Beyond the Spectrum.. every age, every need

Amber Arrington is a mother to 6 children, 3 of whom are autistic. Autism was once a word she feared and has become a word she loves.  Now she helps parents navigate an autism diagnosis and the autism landscape as a whole. She educates moms about available services and connects them with appropriate resources and professionals. Amber helps parents become "autism savvy" so they can know the...

This is episode is the first of a monthly series where Shawn & Brian tackle topics most men have a hard time opening up about.

Dr. Tasnuva Sarwar Tunna, returns to Just Two Dads. A pharmacist, educator, and research scientist with several high-impact publications, she earned a PhD in Pharmaceutical Science, majoring in Natural Medicine. She's a mom of 2 boys and 1 girl. Her son was diagnosed with stage 3 nonverbal autism with developmental delays at the age of 2 in her home country of Bangladesh. She immigrated to Ott...

Conservatorship. When you hear that word it may bring to mind recent cases involving celebrities. But there's more to it than that & like anything important to the general population, it's 10 X more important to Caregivers & the people they love & care for. Bruce Kauffer is an Attorney with a crusader's mindset. He is the founder of The Conservatorship Center. Conservatorsh...

Lynn Greenberg has focused her life on being a champion for children. As a trained Attorney, Lynn spent her time in the legal world practicing family law, providing pro bono work for kids, and advocating on their behalf. When her youngest son Jonathan was diagnosed with Dyslexia, becoming his advocate, as well as others, came easy. Understanding how to gather facts and create strategic plans, Lynn...

Weller Killebrew is a husband, father, & special needs Advocate. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Lanterman Regional Center & is the Facilitator for the So Cal Father's Group. As a father to a non-verbal 18-year-old son, his advocacy is genuine & constant. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4505255944912896 eMail: soca...

Steve Niel is a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry with a diverse background both in front of and behind the camera. He graduated from the LA Second City Conservatory Program, which is renowned for training in improvisational comedy. Steve has an impressive portfolio in commercials, television, and film spanning over 30 years. But Steve's most impressive credit may be his work...

Cherisse Watts is a doctoral student in the School of Nursing at the University of California at Los Angeles, and a graduate of Wellesley College and Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. Her research interests include investigating health disparities and improving the quality of care among Black and Latinx children. Her research efforts are concentrated on advocating for medically unde...

Chiante Williams-Ranel is a seasoned veteran in the field of behavioral therapy, who began honing her expertise with neurodivergent children during her time at Pepperdine University. While volunteering at a local elementary school, she discovered her lifelong passion for nurturing the unique learning paths of these children. After 8 years as a behavioral therapist, ascending  to the role of Direct...

Shawn & Brian are visited by Maurice McDavid & Sean Ranel. Maurice is a father to a young adult son on the autism spectrum & Sean along with his wife, owns a business that provides ABA therapy. Both are members of The Den, the men's group for fathers & caregivers. The four discuss fatherhood in today's world, the definition/re-definition of masculinity, & what it means...

Julia DeNey founded Sense-ational You, a maker of adaptive apparel for autistic children who need help with sensory regulation to succeed and be included. While at Cornell University, Julia established and ran a volunteer partnership with a local autism preschool for her sorority and, from this passion, focused her fashion studies on the special needs of autistic children. She began building Sense...

Shawn & Brian discuss the matter of teachers.. from middle school to professors at colleges & universities, it seems to be a common theme that they are underpaid. How many teachers do you know that buy their own classroom supplies? Is it different outside the U.S.? Do we appreciate our teachers? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/45052...

Shawn shares with Brian, the experience of conservatorship, the reality of being a father & caregiver to a legal adult, & more. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4505255944912896 — eMail:wearejusttwodads@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://anchor.fm/justtwodads LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin....

In a first Just Two Dads is doing a "pod swap" with Manny "Digital" Montilla from the Father Hoods podcast (https://fatherhoodspod.com/). This is a great show that talks about the trials and joys of Father Hood. Enjoy this episode! This is Episode 151 from their podcast Tantrums featuring Mic Geronimo.

Manny Montilla, better known as "Manny Digital," is the visionary behind FlyDadGear.com (https://flydadgear.com/) and co-host of the Father Hoods podcast, platforms dedicated to empowering dads to be present and positive forces in their children’s lives. As a former Vice President at Yahoo! and a serial entrepreneur with a knack for digital advertising, Manny leverages his expertise to sup...

Shawn & Brian are visited by Madeline Handy, an Outreach Specialist with CalABLE ( https://www.calable.ca.gov/ ), and Charles Beckham who is an Authorized Legal Representative on behalf of his Grandson. They discuss the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program, what it means in general, the benefits that Charles has experienced, and the recent changes to the plan in California through...

Curve Magazine described our next guest, the musician EMM as "...the definition of a thriving independent artist: calling all the shots in her own career, making her visions come to life, having a hand in every sonic choice and every melody you hear, betting on herself, and standing up for what she believes in most...EMM is a force."  She's also been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Diso...

As a Father of a 16-year-old boy who is on the Autism spectrum, Jamiel Owens is truly an advocate for his son Shayne and other Autism parents. Jamiel has been through many challenges and triumphs in his life as a disabled individual himself, which has led him to give back to other men who may be experiencing the same issues within their own lives and, without someone to speak to about them. Raised...

Mark Purifoy is a dedicated father who has served his country in the United States Navy. Furthermore,  he’s an inspiration to many because he’s a single father to a son on the autism spectrum who is non-verbal & has made the choice to be more warrior than worrier.  From homelessness to hopefulness, hear his story on this episode of Just Two Dads. Want to create live streams like this? Check ou...

Author, Elizabeth Trenary talks about her journey, her vulnerability, her discovery, & her new book....Your YOU. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4505255944912896 Book: https://a.co/d/0AgJSS7 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lady_elizabeth75/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@smilewithme75 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brwneyedgi...

Mother, wife, & Author, Kelley Coleman returns to talk in more detail about her book, "Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child." Available for pre-order NOW on Amazon and will be available on March 13th, 2024. On her last visit, Kelley discussed the writing & publishing process and the matter of fulfilling her dream to write a book that is of service to others....

Author, life coach and positive life influencer Eboney Thompson is known as Mz Hustle’N’Heelz because of her love for stilettos & the hustle. She's a single mom of four, a speaker, and Baddie breast cancer advocate. Eboney was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in December 2018 after being misdiagnosed in 2015. Since then she has launched an online coaching center,  and a non-...

In the third part of their series on the relationship between money & caregivers, Shawn & Brian discuss the prospect of retirement. At what age should you stop working? Can you afford to retire? What does retirement mean to you and how is all this affected by your role as a parent or caregiver? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/450525...

In part two of our series on the connection between money and being a parent or caregiver to one with special needs. Shawn & Brian discuss the real, human, and emotional value of money versus the mathematical,  and the relationship between the ever-changing gig economy & the special needs community.. particularly as it relates to caregivers and the flexibility they need. Want to create liv...

Don ”The Dragon" Wilson is an 11-time world champion kickboxer who has scored 47 knockouts in 4 decades and according to the STAR ratings system, is perhaps the greatest kickboxer in American history. He's worked as a commentator for UFC events and has appeared in a variety of films that span over 30 years, including everything from "Behind Enemy Lines" to "Batman Forever"...