Two Disabled Dudes

The Dudes
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The 2DD podcast is about setting sights beyond the challenges in your life and dreaming big, making a plan, and then executing like mad. You are guaranteed an emotional rollercoaster, and practical thoughts that you can apply to your life with this podcast. Hosts Sean and Kyle are both affected by a rare disease called Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). FA affects their balance and coordination, significantly limiting their physical abilities. However both dudes have completed several long distance bike rides including “The World’s Toughest Bike Race” - Race Across America (RAAM). Their RAAM journey is the subject of an award winning documentary called The Ataxian. Kyle rode his trike to the top of the highest paved road in North America and Sean ran with the Olympic Torch. Join us, subscribe, and tell a friend!

  1. 30 MAR

    294 - Finding Your People Without Losing Yourself

    This episode starts with a classic 2DD moment—a wild but relatable story about Kyle discovering he had a piece of road stuck in his knee for a year and a half. It’s funny, a little absurd, and quickly turns into something more meaningful: how often we ignore small issues—physical or otherwise—and just learn to live with them instead of addressing them. From there, the conversation shifts into a deeper topic: finding your people—and just as importantly, recognizing that there’s no single “right” way to do that. Sean and Kyle reflect on their very different journeys with Friedreich’s ataxia—Sean jumping into connection early, while Kyle kept his distance for nearly a decade. That contrast sets the tone for an honest discussion about timing, identity, fear, and readiness when it comes to community. They unpack the real value of connection—education, emotional relief, and the kind of understanding that doesn’t require explanation. At the same time, they challenge the idea that everyone needs to dive into a disease-specific community right away (or at all). Avoidance isn’t weakness—it can be self-protection. Whether it’s fear of the future, comparison, identity struggles, or simply not being ready, they make it clear: you get to choose how you engage, when you engage, and who you engage with. The takeaway is simple but powerful: there’s no wrong way to navigate this life. You can build a tight-knit community, keep your circle broad, or take your time figuring it out. You can connect deeply—or not at all—for now. What matters is that it works for you in the season you’re in. LINKS 2DD LIVE April 12, 11am Pacific/2pm Eastern - Join Us!

    44 min

  2. 23 MAR

    293 - Rare Disease Day: This is What Advocacy Looks Like

    In this special Rare Disease Day conversation, The Dudes partner with Jett Foundation to moderate a thoughtful panel on advocating for care needs, independence, and life with disability. Joined by Jake, Ashley, Charlie, and Xavier, the discussion highlights the many forms advocacy can take—from managing care and navigating insurance to simply showing up in the world, pursuing work, and building a meaningful life on your own terms. Each panelist brings a unique perspective, sharing honest reflections about college, caregiving, careers, medical systems, and the ongoing balance between needing help and wanting independence. What comes through clearly is that advocacy is not one-size-fits-all. Sometimes it looks like hiring the right support, sometimes it means pushing back on a doctor or insurer, and sometimes it’s the quiet determination to keep moving forward even when life feels uncertain. The episode is also grounded in heart, vulnerability, and community. Sean offers a moving tribute to the late Kyle Cox, honoring his belief in ability over limitation, while the panelists leave listeners with practical and encouraging advice: embrace the overwhelm, document the process, never accept the first no, and keep building independence one step at a time. It’s a powerful conversation about resilience, self-advocacy, and creating a life that is bigger than diagnosis.

    1hr 17min

  3. 16 MAR

    292 - The Hidden System Behind Rare Disease Treatments

    What starts with airport chaos and accessibility frustrations turns into a meaningful conversation about what it really takes to move rare disease research forward. Sean and Kyle kick things off with travel stories from their trip to Rare At Sea, including misplaced mobility equipment, inaccessible hotel setups, and the all-too-common surprises that come with traveling disabled. Then they’re joined by Derek Ansel, who pulls back the curtain on the world of clinical research—breaking down what CROs do, why diagnosis matters so much, and how patients, providers, and industry all play a role in bringing treatments closer to reality. It’s equal parts relatable, informative, and encouraging—mixing everyday disability experiences with a behind-the-scenes look at the systems, strategy, and people helping drive progress in rare disease.

    46 min

  4. 9 MAR

    291 - Taking on the World’s Longest Stairway

    In this episode, Sean shares the bold details behind his upcoming climb of the Niesen Stairway in Switzerland—the world’s longest staircase with 11,674 steps, the equivalent of climbing the steps of the world’s tallest building nearly four times. Because the stairs are a private emergency access route alongside a mountain tram, Sean and his team will attempt the ascent overnight in the dark, navigating uneven steps, changing terrain, and high elevation. He talks about the intense logistics, safety planning, and 26-week training process preparing him to take on the challenge while living with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). The climb is also a fundraiser for his nonprofit, De:terminence, with a goal of raising $50,000 to help people with disabilities pursue life-changing physical achievements. With a team of 11 supporters, careful strategy, and a powerful purpose, Sean is setting out to prove that disability doesn’t eliminate adventure—it redefines it.

