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369 – Kirby Rabalais of Glenview, IL Founder of 4TITUDE.com & Father Of Two Including One With Pitt Hopkins Syndrome

Our guest this week is Kirby Rabalais of Glenview, IL the Director of Strategic Growth at Truce Software, father of two including one with Pitt Hopkins Syndrome and more recently the founder of 4TITUDE an online community created to support dads raising children with special healthcare needs.     Kirby and his wife, Chelsea, have been married for 8 years and are the proud parents of two boys: Porter (4) and Harley (6), who has Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental, intellectual and physical changes in children. Informed by the experience of being a special needs

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368 – Tim Kane of Ridgewood, NJ Former Sr. Director of Broadcasting at the NBA, Father of Three Including An Autistic Son

Our guest this week is Tim Kane of Ridgewood, NJ a former Senior Director of Broadcasting for the NBA, board member at the Epic School Foundation and father of three children including an autistic son.  Tim and his wife, Laurie, have been married for 28 years and are the proud parents of three children: Katie (27), Caroline (21) and Jack (24) who is Autistic.  Tim reflects on his storied career that began at ESPN in the early days and with the NBA for more than 30 years, as well as a long list of NBA A-listers who have showed an

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367 – Sebastien Pelletier of Montreal, Father of 4, 3 with Retinitis Pigmentosa & Featured In the NatGeo Documentary BLINK

Our guest this week is Sebastien Pelletier of Montreal, Canada a financial professional and father of four, three of whom were diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa.  The Pelletier family was also featured in the National Geographic documentary BLINK. Sebestien and his wife, Edith Lemay, have been married for 14 years and are the proud parents of four children: Mia (13), Leo (11), Colin (9) and Laurent (7).  Mia, Colin and Laurent have been diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare genetic disorder also known as Inherited Retinal Dystrophy (IRD) that causes loss of vision.   There is no known cure for IRD

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366 – James Burch Of Grand Cayman, A Lawyer & Single Father of Three Boys, Including One With Global Developmental Delays

Our guest this week is James Burch, of Georgetown, Grand Cayman, who is a corporate law partner at Walkers, amateur boxer and single father of three young boys, including one with global developmental delays. James was born and raised in Chelton, England.  After obtaining his educaiton and becoming a lawyer he has worked overseas in Hong Kong and Grand Cayman.  James and his ex-wife, Gemma, were married for 9 years before divorcing seven years ago and are the proud parents of three boys: Charlie (10), Harry (12) and Archie (14), who suffered brain damage at the time of his birth

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365 – Isaac Jean-Paul of Los Angeles, CA A Father & Author Who Is A Legally Blind U.S. Paralympic Medalist

Our guest this week is Isaac Jean Paul of Los Angeles, CA. who is a father and U.S. Paralympic track and field champion who just happens to be legally blind. Isaac and his significant other, Myra Harris, are the proud parents of two year old daughter Shylah.  Isaac was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago.  In high school he was a track & field star.  As he began to lose his sight he didn’t want to be treated any differently than everyone else.  A friend suggested he compete in adaptive athletics, which led to training and qualifying for

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364 – Alfred Niwagaba of Uganda, School Administrator & Father Of Four Including One With Down Syndrome

Our guest this week is Alfred Niwagaba, of Kampala, Uganda who is the director of the Little Angels School in Wakiso and father of four children including a son with Down Syndrome.   Alfred and his wife, Rosemary Nambooze, have been married for 16 years and are the proud parents of four children: Benjamin (5), Beroil (9), Abigale (15) and Abryl (14), who has Down Syndrome and has some hearing deficits. Alfred runs The Little Angels School, with over 600 students.  Alfred and Rosemary also run Angel’s Center For Children With Special Needs, a NGO that serves families raising children

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363 – Jason Tuttle of Atlanta, GA Father Of Two, A Grief Counselor, Author and Blogger Who Very Sadly Lost Son Zachary at 15

