OSBORNE ADVENTURE

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down and talk about something we don’t always say out loud, what it actually looks like to raise a child with Down syndrome. We share stories from the early days, feeding struggles, developmental delays, therapy, and trying to figure things out as we went, without really knowing what to expect or where things would land.The conversation moves through what life looks like now, including speech, impulse control, and elopement, which has shaped more of our day to day than we probably realized at first. Some of it is heavy, some of it is funny, but mostly it’s just an honest conversation about our experience and the parts that don’t always get shared.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies, and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I sit down with three of the kids in our lives, Hannah, Hailey, and Roake, and just let the conversation go wherever it takes us. What starts with favorite books quickly shifts as they share what it’s actually like to know Ren, not through a diagnosis, but as a friend.We talk about the things they notice, the things they don’t, and how life looks different just by being around him. It’s honest, unfiltered, and at times a little surprising. We talk about bigger things too, like what we’re willing to give up for something we care about, and how kids sometimes can see life more clearly than we do.Mostly, though, it’s just a conversation worth listening to.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down with our friend and neighbor Jen, a firefighter and mom whose daughters have become fast friends with our kids over the past few months. What started as kids running back and forth between houses has turned into something bigger, and we ended up having a conversation about what it’s actually like for another family to step into our world.We talk about how naturally their kids have connected with Ren, the kind of moments that you can’t really plan for but end up meaning the most, and a few stories that still make us laugh. There’s also one that caught us completely off guard, a school project that says more about what we’re doing than we ever could.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I get a little philosophical while sharing a few updates. There’s big news with the National Down Syndrome Society, and some not-so-big news involving cleaning, grinding, epoxy, and the age-old question, “Do we need to gut the entire boat?” All of it somehow happens in the blink of an eye.We talk about the rhythm of working on an incredible boat, learning not to panic every time something unexpected shows up, and how I am slowly learning to stop when my first instinct is still to solve small holes with bigger holes.Mostly, though, we’re just happy for the adventure that is our life.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I handed the microphone to Roake, Freya, and Ren for an unscripted conversation about what this life looks like through their eyes. We talk about sleeping on the boat, losing teeth at anchor, collecting one shell from every place we visit, and what “far away” really means when you’re ten years old. There are killer whales in Norway, penguins in Antarctica, crocodiles in Australia, and a surprising amount of debate about jellyfish.We also get into filming the docuseries, why we won’t have much electronics on the boat, and how family movie nights with homemade popcorn might still be the most important tradition we bring with us. It’s chaotic in places, honest all the way through, and a real look at the expedition from the three voices it will shape the most.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we talk about the silver linings of life on the dock in British Columbia. This season was never part of the plan, but it has given us something we didn’t even realize we needed: time. Time to breathe, time to recover, time to actually enjoy the process again, and time to feel that excitement coming back instead of just grinding through another list. We talk honestly about how burnt out we were when we arrived, how much it impacted all of us, and why this slower stretch has helped our family come back to ourselves.You will hear about Val being stalked by a “raft” of sea lions on a paddleboard, the cursed dock stairs that have become a daily glute workout, and the unexpected gift of friends and family making the trip to visit us up here. We talk about Sunday dinners with Lou and Judy, the new friendships the kids have made, and the most meaningful silver lining of all: Ren having real friends who come invite him to do things, and watching him step into that in a way we’ve never seen before. It is an honest conversation about detours, perspective, and why maybe we’re not behind at all, maybe we’re right where we’re supposed to be.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, it is just me, talking honestly about missing a deadline I made up, and what that revealed about how much pressure I was putting on myself. November 2025 became a hard line in the sand, and missing it forced me to confront the difference between progress and performance.I discuss revisiting the book A Voyage for Madmen and being reminded that this is the kind of adventure people used to undertake as individuals, not corporations or professional teams. There is no safety net beyond the choices we make every day. The timelines, the funding, and the mission all rest on us. This is our life, not a job. Despite missing some marks along the way, the mission itself has never changed.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we sit down with Maegan as she officially says yes to joining our family and stepping into the role of Ren’s DSP. What began as a quick text has turned into a life changing whirlwind that includes living together, taking sailing courses, and learning what daily life with our family actually looks like.You will hear about spelunking in the lava beds, snow bound trips through Oregon, stand up paddling in 40º rain, water parks, and boat projects, all packed into just a few short weeks together. We talk about building trust with Roake and Freyja, learning Ren’s rhythms, and the difference between helping and allowing him to do things on his own. It is an honest conversation about commitment, integration, and figuring things out in real time, before the lines are cast off and the dock disappears.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I finally sit down to give a long-overdue update. We discuss what it actually looks like to refit a boat while homeschooling, filming a docuseries, and trying to live a normal life at the same time, and why a lot of real progress doesn't look very exciting when you zoom out.You will hear about a missed step in the Redwoods that almost turned into a call to search and rescue, what it took to fly a drone through a tiny opening in a 2000-year-old tree, and why, given even half a chance, Ren will still pack everything he owns and be ready to leave in five minutes. We discuss shifting family dynamics, homeschooling as a family, and why we are intentionally trying to slow things down at the moment. It is a fun, honest update from what sometimes feels like about three inches below the surface.