Hi Pod! I'm Dad.

Every parent has their share of parenting challenges, but when your child has severe, non-verbal autism, even something as ordinary as a haircut can become a years-long emotional battle. In this week’s episode of Hi Pod! I’m Dad , James Guttman shares the raw and personal story of how a supposedly “autism-friendly” salon failed his son Lucas and how that painful moment led him down a years-long jo...

We all have stories we tell ourselves about who our kids will become, how our relationships will unfold, and what life is supposed to look like. But what happens when reality tears those stories apart? In this week’s episode of Hi Pod! I’m Dad , James Guttman shares a raw, honest reflection on the life he never expected. From a divorce during the pandemic to parenting a nonverbal son with autism,...

James Guttman reflects on the emotional milestones of parenting a neurotypical teenager and a nonverbal son with autism. In this week’s heartfelt episode, he shares how Olivia has grown from the little girl who monopolized his time after school into a self-sufficient 17-year-old — and how their bond has evolved along the way. At the same time, James discusses the equally powerful connection he sha...

Watch This Episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/ad4q7DE2SlE James Guttman shares a deeply personal look at the evolution of his parenting journey with Lucas, his 14-year-old son with severe autism. From the emotional tug-of-war over age-appropriate toys to unexpected moments of connection in thrift stores and living rooms, James explores how he learned to stop correcting his son’s play and instea...

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5tgNT1CIUw4 What does it really mean to appreciate autism - not just accept it? In this personal episode, James Guttman reflects on how his non-verbal son Lucas has reshaped his perspective and brought unexpected joy into their lives. Through emotional honesty and candid moments, James shares how their bond has grown through trust, gestures, and a sh...

In this special episode, James Guttman celebrates the release of his new book Hi World, I'm Dad and officially launches the video version of his podcast - available here on YouTube . He opens up about autism appreciation, what it truly means to love without conditions, and how his son Lucas, who is non-verbal with autism, has shaped his understanding of life, connection, and purpose. From sur...

With just days until the release of Hi World, I’m Dad , James Gutman opens up about the journey that inspired his most personal work yet. In this heartfelt episode, James reflects on parenting his non-verbal son, Lucas, the fears that never came true, and the quiet beauty that replaced them. This isn't a tragedy- it’s a love story. 🔹 Hi World, I’m Dad will be available in stores, on Amazon,...

James Gutman shares his journey of learning to truly see and appreciate his nonverbal son Lucas, transforming what many would consider a challenging situation into a source of profound joy and personal growth. This deeply personal episode explores how a heart surgery became the catalyst for shifting from constant worry about what he wasn't doing for his son to genuine appreciation for who his...

James Gutman shares personal stories about raising his son Lucas who has severe autism, revealing how his perspective evolved from fighting against pity to embracing complete appreciation for who his son is. •James discusses his upcoming book "Hi World, I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey from Autism Awareness to Acceptance, to Appreciation," releasing globally on June 19, 2025.   • St...

James Gutman makes a major announcement about his upcoming book "Hi World I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey from Autism Awareness to Acceptance to Appreciation" being released as an audiobook on June 19th, 2025. He shares personal reflections on recording the audiobook and his authentic approach to parenting his son Lucas. • The audiobook will be available on multiple platforms inclu...

James reflects on his journey from worried father to advocate for autism appreciation, crediting his quintuple bypass surgery at 35 as a turning point in how he viewed his son Lucas's autism. Rather than focusing on what needed to be "fixed," James began appreciating Lucas's unique perspective and finding joy in moments others might misinterpret as sad. • The podcast grew from...

From being unable to say the word "autism" aloud to embracing the term "severe autism," James Gutman shares his transformative seven-year journey with his son Lucas in this heartfelt episode. He recalls a pivotal moment when someone referred to his non-verbal son's condition as "the real autism," triggering both offense and reflection about how we label and under...

James Gutman explores the evolution from autism awareness to acceptance to appreciation as a father raising his nonverbal son, Lucas. He shares personal stories about appreciating his son's unique perspective on life, including the refreshing honesty that comes with autism even during challenging moments. • The differences between autism awareness, acceptance, and appreciation from both a par...

What does it really mean to love your child unconditionally? In this raw, heartfelt episode, James Gutman tackles the controversial topic of "curing" autism, sharing why he celebrates rather than seeks to change his 14-year-old non-verbal son Lucas. After his recent HuffPost article went viral, James found himself at the center of an intense debate. Many readers assumed his son must be &...

Ever wondered what pure, unfiltered humanity looks like? My son Lucas shows me every day. Through the lens of raising a nonverbal child with autism, I've discovered something remarkable about human connection that I never expected to find. Most people see limitations when they look at someone like Lucas. Politicians make sweeping statements about what autism is, focusing on what's missin...

James Gutman explores the journey of raising his nonverbal son Lucas, challenging societal expectations about fatherhood and special needs parenting. Through this experience, he's discovered that the future he once feared has become the life he now cherishes, finding unexpected beauty in raising a child who reflects his purest values. • Raising a nonverbal child means gradual adaptation rathe...

James Gutman reflects on Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation Month, sharing personal insights as the father of Lucas, his 14-year-old nonverbal son with autism. He explores how language creates conflict even among those advocating for people with autism, while emphasizing that his son's non-verbal communication has shown him how "overrated" words can be. • Terminology mat...

It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print. Follow Us On TikTok , Instagram ,  Facebook , and YouTube . Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

James Gutman shares his journey raising his nonverbal son with autism, Lucas, who is about to turn 14, reflecting on how initial fears have transformed into deep appreciation for their perfectly imperfect life together. He describes the breakthrough moment when he joined Lucas in play rather than trying to correct him, leading to a connection that showed him his son understood more than he realize...

James Gutman announces his upcoming book "Hi World, I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance and Appreciation," now available for pre-order and due in stores June 19th. This deeply personal work chronicles his journey with his 14-year-old nonverbal son Lucas, moving beyond society's fear-based narrative about autism to discover the pure joy and genuine c...

"Lucas is straightforward. There's no manipulation with him. He doesn't lie... If Lucas loves you, Lucas loves you."  James Gutman reflects on the unexpected joys and profound lessons of raising his nonverbal son Lucas, who has autism. He challenges common misconceptions about special needs parenting and explains his concept of "autism appreciation" – recognizing his...

This episode delves into the journey of watching my son Lucas grow up and the emotional complexities that accompany it. As he approaches his 14th birthday, I reflect on our experiences, navigating life as a father of a child on the autism spectrum. Every milestone reminds us that time is fleeting, and the transformation from child to young adult can be jarring yet beautiful. Join me as I recount o...

Celebrating milestones and bonding with loved ones brings a deeper understanding of acceptance in parenting a child with autism. Through personal stories, James Guttman explores the significance of appreciating individuality and evolving perceptions about disabilities, focusing on love and growth as his non-verbal son prepares to turn 14. • Reflections on eight years of blogging about autism paren...

This episode beautifully captures the joys and challenges of parenting a child with autism (and one without), highlighting the spontaneous love and honest nature of Lucas. Through anecdotes and reflections, the discussion emphasizes the importance of embracing inconvenient moments and fostering open lines of communication in family dynamics. • Exploring the unique ways a non-verbal kid can irk his...

This episode explores the joys and challenges of parenting a child with autism, revealing personal stories of parenting regrets and the importance of acceptance. The discussion emphasizes the value of embracing children's unique traits and invites listeners to share their stories. • The beauty of embracing a child’s unique personality  • Reflections on stimming behaviors and their significanc...