Our guest this week is Jason Tuttle of Atlanta, GA, a former physical education and special education teacher, a stay at home parent and father to two children with multiple physical and cognitive disabilities. Jason and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 21 years and are the proud parents of two children: Samantha (16) who is non-verbal, epileptic, wheelchair bound and has severe neuro developmental delays, and Zachary who, very sadly, passed away in January 2022, at age 15, who was diagnosed with Eagle Barrett Syndrome, was non-verbal, epileptic and had severe development delays.  Since Zachary’s passing, Jason has

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362 – Michael McManus of Barrington, IL Insurance Exec, Father of Two, One With Autism & Co-Proprietor Of Jigsaw Farms

Our guest this week is Michael McManus of Barrington, IL, Vice President of Captive Resources, co-proprietor of Jigsaw Farms and father of two adult sons, including one with Autism.   Michael and his wife Stacie have been married for 33 years and are the proud parents of two boys:  Matt (31) and Jake (29) who is Autistic.   Jake has benefited from a host of programs, including:  Cure Autism Now (CAN), now known as Autism Speaks, Brave Hearts, and  Cowboy Dreams Michael & Stacie purchased a 50 acre working horse farm in Woodstock, IL and renamed it Jigsaw Farms.  In addition

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361 – Scott MacGregor of Fishers, IN ED of Content & Storytelling at Eli Lilly, Father of 3 Including One With Down Syndrome

Our guest this week is Scott MacGregor of Fishers, IN who is Executive Director of Content and Storytelling at Eli Lilly and Company and father of three including one with Down Syndrome. Scott and his wife, Sara, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of three living children: Ainsley (16), Jack (18) and Abby (21) who has Down Syndrome.  Very sadly, their son Owen who had Trisomy 13, was still born in 2011.  We learn about a wide range of organizations Abby has benefited from, including: Gigi’s Playhouse,, Unified Track, Kids Dance Outreach and First Steps

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360 – Jessica Ronne of Holland, MI Mother of Eight, Author, Podcast Host & Founder of The Lucas Project

Our guest this week is Jessica Ronne of Holland, MI, author, speaker, podcast host, founder & executive director of the Lucas Project and perhaps most importantly, wife and the mother of eight, including one with special needs. Jess and her second husband, Ryan, have been married for 14 years and between them are the proud parents of eight children: four from her first marriage: Caleb, Lucas, Mable and Joshua, three from Ryan’s first marriage: Tate, Mia, and Jada and Annabelle (9) who they had together.   Their son Lucas suffered a stroke in vitro at 20 months; has global developmental

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359 – A Look Back On 2024

Hi I’m David Hirsch, founder of the 21st Century Dads Foundation and Special Fathers Network as well as host of the Special Fathers Network Dad To Dad Podcast.    Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of 2025.    Tom Couch, the editor and producer of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast, and I, thought we would do something special and provide a Look Back on 2024.    In total we produced 72 episodes, 52 were weekly episodes airing on Fridays and for 20 weeks from May through September we produced a series of short episodes with SFN

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358 – Emma Livingstone, of London, England, Mother of Three, Self Advocate & Founder of UP The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement

Our guest this week is Emma Livingstone of London, England who is the mother of three typical kids, a self-advocate with Cerebral Palsy and founder & CEO of UP – The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement.  Emma and her husband, Derrick, have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of three typical children ages 11-16.  She is the one who has cerebral palsy, which has propelled her to become one of England’s most outspoken advocates for adults with CP.    Emma is founder and CEO of UP – The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement, a non-profit whose mission is

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357 – Craig Parks of San Diego, CA A Professional Musician, Band Leader, Camp Director, Author & Father Of Two