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down with Kandi Pickard, CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society, for an open and honest conversation about parenting, inclusion, and what it means to dream bigger. From her son Mason’s story to the national advocacy work that’s reshaping opportunities for people with Down syndrome, Kandi brings both warmth and wisdom to every moment.We discuss the fear, joy, and the everyday beauty of raising kids who change how we see the world. From seaplanes landing outside our window to Ren making a surprise appearance mid-recording, this is real life, unscripted and unfiltered.CLICK HERE to learn more about CARE DOWN SYNDROMECLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month the best way we know how, by talking about the myths we have heard, the truth we have lived, and the moments that made us laugh along the way. From the idea that people with Down syndrome are always happy (they aren’t) to the myth that everyone with Down syndrome looks the same (they don’t), we share what is actually true in our world with Ren.You will hear about the letter A standoff, the epic starfish counting moment, and Ren’s plan to live with his friends one day. It is real life with a side of humor, honest, personal, and full of love for the kid who keeps us on our toes and reminds us not to take anything too seriously.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I share about our new educational docuseries, Adventure Without Boundaries. What began as a way to inspire kids with special needs has grown into a full classroom resource with lessons, sensory sections, and activities that teachers can adapt for every kind of learner. We talk about why we kept the series off social media, how teachers are using it, and the incredible feedback we’ve already received.You’ll also get a peek at our next episode, where our family volunteers at a local salmon hatchery to learn about conservation, community, and the connection between adventure and responsibility. It’s fun, thoughtful, and all about showing kids, with and without disabilities, that curiosity belongs everywhere, even in the classroom.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we sit down with Maegan Calcutt, who flew to British Columbia to interview for the role of Ren’s Direct Support Professional (DSP). But this isn’t your average interview, it’s messy, chaotic, and quickly becomes clear that this job is really 25/8 with no privacy, no clocking out, and no escape. From crab pots dumping open on her feet to the blunt reality of life on a boat with kids, Ren, and a crew that never stops moving, Maegan shares what excites her, what scares her, and what it feels like to step straight into our world. This is the unedited, behind-the-scenes reality of what it takes to even consider joining the expedition.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we sit down with Erik and Emily Orton, authors of Seven at Sea. It tells the story of living aboard with five kids, including their youngest daughter Lily who has Down syndrome, as they sailed from the Caribbean to New York.We talk about the courage it took to step away from the “conveyor belt” of life, the realities of parenting on the water, and how Lily’s curiosity and determination gave them new perspective on education and adventure. Eric and Emily also reflect on the friendships they built at sea and the challenges of returning to life on land.Their story is a powerful reminder that family is the greatest adventure of all, and that sometimes the most important question is not What could go wrong? but What could go right?CLICK HERE for the What Could Go Right? PodcastCLICK HERE to learn more about the Awesome FactoryCLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we’re back and living a whole new chapter in Canada, on the boat, and beginning Salomé’s refit. After three years of preparation, it finally feels real.Along the way, Ren finds new freedoms (with one unforgettable runaway story), Freya becomes the pied piper of neighborhood kids, and Roake takes the helm with quiet confidence that surprises even us. Together, we discover the joy of waking up every day to something new. It’s chaotic, funny, and full of those “we made it” moments, a reminder that life isn’t tomorrow, it’s happening right now.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I’m flying solo to share some big updates. We’ve officially left Oregon and arrived in British Columbia, marking the beginning of our long-awaited refit on Salome. Val is back in Oregon, wrapping up the house and her job, while Roake, Freyja, and I start settling into the new rhythm of a sleepy little town by the sea. I share what it's like to pare down our life into 20 bins, the joy of seeing the kids thrive, and the incredible support from Lou and Judy. Plus, I give you a behind-the-scenes look at our visit from Battle Born Batteries, including a film crew capturing the heart of Ren’s story and the expedition.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down for part two of our conversation about fear, and this one goes deeper. We’re not just talking about storms or seasickness. We’re talking about what it means to risk everything as a family. What if we hate it? What if the kids hate it? What if something goes wrong and we can’t take it back? From Val’s fear of storms and medical emergencies to my fear of crew dynamics and worst-case scenarios with Ren, we try to name the things that keep us up at night, sometimes literally. It’s raw, a little dark, and at times, weirdly funny. But that’s what it looks like when two people who’ve lived through some things let their inner voice come out. No drama. Just honesty.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val, Roake, and I are recording from the back deck to escape the empty rooms and moving boxes, and to talk about the things we’re afraid of on this expedition. This time, we’re not diving into what we’re excited for. We’re naming the stuff that gives us pause. Seasickness. Storms. Running out of water. Rockfish. Bad diesel. And yes… cone snails. Each of us shares what’s been on our minds as the expedition gets closer.The goal isn’t drama or being heavy. We just want to be real. Join us for a reflective conversation about fear, the unknown, and moving forward because we know courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s deciding to keep going despite it.CLICK HERE to leave a comment or ask a question.CLICK HERE to check out our t-shirts, hoodies and hats!CLICK HERE to check out the Safe Bed Model 100 by Safe Place Bedding and use discount code "sleepwell10" for a 10% discount on anything on the site.A Huge Thanks to our Partners!Battle Born BatteriesGoDuRonstanTylaska MarineWichard GroupYacht SolutionsFor more information visit our website:www.osborneadventure.comDonate Today (Osborne Adventure is a 501c3 nonprofit):https://www.osborneadventure.com/donationsFollow Us on Instagram:www.instagram.com/osborneadventure