Two Disabled Dudes

In this special 300th episode of the Two Disabled Dudes Podcast, Sean and Kyle reflect on nearly 10 years of podcasting, the challenges of creating 300 episodes, and the incredible community that has formed along the way. From forgotten recordings and technical disasters to meaningful live events and lifelong friendships, they share stories from behind the scenes and revisit some of their favorite...

Sean and Kyle kick off this episode with a conversation about smart technology, AI, and the growing tension between convenience and commercialization in everyday life. That discussion sets the stage for a powerful interview with Joshua Resnikoff , founder and CEO of Sunstone Health , whose family’s rare disease journey inspired him to tackle one of healthcare’s biggest challenges: the long and fru...

Part 2 continues Debbie Drell’s story, focusing on the real-life impact of caregiving, invisible illness, and the need for empathy. Debbie highlights how much people take for granted—walking short distances, being in crowds, traveling, or getting through a full day without rest. For her sister Alex, who lives with multiple rare conditions including pulmonary hypertension, these everyday activities...

In this first part of the conversation, Sean and Kyle sit down with longtime friend and rare disease advocate Debbie Drell, whose connection to the space runs deep—both professionally and personally. Debbie shares the story of her sister Alex, who was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension decades ago and given just two years to live—yet is still fighting today. As both a caregiver and advocate, De...

Episode 296 explores connection, resilience, and the power of meeting people where they are—starting with a story about a young man with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) who courageously continues cycling even after a crash. The episode’s main conversation features Dr. Eric Mitchell and his son Dylan, who share their work with Neurodiversity Consultants and their strengths-based, relationship-driven appro...

Another frustrating hotel experience opens the episode, but the real conversation centers on what it actually means to “never give up.” After dealing with a series of accessibility failures—miscommunication, poor accommodations, and a lack of understanding—Kyle and Sean shift into a bigger idea: persistence isn’t just about pushing harder. Using the story of a breakthrough Friedreich’s ataxia (FA)...

This episode starts with a classic 2DD moment—a wild but relatable story about Kyle discovering he had a piece of road stuck in his knee for a year and a half. It’s funny, a little absurd, and quickly turns into something more meaningful: how often we ignore small issues—physical or otherwise—and just learn to live with them instead of addressing them. From there, the conversation shifts into a de...

In this special Rare Disease Day conversation, The Dudes partner with Jett Foundation to moderate a thoughtful panel on advocating for care needs, independence, and life with disability. Joined by Jake, Ashley, Charlie, and Xavier, the discussion highlights the many forms advocacy can take—from managing care and navigating insurance to simply showing up in the world, pursuing work, and building a...

What starts with airport chaos and accessibility frustrations turns into a meaningful conversation about what it really takes to move rare disease research forward. Sean and Kyle kick things off with travel stories from their trip to Rare At Sea , including misplaced mobility equipment, inaccessible hotel setups, and the all-too-common surprises that come with traveling disabled. Then they’re join...

In this episode, Sean shares the bold details behind his upcoming climb of the Niesen Stairway in Switzerland—the world’s longest staircase with 11,674 steps, the equivalent of climbing the steps of the world’s tallest building nearly four times. Because the stairs are a private emergency access route alongside a mountain tram, Sean and his team will attempt the ascent overnight in the dark, navig...

Episode 290 opens with some 2DD catch-up: Kyle finally gets an accessible room for the Rare at Sea cruise after a stressful mix-up, plus a few laughs about his missing suitcase (and making do with two pairs of underwear). The guys also give an early thank-you to Rocky, their travel agent, for going above and beyond. The main conversation is with Joe Zinski, a data scientist working on Castleman di...

In recognition of Rare Disease month we are bringing you a conversation that we first published in May 2024. In this interview, John Crowley shares how his children’s diagnosis with Pompe disease propelled him from a concerned father into the rare disease biotech world, ultimately helping develop a life-saving enzyme replacement therapy. He reflects on the journey that followed—building Amicus The...

