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  • SFN Dad To Dad 360 - Jessica Ronne of Holland, MI Mother of Eight, Author, Podcast Host & Founder of The Lucas Project,
    2025/01/10
    Our guest this week is Jessica Ronne of Holland, MI, author, speaker, podcast host, founder & executive director of the Lucas Project and perhaps most importantly, wife and the mother of eight, including one with special needs.Jess and her second husband, Ryan, have been married for 14 years and between them are the proud parents of eight children: four from her first marriage: Caleb, Lucas, Mable and Joshua, three from Ryan's first marriage: Tate, Mia, and Jada and Annabelle (9) who they had together. Their son Lucas suffered a stroke in vitro at 20 months; has global developmental delays, is non-verbal, has hydrocephalous, severe Autism, scoliosis, and low muscle tone.Very sadly Jess' first husband Jason, died of brain cancer in 2010. And Ryan's first wife, Kaci, also passed away from cancer in 2010. The couple met through some mutual acquaintances and married after a brief courtship to go on to have their 8th child, Annabelle. Jess is a prolific author having published four books: -- Sunlight Burning At Midnight (2013) a memoir-- Lovin’ With Grit & Grace (2017) reprinted in 2023-- Blended With Grit & Grace (2021)-- Caregiving With Grit & Grace (2024)Jess is also the founder and executive director of The Lucas Project, a nonprofit organization, whose mission is "to provide recognition, respite and resources to family caregivers of those with special needs."She also hosts the Coffee With Caregivers Podcast and a blog that goes by the name: Jess Plus The Mess. Jess is the oldest of 12 children, a dynamo and caregiver extraoridInaire. We'll hear all about Jess' journey, her deep faith and her wonderful sense of humor on this week’s SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.Show NotesPhone – (616) 617-9077Email – jess@thelucasproject.orgLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-ronne-4b412670/Podcast Coffee With Caregivers - https://anchor.fm/jess-ronneWebsite – https://www.jessplusthemess.com/Website: https://www.thelucasproject.org/Documentary Unseen - https://caregiverdoc.com/ .Books – Sunlight Burning At Midnight - https://tinyurl.com/3fsrekay Blended With Grit & Grace - https://tinyurl.com/mr25k2rm Lovin’ With Grit & Grace - https://tinyurl.com/3janr2sv Caregiving With Grit & Grace - https://tinyurl.com/bdhted3vFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jessplusthemess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessplusthemessPinterest: pinterest.com/jessplusthemess/Twitter: twitter.com/jessplusthemessSpecial Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ 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 what I was going through."SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videosPlease support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/
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    42 分
  • SFN Dad To Dad 359 - A Look Back On 2024
    2025/01/03
    Episode #359 – A Look Back on 2024 Hi I’m David Hirsch, founder of the 21st Century Dads Foundation and Special Fathers Network as well as host of the Special Fathers Network Dad To Dad Podcast. Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of 2025. Tom Couch, the editor and producer of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast, and I, thought we would do something special and provide a Look Back on 2024. In total we produced 72 episodes, 52 were weekly episodes airing on Fridays and for 20 weeks from May through September we produced a series of short episodes with SFN Mentor Fathers who are also involved with the SFN Mastermind Group program. We called them SFN Mastermind Group Monday Podcasts. While we’d love to include a snippet from all 70+ episodes, to keep it more concise we decided to provide some highlights. We hope you enjoy listening to this Look Back on 2024 Episode as much as we did producing it. 18 of the 2024 guests are authors. Nine of the interviews included international guests, from the following seven countries: Australia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Iceland, Israel and the UK. Four