On episode 4 of Road to Special Olympics USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, we dive into the heart of what powers every Special Olympics athlete: their support system. From coaches who guide athletes toward the national stage to families who cheer through every high and low, this episode highlights the people who make the journey possible.
You’ll hear from Coach Matt Corso of Team Illinois Bowling and family member Cathy O’Neill, whose daughter Katie is competing in Gymnastics, as well as Team Illinois staff member Katelin Zandi who powerfully shares how inclusion doesn’t see disability. Together, they reveal how encouragement, partnership, and community shape the road to the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota.
Chapters:
0:00 – Episode Intro - Welcome to Episode 4 and today’s theme: the support systems behind every athlete.
2:00 – Coach Interview: Matt Corso (Team Illinois Bowling) - Coach Matt shares his coaching philosophy, how he prepares athletes for USA Games, recognizing athlete struggles, partnering with families, managing pressure, and what inclusion means to him.
29:30 – Family Interview: Cathy O’Neill (Parent of Team Illinois Gymnastics Athlete) - Cathy reflects on being part of her daughter Katie’s support system, the excitement of Minnesota hosting, daily encouragement at home, emotional moments, navigating nerves, celebrating growth, and the meaning of inclusion.
1:25:00 – Community Impact: Katelin Zandi (Team Illinois Staff) - Katelin discusses her role supporting athletes, the power of local programs, Midwest pride, what a strong support system looks like from a staff perspective, and the long‑term legacy of the Games. Jump to: Staff Interview
1:59:00 – Episode Wrap‑Up & Outro - A reflection on the power of support systems and how they shape the Special Olympics movement.
Episode 840 ShowNotes & Links
🎧Follow the full 10‑part Road to 2026USAGames Series at SpecialChronicles.com/2026USAGames for all episodes and subscribe to the full series and remember: Choose To Include.
📱Follow the journey of 3,000 athletes by downloading the USA Games app — search “USA GAMES” in your app store.
👨💻Learn more about Special Olympics 2026 USA Games at: 2026USAGames.org
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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 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.
Darian Packard is a Content Producer at Special Chronicles and Global Advisor for Special Olympics CHEER, a worldwide inclusive cheerleading movement. She is the mother of four children, including a daughter with Williams syndrome, and is passionate about advancing inclusion and disability awareness.
Linda Smrokowski serves as a Copy Editor at Special Chronicles, bringing her background as a retired foreign language teacher and former Trader Joe’s Crew Member to her editorial work. She is the mother of founder Daniel Smrokowski, as well as a proud mother of two daughters, mother-in-law to two sons-in-law, and a grandmother to two granddaughters and one grandson. Linda is also an active musician, playing flute in the choir at St. Cletus Parish.
Adam Smrokowski is the Business Manager at Special Chronicles. He is the father of Founder Daniel Smrokowski, as well as two daughters, and is a proud father-in-law and grandfather to two granddaughters and one grandson. Adam supports the organization’s mission through leadership, service, and family-centered advocacy.
