The Starry-Eyed Podcast®

Consider this episode a palate cleanser from recent heavy subjects as we are joined by Brett Menna! He joins Brendan and Producer Joel (Jen was otherwise engaged) about figuring out what's next after high school, music, tornados, cologne, tornado cologne, and a bunch of other subjects. Just 3 dudes chattin' 'bout life...as bros do. As always, this episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

In this episode, we’re joined by Jess Iverson, a parent, former attorney, and soon-to-be licensed therapist. Jess walks us through practical ways to navigate loss and grief, especially in moments when life feels chaotic or out of control. She shares her PEACE framework, which stands for Proactive, Emotions, Advocate, Connect, and Embrace. It offers a simple and steady guide for moving through hard seasons. You can find the full PEACE resource on the WSA website and across our social media channels. If things feel heavy right now, we hope this conversation offers something grounding and helpful. To honor and remember those we’ve lost, please visit the WSA In Loving Memory page. As always, this episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

There’s no easy way to begin this episode. Over the past few weeks, the Williams syndrome community has experienced several losses, and regardless of the circumstances, it has left many of us feeling shaken. This episode is the first in a small series focused on death and grief. We welcome back Martha Maier and Jeff Isensee. Martha reached out to the WSA to share some of the tools she’s using to help Jeff navigate his fears and anxiety around death. Together, they talk honestly about where they are right now and what it looks like to keep moving forward. Whether it’s something you hear in this episode or in those to come, we hope you find a small piece you can hold onto when things feel especially heavy. This is not an easy conversation, but it’s one we need to start having. To honor and remember those we’ve lost, please visit the WSA In Loving Memory page. As always, this episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

This week Paola Martinez joins the Two-Timers Club! She recently became the WSA’s new Development Manager, and she joins Brendan and Jen to talk about turning personal connection into powerful fundraising. From the Walk for Williams Syndrome to creative DIY fundraisers, Paola shares how volunteers can make a real impact and have fun doing it. As always, this episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

This episode's guest did not just jog into the Williams syndrome community. He kept going. And going. And going. Holden Cammarata is a Georgia Tech student studying rocket science, because apparently running 100 miles in just over 24 hours was not ambitious enough. Fueled by friendship with the Cloer family, Holden turned one very long run into awareness for Williams syndrome. Get ready for some grit, purpose, and a finish line measured in miles, blisters, and heart. Lace up. Hydrate. Listen. As always, this episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

This week the fabulous Birch Sisters (Victoria and Alexandra) return to join the "2-timers Club!" Amongst the silly chaos of friends catching up, Brendan and Joel flip on Jen and interview her and the Birch's about their collaboration on a fundraising fashion show for the Arc of Colorado! It's pretty evident that putting the 5 of us together (even virtually) is a recipe for laughter. This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Ep 80 - Signing the Times with Kylie Stenger This week we celebrate episode 80 with Kylie Stenger, a young woman with a lovely gift of gab - with her hands! Having started signing at an early age, she's taught herself enough to earn her ASL certification and now she's working her way toward becoming a full time ASL interpreter. It was an absolute delight getting to spend a little time with her and learning a little ASL ourselves. This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Happy New Year from your favorite pod fam! While Jen is getting an internet upgrade, Producer Joel joins Brendan to hear about the challenges that come with trying to find proper living arrangements for an adult with WS. While it took some time and trials and errors to find what works for Jeff Isensee, the end result seems to be a great fit for him, Martha Maier and Phil Isensee. It's a great reminder that a housing search for a person with WS isn't just about finding 4 walls, it's about creating a home. This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Queen Crouton herself has returned! This week we're joined by our good friend Sophia Napoli. If you think she's become more tame since her last appearance - not a chance! Her passion and desire to impact change on the world is the perfect way to close out 2025 and get excited for 2026! This episode is brought to you by Innersense Organic Beauty. Shop Innersense using this link https://tidd.ly/47mWg4F and when you complete a purchase after clicking, WSA earns 35% commission during the holidays through 1/2/2026. Plus if you haven't purchased from Innersense before, use code WSA15 to save 15% on first purchases. New episodes every Tuesday. Video available on the WSA page on YouTube and The Starry-Eyed Podcast page on Facebook. Audio version available on a podcast platforms.

This week the pod is joined by volunteer extraordinaire Darcie Wolfe. She took a chance on volunteering at Camp Blue Skies with her husband's cousin and has become a fixture of our adult community. Hear just how easy it is to step up and volunteer and maybe you can join her (and many other volunteers) at future WSA events! This episode is brought to you by Innersense Organic Beauty. Shop Innersense using this link https://tidd.ly/47mWg4F and when you complete a purchase after clicking, WSA earns 35% commission during the holidays through 1/2/2026. Plus if you haven't purchased from Innersense before, use code WSA15 to save 15% on first purchases. New episodes every Tuesday. Video available on the WSA page on YouTube and The Starry-Eyed Podcast page on Facebook. Audio version available on a podcast platforms.

This week the gang welcomes Nicole Courtney for a lively look at what really happens when adults with WS get together at conventions, camps, or other rendezvous. Friendships grow fast, inside jokes spread, and yes, there may be a little extra interest when two people “step out for some fresh air” at the same time. Shop Innersense using this link https://tidd.ly/47mWg4F and when you complete a purchase after clicking, WSA earns 35% commission during the holidays through 1/2/2026. Plus if you haven't purchased from Innersense before, use code WSA15 to save 15% on first purchases. New episodes every Tuesday. Video available on the WSA page on YouTube and The Starry-Eyed Podcast page on Facebook. Audio version available on a podcast platforms.

