episodic “Soaring High with SKS” is a dive into a beneficial organization for the disabled community. So Kids SOAR, or SKS for short, is a group that assists and educates those with disabilities, both in helping to get employment and improving certain skills or hobbies. In this podcast, PodTechs apprentice and SKS graduate Michael Simmons will be talking with the director of the program, Glenda Fu Smith, to discuss the history of SKS, as well as the various types of courses and activities the program offers.

]]> Soaring High with So Kids SOAR 2025 PodTechs Produced by PodTechs false Produced by PodTechs Production@PodTechs.com en https://pod.co/soaring-high-with-so-kids-soar Thank you to our sponsors, Podtechs and Aspen Spark!

https://www.podtechs.com/

https://www.aspenspark.org/

Join us as we celebrate resilience, community, and the power of believing in every individual's ability to SOAR.

https://www.sokidssoar.org

Welcome back to Soaring High with So Kids SOAR (SKS), hosted by Glenda Fu Smith and Michael Simmons! Join us as we take a dive into SKS and learn how they help youth to Strive, Own, Achieve, and Realize their potential!

In this episode, we talk with YTPS graduate Milan King, along with Washington Spirit Player Nicole Barnhart! Join us as we discuss what inspires the two and how to manage stress through various hobbies, such as art and cooking. Additionally, the guests play a quick game of cooking password! Can you guess the words?

]]> Driven to Succeed Driven to Succeed 00:23:42 7e9a37ba-5a13-4967-84f0-a2de436c569f PodTechs 7 full false https://www.sokidssoar.org Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:00:25 +0000 Welcome back to Soaring High with So Kids SOAR (SKS), hosted by Michael Simmons and Glenda Fu Smith! Join us as we take a dive into SKS and learn how they help youth to Strive, Own, Achieve, and Realize their potential! In “Community and Culture”, we talk with Rebecca Gore of D.C. United, as well as Elias Hernandez, a 2022 graduate of Your Path to Success (SKS' vocational building program).

Tune in as we discuss the impact a supportive community can have with our two guests; and learn how they have built and supported their own communities. In addition, the two will have their knowledge of soccer tested with sports trivia! 

Thank you to our sponsors, Podtechs and Aspen Spark! 

https://www.podtechs.com/ 

https://www.aspenspark.org/

Join us as we celebrate resilience, community, and the power of believing in every individual's ability to SOAR. 

https://www.sokidssoar.org

]]> Community and Culture Community and Culture 00:27:28 dd6f3967-7f62-40d7-8f33-3e42cf6fa89e 6 full false https://pod.co/soaring-high-with-so-kids-soar/community-and-culture Fri, 06 Feb 2026 22:00:23 +0000 Welcome back to Soaring High with So Kids SOAR (SKS), hosted by Glenda Fu Smith and Michael Simmons! Join us as we take a dive into SKS and learn how they help youth to Strive, Own, Achieve, and Realize their potential!


In this episode, we are given a chance to talk with drummer and YPTS graduate Jacob Varghese and the creator of Eric’s ID Law, Eric Carpenter-Grantham! Join us as we discuss the importance of advocacy, how these two amazing men have changed the world, and how their mothers have supported them along the journey!

]]> Accomplished Activists Accomplished Activists 00:33:28 e48b23e8-000a-4ec2-9454-51cd2a192add Michael Simmons 5 full false https://pod.co/soaring-high-with-so-kids-soar/accomplished-activists Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:00:20 +0000 Welcome back to Soaring High with So Kids SOAR (SKS), hosted by Glenda Fu Smith and Michael Simmons! Join us as we take a dive into SKS and learn how they help youth to Strive, Own, Achieve, and Realize their potential!

In this episode, we discuss the importance of occupational therapy with Mikkayla Lindgren of Lindy’s Lineup and Cortney Mosle of The Point Occupational Therapy. Listen in as we discuss how it helps kids to grow and develop hobbies. In addition, cheer Michael and Cortney as they play a match of table hockey!

