Special Fathers' Network Podcast

Our guest this week on the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast is Jeremy Kredlo. Jeremy is single and has two granddaughters with special needs, making Jeremy a senior member of the Special Fathers Network, a Special Grandfather, if you will. He also spends a great deal of time helping other dads at the Washington State Fathers Network and Arc of King County. We’ll hear all about his life and what makes him tick on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Find out about the Washington State Fathers Network: https://fathersnetwork.orgFind out about the Parent to Parent Program at the Arc of King County: https://arcofkingcounty.org/services/parent-to-parent.htmlContact Jeremy Kredlo at: [email protected]://www.21stCenturyDads.org

Our guest this week is Andy McCall of Greenville, TN. Andy is a career teacher and coach who has three children, including daughter, Penelope, who, sadly, passed away at age two, due to severe special needs and cancer. Andy kept a blog during Penelope's life, which he turned into a book entitled, Pigtails & Steel, which is available on Amazon. His experience has led to his dedication as a volunteer at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital as well as with Dads of Steele, a charity that supports dads who have lost a child. Andy credits his family, his faith and The League of Ordinary Men, a local book club for helping him persevere the challenges he and his family has endured. We’ll hear the story of Andy’s life, the highs and the lows, on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Find out about Dads of Steel at: https://dadsofsteele.orgLearn about St. Judes Children's Research Hospital at: https://www.stjude.orgTo purchase Andy’s Book Pigtails & Steel go to: https://www.amazon.com/Pigtail

This week we’ll hear the final installment of David Hirsch’s conversation with Warren Rustand. Warren has led an exemplary life. He’s been a serial entrepreneur, a former White House Fellow, former NBA player for the Golden State Warriors, past CEO of the World Presidents Organization, a frequent speaker, a grandfather of nineteen and a father of seven. This week, in part two, we’ll hear about Warren’s son, Scott, who has special needs. We’ll also hear tips on how to live a healthy productive life, with his five life principles. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.https://www.warrenrustand.com https://l3.org/about-l3/ https://tinyurl.com/y399aozf https://www.21stCenturyDads.org

Our guest this week is legendary Warren Rustand. Warren’s career is as varied as it is interesting. He’s been a serial entrepreneur, served on 50 for-profit and non-profit boards, a former White House Fellow, former NBA player for the Golden State Warriors, past CEO of the World Presidents Organization, a frequent speaker, grandfather of nineteen, father of 7, including a son with special needs. and most recently author of the book: The Leader Within Us: Mindset, Principals & Tools for Life By Design. He and Carson, his wife of 56 years, have led an extraordinary life and we’ll hear all about it in two parts. This week, in part one, we’ll hear about his career and family philosophy. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.https://www.warrenrustand.com https://l3.org/about-l3/ https://tinyurl.com/y399aozf https://www.21stCenturyDads.org

Our guest this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Rob Harris of Littleton, CO. Rob tells the heartbreaking story of how he and his wife Gina lost two children at childbirth and the happy occurrence of the arrival of their third child, a bouncing baby boy named R.J. Their life experience propelled Gina to become involved with and now serves as CEO of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a national non-profit, whose mission is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with a free gift of professional portraiture.It’s an incredibly moving tail and one you’ll hear on this Dad to Dad Podcast.To find out about Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep go to: https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.orgPotter Syndrome - https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001268.htm To find out more about the Special Fathers Network go to: https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network/

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks to two Dads, Chris Wade and Travis Jorgensen. Chris is a divorced dad of three kids one of whom, Luca, has Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome, a rare congenital disease. Travis is a step-dad of sorts to Luca, though not married to Luca’s mom, Leah, he is a dedicated partner and caregiver of Luca and her siblings. Chris, Travis and Leah all take turns caring for those three kids. It’s a unique as well as beneficial situation and we’ll hear all about it in this Special Father Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Special thanks to Louis Mendoza at Washington State Fathers Network and Kindering Center for making the introduction. Washington State Fathers Network – https://fathersnetwork.org Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome – https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7896/wolf-hirschhorn-syndrome Human Milk for Human Babies - https://www.facebook.com/hm4hbWA/ https://www.21stCenturyDads.org