This week, Jen and Brendan welcome Catherine Warden, who has taken over as primary caregiver to her brother Glenn. Catherine gives us and unflinching and honest look at the joys and frustrations of caring for your sibling while also taking care of an aging parent. She also shares how much she and Glenn have changed since discovering other older adults with WS and caregivers a bit later in life. Shop Innersense using this link https://tidd.ly/47mWg4F and when you complete a purchase after clicking, WSA earns 35% commission during the holidays through 1/2/2026. Plus if you haven't purchased from Innersense before, use code WSA15 to save 15% on first purchases. New episodes every Tuesday. Video available on the WSA page on YouTube and The Starry-Eyed Podcast page on Facebook. Audio version available on a podcast platforms.

This week’s guest is Meg Kidulas from Holland, MI! When she isn’t showing her engine-uity in grad school or chugging along at work, she’s blowing off steam and riding the rails every chance she gets. We’ve had guests before who find trains a-track-tive, but Meg takes it to a whole new loco level. She shares her b-rail-liant adventures, her car-load of favorite routes, and why nothing keeps her on track quite like the rhythm of the rails. All aboard for this first-class conversation. This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty Shop Innersense using this link https://tidd.ly/47mWg4F and when you complete a purchase after clicking, WSA earns 35% commission during the holidays through 1/2/2026. Plus if you haven't purchased from Innersense before, use code WSA15 to save 15% on first purchases.

This week on the pod we talk to Carly Oberle who founded the organization "Let's Include Landon" with the intent to create opportunities to bring children & teens with and without disabilities together. What started as a way to promote inclusivity in sports (a mission that still goes on) for both Landon (10 WS) and Austen (7), has grown into something so much more. It's truly a story of community building and embracing what makes us different to create an experience so much more beneficial than just competition. Find out more at www.letsincludelandon.org. Here is the shirt referenced in the show: As always, this episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Shop Innersense using this link https://tidd.ly/47mWg4F and when you complete a purchase after clicking, WSA earns 35% commission during the holidays through 1/2/2026. Plus if you haven't purchased from Innersense before, use code WSA15 to save 15% on first purchases.

This week, Jen and Brendan are joined by Renie Zitomer. She is the younger sister to Stu Zitomer (WS) and gives us a wonderfully frank look at what it's like to live with (and be primary caregiver to) your brother. From romantic relationships to private time to realizing that things just might be okay, Renie is a fantastic guide in seeing what it is like to live with someone who, as Brendan puts it, is "atrociously social." This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Shop Innersense using this link https://tidd.ly/47mWg4F and when you complete a purchase after clicking, WSA earns 35% commission during the holidays through 1/2/2026. Plus if you haven't purchased from Innersense before, use code WSA15 to save 15% on first purchases.

This week Jen and Brendan are joined by Katie Boland. Along with her brother, Sam, Katie is a usual fixture at WSA Camp working with kiddos and foster a love of music! In addition to camp and music, Katie also talks about her experience going to college and some of the aspirations she has as she continues into adulthood. This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

Joining the show is Sarah Schaefer, WSA Executive Director, to talk about the upcoming WSA International Convention in July 2026! The first batch of info regarding hotels in Buffalo/Niagara will be released this week so it's time to get excited! NOTE: DUE TO A DELAY WITH ONE OF THE HOTELS, RESERVATIONS WILL OPEN ON NOVEMBER 12TH! Remember to go to williams-syndrome.org/convention to see all the latest information. Also, starting with this episode, The Starry-Eyed Podcast will go to a weekly format. New episodes will drop every Tuesday! Make sure you subscribe! As always, this episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

We're back with more Nick Doris, who is leading the WSA's Wellness programming! This week he guides Jen and Brendan through some exercises and discusses the joyous energy that comes from working with a roomful of people with Williams syndrome. Then it's back to the sea with a couple international travelers: Holly Griffin from Western Canada and Dagmar Hakonandottir from Iceland! Together with USA's Nathan Carlton, they talk about what it's like to be on such a huge ship with so many other people with WS! Spoiler: it's pretty awesome! As always, this episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

It's our first two-parter! Jen and Brendan welcome our dear friend Nick Doris to talk about the WSA's Wellness programs: Wellness Wednesday and Mindfulness Mondays. This discussion on mental health and how we treat ourselves and others is so wonderful it couldn't be contained in just one show. Be sure to check out williams-syndrome.org/wellnesswednesday for more information on Nick's work. Then it's back to the high seas where Producer Joel interviewed Kiersten Frickey. The topics range from parents to Kansas to chocolate...but ultimately it was always leading to pie. This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!

This week the pod is joined by Oklahoma's very own Hope Hansen. This wide-ranging discussion covers everything from college and living on your own versus living with roommates, to being a working woman and figuring out just how much Williams syndrome plays a part in your personal identity. Hope is truly a leader in our WS community! This episode is sponsored by Innersense Organic Beauty. Click on THIS LINK and complete your purchase and 25% of your purchase will go back to the WSA! Also use promo code MORGAN15 to get 15% off your first purchase!