The Spreading Happiness Podcast

Fireworks, Business & Pleasure, and Representation

John and Mark from John’s Crazy Socks are bringing happiness with jokes, stories, and their usual banter. Here's what’s on their minds today: fireworks, mixing business trips and vacations, writing a joke book, Down syndrome representation on organization, and socks.  
Good News: A new study found that participation in the Special Olympics reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes for people with differing abilities. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38925549/#:~:text=Results%3A%20After%20controlling%20for%20other,for%20up%20to%2020%20years
Business of the Week: Doggy Delights by Allison https://www.doggydelightsbyallison.com
John shares his Sock of the Week: Fireworks Crew Socks https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/fireworks-mens-crew-socks 
Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  
Check out our new Braille Socks: https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/braille-crew-socks  
Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john  
Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA 
Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY  
Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. 
Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com
Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1 
Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712 

Voting, Graduation, and Medical Studies

John and Mark from John’s Crazy Socks are bringing the happiness, again! They have jokes, stories, and their usual banter. Here's what’s on their minds today: graduation, medical studies, anniversaries, voting, and, not surprisingly, socks.  
Good News: A program in England teaching people with differing abilities how to vote. 
Business of the Week: Purely Patrick in Hyde Park, Vermont   https://purelypatrick.com/  
John shares his Sock of the Week: Graduation Socks: The Tassel is Worth the Hassle https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/the-tassel-is-worth-the-hassle  
Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  
Check out our new Braille Socks: https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/braille-crew-socks  
Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john  
Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA 
Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY  
Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. 
Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com
Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1 
Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712 

Juneteenth, Sub-Minimum Wage, and Summer

Summer is starting and the boys are feeling good. They have some serious ideas on their mind: talk about Juneteenth, subminimum wage, and SSI. There’s fun too like new socks and plans for new socks, birthdays and celebrations.  Plus, they have jokes and more stories.   
Good News: The MO’Rainbow Foundation is changing the lives of people with Down syndrome in Nigeria https://www.dataphyte.com/latest-reports/how-nigerian-foundation-is-transforming-the-lives-of-children-with-down-syndrome/   
Business of the Week: Esteemed Coffee in Cary, North Carolina https://www.esteamedcoffee.com/   
John shares his Sock of the Week: Mismatched Flag Socks https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/mismatched-flag-mens-crew-socks   
Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/   
Check out our new Braille Socks: https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/braille-crew-socks   
Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john   
Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA  
Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY   
Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. 
Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com
Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1 
Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712 

Brothers, Marathons, and Baskets of Hope

The boys are already enjoying summer. John talks about soccer and summer fun. They talk about the local Pride Parade and making pride socks. They talk about their saying With Us, Not for Us and what that means to them. They share what it is like now that John’s brother Jamie is working with them again and they talk about family business.   
Good News: Chris Nikic has now run six major marathons including the Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and New York City Marathon. https://www.wlwt.com/article/man-becomes-first-person-with-down-syndrome-to-run-all-6-major-marathons/60812807   
Business of the Week: Brittany’s Baskets of Hope founded by Brittany Schiavone  https://www.brittanysbasketsofhope.org/   
John shares his Sock of the Week: Mismatched Flag Socks https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/mismatched-flag-mens-crew-socks   
Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/   
Check out our new Braille Socks: https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/braille-crew-socks   
Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john   
Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA  
Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY   
Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. 
Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com
Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1 
Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712 

Pride, Soccer, and Local Involvement

The boys are ready for summer. John talks about soccer and summer fun. They talk about the local Pride Parade and making pride socks. They are members of the Chamber of Commerce and talk about why it is good to get involved locally. They’ll tell some jokes and spread happiness.   
Wait till you hear this week’s feel good story.  
Our business of the week is Poppin Joe’s Gourmet Kettle Korn. You can find theme here: https://www.poppinjoes.org.  Poppin Joe's Gourmet Kettle Korn was officially launched in April 2005 with Joe Steffy as the sole proprietor and was established to provide Joe, a young adult with DS-ASD, the opportunity to operate and manage his own business. Joe has developed an excellent work ethic and realizes the value of good, hard work. He sells his popcorn in farmer’s markets, fairs, festivals and retail stores in Georgia.    
John shares his Sock of the Week: Sporty Floral Athletic Crew Socks https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/sporty-floral-athletic-crew-socks-1   
Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/   
Check out our new Braille Socks: https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/braille-crew-socks   
Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john   
Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA  
Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY   
Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. 
Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com
Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1 
Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712 

Funcles, Jam, and Special Olympics Socks

The boys are energized on this podcast. Of course, they talk socks. But they also talk about Mom’s birthday, Special Olympics, giving interviews, working with John’s brother, John becoming an uncle and so much more. We got socks, we got podcasts, we got the Special Olympics, we’ve got lots of fun and, did we say we have socks? The boys have lots to share. They re-introduce themselves and then turn serious talking about human dignity and people with differing abilities.  
They share a feel-good story of the week and highlight a business owned by a person with a differing ability. This week they shine the spotlight on the Texas Sweet Heat Jam Company led by Nolan Stillwell and his family, Like John, Nolan is an entrepreneur who happens to have Down syndrome. You can find them here: https://sweetheatjam.com  
John shares his sock of the week: Hot Dog Socks and the story behind them. You can find those socks here: https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/hot-dogs-mens-crew-socks  
Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  
Check out our new Braille Socks: https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/braille-crew-socks  
Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john 
Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA
Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY
Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. 
Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com
Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1 
Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712 

