Boat Week is one of the highlights of Alec's entire year—and this episode is all about the friendships, traditions, and memories that make it so special.

Each year, several families and close friends gather for what has become an annual tradition centered around Alec. What started as a simple week at the lake has grown into something much bigger: a community built on friendship, inclusion, and shared experiences.

Throughout the week, everyone participates in games, icky food eating contests, outdoor activities, and more. This year, we even hosted our own Boat Week Olympics, creating events where everyone could compete, celebrate, and have fun together.

Of course, no Boat Week would be complete without time on the water. From tubing and wake surfing to his new favorite, kneeboarding, we've watched Alec develop incredible confidence and skill over the years. Supporting his interests and celebrating his successes has been one of the greatest joys of this tradition.

This episode highlights several of our Boat Week crew who we recorded while we were together so we have pieced together their voices. It’s a bit different from our usual format. But trust us—this is a super fun listen.

In the end, this episode is about more than boats and summer fun. It's about what can happen when individuals on the autism spectrum are surrounded by people who believe in them, include them, and create opportunities for them to thrive. Boat Week is a reminder that hobbies build confidence, friendships create belonging, and community makes all the difference.

Whether you're raising a young child with autism or supporting an adult on the spectrum, we hope this conversation inspires you to build traditions, encourage interests, and create spaces where everyone can participate and feel valued.

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In this heartfelt episode, Christi and Angie open up about the journey of helping Alec build and maintain meaningful friendships over the years.

Friendship doesn’t always come naturally — especially for individuals on the autism spectrum — but with patience, intentional opportunities, and the right support, genuine connections can grow. We talk about what’s worked for Alec, from structured social opportunities to natural friendships that blossomed through shared interests, work relationships and team bonds.

Whether you’re a parent, sibling, or caregiver, we hope this conversation offers encouragement and practical ideas for helping your loved one form lasting bonds — one piece at a time.

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Todd is Alec's senior by three years. He grew up in Japan, Denmark and Texas. Todd holds a B.S. of Accounting from Brigham Young University - Utah. Following college, Todd has pursued a career in speciality finance in Texas while maintaining a few entrepreneurial real estate ventures on the side. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, smoking meat, riding dirt-bikes (much to Christi's dismay), playing RuneScape and bugging the living heck out of Alec! Todd shares his unique perspective on what it was like growing up with a sibling on the autism spectrum — the challenges, the lessons, and the moments that shaped their bond.

From early memories to the realities of sharing family attention and adapting to Alec’s needs, Todd’s honest reflection sheds light on how autism impacts not just the individual, but the entire family. We talk about what he learned along the way, how his relationship with Alec has evolved, and what advice he has for other siblings navigating similar experiences.

It’s a heartfelt, insightful look at family life, understanding, and the lasting love that comes from growing up piece by piece alongside autism.

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In this episode, we chat with Alec's sister, Morning! She is the Msecond born of Alec’s older sisters. She is 34 years old and has called Houston, Texas home for the last decade. Morning is married to Michael, and mom to three of Alec’s favorite nieces and nephews - Jay, Wynn, and Kit. Morning is actively involved in her Church and neighborhood communities. In her free time she loves playing mahjong and tennis, jumping on the trampoline, and drinking Diet Coke.

We talk about her memories, the challenges she navigated, the ways Alec shaped her childhood, and the compassion and resilience that grew from being part of his world.

Her voice adds another meaningful piece to Alec’s story and reminds us how deeply autism impacts — and enriches — the lives of siblings.

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This week, we sit down with Meet and Abby Patel to discuss their years of experience working in a special needs dentistry practice and serving individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Dental visits can be a source of stress and anxiety for many families, but Meet and Abby share practical insights into what makes dental care more successful for individuals on the autism spectrum. From building trust and creating positive experiences to understanding sensory sensitivities and communication differences, they offer a unique perspective from inside a practice that specializes in caring for patients with special needs.

We discuss common challenges families face when it comes to oral hygiene, preparing for dental appointments, and finding providers who are willing to meet patients where they are. Meet and Abby also share stories and lessons they've learned over the years working with individuals of all ages and abilities.

Whether you're helping a young child brush their teeth, preparing for an upcoming dental visit, or supporting an adult with autism in maintaining good oral health, this episode is full of practical advice and encouragement.

Join us for an informative conversation about autism, special needs dentistry, and the importance of finding a dental team that understands and supports every patient's unique needs. 🦷✨

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In this episode, we continue our Sibling Series with Alec’s sister, Andrea Jensen Semidey. Andrea lives in Allen, TX with her husband and 4 kids. She works in finance as a corporate attorney. She graduated from SMU with a degree in Advertising and History and graduated from law school in New York City at Yeshiva University. She enjoys horseback riding, yoga, running, legos, cooking, baking and reading, and only wishes for more time to do any one of those things. She and her family are huge "soccer" fans and Arsenal supporters.

Andrea shares her perspective on growing up with a brother on the autism spectrum — the challenges, the joy, and the lessons that shaped her along the way.

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This week, we sit down with Mike Greer, Christi’s brother, for a fun and thoughtful conversation all about how autism is portrayed in Hollywood.

Together, we review several well-known shows and movies that feature autistic characters and discuss what feels realistic, what feels exaggerated, and which character traits remind us of Alec. From classic films to modern streaming shows, we share our honest perspectives as a family who has lived the reality of autism every day.

We discuss iconic titles like Rain Man and Temple Grandin, Love on the Spectrum and The Good Doctor.

We talk about the strengths and shortcomings of autism representation in media, the common themes we see repeated in Hollywood, and why representation matters for families, educators, and the broader community.

Whether you’re curious about how accurately autism is portrayed on screen or just want to hear a relatable conversation connecting real life to pop culture, this episode is both entertaining and insightful.

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In this episode, we sit down with two very special guests—Tyler and Madeleine, Alec’s original roommates when he first moved to Utah seven years ago.

These were the early days of Alec’s transition into group home living, and Tyler and Madeleine were right there helping him settle in, build routines, and adjust to a new level of independence. What started as a working relationship quickly grew into something much deeper.

Now, years later, it has been so special to reconnect and see how their relationship with Alec has continued to grow and evolve—even after they moved back to California and started a family of their own.

We talk about the life lessons they learned during their time with Alec, the challenges they faced, and of course, the funny and unforgettable moments that come with daily life supporting someone on the autism spectrum.

This episode offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to support someone transitioning into a group home setting—highlighting the importance of consistency, connection, and the relationships that make it all meaningful.

It’s a reminder that while systems and structure matter, it’s the people who truly make the difference.

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