of the guests are women. Three interviews were with dads who lost a child including one who was an Israeli hostage killed by Hamas terrorists. Two interviews included military veterans: a former U.S. Navy Seal and a U.S. Air Force Vietnam-era combat pilot. And one of the guests is a Native American. The episodes also spanned a very broad range of disabilities including; Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Rare Disease, Dwarfism as well as those who are blind, deaf and missing a limb(s). Here is a brief month by month recap with a clip from a select number of episodes. In January, we aired four episodes including a dad from the UK and one from the Cayman Islands as well as with Jonathan Eig, father to three, including a son whose parents passed away at an early age. Jon is also the best-selling author of biographies on: Muhammad Ali, Lou Gehrig, and MLK. In February, we aired four episodes including one with Dave Jereb of Sydney, Australia, a Physical Therapist, co-founder of Move About Therapies and author of the book: Challenging The Story. We also did a two-episode story with filmmaker Bob Manganelli, whose 23 year old deaf son, very tragically committed suicide, while at Gallaudet University back in 2014. In March, we produced five episodes including a two-episode interview with Keith Harris of Albuquerque, NM who is a retired business owner and father of four, including son Tim who has Down Syndrome. He and Tim owned and operated the restaurant Tim’s Place for five years. Tim also went on to author The Book of Hugs, a children’s book. In April, we aired four episodes including one with Jonathan Bennett of Ontario Canada, who is an executive leadership coach, author and father of two, including one with Autism who is also non-binary. In May, we did six episodes including one with Dr. Greg Pursley of Jackson, MO who is a chiropractor, owner of PC Medical Centers, an author and father of two, including a son who has Dwarfism. We also interviewed John Borling of Rockford, IL who is a retired Major General in the U.S. Air Force. John was a combat pilot in Vietnam who flew 97 missions before being shot down and held hostage for six years, eight months at the Infamous Hanoi Hilton. And we interviewed Jon Ghahate a Pueblo Indian from Placitas, NM who is a Vietnam-er veteran and father of three, including a daughter who is sight impaired. In June, we produced eight episodes including four SFN Mastermind Group Monday interviews with testimonials about their mastermind group experiences. One was with John Shouse of Franklin, TN an industrial control engineer and father of three including twin boys, one of which, Evan, is Autistic. John and his wife, Janet, have been leaders in the disability community throughout TN and John has been involved with the Tuesday night Mastermind group for nearly three years. We also interviewed Paul Briggs of Falling Waters, WV, who is the father of 38. No this was not a typographical error or some misstatement. Paul and his wife, Jeanne, have six biological kids and 32 adopted children including: 13 from Ghana, 10 from Ukraine, six from Russia, two from Bulgaria and one from Mexico. In July, we did nine episodes including five Mastermind Group Monday interviews. We also interviewed Kelley Coleman of Los Angeles, CA, a mother of two, a disability advocate, and author of Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child: Your Guide to the Essential Systems, Services, and Supports. We also interviewed Sam Farmer of North Easton, MA who is the father of a son with Autism and later in life was also diagnosed with Asperger’s. Sam is also the author of A Long Walk Down A Winding Road and has become one of the more well recognized self-advocates in the Autism ...
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    21 分
  • SFN Dad to Dad 358 - Emma Livingstone, of London, England, Mother of Three, Self Advocate & Founder of UP The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement
    2024/12/27
    Our guest this week is Emma Livingstone of London, England who is the mother of three typical kids, a self-advocate with Cerebral Palsy and founder & CEO of UP - The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement.

