255 – Steve Chatman of Cookeville, TN, Pastor, Father of Five Including Two with Down Syndrome & VP at Rising Above Ministries

Our guest this week is Steve Chatman of Cookeville, TN who is a pastor and VP at Rising Above Ministries, a Christian non-profit whose mission is ‘to provide special-needs families with support, encouragement, inspiration, and community based a belief that God deeply loves all families and wants them to know that love in an authentic and meaningful way.” Steve and his wife, Lori Ann, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of five children: Taylor (27), Josie (20), Emily (19), Mallory (17) and Russell (12). The three oldest are adopted and Josie & Emily ‘the Downs

[CLICK TO READ MORE]
Listen to Podcast

182 – Dr. John DeGarmo, of Monticello, GA, Father of Six, Foster Parent to More Than 60 & Outspoken Foster Care Advocate

Our guest this week is Dr. John DeGarmo of Monticello, GA. John and his wife, Kelly, are parents to six children and have opened their hearts and home to more than 60 foster children. John is founder of the Foster Care Institute, the country’s premiere resource for all things foster care. His TEDx Talk entitled: ‘Children In Need: Children Ignored’ has been viewed more than 25K times. John has also authored 11 books about being a foster parent — and he’s our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Show Links:The Foster Care Institute – https://www.drjohndegarmofostercare.com/home.html John’s Facebook Page

[CLICK TO READ MORE]
Listen to Podcast

181 – Don ‘DJ’ Joss of Renton, WA Is The Father Of 21, including 14 Adopted Kiddos & 10 with Special Needs

Our guest this week is Don “DJ” Joss, owner of DJ’s Sportscards in Renton, Washington. Don and his wife, Amy, are parents to 21 children, including 14 adopted children (from China, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Taiwan, and Bulgaria) as well as 10 with special needs. We’ll hear Don’s incredible story about opening their home and hearts as well as their faith journey and more on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. DJ’s Sportscards – https://djssportscards.com Email – dj@djssportscards.com Phone – 425-235-4357 Apert Syndrome – https://www.healthline.com/health/apert-syndrome Schizencephaly – https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/166/schizencephaly Washington State Fathers Network – https://fathersnetwork.org Seattle Children’s Hospital – https://www.seattlechildrens.org/ Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital – https://www.marybridge.org Transcript: Tom

[CLICK TO READ MORE]
Listen to Podcast

088 – Mark O’Halloran Has Six Adopted Children: 4 from Russian & 2 from Mexican Orphanges

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with special father Mark O’Halloran. Mark and his wife, Gerlinde, have adopted six children, four from Russia and two from Mexico all who suffered severe trauma from being abandoned by their birth parents and living in orphanages. Three of the kids have very limited cognitive ability as a result. Mark is also the director of economic development at Together Chicago, a not for profit dedicated to inspiring change and hope in the Windy City. We’ll hear all about Mark and his family on this Dad to Dad podcast,

[CLICK TO READ MORE]
Listen to Podcast

082 – Josh Avis, Father of 3 Adopted Children (2 With Down Syndrome) & Co-Founder of The Lucky Few

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with Josh Avis, father of three and cofounder of The Lucky Few Instagram account and podcast. Josh and his wife Heather have adopted three children two of whom have Down Syndrome. Josh and Heather consider themselves among the lucky few to have two children with special needs, in fact, Avis has written a book entitled The Lucky Few: Finding God’s Best in the Most Unlikely Places, which you can find at Amazon. We’ll hear all about the Avis family and The Lucky Few on this Dad to Dad

[CLICK TO READ MORE]
Listen to Podcast

074 – Pastor Cory Estby Adopted Two Brothers Who Both Have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks to special father, Cory Estby, the pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Grant Park, Illinois. Cory and his wife Christena have four children including two adopted brothers who both have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Hear the fascinating story of how these two young boys became a part of the Estby family on this Dad to Dad podcast. Visit Giftofadoption.org to find out more, also check out parentprojectmd.org to find out about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Transcript: Dad to Dad 74 – Pastor Cory Estby Adopted Two Brothers Who Both Have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

[CLICK TO READ MORE]
Listen to Podcast