Our guest this week is Lyle Liechty, a father of three including a daughter with Down syndrome. We’ll hear Lyle’s family story, which includes being adopted, and about his work with DADS (Dads Appreciating Down syndrome), a group that offers support for dads of kids with Down syndrome, now in dozens of communities across the country. We also learn how Lyle's family and faith have shaped his journey as we'll as his involvement with All Pro Dad. That’s’ all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.DADS National - https://dadsnational.orgDSI (Down syndrome Indiana) DADS - https://dsindiana.org All Pro Dad - https://www.allprodad.com21st Century Dads Foundation - https://21stCenturyDads.org

Our guest this week is Don Raineri, president of Dads of Steele. Don is the father of four children,, including twins; one with Down Syndrome and the other who, sadly, died at childbirth. We’ll hear Don’s family story, about his faith and Dads of Steele, a charity dedicated to strengthening dads to be more present in their children’s lives. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. Learn about Dads of Steele - https://dadsofsteele.org/mission-focus/Contact Don at [email protected] more about Special Fathers Network - https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network/

Our guest this week is Tony Gayle, a US Army and US Marine veteran as well as father of a son with special needs. He has an amazing story to tell and we’re hearing it in two parts. Last week we heard how Tony grew up on a US military base in Panama, then moved to NYC with his Panamanian mom only to end up in foster care before being raised by an elderly Jewish couple. He served in both the US Marines and US Army. Three years into marriage, he almost lost his Son, Hezekiah, at birth, only to have his wife die a few days later, due to complications from that childbirth. This week, in part two, we’ll hear how Tony and his son have struggled to recover from that loss and continue to move forward. It’s an incredible story from an incredibly powerful story teller. And it’s all in this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast.Show Links: Washington State Fathers Network - https://fathersnetwork.org Kindering Center - https://www.kindering.orgLearn more about the Special Fathers Network at: https://www.21st

Our guest this week on the Dad to Dad Podcast is Tony Gayle, an Army and Marine veteran whose son has special needs. He’s got an amazing story to tell and we’ll hear it in two parts. This week, we’ll hear how Tony almost lost his son when he was born, only to lose his wife from complications of that delivery. It’s an incredibly moving story from an incredibly powerful story teller. And it’s all in this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast.Washington State Fathers Network - https://fathersnetwork.org Kindering Center - https://www.kindering.orghttps://www.21stCenturyDads.org

Our guest on this Dad to Dad Podcast is Rob Kenney of Seattle, WA, who is also known as 'The YouTube Dad' with over 3 million subscribers. Rob has created more than 60 'Dad How Do I?' videos that have taken off in popularity during the COVID pandemic. We’ll hear about Rob’s faith and how the pandemic has brought him a huge internet following. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Rob’s 6 point mission statement:1. Share God’s love2. Provide a safe space for anybody to learn3. Promote Kindness4. Encourage Other Dads5. Maintain trust with your kids6. Give backSee Rob’s videos at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNepEAWZH0TBu7dkxIbluDwFind more information on Special Fathers Network - https://21stcenturydads.org

Our guest this week is James Mack of Columbia, SC. James has spent his career working with people who have Autism. He also has a step-son who is autistic. We’ll hear James’ unique story and many words of wisdom about raising a child with special needs. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. South Carolina Autism Society - www.scautism.org Brookland Baptist Church - https://brooklandbaptist.orgwww.21stCenturyDad.org.

