Special Fathers' Network Podcast

Our guest this week is Bob West of Colorado Springs, CO a retired IT professional and founder and president of Need Project, a non-profit serving families impacted by special healthcare needs.Bob and his wife, Sue, have been married for 32 years and are the proud parents of three: Monica (25), Jonathan (27) and Kyle (30) who has Cerebral Palsy. At age seven, Kyle had the good fortune to meet Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus On The Family and from that point forward, Kyle was on a different trajectory. He would eventually go to Patrick Henry College and earn a Bachelors of Arts degree on disability in the ancient world.It's an uplifting story about faith, family and about helping those impacted by disability to reach their full God given potential. It's all on this week's Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Notes - Email – bob.west@needproject.orgPhone – 719-930-9036Website – http://www.needproject.org/YouTube - https://youtu.be/clowniPOlGg 3:20 at 3:20 video, conversation with James Dobson. YouT

Our special guest this week is the legendary stand-up comedian, Tom Dreesen of Sherman Oaks, CA, father of three, grandfather of four and great grandfather two as well as an outspoken advocate for father involvement. This is Part 2 of the interview. Tom has appeared on stage with presidents and show-biz royalty, including most famously, as the long-time opening act for the chairman of the board, Frank Sinatra.Tom's made more than 500 TV appearances often as a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carsonand The Late Show with David Letterman and hosted the show in David’s absence. Tom also has a number of acting credits, including the following television series: Columbo, WKRP in Cincinnati and Murder, She Wrote, and in such films as Spaceballs, The Rat Pack and Trouble with the Curve. Starting in 2013 he began appearing around the country in a one man show called "An Evening of Laughter and Memories of Sinatra." He is also the author two books Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White and more rece

Our special guest this week is the legendary stand-up comedian, Tom Dreesen of Sherman Oaks, CA, father of three and outspoken advocate for father involvement. Tom has appeared on stage with presidents and show-biz royalty, including most famously, as the long-time opening act for the chairman of the board, Frank Sinatra.Tom's made more than 500 TV appearances often as a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Late Show with David Letterman and hosted the show in David’s absence. Tom also has a number of acting credits, including the following television series: Columbo, WKRP in Cincinnati and Murder, She Wrote, and in such films as Spaceballs, The Rat Pack and Trouble with the Curve. Starting in 2013 he began appearing around the country in a one man show called "An Evening of Laughter and Memories of Sinatra." He is also the author two books Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White and more recently a memoir entitled: Still Standing...My Journey from Streets and Saloons to the Stage

Our guest this week is Robert Hendershot of Irvine, CA owner of Material Engineering, a manufactures’ rep firm, founder of Angels For Higher, a non-profit dedicated to providing employment for young adults with Down Syndrome, and author of the book Angel For Higher. Robert and his wife, Melissa, have been married for 37 years and are the proud parents of three boys: Tanner (28), Taylor (30) and Trevor (32), who has Down Syndrome.Trevor is a team greeter for the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Rams and Anaheim Ducks. Trevor's experiences lead Robert to create Angels for Higher, working with sports teams across the U.S. to provide employment opportunities for dozens and dozens of young adults with Down Syndrome. Robert talks openly and authentically about overcoming alcoholism, writing the book Angels For Higher, and what it's like to be know as Trevor's dad :-)That's all on this week's Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Notes - Email – rmhendershot@cox.netPhone – (949) 910-0477Website - http://www

Our guest this week is Olivier Bernier of Montcliar, NJ, who is a writer, producer, filmmaker and owner of Rota6 Film Company.Olivier and his wife, Hilda, are the proud parents of two; Camila Rose (1) and Emilio (6) who has Down Syndrome.We’ll hear Olivier’s story including his lifelong love for film and discover details about his award winning documentary, “Forget Me Not: Inclusion In The Classroom.”That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Notes -Email – olivier@rota6.comWebsite - https://www.forgetmenotdocumentary.com/Website – https://rota6films.com/LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-bernier-baba3616/The Film "Forget Me Not: Inclusion In The Classroom" - https://www.forgetmenotdocumentary.comForget Me Not, Inclusion In The Class Room - https://www.amazon.com/Forget-Me-Not-Inclusion-Classroom/dp/B0B8PJDBKQ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=XRU7UPWTUWNQ&keywords=forget+me+not+film&qid=1670434898&sprefix=forget+me+not+film%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-3Watch the “Forget Me Not: Inclusi

