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 through traditions, parenting moments, and the beautifully imperfect reality of family life. It’s lighthearted, relatable, and exactly the reminder we all need that the holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Grab your coffee (or eggnog) and join us for some festive fun and honest conversation.

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 to numb instead of feel.

We’re talking about what it actually looks like to stay sober (or simply cut back) in a season where alcohol is everywhere—family gatherings, work parties, stress, expectations, and all the chaos in between.

If you’ve ever felt out of place saying “no thanks,” if you’re rethinking your relationship with alcohol, or if you just want to feel more in control this season… this episode is for you.

This is an honest conversation about boundaries, confidence, choosing yourself, and rewriting what holiday “fun” even means.

Tune in. You’re not alone in this.

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 for your child
✨ Whether doctors are getting better at delivering a Down syndrome diagnosis
✨ What resources, support, and community are available for families receiving the news for the first time
✨ Plus — an important tool for parents and providers: the Down Syndrome–specific growth charts from the CDC (a must-know for tracking your child’s development).
https://www.cdc.gov/birth-defects/hcp/down-syndrome-growth-charts/index.html

This one is real, raw, and incredibly helpful.

Whether you’re a new parent, a medical professional, or someone who loves someone with DS — you’ll want to tune in. 💛

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, answering your listener Q&As — including a powerful conversation around comparison being the thief of joy. We’re talking social media spirals, mom guilt, and learning how to come back to your own lane.

Then we dive into friendships:
The ones you grew up with.
The ones you’ve outgrown.
And the ones life hands you through Down syndrome, special needs parenting, and unexpected community.

No sugarcoating. No pretending it’s easy.

Just honest conversation about grief, growth, loyalty, and the friendships that show up when you didn’t even know you needed them.

💬 If you’ve ever felt alone in a crowded room or found family where you least expected it — this episode is for you.

Don’t miss it. 🎙️

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 people we dreamed of interviewing because of the impact she’s had on our families. She writes so beautifully and speaks straight to the heart. ❤️ Her message about finding purpose and beauty in life’s unexpected turns will stick with you long after you listen.

We are SO thankful for her time, her words, and her light. 🌟

👇 Go show her some love!
🌐 Blog: jillianbenfield.com
📸 Instagram: @jillianbenfieldblog
📖 Grab her newest book Overwhelmed & Grateful: https://a.co/d/gsyDxhC

🎧 Tune in now & don’t forget to FOLLOW her and SUBSCRIBE to Chromosomes & Chaos!