    Emma and her husband, Derrick, have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of three typical children ages 11-16. She is the one who has cerebral palsy, which has propelled her to become one of England's most outspoken advocates for adults with CP.

    Emma is founder and CEO of UP - The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement, a non-profit whose mission is to help all members of the adult Cerebral Palsy community to live their best lives.

    It's an uplifting story about family, perseverance and service all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

    Show Notes -
    Phone/WhatsApp – 44-07-951-019-508
    Email – emma@upmovement.org.uk
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-livingstone-080967a4/
    Website - https://upmovement.org.uk/

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ 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 what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/
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    51 分
  • SFN Dad To Dad 357 - Craig Parks of San Diego, CA A Professional Musician, Band Leader, Camp Director, Author & Father Of Two
    2024/12/20
    Our guest this week is Craig Parks of San Diego, CA who is a professional musician, band leader, camp director, author and father of two including one with special healthcare needs.Craig and his wife, Rachel, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of two children: Nashaman (10) and Jonah (20) who has multiple issues, including: anxiety, attention issues and Autism.Craig has a real passion for working with youth. He has combined his love of music and talent as a musician with his commitment to serving youth in a variety of ways including serving as a camp director and band leader.More recently Craig authored an e-Book entitled: "Stress Less & Have Fun With Your Kids". He also created a curriculum the "Parenting A to E Course" available at: https://www.parentingharmony.com/ We’ll hear Craig’s story and about his musical and special needs journey on this week’s Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Links - Phone – (760) 505-3099Email – craigparks@parentingharmony.comLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-parks-6038756/Website - https://www.parentingharmony.com/North County JCC Camp – https://jcca.org/find-a-jcc/lawrence-family-jcc-of-san-diego-county-jacobs-family-campus/eBook – Stress Less & Have More Fun With Your Kids – https://craigparksmusic.samcart.com/products/stress-less--have-more-fun-with-your-kids Parks Party Central Episode 1 March 29,2020 (youtube.com)Parks Party Central Episode 19 (youtube.com) Parks & Pals: Tequila (youtube.com)Urban Plates - 12 under $12 - core - eat well (youtube.com) Here's a bonus video of his son at 6 years old playing the drums with Criag and a couple of the teens he was working with: Long Live Rock.mpg (youtube.com) Here is a video from Autism's Got Talent with Jonah in 2020. He ended up winning the competition that year. J the King - Autism's Got Talent - YouTubeParenting A to E - From Stress To Smiles Turning The mundane Into The Memorable - Enroll now at: https://parentingharmony.com/products/parenting-a-to-e?fbclid=IwY2xjawHO4_FleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVTpd8dvVA6oGnGhjp4mA6lsq2ii8VvRokknzaxNn1wFwJ0zJZRagsM_Mw_aem__SD5vUvTcsNCFek5EJgsVgMiracle League of San Diego https://www.miracleleagueofsandiego.orgSan Diego Chill Ice Hockey for kids with special needs https://sandiegochill.orgThe San Marcos Shooting Stars Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/p/SMYBB-Shooting-Stars-100057535536242/Special Fathers Network - SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ 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 what I was going through."SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videosPlease support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/
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    51 分
  • SFN Dad To Dad 356 - Tieal Bishop of Walkerton, IN Founder Of A Rosie Place For Children & Mother To Six, Including A Medically Fragile Son.
    2024/12/13
    Our guest this week is Tieal Bishop, of Walkerton, IN, mother to six incluiding a medical fragile son and founder of A Rosie Place For Children.

    Tieal and her husband,Travis, have been married for eight years and between them they are the proud parents of six children: Max (25), Sam (22) and Gigi (20) and triplet 21 year old girls, Madeline, Abby and Kate.

    Her oldest son, Max, had a precarious entry into the world. Diagnosed with RSV, he required a G-Tube for feeding, a Trach for breathing and seven month in the PICU, which resulted in the family staying at the local Ronald McDonald House for seven months. Despite the early challenges, Max is thriving as a young adult.

    Tieal is founder of A Rosie Place for Children, a state of the art, nurse-staffed specialty hospital for medically fragile children and respite for their parents, based in South Bend, IN.