Our guest this week is Jeff Seitzer of Chicago, IL. Jeff and his wife, Janet, have been married for 33 years and are the proud parents of two children; Penelope (16) and Ethan, who had many special healthcare needs and who tragically passed away in a drowning accident, at age nine in 2010. Jeff earned a Ph.D in political science from the University of Chicago. He has over a quarter century of teaching experience in the Chicago area. He is currently, the secretary of the adjunct faculty union at Roosevelt University where he is a highly qualified organizer, manager, and editor. Jeff is also the author and translator of numerous works on law and philosophy. He is also author of memoir entitled: "The Fun Master: A Father's Journey of Love, Loss and Learning to Live One Day At a Time.”The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project produced a documentary entitled: "Danger Amidst The Beauty: The Ethan Seitzer Story," based on his memoir The Fun Master. We’ll hear Jeff’s poignant story on this week's Special Fathers Network Da

Our guest this week is Paul Peterangelo of Tonowanda, NY, who is clinical supervisor at Fidelis Care, Director of Worship Band Psalm 151 at Saint Amelia RC Church, and father of five girls including one with Down Syndrome.Paul and his wife, Renee, have been married for 29 years and are the proud parents of five daughters; Sonia (37), Emilia (36), DeAnna (28), Amanda (26) who has Down Syndrome and Tabitha (21). We’ll hear Paul’s story which includes:his role as a nurse practitioner, including 15 years in the ER on the night shift,the ups and downs of raising a child with Down Syndrome,his faith journey, including leading a global Bible study, andhis role as a 'minority in a sorority.' :-That's all on this week’s Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links - Phone – (716) 868-3793Email – prpeterangelo@gmail.comLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-w-peterangelo-b7748864/ Born Hava - http://bornhava.org/The Arc - https://www.arceriecounty.org/People Inc. - https://www.people-inc.org/Summit Educat

Our guest this week is Marsh Naidoo of Dyersburg, TN is a physical therapist who was born and raised in Durban, South Africa during Apartheid. Marsh and her husband, Prakash, are the proud parents to son Kellan, who has Cerebral Palsy.Marsh is the host of the popular Raising Kellan Podcast and author of the book “What I Wish I Knew Back Then."We’ll hear this intriguing conversation between Marsh and our host David Hirsch on this episode ot the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links - Email – raisingkellan@gmail.comWebsite – https://www.raisingkellan.org/LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsh-naidoo-pt/Healing Horses – https://equinetherapyregistry.org/index.phpTri My Best Triathlon - https://give.vanderbilthealth.org/event/tri-my-best-triathlon-brentwood/e275146 The Book: What I Wish I Knew Back Then: A Physical Therapist and Mother's Perspective of Raising her Child with Cerebral Palsy. https://www.amazon.com/What-Wish-Knew-Back-Then/dp/1735224014/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2TV60DU2DA68M&keywor

Our guest this week is Joel Liestman of Maple Grove, MN who has been a professional actor for more than 25 years, a father to a son with William Syndrome and outspoken advocate for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Joel and wife, Jennifer, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of Bennett (11) who has Williams Syndrome, a genetic condition present at birth and is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning challenges. Joel reflects on the importance of organizations like Parent 2 Parent and the William Syndrome Association have played in Bennett’s life and that of his family.That's all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast. Show Links - Email – joel@familyvoicesmn.orgWebsite – https://www.joelliestman.comLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelliestman/William Syndrome Association – https://williams-syndrome.org/Partnership Resources - https://www.partnershipresources.org/Parent 2 Parent USA – https

