288 episodes
The Lucky Few The Lucky Few Podcast
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- Kids & Family
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4.9 • 326 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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258. Unlocking Potential: Strategies For Every Learner With Down Syndrome (w/Mrs. Brown)
Friends, we’re so excited to be joined by Mrs. Brown today, you’ve heard us mention her many times over the years! She has developed a successful and innovative program that teaches reading and other academic skills to learners ages three to adult. We learned about her passion and gift for teaching individuals with Down syndrome in 2018 and had her on the show during our first season. Today, she’s back to talk about her program, “So Happy To Learn,” to share memorable teaching moments, give us tips and strategies for every learner, and so much more! We know we’re headed into summer breaks and vacations, today our episode is packed with tips for summer learning and lifelong learners. As Mrs. Brown says, “Learning is continual!”
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SHOW NOTES
Learn more about Mrs. Brown’s So Happy To Learn At Home program
Check out our last episode with Mrs. Brown in 2018!:
12. Education - So Happy to Learn with Mrs. Terry Brown
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 LUCKY for 21% 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 -
257. Brother Do You Love Me?: A Journey of Resilience and Repair (w/Manni & Reuben Coe)
Friends, today we have Manni and Reuben Coe, two remarkable brothers from the UK, who are here to share their deeply moving journey and new book, brother. do. you. love. me. Their story is one of extraordinary resilience, heartwarming repair, and the profound rediscovery of brotherly love. These magical brothers remind us of the power of love and resilience. Their story is not just about overcoming obstacles; it's about finding strength in vulnerability, embracing hope in the face of adversity, and discovering the true meaning of brotherhood. This book and interview truly filled our hearts to the brim, grab a few tissues, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
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SHOW NOTES
Learn more about brother. do. you. love. me.
Order your copy now available in the US on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, find a local retailer
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.
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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 -
256. Celebrating Motherhood, Advocacy, & Community (w/Black Down Syndrome Association)
Friends, we put, “I’m A Really Good Mom” on a t-shirt because we know moms doubt this truth about themselves daily. Today in honor of Mother’s Day we’re celebrating the importance of community, friendship, and advocacy with our friends Kelli Caughman and Crystal Lotterberry! Kelli & Crystal are the founders of the Black Down Syndrome Association and they’re here to have an unfiltered conversation about the messy and beautiful parts of being a mama! We're chatting about how Down syndrome has influenced our perspective on life and motherhood, our advice for those feeling overwhelmed, what we shouldn’t have worried about (or if we ever worried), and so much more! Being a mama is the hardest and best, we want you to know you’re doing a good job. Now say it with us, “I’m a really good Mom!”
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SHOW NOTES
Follow Black Down Syndrome Association (BDSA) on Instagram and Facebook
Learn more about the Black Down Syndrome Association
Join the Black Down Syndrome Association Facebook Family Group
More episodes with our friends from BDSA!:
58. A Conversation About Race & Down Syndrome w/Mercedes Lara & Kelli Caughman
195. Connecting with the Black Down Syndrome Association (ft. Kelli Caughman & Crystal Lotterberry)
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 -
255. A Haircut Beyond The Chair w/Vernon Jackson
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.
---
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)
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.
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theluckyfewpod/support -
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.
---
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
Living under a rock….
So this might take a minute but THANKYOU to each of you on this amazing show. I just found you this week and I have listened to several episodes and it’s life changing. I’m a homeschooling mom of six, my youngest was born at 26 weeks and spent his first four months in the hospital. He was diagnosed with DS at two months old. I tell people he got it from the hospital. Insert laughing here. I didn’t cry because he had so many life threatening issues,DS was just another thing. It was a blessing, I think, to find out this way. It was a miracle he came home so perfectly healthy. I raised him like my others and really didn’t focus much on DS. Having five other kids made it hard to do all the therapies and yes I had guilt but he was my baby. He was premature so he’s pretty small and I was happy to baby him. Because I homeschool I never worried about sending him to a school and how others would treat him. He hangs out with our people and I can mama bear him all day long.
Fast forward five years. My sweet cherub is a thrower and recently seems to want to grab strangers in public. I said a quick prayer that God would help me find a podcast and started the search for behavior in DS. It brought me to your episode with Dr David Stein. Of course it was insanely useful. I immediately paused the episode to go to Amazon to buy his book, where Amazon informed me, I already purchased this a few years ago….regardless I was hooked on your podcast. I already read your incredible book a few years ago too but I never knew about your show. I just finished Vernon Jackson episode and love knowing he lives in this world. A person with a heart like his!! Wow. I listened to the Mother’s Day one today (and bought myself a Tshirt) and going to order Blessed are the rest of us today as well. (Crystal potty training at 4 was something I didn’t need to hear today. I was just going to buy Aidan diapers until he could drive….)
Each of you women are changing the world by changing the narrative. Thank you for being you and sharing your life and experiences with others. I’m really looking forward to catching up on all the episodes and crawling out from my rock and discovering all the things I have been missing. You bring light to my day.
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!!