Dad to Dad Podcast

Sometimes you come across a person who seems almost superhuman. A person who overcomes every obstacle thrown their way and constantly breaks new ground. Today’s guest is such a person. Jim Stovall, who lost his sight before age 30 is founder of the Emmy Award winning Narrative Television Network, author of 51 books, many of which have been made into major motion pictures, including “The Ultimate G...

Our guest this week is Bailey Pratt of Franklin, TN. Bailey and his wife Jill are parents to three children, including Jiselle who has Rett Syndrome, a rare neurological genetic disorder that causes severe muscle movement disability. We’ll hear the Pratt family story including the creation of The Jiselle Lauren Foundation on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. The Jiselle Lauren Found...

Our guest this week is Canadian entrepreneur Chris Jones, father of two boys; Trey (14) and Derek (17), who has Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as Dyspraxia. Interestingly, DCD impacts 1:20 youth, three times more prevalent than Autism, but goes mostly undiagnosed or mis-diagnosed. We’ll hear about Chris, his family, his experience as a successful entrepreneur, his passion fo...

Our guest this week is Osman Arain, who is the father of four including Sarina, his oldest, who is a spastic quadriplegic with Cerebral Palsy and Autism. Osman was born in Scotland, raised in England and moved to U.S. where he went to college at Dartmouth and graduate school at Columbia. He is a financial advisor with Romano Brothers & Co. Wealth Management in Evanston, IL. Osman reflects on his m...

Our guest this week is Ray Arata, co-founder of the Better Man Movement, whose mission is "to Transform Culture Through Heart-Based Leadership." The Better Man Movement provides resources, support, and community to encourage the involvement of men in creating an inclusive culture. Through their workshops, training, and events, their programming shifts organizations from managing diversity as a nec...

Our guest this week is Tom Hamilton. Tom has three children, one of whom, Bethany, is a champion surfer who lost an arm in a shark attack at age 13. But that didn’t stop Bethany! She still surfs, she’s had her story told in books and movies and has dedicated her life to helping others. Her Dad Tom is our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Find all about Soul Surfer, the movi...

Our guest this week is Mary Anne Ehlert, founder of Protected Tomorrows. Mary Anne reflects on the impact serving as a caregiver for her younger sister, Marcia, as well as her parents, on being a stepmother and raising three boys with a wide range of needs and her work helping and guiding special needs families via the Ehlert Financial Group and her website protectedtomorrows.com. She’s written nu...

Our SFN Mentor Father this week is Kyle Malone of Indianapolis has two children: Zion (12) and Noah (19). We’ll hear about the Malone family and how Noah has overcome his inability to see and is setting records in track at Indiana State University, participating in the Paralympics and his TEDx Talk. It’s an uplifting and inspiring story and you’ll hear it on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad...

Our guest this week is Jeff Johnson of Anderson, SC. Jeff and his wife Michelle are parents of two boys, one of whom, Daniel, has hydrocephalus and encephalocele, and is unable to walk or talk. We’ll hear the Johnson family story, about their faith walk, Ainsley's Angles and about how a new computer gives the family new hope. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. To find o...

Our guest this week is Shane Madden who works at Pfizer and is father to Marshall (6), who has Cerebral Palsy. We’ll hear how Shane and his wife, Emily, have raised young Marshall, about their aspirations and hopes for the future. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital - https://www.lebonheur.org The Therapy Hut - https://www.therapyhut.com Li...

Our guest this week is SFN Mentor Father Ray Morris, a former firefighter who does contract work for FEMA. Ray has two boys, including older son Zachary (32) who was diagnosed with Hemimegaloencephaly, a rare condition where one half of the brain is larger than the other. Ray shares how growing up with a dad who became a quadriplegic at 29 was foreshadowing for the experience he and his wife, Kell...

Our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Jeremy Meinhardt. Jeremy and his wife Meg have two children, Beck, 15 and Nellie, 12, who has Spina Bifida. We’ll hear about Jeremy, his Dad, his family and how Nellie loves to play wheelchair basketball. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Illinois Spina Bifida Association: https://i-sba.org Synergy Special...