Our guest this week is Christian Paddock of Seattle, WA who is a coporate trainer for Audi of America.Christian and his wife, Megan, have been married for 10 years and are the proud parents of two girls, Addison (5) and Hazel, who was diagnosed with STXBP1, a rare neurological disease. Very sadly Hazel passed away at age six in 2021, as the result of a random accident. Christian reflects on the six year odyssey of raising a child with a complex medical condition, the highs as well as lows, and the tragic loss of their beautiful daughter. We’ll hear how Christian and Megan have met the challenges, dealt with tgrief, grown from this horrible tragedy, found some comfort through organ donation, and put the experiences into perspective. That’s on this week’s Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links -Email – christianpaddock@icloud.comLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianpaddock/STXBP1 Foundation – https://www.stxbp1disorders.org/what-is-stxbp1Facebook Hazel On The Move – https://www.faceboo

Our guest this week is Dr. Cole Galloway of Clevelend, OH who for more than two decades, was a professor of physical therapy at University of Delaware and is founder of Go Baby Go, a human rights movement dedicated to promoting mobility and social mobility.While doing research, he developed a small car that young children, with special needs, could control themselves thereby opening a whole new world of possibilities. That discovery lead to the creation of Go Baby Go, which has forever transformed the lives and trajectories of tens of thousands of children across the U.S. and beyond. Go Baby Go has an open architecture that allows virtually anyone or any organization to make use of the resources, now in more than 200 locations. It's a fascinating and uplifting story and Dr. Gallaway is our guest this week on this episode of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links - Email – jacgallo@udel.edu LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-galloway-1ba715107/Go Baby Go - https://sites.udel.edu/gob

Our guest this week is Corey Ferguson of Gahanna, OH who is a State-Wide Manager with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the father of three children with a wide range of special abilities.Corey and his wife, Andrea, have been married for 15 years and are the proud parents of three children: Linleigh (12) who is a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy, Brody (9) who has dyslexia, and Everly (8), who has bi-lateral hearing loss. Corey has a real passion for being a dad and the work he does serving other families raising children with special needs. We’ll hear Corey’s family story and more this week on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links:Email – cfferguson@hotlmail.comLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyfferguson/A Kid Again - https://akidagain.org/chapter/central-ohio-chapter/OH Dept of Developmental Disabilities - https://dodd.ohio.gov/homeRising Above Ministries - https://www.risingaboveministries.org Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring

Our guest this week is Ron Sandison of Rochester Hills, MI who is an Autistic man, a psychiatric care specialist at UHS Havenwyck Hospital, a professor at the Divinity School of Ministry, a speaker, an author of several books, and founder of Spectrum Inclusion, which empowers young adults with Autism for independence and employment through mentoring and conferences.Ron and his wife, Kristen, have been married for 10 years and are the proud parents of Mikayla (6). Ron's books include:A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom.Views from the Spectrum: A Window into Life and Faith with Your Neurodivergent ChildThought, Choice, Action: Decision-Making that Releases the Holy Spirit's PowerAnother one of Ron's gifts is that he has memorized and can recall over 5000 bible verses.Ron has an amazing story to tell and we’ll hear it this week on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Notes - Spectrum Inclusion: https://www.spectruminclusion.comEmail: Sandison456@hotmail.comLinkedIn: https

Our guest this week is Christopher Brewster of Waverly NY. Chris and his wife, Kristen, have been married for six years and are the proud parents of three children: son Bowie (15) who has Angelman Syndrome, daughter Ada (17), and son Seth (26) who has Scleroderma, Short leg syndrome, Autism and more recently is undergoing gender transition.From a professional perspective, Chris is a Community Engagement Manager for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier (Elmira & Corning area). He also works part-time as the Fatherhood Coordinator for Parent to Parent of New York State, connecting fathers of children with special needs to information and to reach other dads. Chiris is also a writer and a public relations/marketing professional with extensive experience in writing, advertising and graphic design, including being a staff writer for Southern Tier Life, a digital lifestyle magazineWell hear Chris' story on this episode of the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links - Email – cbrewster@parenttoparent

Our guest this week is Ian Todd, of Baltimore, MD, who is a financial services specialist.Ian and his wife, Erin, are the proud parents to two daughters, Maple (6) and Rosie (4), who was injured shortly after birth as the result of Bacterial Meningitis and has cortical visual impairment among other conditions. Ian is also a member of the first Special Fathers Network Mastermind Group that meets weekly on Wednesday evenings. He credits his faith and involvement with SFN and the SFN Mastermind Group with helping him put his challenges into perspective and be the husband, father and human being he wants to be. We’ll hear Ian and Rosie’s story and more on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Email – imtodd85@gmail.comLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-todd-5672bb19/ 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 li

