Special Fathers' Network Podcast

Our guest this week is Mary Anne Ehlert, founder of Protected Tomorrows. Mary Anne reflects on the impact serving as a caregiver for her younger sister, Marsha, as well as her parents, on being a stepmother and raising three boys with a wide range of needs and her work helping and guiding special needs families via the Ehlert Financial Group and her website protectedtomorrows.com. She’s written numerous books on the subject and is a highly sought after public speaker and this week she’s talking with us on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Find about the Special Life Workbook at: https://protectedtomorrows.com/product/my-special-life-workbook/The Protected Tomorrows Website: https://protectedtomorrows.comContact Mary Ann Ehlert at 847-522-8086 Ext: 210About the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like

Our SFN Mentor Father this week is Kyle Malone of Indianapolis has two children: Zion (12) and Noah (19). We’ll hear about the Malone family and how Noah has overcome his inability to see and is setting records in track at Indiana State University, participating in the Paralympics and his TEDx Talk. It’s an uplifting and inspiring story and you’ll hear it on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Contact Kyle at: K.Malone@me.comNoah’s TEDx Talk – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQRxEkxhY7w WTHR 13 Video – https://www.wthr.com/video/news/local/the-amazing-noah-malone/531-6be42a1d-c32d-4580-a6ff-3e42900a241c Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired – https://www.in.gov/isbvi/ Lebers - https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6870/leber-hereditary-optic-neuropathy Fishers Disability Council – https://fishers.in.us/999/March-Disability-AwarenessAbout the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN

Our guest this week is Jeff Johnson of Anderson, SC. Jeff and his wife Michelle are parents of two boys, one of whom, Daniel, has hydrocephalus and encephalocele, and is unable to walk or talk. We’ll hear the Johnson family story, about their faith walk, Ainsley's Angles and about how a new computer gives the family new hope. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.To find out more about Family Connections of South Carolina go to: https://www.familyconnectionsc.orgTo find out more about Ainsley’s Angels go to: https://www.ainsleysangels.orgEye Gaze - https://eyegaze.com Encephalocele - https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/encephalocele/Hydrocephalous - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hydrocephalus/symptoms-causes/syc-20373604Jeff email: mic1dan2@bellsouth.netAbout the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said:

Our guest this week is Shane Madden who works at Pfizer and is father to Marshall (6), who has Cerebral Palsy. We’ll hear how Shane and his wife, Emily, have raised young Marshall, about their aspirations and hopes for the future. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital - https://www.lebonheur.org The Therapy Hut - https://www.therapyhut.com Live It Up (formerly United CP of mid south) - https://www.livitupinc.org Katie Beckett Waiver – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Beckett_Medicaid_waiver Shane's email – dmadden79@aol.com About the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to

Our guest this week is SFN Mentor Father Ray Morris, a former firefighter who does contract work for FEMA. Ray has two boys, including older son Zachary (32) who was diagnosed with Hemimegaloencephaly, a rare condition where one half of the brain is larger than the other.Ray shares how growing up with a dad who became a quadriplegic at 29 was foreshadowing for the experience he and his wife, Kelly, would have raising a son with severe special needs. Ray talks about his faith and in a very authentic way, how he grieved the loss of the life he anticipated for and with Zachary, which also motivated him to create Dads 4 Special Kids and a series of videos to help dads process their own grief and become the best versions of themselves. It's a heartwarming story about a father's love for his children and how his family has been able to overcome some of life's challenges on this SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Ray's email address: Ray@d4sk.orgDads 4 Special Kids: http://d4sk.orgThe Dads 4 Kids You Tube Channel: https://ww

Our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Jeremy Meinhardt. Jeremy and his wife Meg have two children, Beck, 15 and Nellie, 12, who has Spina Bifida. We’ll hear about Jeremy, his Dad, his family and how Nellie loves to play wheelchair basketball. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Illinois Spina Bifida Association: https://i-sba.orgSynergy Special Recreation DuPage: https://www.nedsra.org/participate/synergy-adaptive-athletics/Jeremy Reinhardt’s Email Address: jermeykmeinhardt@yahoo.comAbout the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who all are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."SFN Mentor Fathers