In this episode, Sean and Kyle count down the final days before setting sail on Rare At Sea , before diving into a candid—and frustrating—travel story. Kyle shares a cascade of challenges involving lost luggage, broken accessibility equipment, freezing temperatures, and the familiar reality of navigating a world not built for wheelchairs. The moment underscores how disability-related obstacles oft...

In this episode, Kyle and Sean explore the often-blurry line between hope and denial . They unpack how hope can be powerful when it’s grounded in reality, values, and daily action, and how it becomes harmful when it delays grieving, ignores body limits, or ties happiness to a future “if/then” outcome like a cure or treatment. Kyle and Sean reflect on how recognizing reality doesn’t mean giving up,...

Episode 286 marks the start of a new season—and the 10th year—of the Two Disabled Dudes Podcast. Sean and Kyle reflect on how far the show has come, touch on what it means to keep showing up for a decade, and invite listeners into the fun by floating ideas for a listener nickname, with “Dude Squad” leading the pack. They also look ahead to upcoming community moments and reconnect with why they kee...

What happens when effort isn’t enough—and your body simply says no? Kyle and Sean reflect on the moments when disability turns everyday challenges into hard limits. From navigating airports to realizing they can no longer do things they once loved, they explore the emotional, mental, and social impact of learning where the line truly is between “hard” and “impossible.” They discuss pushing past li...

Sean and Kyle dive into “the responsibility of achievement” —what happens when your personal wins start to carry weight for other people. Sean shares a story from a recent all-inclusive trip to Mexico, where resort staff pointed out that the two wheelchair guys were the most consistent tippers. That sparks a conversation about why they often feel responsible to “represent” disabled folks well in s...

In this episode, Kyle and Sean discuss the importance of disability employment and accessible travel with guest Daniel Van Sant, Director of Disability Policy at the Harkin Institute . They explore the challenges faced by disabled individuals in the workforce, the significance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the barriers to travel for those with disabilities. Daniel shares i...

It’s a live-recorded birthday hangout as Kyle turns 44 and Sean dials in from his new (very echoey) apartment mid-move. After shout-outs to folks in the live chat, the Dudes dive into a candid conversation about dreaming big —and how diagnoses, delays, and logistics don’t have to kill big goals, they just change how you chase them. Sean shares why he postponed his world’s-longest stairway climb an...

This live episode features longtime friend and rare disease advocate Ben Forred. After years as a scientist studying rare conditions and leading a global patient registry, Ben launched Zebra Site Studios to design websites tailored specifically for rare disease organizations. In this conversation, Kyle, Sean, and Ben dig into the unique challenges of advocacy websites—balancing accessibility, mult...

Sean and Kyle reconnect after travel, skipping a planned live stream to actually experience London. Kyle opens with the saga of curb-damage to his new accessible van—weeks of repairs, inspections, and isolation—before the relief of finally getting back on the road. From there, the conversation pivots to travel takeaways: how attitude—not just laws—shapes access. In London (and across the Netherlan...

Recorded live in-studio (CA and PA), Kyle and Sean welcome viewers and then dive into a vulnerable discussion about the transition from walking to using assistive devices like walkers and wheelchairs. Incorporating comments from the audience, they talk honestly about the embarrassment, shame, and pride tied to showing visible signs of disability, as well as the unexpected freedom and safety these...

This replay of our first-ever Two Disabled Dudes Podcast live broadcast captures all the excitement—and a few mic mishaps—of going live with our audience. Listeners from around the world joined in via chat while we shared personal updates, gave away a $20 Amazon gift card, and welcomed returning guest Effie Parks, host of Once Upon a Gene . Effie reflected on how our show inspired her to start her...

In the final episode of season 13, after a brief discussion about dog poop DNA, Kyle and Sean reflect on how their priorities, perspectives, and self-image have evolved over time. From awkward teen years and early adult panic to working through tough moments, they explore the power of hindsight and personal growth. The conversation dives into public misperceptions of disability, body image struggl...

In Episode 276, Kyle kicks things off with a brunch story involving an oversized, impossible-to-handle coffee mug and a series of well-intentioned but clumsy attempts to make it right. The episode then shifts gears with a fun and thought-provoking compilation of answers from past guests to the question: If you ruled the world, what would you change? Responses range from practical ideas like increa...