Special Fathers' Network Podcast

From terrible tragedy comes forgiveness, which leads to incredible acts of kindness. On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast, host David Hirsch talks to Special Father Sam Rodriguez. Sam and his wife Stacey have three children. Ben, Emma and Manny, who passed away as a baby. Sam tells his family’s story including the formation of the Manny Rodriguez fund and the 87 random acts of kindness day. That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. Show Links:Find out about the Manny Rodriguez children’s education’s fund atFacebook.com/mannysfundThe Akron Children’s hospital website: https://www.akronchildrens.orgThe Courageous Parents Network: https://courageousparentsnetwork.orgAnd to find out more about the Special Fathers Network go to: https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network/

This is the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. Of the close to 100 Dads we’ve interviewed thus far, many are the proud parents of kids with Down Syndrome. So today we’re going to hear clips from these Dads. We’ll hear how they reacted to the news that they’re child has Down Syndrome, and we’ll hear how these children have been a real blessing. That’s all on this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by The Special Fathers Network. You’ll hear highlights from David Hirsch’s conversations, listed here in the order in which they appear: Kelly Moynihan (Dad to Dad #63), Joe Ciriano (#23), Skip Gianopulos (#3), John Wagner (#62), Rob Wrubel (#91) , Josh Avis (#82), Mark Cronin (#17), Paul Gianni (#6), Tom Delaney (#44), Stacy Tetschner (#41) , Sean Farrell (#59) and Rick Daynes (#45).Show Links:To find out more about Gigi’s Playhouse go to: https://gigisplayhouse.orgFind out more about Rob Wrubel and his books at  https://robwrubel.comPurchase Heather Avis’ book The Lucky Few: Finding God’s Best in the Most Unl

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with Rob Wrubel, a father of three, including Sarah, who has Down Syndrome. Rob is a financial planner who specializes in helping special needs families invest in their future. He’s an author, an advocate for children with special needs and he’s David Hirsch’s guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast.Show Links: Cascade Investment Group: https://ciginc.netRob Wrubel’s website: https://robwrubel.comTo learn about the mission of 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 speaks with Dr. Harold Reitman, a retired orthopedic surgeon and former professional heavy weight boxer, an author, a filmmaker and founder of Different Brains.org. Dr, Reitman is father to Rebecca, 38, who has Asperger Syndrome. We’ll hear all about Harold, or Hackie and he’s known in boxing circles, and his incredible and inspiring life on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast. Show Links:https://www.differentbrains.orgHackie Reitman Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_ReitmanTo hear about the mission of The Special Fathers Network, go to https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network.

This SFN Podcast is a compilation of excerpts from earlier interviews of SFN Mentor Fathers who each lost a child with special needs. They are listed here in alphabetical order. The number relates to each dad's podcast: #66 Jerry Castro/Son Jack age 15, #31 Kris Kazian/daughter Lexi age 2, #57 Tim Kuck/son Nathaniel age 4, #64 Shane Lee/daughter Jocelyn age 4 1/2, #37 Matt Mooney/son Elliot age 99 days, #13 Jim Mueller/son Luke 23 and #29 Rooster Rossiter/daughter Ainsley age 12. Not all families are able to perpetuate their child's memory in the form of a non-profit, but many of these families have. Here are the names of and URLs related to the charities: Helping From Heaven/Lexi Kazian Foundation - http://helpingfromheaven.org, Nathaniel's Hope - http://nathanielshope.org, 99 Balloons - http://99balloons.org, and AinsleysAngels - http://ainsleysangels.org Special thanks to these dads for sharing their highly personal stories to inspire others and to celebrate their child's life. For more information ab

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with special Father Juan Vagilenty, a lawyer from Chicago. Juan and wife Anna, have two children with special needs. Amelia, age 9, has Pallister-Killian Mosaic Syndrome, or PKS and Max, age 7, has Down Syndrome. We’ll hear the Vagilenty family story and how religion has been an important part of their life. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To hear about the mission of The Special Fathers Network, go to https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network. Show links: Find out about Pallister-Killian Mosaic Syndrome at https://PKSKids.netMisericordia, Heart of Mercy: https://www.misericordia.com The Illinois Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments: http://www.ipvi.orgThe Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind: https://chicagolighthouse.orgRaise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education: https://www.ilraiseyourhand.orgJuan Vagilenty: jvaglienty@yahoo.com

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with special father, Dan Morrissey. Dan and his wife Kristin have two children, one of whom, Emily, has Cerebral Palsy. We’ll hear the Morrissey family story including how they started a new business, www.Emilysbracelets.com. We’ll also hear how Emily’s younger brother PJ wrote two books about having a sister with special needs. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To hear about the mission of The Special Fathers Network, go to https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network. Show links: Emily’s Bracelets: https://www.emilysbracelets.comSpecial Olympics: https://www.specialolympics.orgHear David Hirsch's interview with Jeff Katz on Dad to Dad #76: https://www.spreaker.com/user/specialfathers/dad-to-dad-76-radio-host-jeff-katz-has-a

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with Don Garner. Don and his wife Alisa have three girls, one of whom, Francesca, was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 8 years old. We’ll hear Don’s story and how the Make a Wish Foundation granted a very special wish to Frannie and the entire Garner family. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To hear about the mission of The Special Fathers Network, go to https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network. Show links: Make A Wish America: https://wish.orgOperation North Pole: https://www.operationnorthpole.org

