On this Mental Health Awareness Month episode on the Special Chronicles Podcast, host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes listeners to our 3‑part mental health series, featuring weekly encore conversations designed to empower audiences with firsthand resources, real stories, and practical tools to support emotional well‑being.

In this episode, Daniel is joined by Brianna Kaplan, a Chicago‑based United Airlines Flight Attendant. Brianna appears On The Job for a fun, uplifting, and meaningful conversation about her mental health advocacy and the way she shares her flight attendant lifestyle across Instagram and YouTube.

Together, Daniel and Brianna explore:

• Brianna’s personal mental health journey and her passion for advocacy
• Encouragement and advice for anyone navigating mental health challenges
• How Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia portrays mental health and why representation matters
• Brianna’s path to becoming a United Flight Attendant
• Practical, insider tips for those dreaming of joining the In‑Flight Team at United

It’s an honest, energizing, and inspiring episode that highlights the importance of mental health, storytelling, and community.

👉 Show notes & resources: SpecialChronicles.com/MentalHealth 🎧 Follow, subscribe, and join our newsletter so you never miss an episode: ⭐ Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app 📺 Watch full episodes (video) on YouTube

❤️ Support the mission of Special Chronicles by donating or joining the PLUS membership

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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.

Founder, Special Chronicles

Daniel Smrokowski is an award-winning podcaster, columnist, and disability advocate, best known as the founder and host of Special Chronicles, a groundbreaking podcast platform featuring over 800 episodes produced across 17 years. Through storytelling and journalism, Daniel amplifies the voices of people with disabilities while promoting inclusion, awareness, and social change. In recognition of his impact, he 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 | 🎧 Discover Daniel’s Story – Listen here

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast, host Daniel Smrokowski is joined by Carolyn Cronin as they continue the show’s Mental Health Awareness Month 3‑Part Series.

This week’s encore episode features an honest and supportive conversation about coping with stress and anxiety during a challenging time. Daniel and Carolyn share practical strategies for staying mentally strong, along with simple at‑home activities that can help listeners support their emotional wellbeing. They also highlight the Strong Minds discipline of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes, exploring how its tools can help individuals build healthier habits and strengthen resilience.

Throughout May, the podcast is releasing weekly episodes filled with firsthand mental health resources and real stories from across the Special Olympics Movement.

👉 Show notes & resources: SpecialChronicles.com/MentalHealth 🎧 Follow, subscribe, and join our newsletter so you never miss an episode ⭐ Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app 📺 Watch full episodes (video) on YouTube

❤️ Support the mission of Special Chronicles by donating or joining the PLUS membership

👕 Shop our ‘Disabled Voices Matter’ Merch

📱 Follow us on socials: @SpecialChronicles (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)

📰 Subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates from Special Chronicles

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.

Founder, Special Chronicles

Daniel Smrokowski is an award-winning podcaster, columnist, and disability advocate, best known as the founder and host of Special Chronicles, a groundbreaking podcast platform featuring over 800 episodes produced across 17 years. Through storytelling and journalism, Daniel amplifies the voices of people with disabilities while promoting inclusion, awareness, and social change. In recognition of his impact, he 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 | 🎧 Discover Daniel’s Story – Listen here

This week on the Special Chronicles Podcast, we are honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with a powerful encore conversation — and the Season 2 Finale of our Inclusive Health Series.

Host Daniel Smrokowski is joined by Margaret Turley, Sargent Shriver Global Messenger from Ireland, who brings her leadership, compassion, and lived experience to a meaningful discussion about Strong Minds, one of the essential disciplines within Special Olympics Healthy Athletes.

Together, Daniel and Margaret explore:

• The emotional and physical signs of stress
• Why Strong Minds is a vital part of Inclusive Health
• Practical tools athletes can use to build healthy coping strategies
• How Margaret encourages athletes worldwide to embrace Strong Minds on and off the playing field

Drawing from Daniel’s own five years as a Sargent Shriver Global Messenger, this episode highlights the importance of mental wellness for athlete leaders working at the international level — and why Strong Minds matters for every athlete’s journey.

Let’s strengthen our minds, our health, and our community — one story at a time.

👉 Show notes & resources: SpecialChronicles.com/MentalHealth 🎧 Follow, subscribe, and join our newsletter so you never miss an episode: ⭐ Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app

📺 Watch full episodes (video) on YouTube

❤️ Support the mission of Special Chronicles by donating or joining the PLUS membership

👕 Shop our ‘Disabled Voices Matter’ Merch

📱 Follow us on socials: @SpecialChronicles (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)

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.

Founder, Special Chronicles

Daniel Smrokowski is an award-winning podcaster, columnist, and disability advocate, best known as the founder and host of Special Chronicles, a groundbreaking podcast platform featuring over 800 episodes produced across 17 years. Through storytelling and journalism, Daniel amplifies the voices of people with disabilities while promoting inclusion, awareness, and social change. In recognition of his impact, he 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 | 🎧 Discover Daniel’s Story – Listen here