Dad to Dad Podcast

David Hirsch
  • 4.7 (27)
  • Kids & Family
  • Updated Weekly

Fathers mentoring fathers of kids with special needs - presented by the Special Fathers Network. Host David Hirsch interviews some amazing fathers of kids with special needs.

  1. 6h ago

    SFN Dad To Dad 448 - Paul Orshan of Miami, FL An Attorney, Author & Father Of Three Including One Who Had A Rare Disease

    Our guest this week is Paul Orshan of Miami, FL who is a prominent bankruptcy attorney, an author, a recovering person (12 step- clean for more than 40 years), and the father of three, including a daughter with special needs who very sadly passed away in 2015.     Paul and his former wife were married for 17 years and are the proud parents of three children: Max, Emily and oldest child, Amanda, who was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease and very sadly passed away in 2015 at age 22. Paul is also the author of: Just Say Hello: The Ordinary Dates of My Sometimes Difficult and Sometimes Remarkable (but Always Interesting) Days (and Nights).  The idea for the book sprung from a voicemail message a friend left as a condolence, shortly after Amanda passed away.  That simple act of reaching out and just saying hello, "I'm thinking about you," has been transformative.   Paul is also very transparent about drug and alcohol issues he had in his 20s, the positive impact the 12-step program has had on his life and is super proud that he has been clean for more than 40 years.   It's an uplifting story about commitment to family, transparency, reslience and the power of simple messages, all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.  Show Links Phone – (305) 215-3158 Email – paulorshan@gmail.com  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/orshan-p-a-9473391b/  Book: Just Say Hello - https://tinyurl.com/mryur334  Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60+ stop tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026: to strengthen and grow the Special Fathers Network and distribute 1,000+ complimentary copies of our new book: Dads Raising Children With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads.  Special Fathers Network – SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/

    SFN Dad To Dad 448 - Paul Orshan of Miami, FL An Attorney, Author & Father Of Three Including One Who Had A Rare Disease

  2. Sep 11

    SFN Dad To Dad 447 - Jerry Rakfeldt of Santa Monica, CA Who Is An Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Adrian's Place & Father Of A Son With CP

    Our guest this week is Jerry Rakfeldt of Santa Monica, CA who is an entrepreneur, marketing executive, disability advocate, co-founder of Growing Side By Side and Adrian’s Place and perhaps most importantly, father of two including a son with cerebral palsy. Jerry and his wife Katty have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of two children: Sofia (19) and Adrian (22) who has cerebral palsy.  Together they founded Adrian’s Place, a community activity center in Santa Monica, CA that offers a wide range of programs for youth and young adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. What makes Adrian's Place different is rather than operating as a traditional therapy center, Adrian's Place functions as a community-based activity center where independent providers deliver programs under one roof. It's an uplifting story about family, commitment to community and service all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.  Show Links Phone – (310) 308-4149 Email – Jerry@adriansplace.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-rakfeldt-994848/ Website – https://www.adriansplace.com/ Website – https://www.adriansplacefoundation.org/   Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60+ stop tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026: to strengthen and grow the Special Fathers Network and distribute 1,000+ complimentary copies of our new book: Dads Raising Children With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads.  Special Fathers Network – SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/

    SFN Dad To Dad 447 - Jerry Rakfeldt of Santa Monica, CA Who Is An Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Adrian's Place & Father Of A Son With CP

  3. Sep 4

    SFN Dad To Dad 446 - David Aarestad of Champaign, IL An Adjunct Professor of Law at UIUC & Father Two, Including One With Down Syndrome

    Our guest this week is David Aarestad of Champaign, IL who is a lawyer by education and training, an adjunct professor of Law at University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign and father of two, including one with Down Syndrome.    David and his wife, Karen, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of two children: Brynn (20) and Sofia (22) who has Mosaic Down Syndrome, which impacts only 1 1/2% of those with Down Syndrome.   Prior to moving to Illinois two years ago, the Aarestads lived in Denver for more than a decade.  While there they were involved in many many organization that supported Sofia and the family, including:  Adam’s CampRocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association, and Global Down Syndrome FoundationIt's an uplifting story about a father's commitment to family and dedication to the welfare of other families all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast. Show Notes -  Phone – (303) 514-5522 Email – davidaarestad@yahoo.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-aarestad-96163b9/   Adam’s Camp – https://adamscamp.org/ Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association – https://rmdsa.org/ Global Down Syndrome Foundation - https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/ Gigi’s Playhouse – https://gigisplayhouse.org/ For the record, this episode was recordred at the Urbana Country Club in Urbana, IL, on day #31 and stop #65 of the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60-plus stop tour to strengthen the SFN and distribute 1,000 complimentary copies of the new book: Dads Raising Children with Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads. Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026:  Special Fathers Network – SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/

    SFN Dad To Dad 446 - David Aarestad of Champaign, IL An Adjunct Professor of Law at UIUC & Father Two, Including One With Down Syndrome

  4. Aug 28

    SFN Dad To Dad 445 - Bin Feng of Queens, NY, Who Works At Bank of NY, Is On Staff At PSPNYS and Father Of Two Including One With Autism