    Tieal has a zest for life and a passion for service. You'll hear her uplifting story on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

    Show Notes -
    Phone – (574) 315-6283
    Email - tieal@arosieplace.org
    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tieal-bishop-b821237/
    A Rosie Place For Children- https://arosieplace.org/
    Children's Respite Homes of America - https://childrensrespitehomes.org/
    National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes (NCPPCH) - https://www.ncppch.org/
    She’s All Set (a short film by The Grotto Network at the University of Notre Dame) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNgD2wdUv-s&t=2s

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ 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 what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/
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    59 分
  • SFN Dad To Dad 355 - Phillip Koontz of Monument, CO, Former U.S. Navy Seal, Author, Entrepreneur & Father of Five Including One with Autism
    2024/12/06
    Our guest this week is Phillip Koontz of Monument, CO a retired U.S. Navy Seal, combat veteran, a former pastor, co-founder of Buffalo Leadership Academy, owner of an e-commerce business, author and perhaps most importantly, the father to five children.

    Phillip and his third wife, Suzanna, have been married for 6 1/2 years and between them are the proud parents of five children: Briah (11), Robert (13), Zadak (13), Madeline (16) and Jacob (18), who is Autistic.

    Phillip served for more than five years on Seal Team 10 and is a combat veteran, during which time Danielle, his first wife was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer and died four years later. His second marriage produced two children: Zadak and Briah.

    Phillip is also the author of The Truth Behind My Trident, which provides a fascinating look into the U.S. Navy Seals program and some hard truths about the sacrifices made by those who serve. He is also a principal of Buffalo Leadership Academy and owner of Karambit.com and e-commerce business that sells high end knives.

    It’s a fascinating story and you’ll hear it on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

    Show Links
    Phone – 479-806-7445
    Email – koontzspeaker@gmail.com
    Website - http://www.philkoontz.com/
    Website - https://karambit.com/
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/philkoontz/
    The Trurth Behind My Trident - https://tinyurl.com/46kj4pwz

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ 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 what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/
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    48 分
  • SFN Dad To Dad 354 - Dennis Watkins of Oak Park, IL A Professional Magician & Father of Two Adopted Children Including A Son With Autism
    2024/11/29
    Our guest this week is Dennis Watkins of Oak Park, IL who is a professional magician and father of two adopted children, including a son who is Autistic.

    Dennis and his husband, Sean Kelly, have been married for seven years and are the proud parents of two adopted children: Magnolia (15 months) and Henry (5), who is Autistic.

    Dennis hails from Dallas and a long line of family magicians. His grandfather, Ed Watkins, was a leader amongst magicians in Texas who had.a national reputation.

    After taking a BFA from Southern Methodist University, Dennis pursued a career in theatre. Working his way up from a performer to being a director, Dennis is proprietor of The Magic Parlour, located in downtown Chicago, now in it's 15th season, where he performs six shows a week, which according to Trip Advisor it is the #1 show in Chicago.

    Dennis has quite a story to tell and we’ll hear it on this week’s episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

    Show Notes -
    Phone – (312) 300-6803
    Email – dennis@denniswatkins.net
    Website - https://denniswatkins.net/
    Website - http://www.themagicparlourchicago.com/
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisrwatkins/
    Adoption Center of Illinois – https://www.adoptioncenterofillinois.org/

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ 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 what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/
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    56 分
  • SFN Dad to Dad 353 - Tom Parro Of Grayslake, IL President of MERK Capital, Father of Three Including a Daughter With POTS
    2024/11/22
    Our guest this week is Tom Parro of Grayslake, IL, president of MERK Capital and father of three including a daughter with a rare disease.

    Tom and his wife, Janice, have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of three children: Erin (24), Matthew (20) and Megan (22) who has Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) a condition that causes a number of symptoms when you transition from lying down to standing up, such as a fast heart rate, dizziness and fatigue.

    With a degree in accounting and MBA in finance Tom has enjoyed a career in finance leading, 27 years ago, to founding MERK Capital, a boutique investment private equity firm.

    We learn about the Parro family, their faith and commitment to one another all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

    Show Links
    Phone – (847) 867-9793
    Email – tomparro@MERKcapital.com
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-parro-405396/

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ 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 what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/
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    45 分