Road To 2026USA Games Ep.1: What Are The USA Games?

Episode 1 of Road to Special Olympics USA Games: a Special Chronicles Podcast Series kicks off our journey to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games by answering the essential question: What are the USA Games?

On this premiere episode, host Daniel Smrokowski is joined today with someone who has been involved with the USA Games since the beginning and helped get these USA National Games started— Greg Epperson, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics North America.  

We explore the scale, mission, and impact of the Games; the history of Special Olympics; and why the 2026 USA Games matter right now. You’ll hear how this national event brings together thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities and showcases the power of inclusion, competition, and community.

This episode sets the stage for the athlete stories, behind‑the‑scenes insights, and powerful conversations coming throughout the series.

Episode 837 ShowNotes & Links

📱Follow the journey of 3,000 athletes by downloading the USA Games app — search “USA GAMES” in your app store.

👨‍💻Learn more about Special Olympics 2026 USA Games at: 2026USAGames.org 

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Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission.

About Our Team:

Daniel Smrokowski is an award-winning podcaster, columnist, and disability advocate, best known as the founder and host of Special Chronicles, a groundbreaking podcast platform featuring over 800 episodes produced across 17 years. Through storytelling and journalism, Daniel amplifies the voices of people with disabilities while promoting inclusion, awareness, and social change. In recognition of his impact, he is a recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice for his efforts through media to give people with disabilities a voice.

Darian Packard is a Content Producer at Special Chronicles and Global Advisor for Special Olympics CHEER, a worldwide inclusive cheerleading movement. She is the mother of four children, including a daughter with Williams syndrome, and is passionate about advancing inclusion and disability awareness.

Linda Smrokowski serves as a Copy Editor at Special Chronicles, bringing her background as a retired foreign language teacher and former Trader Joe’s Crew Member to her editorial work.  She is the mother of founder Daniel Smrokowski, as well as a proud mother of two daughters, mother-in-law to two sons-in-law, and a grandmother to two granddaughters and one grandson.  Linda is also an active musician, playing flute in the choir at St. Cletus Parish.

Adam Smrokowski is the Business Manager at Special Chronicles. He is the father of Founder Daniel Smrokowski, as well as two daughters, and is a proud father-in-law and grandfather to two granddaughters and one grandson.  Adam supports the organization’s mission through leadership, service, and family-centered advocacy.