Beyond the Spectrum.. every age, every need

March 17, 2021 | Episode  30 just Two Dads (Shawn Francis & Brian Altounian) is joined by Autism Personal Coach founder, Doug Blecher for a chat. Doug Blecher is the founder of Autism Personal Coach, an organization that for the last 8 years has provided coaching to autistic teens and adults to help them reduce their daily overwhelm and get the things they want and need in their lives.  The co...

March 10, 2021 | Episode  29 just Two Dads, Brian Altounian & Shawn Francis, sit down with music professor Bret Lieberman.  Bret Lieberman brings to YIC over 20 years of experience working as a mild/moderate special education teacher specializing in working with young adults on the autism spectrum. Lieberman holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from California State Bakers...

March 3, 2021 | Episode  28 just Two Dads sit down with intuitive health expert Aimee Ibarra. Aimee is passionate about helping others take back their power and reclaim their voice through health and wellness. Her passion stems from her own successful weight loss journey where she lost 87 pounds and experienced a total mind & body transformation. She has since created a life of purpose around...

February 24, 2021 | Episode  27  “just two dads”, Brian Altounian & Shawn Francis are joined by special needs Warrior & then some, Susan Fink. We can’t wait for you to hear her story!!  Susan Fink is a marketing executive by trade, a 42 year old single mom, and and autism advocate, supporting other families who have children with autism/special needs through her podcast "Rise with the...

February 17, 2021 | Episode  26 just Two Dads have a sit down chat with entrepreneur, philanthropist, & mentor Jeff Levitan. Jeff Levitan is a husband and father of five children, two of which are on the Autism Spectrum.  He is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and business strategist who achieved financial independence over a decade ago and he has committed his effort to mentoring others to acc...

February 11, 2021 | Episode  25 just Two Dads talk to Susan B. Woods, a Development Consultant helping college-age Special Needs Students transition to successful college careers! Susan Woods, M.ed, retired from Middlesex Community College in 2017 as the Associate Dean of Student Support Services.  Currently, Susan teaches as an Adjunct Faculty at Middlesex Community College and at Bunker Hill Com...

February 3, 2021 | Episode  24 In this episode just Two Dads sit down with radio talk show host Robert B. Moorhead. Robert B. Moorhead. Small business owner, Community activist, and senatorial candidate 2022. Federal grant writer, and Private Pilot. Has been an advocate for our young people for 20 years. The founder and creator of the down street people Youth in Action Program, St Thomas. The Boyz...

January 27, 2021 | Episode 22 just Two Dads have a sit down with Emmy Nominated filmmaker Dan Habib. Dan Habib is the creator of the award-winning documentary films Including Samuel, Who Cares About Kelsey?, Mr. Connolly Has ALS and many other films on disability-related topics.  Habib is a filmmaker at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability.  His latest documentary, Intelligent...

January 20, 2021 | Episode  22   just Two dads have a heart to heart talk with Special Education Teacher Marc Esposito.   Marc helps develop "self-direction" plans with families to improve their loved one's progress towards an independent future.    He is a Special Education teacher at NYC DOE, program coordinator and a Community Habilitation coach, providing a tremendous amount of exp...

January 13, 2021 | Episode  21   In this episode just Two Dads chat with Founder & Executive Director of WE Are Brave Together, Jessica Patay.   Jessica Patay is a mother, wife, and advocate/cheerleader for Special Needs Mothers. She has been married to her husband, Chris, for 23 years and they reside in the Palos Verdes area of Southern California. They have two sons and a daughter, all teena...

January 6, 2021 | Episode  20   Shawn & Brian talk New Years and the importance of setting goals.  #justTwoDads #specialNeedsParenting #settingGoals2021 —  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/just-two-dads-9421b8202/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads

December 30, 2020 | Episode  19   In this episode Shawn & Brian talk about navigating income needs for special needs families.   #justTwoDads #specialNeedsParenting #specialNeedsFinancialEducation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/just-two-dads-9421b8202/ Facebook:...

