Special Fathers' Network Podcast

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 with special needs. It’s a fascinating story and we’ll hear it on this week’s episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links -Phone – +256-788-887077 WhatsAppEmail – [email protected] –  https://www.linkedin.com/in/niwagaba-alfred-357ba814a/Angel’s Center For Children With Special Needs https://angelscentre.orgRegister for the 6th Annual SFN Dads Virthual Conference on May 10, 2025: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regis

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 dedicated his energies to writing and sharing his feelings about grief with the aim of helping other men in similar situations.  We learn about Bert's Big Adventure, an organization that had a profound impact on Zachary, Letters To Zachary and the Letters To Zachary Coloring Book.  Jason's story is one of tragedy and heartbreak as well as purpose and fulfillment all on this week’s episode of

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 (30) and Jake (29) who is Autistic.  Jake has benefited from a host of programs, including: Cure Autism Now (CAN), now known as Autsim Speaks,Brave Hearts, and Cowboy DreamsMichael & Stacie purchased a 50 acre working horse farm in Woodstock, IL and renamed it Jigsaw Farms.  In addition to their own horses, the farm currently boards 40 horses, includes three full time staff all with separate residences.  They also rebuilt a house which would be suitable for Jake to live in, along with space for a caregiver.We’ll hear about that and more on this week’s episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Show LinksPhone – (847) 460-8792Email – [email protected] –  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-mcmanus-21a12932/Facebo

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 as well as DADS (Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome).Scott supported his wife Sara as she co-founded Same As U, a nonprofit organization, located in Noblesville, IN established in 2019 to serve young adults with developmental disabilities and to help them live the life they imagine.  Same As U is filling a need for more meaningful activities and programming that often stop upon leaving the traditional school system.We’ll hear all about that sch

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 delays, is non-verbal, has hydrocephalous, severe Autism, scoliosis, and low muscle tone.Very sadly Jess' first husband Jason, died of brain cancer in 2010.  And Ryan's first wife, Kaci, also passed away from cancer in 2010.  The couple met through some mutual acquaintances and married after a brief courtship to go on to have their 8th child, Annabelle.  Jess is a prolific author having published four books: -- Sunlight Burni

Episode #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 Mentor Fathers who are also involved with the SFN Mastermind Group program.  We called them SFN Mastermind Group Monday Podcasts.    While we’d love to include a snippet from all 70+ episodes, to keep it more concise we decided to provide some highlights.   We hope you enjoy listening to this Look Back on 2024 Episode as much as we did producing it.   18 of the 2024 guests are authors.   Nine of the interviews included international guests, from the

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 to help all members of the adult Cerebral Palsy community to live their best lives. It's an uplifting story about family, perseverance and service all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast. Show Notes -Phone/WhatsApp – 44-07-951-019-508Email –  [email protected] – https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-livingstone-080967a4/Website - https://upmovement.org.uk/Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising ch

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 camp director and band leader.More recently Craig authored an e-Book entitled: "Stress Less & Have Fun With Your Kids". He also created a curriculum the "Parenting A to E Course" available at: https://www.parentingharmony.com/ We’ll hear Craig’s story and about his musical and special needs journey on this week’s Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links - Phone – (760) 505-3099Email –  [email protected] – h

Our guest this week is Tieal Bishop, of Walkerton, IN, mother to six including 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 staying at the local Ronald McDonald House for seven months. Despite the early challenges, Max is thriving as a young adult.  Tieal is founder of A Rosie Place for Children, a state of the art, nurse-staffed specialty hospital for medically fragile children and respite for their parents, based in South Bend, IN. Tieal has a zest for life and a passion for service.  You'll hear her uplifting story on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Notes - Phone – (57

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: Briah (11), Robert (13), Zadak (13), Madeline (16) and Jacob (18), who is Autistic.   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 metastatic breast cancer and died four years later.  His second marriage produced two children: Zadak and Briah. Phillip is also the author of The Truth Behind My Trident, which provides a fascinating look into the U.S. Navy Seals program and some hard truths about the sacrifices made by those who serve.  He is also a principal of Buffalo Leadership Academy and owner of Karambit.com and e-commerce bu

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 his way up from a performer to being a director, Dennis is proprietor of The Magic Parlour, located in downtown Chicago, now in it's 15th season, where he performs six shows a week, which according to Trip Advisor it is the #1 show in Chicago.  Dennis has quite a story to tell and we’ll hear it on this week’s episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Notes - Phone – (312) 300-6803Email – [email protected] - https:

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 leading, 27 years ago, to founding MERK Capital, a boutique investment private equity firm.  We learn about the Parro family, their faith and commitment to one another all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Show LinksPhone – (847) 867-9793Email – [email protected] – https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-parro-405396/Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Ma

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 co-authors of the book, How To Build a Thriving Marriage As You Care For Children with Disabilities.  Todd is also a member of the Nashville SFN Mastermind Group.Theirs is a story about faith, marriage, overcoming adversity and service to others all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links - Phone – (731) 202-1112Email – [email protected] – https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-evans-a35744137/Website - https://disabilityparenting.com/

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 16.  Reena previously worked for decades as a producer of the Jerry Springer Show, based in Chicago.In addition to being a successful TV producer, Reena now hosts the Better Call Daddy Podcast. At the end of each episode, Wayne leans in and provides his insights and pearls of wisdom.  The podcasts are; creative, interesting and always enlightening.We’ll hear from and about this father-daughter duo on this SFN Dad

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 disability services in the Denver metro area.  They provide resources coordination to enable independence and personal growth for persons with disabilities, and to create opportunities for persons with disabilities to connect in the community to achieve their brightest life.Dana is also a member of the new SFN Mastermind Group in Denver that meets on Monday evenings and he attended the SFN Mater

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 about their CIA days and how the lessons learned translate into everyday life.  As an example, be sure to check out the episode with ED Jackal, a former covert CIA agent. We also learn about why doctors, clergy and Peace Corps volunteers never serve in the CIA and why journalists seem to always be accused of espionage.  We’ll hear Andrew's fascinating story on this episode of the SFN Dad

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 of miscarrIages and a still birth.  Mike was born and raised in New Jersey and is the youngest of eight siblings.  His dad fought in two Israel wars, which revealed some very positive and enlightening aspects of his dad's personality, which helped shape his world view and impacted his commitment to fathering.  At heart Mike is an entrepreneur with a drive and commitment to serve.  We learn about Vector Marketing and the Cutco Mafia, GRAB Tomorrow, PB&J for

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 B2C/B2B companies through all stages of growth.  Areas of expertise and work include: creating and/or evolving digital (and overall) marketing, brand, sales, product, business development, partnership, transportation/warehousing and capital raising strategies to help turn vision into reality.Tony's story is a series of overcoming some of life's greatest challenges, including losing his mom when he was a teenager, the death of his older

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 x-wife, Olga, divorced two years ago, shortly after they fled Ukraine in March of 2022, weeks after the Russian invasion.  They are the proud parents of Alice (12) who has severe Cerebral Palsy and is unable to walk or talk.Ruslan has been involved with the Special Fathers Network for four years.  He's done two SFN Dad To Dad Podcast interviews one in May of 2021 and a second in March of 2022, just weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  He is one of the first members of the London SFN Mastermind Group and attended the 2024

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 2009 he has been a financial advisor, vice president & investment officer at Wells Fargo Advisors.Chris has been very intentional about serving families touched by disability in a way that separates him from most of the advisor community. His is story of compassion and care.  And we’ll hear his story on this week’s episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Show LinksPhone – (407) 592-4939Email - [email protected]