A Little Something Extraordinary

In honor of this year’s NDSC Convention this weekend, we’re throwing it back to one of our favorite pop-up podcast moments recorded live at last year’s event! 

In this special episode, we sit down with Cassandra Drake, a powerhouse mom, university professor at CSU Stanislaus, and passionate advocate who lives in Querétaro, Mexico. From a wild birth story to a bold family move inspired by GiGi’s Playhouse, Cassandra’s journey is fil...

It's MLB All Star Week... So we are bringing back one of our very first episodes!

In this special episode, we sit down with Tom Ricketts, Executive Chairman of the Chicago Cubs, for an unforgettable conversation that brings heart, history, and a whole lot of team spirit to the mic! 

As the 4th-ever episode of A Little Something Extra, this one hits it out of the park. We share how the Cubs' support of GiGi’s Playhouse has impacted ...

This isn’t just another episode- this is a wake-up call. 

In our most passionate Host Talk yet, we confront a disturbing trend that’s gone viral: AI deepfakes of women impersonating individuals with Down syndrome—using that image to post suggestive, scandalous content. 

Let that sink in. 

This isn’t advocacy. This isn’t funny. And this absolutely isn’t okay. 

In this raw, real conversation, we dive into: 

• What’s actually happe...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we sit down with NFL player Jacob Monk for an unforgettable conversation that spans faith, family, and football!  We dive deep into the Monk family story, from the miraculous birth of Jacob’s younger brother, Myles ( who was born in the front seat of a car) to the powerful role he’s played in shaping the entire family’s life. Jacob opens about how Myles became his best friend, biggest blessi...

What if the role of a lifetime found you when you least expected it? 

In this joyful and behind-the-scenes look at Suits LA, we’re joined by actor Carson A. Egan, who has Down syndrome, and his dad Kurc! Playing Eddie Black, the younger brother of Stephen Amell’s character Ted Black, Carson is stepping into the spotlight while bringing his signature humor and heart with him. 

But Carson’s path to the screen wasn’t a straight line. ...

Welcome to our brand-new segment: Host Talk. 

 This is where we get real. No guests, just us, diving into the issues that matter most, celebrating big wins, and sharing behind-the-scenes moments that don’t always make the highlight reel. It’s about honest conversations, hard truths, and huge hope. 

From the ballpark to the library, in this episode, we unpack: 

• The incredible momentum of the Jake Burger Tour with the MLB and wh...

What does it look like when advocacy goes the extra mile...literally? In this powerful and action-driven episode, we’re joined by a remarkable father-son duo who are reshaping the conversation around disability rights and inclusion. 

Meet Bret and Jack Bowerman—passionate advocates, endurance athletes, and relentless champions for equal employment opportunities for people of all abilities. Bret, a former Executive Board President a...

Have you ever wondered how one friendship, or one act of service, can change your life? Whether you're passionate about inclusion, connected to someone with Down syndrome, or just looking to make a meaningful impact, this episode is for you.   

In this inspiring episode, we’re joined by Holly Siino and Claire Ramaley, co-leaders of the Fantastic Friends program at GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento. With a shared passion for advocacy and ...

This week, we're absolutely thrilled to welcome Jennifer Gray, founder of Gray Speak Therapy—now transitioning to Connected Speech—and Sarah Bookout, an experienced and passionate speech-language pathologist! 

In this inspiring and information-packed episode, we dive deep into the importance of speech and communication, especially for individuals with Down syndrome. Jennifer and Sarah share what truly works when it comes to improvi...

This week were absolutely thrilled to welcome Canada’s first and only competitive bodybuilder with Down syndrome, Kyle Landi and his parents Kimberly and Joe! Known as @greenrangerkyle on social media, Kyle is on a mission to prove that anything is possible when you lead with passion and perseverance. In this powerful and uplifting conversation, Kyle shares how his vision and dream of becoming a bodybuilder became a reality. We div...

This week we’re thrilled to welcome Founder of A.C.E. Therapies, certified special education teacher, and board-certified assistant behavior analyst Cindy Mrotek! In this insightful and inspiring episode, Cindy shares the heartwarming story of how she met her husband as well as her expert perspective on behavior development in children. We explore the essential skills that support behavioral growth, and how to effectively recognize...

In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re sharing one of our most inspiring and heartfelt episodes featuring an incredible mom, Jennifer Hogan Jones, known to many as “@my.beautiful.ds.journey”. This Mother’s Day, we honor all mothers—especially those who turn challenges into courage and shine light into the world through their unconditional love. In this episode, Jennifer opens up about her experience receiving a prenatal Down syndrome diag...

This week, we’re excited to welcome Misty Coy Snyder — a passionate advocate for individuals with Down syndrome and a devoted volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse New York City. Misty wears many hats: she’s an actor, singer, writer, entrepreneur, and creator behind Happiness is Down Syndrome, a platform dedicated to sharing uplifting stories and supporting families on similar paths. In this episode, Misty opens up about the powerful lesso...

Another throwback! We’re taking it back to one of our most memorable and heartwarming episodes of A Little Something Extra. In this special throwback, we’re joined by the incredible Tanner Smith—one of the standout stars of Season 2—and his equally amazing mom, Nicci. If you’ve seen the show, you’ll understand why Tanner captured so many hearts. His vibrant personality, unshakable optimism, and infectious smile made him an instant ...

This week we’re throwing it back—because there’s more love to celebrate! With Season 3 of Love on the Spectrum newly released and bringing some fresh and unexpected turns, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit one of our favorite guests from past seasons: Connor Tomlinson. In this episode, we’re joined by Connor’s mom, Lise, and his brother, Ben. We dive into Connor’s journey on the show, how it transformed his life overnig...

We are so thrilled to welcome Erin Merryn to the show! Erin is widely recognized for her activism and for pushing for legislative changes aimed at protecting children from abuse. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she created Erin’s Law which requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program. Not only is she making amazing changes in the world, but she is also related to...

In this week’s episode, we have the privilege of speaking with the incredible Kennith Allen Thomas!! Known as Kenny Clutch on social media, Kenny is a motivational speaker, leadership coach, and dedicated family man. Kenny shares his inspiring journey, including the emotional story of his son Christian’s birth and the discovery of his cancer diagnosis. He talks about what it truly means to "show up and show out" in life, how he met...

This week on A Little Something Extra, we’re thrilled to welcome the amazing Nora Michaelis! In this episode, we dive into Nora’s journey as the founder of bEquals, explore her many hobbies, and hear about the impactful lessons she’s learned—all at just 17 years old! Get ready to learn about bEquals and the powerful impact it’s having, not only on those in the program but also on Nora herself. Tune in for a conversation filled with...

This week, we had the privilege of speaking with Lauren Costabile, the Founder and Executive Director of Hearts of Joy International. This nonprofit organization provides life-saving heart surgeries for children with Down syndrome around the world, while also offering educational resources, counseling, and advocacy for their families. Prior to launching Hearts of Joy International, Lauren was a volunteer at GiGi's Playhouse in New ...