Rare with Flair

hi hello hey, get ready for some word vomit about oversharing! Loyal listeners may find this premise familiar since we did an episode about oversharing on social media just last year. Funnily enough though, oversharing isn’t limited to online experiences. Like many of our topics, this came up as part of living our daily lives and reflecting on the ways we talk about our disabilities with strangers, friends, and even romantic prospects, and how our attitudes have changed over time. If you find yourself struggling to know how much to share, you’re not alone. We talk about why we may feel compelled to overshare and how we’ve straddled the line between wanting to be known and trying not to make disability our entire identities. Case + Cass giving a talk at the HPS conference, 2024

hi hello hey, the title says it all: Cassandra’s guide dog, Romana, is retiring Like humans, guide dogs also get to retire from their years of hard work! Romana has worked for nearly 8 wonderful years and has earned a well deserved rest. In this episode, Cass explains what the retirement process entails. She and Case share memories and laughs from Romana’s career and celebrate her. This episode isn’t entirely Romana-centric though, because we even get a little update on how Rupert is doing! We hope you enjoy this peek into Cass and Ro’s journey! If you’d like to donate to Guide Dogs for the Blind in Romana’s honor, check out her retirement fundraiser!

hi hello hey, happy 2026! And more importantly… welcome to season SEVEN of Rare with Flair! 🎉 There’s no better way to kick off a new year than with one of our favorite traditions: vision boards. This year’s boards are our most ambitious yet, with over ten focus areas each—covering everything from mind and health to home, spirit, and the big-picture dreams we’re calling in. We love the practice of setting intention at the start of the year and creating something tangible we’ll see every single day. They say vision boards have a way of coming true (often in the most unexpected ways), so we’re diving in with fresh habits, big hopes, and a few exciting announcements you definitely won’t want to miss. 👀✨ Do you make a vision board—or did listening to the pod inspire you to start one? We’d love to hear about it! Send us a note at hello@rarewithflair.com. related episodes If you haven’t heard our 2025 recap episode, look back with us! 134. guide dogs, rings, and traveling things: 2025 recap For our past vision board episodes, check out these episodes: 110. are we ready to thrive in 2025? 84. 2024 vision boards: moving forward with courage Case & Cass “taking on the world” at Universal, 2025

hi hello hey, what do you mean 2025 is over?? We truly cannot believe another year (and season SIX of Rare with Flair) is coming to a close. Before we get sappy, we’re keeping up our longtime tradition of recapping the year. These episodes mean a lot to us—they’re like little time capsules of what our lives looked like at the end of each year. It’s also a chance to pull back the curtain just a bit and let you in on what we were up to throughout the year (with boundaries, of course). Oh—and there’s a breaking announcement at the very beginning of this episode that we know you won’t want to miss!! As we mention in the episode, we’re always intentional about how much we choose to share. By no means do we want y’all to think our lives were perfect—we simply try to strike a balance between openness and privacy. That said, we genuinely look forward to this episode every year, and it wouldn’t be complete without sharing our top artists from our Spotify Wrapped. No matter what kind of year you had, we’re so grateful we got to be a small part of it. We hope you enjoy celebrating whichever holidays are meaningful to you, and we couldn’t be more thankful for such loyal listeners. Be sure to join us at the beginning of 2026 to find out what’s landing on our vision boards next year! related episodes Check out other episodes we mention in this one for more fun from our 2025: 110. are we ready to thrive in 2025? what we put on our vision boards this year 117. few but many: hps conference 2025 our time at the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome conference 120. still alive but barely breathing lmao: ats recap our time at the American Thoracic Society in 2025 Our two-part series from when Cass went to guide dog training this year! 127. guide dog training, part 1: meet cass’ new guide! 128. guide dog training, part 2: come train with cass & mr. a! 132. yer a wizard, bestie: live from universal orlando! our trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter If you’d like to binge our complete set of year-in-review episodes to see how we’ve changed over time, let us know if you take on the challenge! 109. our wildest vision board dreams came true! 2024 recap 83. getting personal: recapping 2023 59. recapping a wild & wacky year 2022 recap 36. 2021 wrapped: our year in songs & seasons 11. looking back & moving forward 2020 recap Cass playing outside with Mr. A and Case with the love of her life, 2025

