The Spreading Happiness Podcast

Christmas, Santa’s Workshop and Gigi’s Playhouse

It's the holiday episode of The Spreading Happiness Podcast with our two Sock-Giving Santas, John and Mark! The boys discuss all things holiday including Christmas spirit, the comparison of John's Crazy Socks to Santa's Workshop and Holiday Haircuts. They even compare some of their employees to elves even though they're a "tiny" bit bigger. The boys are busy as always so take a listen to all of their holiday hi-jinx PLUS the regular features like John and Mark's getting in shape journey, John's love life, good news and bad jokes. Happy holidays, everyone!
Business to highlight: The Gifted Bean Coffee House - https://www.facebook.com/thegiftedbean/
The Gifted Bean Coffee House is a cozy coffee shop/café located in the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library in downtown Bismarck. The Gifted Bean Coffee House is the small start of a BIG dream
Owners Matt and Sandy McMerty have been searching ... looking for something that could be special enough to support a BIG idea.Their dream is to establish a business that could support a successful working environment for their son, Cristian, who has Down syndrome and others in the community with unique talents.
They make really fun YouTube videos Gifted Bean Vlogs - YouTubeSo, along with their three kids they took a deep breath and landed at the Library ... in the middle of books, coffee and the small start of a BIG dream.
The Gifted Bean Coffee House, where we believe … Every “Bean” is Special.“We truly believe this is a small start to our big dream,” say owners Matt and Sandy McMerty. “Stop in and say hi. Learn more about our story. We love serving coffee to the city that loves to drink it.”The Gifted Bean serves up coffee and specialty coffee drinks, teas and smoothies along with hot and cold sandwiches, baked goods and sweet treats. Catering services are also available with 48-hour notice for meetings and special events.
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 

The 6th Anniversary of Spreading Happiness (at John’s Crazy Socks!)

Let's not make this one complicated. The boys talk about everything from scavenger hunts to polar plunges, but the BIG news is that December 9th marked the 6th anniversary of John's Crazy Socks! John and Mark talk about how two knuckleheads from Huntington, New York, (just the two of us, as Mark says) decided to start a website to sell socks and 6 years later they have created the largest sock store in the world AND they continue to grow their mission as a social enterprise! No big description here...just dive in and listen to the guys as they talk about the journey and have been spreading happiness all along the way.
Business to highlight:
JT Firestarters: https://www.jtfirestarters.com (JT stands for Just Toops – Daniel Toops)
Peosta, Iowa - JT FireStarters are a great way to light a fire in your fireplace, grill, wood stove, campfire, chiminea, or home firepit! Each firestarter is handmade by Daniel, an adult with autism. Each purchase helps Daniel in "Taking My Own Path" towards independence. Daniel also hopes to employ more adults with autism in the future. JT FireStarters are available at Theisen's Home-Farm-Auto, and other fine Outlets! Get a great product and support a great cause!
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 

Accountants, Emerging Leaders and 12 Days of Giving

It's the holiday season and the boys are taking care of spreading happiness (and socks) to all the boys and girls of the world while Santa takes care of the toys. John and Mark had a fun appearance on the PIX11 Morning Show, served as judges at the Emerging Leaders Business Competition, had an appearance on News12 as they talked about the upcoming kickoff of the 12 Days of Giving and so much more! Plus Mark had an interesting conversation with Professor Jared Allen from Texas Tech University that you'll want to hear about. Also, the guys appeared on Fox and Friends and they talk about why it's important to them that they are open minded to ALL platforms when it comes to spreading happiness. Plus the usual mainstays like good news, bad jokes, John's love life and more. Enjoy!
Business to highlight: Hope Story https://hopestory.org/
Hope Story is a team of medical professionals and storytellers. We believe that stories have the ability to provide hope to others and change the world. At our core, we exist to help people learn to tell their stories and help them find opportunities to share them with people that need to hear them the most.
We help medical professionals deliver hopeful stories to their patients. We help parents raising children with Down syndrome leverage their unique story to bring hope to parents whose child has received a Down syndrome diagnosis. We connect parents whose child has received a new Down syndrome diagnosis to parents who have a child with Down syndrome so that they can receive, encouragement, support, and hope.
We believe a little bit of hope can go a long way.
Support
Existing parents
New Diagnosis
Medical Professionals 
Hope Story helps medical professionals deliver a Down syndrome diagnosis with confidence, accuracy, and hope. In addition, we help move Down syndrome from the textbook to the hearts of medical professionals by helping them develop a personal relationship with a family raising a child with Down syndrome.
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 

Thanksgiving, Bi-Partisan Happiness and Gratitude Week

It's a post Thanksgiving Spreading Happiness Podcast complete with stuffing, turkey, 3 kinds of cranberry, gravy, green beans and so much more! The boys celebrated Thanksgiving with the family and had a lovely time. Plus, they talk about Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Gratitude Week (make sure to grab your socks, link below!).  John and Mark had lots of TV appearances including NewsMax, News12, Newsday and PIX11. Plus the usual haunts like good new, bad jokes, John's love life and more. Gobble, gobble!
Business to highlight: Patrick’s Pet Care https://patrickspetcare.com/
Patrick’s Pet Care provides the highest level of care to all pets by creating an experience rooted in a genuine love of animals, a commitment to do the right thing, and a comprehensive, personal approach to meeting the needs of all the living creatures and people who depend on us.
Patrick Flynn founded Patrick's Pet Care in March 2012 as a dog walking and pet sitting company in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. His values for operating a pet care business are based on a genuine love of animals, lifelong learning, fostering local community, a commitment to do the right thing, and a personal approach to meeting the needs of all the animals and people who depend on Patrick's Pet Care. Fundamentally, Patrick aims to create thriving relationships between people and their animal companions, using science and consent based methods without fear, pain or force. His business has been recognized by readers of Washingtonian as a Top Pet Care Provider, and has been voted “Best of DC” three times by readers of Washington City Paper.
Two locations in Washington DC
Small Dog Day Care is located at 3303 11th Street NW in Columbia Heights.
All Day Day Soga Care and Grooming for dogs up to 85 pounds at their Brookland location is 3509 12th Street NE
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 

