Sophia Media spotlights mother-son story for Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Sophia Media is highlighting a new episode of My First Year as a Mother featuring parenting coach Lalaine Frankel and her son Matthew’s journey with Down syndrome. The episode is part of the company’s broader podcast collection focused on major life transitions and family stories.

Why it matters: - The episode puts a personal face on Down Syndrome Awareness Month and centers the lived experience of parenting a child with Down syndrome. - The story also expands Sophia Media’s podcast lineup around caregiving, inclusion and family identity.

What happened: - Sophia Media is spotlighting an episode of its podcast My First Year as a Mother featuring parenting coach Lalaine Frankel. - Frankel, a mother of four from San Mateo, California, speaks with host Casey Georgi about raising her youngest son, Matthew, who has Down syndrome. - The podcast release is tied to Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

The details: - Frankel said years of infertility treatments led to twins, then a third child 18 months later, followed by a surprise pregnancy seven years after that. - Matthew was born with Down syndrome and clubfeet. - Matthew needed surgery, braces and multiple therapies early in life. - Matthew is now 24 years old and works as a greeter for the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors. - Matthew is also a Special Olympics athlete and sports fan. - Frankel said the early years brought uncertainty, and family support helped shape her approach to motherhood. - Frankel said her older children’s acceptance of Matthew affected her growth as a mother and as a person. - Frankel said: "Becoming more of an advocate and having more of a voice, that was a gift that Matthew gave me. And, had I not had him as a child, I would've been a totally different person today." - My First Year as a Mother features mothers from different backgrounds talking about pregnancy, childbirth, adoption, parenting challenges and how motherhood changed their perspectives. - Sophia Media describes the show as one that focuses on the emotional and relational side of motherhood.

Between the lines: - Sophia Media is using the episode to position the podcast as more than a parenting show. It is also a platform for stories about disability, identity and advocacy. - The inclusion of Frankel’s story broadens the series’ emotional range and reinforces the company’s human-centered editorial strategy. - The broader My First Year collection appears designed to connect multiple life stages under one storytelling brand.

What's next: - My First Year is available on major podcast platforms. - Episodes and additional information are available at the show's webpage. - Sophia Media says My First Year as a Father received a Silver Award at the 2026 Signal Awards two months after launch for an episode featuring novelist Thomas Christopher Greene. - Sophia Media continues to build out the My First Year collection with themed shows including My First Year in America, My First Year in College, My First Year as a Father, My First Year with My Dog and the anthology series My First Year.

The bottom line: - Frankel’s episode turns a family story into a broader message about advocacy, inclusion and how parenthood can reshape a life.