We’ve talked to over 80 Dads in the Dad to Dad podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network, and in this episode we present a “greatest hits” version of the podcast. You'll hear many fathers chiming in on why they joined the Special Fathers Network and why being a father of a kid with special needs is so important to them. To find out more about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with Jon Heckert. Jon and his wife Doris are parents of a son, Jackson, who was diagnosed early in life with special needs. In the Heckert household the word can’t doesn’t exist. Jon makes sure Jackson competes in races and he takes him on hunting trips. Jon is indeed a special dad. As a side note, just prior to this interview, host David Hirsch pushed Jackson in the Louisiana Half Marathon. We’ll hear all about that and more on this Dad to Dad podcast, presented by The Special Fathers Network. To find out about Ainsley’s Angels, who make it possible for special needs kids to compete in endurance races go to https://ainsleysangels.org. To find out about Hunt of a Lifetime, go to https://huntofalifetime.org. To hear about the mission of 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 speaks with Josh Avis, father of three and cofounder of The Lucky Few Instagram account and podcast. Josh and his wife Heather have adopted three children two of whom have Down Syndrome. Josh and Heather consider themselves among the lucky few to have two children with special needs, in fact, Avis has written a book entitled The Lucky Few: Finding God’s Best in the Most Unlikely Places, which you can find at Amazon. We’ll hear all about the Avis family and The Lucky Few on this Dad to Dad podcast. To find out about The Lucky Few and to hear the podcast go to https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com. To hear about this mission of The Special Fathers Network go https://21stcenturydads.org/about-the-special-fathers-network. Lastly hear’s the link to the Amazon page for The Lucky Few: Finding God’s Best in the Most Unlikely Places. https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Few-Finding-Unlikely-Places/dp/0310345464/ref=sr_

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with special father Jude Morrow, of Derry Northern Ireland. Jude’s son, Ethan, doesn’t have special needs, Jude himself, the dad has special needs. He’s on the autism spectrum and he’s written a book about his experience which will be available in April 2020. It’s a fascinating conversation and it’s all on this Dad to Dad Podcast. Visit Jude Morrow Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/jude.morrow.7And learn more about the Special Fathers Network at 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with special father Steve Mogul, a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services and a father of two children who both have very rare developmental disorders. Hayley, is only one of 19 in the world who has a rare form of Smith–Magenis Syndrome. Bari, is one of only 19 in the world who have a mutated GRIN2B gene. It’s a very unique situation and Steve spells out the challenges that his family faces. He also offers other parents of kids with special needs some truly insightful advice. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast. To find out about Smith-Magenis syndrome go to:https://www.smsresearchfoundation.org, https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/8197/smith-magenis-syndrome. To read about the GRIN@B gene, go to http://grin2b.com/about-grin2b/. And learn more about the Special Fathers Network at 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, Host David Hirsch speaks with special father John Kimec, principal of St. John De Sales, a Catholic High School in Chicago, Illinois. John and his wife Lindsay have five children including Michael who has Pierpont Syndrome and is non-verbal. John and host David Hirsch will talk about the challenges and joys of raising a son with special needs on this Dad to Dad podcast presented by The Special Fathers Network. To find out about the work being done on Pierpont Syndrome go to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4495254. To learn about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, Host David Hirsch speaks with Chad Johnson. Chad is a father of six children and a military veteran with three tours of duty. Chad talks frankly to David Hirsch about dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, while raising 6 kids including Cameron who was diagnosed with CHARGE Syndrome. Chad is also heavily involved with Retrieving Freedom a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that pairs military veterans and youth with Autism with service dogs. Chad also has his own service dog, who has really helped Chad deal with his PTSD. To see more on Retrieving Freedom go to www.retrievingfreedom.org. And to learn about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks to Special Kneads and Treats bakery co-founder/owner Michael Kohler. Michael is the father of two young adults, Ashley and Bradley, who at age 29, has Fragile X Syndrome. Michael talks of family, work and how he and his wife Tempa formed the Special Kneads and Treats bakery that employs young adults with special needs. They also provide free birthday cakes for kids whose families can’t afford them. Go to www.specialkneadsandtreats.org to find out more. Learn more about Fragile X syndrome at www.fragilex.org. And to learn about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks with special father Jeff Katz. Jeff is the afternoon host of The Jeff Katz Show at News Radio WRVA, in Richmond Virginia. He has three children including Julie who has global development delays and is non-verbal. Jeff tells his life story and why he truly treasures his daughter Julia. That’s all on this Dad to Dad podcast. To find out more about Jeff and WRVA go to Newsradiowrva.radio.com/shows/jeff-katz. To learn about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

That’s Mark Paterson, an executive in the industrial equipment industry, and father of a boy who is autistic. Mark speaks candidly with our host David Hirsch about some of the difficulties of raising a child with special needs. That’s on this Dad to Dad podcast. To find out about Little City go to www.littlecity.org. To learn about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks to special father, Cory Estby, the pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Grant Park, Illinois. Cory and his wife Christena have four children including two adopted brothers who both have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Hear the fascinating story of how these two young boys became a part of the Estby family on this Dad to Dad podcast. Visit Giftofadoption.org to find out more, also check out parentprojectmd.org to find out about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. To learn about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.

On this Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch talks to special father, Jim Rigg, the superintendent of catholic education at the Archdiocese of Chicago. Jim has four children including Daniel, who is autistic and diabetic. We’ll hear about the challenges of raising a son with multiple special needs and about Jim’s personal work in helping educate other kids with special needs. That’s all in this Dad to Dad Podcast, presented by the Special Fathers Network. To find out more about the schools of the Archdioscese of Chicago click on schools.archchicago.org, to find out more about the Special Fathers Network, go to 21stcenturydads.org.