Our guest this week is Craig Parks of San Diego, CA who is a professional musician, band leader, camp director, author and father of two including one with special healthcare needs.Craig and his wife, Rachel, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of two children: Nashaman (10) and Jonah (20) who has multiple issues, including: anxiety, attention issues and Autism. Craig has a real passion for working with youth.  He has combined his love of music and talent as a musician with his commitment to serving youth in a variety of ways including serving as a

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356 – Tieal Bishop of Walkerton, IN Founder Of A Rosie Place For Children & Mother To Six, Including A Medically Fragile Son

Our guest this week is Tieal Bishop, of Walkerton, IN, mother to six incluiding a medical fragile son and founder of A Rosie Place For Children. Tieal and her husband,Travis, have been married for eight years and between them they are the proud parents of six children: Max (25), Sam (22) and Gigi (20) and triplet 21 year old girls, Madeline, Abby and Kate.    Her oldest son, Max, had a precarious entry into the world.  Diagnosed with RSV, he required a G-Tube for feeding, a Trach for breathing and seven month in the PICU, which resulted in the family

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355 – Phillip Koontz of Monument, CO, Former U.S. Navy Seal, Author, Entrepreneur & Father of Five Including One with Autism

Our guest this week is Phillip Koontz of Monument, CO a retired U.S. Navy Seal, combat veteran, a former pastor, co-founder of Buffalo Leadership Academy, owner of an e-commerce business, author and perhaps most importantly, the father to five children. Phillip and his third wife, Suzanna, have been married for 6 1/2 years and between them are the proud parents of five children.    Phillip served for more than five years on Seal Team 10 and is a combat veteran, during which time Danielle, his first wife was diagnosed with stage four metestatic breast cancer and died four years later. 

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354 – Dennis Watkins of Oak Park, IL A Professional Magician & Father of Two Adopted Children Including A Son With Autism

Our guest this week is Dennis Watkins of Oak Park, IL who is a professional magician and father of two adopted children, including a son who is Autistic.  Dennis and his husband, Sean Kelly, have been married for seven years and are the proud parents of two adopted children: Magnolia (15 months) and Henry (5), who is Autistic.   Dennis hails from Dallas and a long line of family magicians.  His grandfather, Ed Watkins, was a leader amongst magicians in Texas who had a national reputation.  After taking a BFA from Southern Methodist University, Dennis pursued a career in theatre.  Working

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353 – Tom Parro Of Grayslake, IL President of MERK Capital, Father of Three Including a Daughter With POTS

Our guest this week is Tom Parro of Grayslake, IL, president of MERK Capital and father of three including a daughter with a rare disease.   Tom and his wife, Janice, have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of three children: Erin (24), Matthew (20) and Megan (22) who has Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) a condition that causes a number of symptoms when you transition from lying down to standing up, such as a fast heart rate, dizziness and fatigue.  With a degree in accounting and MBA in finance Tom has enjoyed a career in finance

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352 – Todd Evans Of Brentwood, TN, Business Owner, Author & Father Of Two Children With Disabilities

Our guest this week is Todd Evans of Brentwood, TN who is a business owner, author and father of two children with disability.   Todd and his wife, Kristin, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of two children: an 18 year old who was born with a metabolic disorder and 14 year old who has Cri du chat syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5. Together Kristin & Todd maintain the website: DisabilityParenting.com, dedicated to empowering parents of kids with all kinds of disabilities. They are also

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351 – Wayne Friedman of Louisville, KY Father of Three Including Reena, Host Of The Better Call Daddy Podcast

Our guests this week are father and daughter, Wayne Friedman of Louisville, KY and Reena Friedman Watts of Houston, TX.  Wayne and his wife, Maureen, have been married for 45 years and are the proud parents of three daughters: Reena, Jessica and Stephanie, who between them have 13 children, Wayne and Maureen’s grandchildren.  A unique factoid is that Jessica and Stephanie live and work in Israel.  Wayne ran a successful multi-generation family owned business for decades before retiring.   Reena and her husband, Will, have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of four children ages five to

