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Chromosomes & Chaos
Welcome to Chromosomes & Chaos, hosted by Patty and Amber, two moms from Iowa navigating life with kids who have Down syndrome! This podcast is a mix of laughter, honesty, and heart.
We share our personal stories, different viewpoints, and the triumphs (and messes!) of raising multiple kids in a busy world. From therapies to school, doctor visits to dance parties, and everything in between, no topic is off-limits.
Whether you’re a parent, sibling, family member, friend, or advocate, Chromosomes & Chaos is a space for connection, awareness, and community. Join us each week to celebrate life, share experiences, and remind each other that with a little chaos, comes a lot of love.
New episodes every Tuesday—listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
19 episodes
From Fear to Fierce Love: Mallory & Marty’s Story
In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we sit down with Mallory (AKA Mart's Mom) and her 4-month-old son, Marty, for a conversation that will move you, stretch you, and remind you what really matters.From receiving a birth ...
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Episode 19
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1:13:33
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A Down Syndrome Story: From Living On His Own To Being The Top Powerlifter In Iowa
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 Chr...
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Episode 18
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1:11:56
Sickness, Surgery & Starting Over: February, We’re Ready!!!!
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-fill...
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Episode 17
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31:38
Sending Kids with Down Syndrome to College: The Ruby Rainbow Mission
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 breakin...
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Episode 16
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50:20
Talking to Kids About Disabilities & Differences
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, an...
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Episode 15
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39:52
Down Syndrome: Unlearning the Narrative
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 goa...
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Episode 14
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38:58
New Year's Resolutions: Are We In or Out?!?!!?
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 <...
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Episode 13
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45:04
Merry, Messy & Real: Navigating the Chaos of the Holidays
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 t...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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37:43
Sober in a Season of Pressure
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...
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37:55
The Right Doctor Matters: Pediatric Insights with Dr. Lisa
On this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lisa — a powerhouse pediatrician and a fellow mom to a daughter with Down syndrome. ❤️We dive into conversations every new family deserves to hear, including:✨ How to find the right pediatrician...
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42:17
Chromosomes & Chaos: The Friendships That Find Us
Friendships don’t all start the same… and they definitely don’t all last the same.Some fade. Some fight to stay. And some arrive because of a diagnosis you never asked for.In this episode, we kick things off in Chaos Corner, ans...
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49:37
Overwhlemed & Grateful: Interview with Jillian Benfield!!!!!
This week on Chromosomes & Chaos, we got to sit down with the incredible Jillian Benfield — author of Overwhelmed & Grateful and The Gift of the Unexpected. 💛Jillian was one of the very first...
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Episode 8
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28:45
How To Overcome The Heavy Seasons of Life
This week gets a little wild in Chaos Corner as Amber shares a CRAZY story you don’t want to miss 🤯. We also dive into a few listener Q&As about our favorite things about Addi and Pierce, and wrap up with a real conversation o...
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Episode 7
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38:12
IEPs & The Chaos That Comes With It
This week on Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re talking IEPs — what they really mean, how to advocate for your child, and a few lessons we’ve learned the hard way. Whether you’re brand new to the IEP world or have a few under your bel...
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Episode 6
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44:55
The Babies We Hold In Our Hearts: Honoring Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month
In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, host Patty opens up about one of the most difficult chapters of her life — losing her son Hudson shortly after the birth of her daughter Addi. 💔Patty shares her stor...
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Episode 5
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31:04
5 Common Myths About Raising a Child with Down Syndrome
In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re tackling some of the biggest myths and misconceptions about raising a child with Down syndrome — the ones we heard before (and even after) our own journeys began.From outdated beli...
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Episode 4
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41:51
The Moment We Found Out--Our Diagnosis Stories
In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re getting real about one of the biggest moments in our journeys — the moment we received our Down syndrome diagnosis.Was it at birth? Prenatal? A surprise in the delivery room? No ma...
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Episode 3
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31:07
How Patty & Amber Met
From GiGi’s to Gold’s Gym to the wild world of social media—our paths kept crossing until we finally realized we were meant to team up. In this episode, we’re sharing the story of how two busy Iowa moms raising kids with Down syndrome went from...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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12:06
Welcome to the Chromosomes & Chaos Podcast
Meet your hosts: Patty & Amber!! On this trailer episode we give you some insight on who we are, how we both have kids with Down syndrome (who also happen to be our oldest) and how we both juggle multiple kids, busy schedules, and all the c...
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Episode 1
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3:58
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