Our guest this week is Rolando 'Ro' Lopez. Ro is a retired FBI special agent who rescues victims of child sex trafficking through the Freedom Shield Foundation. He’s a man on a mission: to save as many of these youth and young adults as he can. It’s a truly inspiring story and you’ll hear it on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Freedom Shield Foundation - https://www.freedomshieldfo...

Our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Mitch Gardner of Jacksonville, FL. Mitch and his wife Ellen have four children including 14-year-old Davis who has severe Autism and is non-verbal. We’ll hear Mitch’s story including his work with the Peace of Heart Autism Community and Ellen’s work with the Tim Tebow Foundation. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad P...

Our guest this week is Felimon Hernandez of Olympia, Washington. Felimon is a graphic designer and photographer. He and his wife have three children including 8-year-old twins, a son who has epilepsy and daughter who has Spina Bifida. We’ll hear Felimon’s story and how he and his family have cared for the twins. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Check out Felimon’s web...

Our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Ruslan Vasyutin, a native Ukrainian businessman who has a daughter with Cerebral Palsy. In his mission to provide support, Ruslan formed DCP Help, a country-wide NGO, to aid parents of kids with special needs. We’ll hear Ruslan’s life story and more on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Check out DCP Help's website: http...

Our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Azim Khamisa. Azim was born in Kenya and is a successful international businessman. In 1995, Azim’s world was turned upside down when his 20-year-old son Tariq was murdered by a 14-year-old gang member. Azim now dedicates his life on the concept of forgiveness and helping others to avoid similar violent tragedies. In fact, Azim has be...

Our guest this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Larry Kaufman. Larry talks to us about an issue we haven’t discussed before, the problem of bullying. Larry grew up being bullied and coincidentally so has his son, Matt. We’ll hear their stories and how they deal with this difficult issue. Larry is also the author of the book "The NCG Factor: A Formula for Building Life-Chan...

Our guest this week on the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast is Jeremy Kredlo. Jeremy is single and has two granddaughters with special needs, making Jeremy a senior member of the Special Fathers Network, a Special Grandfather, if you will. He also spends a great deal of time helping other dads at the Washington State Fathers Network and Arc of King County. We’ll hear all about his life and what makes him ti...

Our guest this week is Andy McCall of Greenville, TN. Andy is a career teacher and coach who has three children, including daughter, Penelope, who, sadly, passed away at age two, due to severe special needs and cancer. Andy kept a blog during Penelope's life, which he turned into a book entitled, Pigtails & Steel, which is available on Amazon. His experience has led to his dedication as a voluntee...

This week we’ll hear the final installment of David Hirsch’s conversation with Warren Rustand. Warren has led an exemplary life. He’s been a serial entrepreneur, a former White House Fellow, former NBA player for the Golden State Warriors, past CEO of the World Presidents Organization, a frequent speaker, a grandfather of nineteen and a father of seven. This week, in part two, we’ll hear about War...

Our guest this week is legendary Warren Rustand. Warren’s career is as varied as it is interesting. He’s been a serial entrepreneur, served on 50 for-profit and non-profit boards, a former White House Fellow, former NBA player for the Golden State Warriors, past CEO of the World Presidents Organization, a frequent speaker, grandfather of nineteen, father of 7, including a son with special needs. a...

Our guest this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Rob Harris of Littleton, CO. Rob tells the heartbreaking story of how he and his wife Gina lost two children at childbirth and the happy occurrence of the arrival of their third child, a bouncing baby boy named R.J. Their life experience propelled Gina to become involved with and now serves as CEO of Now I Lay Me Down To Slee...

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks to two Dads, Chris Wade and Travis Jorgensen. Chris is a divorced dad of three kids one of whom, Luca, has Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome, a rare congenital disease. Travis is a step-dad of sorts to Luca, though not married to Luca’s mom, Leah, he is a dedicated partner and caregiver of Luca and her siblings. Chris, Travis and L...

Our guest this week is Lyle Liechty, a father of three including a daughter with Down syndrome. We’ll hear Lyle’s family story, which includes being adopted, and about his work with DADS (Dads Appreciating Down syndrome), a group that offers support for dads of kids with Down syndrome, now in dozens of communities across the country. We also learn how Lyle's family and faith have shaped his journe...