The Starry-Eyed Podcast

This special episode takes a look back at the journey of understanding Williams syndrome—and how the WSA has grown alongside it. Through past interviews, we hear from leading voices in the field: Dr. Barbara Pober, Dr. Marty Levinson, Dr. Elizabeth Barnhardt, Dr. Becca Lyren, Dr. Jocelyn Krebs, Dr. Ben Jacob, and former WSA Executive Director Terry Monkaba.

Together, their insights paint a picture of how research, diagnosis, care, ...

Recently, creator of Innersense Organic Beauty and friend of the show Joanne Starkman, invited the gang to be on her new podcast, "Trust Your Innersense." It was a wonderful conversation about how Williams syndrome has touched all aspects of our lives and irrevocably changed our respective life paths. We also get into the early days of the show and how it's evolved over the last 2 years. We hope you enjoy this this little trip into...

Last Saturday marked the end of Williams Syndrome Awareness Month and to cap it off, WSA Executive Director Sarah Schaefer and Producer Joel held a 14-hour Give-A-Thon to reach $100,000! Around hour 9 1/2, Jen and Brendan joined for a live podcast featuring Varun Indugula. Varun is a student at the University of North Carolina and the younger brother of Prannoy, who has WS. Varun moderates the Adult Siblings Support Group for the W...

We're well into Williams Syndrome Awareness Month and in this episode, Jen, Brendan, and Producer Joel welcome singer, bon vivant, and raconteur Avi Lesser! He (along with his mother Carol Patinkin and special guest Jon Kent) recount the many hours spent in Graceland, his trips abroad and his love for all kinds of national anthems! This is one gets silly! 

We'd also welcome our first sponsor: Innersense Organic Beauty! Click on thi...

Happy Williams Syndrome Awareness Month! To kick things off we have a extra-large episode for you!

Jen and Brendan are joined by Megan McNeil to share the love of being part of the WS community and how much brighter the world is when people choose kindness over bullying.

Then we welcome back former Executive Director Terry Monkaba for her first interview in a couple years! They discuss the early days of the WSA and being part of so...

On this episode, Jen and Brendan are joined by Erin & Sophie Rupolo who, thanks to Team Impact, are jet setting all over the country with the Maryland Terrapins Women's Basketball Team. The Lady Terps have truly made Sophie one of their own..even when she is in full teenager mode.

Then, Alex Bentley joins the pod to talk about working at Disney World. It was a childhood dream, and thanks to hard work, determination, and help fr...

Today we have not one, not two, but three guests at once - A THREE-FER!

Jen and Brendan are joined by Brett Beger, Carl Hanson, and Ben Monkaba to discuss what it's like living together as 3 dudes under the same roof. It's a fantastic story of friends, independence, and the courage to try something scary.

Speaking of scary, we, of course, talk about the one clown who is an exception to Jen and Producer Joel's fear of clowns - Big R...

Gird your ears for Producer Joel has lost his voice. Before it went completely away, he was able to spend the week at Camp Blue Skies in Georgia, with around 75 adults with Williams syndrome. 

Camp creator Dick Sesler and his son, Brent the Mayor of camp, sat down to talk about the need for community for our adults and what the future holds.

Then, Producer Joel set up the camera and mics and interviewed whoever was willing to sit d...

Two years! 53 episodes! 3 podlet mini-sodes!

Two years is longer than Blackbeards reign of terror on the high seas!

Two years is longer than the existence of the Pony Express!

Technically our show has lasted longer than the Disco era (2 years...look it up)!

On this episode, Jen and Brendan welcome Jon Kent, who has been a part of the Williams syndrome community for decades, but only recently joined the staff as the new Vice Preside...

In this episode, Jennifer, Brendan, and Producer Joel kick things off with a celebration—Brendan’s appointment as WSA Secretary! He is the first person with WS to hold a position on the Executive Committee of the WSA Board of Trustees! Next, we welcomed newcomer Sarah Schaefer, the new Executive Director of the WSA (Just kidding, it’s the same Sarah we already know and love)! She shared her vision, passion, and what’s ahead for the...

This week, the pod is packed with big hearts & big laughs.

First up, Gabby Cornelio joins Brendan and Joel to talk about life with her son's feeding challenges and his own unique way of communicating—because let’s be real, words are so overrated anyway. She also wrote a bilingual book, My Brother Doesn’t Speak, but His Heart Does, proving that sometimes, siblings just get each other—no words necessary.

Then, we shift gears for ...

It's tech time on the pod! Producer Joel got his son his own mobile phone and now he needs some help to make sure everyone stays safe and the technology can be used for good - not evil.

Jen and Brendan are joined by Milton Neuenschwander from Tennessee's Department of Disabilities and Aging to talk about internet and phone safety, but also how assistive technology and AI can make navigating the world a bit easier.

Then, Christopher...

Let's make 2025 the year of Croutons and Hearts!! We kick it off with another longtime friend of Brendan's, Marna Kalman. She, Jen, and Brendan talk about living independently, working in a gallery, her jewelry business, and fine art! Check out her stuff at @mbymarna on Instagram. If you'd like to collaborate with her on jewelry or send her beads to create new work, email us at podcast@williams-syndrome.org, and we'll put you in to...

The final pod of the year means we take a moment to look back on the year that was 2024 with the woman who kept the WSA chugging along for most of it: Sarah Giddings. From Convention to Camp to upcoming cruises, it was a year of amazing accomplishments and there's so much to look forward to in 2025.

Our final guest for 2024 is one of Brendan's best friends, Bret Fleming. They discuss all the music and mayhem from the last 25 years!...

Today the pod welcomes WSA Director of Operations Bethany Walton to talk about gift giving WSA-style! She discusses the new WSA Vendor Network, as well as highlighting store items in the WSA Store and at Outshine Labels.

First, Producer Joel joins Jen and Brendan to talk about the NFL's My Cause My Cleats campaign, signature beers, and all sorts of other December wonderfulness!

If you'd like to see businesses that support the WSA a...

On this episode, Jen and Brendan welcome Anja Kaneski who lives on her own in a group home and holds down a job in Brainerd, MN! She shares how the sudden, exciting changes in her life also bring about anxiety and stress, and the techniques she relies on to even out.

Then we explore the complex world of those who have a diagnosis of Williams syndrome and Autism. Dr. Elizabeth Barnhardt and Dr. Becca Lyren, who recently spoke on thi...

Today on the pod, we welcome from the great state of Iowa's Rebekah Stewart who had a up close view of her daughter Ellie's (13 WS) journey with the University of Iowa Dance Team through the Women's NCAA Basketball finals. Thanks to Team Impact (teamimpact.org) for helping Ellie get this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Jen, Brendan, Rebekah, Ellie, and eventually the whole Stewart fam take a wonderful scenic route telling ...

Today's show exercises our civic duty as Jen and Brendan are joined by Delaney O'Connell, who is featured in the documentary Patrice, about a couple trying to fight the system that won't let them marry. On this show, we get to hear Delaney's story and how important self-advocacy is to her.

Then we are joined by Chad Wilson from the Minnesota Disability Law Center to talk about how to make sure your voice is heard at the ballot box....