Country Music, Cheerleaders and Hot Chicken

Buyer Beware: John may break out into song after a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and inspiration from Taylor Swift! Just kidding (sort of). The boys were out and about with a visit to Nashville and got into all sorts of trouble. Plus a visit to Annapolis, San Antonio and so much in between. Also, it's becoming a standard feature to discuss their misery as Jets fans but have no fear...the GOOD standard features brought the mood right back to the top of the happiness meter. Good news, bad jokes, John's love life and so much more. 
Business to highlight: Melwood - https://melwood.org/
A dynamic nonprofit providing jobs and opportunities for people with disabilities for over 50 years and counting in the greater Washington, DC area.
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 

Tours, Keratoconus and North Shore Animal League

We interrupt this podcast to remind you to NEVER interrupt one of John's tours at John's Crazy Socks! Now that we've got that out of the way (you have to listen to get the full story), the boys have had another big week! Tours at the office with F.R.E.E. Visits with some parents and their children, another SEPTA (special education PTA) dinner, a virtual tour with East Carolina University and so much more! Make sure to stick around for good news, bad jokes, John's love life and more!
Business to highlight: Legacy Farms - Leesburg, Virginiahttps://www.legacyfarmsvirginia.org/
Legacy Farms provides apprenticeship-style learning and jobs in a neurodiverse community of individuals learning a trade, preparing for college, and seeking internships to further their education.
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 

Ambassadors, Marathons and Office Tours

Do you want to hear the story about the wrath of John when Mark interrupted one of his famous John’s Crazy Socks office tours? Tune in and listen to this week’s episode of The Spreading Happiness Podcast! The boys jump into another week of business from strategic planning meetings at JCS to NDSS Ambassador Meetings to working with CW Post students and more! Plus John and Mark send love and condolences to JCS’s very own Maria for the loss of her father. Bad jokes, good news, business highlights, John’s love life and so much more. Also, JETS WIN!
Stick around, folks!
Business to highlight:  Dance Happy Designs: https://www.dancehappydesigns.com/
Emily Scott, Julia Tyler, and Liv Helgesen are the three friends behind Dance Happy Designs. They make beautiful products: tote bags, zipper bags, bins and even wall art ,
Julia is like John in that she is creative and energetic and happens to have Down syndrome. She makes the designs. Liv translates those into silk screen patterns. Emily creates the bags, bins and other products. 
Based in Philadelphia, you can buy their products online, though they are available in retailers like our friends at One for All, as well as Nordstroms and Madewell.    
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 

Trade Shows, Tropical Smoothies and Book Fairies

Welcome back to The Spreading Happiness Podcast where your happiness is the only thing that matters more than the Jets winning! John and Mark had yet another packed week and it's not going to stop anytime soon. Let's see, so far this week they've attended trade show, a dance party, they spoke to employees at Wex, the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit, had a meeting with the Book Fairies, soccer, early voting, snowshoe and a TON more. Plus the usual suspects like good news, bad jokes, John's love life, Mark & John's health journeys and of course a business highlight. Enjoy the ride, folks!
Business to highlight: 
Melo Munch
https://www.mellomunch.com/ 
Riley Melo 
Fellow Huntington resident and ex-colleague at John’s Crazy Socks!
Riley Mello developed a recipe that became Mello Munch. It's his latest culinary creation. Crafted in small batches by him and his family, Mello Munch is free from preservatives, dyes, and artificial sweeteners. Although he is on the autism spectrum, his disability has not stopped him from growing and expanding his culinary arts education and experience.
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 

Busy Guys, Newsy Guys and Single Guy

The guys have been SUPER busy these last few months and this past week was no different. A talk at the Islip Career Center at the Tech School, a talk with Lumen employees for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, keynote speakers at a job fair, a talk at Microsoft and so much more! John gradated from the Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Council AND he’s competing in the New York State Games for the Special Olympics! PLUS, the boys had a great appearance on the Morning Rush for Newsy! Of course we have the usual features like good news, bad jokes, business highlight and more…BUT, please tune in to the update on John’s love life because John has some news, ladies. Enjoy the show!
Business to highlight:  One for All Gift Store located in Southold, New York on the North Fork of Long Island
https://www.oneforallgifts.com/ 
Teresa DeMarco and her son Sean
The motto of “A shared space with a shared purpose” highlights the collective mission to promote positivity, inclusion and the pursuit of dignified employment for all people!
Celebrating their second anniversary on October 31
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 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Snowshoe and Plantar Fasciitis

Welcome to National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Take a listen to this week’s episode of The Spreading Happiness Podcast and hear how hard John has been working advocated for people with differing abilities. Plus Mark’s plan to dig a hole from New York to Australia had to be put on hold as he is sidelined with plantar fasciitis. More of our weekly segments like good news, bad jokes, John’s love life and more! Also…Jets beat the Packers! J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS!
Business to highlight: 
Got some more cookies from Sweet Jordan’s down in Paris, Tennessee
https://sweetjordans.com/ 
Matthew’s Bonfire BBQ
https://www.bonfirebbq.com/
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