Dad to Dad Podcast

David talks to a special father who’s making a difference in Portland, Oregon. His name is Shanne Sowards who at the age of 15 became a father to his daughter Kendra. While the relationship with the mother didn’t work out and against the odds, Shanne stuck by Kendra. With the help of a mentor named Ben. Years later Shanne felt the calling to inspire teen fathers and started Squires, a mentoring pr...

David Hirsch talks to special father Dick Hoyt. Dick and his son Rick, a non-verbal spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, have competed in over 1200 races including 34 Boston Marathons and Six Iron Man Triathalons. Hear their amazing story on this Special Fathers Network Podcast. YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64A_AJjj8M4 Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring progr...

David Hirsch talks with Air Force Vet Bob Roybal. Bob and his wife Michelle are parents of Brody Roybal, a forward for the U.S. Paralympic Hockey Team. Brody, 19, just won his second gold medal at the Paralympic Games in South Korea. Email - sanfordansons@yahoo.com Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN...

David Hirsch talks with film producer and director Scott Sowers. Scott and his wife Sharon live outside of Atlanta and are parents of a special needs daughter, Gloria. Scott produced and directed a film called Special Needs, about people with special needs and the families that care for them. Email - scottsowers@comcast.net Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for father...

Jeff is a well respected Chicago real estate investor who has parlayed his success into so many different directions. Along with his wife Jennifer Levine, they founded Wolcott College Prep, inspired by their daughter Mollie, their oldest daughter, who struggled in school with dyslexia and learning differences. At a conference with school counselors, Jeff and Jennifer, were told to send Mollie to a...

David Hirsch talks with Clayton Frech, father of Ezra Frech. Ezra was born missing his left knee and fibula and with only one finger on his left hand, but through spirit, grit and determination Ezra has gone on to do some great things and has propelled his dad to found Angel City Sports, which offers sports programming in Southern California for kids, adults and veterans with physical liabilities...

Paul and his wife Nancy are co-founders of Gigi's Playhouse, which are Down syndrome achievement centers for individuals, like their daughter Gigi, who have Down syndrome. There are now more than 30 Gigi's Playhouses across the country. Listen to Paul share his life with and commitment to his special daughter, Gigi. Website - https://www.gigisplayhouse.org Email - pgianni@gigisplayhouse.org Specia...

Movie, television and Broadway star Joe Mantenga and his wife Arlene discovered that daughter Mia --- at two and a half years old --- was autistic. Joe shares his journey with listeners of raising an autistic child: finding the right schools and searching for needed resources. He also talks about the special relationship between Mia and her younger sister Gia. Email - Mail@joemantegna.com Special...

Jim Elliott, the father of two daughters with disabilities and founder of Diveheart.org, changes lives by people with all abilities through scuba diving, scuba therapy and related activities. https://www.diveheart.org Email - jim.elliott@diveheart.org Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers...

Skip Gianopulos of Barrington, IL Is the father of four daughters; two Down syndrome and one with Autism. Take a listen to see just how this man's life has been changed, and how he's helped change the lives of many more through his work with GiGi's Playhouse. Email - sgianopulos@kovitz.com Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special nee...

Our guest this week is Randy Lewis of South Barrington, IL a former EVP at Walgreens and the father of three including middle child & son, Austin, who has Autism. Randy's life was transformed by Austin's Autism. And it would lead Randy, to then transform the lives of thousands of other "differently-abled" Americans. While at Walgreens Randy was in charge of the 20+ Walgreens distribution cente...

In this Special Fathers Network Podcast introduction, hear host David Hirsch tell why he feels fathers are so important. David also explains the mission of the 21st Century Dads Foundation and objective of the Special Fathers Network, which is fathers helping fathers. He talks about founding the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative, his appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show, being raised by a single mom...