December 23, 2020 | Episode  18   In this episode Shawn & Brian chat with Life Coach Susanna Peace Lovell and Brian's daughter Jo Quinones. They discuss holiday traditions and the challenges and blessings of the seasons.  #justtwodads #neurodiverseparenting #neurodiverselifecoach

December 16, 2020 | Episode  17   In this episode Shawn & Brian talk about vulnerability.   #justtwodads #specialneedsparenting #beingvulnerable

December 9. 2020 | Episode 16   In this episode Shawn & Brian have a chat with The Neurodiverse Nerd herself Dr. Tasnuva Sarwar Tunna.   Dr. Tasnuva Sarwar Tunna is a pharmacist, educator, and research scientist with several high impact publications.  She earned a PhD in Pharmaceutical Science with a major in Natural Medicine. She is a mother of two boys and a girl. The second boy, Muhammad ha...

December 2, 2020 | Episode  15   This week's show will be a preview of the special event happening the evening of the same day. Shawn & Brian will talk about the importance of dreaming again despite challenges and adversity. The will not to settle and reminding ourselves that we are enough. The need for financial education & daring to break free and be self-reliant and self-sufficient....

November 25, 2020 | Episode  14   In this episode Shawn & Brian sit down with their friend and limited mobility guide & mentor Adam Hancock.   When an accident over 30 years ago resulted in a spinal cord injury that left him without the use of his arms or legs, Adam Hancock instantly became a member of the special needs community. To say that he had to adjust to a new life is an understate...

November 18, 2020 | Episode  13   Shawn Francis & Brian Altounian sit down with Burbank Advisory Council Member Konstantine Anthony - Burbank City Council.   Konstantine Anthony was diagnosed with autism in 2008 and has worked in disability rights advocacy with various organizations since then, including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Hillary Clinton's Disability Action team in 201...

November 11, 2020 | Episode 12    Shawn Francis & Brian Altounian chat with globally recognized, autism specialist, researcher & author Dr. Jennifer Dustow.   It is Dr. Dustow’s personal mission to assist children in learning and growth in a safe environment. Her research-based approach allows her to reach into the worlds of children and plug them back in so they can actively participate i...

November 4, 2020 | Episode 11   Shawn Francis & Brian Altounian sit down with special needs family life coach Susanna Peace Lovell.   Susanna Peace Lovell received her B.A. from UC Berkeley, and is a certified professional life coach and advocate dedicated to the health and wellness of special needs families everywhere. Her own daughter Arizona has multiple challenges and diagnoses including a...

October 28, 2020 | Episode  10  On this episode  Shawn Francis & Brian Altounian talk with Jim & Cathy Gott.   Jim and Cathy Gott have been married 30 years and have 6 children – two of whom have autism.  They live in the Marina Del Rey, California and own & operate two facilities serving those affected with autism and their families.  Education Spectrum opened in 1997 and provides soc...

October 21, 2020 | Episode 9   In this episode Shawn Francis has a candid conversation with Rebecca Campol.   Rebecca Campol is a Canadian Autism/ Parent Blogger, from the Okanagan, BC.  Her blog, https://www.meohmy.ca/ is a place where she provides readers an intimate and honest look at her family’s life with autism.  Rebecca’s husband and 2 children are all on the autism spectrum.     Rebecca st...

October 14, 2020 | Episode 8   A review of our past guests

October 7, 2020 | Episode  7   Brian Altounian & Shawn Francis are joined by their guest, estate planning Attorney Glen Wagstaff. They discuss the value of estate planning, what happens without it, and what it means in particular to families who have members with special needs.

September 30, 2020 | Episode  6   Our guest for this show is special education law Attorney, Georgiana Junco-Kelman. Georgianna was born in Cuba and immigrated to the US at the age of 10.   She has been practicing law for 22 years, initially in the area of criminal defense until the birth of her son Brandon, who was born with a congenital brain disorder, and her personal journey with him ultimatel...