In this episode of The Special Chronicles Podcast, host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Michelle Mark, Director of Athlete Leadership and Family Initiatives, and Emily Sullivan, Assistant Director of Athlete Leadership and Family Initiatives at Special Olympics Illinois.

Together, they explore the exciting updates to Athlete Leadership University (ALU) — a new, structured approach to helping athletes grow as leaders. Topics include:

• What it means to be an athlete leader today
• Why the new ALU structure was created
• How the program supports leadership development at every level
• The future vision for Athlete Leadership at Special Olympics Illinois
• The role of athlete voice and feedback in shaping programs

Whether you're already involved in Athlete Leadership or just getting started, this episode offers valuable insight into how athletes are leading the inclusion movement — and how you can be part of it.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss a story that gives respect and a voice to people with special needs!

📺Watch The Full Episode Here

• Connect with Special Olympics Illinois Athlete Leadership

• Listen and Follow at SpecialChronicles.com/Pod
• 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts
• 📺Like watching your podcasts? See Full Episodes on YouTube
• Support This Podcast: Click Here to Donate Now and support the mission of Special Chronicles
• ➕Join SpecialChronicles+ PLUS! Go to SpecialChronicles.com/PLUS for our Premium Pre Show with behind the scenes podcast chats, exclusive bonus content, and to help support the show.
• 🛒Shop Our Merch: Shop Our Disabled Voices Matter Collection
• 📱Follow us on Socials: @SpecialChronicles
• 📧Email: Send us a message here
• 📧Newsletter: Subscribe to our Mailing List HERE
• 🎤Speaking Engagements with Daniel: Learn more and Book Daniel to speak HERE
• 💡Partner: ComEd EnergyForce
• ✈️Partner: United Airlines Bridge BRG
• 📻Podcast Hosting: Podbean
• 📡Recording Studio: StreamYard
• 🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge Now!
• Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission.

Daniel Smrokowski is a columnist and the founder and host of the award-winning podcast, Special Chronicles, which has released over 750 episodes in over 15 years. In recognition of these accomplishments, Daniel is a recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice for his efforts through media to give people with disabilities a voice. Read more about Daniel HERE

🎙️In this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Recorded LIVE at Theater on the Lake in Chicago, Join host Daniel Smrokowski (with a cameo from his love, Georgia) as The Improvaneers bring their Midwest Tour to the stage. Hear from Director Liz, mom of Improvaneer named Emily, plus real audience reactions — all in this inspiring, behind-the-scenes look at inclusion, performance, and personal growth.

• Tour & Film Here: Burn The Script DocuSeries
• Learn more about The Improvaneers: TheImprovaneerMethod.com

• Listen and Follow at SpecialChronicles.com/Pod
• 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts
• 📺Like watching your podcasts? Click here to Watch This Full Episode or See Full Episodes on YouTube
• Support This Podcast: Click Here to Donate Now and support the mission of Special Chronicles
• ➕Join SpecialChronicles+ PLUS! Go to SpecialChronicles.com/PLUS for our Premium Pre Show with behind the scenes podcast chats, exclusive bonus content, and to help support the show.
• 🛒Shop Our Merch: Shop Our Disabled Voices Matter Collection
• 📱Follow us on Socials: @SpecialChronicles
• 📧Email: Send us a message here
• 📧Newsletter: Subscribe to our Mailing List HERE
• 🎤Speaking Engagements with Daniel: Learn more and Book Daniel to speak HERE
• 💡Partner: ComEd EnergyForce
• ✈️Partner: United Airlines Bridge BRG
• 📻Podcast Hosting: Podbean
• 📡Recording Studio: StreamYard
• 🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge Now!
• Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission.

Daniel Smrokowski is a columnist and the founder and host of the award-winning podcast, Special Chronicles, which has released over 750 episodes in over 15 years. In recognition of these accomplishments, Daniel is a recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice for his efforts through media to give people with disabilities a voice. Read more about Daniel HERE

In this powerful episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, host Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Rob Snow, comedian, speaker, and creator of The Improvaneers, the world’s first all-Down syndrome improv troupe, and with Nick Doyle, Assistant Director/National Sales Executive, from The Improvaneer Method.

Rob and Nick share how a casual conversation turned into a life-changing movement, the impact of the Improvaneer Method, and how improv is helping individuals with developmental disabilities gain confidence, communication skills, and new opportunities. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming film documenting this powerful journey.

• Click HERE to purchase tickets to The Improvaneers Midwest Tour Theatre On The Lake August 7th
• TheImprovaneerMethod.com
• Burn The Script DocuSeries

• Listen and Follow at SpecialChronicles.com/Pod
• 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts
• 📺Like watching your podcasts? Click here to Watch This Full Episode OR See Full Episodes on YouTube
• Support This Podcast: Click Here to Donate Now and support the mission of Special Chronicles
• ➕Join SpecialChronicles+ PLUS! Go to SpecialChronicles.com/PLUS for our Premium Pre Show with behind the scenes podcast chats, exclusive bonus content, and to help support the show.
• 🛒Shop Our Merch: Shop Our Disabled Voices Matter Collection
• 📱Follow us on Socials: @SpecialChronicles
• 📧Email: Send us a message here
• 📧Newsletter: Subscribe to our Mailing List HERE
• 🎤Speaking Engagements with Daniel: Learn more and Book Daniel to speak HERE
• 💡Partner: ComEd EnergyForce
• ✈️Partner: United Airlines Bridge BRG
• 📻Podcast Hosting: Podbean
• 📡Recording Studio: StreamYard
• 🥇PSA: Sign the Inclusion Pledge Now!
• Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission.

Daniel Smrokowski is a columnist and the founder and host of the award-winning podcast, Special Chronicles, which has released over 750 episodes in over 15 years. In recognition of these accomplishments, Daniel is a recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice for his efforts through media to give people with disabilities a voice. Read more about Daniel HERE