Twenty-eight years ago, Bonnie received a diagnosis that changed everything.
She was scared. Unsure of the future. Unsure of how the world would see her son—or her family.

Today, Issac is thriving.

In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, Bonnie and her son Isaac sit down to share their journey—from fear and uncertainty to confidence, independence, and strength. Isaac lives on his own and is now one of the top three powerlifters in the state of Iowa, redefining what’s possible every single day.

This is a conversation about resilience, belief, and refusing to let a diagnosis write the ending.

If you need a reminder of how powerful support, opportunity, and determination can be—this episode is for you.

🎧 Give this episode a listen.

January tested us.
Sickness.
Surgeries.
Schedules blown up.
Plans derailed.

And honestly? Survival mode was the win.

But February?
February is a reset.

Not a “new year, new you” kind of reset…
A grace-filled, meet-yourself-where-you-are reset.

On this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, a podcast about real life parenting, advocacy, fitness, and navigating the beautiful chaos that comes with raising kids with Down syndrome (and everything else life throws at you), we’re talking about:

• Letting go of January guilt
• Navigating sickness & surgery without losing yourself
• Why resets don’t have to be perfect to be powerful
• How to restart routines when life has been chaotic

If January knocked you sideways, this one’s for you.
Turn the page. Take a breath. Let’s reset together. 💛

🎧 Listen now

In this episode, we sit down with Liz from Ruby Rainbow, an incredible nonprofit on a mission to send individuals with Down syndrome to college—because higher education should be accessible to everyone.

We talk about breaking outdated expectations, why post-secondary education matters for individuals with Down syndrome, and how Ruby Rainbow is creating real opportunities through college scholarships and advocacy. Liz shares the heart behind the mission, the impact these scholarships have on students and families, and why belief and access can change the trajectory of a life.

We also dive into the upcoming 321 Pledge, a powerful way to support inclusive education and help open college doors for students with Down syndrome across the country.

This episode is for parents, advocates, educators, and anyone who believes that extra chromosomes don’t mean fewer possibilities.

💛 Learn how you can be part of the movement.
🌈 Learn why college is possible—and necessary—for individuals with Down syndrome.
🎓 Learn how the 321 Pledge helps make it happen.

In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we dive into a question every parent faces sooner or later:

What do you say when your child notices — and asks about — disabilities and differences?

Kids are curious, observant, and honest… sometimes uncomfortably so. And too often, parents freeze, shush, or say “don’t stare” without knowing what to say next.

We talk about why these questions are normal, how our reactions shape our children’s understanding of disability, and how to respond with honesty, respect, and confidence. From simple language to real-life scripts, we explore how to normalize differences, model inclusion, and raise kids who aren’t afraid of what’s different from them.

This episode is for parents who want to:
Answer hard questions without fear or awkwardness
Teach kindness without pity
Replace silence with understanding
Raise inclusive, compassionate humans

Because the goal isn’t perfect answers — it’s brave conversations and being understanding about curiosity!!

On this episode, we talk about the things we had to unlearn after having a child with an extra chromosome.

We had to unlearn timelines and expectations.

Unlearn comparison, control, and the idea that “normal” is the goal.

Unlearn the fear-based narratives and limits that were placed on our child before they ever had the chance to show us who they are.

This episode is about releasing what we thought parenting was supposed to look like—and embracing patience over pressure, progress over pace, and connection over checklists.

And it’s a reminder that sometimes the greatest growth comes not from learning more—but from letting go.

In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re diving headfirst into the chaos of the New Year. Are New Year’s resolutions actually helpful… or are we officially over them? 👀

We talk about the pressure to “start fresh,” what really works when it comes to goals, and how to approach the New Year without burning out by January. Spoiler alert: it’s not about perfection.

Plus, we wrap it up with our Christmas & Chaos Corner—the good, the messy, the emotional, and everything in between that the holidays bring.

If you’re feeling hopeful, skeptical, exhausted, or all of the above about the New Year… this one’s for you. 🎄✨

The holidays are here—and so is the chaos 🎄😅 In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re leaning into the fun, the mess, and the magic of the season. From hilarious hypotheticals to real-life holiday struggles, we laugh our way through traditions, parenting moments, and the beautifully imperfect reality of family life. It’s lighthearted, relatable, and exactly the reminder we all need that the holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Grab your coffee (or eggnog) and join us for some festive fun and honest conversation.

This week on Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re diving into a topic that hits hard this time of year—sobriety.

The holidays are filled with joy… but also pressure.
Pressure to drink.
Pressure to “join in.”
Pressure to numb instead of feel.

We’re talking about what it actually looks like to stay sober (or simply cut back) in a season where alcohol is everywhere—family gatherings, work parties, stress, expectations, and all the chaos in between.

If you’ve ever felt out of place saying “no thanks,” if you’re rethinking your relationship with alcohol, or if you just want to feel more in control this season… this episode is for you.

This is an honest conversation about boundaries, confidence, choosing yourself, and rewriting what holiday “fun” even means.

Tune in. You’re not alone in this.