Celebrating International Podcast Day
By Daniel Smrokowski,
Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger | Special Olympics Illinois
Twelve years ago, I founded Special Chronicles, leading the way as a person with intellectual disabilities who produces weekly podcasts. I’ve grown to become a veteran and award-winning podcast producer, who gives respect and voice to not only myself, but my fellow Special Olympics athletes across the globe. This International Podcast Day on September 30, I hope you will join our community of podcast listeners on specialchronicles.com.
In 2008, I began podcasting with a single podcast show. I started The Special Chronicles Show’s podcast to create understanding for those with intellectual disabilities. I discovered in the mainstream media and society that many people didn’t understand us or would make fun of us. At the same time, within my first year of podcasting, I became an Athlete Leader in my home state of Illinois. I recorded the audio of speeches I was giving and uploaded the audio as podcasts. Soon listeners started sending me messages of encouragement and support. Within the first year or so, I learned that this was a powerful platform for our stories to be heard — the stories of those of us people with special abilities.
In early August 2020, I had an opportunity to talk with Matthew West, a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter who has received multiple awards, co-hosted the K-LOVE Fan Awards, authored five books and recently started his podcast. In Matthew West’s latest music video, “Walking Miracles,” he features a young boy with cerebral palsy who is a Special Olympics athlete. Matthew and I talk about the story behind his song “Walking Miracles,” and talk about inclusion at his concerts. Listen to a Special Chronicles Conversation with Matthew West at specialchronicles.com/podcast382.
My focus is on podcasting disability stories from an insider’s perspective. But it’s more than that. It’s really about the topics we are interested in — the stories of our lives — which audiences will soon learn can be similar to those without disabilities — some differences and challenges, but also similar. The mission of The Special Chronicles Podcast Network is giving respect and voice to people with special needs.
In late August 2020, I had another amazing opportunity to sit down for my second conversation with Apolo Ohno, an eight-time Olympic Medalist and one of our Special Olympics Global Ambassadors. Apolo and I talked about his early years growing up and becoming an eight-time Olympic medalist and the most decorated Winter Olympian in U.S. History. Apolo also shared lessons he learned from sports and advice on staying focused. We preview the upcoming Special Olympics World Winter Games in Kazan, Russia, in January 2022. Finally, Apolo talks about living the quarantine life, which leads to giving us a preview of his NEW book titled Hard Pivot, to be released in 2021. Listen to a Special Chronicles Conversation with Apolo Ohno at specialchronicles.com/podcast385.
I believe podcasts are so popular and powerful because it’s an intimate platform. Many of the podcasts are unstructured and close to reality. It’s real-life conversations, real-life stories that listeners can relate and connect to those speaking. Once a listener is able to connect with the content on podcasts, it becomes powerful. And now, 12 years after I first started, it’s become popular. So popular that many, many people — from celebrities to even my fellow Special Olympics Athlete Leaders — are starting their own podcasts!
I spoke with the Special Olympics Chief Health Officer and two of my fellow Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers (SSIGM’s) in a three-part Inclusive Conversations Series. In part 1, I spoke to Special Olympics Chief Health Officer Dr. Alicia Bazzano about several issues, from how health professionals can better serve people with intellectual disabilities to the Special Olympics Return To Activities protocol after COVID-19. In part 2, I spoke to my fellow SSIGM’s Renee and Hanna, who also serve as global Health Messengers.
Listen to our Inclusive Health Conversations Series on specialchronicles.com/health
Listen to Part 1 featuring Dr. Alicia Bazzano at specialchronicles.com/podcast381
Listen to Part 2 featuring Renee & Hanna at specialchronicles.com/podcast388
I spread the idea of inclusion through my podcasts first from the behind-the-scenes production team through on-air guests. The volunteer producers that assist me are often parents and those without disabilities. From an Emmy-winning TV producer to TV sitcom actor to authors, some of the guests, filmmakers, parents and students often don’t have a disability. Because I shine a light on people with and without disabilities in all my podcasts from 12 years ago to today, audiences can see inclusion in action. That is the best way I am able to spread the idea of inclusion through my podcasts.
Through the hundreds of podcast episodes I’ve produced over the years, I’m “showing people giftedness, strength, compassion, humor, and in always providing that we all deserve a place and you’re making that possible for millions of people,” said Tim Shriver, Chairman of our Movement, on Episode 301 of The Special Chronicles Show.
“You are a role model for many, many Special Olympics athletes, but you’re a role model for the rest of us too, and never underestimate the good you’re doing. It’s hard work what you’ve chosen to do. It takes a lot of determination, persistence,” said Tim Shriver.
A favorite memory I have recording my podcasts — — that’s tough. I have many. Hundreds of podcasts. Thousands of listeners. One of my favorite memories was a chance to have a conversation, an interview with Tim Shriver, Chairman of our Special Olympics movement. This was in July of 2018 during the 50th Anniversary celebration in Chicago. It was one of my best podcast episodes to date. It was 10 years in the making of practice, courage, and persistence to get this opportunity. Tim and I recorded in the hallway of a hotel in downtown Chicago. We had a small podcast crew with a few cameras, a small social media team. And a small live audience walking by. It was awesome and probably one of my favorite memories of recording my podcasts!
As we concluded the twenty-minute podcast episode, Tim Shriver shared the following with our listeners about the work I am doing to make a difference in our society: “But the world, people notice and you’re teaching people powerful lessons about the best of humanity and I thank you for it.”
Listen to a Special Chronicles Conversation with Tim Shriver at specialchronicles.com/podcast301
I think it’s important for my podcast to exist to LEAD THE WAY when it comes to self-advocacy in the media. It’s also important for my podcast to exist to BE A PLATFORM for people of all abilities to come to as a place to be understood. A place to be respected. A place guests and audiences can trust for true, real-life conversations, real-life stories to be heard on a global platform as specialchronicles.com.
Tips I have for someone to start a podcast is to think, listen, and act. Think of the podcast episode topics, listen to the guests, and act authentically on the digital airwaves just as you do in person. Also, to know the podcast’s purpose or mission of what you want to talk about on your show. For more expert tips for anyone interested in starting a podcast, I encourage you to check out this Expert Tips Video Series episode I did on SpecialOlympics.org on “How to prepare podcast conversations” — just CLICK HERE to watch or go to specialolympics.org and look under “Stories” then “Athletes” or search for my name “Daniel Smrokowski.”
Walker from CLICKON media agency, in collaboration with Special Olympics North America, hosted a conversation with me regarding International Podcast Day and Special Chronicles. We talked about the focus of Special Chronicles podcasts, why podcasts are popular and powerful, leading the way in self advocacy, spreading inclusion, podcaster media producer tips, favorite memories and much more! Listen to a Special Chronicles Conversation regarding International Podcast Day at specialchronicles.com/podcast390.
On International Podcast Day, I hope this will be the start of you joining our community of thousands of podcast listeners. Like many of our audience at Special Chronicles have told me, they’ve been inspired to use their talents and gifts by hearing the real-life stories of those of us with different abilities. I know once you become a listener, you’ll be empowered to make a difference and join our Inclusion Revolution. Listen for Free and On Demand: specialchronicles.com/show.
And if you love and are inspired by the podcasts I produce, would you please support these digital media productions? In celebration of the 12-year anniversary in November 2020, my team at Special Chronicles is raising $12,000, so we can continue to produce the award-winning podcasts that give respect and voice to people with special needs. Support this podcast at specialchronicles.com/give.
