OSBORNE ADVENTURE
The Osborne Adventure Podcast is an inside look into our World Record setting sailing circumnavigation to raise Down syndrome awareness. Join us each week as we share an intimate look into our unique lifestyle, our views on adventure parenting, and the beauty and challenges of raising a child with Down syndrome. Whether you're an avid sailor, an individual with Down syndrome, a parent of a child with special needs, or simply curious about life on the high seas we promise to inspire, educate, and ignite a spirit of adventure within you.
Our Kids Don’t Think This Is Weird. That’s Weird. – EP. 71
Three kids, one sailboat, seven bears, and apparently a perfectly normal childhood. This week on the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we're handing the microphones over to Roake, Ren, and Freyja to find out what they really think about living aboard Salome in the middle of a parking lot. From sleeping in hammocks and building swings to swimming, making friends, and bears dismantling cars, life in the boatyard is anything but ordinary.
We talk about what the kids love, what they miss, and what they think about boat life. Somehow, living on a sailboat perched high above the ground...
Living the Dream, One Nightmare at a Time – EP. 70
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we are finally recording from aboard Salome. Unfortunately, she is also sitting 16 feet in the air with her masts down, her floors torn apart, and thousands of pounds of lead scattered around the boatyard.
We talk about living aboard during the refit, removing and weighing nearly 9,000 pounds of ballast, finding a few more things that need welding, Val's trip to the top of the mast, composting toilets, the kids, and what life has really been like as Salome slowly comes back together.
Somewhere between all of that...
Arrr, There She Holes! – EP. 69
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Salome is finally out of the water, and apparently finding three thumb sized holes in your keel can be good news. We talk about hauling her out, the long awaited hull ultrasound, what we found hiding beneath some old repairs, and why the results actually answered one of the biggest questions we’ve had about the boat.
With Salome on the hard, the refit is moving into a completely different phase. The masts are coming down, the standing rigging is being replaced, and after a year of working through on...
Orange you glad we didn't keep it blue? – EP. 68
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we share a major update on the Salome refit and some of the surprising decisions that have come with it. From self-tailing winches and storm shutters to galvanized rigging and a pilot house painted search-and-rescue orange, the boat is changing quickly, and not always in the ways we originally expected.
We talk about the challenge of balancing the traditions, costs, safety, and aesthetics required to sail around the world. Along the way, we discuss burnout, momentum, and the strange feeling of watching a dream slowly become real. Sometimes the...
Finding Your Matching “tism” – EP. 67
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I sit down with one of the few people who has known me almost my entire life. We met as kids, and somehow through decades of moves, chaos, marriages, parenting, loss, and life, we’re still here.
We talk about the traits that define people, optimism, stoicism, cynicism, perfectionism, idealism, and all the other little “tisms” that shape how we move through the world. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you find someone whose wiring fits yours. This is a conversation about lifelong friendship, family, resilience, and the rare people who keep...
300 Kids and a Wall of Sharks – Ep. 66
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I share an unexpected experience, being invited to an elementary school where 300 students gathered for an assembly about Down syndrome. The speaker, a fourth grader named Hailey, and what followed was thoughtful, funny, and far more meaningful than we expected.
After Hailey’s presentation, the floor was open for questions for all five of us. The kids asked about sharks, storms, food storage, homeschooling, sailing around the world, and life with Down syndrome. Ren, Roake, and Freyja each took their turn answering, and it was amazing to wa...
Incoming! Bogey Hydroflask at 4 O’Clock – Ep. 65
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 fi...
Just Ren – Ep. 64
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 w...
She Chose Down Syndrome – Ep. 63
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 m...
Do Little Holes Need Bigger Holes? – Ep. 62
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...
Stalked by a Raft of Sea Lions – Ep. 60
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, an...
Stalked by a Raft of Sea Lions – Ep. 60
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 fa...
Missing the Deadline (I Made Up) – Ep. 59
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...
Lions, Tigers and Freyja… Oh My! – Ep. 58
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 abo...
