Special Chronicles Podcast

To conclude Disability Pride Month, we’re rebroadcasting one of our most powerful conversations. Host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with his college friend Maria DiSabato in this encore episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, recorded on location at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Maria shares her lived experience with disability—exploring questions like:

• What does disability mean to you?

• What do you wish peers, professor...

 In this special audio documentary episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, Host Daniel Smrokowski takes you behind the scenes of the 2025 Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games in Normal, IL! From the powerful Tribute to Champions Reception, to the walk with his SEASPAR team, inspiring Opening Ceremony speeches, and his personal reflections after an intense Bocce competition—this episode brings you along for the full jour...

In this powerful episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's EnergyForce Series S8:Pt5, we sit down with Jessica Rojas from ComEd to explore how the Powering Lives Community Center and other ComEd education programs are lighting the way for students, families, and future energy professionals. From interactive K-12 field trips to immersive college experiences and STEM scholarships, ComEd is building a brighter, more inclusive energ...

In this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Matthew Brough, an Athlete Leader from Special Olympics Great Britain, based in York, England.

Matthew’s journey began on the tennis court and led him all the way to the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, where he proudly won gold and bronze medals. Since then, he’s completed his Athlete Leadership training, become an advocate in hi...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's EnergyForce Series S8:Pt4: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kelvin Limbrick from ComEd to talk about the innovative and eco-friendly goat grazing program that’s helping manage vegetation under power lines in northern Illinois. With nearly three dozen goats on the job this summer, ComEd is leading the way in sustainability by using goats to clear brush and keep the power grid resi...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast's EnergyForce Series S8:Pt4: Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kelvin Limbrick, ComEd Vegetation Management Sr. Program Manager to discuss important environmental topics, including their vegetation management practices, the role of brush control, and their sustainability efforts in celebration of Earth Day. 

 Key Topics:

• Vegetation Management: Kelvin shares insights into why ...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Jenny Fortner, a dedicated Special Olympics International Board Member to talk about how she volunteered with her son Joey Fortner, a Yale University student and his friends from Athletes in Action. 

Jenny shares her personal journey and deep-rooted commitment to Special Olympics as she reflected on her and her son'...

On this heartfelt Father’s Day episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, we revisit a meaningful conversation with Adam Smrokowski, proud father of our very own award-winning host, Daniel Smrokowski.

Adam opens up about the journey of raising a son with special needs, the early challenges and triumphs of fatherhood, and the profound impact the Special Chronicles platform has had on their lives.

We also explore how their story c...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Carly Pietrzak, Chief of Staff at Bridge Business Resource Group, and John Kloosterman, Vice President of Bridge BRG at United Airlines. Together, they reflect on their powerful experience at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 and the impact of United Airlines’ ongoing partnership with Special Olympic...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Shawn Ferguson, the Chief of Global Government Relations at Special Olympics , to explore the mission and impact of the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion . The Coalition is uniting global leaders, governments, and advocates to drive systemic change for people with intellectual and developmental disabili...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with sits down with three remarkable leaders who are paving the way for a more inclusive world: Sky Riley, Senior Manager of Global Youth and Education at Special Olympics, Louis Kleemeyer and Tim Pietrowski from the Global Youth Leadership Council.  Together, they provide insight into the 2025 Special Olympics Global You...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Kellie Matthew, a Special Olympics USA athlete, who competed in Alpine skiing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. Kellie, who has been a part of Special Olympics since she was just 9 years old, shares her incredible journey from Coral Springs, Florida, to the international stage. We dive into her ...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Nick Mills, a dedicated Special Olympics athlete from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who has been part of the Special Olympics family for 20 years. Nick has competed in a variety of sports, including Alpine skiing, basketball, athletics, bowling, soccer, and volleyball. He’s also actively involved in the Special Olympics...

🎙️ Episode 250 – Special Mother’s Day Live Podcast with Daniel & His Mom Recorded live from the Imperial Oak Brewery in Willow Springs, Illinois, this heartfelt 30-minute episode celebrates Mother’s Day with a very special guest—Daniel Smrokowski’s mom, Linda Smrokowski!

Join Daniel and his mom for a touching and inspiring conversation as they reflect on:

• Daniel’s miraculous birth story—born three-and-a-third months pr...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with two incredible athletes, Natalie Green and Trey Garrett, both of whom represented Special Olympics USA in DanceSport at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. Join us as we dive into their journeys, advocacy for inclusion, and the transformative power of sport.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About: For N...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down Jim Bluemond, a dedicated Special Olympics coach who will be representing Special Olympics USA as a snowshoeing coach at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, in 2025. Jim has been involved in the Special Olympics Movement  for the past three years, and his personal connection to the organization runs d...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down Mallory Marvin, a Special Olympics USA athlete who competed in Snowshoeing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, in 2025. Mallory has been involved with Special Olympics Movement for 14 years and is a true leader in the movement, representing not just her sport but the incredible spirit of the Specia...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Tyler Lagasse, a Special Olympics USA athlete who’s making waves in the world of Alpine skiing. Tyler has been a part of the Special Olympics Movement  for over 21 years and is set to compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin 2025. We talk about his incredible journey, from his early days as a Speci...

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Grace Payne, Sargent Shriver Global Messenger for Special Olympics, as she reflects on the recently concluded Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin 2025. Grace shares her incredible journey with Special Olympics and her role as a Global Messenger, offering insight into the impact of these Games on the athletes...