hi hello hey — let’s chat about accessibility! We’ve touched on accessibility throughout past episodes, but this week we’re giving it the spotlight it deserves. It’s a topic close to both our hearts — especially Cass’, since she works in digital accessibility! There’s a common misconception that making something accessible somehow makes it worse, but in reality, designs created for people with disabilities often end up benefiting everyone. In the accessibility world, this is known as the curb-cut effect: curb cuts were originally made to help wheelchair users navigate sidewalks, but they also help anyone rolling a stroller, suitcase, delivery cart — basically anything on wheels. The reverse can happen too: products never intended for accessibility can unexpectedly become invaluable for disabled folks. We dive into some of our favorite examples of this “secret assistive tech,” from GPS to permanent bracelets. Do you have your own examples of hidden assistive tech? Send them our way at hello@rarewithflair.com — we’d love to shout you out on the pod! related episodes Check out some other episodes we mention! 87. the definitive ranking of all assistive technology 61. is reading an audiobook really reading? 34. shouting from the rooftops about assistive technology Case & Cass speaking at various events, 2025

hi hello hey, we finally got our Hogwarts letters!!! Okay, not really, but our long-awaited trip (a year and a half in the making!) finally happened. We took Rare with Flair to Universal Studios Florida and spent two magical days exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We’re not superfans, per se, but we absolutely adore the cozy vibe of a well-told story about best friends adventuring in a beautiful fantasy world. Naturally, we showed up in full house-pride outfits—Casey in Ravenclaw blue, Cassandra and Anaheim proudly repping Gryffindor—and soaked up all the details: the whimsical storefronts, the classic British fare, and the iconic sweets like chocolate frogs. In this episode, we also get into what the accommodations process is like at Universal, what it’s like navigating a theme park with a service dog, and how two blind girls (and one stellar guide dog) made an A+ navigational team. Come hang out with us and relive all the magic! related episodes For more episodes where we get to record in the same room (!!!): 32. reunited at the happiest place on earth! our Disney trip in 2021 57. live from memphis: recording together for the first time! when Cass visited Case in Tennessee for her 30th in 2022 103. live from columbus: recapping our amazing weekend when Case visited Cass in Ohio in 2024 120. still alive but barely breathing lmao: ats recap our time at the American Thoracic Society in 2025 Case & Cass embracing their inner wizard in Diagon Alley, 2025 show notes Cass talked about Universal’s disability access process which was really smooth, so if you’re going to Universal with a disability be sure to check it out! Case & Cass mentioned the video they used to learn about easter eggs in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

hi hello hey, helping is a fine line… but we’re here to help you help (sort of). We’ve done many an episode about living in the gray area of low vision—especially how tricky it can be for the sighted people in our lives. When we might be someone’s first experience with the disabled community, we get why people instinctively jump in to help… or avoid helping altogether. In this episode, we unpack that blurry line between helping so much that it feels condescending and not helping at all. We talk about what it feels like to receive help in a way that honors our independence while still extending kindness. And don’t worry: this is NOT meant to scare anyone off from offering help just because you’re afraid of doing it “wrong.” Truly, we all have a part to play. One of the most helpful things you can do is simply ask what someone needs. For disabled folks, we also chat about communicating lovingly with the overly helpful people in your life, expressing gratitude for their intentions while also reminding them that you’ve got autonomy too. related episodes We mention a few past episodes in this one. Check them out for more stories and laughs: 8. dear sighted people things sighted people do that are wonderfully helpful 85. hold up, sighted people things sighted people do that are… less than helpful 65. feeling like a burden the emotional challenge of repeatedly receiving help 111. lifting the burden: how we pay it forward the ways we express reciprocity to the people who help us For episodes where we get to record in the same room (!!!): 32. reunited at the happiest place on earth! our Disney trip in 2021 57. live from memphis: recording together for the first time! when Cass visited Case in Tennessee for her 30th in 2022 103. live from columbus: recapping our amazing weekend when Case visited Cass in Ohio in 2024 120. still alive but barely breathing lmao: ats recap our time at the American Thoracic Society in 2025 Case & Cass traveling together, 2025

