Special Fathers' Network Podcast

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.

In this Dad to Dad Podcast we hear from the inexhaustible Haki Nkrumah, who has devoted his life to helping young fathers be better dads. Haki started the charitable organization Young Fathers of Central Florida, and he helps young dads with multiple programs addressing the most serious young fatherhood issues. It’s a great story and one you should hear 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 we hear from an amazing father with three amazing children. One of those kids, Ryan, is a Paralympic champion with Spina Bifida who has pushed his wheelchair all the way across America to benefit “Stay Focused”, helping kids with disabilities experience a new world underwater. That’s all 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 we hear from country music artist, Seth Keiffer, a fatherland stepfather of four including a child with autism. Seth has great stories to tell and great music as well. 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 we hear from special father, Jon Ebersole. Jon and his wife Peggy have three children including twin girls who both have Cerebral Palsy, Jon is also the Senior Director of Joni and Friends, serving individuals and families with disability for over 40 years. 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 we hear from special father, Rick Daynes. Rick doesn’t have a child with special needs, he has three children with special needs. And he’s written a book to help other special needs dads and parents with their journey. It’s called "Keep It Together Man: For Dads with a Special Kid." We’ll hear all about it in 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 his guest Tom Delaney. Tom’s the president of Bankers Insurance Services, he has two boys Charlie and Jack who has Down Syndrome. We’ll hear the story of Tom’s family and how he’s worked to be the best Dad he can be. That’s all 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 Dr. Charles Ware, president emeritus of Crossroads Bible College in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Ware’s son Matt was seriously injured while attending a high school basketball practice. We’ll hear about that plus the book written by Dr. Ware, “One Race, One Blood.” That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast. To find out more about the Special Fathers network go to 21stcenturydads.org.

Meet Paul Koza, a retired sales executive. Paul has four boys, two whom were diagnosed with autism. He’s an engaging guy and he’s our special guest on this Dad to Dad podcast. To find out more about the Special Fathers network go to 21stcenturydads.org.

He wrote the book “Windows into Heaven - Stories Celebrating Down Syndrome” He’s the father of three, including an adopted boy with Down Syndrome. He’s Stacy Tetschner and he has an amazing story to tell on this Dad to Dad Podcast. To find out more about the Special Fathers network go to 21stcenturydads.org.

Our guest in this Dad to Dad podcast is special brother, Brent Chase. Brent grew up having a younger brother who’s autistic. We’ll hear Brent’s stories and how he’s working to develop products that will benefit his brother Alec and others like him. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast. To find out more about the Special Fathers network go to 21stcenturydads.org.

He’s an author, a blogger and a special father. He’s Mark Wallace Maguire and he’s David Hirsch’s guest in this Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. Mark is the author of the noted fictional series the "Alexandria Chronicles" as well as "Confessions of a Special Needs Dad.". He and his wife Jami are parents to two boys Patrick and Andrew, who was diagnosed with Cri-Du-Chat syndrome. It’s a frank conversation where Mark shares his troubles and his hopes for his family. To find out more about the Special Fathers network go to 21stcenturydads.org.

He’s a fellow who in believes in the human spirit and that people really want to help people. They just need to be asked. He’s Joshua Jacobs and he’s our guest in this Dad to Dad podcast. Josh and his wife Jodi are parents to two girls, Marnie, 13, and Allie, 11, who has Cerebral Palsy and a rare seizure disorder. It’s a fascinating conversation with an inspirational Dad. 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.

He’s an amazing guy. After living through the loss of his son, Eliot, after only 99 days, due to Trisomy 18, or Edwards Syndrome, Matt and his wife Ginny went on to form the charitable group 99 Balloons.org. Then despite all they'd been through, they adopted Lena, a young girls with special needs from an orphanage in Ukraine. Matt is David Hirsch’s guest 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.