthusiasm for a resource like Kelley’s book and emphasized the importance of sharing stories as self-advocates and nondisabled advocates in the disability space. This is a book and conversation we’re so grateful for, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
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SHOW NOTES
Order Kelley’s new book Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Support
To learn more, visit https://www.kelleycoleman.com/
Follow Kelley on Instagram and Facebook
Learn more about Judy Heumann’s legacy
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
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
Customer Reviews
SO glad Bryan found you!
I cannot say enough about this incredible podcast and these three amazing individuals advocating for their loved ones with Down Syndrome. My husband found this podcast the day after we received our in utero diagnosis at 12 weeks. He started listening immediately while it took me several weeks to be ready to embark on this journey.
I started at Episode 1 and have listened to the entire 248 episodes to date! In fact, my husband and I use each episode as our therapy sessions, listening separately and then coming back together to discuss what we learned.
This podcast crew is second to none. Heather is the most zealous, loving advocate for her children. I would follow her into battle every day of the week; her heart is full of compassion and empathy, and she is so well spoken. Mercedes is the human embodiment of the fruits of the spirit. She constantly challenges me to see the good in people and situations and to offer the benefit of the doubt. And, Micha is who I aspire to be—her honesty, her resilience, her faith, they are unmatched. She is an encourager, a motivator, and I think we would be best friends if we both lived in NJ.
We welcomed our little miracle, Civel Eliza (pronounced like “civil disobedience”), in May of 2023. Our warrior had open heart surgery at UNC hospital in October of ’23 and is THE strongest, bravest, most inspiring little person I know. While it’s been a rollercoaster, I can say unequivocally that it is the best, scariest, most life changing ride I’ve ever been on—and I never want it to stop.
With the Lucky Few podcast, I have found healing, I have found hope, and I have found a home.
Thank you!
Dear friends
You guys, I love this podcast. I am a mama of a child with Down syndrome and just connect so much with these ladies and the guests on the show. I look forward to listening every week and the day it comes out just happens to be my day off work (win!) It’s my weekly sunshine, and I feel like it’s having a conversation with my girlfriends. Keep up the good work ladies!!
Human Variation and Love
Before listening to this podcast, I’d have said I don’t have a connection with Down syndrome. Now I know that I do, because I am human. I am a normal variation of human being and so are my trisomy 21 siblings. I’m glad we are all here together, whether we meet other people’s expectations or not, and whatever difficulties we happen to experience.
So, listen up! This podcast is beautiful.