hi hello hey, cuddle up for some cute slumber party vibes! We’ve had some fun “rare” episodes lately—talking guide dogs, blind perks, and all things life with a twist. So this week, we’re bringing back the flair! Join us for a round of “Friendship Fight Club,” where we debate our mildly controversial opinions. From whether pineapple belongs on pizza to the correct way to eat cereal (yes, there’s a wrong way, and we’re probably doing it), we’re sharing our most unserious hot takes. Case + Cass at the HPS conference, 2025

hi hello hey, being blind can have its perks! If you’ve listened to our show for any amount of time, you know being blind isn’t always easy. But we do our best to make the most of the lives we have (and, honestly, we might even argue we’re living our best lives 😉). Still, there aresome perks that make life a little easier (and more equitable) and we wanted to share them with you! Now, we’re not here to oversell these benefits (though some are pretty cool). Of course, don’t go faking blindness just to snag some of these perks, but if you qualify, definitely take advantage! From prime seating and early access to financial benefits, shorter lines, free tools and tech (and, yes, guide dogs!), we’re covering all kinds of perks that come with being blind. Got a perk we missed? Email us at hello@rarewithflair.com! We’d love to hear it and maybe feature it in a future episode! related episodes We mention a few past episodes in this one. Check them out for more stories and laughs: Cass spills all the tea on training with her new guide, Mr. A, in this two-part series! 127. guide dog training, part 1: meet cass’ new guide! 128. guide dog training, part 2: come train with cass & mr. a! Theme Parks: For the drama (and discrimination) from our latest Disneyland trip, listen to 99. the unhappiest place on earth: discrimination at disneyland Concerts: For concert perks and access tips, check out 115. internet fan meetups, unicorn snot, & trying to see the jumbotron Airports: For our updated thoughts on airport assistance, listen to 124. we’ve changed our minds?: our 5 year podaversary Books: Curious about accessible reading? Hear us chat BARD and Bookshare in 61. is reading an audiobook really reading? Humor: For a good laugh (and a little existential crisis), go back to 55. things we’re sad and glad we can’t see (& having a mini crisis) Case pre-boarding a flight and Cass exploring a bust by touch, 2025 show notes Cass mentions the National Parks Access Pass, available to people with disabilities for their lifetime and covers you and your whole vehicle! Cass talks about college scholarships for blind students with academic merits, so check out these orgs among others if you need funding for college: American Council of the Blind (ACB) Scholarships American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Scholars Program National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Scholarships Lighthouse Guild Scholarship Case mentions sending Free Matter for the Blind mail (USPS) when mailing blind-related mail to other blind folks Case & Cass talk about getting access to books, including: To access the BARD Mobile app that has free audiobooks for the blind and visually impaired, first apply to receive service from the NLS (National Library Service), then submit an application for BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Downloads) Students who qualify can access Bookshare for free e-books, and non-students can pay a discounted membership fee Case mentioned that NOAH (the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation) has an iPad program for anyone with albinism who needs an iPad as assistive tech! Cass plugs Guide Dogs for the Blind, that provides “free dogs” for blind people: guide dogs as a mobility aid service dog, or K9 Buddies as companions!

