A Little Something Extra

S2 E3 - A Little Something Extra with Brian Skotko

This week’s episode takes us back to earlier this year when Nancy GiGi and Franco were joined by Dr. Brian Skotko at the National Down Syndrome Conference! Dr. Skotko is a Board-certified medical geneticist, serving as the Emma Campbell Endowed Chair on Down Syndrome at Massachusetts General Hospital. As the Director of the hospital’s Down Syndrome Program, he has dedicated his professional energies to children with cognitive and developmental disabilities. It was because of his sister, (Kristin) who has Down syndrome, that he originally found his calling first as an advocate, then later as a doctor.

Through Brian’s passion and dedication towards serving individuals with Down syndrome, he has created many amazing resources both for them and their families! During his first year at Harvard Medical School, he co-authored a book titled Common Threads: Celebrating Life With Down Syndrome. A book that profiles the accomplishments of 59 different people with Down syndrome! Fast forward 8 years, where he then wrote another book dedicated to helping siblings better understand the Down syndrome diagnosis, titled: Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and sisters.

Now Brian joins the podcast to tell us about his journey to better the lives of all people affected by Down syndrome and his most recent endeavor, Down Syndrome Clinics 2 You (DSC2U)! A platform created to provide personalized care plans for families that do not have access to any specialized Down syndrome clinics. This episode is full of incredible insight into resources and information given by a leading industry expert! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

S2 E1 - A Little Something Extra with Jeanhee Hoffman

This episode of A Little Something Extra goes out to the siblings! The theme is Standing Up for Your Siblings, and do we have a guest that has gone above and beyond to do just that. We are joined by Jeanhee Hoffman, a sibling of a brother with Down syndrome, who founded GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh.

Jeanhee has an incredible story, that is filled with love and inspiration. Jeanhee and her brother, Sam, are second generation Korean Americans, and she shares with us her families’ experiences from a different cultural perspective. She talks on her and Sam’s experiences growing up in a less inclusive society and the challenges it posed as a sibling. It was not until 2015 when Jeanhee stumbled upon a place where her brother can grow and feel at home!

After seeing the impact that GiGi’s had on her brothers life, she vowed to make sure there was a place in her community for families like hers could have a place to call home. Listen now to hear how a sibling finding a place for her brother, sparked a flame within her to create a playhouse of her own community!

S2 E1 - A Little Something Extra with Aaron Shust

We are finally back with a new episode of the A Little Something Extra podcast!! It has been a minute since we released a new episode, but we are kicking things off again with a great one! Nancy, GiGi, and Franco are joined by award-winning gospel/Christian rock artist Aaron Shust. Aaron is an award-winning talent in the music industry, a gifted writer, a profound minister, and most of all, a devoted husband and father to 3 boys, one of whom has Down syndrome.

The theme of this episode is, Never Loose Faith. This is a common theme in Nancy and GiGi’s journey, as well as so many others who have faced adversity in life. We walk with Aaron through his journey and some of the moments where God has challenged his faith, and WOW, are these moments profound and awe-inspiring. His stories of never losing faith in the wake of 2 sons facing life-threatening diagnoses will surely give you goosebumps.  We also talk about his creative process and his love for music. Then as we always do, GiGi shares her tips on staying faithful, as she has learned to do throughout her life. Make sure to pay attention to the stories and quotes from Aaron because each carries a special message that may help you see the world from a different perspective. Our favorite is his view on what Down syndrome means to him. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

 

Episode 17: A Little Something Extra with Wendell Davis

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, and our I Have a Voice Gala happening in nearly 2 weeks A little Something Extra is releasing a surprise episode today, as a little sneak peek of season 2! Nancy and GiGi were joined by former NFL wide receiver, Wendell Davis and Tom Serpento, Executive Director of the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago

. Wendell and Tom, and the rest of the RPFPC have been HUGE supporters of GiGi’s Playhouse since 2015 and will continue to support at our 2022 I Have a Voice Gala!

Nancy, GiGi, Wendell and Tom discuss the importance of serving others, how to love, the impacts made by those most important and so many other important life lessons!

Visit the link in our bio to watch today’s episode on your favorite podcast platform, there you will also find more information on how to participate in this year's I Have a Voice Gala!

