The Lucky Few

The Lucky Few Podcast

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.

  1. 1D AGO

    323. What I Wish I’d Known About IEPs

    EPs can feel overwhelming, emotional, and complicated—and that’s because they are. In this episode of The Lucky Few Podcast, we kick off our new season, What I Wish I’d Known About…, by talking about IEPs—what we wish we understood from the very beginning, and what we’ve learned the hard way. Fresh off a multi-hour meeting, we share honestly about the exhaustion, the tension, and the “us vs. them” dynamic that can creep in. We unpack how evaluations drive goals, how goals drive placement, and why learning the language of the IEP changes everything. We talk about inclusion, evolving expectations, and what it looks like to follow our child’s lead as they grow. Most importantly, we remind ourselves—and you—of this: Our kids are not problems to fix.The IEP exists to serve them. Whether this is your first meeting or your fifteenth, we hope this conversation helps you feel more steady, more informed, and less alone. SHOW NOTES: For more practical guidance, we’ve learned a lot from Ashley Barlow and her work at Ashley Barlow Co.. She offers clear, actionable resources to help you navigate IEPs, strengthen your advocacy skills, and understand your rights—all in one place. Check out more IEP Episodes: 78. Building Trust (Not Barriers) w/Your Child’s IEP Team – IEP advocacy tips. 94. IEPs during COVID-19, ft. IEP Lawyers Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie – IEPs & distance learning. 272. What Do We Wish We Knew Before Our First IEP Meeting? – Reflections on early IEPs. 270. IEP Success: How to Plan, Communicate, and Collaborate (w/April Rehrig) – Practical IEP strategies. 273. Breaking Down Barriers: The Parent’s Role In IEP Success (w/Ashley Barlow) – Parent advocacy in IEPs. CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST WEBSITE INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK CONNECT WITH HEATHER AVIS WEBSITE: THE LUCKY FEW OFFICIAL IG: THELUCKYFEWOFFICAL FACEBOOK I LIKE YOU SO MUCH THIS IS DOWN SYNDROME CONNECT WITH MERCEDES LARA IG: HOORAY4THELARAS IG: HUMANLY.TV FACEBOOK CONNECT WITH MICHA BOYETT MICHABOYETT.COM IG: ACEFACEISMYFRIEND IG: MICHABOYETT LISTEN TO THE SLOW WAY 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 or Shout Outs for future episodes.

    50 min

  2. 6D AGO

    322. Throwback: Elana Meyers Taylor — Gold Medalist & Lucky Mama

    We’re bringing back one of our favorite conversations in honor of an extraordinary athlete, mom, and advocate who continues to redefine what’s possible. Elana Meyers Taylor is a five-time Olympian and one of the most decorated athletes in winter sports history. She has earned one gold, three silver, and two bronze Olympic medals for Team USA, and is a four-time World Champion, with two gold medals in both the two-woman and mixed team events. She is also the most decorated Black winter Olympian of all time. But medals are only part of her story. Elana is mom to two boys. Her son Nico has Down syndrome, and both of her sons are deaf. In this episode, she shares what it was like to welcome Nico at the start of the pandemic while continuing to train at the highest level. It’s an honest look at motherhood, elite sport, and advocacy. Elana brings her family with her and uses her platform to speak openly about Down syndrome, ASL, and greater inclusion in winter sports. As we replay this episode, we’re cheering her on — not just for what she’s accomplished, but for how she leads.

    55 min

  3. FEB 9

    321. What We Wish We’d Known (And What We’re Still Learning)

    January felt heavy. So instead of pretending we had it all figured out, we talked honestly about what we wish we’d known earlier. In this kickoff episode of What We Wish We’d Known, Heather, Micah, and Mercedes reflect on lessons that only come with time, experience, and a lot of unlearning. In this episode, we talk about: Letting go of milestone pressure, assuming competence, and unlearning ableism Rethinking inclusion, communication (including AAC), and what real support looks like Identity, advocacy, and why the goal was never a “poster child” — just a whole human This episode is part reflection and part reset. Whether you’re brand new or years into this journey, we hope it gives you permission to breathe, recalibrate, and keep learning. 💛 DM us what you wish you’d known — and what you want us to cover this season. SHOW NOTES Check out AbleNet, an assistive technology company that helps families access AAC devices quickly, often handling insurance and paperwork on their behalf. 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 or Shout Outs for future episodes.