hi hello hey, welcome back to part TWO of our guide dog training extravaganza! We couldn’t make you wait a full two weeks for the next chapter of this story, so we’re releasing part two right away! It’s time to spill all the tea on our new favorite dude, Mr. A. If you missed part 1 (where we revealed Mr. A!), be sure to go back and catch up before diving in. In this final installment of Cass’ time at Guide Dogs for the Blind, we take you inside what two weeks of training are really like. We talk about what it’s like working with a new guide, what teams do during training, and share even more real-time voice memos from Cass with stories about Mr. A. We also cover meeting Mr. A’s incredible puppy raisers, the emotional graduation day, and shout out the amazing people who make the Guide Dogs experience so special. Want to see graduation for yourself? You can watch the California Class 1034 graduation on YouTube (embedded below)! Skip to the 41:00 mark to hear Cass wax poetic about her new partner—but grab some tissues first! We’ll be back next week with our regularly scheduled Rare with Flair episodes and will return to our biweekly release schedule after that. Cass and Mr. A at graduation, 2025 https://www.youtube.com/live/und7b3wv2IA?si=NqXofNo3lYpMhABP

hi hello hey, we’re back, and we are beyond excited to introduce Cass’ new partner-in-crime! We hope you haven’t missed us too much during our month-long hiatus, because we’re coming back with a treat: our very first two-part episode extravaganza! Over the next two weeks, we’ll take you along as Cass embarks on her journey to meet and train with her successor guide dog. If you’ve followed Rare with Flair for a while, you’ll know that Cass got her first guide, Romana—a small, sassy yellow lab from Guide Dogs for the Blind—in 2016. Romana (featured in our Rare with Flair logo artwork!) worked faithfully for eight wonderful years before retiring in 2024. After that, Cass patiently waited for “The Call” that would send her back to California for two weeks of training with her next partner. At the end of August, that time finally came! Training with a guide dog is a unique and life-changing experience, and we knew it deserved a special spotlight. In part 1 of this series, Case and Cass talk about what the training class is like, answer some frequently asked questions, and share the anticipation leading up to arrival day and the unforgettable moment of “dog day” (!!!), including how dogs are matched with their handlers. Throughout the episode, you’ll also hear voice memos Cass recorded in real time during training, capturing her live thoughts and emotions in the moment. Want to hear what happens after Cass meets her new partner? Stay tuned for part 2 next week! other dog-related episodes Curious to learn more about guide dogs, hear Cass reflect on Romana’s retirement, or get to know Casey’s adorable bichon frise, Rupert? Check out these episodes! 123. a guide to guide dogs 92. cass’ guide dog is retiring?! 13. ru & ro: guide dogs vs. pet dogs 2. canes, guide dogs, & faking disability Cass and her new partner in crime… but who could it be?!, 2025 show notes Cass mentions a couple other amazing programs also offered by Guide Dogs for the Blind: Orientation & Mobility Immersion program, to help improve safe, independent travel skills with a cane and so much more K9 Buddy program, that pairs blind children and adults who may not be eligible for a guide dog with a career-changed dog to be their companion and furry bestie (K9 Buddy dogs are not service animals, just pets with big hearts!) If learning about Guide Dogs for the Blind and their incredible work—providing dogs, veterinary care, and more to the blind community without government funding—inspires you, consider donating to GDB! Learn even more about GDB! Cass mentions the incredible food GDB clients receive during training, which you can read about on their blog series “What’s Cooking at GDB” on their blog No Bones About It Check out GDB’s podcast, Central Bark, and their recent episode featuring another GDB grad talking about the process of getting a successor dog Want to “stalk the Pupdates” like Cass did before going to class? Check out the GDB Pupdates site to see all the dogs after they leave their puppy raising homes, whether they’re in guide dog training, career changed, selected as breeders, or becoming K9 Buddies! They’re updated the third Thursday of each month!

