Special Fathers' Network Podcast

Host David Hirsch talks to special father, Tom Costello. Tom has twin 17 year-old boys, both with Autism. Tom tells us their story and how they’re both are blessed with incredible empathy. It’s a great listen and it’s all in this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

John Dodd is our guest on this Dad to Dad podcast. John has a daughter with Down Syndrome. He’s also had some significant challenges in his life but has remained incredibly upbeat. He’s a model for us all. Hear John’s incredible story on this Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

He’s written and directed some of the funniest movies to come out of Hollywood:Airplane and Naked Gun among them. He’s Jim Abrahams, and he’s our guest on this Dad to Dad Podcast. Jim has a son, Charlie, who at a young age was experiencing severe epileptic seizures. The medications prescribed and surgery performed by Charlie’s doctors weren’t effective, so Jim did his own research and found that a special high-fat diet might help. With the help of a dietician Charlie adopted the diet and miraculously, the seizures stopped. Hear the story of a dad taking matters into his own hands and making a life-saving difference for his son. That’s all on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks with Special Father Jerry Castro, a financial industry veteran and father of 8, including Jack who passed away from complications due to premature birth at age 15. Jerry tells how his son was a real positive influence on the Castro family and that his legacy lives on. That’s all on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the Special Fathers network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks with Special Father John Felageller, a 4th grade teacher and father of 11-year-old Christopher, who is autistic. John and his wife Elizabeth have been through some challenging times but have emerged stronger thanks in part to their involvement an evangelical christian church. That’s all on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the Special Fathers network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast host David Hirsch talks to Shane Lee, a systems administrator and a father of five, including Jocelyn, who sadly passed away at age 4 ½ from complications related to Spinal Muscular Atrophy. We’ll hear the amazing story of the Lee family and their travails and triumphs over SMA on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the Special Fathers network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

Meet Kelly Moynihan, a retired oil industry veteran and a father of three, including Nicki who has Down Syndrome. Kelly has some sage advice for fathers of kids with special needs and he’s our guest on this Dad to Dad podcast. For more information on the Special Fathers Network go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks to John Wagner, a father of three, including David who has Down Syndrome. John has also written a book his about his family called “Perfect: Sacred Stories From The Heart of a Dad,” and he’s our guest on this Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the Special Fathers network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast host David Hirsch talks to Jason Lehmbeck a father of three children, including Noah, who was diagnosed with Fox G1, a rare genetic disorder. We’ll hear about Jason’s family and his career, including the founding of team Special X, helping parents get the best care for their children with special needs. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the Special Fathers network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast host David Hirsch talks to Martin Cuevas, father of twin 4-year-old girls, one of whom has the incredibly rare Pitt Hopkins syndrome. We’ll hear how Martin and his wife Amy dealt with this devastating news and how close family makes their life much easier. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the Special Fathers network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast we hear from a father who feels blessed to have a boy with Down Syndrome, saying families that have someone with Down Syndrome, are statistically happier and have a better life. Sean Farrell is David Hirsch’s guest on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the Special Fathers network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast we hear the story of a boy who was born with no arms and no legs, who went on to become an inspiring and successful high school varsity football coach. Host David Hirsch talks with Coach Mendez’s father, Bob and hears the story of how young Robert was born with an extremely rare condition that currently affects around 100 people globally. To find out more about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

In this Dad to Dad Podcast we talk with special father, Tim Kuck. Tim not only builds boats - he’s the COO of Regal Marine, but he’s also a special father to three children, including Nathanial who passed away at age 4, due to multiple birth anomalies. In this Dad to Dad podcast, Tim talks of the journey undertaken by he and his wife Marie, including the formation of Nathanial’s Hope, a charity that celebrates kids with special needs. To find out more about the Special Fathers network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

In this Dad to Dad Podcast we talk with the legendary Chicago voice, Wayne Messmer. For decades Wayne has sung the national anthem for every sports team in Chicago. He’s been on TV, the radio, the stage, the screen, and then it all stopped – when he was shot in the neck in a late night robbery attempt in April, 1994. But through grit and determination he came back. He came back to sing and he came back to be with his family, including his grand daughter, Jamie, who has special needs. And in this Dad to Dad podcast, Wayne Messmer tells his life story to host David Hirsch. To find out more about the Special Fathers network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

In this Dad to Dad Podcast we talk with our first Mom. Becky Davidson is a podcaster, author and mother to Jon Alex, who has multiple special needs. Becky and her husband Jeff formed Rising Above Ministries.org, a national organization that helps families with children with special needs. Sadly, In 2017, Jeff passed away unexpectedly, leaving Becky an only parent. Becky talks to Host David Hirsch about her life, her husband and the new book she and Jeff wrote, “Common Man, Extraordinary Call, thriving as the Dad of a Child with special needs.” It’s a jam packed edition of the Dad to Dad Podcast so take a listen. To find out more about the Special Fathers network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

In this Dad to Dad Podcast we meet Rich Gathro. Rich and his wife Kathy are parents of two young adults, one of whom, Will, was born with a rare birth defect, Schizencephaly. We’ll hear the Gathro family story including how Will loves sports and ESPN. To find out more about the Special Fathers network go to 21stcenturydads.org.

In this Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks with special father, Steve Duffley. Steve’s son Chris, who is blind and autistic, is an internet singing sensation who has inspired millions with his voice and his message. To find out more about the Special Fathers network go to 21stcenturydads.org.

In this Dad to Dad Podcast host David Hirsch talks with John Shouse, father of three, including Evan, who is autistic. John advocates on behalf of people with autism in his home state of Tennessee and he’s David Hirsch’s guest on this Dad to Dad podcast. To find out more about the Special Fathers network go to 21stcenturydads.org.

In this Dad to Dad Podcast host David Hirsch talks with special father Bo Bigelow, a lawyer, cofounder of Disorder: A rare film festival and father of two, including Tess, who has a rare disease related to the mutation of the USP 7 gene. Bo is also the host of the podcast Stronger Every Day, documenting his journey as Tess’ parent. He’s our guest today on the Dad to Dad Podcast. To find out more about the Special Fathers network go to 21stcenturydads.org.

In this Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks with Rick Bovell, an ordained minister and father of five, including two boys on the autism spectrum. Rick works with other dads and families as part of Joni and friends. To find out more about the Special Fathers network go to 21stcenturydads.org.