Learn more about the gala: https://gigisplayhouse.org/ihaveavoicegala/

Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/i5e5yHlwmHQ

#GenerationG #NFL #downsyndrome

Episode 18: A Little Something Extra: Leadership Conference Pop Up Podcast

This episode was the first podcast popup, recorded at the 2021 GiGi’s National Leadership Conference! This episode is so special and close to the GiGi’s heart because it focuses on the people of our organization. It features 18 interviews and 27 guests from the GiGi’s network. Nancy, GiGi and Franco talk with model and actor Amanda Booth. Author and influencer Kelle Hampton, Adult participants; Farzin, Michell, Samir, Brian Daniel and Harry, GiGi’s Playhouse Canton’s Nick Doyle, INC Board members Scott and Steve, Dan a GiGi’s Chicago Board member, Jason the board vice president of GiGi’s Syracuse, Andre an employee at GiGi’s Annapolis, Laura the founder of the third every GiGi in McHenry, Kim Hanna the CIO of GiGi’s Playhouse, Zayne a grandfather from GiGi’s Madison, 4 members of the Sacramento GiGi’s Team, founders of the GiGi’s National Youth Board, and Erin 2 time volunteer of the year winner from GiGi’s Cleveland!

Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/D-vOs316j8E

Episode 17 – A Little Something Extra with Rick Smith

This episode of a little something extra features the rockstar father-son duo of Rick and Noah Smith! When Noah was born 10 years ago, Rick started a YouTube channel called Noah’s Dad and the sole purpose of the channel was to just highlight what it was like to raise Noah. Fast forward to now and Rick has amassed quite the following of over 300K followers across his social channels! Rick realized the need to share experiences and to provide hope for others in the same situation. This led to the creation of his non-profit, Hope Story. In this episode, hear all about how a dad with a vision to simply just share his experience with the world, turned into an organization that helps in providing hope and joy to families during the time that they need it most! This is what finding your something extra is all about!! Enjoy episode 17 of A Little Something Extra.

Watch the video version of this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd_B3J5sAW4

Episode 16: A Little Something Extra with Amy Smith

In this episode, we interview a guest who is a valuable member of the GiGi’s Playhouse family! Amy Smith is an adult ambassador at GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland, a role that allows her to inspire people every day. The theme of this episode with Amy is Love & Respect. We discuss her life growing up in a time where individuals who were different, never received the love and respect that they so deserved. We also discuss the impact that GiGi’s Playhouse has had on her life, by having an entire community embrace her with love and respect! Amy’s sweet soul will surely touch your heart and leave you questioning how anyone can disrespect such a beautiful spirit. Enjoy episode 15 of a Little Something Extra with Amy Smith!

Watch the video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/5rIjxFW-vrs 

Episode 15: A Little Something Extra with Sarah Gordy

In this episode, we meet with Actress, dancer, model, and motivational speaker, Sarah Gordy! Sarah is best known for her in the British hit drama, The A Word, in a role written for her! As well as BBC shows, she has acted in short films, radio dramas, commercials, and many theatre productions. 

In 2018 she became the first woman with Down syndrome to be made an MBE (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organizations, and public service outside the civil service.) and the first person with Down syndrome to receive an honorary degree from a UK university.

Sarah is one of the principal dancers for Culture Device Dance Project, an experimental dance company for professional dancers with Down syndrome. She has also given talks in schools and gave a talk called “Escape from labels. Be free, be different” at TedX in Hackney, London. Sarah embodies everything it means to be a trailblazer, as she shows the world that there is nothing she can't accomplish!

Watch the video version of this at: https://youtu.be/LJJgTtByUwU

Episode 14: A Little Something Extra with Dr. Chicoine

On this episode of A Little Something Extra, Nancy, GiGi and Franco interview Dr. Brian Chicoine of Adult Down Syndrome Center in Park Ridge IL. Dr. Chicoine is an expert on the Down syndrome diagnosis after working with Adults with DS early in his career, to then starting his own medical center in 1990. In this episode, Dr. Chicoine gives an extremely informative conversation on all things Down syndrome. We talk the growth of the diagnosis and how much has changed over the last 30 years. He provides expert advice to families and supporters of the diagnosis on maximizing potential. He talks about all the resources that his center has to offer for teens and adults with Down syndrome. Plus, we are also joined, at the end, by Linda and Mike Mussallem, who have been loyal supporters and friends of Brian’s since their brothers too visited his center. Lots to take in, on this amazing episode of A Little Something Extra!

Catch the video version of this podcast at: https://youtu.be/bvwC18x5wKM

Episode 13: A Little Something Extra with Mike & Linda Mussallem

This week’s episode is centered around siblings and the positive impact that a brother or sister with Down syndrome can have on your life! Nancy, GiGi and Franco sit down with siblings Mike Mussallem and his wife Linda. Mike is the CEO of Edwards Lifesciences, and organization that manufactures heart devices that quite literally have saved the lives of hundreds of thousands, while Linda is a leader in the California non-profit community! In this episode Mike and Linda talk about the impact that having older brothers made on their lives. From their brothers brining them together, to dedicating their lives to philanthropy, being siblings of Down syndrome made them both into the world changers they are today. Enjoy this touching episode of A Little Something Extra!

To watch the video version of this episode go to https://youtu.be/wuKLtXxRqEI