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350 – Dana Lange Of Denver, CO, Co-founder & CFO of Bright Life Connections And Father Of Two Including One With Pitt-Hopkins

Our guest this week is Dana Lange, of Denver, CO who does business development for Tuff Shed, is co-founder and CFO of Bright Life Connections, a non-profit and father of two including a daughter with a rare genetic disease. Dana and his wife, Dana, have been married for 34 years and are the proud parents of two daughters: Sarah (28) and Victoria (26) who has Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by developmental delay, moderate to severe intellectual disability, among other challenges. The Langes are also co-founders of Bright Life Connections a non-profit that helps loved ones effectively manage

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349 – Andrew Bustamante of Colorado Springs, CO A Former Covert CIA Intel Officer, USAF Combat Veteran & Dad of Two

Our guest this week is Andrew Bustamante of Colorado Springs, CO a former covert CIA intelligence officer, U.S. Air Force combat veteran, business consultant, host of the Everyday Espionage Podcast, a self-proclaimed improvement junkie and perhaps most important of all, father of two adolescent children. Andrew and his wife, Jihi, who is also a former CIA intelligence officer, have been married for 14 years and are the proud parents of two adolescent children. In addition to doing business consulting, Andrew is host of the Everyday Espionage Podcast, where he interviews some fascinating guests as well and banters with his wife

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348 – Mike Abramowitz of St. Augustine, FL Co-founder of Better Than Rich, Speaker, Author, Transformational Coach & Father

Our guest this week is Mike Abramowitz of St. Augustine, FL, an entrepreneur, co-founder of Better Than Rich, speaker, author and transformational coach as well as father of two young children. Mike and his wife, Lindsay, have been married for seven years and are the proud parents of two children: daughter Ella (1) and son James (3), who was born at 26 weeks, weighing 1 pound four ounces, which caused severe bronchial pulmonary challenges, necessitating a trachea, ventilator and feeding tube.  Their route to becoming parents also included; IVF, a series miscarrIages and a still birth.   Mike was born and

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347 – Tony Bombacino of Chesterton, IN Co-Founder Of Real Food Blends, Father Of Two Including One With Multiple Disabilities

Our guest this week is Tony Bombacino of Chesterton, IN, co-founder of Real Food Blends and father of two, including one with multiple disabilities.  Tony and his wife, Julie, have been married for 18 years and are the proud parents of two children: daughter Luca (15) and son AJ (13) who has multiple disabilities.  Tony and Julie founded Real Food Blends in response to seeking wholesome foods suitable for AJ, who is tube fed.  Real Food Blends was acquired by Nutricia, part of Danone S.A..  Subsequent to the sale Tony & Julie founded CINO United, LLC, working with and guiding

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346 – Mastermind Group Monday With Ruslan Vasyutin of Ukraine, Via Solihull, England

This is part of a special series of interviews within the SFN Dad To Dad Podcasts known as the SFN Mastermind Group Monday Podcasts.  Each Monday host David Hirsch interviews one of the SFN Mastermind Group dads on the impact the mastermind group has had on him and the wellbeing of his family.   This Monday’s guest is Ruslan Vasyutin of Ukrainian who currently lives in Solihull, England and who is the father of a daughter with Cerebral Palsy, who is unable walk or talk.  Ruslan and his ex-wife, Olga, divorced two years ago, shortly after they fled Ukraine in March of 2022,

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345 – Chris Hunter of Orlando, FL A Wealth Manager Who Serves The Disability Community

Our guest this week is Chris Hunter of Orlando, FL a father and grandfather, who has devoted much of his career to serving families with special needs, to help plan their financial future.   Chris and his wife, Jane, have been married for 40 years and are the proud parents of an adult daughter and four grandchildren.  Chris is from Canada.  He has a civil engineering degree from New Brunswick University and a MBA from York University.  For 15 years, Chris worked for LafargeHolcim as a professional engineer.  The next 15 years he worked as a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch.  Since

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