Oklahoma, Lobbyists, and Dog Jokes

The boys are on the road this week, but nothing will stop them from recording their podcast. They recorded it in a hotel room in Oklahoma. And what fun they had: talking about John’s list of state’s his visited (41 states so far!), John recites his “Ode to Bacon,” they share plans for the annual family reunion camp out on Memorial Day and thoughts on Memorial Day as Mark recounts the history of service in the family.
They share a feel-good story of the week about Kayla McKeon, the first person with Down syndrome to be a registered lobbyist in Washington D.C., who received a honorary degree from Onondaga Community College.  You can read about it here: https://www.sunyocc.edu/news/nationally-known-illustrator-and-down-syndrome-advocate-receive-doctorate-degrees 
Each week, we highlight a business owned by or focused on people with differing abilities. This week, the boys talk about Blake’s Snow Shack run by Blake Pyron and his family in Sanger, Texas. John and Blake are friends, entrepreneurs, baseball and football fans. You can visit Blake’s Snow Shack website: http://www.blakessnowshack.com/  
Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/ 
Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john 
Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA
Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY
Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. 
Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com
Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1 
Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712 

Socks, Podcasts, and Human Dignity - The Season 2 Premiere

We got socks, we got podcasts, we got the Special Olympics, we’ve got lots of fun and, did we say we have socks? The boys have lots to share. They re-introduce themselves and then turn serious talking about human dignity and people with differing abilities.  
They share a feel-good story of the week and highlight a business owned by a person with a differing ability. This week they shine the spotlight on Collettey’s Cookies, a great company out of Boston, Massachusetts led by Collette Divitto, an entrepreneur with Down syndrome. You can find them here: https://colletteys.com 
John shares his sock of the week: Cowabunga Crew Socks and the story behind them. You can find those socks here: https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/cowabunga-crew-socks 
Buy some socks, be happy: https://johnscrazysocks.com/  
Check out our new Braille Socks: https://johnscrazysocks.com/products/braille-crew-socks  
Join John’s Tuesday Dance Party, every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Eastern: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/online-dance-party-with-john  
Want to learn more about John’s Crazy Socks? Check out this short video: https://youtu.be/dzPvxz1oUEA 
Check out our TEDx Talk: “Hiring People with Differing Abilities is Not Altruism, It is Good Business” https://youtu.be/uXtrhHSFkuY  
Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. 
Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com
Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1 
Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712 

Stakeholder Capitalism, Advocacy and Dancing in DC

Another week, another adventure. Today's episode focuses on John and Mark's trip to Washington, DC to meet with Congress. There were so many exciting happenings and so much good work that John did that we can't begin to get into it in the show notes. Take a listen to Mark and the Chief Happiness Officer, John, as they have a nice father-son conversation about the week. One thing's for sure, we GUARANTEE a smile or two during this episode. 
Business to highlight:
Rosemary Sparkle Design by Britni Allen
Make custom t-shirts, bags and other items. Sell them locally. It is Britni and her mom, Keri Allen. Beautiful items. All handmade in Brooklyn. No website yet.
Spent time with them in DC on Advocacy Day 
Finding John’s Crazy Socks: https://johnscrazysocks.com/ 
Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. Visit John's Crazy Socks here: https://johnscrazysocks.com
Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com
Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1 
Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712 

Road Trips, Elected Officials and Getting in Shape

It's another week and another episode from the happiness spreaders that you know and love! John and Mark are back with episode 3 of season 2 and they have some good chats while they are road trippin' around the USA, specifically to Washington DC. They guys talk about all kinds of things that came up since you last listened, PLUS the old standbys like John's love life, weight loss journeys and more! Buckle up, folks. This is a good one.
Business to highlight:
Jacob Greene - jacobgreeneart.com 
Jacob had our Differing Abilities design internship with us in 2021. He just published his third book -Grumpy Shark – and we went to hear him read at Barnes and Noble on Saturday.
I am a young man on the Autism Spectrum who recently graduated from New York Tech in the school of Architecture and Design. My passion is Digital Art. I enjoy using Adobe Suite to draw and create illustrations for children’s books, 2D animations and animations for video games. I have a very creative imagination and I don’t have trouble coming up with ideas.
Finding John’s Crazy Socks: https://johnscrazysocks.com/ 
Hosted by John & Mark Cronin, co-founders of John's Crazy Socks. Visit John's Crazy Socks here: https://johnscrazysocks.com
Follow @johnscrazysocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
The Spreading Happiness Podcast is produced by Launchpad 516 Studios.
For show ideas, guest inquiries, general feedback, sponsorships and media inquiries, drop an email: thespreadinghapinesspodcast@lp516.com
Information about Speaking Engagements with John and Mark: https://johnscrazysocks.com/pages/speaking-engagements-1 
Subscribe to The Spreading Happiness Podcast on Apple Podcasts and get notified of new episodes, every Tuesday! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spreading-happiness-podcast/id1611218712