hi hello hey, grab your emotional support item of choice and cuddle up with us! Life is challenging, period. Inspired by the podcast A Beautiful Mess by sisters Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, we’re diving into the little things that bring us comfort. We all have go-to comforts in stressful times or when we just need a boost, whether it’s a nostalgic movie, an immersive hobby, a favorite album, or grounding ourselves in faith. We’ve shared plenty of favorites and things that make us happy before, but this time we’re talking about our true lifelines. And with all this talk of hard times, we’ve got a big (and exciting!) update: Cass will be training with her successor guide dog when this episode comes out!! That means we’ll be taking a short hiatus until she and her brand-new partner in crime are ready to share their training story with the podience. Stay tuned on our socials to know when we’ll be back on the reg. Until then, learn more about guide dogs and keep us in your rotation as your comfort podcast (we hope!). 102. white cane hot takes 92. cass’ guide dog is retiring?! 48. mobility tools therapy sesh 13. ru & ro: guide dogs vs. pet dogs 2. canes, guide dogs, & faking disability Sending you all the comfort vibes until we’re back.

hi hello hey: let’s get fit!! In over 125 episodes across five years, we’ve somehow never devoted a full episode to fitness… until now! In the past few years, we’ve truly found a love for moving our bodies, and today we’re sharing our fitness journeys from childhood sports to the workouts keeping us active now. We might not be the sportiest girlies, but we like to think we’re athletic at heart. We’ll talk about what motivates us, how our routines have evolved, and why fitness has taken on new meaning in our lives. So grab your AirPods and walk, jog, lift, or stretch along with us! Got thoughts, questions, or suggestions? Our inbox is always open at hello@rarewithflair.com and we’d love to hear from you! Cass running cross country as a freshman in high school, and Case finishing up a run last year, 2011/2024 show notes Case & Cass mention several past episodes: their most recent episode celebrating the 5 year podaversary: 124. we’ve changed our minds?: our 5 year podaversary celebrating the value of community: 43. is that how close i hold my phone? what it’s like to be in a wedding: 47. here comes the bridesmaid: being in a wedding with a rare disease our original episode on hobbies from our childhood: 12. wobbly balance, e-readers, & our favorite pastimes 2022 recap where Cass tells the story of her accident: 59. recapping a wild & wacky year For those in the bleeding disorder community, ask your hematologist about your local chapter of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (formerly the National Hemophelia Foundation) to learn about programs they offer, including wellness incentives!

hi hello hey, happy FIVE YEARS of Rare with Flair! As wild as it feels to say, it’s true: we’ve changed in the five years since we started this podcast. To celebrate our fifth podaversary (!!!), we’re reflecting on the ways we’ve grown. Some shifts are small, and others are in how we approach big things like disclosing, advocating, and accepting help. We truly wouldn’t be here without you, our amazing listeners. Whether you just found us or have been with us since our pandemic origins, thank you for being part of this journey. We’d be yapping into the void without you! Have thoughts, questions, or feedback? Drop us a line at hello@rarewithflair.com; we just might answer on the pod! And while you’re at it, check out our past podaversary episodes, including our very first episode from July 2020! 100. over one hundred hours of us yapping!!! 72. third podaversary: roasting our first episode 49. two year podaversary, favorite episodes, & funniest tech fails 26. happy podaversary! our origin story & behind the scenes magic 1. intro: welcome to rare with flair! Case + Cass at the ATS conference, 2025 show notes Casey mentioned blind influencer Molly Burke’s video on My Disability Hot Takes (please don’t hate me…) (YouTube) that inspired this episode We cross-reference several episodes during this episode, including: 102. white cane hot takes, where Casey talks about her all-pink cane 108. the wound that never heals: our discrimination stories, where Cass talks about getting rejected from rideshares with a guide dog and Case talks about a major discrimination issue she faced 97. how we stopped word-vomiting all our struggles and 71. oversharing on facebook: our online advocacy experience where we talk about how we’ve grown in disclosing and not oversharing 14. life, love, & dating with a disability, our original dating episode from 2021 43. is that how close i hold my phone? where Case & Cass talk about the importance of community and finding people who understand you

