Road To 2026USA Games Ep.2: Athlete Advisory Council

On this Episode 2 of Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: A Special Chronicles Podcast Series, we take you behind the scenes with a two incredible athlete leaders — David Booth and Shaun Linsey, co-chairs of the Athlete Advisory Council for the 2026 USA Games. Hosted by Daniel Smrokowski — founder of Special Chronicles, Special Olympics Athlete Leader with Team Illinois, and former Sargent Shriver Global Messenger — this episode explores how athlete leaders shape the athlete experience, influence decision‑making, and help build a more inclusive movement on the road to the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota. You’ll hear: How David and Shaun became athlete leaders What the Athlete Advisory Council does How athlete voice impacts the 2026 USA Games Their hopes, challenges, and vision for the future of inclusion Whether you’re an athlete, volunteer, partner, or champion of inclusion, this episode gives you a front‑row seat to the leadership shaping the Games. Episode 838 ShowNotes & Links 📱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  🎧Follow the Podcast Series: Road to Special Olympics 2026 USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series for all episodes and subscribe to the full series 🎧 Follow the Special Chronicles Podcast wherever you get your podcasts ⭐ 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. 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.