Dad to Dad Podcast

Ben Satterfield is David Hirsch’s guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. Ben and his wife Pat are parents to five children, including Kathleen and Blake who both have Down Syndrome. Ben has spent his much of his life developing computer solutions that help those with disabilities communicate with their families and loved ones. We’ll hear Ben’s fascinating life story on this Spec...

In this 100th episode of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast, we are both honored and pleased to welcome a truly exceptional father, Doron Almog, retired Major General, Israel Defense Forces. Doron is a truly heroic figure in his native Israel. During his 34-year military career he was involved in dozens of high level missions including the legendary rescue of the 105 Jewish Air France...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks with Dr. Lawrence Fung, a psychologist and Director of the Stanford University Neurodiversity Alliance. Dr. Fung and his wife Michele have two children Hannah,13 and Zachary, 16, who was diagnosed with Autism at age 3. We’ll hear Dr. Fung talk about his work to help take advantage of the inherent talents of individuals wit...

In this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks to Special Father David Hall, the founder of Life Guides For Autistics and Neuroguides. David has three children who are all on the Autism spectrum and more recently discovered he is too. We’ll hear some sage advice and pearls of wisdom from David in this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Here’s our host, David H...

We’ll hear excerpts of some of host David Hirsch’s conversations with five special fathers. These Fathers of kids with special needs have used adaptive sports to give their children’s lives purpose and great meaning. We’ll hear from Gregg Chalmers. Gregg’s son Ryan is a Paralympic champion with Spina bifida who has pushed his wheelchair all the way across America. We’ll hear from Air Force veteran...

We are proud to present this very special edition of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Host David Hirsch talks to special father Miguel Cervantes. Miguel performed the lead role of Alexander Hamilton for the entire 171 week Chicago run of “Hamilton: An American Musical.” Miguel and his wife, Kelly, son Jackson and Newborn Adelaide, moved to Chicago so Miguel could take on the role of...

The Special Fathers Network was created so that dads with an average of 10 or more years of experience raising a child with special needs, could share their insights with and mentor younger fathers, who are closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child in a similar situation. On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks to young father, Joe Lofino. Joe and...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks to Special Father, Air Force reservist and stand-up comic Jarrell Roach. Jarell, and his wife Kinesha, have four children; John, Karia, Jeremiah and Karley. Both Karia and Jeremiah have Autism. We’ll hear about Jarell’s family, his military service and about being campus director for Greater Omaha Youth for Christ. That’s...

From terrible tragedy comes forgiveness, which leads to incredible acts of kindness. On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks to Special Father Sam Rodriguez. Sam and his wife Stacey have three children. Ben, Emma and Manny, who passed away as a baby. Sam tells his family’s story including the formation of the Manny Rodriguez fund and the 87 random acts of kindne...

This is the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. Of the close to 100 Dads we’ve interviewed thus far, many are the proud parents of kids with Down Syndrome. So today we’re going to hear clips from these Dads. We’ll hear how they reacted to the news that they’re child has Down Syndrome, and we’ll hear how these children have been a real blessing. That’s all on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presen...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with Rob Wrubel, a father of three, including Sarah, who has Down Syndrome. Rob is a financial planner who specializes in helping special needs families invest in their future. He’s an author, an advocate for children with special needs and he’s David Hirsch’s guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. Show...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with Dr. Harold Reitman, a retired orthopedic surgeon and former professional heavy weight boxer, an author, a filmmaker and founder of Different Brains.org. Dr, Reitman is father to Rebecca, 38, who has Asperger Syndrome. We’ll hear all about Harold, or Hackie and he’s known in boxing circles, and his incredible and insp...

This SFN Podcast is a compilation of excerpts from earlier interviews of SFN Mentor Fathers who each lost a child with special needs. They are listed here in alphabetical order. The number relates to each dad's podcast: #66 Jerry Castro/Son Jack age 15, #31 Kris Kazian/daughter Lexi age 2, #57 Tim Kuck/son Nathaniel age 4, #64 Shane Lee/daughter Jocelyn age 4 1/2, #37 Matt Mooney/son Elliot age 99...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with special Father Juan Vaglienty, a lawyer from Chicago. Juan and wife Anna, have two children with special needs. Amelia, age 9, has Pallister-Killian Mosaic Syndrome, or PKS and Max, age 7, has Down Syndrome. We’ll hear the Vaglienty family story and how religion has been an important part of their life. That’s all on...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with special father, Dan Morrissey. Dan and his wife Kristin have two children, one of whom, Emily, has Cerebral Palsy. We’ll hear the Morrissey family story including how they started a new business, www. Emilysbracelets.com . We’ll also hear how Emily’s younger brother PJ wrote two books about having a sister with speci...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with Don Garner. Don and his wife Alisa have three girls, one of whom, Francesca, was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 8 years old. We’ll hear Don’s story and how the Make a Wish Foundation granted a very special wish to Frannie and the entire Garner family. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the...

We’ve talked to over 80 Dads in the Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network, and in this episode we present a “greatest hits” version of the podcast. You'll hear many fathers chiming in on why they joined the Special Fathers Network and why being a father of a kid with special needs is so important to them. To find out more about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturyd...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with Jon Heckert. Jon and his wife Doris are parents of a son, Jackson, who was diagnosed early in life with special needs. In the Heckert household the word can’t doesn’t exist. Jon makes sure Jackson competes in races and he takes him on hunting trips. Jon is indeed a special dad. As a side note, just prior to this inte...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with Josh Avis, father of three and cofounder of The Lucky Few Instagram account and podcast. Josh and his wife Heather have adopted three children two of whom have Down Syndrome. Josh and Heather consider themselves among the lucky few to have two children with special needs, in fact, Avis has written a book entitled The...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with special father Jude Morrow, of Derry Northern Ireland. Jude’s son, Ethan, doesn’t have special needs, Jude himself, the dad has special needs. He’s on the autism spectrum and he’s written a book about his experience which will be available in April 2020. It’s a fascinating conversation and it’s all on this Dad to Dad...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with special father Steve Mogul, a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services and a father of two children who both have very rare developmental disorders. Hayley, is only one of 19 in the world who has a rare form of Smith–Magenis Syndrome. Bari, is one of only 19 in the world who have a mutated GRIN2B gene. It’s a ve...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, Host David Hirsch speaks with special father John Kimec, principal of St. John De Sales, a Catholic High School in Chicago, Illinois. John and his wife Lindsay have five children including Michael who has Pierpont Syndrome and is non-verbal. John and host David Hirsch will talk about the challenges and joys of raising a son with special needs on...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, Host David Hirsch speaks with Chad Johnson. Chad is a father of six children and a military veteran with three tours of duty. Chad talks frankly to David Hirsch about dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, while raising 6 kids including Cameron who was diagnosed with CHARGE Syndrome. Chad is also heavily involved with Retrieving Freedom a 5...

This week's guest is Michael Kohler of Lawrenceville, GA, co-founder of Special Kneads and Treats Bakery. Michael and his wife, Tempa, are the proud parents of two young adults, Ashley and Bradley (29) who has Fragile X Syndrome. Michael talks about his faith, family, work and how he and his wife Tempa formed the Special Kneads and Treats Bakery that employs young adults with special needs.  They...

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks with special father Jeff Katz. Jeff is the afternoon host of The Jeff Katz Show at News Radio WRVA, in Richmond Virginia. He has three children including Julie who has global development delays and is non-verbal. Jeff tells his life story and why he truly treasures his daughter Julia. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast. To find out more about...