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Award‑winning advocate Daniel Smrokowski shares disability stories from an insider’s perspective. As a person with special needs himself, “PodmanDan” brings heart, humor, and lived experience to every conversation.
Special Chronicles is your weekly guide to joy, acceptance, and inclusive storytelling.
In this special crossover episode of Special Chronicles’ Unified at Work Series and Mental Health Series, host Daniel Smrokowski welcomes fellow United Airlines employees Melinda Riddle and Donna Paggi for a powerful conversation about grief, resilience, mental health advocacy, and hope.
Melinda Riddle, Assistant Manager of Inflight, co-founder of UMatter, and volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), shares how the loss of her stepson Bradley inspired her mission to support others through mental health awareness and suicide prevention advocacy.
Donna Paggi, a Customer Service Representative with United Airlines, reflects on the childhood trauma and suicide loss that shaped her life, the challenges of navigating grief and unanswered questions, and the healing that can come through sharing one’s story.
Together, these conversations explore how personal loss can lead to purpose, why mental health support matters, the impact of community and connection, and how each of us can help create a culture where people feel seen, heard, and supported.
Topics Include:
- Mental health awareness and advocacy
- Suicide loss and grief
- AFSP Out of the Darkness Walks
- UMatter at United Airlines
- Childhood trauma and resilience
- Healing through storytelling
- Workplace mental health support
- Inclusion, connection, and community
Listener Discretion Advised: This episode contains discussion of suicide, grief, trauma, and mental health challenges.
If you or someone you know is struggling, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
04:45 Melinda Riddle’s story of profound loss
38:49 Donna Paggi’s story of childhood trauma and suicide loss
59:25 Closing
Episode 862 ShowNotes & Links
Watch this full episode on YouTube (and subscribe while you there!)
Learn about suicide, how you can help prevent it, and resources for those affected, from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Houston Out of the Darkness Walk Sept 26, 2026
Register and Donate: Chicagoland Out of the Darkness Walk Oct 3, 2026
Follow our Unified at Work Series for more conversations in inclusive employment
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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.
About Our Team:
Daniel Smrokowski, Founder
Darian Packard, Content Producer
Adam Smrokowski, Business Manager
Linda Smrokowski, Copy Editor
Georgia Hunter, Video Podcast Host
click here to meet more of our team
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- 💡Partner: ComEd
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Music Credits:
- 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.
About Daniel
Founder, Special Chronicles
Daniel Smrokowski is an award-winning disability advocate, journalist, podcaster, and public speaker dedicated to advancing inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is the founder and host of Special Chronicles, a long-running and internationally recognized media platform that shares stories, interviews, and podcasts highlighting the achievements, experiences, and voices of people with disabilities.
In 18 years, Special Chronicles has produced more than 1,000 episodes, reached over 100,000 website views, and achieved more than 50,000 podcast downloads, using storytelling and journalism to promote inclusion, accessibility, and disability awareness. For his commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices through media, Daniel received the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice.
In addition to his media work, Daniel serves as a Service Ambassador at United Airlines based in Chicago and is a longtime Special Olympics athlete leader. He has held one of the movement’s highest athlete leadership positions as a Sargent Shriver Global Messenger, representing Special Olympics through public speaking, leadership, and international advocacy.
Through his work in media, advocacy, and leadership, Daniel inspires audiences to see disability inclusion not as a limitation, but as an opportunity to build stronger, more connected communities.
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