hi, hello, hey, we’re talking all about guide dogs today! 🦮 Over the years, we’ve gotten lots of requests to make an episode all about guide dogs. Whether you’re seriously considering one or just curious about what it takes to get a working dog, this episode is for you! We’ve talked about canes plenty, and even compared pet dogs and guide dogs before, but we never dedicated a full episode to the topic, mostly because Cass is the one with experience, having worked with a guide dog for about eight years (now retired!), while Case hasn’t. So in this slightly atypical episode, Cass takes the lead and shares everything from how to know if a guide dog is right for you, to how to choose from the nearly 15 guide dog schools in the U.S.—each with their own unique approach and vibe. She also walks through the application process at Guide Dogs for the Blind and gives a peek into the incredible training that goes into preparing a dog to become a guide. Got more guide dog (or non-guide dog) questions? Send them our way at hello@rarewithflair.com and we just might answer them in a future episode! Want more cane or dog talk? Check these episodes out! 102. white cane hot takes 92. cass’ guide dog is retiring?! 48. mobility tools therapy sesh 13. ru & ro: guide dogs vs. pet dogs 2. canes, guide dogs, & faking disability Cassandra’s guide dog, Romana, snoozing onstage at the NOAH Con, 2022 show notes the National Federation of the Blind’s list of guide dog schools in the USA check out Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Orientation and Mobility Immersion program!Whether you’re looking to get a guide dog or not, this is a great opportunity to get much needed mobility skills you can learn more from this 20 minute podcast from GDB’s show, Central Bark watch the “Pick of the Litter” documentary by GDB to get more insight into the puppy raising process (and to enjoy some precious pups!). Look it up to see what current streaming options are available, or rent it for a small fee on Prime Video

hi hello hey, ready to get cozy with us?? Longtime listeners know that personality quizzes hate to see us coming. We’ve always loved them, even as kids! So when Cass recently stumbled upon her old American Girl quiz books, we knew we had to bring them to the pod. In this episode, we each take a quiz from one of the three vintage books and find out just how well these throwback quizzes really know us. Spoiler: some results are spot on! And! The day this episode drops (June 24th) is Cass’ 28th birthday! Want to wish her a happy one or send us a question for a future episode? We’d love to hear from you at hello@rarewithflair.com. Check out our other personality quiz related episodes: 113. an instagram reel revealed who we really are 93. the great cardigan debate: our style roots 86. just a couple decisive, self-aware, water signs: revisiting personality types 18. personality types, astrology fails, & words of affirmation Case + Cass at the slumber party for Casey’s 30th birthday, 2022

hi hello hey, we’re exhausted but invigorated! We know we say “this is a special episode” a lot (because, honestly, every episode is special to us). But this one really is: it’s only the third time in Rare with Flair history that we’ve recorded almost entirely in the same room! If you’re new here, you might’ve thought we always record together, but nope! With Case in Tennessee and Cass in Ohio, we’re usually recording from separate states. This time, against all odds (and at the cost of some sleep), we managed to capture a semi-thorough recap of our time at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) conference in San Francisco! This was Cass’s third ATS conference with the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) Network, but it was Case’s first. The conference is a huge opportunity to connect with researchers, biotech and pharma reps, and organizations who can help us push toward a cure for the pulmonary fibrosis many people with HPS develop. There’s a lot of advocacy, booth-running, and behind-the-scenes hustle, and we’re pulling back the curtain to let you in on all of it. We hope you enjoy our chaotic, sleep-deprived, heart-filled recap of this fulfilling, jam-packed week! Case + Cass in their room at the American Thoracic Society conference, 2025 show notes Check out the reels (Youtube shorts) Case, Cass, and the HPS team made of each day at ATS! Day 1 recap Day 2 recap Day 3 recap Day 4 recap Case & Cass mention the podcast from the opening ceremony speaker called “The Human Doctor” so check it out! The host is a doctor who’s a wonderful storyteller, you won’t be disappointed!