Our guest this week is Rolando 'Ro' Lopez. Ro is a retired FBI special agent who rescues victims of child sex trafficking through the Freedom Shield Foundation. He’s a man on a mission: to save as many of these youth and young adults as he can. It’s a truly inspiring story and you’ll hear it on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Freedom Shield Foundation - https://www.freedomshieldfoundation.com 1565 W. Main Street ,Suite 208-105, Lewisville, Texas 75067YouTube List of Freedom Shield videos - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUXpLQKZywKwZ1Wg0QaepyQ/videos Alliance for Freedom, Restoration, & Justice (AFRJ) – https://www.afrj.com Engage Together - https://engagetogether.com Rescue Her - https://www.rescueher.org Hawkwood Group – https://www.hawkwoodgroupllc.com A21 – https://www.a21.org About the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who all are raising kids with special needs, h

Our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Mitch Gardner of Jacksonville, FL. Mitch and his wife Ellen have four children including 14-year-old Davis who has severe Autism and is non-verbal. We’ll hear Mitch’s story including his work with the Peace of Heart Autism Community and Ellen’s work with the Tim Tebow Foundation. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Tim Tebow Foundation; https://www.timtebowfoundation.org/Special Nation: http://www.specialnation.org/Peace of Heart: https://www.pohc.org/Email Mitch at: mitchg@revmedgroup.comAbout the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 500+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who all are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate t

Our guest this week is Felimon Hernandez of Olympia, Washington. Felimon is a graphic designer and photographer. He and his wife Cecilia have three children including 8-year-old twins Lalo, has epipelsey and Adelina who has Spina Bifida. We’ll hear Felimon’s story and how he and his family have cared for the twins. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Check out Felimon’s website: https://felimonfoto.comWashington State Fathers Network: https://fathersnetwork.orgSouth Sound Parent to Parent program: https://www.ssp2p.orgAttend the May 15th SFN Dads Virtual Conference. Register for FREE at https://www.21stCenturyDads.org.About the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 400+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who all are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, a

Our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Ruslan Vasyutin, a native Ukrainian businessman who has a daughter with Cerebral Palsy. In his mission to provide support, Ruslan formed DCP Help, a country-wide NGO, to aid parents of kids with special needs. We’ll hear Ruslan’s life story and more on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Check out DCP Help's website: https://www.dcp-help.com/enFind out about the Orange Penguin Foundation: https://www.orangepenguin.org/Attend the May 15th SFN Dads Virtual Conference. Register for FREE at https://www.21stCenturyDads.org.About the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 400+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who all are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or

Our guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Azim Khamisa. Azim was born in Kenya and is a successful international businessman. In 1995, Azim’s world was turned upside down when his 20-year-old son Tariq was murdered by a 14-year-old gang member. Azim now dedicates his life on the concept of forgiveness and helping others to avoid similar violent tragedies. In fact, Azim has befriended his son’s killer and his grandfather. It’s an incredible story about a truly special man and it’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast.CBS video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBDeFi-04VM NBC video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKJSOHigxhI Tariq Khamisa Foundation website: https://www.tkf.orgTKF Program Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaT90zQz8RM Azim's website: https://www.azimkhamisa.comEmail: azim@azimkhamisa.comAttend the May 15th SFN Dads Virtual Conference. Register for FREE at https://www.21stCenturyDads.org.About the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentori

Our guest this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast is Larry Kaufman. Larry talks to us about an issue we haven’t discussed before, the problem of bullying. Larry grew up being bullied and coincidentally so has his son, Matt. We’ll hear their stories and how they deal with this difficult issue. Larry is also the author of the book "The NCG Factor: A Formula for Building Life-Changing Relationships from College to Retirement." Larry is also a LinkedIn expert with 30,000 connections. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. To learn more about Larry or connect with him, go to his LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrykaufmanlinkedinspeaker/You can purchase The NCG Factor at: https://www.amazon.com/NCG-Factor-Life-Changing-Relationships-Retirement/dp/173306351XAttend the May 15th SFN Dads Virtual Conference. Register for FREE at https://www.21stCenturyDads.org.About the Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising

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: jkredlo@yahoo.comhttps://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 don@dadsofsteele.orgLearn more about Special Fathers Network - https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network/