    54 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    320. Diving Deeper: Communication, Self-Talk, & Down Syndrome

    Today we’re diving deep into the way our children communicate! We’re asking some difficult but important questions about how we support their speech and language. How do our kids feel when people cannot understand their speech? How do they feel when we, as their parents, cannot understand their speech? How are we supposed to implement all the speech therapy tools? When is it time to just focus on one area of growth for our kids? How do our kids use “self-talk” to share stories and self-soothe? And that’s a wrap on this season focused on brain health and Down syndrome! We hope you learned as much as we did from these last 10 episodes. We’ll see you again in the new year! SHOW NOTES Visit our Therapist Directory to find mental health support for your loved one with a disability. Fill out THIS FORM to be added to our therapist directory. SPONSOR Sign up for Enable SNP HERE.

    54 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    319. Brain Health & DS: Communication w/Jennifer Gray, SLP

    Jennifer Gray is a certified speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience working with the Down syndrome community. Today we’re asking her all the questions we’ve forgotten to ask our children’s own speech therapists. When should speech therapy start for individuals with Down syndrome? (Hint: Jennifer says research shows it can be helpful before age 1) What makes speech more challenging for individuals with Down syndrome? Can individuals with Down syndrome experience speech regression? What is self-talk? We hope you learn something from this important conversation about communication for people with Down syndrome! -- SHOW NOTES Visit grayspeaktherapy.com Instagram: @downsyndromespeech and @grayspeaktherapy SPONSOR Sign up for Enable SNP HERE.

    37 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    318. Diving Deeper: Trauma and Intellectual Disability

    Last week we sat down for an interview with trauma expert Dr. Karyn Harvey and today the three of us are unpacking all of our feelings about it. We’re asking ourselves some pretty heavy questions about trauma and intellectual disability. Do our kids really encounter trauma every time they step out the front door? Are we holding our children to unrealistic standards and expectations for behavior? Do the benefits of an inclusive education outweigh the trauma that comes with it? Why have our kids never been offered mental health support at any of their regular screenings? Here’s what we know for certain: our children with intellectual disabilities understand when they are being excluded. And it’s our job to remind them just how incredibly lucky this world is to have them in it. Friends, we hope your children receive the mental health support they need so they can become exactly who they are meant to be. SHOW NOTES Learn more from Dr. Karyn Harvey and read her publications here. SPONSOR Sign up for Enable SNP HERE.

    41 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    317. Brain Health & DS: Trauma and Intellectual Disability w/Dr. Karyn Harvey

    Dr. Karyn Harvey is a psychologist, author, trainer, speaker, and EXPERT in the field of psychology, intellectual disability, and trauma. Have you ever thought of the trauma that individuals with intellectual disabilities face each day? The examples are endless.. a negative diagnosis experience, being excluded, or even being placed in an institution. Today Dr. Karyn Harvey is on the show to teach us: How does trauma influence behavior? What do symptoms of trauma look like in people with intellectual disabilities? Can we assume that all individuals with intellectual disabilities face trauma? What does therapy look like for an individual with an intellectual disability? We’re also breaking down a few real-life examples of incidents in our child’s lives. This episode is full of wisdom for all of us who wish to support individuals with disabilities and their mental health. --- SHOW NOTES Learn more from Dr. Karyn Harvey and read her publications here. SPONSOR Sign up for Enable SNP HERE. JOIN THE LUCKY CREW Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today!

    49 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    316. Diving Deeper: Alzheimer's Disease Prevalence and Treatment, w/Kandi Pickard

    Last week we had an important conversation with Dr. Michael Rafii all about the link between DS and Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re still processing everything you learned from that interview, that’s okay. Sit down with the three of us + our good friend Kandi Pickard (CEO of the National DS Society) and we’ll talk through it together! How do we confront medical discrimination? Where can we get involved in research? What does it mean that the NDSS has merged with LuMind? (hint: its a great thing for Alzheimer’s research!) We know this isn’t an easy topic but this episode is full of hope. Remember, there are medical experts (like Dr. Rafii) and organizations (like NDSS) doing all that they can to improve the future for your loved one with Down syndrome. -- SHOW NOTES Learn more more about Alzheimer’s disease from the National DS Society Learn more about LuMind merging with the NDSS Find resources on The Alzheimer Biomarkers Consortium-Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) Get involved in research with DS-Connect SPONSOR Sign up for Enable SNP HERE.

    47 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
335 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    The Lucky Few Podcast
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    359
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Lucky Few Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Lucky Few

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