Dad to Dad Podcast

That’s Mark Paterson, an executive in the industrial equipment industry, and father of a boy who is autistic. Mark speaks candidly with our host David Hirsch about some of the difficulties of raising a child with special needs. That’s on this Dad to Dad podcast. To find out about Little City go to www.littlecity.org. To learn about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks to special father, Cory Estby, the pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Grant Park, Illinois. Cory and his wife Christena have four children including two adopted brothers who both have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Hear the fascinating story of how these two young boys became a part of the Estby family on this Dad to Dad podcast. Visit Giftofadoptio...

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks to special father, Jim Rigg, the superintendent of catholic education at the Archdiocese of Chicago. Jim has four children including Daniel, who is autistic and diabetic. We’ll hear about the challenges of raising a son with multiple special needs and about Jim’s personal work in helping educate other kids with special needs. That’s all in this D...

In this Dad to Dad podcast host David Hirsch talks to Shane Sondergeld, a doctor from Brisbane, Australia. Shane is a father of three children including William, who was diagnosed with 4Q deletion syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Shane tells the Sondergeld family story and how having a child with a disability is truly a wonder. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast. Find out more about the Speci...

Meet John Crowley, a special father of three kids with special needs. Two of those children have a rare genetic disorder called Pompe disease. John and his wife Aileen were told that Meghan and Patrick would not live very long. So, they took matters into their own hands and helped develop a drug that successfully treats the disorder. They formed a successful RX company, Amicus, whose mission is to...

Host David Hirsch talks to special father, Dan Tepperman. Dan has two boys including 20 year old Scott who is autistic. Dan talks about the challenges and rewards of raising a child with special needs and the family's decision to use Little City (www.littlecity.org) to help Scott thrive and the family to regain its balance. That’s all in this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Ne...

Host David Hirsch talks to SFN Mentor Father, Tom Costello of Frankfort, IL a managing director at Duchossois Capital Management. Tom and his wife, Irene, are the proud parents of twin 17 year-old boys, both with Autism. Tom shares their story and how both boys are blessed with incredible empathy. It’s a great listen and it’s all in this SFN Dad to Dad Podcast. Email - tcostello@duch.com LinkedIn...

John Dodd of Brentwood, TN who is a wealth manager with Ronald Blue & Co. is our guest on this Dad to Dad podcast. John and his wife, Kathleen, have been married for 34 years and are the proud parents of two daughters; Joy (23) and Grace (21) who has Down Syndrome. He’s also had some significant challenges in his life, including his physician father's suicide, but through it all has remained incre...

He’s written and directed some of the funniest movies to come out of Hollywood: Airplane and Naked Gun among them. He’s Jim Abrahams, and he’s our guest on this Dad to Dad Podcast. Jim and his former wife, Nancy are the proud parents of three children, Joseph (35), Jamie (33) and Charlie (27) who suffered from severe epileptic seizures for years. The medications prescribed and surgery performed by...

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks with SFN Mentor Father Jerry Castro, of Washington, DC who is a financial industry veteran and Branch Office Manager at UBS. Jerry and his second wife, Catherine, have been married for six years and are the proud parents of eight children: Megan (34), Elise (26), Marlie (24), Elizabeth (24), Jerry, Jr. (18), Carie (14), Jett (10) and Jack who pas...

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks with SFN Mentor Father John Felageller of Highwood, IL, a 4th grade teacher and father of 11-year-old Christopher, who is autistic. John and his wife Elizabeth have been through some challenging times but have emerged stronger thanks in part to their involvement an evangelical Christian Church. That’s all on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by...

On this Dad to Dad podcast host David Hirsch talks to Shane Lee, of Louisburg NC, a systems administrator. Shane and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 14 years and are the proud parents of five children: Trey (8), Nathan (6), Asher (4), Kiera (2) and Jocelyn who was born in 2007 and died at age 4 ½ from complications related to SMA Type 1 or Spinal Muscular Atrophy. We’ll hear the amazing...

Our guest this week is Kelly Moynihan of Alberta Canada and Naples, FL a retired oil industry veteran. Kelly and his wife, Kathy, have been married for almost 40 years and are the proud parents of three children: Jackie (34), Sandie (28) and Nickie (32), who has Down Syndrome. Kelly Is involved with Star Ability Foundation in Naples, FL, has some sage advice for fathers of kids with special needs...

