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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
30 episodes
The National Holiday That Doesn't Exist (But Should)
🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Chromosomes & Chaos 🎙️Okay, hear us out...There’s a National Donut Day.There’s a National Pizza Day.There’s even a National Talk Like a Pirate Day. 🏴☠️But there isn't a National Special Needs Da...
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“Nobody Prepared Us for This”: Raising Jacob After His Down Syndrome Diagnosis
Welcome back to Chromosomes & Chaos — the podcast where we keep it real about parenting, diagnoses, advocacy, and the beautiful chaos in between.In this episode, we sit down with Leanne to talk about her 9-year-old son, Jaco...
Our Special Needs Life: We Are Done Explaining!!
There’s a layer of life that not everyone sees—the constant questions, the stares, the assumptions, the need people feel to understand… or worse, to judge.In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re saying it clearly: WE ARE DONE ...
We’re Taking the Summer Off… Supposedly 👀
Summer is here… and apparently we’re “taking the summer off.” But are we really? And more importantly… does anyone actually believe Patty can do that? 😅In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re talking all things ...
Haters, CPAPs & Youth Sports Chaos: Building Thick Skin in a Loud World
Welcome back to Chromosomes & Chaos—where real life gets loud, unfiltered, and a little messy (just how we like it).This episode hits on something EVERYONE deals with but no one really prepares you for… online trolls and ...
The Truth About Confidence (No One Tells You This)
CONFIDENCE.Not the kind you’re born with…The kind you build.In this episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re diving into what it really takes to have the confidence to go after what you want in life—
If Your Child Elopes, You NEED to Hear This!!!!!
On our newest episode of Chromosomes & Chaos, we’re diving into a topic that so many families understand all too well—eloping.We’re sharing real-life experiences with our kiddos, along with the safety tips, strategies, and l...
After the Diagnosis: Real Talk About Teens with Down Syndrome
“If you’ve ever wondered what the teenage years REALLY look like after a diagnosis… this is the episode.”If this is your first time here—welcome to Chromosomes & Chaos 💛This podcast is about real stories from 2 moms who have...
WEAR BLUE & YELLOW 💛💙 | 3.21 Is Coming!!!!!
We’re giving you a Gala Update + getting READY for Down Syndrome Awareness Day (3.21)👉 Wear your BLUE & YELLOW👉 Show up👉 Spread awareness👉 Celebrate the extra chromosome that makes the world betterIf you’re new h...
Sober on St. Patty’s Day?! 13 Years Strong!!!!
🍀 NEW EPISODE: Chromosomes & Chaos 🍀St. Patty’s Day looks different for everyone… and today, we’re celebrating something WAY bigger than green beer.🎉 Patty is celebrating 13 YEARS SOBER 🎉Let that sink in. 13 years of cho...
5,000 Strong: How a Diagnosis Built Mental Toughness + A Podcast
🎉 5,000 DOWNLOADS… WHAT?! 🎉We are celebrating a HUGE milestone today — 5,000 downloads of Chromosomes & Chaos.Seriously… thank you. Every listen, every share, every message — it means more than you know. What sta...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 <...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...