Drill Bits, Redwoods, and a Million Dollar Drone Shot – Ep. 57
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...
Dreaming Bigger with Kandi Pickard, CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society – EP. 56
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 surp...
Unicorns, Bigfoot, and the Myth of Down Syndrome – EP. 55
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 star...
Pass the Snorkel, Class Is in Session – EP. 54
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 lear...
The 25/8 Interview - No Privacy Here – EP. 53
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 wha...
I Went to Mars and You Weren’t There: An Interview with the Ortons – EP. 52
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...
Free Beer Tomorrow – EP. 51
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 tomor...
We Made It to BC! Let the Refit Begin – EP. 50
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 giv...
Letting the Inside Voice Out (Fear Part 2) - EP. 49
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 thing...
Storms and Cone Snails: What We’re Worried About – EP. 48
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 b...
Ren in His Own Words – EP. 47
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 excitemen...
SuFour black bins – EP. 46
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we’re giving a quick update as we wrap up the last pieces of life here in Oregon and get ready to head to British Columbia. Our house is nearly ready to list, the pets have new homes, and somehow everything we’re bringing fits into a few black bins. It’s strange, exciting, and a little surreal.
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Sunshine, Sharks & One Dot Tattoos - EP. 45
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we take a break from the stress of packing, deadlines, and to-do lists to reflect on what’s pulling us forward.
In a completely unscripted conversation, Paul surprises Val with a question, What are the top five things we’re most looking forward to as we set sail? The result is a countdown filled with laughter, honesty, and wild turns including sharks, surfing, bread baking, and the now-infamous “one dot” tattoo idea.
This episode is equal parts vulnerable and funny, and it reminds us of what really matters...
Wild Hearts, Wild Places: A Conversation with Dave Sidden – EP. 44
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we sit down with Dave Sidden, Executive Director of Wildlife Images and a lifelong advocate for all things wild. Dave shares his journey from filming wildlife with his father to running one of the most beloved rehabilitation and education centers in the Pacific Northwest.
We talk about his years at SeaWorld, his expeditions to Antarctica, and the challenges of raising kids to care about nature in a world glued to screens. Our son Roake’s bearded dragon Hank the Tank even makes a cameo, from a new home that mi...
We Didn't Tell Her She Couldn't: A Conversation with Ms. Rhonda Schock – EP. 43
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we sit down with Ms. Rhonda Schock, educator, community builder, and the woman who’s helped raise half the kids in Rogue River, including ours. For 39 years, she’s championed play-based learning, inclusion, and meeting each child exactly where they are.
We talk about parenting shifts over the decades, the value of letting kids get dirty, how to spot a great preschool, and what it really means to build a village. Rhonda shares how she’s created space for kids with special needs without fear, labels, or limitations, just love a...
The 10 Things We Wish We Knew About Down Syndrome - Ep. 42
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I share the 10 things we wish we knew about Down syndrome when Ren was born. We didn’t know he had Down syndrome until the moment he arrived, and what followed wasn’t encouraging. It felt like an endless list of warnings about everything he might never do, instead of any recognition of the potential and beauty that would come to define his life.
This is the list we wish someone had given us instead. Some of it’s backed by science. Some of it’s just the trut...
The Chaos of Parenting: Why Perfection Doesn’t Matter - Ep. 41
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down with Tressie Albee, a therapist whose candid and unconventional approach to life and therapy has been shaped by her own profound experiences. In this raw, unscripted conversation, Tressie shares her journey from tribal Kenya during the Somali war and her eventual shift in understanding that life is about being fully alive, not ticking boxes.
From finding purpose in the chaos, we explore how perceptions shape our ideas of ‘success’ and why parenting isn’t about perfection. Tressie challenges conventional views of therapy, shares stories of nav...
Freyja’s View: Sharks, Sailing, and Life with Ren - Ep. 40
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down with Freyja, our 7-year-old daughter, to hear how she imagines our expedition unfolding. From her love of animals (even the sharks!) to what it might be like living on a boat with her brothers, she shares it all with the spark of wonder only a kid can bring. It’s a beautiful, light-hearted conversation that lets you see through the eyes of someone who’s been dreaming about it for nearly half her life.