On this Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks with John Wagner, of NYC, who is a leader at Young Life and an author. John and his late wife, Gae, were married for 28 year and are the proud parents of three: Michael (27), Jessie (25) and David (21), who has Down Syndrome. a father of three, including David who has Down Syndrome. John has also written a book about his family entitled: “Perfect...

On this Dad to Dad podcast host David Hirsch talks with Jason Lehmbeck of Los Angeles, CA. Jason and his wife, Leah, have been married for 16 years and are the proud parents of three boys Isaac (3), Elliott (6), and Noah (11) who has FOX G1, a rare genetic disorder. We’ll hear about Jason’s family and his career, including co-founding of Team Special X (now known as Undivided) a non-profit, helpin...

On this Dad to Dad podcast host David Hirsch talks to Martin Cuevas of Crystal Lake, IL. Martin and his wife, Amy have been married for 8 years and are the proud parents of twin 4 year old daughters, one of whom has Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability and developmental delay, breathing problems, recurrent seizures (epilepsy), and distinctive faci...

On this Dad to Dad podcast we hear from Sean Farrell, of Franklin, TN, a father who feels blessed to have a boy with Down Syndrome, saying families that have someone with Down Syndrome, are statistically happier and have a better life. Sean Farrell is a leader at Gigi's Playhouse in Nashville and he is David Hirsch’s guest on this SFN Dad to Dad Podcast. Email - volfarrell@gmail.com LinkedIn - htt...

On this Dad to Dad podcast we hear the story of a boy who was born with no arms and no legs, who went on to become an inspiring and successful high school varsity football coach. Host David Hirsch talks with Coach Mendez’s father, Bob and hears the story of how young Robert was born with an extremely rare condition that currently affects around 100 people globally. Email - bshrrkk@gmail.com ESPN V...

In this Dad to Dad Podcast we talk with special father, Tim Kuck. Tim not only builds boats - he’s the COO of Regal Marine, but he’s also a special father to three children, including Nathanial who passed away at age 4, due to multiple birth anomalies. In this Dad to Dad podcast, Tim talks of the journey undertaken by he and his wife Marie, including the formation of Nathanial’s Hope, a charity th...

In this Dad to Dad Podcast we talk with the legendary Chicago voice, Wayne Messmer. For decades Wayne has sung the national anthem for every sports team in Chicago. He’s been on TV, the radio, the stage, the screen, and then it all stopped – when he was shot in the neck in a late night robbery attempt in April, 1994. But through grit and determination he came back. He came back to sing and he came...

In this Dad to Dad Podcast we talk with our first Mom. Becky Davidson is a podcaster, author and mother to Jon Alex, who has multiple special needs. Becky and her husband Jeff formed Rising Above Ministries.org, a national organization that helps families with children with special needs. Sadly, In 2017, Jeff passed away unexpectedly, leaving Becky an only parent. Becky talks to Host David Hirsch...

In this Dad to Dad Podcast we meet Rich Gathro. Rich and his wife Kathy have been married for 41 years and are the proud parents of two adopted children, who are now young adults; daughter Kate who had a brain tumor at age 10, and son Will, who was born with Schizencephaly, a rare disease. We’ll hear the Gathro family story, including some highs and lows, as well as Will's love for sports and ESPN...

In this Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks with Special Father Network Mentor Father Stephen Duffley. Steve and his wife, Christine, have been married for 30 years and are the proud parents of five children; Steve (26), Grace (24), AnnMarie (22), Luke (18) and adopted son Christopher (17), who was born 14 weeks premature, weighed 1 lb 5 ozs, is blind and has Autism. Christopher is also an...

In this Dad to Dad Podcast host David Hirsch talks with John Shouse. He and his wife Janet have been married for 36 years and are the proud parents of three children; Emma (30) and 23 year old twins Brendan and Evan, who is Autistic. John is an outspoken advocate on behalf of people with autism, is chair of the development committee at Arc of Tennessee and he’s David Hirsch’s guest on this Dad to...

In this Dad to Dad Podcast host David Hirsch talks with special father Bo Bigelow, a lawyer, cofounder of Disorder: A rare disease film festival and father of two, including Tess, who has a rare disease related to the mutation of the USP 7 gene. Bo is also the host of the podcast Stronger Every Day, documenting his journey as Tess’ parent. He’s our guest today on the Dad to Dad Podcast. Email - bo...