In this first episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast LIVE Coverage, host Daniel Smrokowski talks with Speaker, Comedian and Television Writer Zach Anner about his Keynote Presentation “Joyful Grit: Turning Setbacks Into Setups” and about his role as a television writer on the hit ABC sitcom “Speechless.

We’re excited to announce that Special Chronicles provided exclusive LIVE and On-Demand Coverage of the The Arc of Illinois #SUSO2025 – the annual Speak Up and Speak Out Summit that celebrates the voices of people with disabilities.

You’ll hear directly from disability self-advocates, families, speakers, and professionals as they share their voices on leadership, advocacy, and inclusion. This annual self-advocacy conference empowers people with disabilities to speak up for themselves, take action, and create positive change in their communities. Let’s Speak Up. Let’s Speak Out. Let’s Be Heard.

Join The Conversation 💬✨ #SUSO2025 #SpecialChroniclesLIVE

• Listen and Follow at SpecialChronicles.com/Pod
• 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts
• 📺Like watching your podcasts? Watch Full Episode on YouTube
• Learn more about Zach Anner HERE
• 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’s Unified at Work Series, host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes Samantha Alloway, Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois, for an inspiring conversation about the Wings for All program.

Recorded following the August 16, 2025 Wings for All event at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in partneship with United Airlines’ Bridge Disability Business Resource Group, this episode dives into:

• What Wings for All is and why it matters for travelers with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD).
• Behind-the-scenes stories from the event at O’Hare.
• Heartwarming family moments, including a child who overcame fears to board an aircraft for the first time.
• The importance of inclusion in airports, workplaces, schools, and communities.

🌟 Whether you’re a family member, advocate, airline professional, or community leader, this episode will leave you inspired to build a more inclusive world. Listen Now!

• Listen and Follow at SpecialChronicles.com/Pod
• 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts
• 📺Like watching your podcasts? Watch Full Episode on YouTube
• Learn more about The Arc's Wings for All event
• Watch below on Instagram (or click here) Daniel's Instagram Reel highlight video from our ORD Wings for All event

A post shared by Daniel Smrokowski (@podmandan)

• 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

On this encore Special Chronicles Podcast episode: host Daniel Smrokowski shares his keynote from the 2020 Speak Up and Speak Out Summit, presented by The Arc of Illinois and funded by the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. Hear the origin story of Special Chronicles, nearly two decades of disability media storytelling, tips for creating social change, live audience Q&A, and musician Peter Leidy’s song “Speak Up and Speak Out.”

This episode originally aired on November 17, 2020.

• Learn more about The Arc of Illinois' Speak Up and Speak Out Summit, a 3 day conference for people with disabilities

• Listen and Follow at SpecialChronicles.com/Pod
• 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts
• 📺Like watching your podcasts? Watch This Full Episode on YouTube 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