hi hello hey, it’s time for a little catch up on what we’re into lately! Once or twice a year, we like to take a minute (or an hour) to catch you guys up on what we’ve been up to aside from going to the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome conference and talking all things disability. On this edition of “What Are We Into Lately?,” we talk about the books, music, TV shows, hobbies, and lifestyle changes that have occupied our year thus far. Spoiler alert: we’re each other’s biggest influencers, and we fill you in on all the things one of us recommended that the other one has tried and loved. Have an idea for a future episode or want to comment on something we’re into? You can always send us an email at hello@rarewithflair.com, and we’ll answer it on the next episode (if you want us to, of course!). Cass with her tarts at a wedding and Case hula-hooping on the dace floor at the HPS conference, 2025

hi hello hey, let’s go to the doctor! It’s been a hot minute since we did an episode on chronic health, but we’re BACK and ready for action! On this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to be your own advocate in the healthcare system, especially when you have a rare disease and a vision impairment. From the constant parade of specialist appointments to the exhausting task of explaining your condition to every new doctor (yes, we’ll gladly spell it… again), we’re sharing our lived experiences navigating medical systems that often aren’t built with us in mind. This episode pairs perfectly with a couple of others from our archive: 117. few but many: hps conference 2025: our most recent ep, where we shared our reflections on meeting others with Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, connecting with researchers, and the joy of community 68. the nih has my colon! the research episode: a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be the research subject, from clinical trials to NIH visits (including what it’s like to keep a jug of pee cold for a day) Cass at the NIH & Case participating in medical research, 2016/2023

hi, hello, hey—grab your popcorn, because it’s conference time! As many of you know, we’re two best friends with the same rare disease, living our best lives. We truly wouldn’t be friends without Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome—or without this incredible conference. It’s where our friendship began, and where we reconnect with our amazing community year after year. We love soaking up the latest research from rising stars in science, catching up with familiar faces, and yes… there’s always some singing involved. Since we (Case & Cass) live in different states, this conference is also one of the rare times we get to hang out in person, making it extra meaningful. This year’s conference had a different vibe from previous ones, but it was still special in its own way. Come along as we recap the highlights! P.S. Don’t miss our episodes from past conference years, too! 16. a family reunion with blood draws: the hps conference (overview of the conference itself, 2021) 66. hps conference: reuniting our community after four years (2023) 91. doctors at a bar, cute lab mice, & dancing dinosaurs: hps conference recap (2024) listener shout-out We love getting mail from our listeners! This week, we’re sharing an excerpt from an email we received from Jeff L., a professor of cello at Texas Tech University who has low vision. He included a link to his YouTube channel, and we were especially wowed by his performance of Bach’s 5th Cello Suite where you can see him using assistive tech glasses to read his sheet music, and his talent truly blew us away. We’re so grateful to Jeff for sharing not only his music but also what the podcast has meant to him. It really means the world to us! Got a story to share, a topic to suggest, or just something cool you want to tell us? Email us anytime at hello@rarewithflair.com, and if you’re cool with it, we might read it on the show! Case + Cass partying at the HPS conference, 2025 show notes Case & Cass talk about Dare to be Rare, a nonprofit started by the HPS Network that sells clothes with the slogan to raise funds for rare disease research. The online store will officially relaunch May 16, 2025 so be sign up for their email list to be the first to hear about it! Cass mentions the Dare to be Rare jingle from 2017 (Youtube) written by Tommy Criblez of the band Ritual Talk (Bandcamp) Just for fun, Cass made reference to our episode 46. how we remember everything for how we are with dates Case is doing work on the HPS Network’s social media! Give them a follow on their various platforms: HPS Network Youtube channel HPS Network on Instagram HPS Network on Facebook Cass & Case mention Rick Guidotti, a former fashion photographer turned nonprofit founder of Positive Exposure. You can also check out Rick’s story in his Ted talk Cass gave a talk on how your iPhone could be a powerful assistive technology device on its own! Check out her slide deck (Canva) Cass mentions a short documentary-style video on the HPS Network at the American Thoracic Society conference in 2024 (Youtube). It’s a little over 20 minutes, but well worth the watch!