]]> Ode to OT Ode to OT 00:26:34 1cd8ca7e-c36f-4e60-8bdb-ae65d095252a 4 full false https://pod.co/soaring-high-with-so-kids-soar/ode-to-ot Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:36:37 +0000 Welcome back to Soaring High with So Kids SOAR (SKS), hosted by Glenda Fu Smith and Michael Simmons! Join us as we take a dive into SKS and learn how they help youth to Strive, Own, Achieve, and Realize their potential!

In this episode, we talk with the founders of Panda Exteriors and The Alzner Foundation, two important organizations and funders for So Kids Soar. Listen in as they discuss how their community has impacted and inspired them, as well as how they each work to better their community. In addition, be amazed as Glenda charms the guests with an amazing magic trick!

Thank you to our sponsors Panda Exteriors and The Kimsey Foundation! 

https://www.pandaexteriors.com

https://www.kimseyfoundation.org

Join us as we celebrate resilience, community, and the power of believing in every individual's ability to SOAR.

https://www.sokidssoar.org

]]> Funders to Family Funders to Family 00:37:10 aefd5696-647f-4f77-a64f-356a653ec2ee Produced by PodTechs 3 full false https://pod.co/soaring-high-with-so-kids-soar/funders-to-family Mon, 02 Jun 2025 13:46:13 +0000 Welcome back to Soaring High with So Kids SOAR (SKS), hosted by Glenda Fu Smith and Michael Simmons! Join us as we take a dive into SKS and learn how they help youth to Strive, Own, Achieve, and Realize their potential!

In this episode, we talk with Kai Penic, a talented DJ who graduated from the Your Path to Success program in 2020, and his mother, Pier! Discover how Kai was able to find his voice through music, as well as some of his accomplishments! In addition, for this episode’s special segment, listen in as Kai plays “Guess the Tune” and try to see if you can recognize any of the songs yourself!

Thank you to our sponsors Panda Exteriors and The Kimsey Foundation! 

https://www.pandaexteriors.com

https://www.kimseyfoundation.org

Join us as we celebrate resilience, community, and the power of believing in every individual's ability to SOAR.

https://www.sokidssoar.org


]]> Realizing the Potential with Kai and Pier Penic Realizing the Potential with Kai and Pier Penic 00:24:40 56f9d0ed-b68c-4044-88e5-d2add8aab195 Produced by PodTechs 2 full false https://pod.co/soaring-high-with-so-kids-soar/realizing-the-potential-with-kai-and-pier-penic Fri, 02 May 2025 12:16:19 +0000 Welcome to the debut episode of Soaring High with So Kids SOAR! Hosted by Michael Simmons and Glenda Fu Smith, this podcast highlights the inspiring stories of participants, graduates, parents, and partners of the So Kids SOAR (formerly Dreams for Kids) community.

In this episode, Glenda, Executive Director of So Kids SOAR, shares the mission of this incredible nonprofit—empowering youth with physical and developmental disabilities through adaptive sports, vocational training, and community-building programs.

Our special guest, Kierra Johnson, a 2022 graduate of the Your Path to Success vocational program, reflects on her journey from participant to full-time staff member at So Kids SOAR. She opens up about overcoming challenges, the impact of mentorship, and the confidence-building experiences that shaped her path. Plus, we introduce a fun segment highlighting unique talents, featuring a game of P.I.G. with a charitable twist!

Thank you to our sponsors Panda Exteriors and The Kimsey Foundation! 

https://www.pandaexteriors.com

https://www.kimseyfoundation.org

Join us as we celebrate resilience, community, and the power of believing in every individual's ability to SOAR.

https://www.sokidssoar.org

]]> How We SOAR with Kierra Johnson How We SOAR with Kierra Johnson 00:21:55 754cbaa0-7952-4d97-9fa7-96b627fb0e7c Produced by PodTechs 1 full false https://pod.co/soaring-high-with-so-kids-soar/how-we-soar-with-kierra-johnson Wed, 19 Mar 2025 03:11:35 +0000