Our guest this week is Rob Johnson who is a seven time Emmy award winning broadcast journalist and an outspoken advocate for those with disability. He has a brother, Edward (48) who has Down Syndrome. David Hirsch talked to Rob about his life experiences and lessons from growing up with a brother with special needs. Rob is also the author of Timothy Trainor: Head In The Game (2015), which is a children's book about a hockey player who suffers a concussion. And we’ll hear that discussion on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Concussion Legacy Foundation - https://concussionfoundation.org Chicago Youth Foundation - Hockey On Your Block – https://www.chicagoyouthfoundation.org Gigi's Playhouse - www.gigisplayhouse.orgSpecial Olympics Illinois - www.soill.org Rob Johnson Consulting - www.rj47llc.comRob's email - [email protected] www.21stCenturyDads.org

Our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Casey Parks of Mercer Island, WA., who is a deputy prosecuting attorney and father of two children, one of whom, Ford, was diagnosed with CTNNB1 Syndrome, a rare genetic deletion. We’ll hear the Parks family story and all about Casey’s wife Effie who created the Once Upon a Gene Podcast. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. For more information on CTNNB1 Syndrome go to https://www.ctnnb1.orgYou can check out their Facebook page at: https://www.ctnnb1.orgTo hear Effie’s podcast and to find out more go to https://effieparks.comFind out about The Kindering Center at https://kindering.orgAnd find out about the Special Fathers Network at https://21stcenturydads.org

Our guest on this two-part Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Phil Irwin. Phil is the father of three girls including 1½ year old twins who were conjoined until August 2020, when surgeons successfully separated the twins at 14 months. In this second part we’ll hear about the recent successful surgery to separate the twins. The Million Dollar Day. It’s a fascinating story and it is all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.University of Michigan CS Mott Children's Hospital Video: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/rare-conjoined-twins-born-locked-in-embrace-successfully-separated-in-michigan/ar-BB19dDOq www.21stCenturyDads.org

Our guest on this special two-part Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Phil Irwin. Phil is the father of three girls including 1½ year old twins who were conjoined until jAugust, when surgeons successfully separated the two at 14 months. We’ll hear the first part in this episode in which Phil and his wife Alyson discover they’ll have twins that are conjoined. It’s a fascinating story and it’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.University of Michigan CS Mott Children's Hospital Video: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/rare-conjoined-twins-born-locked-in-embrace-successfully-separated-in-michigan/ar-BB19dDOq www.21stCenturyDads.org

David Hirsch’s guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Michael Striegl. Michael is a teacher whose core mission is to help children. Michael himself has two kids who are both autistic. Hear his story of being adopted and later raising two kids with differing special needs. It’s a fascinating listen and all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.

Our guest this week is Evan Spotswood of San Clemente, CA. Evan works in facilities management at Chapman University and has two children; Fletcher and June, who are both autistic. He served 5 1/2 years in the Navy, which included two deployments. We'll hear his faith, his family and some of his challenges and triumphs, including overcoming alcoholism on this Special Fathers Network, Dad to Dad Podcast.Beach Kids Therapy San Clemente – https://www.beachkidstherapy.com Stepping Forward, LCC - https://www.steppingforwardcounselingcenter.com Evan's Email Address - [email protected]

Our guest this week on The Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Dr. Bob Franks, who is a nationally recognized child psychologist, is the president and CEO of the Judge Baker Children’s Center, is on the clinical faculty at Harvard Medical School and author of Be A Better Parent: 10 Strategies For Being The Best You Can Be For Your Child. Bob is also the father of twin teenage boys adopted from Columbia, and a daughter, who vey sadly passed away shortly after birth, 18 years ago, due to underdeveloped lungs. We’ll hear his fascinating story on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.The Judge Baker Children's Center - https://jbcc.harvard.eduDr. Franks' Email - [email protected] 21st Century Dads Foundation - www.21stCenturyDads.org

Our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Blair Cornell. Blair is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services and founder of JoyRide.org, a not for profit whose mission is to provide kids with special needs an opportunity to ride in incredibly special vehicles. Think Ferrari, or Bugatti. Blair and his wife Kat have four children, including 9 year old Carter, who has Dandy Walker Syndrome. We’ll hear the Cornell family story and more on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Find out about JoyRide at: https://joyridecars.orgWatch the Joy Ride Video: https://youtu.be/pXEAT84JmNU Learn more about Dandy Walker Alliance - http://dandy-walker.org And learn more about The Special Fathers Network at https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network/