    35 min

  5. 2 MAR

    290 - Don’t Suffer Twice

    Episode 290 opens with some 2DD catch-up: Kyle finally gets an accessible room for the Rare at Sea cruise after a stressful mix-up, plus a few laughs about his missing suitcase (and making do with two pairs of underwear). The guys also give an early thank-you to Rocky, their travel agent, for going above and beyond. The main conversation is with Joe Zinski, a data scientist working on Castleman disease research in David Fajgenbaum’s lab. Joe breaks down what “data science” actually looks like in rare disease—turning massive amounts of patient data into clear visuals the whole team can use to make decisions about what to study next and what might lead to better diagnostics or treatments. But the real weight of the episode is Joe’s personal story: after a spinal cord injury left him quadriplegic, he had to rebuild his identity, community, and definition of a fulfilling life. Joe, Sean, and Kyle talk about grief that comes back in waves, the ongoing work of acceptance, and the idea of “not suffering twice”—not letting fear of what’s coming steal the good that’s still here. They close with gratitude notes: Kyle thanks a tow truck driver who went the extra mile in a snowstorm, and Sean thanks an anonymous donor who covered the Rare at Sea t-shirts—an unexpected lift that meant a lot. Links: Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory (CSTL)

    48 min

  6. 23 FEB

    289 - Re-release: From Dad to Advocate to CEO

    In recognition of Rare Disease month we are bringing you a conversation that we first published in May 2024. In this interview, John Crowley shares how his children’s diagnosis with Pompe disease propelled him from a concerned father into the rare disease biotech world, ultimately helping develop a life-saving enzyme replacement therapy. He reflects on the journey that followed—building Amicus Therapeutics, advocating for patient-centered innovation, and witnessing his children grow into adulthood with resilience, purpose, and optimism. John is currently CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

    38 min

  7. 16 FEB

    288 - Choosing to Smile Even When it's Hard

    In this episode, Sean and Kyle count down the final days before setting sail on Rare At Sea, before diving into a candid—and frustrating—travel story. Kyle shares a cascade of challenges involving lost luggage, broken accessibility equipment, freezing temperatures, and the familiar reality of navigating a world not built for wheelchairs. The moment underscores how disability-related obstacles often stack up, turning ordinary travel into an exhausting ordeal. The conversation then turns to an insightful interview with Hasitha Illa, a Friedreich’s ataxia advocate and creator of Life With A Hasi. Hasitha reflects on living with FA in both the U.S. and India, highlighting differences in accessibility, diagnosis, and cultural awareness. She also shares how advocacy, community, and spirituality helped her move from early frustration to acceptance and resilience. With Rare Disease Day approaching, the episode centers on the power of connection, storytelling, and visibility—reminding listeners that progress often begins by simply sharing lived experience and continuing to move forward together.

    36 min

  8. 9 FEB

    287 - The Fine Line Between Hope and Denial

    In this episode, Kyle and Sean explore the often-blurry line between hope and denial. They unpack how hope can be powerful when it’s grounded in reality, values, and daily action, and how it becomes harmful when it delays grieving, ignores body limits, or ties happiness to a future “if/then” outcome like a cure or treatment. Kyle and Sean reflect on how recognizing reality doesn’t mean giving up, but rather building systems that allow life to keep moving forward. The Dudes close with an invitation for listeners to examine their own version of hope: where it’s helping them stay engaged with life, and where denial might be quietly holding them back. As always, gratitude, humor, and honesty ground the conversation—reminding us that hope rooted in values, not outcomes, is what makes it sustainable.

    36 min
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4
out of 5
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About

The 2DD podcast is about setting sights beyond the challenges in your life and dreaming big, making a plan, and then executing like mad. You are guaranteed an emotional rollercoaster, and practical thoughts that you can apply to your life with this podcast. Hosts Sean and Kyle are both affected by a rare disease called Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). FA affects their balance and coordination, significantly limiting their physical abilities. However both dudes have completed several long distance bike rides including “The World’s Toughest Bike Race” - Race Across America (RAAM). Their RAAM journey is the subject of an award winning documentary called The Ataxian. Kyle rode his trike to the top of the highest paved road in North America and Sean ran with the Olympic Torch. Join us, subscribe, and tell a friend!

Information

  • Creator
    The Dudes
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    301
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The Dudes
  • Show Website
    Two Disabled Dudes

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