Our guest this week is Matt Bando, owner of Prodigy Printing and Promotions in Downers Grove, IL.Matt and his wife, Saba, have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of Zain (23) who is a spastic quadriplegic with Cerebral Palsy. Zain is a graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and is masters degree student at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and has participated in the Diveheart.org adaptive scuba diving program.Matt is also part of the SFN Mastermind Group that meets weekly on Tuesday nights.We’ll hear Matt's story and more on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.WGN TV Video (2.24.18) - https://www.zainbando.org/testimonials/Email – mattbando@comcast.netLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-bando-9922499/Diveheart - https://www.diveheart.org Phone – (630) 362-1151Special 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

Out special guest this week is Dr. Temple Grandin of Ft. Collins, CO, a national speaker, a best-selling author, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, and outspoken advocate for the neurodivergent and those on the Autism Spectrum. Temple was an Ashoka Fellow. She was also named in the Time 100 List as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in the ‘Heroes’ category. She also has a number of honorary degrees form universities around the world, including; McGill University in Canada, the Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Carnegie Mellon University and Emory University. Temple is the author of numerous books including: - Emergence: Labeled Autistic - Developed Talents- Thinking In Pictures - The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across The Spectrum- Different Not Less Temple’s TED Talk entitled: “The World Needs All Kinds Of Minds” has been viewed more than 6M times. The movie Temple Grandin, produced in 2010, received numerous awards including seven Emmy Awards. We are very gr

Our guest this week is David Geslak, a national speaker, author and founder of Exercise Connection, a company committed to assist individuals with Autism and other disabilities; improve their focus, reduce maladaptive behaviors, enhance social skills as well as language development through proper exercise and physical fitness.David and his wife, Jessica, have been married for nine years and are the proud parents of two children: Andrew (5) and Jordan (2), who was diagnosed with cyanotic breadth holding spells.Through his education and work as a Certified Exercise Physiologist, as well as research, David has created tools and a process to transform the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder through exercise and better fitness. His book entitled: The Autism Fitness Handbook is a must read for any parent or caregiver of a child or young adult with Autism. David is also founder of: ExerciseBuddy, an Autism fitness app for children, adults, and schools, andAutism Workforce, an organization focused on d

This is the second installment of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast interview with Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield, PhD, LPC, a nationally known speaker, author, licensed professional counselor of 28 years and founder of The Abba Project, a program serving dads and daughters.She writes regularly for professional journals and magazines. She is also the author of books:Dad Here’s What I Really Need from You, andLet’s Talk: Conversation Starters for Dads and Daughters.Michelle also hosts “The Dad Whisperer” Podcast.Michelle talks openly and authentically about her spirituality, marrying late in life as well as her personal experience with eating disorders and sexual abuse. She brings a high level of energy and enthusiasm to her work and life.Michelle and her husband, Dr. Ken Canfield, founder of the National Center For Fathering, live in Fayetteville, Arkansas near their family which includes 14 grandkids.That’s all on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Links:Web site: https://www.drmichellewatson.comEmail: d

Our guest this week is Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield, PhD, LPC, a nationally known speaker, author, licensed professional counselor of 28 years and founder of The Abba Project, a program serving dads and daughters.She writes regularly for professional journals and magazines. She is also the author of books:Dad Here’s What I Really Need from You, andLet’s Talk: Conversation Starters for Dads and Daughters.Michelle also hosts “The Dad Whisperer” Podcast.Michelle talks openly and authentically about her spirituality, marrying late in life as well as her personal experience with eating disorders and sexual abuse. She brings a high level of energy and enthusiasm to her work and life.Michelle and her husband, Dr. Ken Canfield, founder of the National Center For Fathering, live in Fayetteville, Arkansas near their family which includes 14 grandkids.Michelle has so much to say we split the interview in two parts and today we’ll hear the the first installment. That’s all on the Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcas