Val and I share an unexpected experience after being invited to an elementary school assembly where 300 students gathered for a presentation about Down syndrome led by a fourth grader named Hailey. What followed were thoughtful questions, funny moments, and a firsthand look at how deeply kids connected with our family, our mission, and the idea of adventure without limits.

Val and I sit down and talk about something we don’t always say out loud, what it actually looks like to raise Ren. We share stories from the early days to where we are now, the things that were harder than we expected, the things that took time, and the moments that shaped how we parent. It’s just an honest look at our life, the parts that don’t always get shared, and everything that comes with it.

Val and I sit down with our friend and neighbor Jen, a firefighter and mom whose daughters have become fast friends with our kids. What started as kids running back and forth between houses turned into something bigger. We talk about what it’s like for another family to step into our world, how naturally their kids have connected with Ren, and a school project that says more about what we’re doing than we ever could.

I sit down with Hannah, Hailey, and Roake and just let them talk. No plan, no script, just kids sharing what it’s actually like to know Ren. What stood out wasn’t what they said about Down syndrome, it was how little they thought about it. To them, he’s not a diagnosis, he’s just Ren.

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, and epoxy. It’s a conversation about the rhythm of working on an incredible boat, learning not to panic when something unexpected shows up, and why I’m slowly learning that small holes don’t always need bigger ones.

The kids took over the microphone for this one. In this episode, you hear the expedition through their voices as we talk about sleeping on the boat, losing teeth at anchor, collecting shells from around the world, killer whales, penguins, and why “far away” is all Ren really needs to know. It’s unscripted, chaotic at times, and a real look at what this adventure feels like from the three people it will shape the most.

Life on the dock in British Columbia was never part of the plan, but it gave us something we did not realize we needed: time. Time to breathe, recover, and feel the excitement come back. In this episode, we talk honestly about burnout, unexpected detours, sea lions on paddleboards, Sunday dinners, and the gift of watching Ren step into real friendships in a way we have never seen before.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I sit down with my son Ren. He’s nine years old, loves bikes, ice cream, and talking about our upcoming sailing expedition. Ren also has Down syndrome and has been working very hard on developing his speech. Sometimes he’s on topic, sometimes he’s not, and sometimes it just feels like a window into the way his mind works.

This episode is about letting Ren be Ren, and that’s what makes it so special. His love of life, his sense of adventure, and his excitement for what’s ahead come through in ways you can’t script. If you’re wondering why we’re doing this expedition, listening to him might help you understand.