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Behind the Lens: Matt Knighton on the Volvo Ocean Race and Life at Sea - Ep. 39
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I sit down with Matt Knighton, director, adventure photographer, and award-winning filmmaker. Matt shares his experiences as the Onboard Reporter for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing during their winning 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race. He reflects on what it was like to race around the world on a Volvo 65, what it means to be a sailor, and offers candid insights into our upcoming expedition.
From the intensity of offshore racing to the human dynamics that define success at sea, this episode dives into the grit, storytelling, and reality of life at...
Unfiltered: Parenting and Level 3 Autism - Ep. 38
On this episode of The Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I sit down with Joy and Bobby, parents to Allanah, a child with level 3 autism and additional diagnoses. They share an unfiltered look at their daily reality—the struggles, the exhaustion, and their unwavering fight to ensure Allanah has the best possible life. Their journey is a testament to the lengths parents go to for their children. It’s an honest conversation about the challenges that don’t always have easy answers. Through it all, they remain dedicated, constantly pushing forward because of their love and unwavering commitment.
Shaped by the Journey: My Father’s Perspective on the Adventure Ahead - Ep. 37
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, Val and I continue our conversation with my dad, diving into the moments, challenges, and lessons that have shaped us as a family and made this expedition possible. We reminisce about my childhood and the many adventures that followed, reflecting on how those experiences prepared us for the journey ahead. Along the way, we explore how life’s experiences shape our perspectives on time, family, and what truly matters. Through it all, my dad offers insights in the way only he can, seeing life from an angle that makes us pause an...
Why is this so damn hard? - Ep. 36
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I’m taking you on a real, raw journey through the ups and downs of planning this expedition—one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Being a parent is tough, but raising a child with special needs brings its own set of challenges. Adding a global voyage to the mix? That’s a whole new level. We’re not here to sugarcoat things or only share the happy moments—we’re here to share the truth. The good, the bad, and everything in between. Life isn’t always picture-perfect, and this adventu...
SeaWorld: A Whale Trainer’s Untold Story - Ep. 35
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we sit down with my dad to talk about Ren and our expedition—but the conversation takes an unexpected turn into his career as a whale trainer at SeaWorld in the 1970s. It was an era of firsts, discovery, and working with incredible animals in ways few people ever have. We talk about what it was like to pioneer marine mammal training, SeaWorld’s early role in conservation, and being part of something that helped change how the world saw whales. This is part 1 of a fascinating conversation offering a rare glim...
A Grandmother’s View: Family, Adventure, and the Journey Ahead - EP. 34
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we sit down with someone who has been part of this journey from the very beginning—Val’s mom. From living with her when we moved from San Diego to the role she’s played in shaping our family, she has been a constant source of support and love. We talk about the adventure ahead, what it means to take on something this big as a family, and how she feels watching us prepare to sail around the world. There’s laughter, a few tears, and plenty of honest conversation about family...
Navigating Social Media as Parents on a Mission - EP. 33
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, we explore balancing our family’s privacy with sharing our story. Our global sailing expedition often puts the spotlight on our children—but where do we draw the line? We’ll share how we navigate social media and the internet, the steps we take to keep their lives private, and how we stay focused on what matters most. Join us for an honest conversation about parenting in the digital age and honoring both our mission and our kids’ future.
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Fruit, Fun, and a 10-Year-Old’s Take on Adventure - EP. 32
On this episode of the Osborne Adventure Podcast, I’m joined by my 10-year-old son, Roake, for a hilariously fun and completely unscripted conversation. Between his quick, excited answers about the trip and his running commentary on his love of fruit, there are plenty of one-word responses like “no” that remind us he’s a 10-year-old through and through. This episode is equal parts insight and laughter. Take a glimpse through the eyes of a 10-year-old into what it looks like to leave everything behind and embark on a global sailing expedition.
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