    Our guest this week is Bin Feng of Queens, NY who is a support engineer at the Bank of New York, a staff member of Parent to Parent New York State, and the father of two children including one who is autistic and has ADHD.  Bin and his wife, Jenny, have been married for 28 years and are the proud parents of two children: Frances (24) and Vincent (26) who is autistic.  By occupation, Bin works at Bank of New York and is on staff at Parent To Parent New York State, where he is a per diem Fathers Support Coordinator and Chinese Speaking Families Support Coordinator.  As a Chinese immigrant raising a child with Autism and ADHD, Bin and his family have faced various challenges from language barriers, social isolation and cultural stigma. We also learn about Project READY, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, especially Asian American immigrant families.  They promote education, advocacy, training and community inclusion to support transition and employment. It's an uplifting story about a father's commitment to family and dedication to the welfare of other families all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast. Show Notes -  Phone – (342) 944-8808 Email – bfeng@parenttoparentnys.org Parent To Parent NY State – https://www.ptopnys.org/ Project Ready - https://projectready.org/ For the record, this episode was recordred at the offices of Parent to Parent NY State in Schenectady, NY, on June 15, 2026 on day #26 and stop #53 of the SFN U.S. Tour, a 30-day, 50-state, 60-plus stop tour to strengthen the SFN and distribute 1,000 complimentary copies of the new book: Dads Raising Children with Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads. Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026:  Special Fathers Network – SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/

    SFN Dad To Dad 445 - Bin Feng of Queens, NY, Who Works At Bank of NY, Is On Staff At PSPNYS and Father Of Two Including One With Autism

  5. Aug 21

    SFN Dad To Dad 444 - Rick Corbett of Loganville, GA An Electrical Industry Retiree, Father Of Three, Including One With Hydrocephaly

    Our guest this week is Rick Corbett of Loganville, GA who worked in the electrical industry for 25 yeara before becoming a full-time caregiver. Rick is father of two boys including one with Hydrocephaly and a caregiver to a young woman with special needs.  Rick and his x-wife, Mary, were married for 29 years and are the proud parents of two boys: Sean (30), who lives with his mom and Richard (36) who has Hydrocephalus, a rare, complex, and chronic illness.  Rick is also caregiver to Morgan (32) who is wheelchair bound due to a brain injury suffered at birth.   We learn about how Richard was warmly embraced by his high school classmates where he was known as "Touchdown Richard" becuase of his enthusiam for and involvment with the high school football team.  We also learn about the impact the Tim Tebow Foundation 'Night To Shine' program has had. It's an uplifting story about a father's devotion to his children and others all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast. Thius episode was recorded at St. John Neumann Church in Lilburn, GA on day #18 and stop #37 of the SFN U.S. Tour,  Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father Scott Sowers, who was featured in episode #9, for organizing the gathering at St. John Neumann Church.   Show Notes -  Phone – (404) 578-5259 Email – rjcorbett79@yahoo.com Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60+ stop tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026: to strengthen and grow the Special Fathers Network and distribute 1,000+ complimentary copies of our new book: Dads Raising Children With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads.  Special Fathers Network – SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/

    SFN Dad To Dad 444 - Rick Corbett of Loganville, GA An Electrical Industry Retiree, Father Of Three, Including One With Hydrocephaly

  6. Aug 14

    SFN Dad To Dad 443 - Brandon Boyd of Stillwater, OK, Cru Staff Member, Author & Father of Two, Including One With FOXP1

    Our guest this week is Brandon Boyd of Stillwater, OK who is a senior staff member with Cru at Oklahoma State University, an author and father of two including a son with FOXP1, a rare genetic disorder. Brandon and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of two boys: Ethan (19) and Ben (21) who has FOXP1, a rare genetic disorder that is characterized by developmental delays, speech impairments, and other neurological and behavioral challenges. Brandon is author of the book: Delighting In Ben: A Father & Son Discovering The Delight Of God (2026).  The book is a father’s moving journey of discovering, through his son Ben, that every life has immeasurable value and that God’s deepest delight is often revealed through those the world may overlook. We also learn about; Sooner Care and Dads On Special Assignment (DOSA).   It's an uplifting story about faith, family and embrasing life.   Show Notes -  Phone – (405) 269-1004 Email – brandon.boyd@cru.org LinkedIin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-boyd-9221728/  Book – Delighting In Ben: A Father & Son Discovering The Delight of God – https://tinyurl.com/3ze8fkyr FOXP1 - https://www.foxp1.org/foxp1syndrome About The Special Fathers Network -  Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60+ stop tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026: to strengthen and grow the Special Fathers Network and distribute 1,000+ complimentary copies of our new book: Dads Raising Children With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads.  Special Fathers Network – SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/

    SFN Dad To Dad 443 - Brandon Boyd of Stillwater, OK, Cru Staff Member, Author & Father of Two, Including One With FOXP1

  7. Aug 7

    SFN Dad To Dad 442 - Jeremy Warren of Tulsa, OK, Founder of DOSA (Dads On Special Assignment & Father of 6, Including 1 With A Rare Disease

    Our guest this week is Jeremy Warren of Tulsa, OK a graphic artist, founder of DOSA (Dads On Special Assignment) and fatther of six boys, including one with a rare disease.   Jeremy and his wife, Heidi, have been married for 22 years and are the proud parents of six boys ranging in age from 2 to 18 including, their second oldest, Landon (16) who has a rare disease, which was officially diagnosed just a few years ago as PURA Syndrome and a secondary condition known as P-O-L-G, both of which have resulted in severe neurodevelopmental delays and intellectual disabilities, plus a slew of other side effects. The mission of DOSA is to serve dads of children with special needs by providing tools and resources that equip them to become healthier mentally, physically, and spiritually in order to lead their families well and embrace their role as a dads on special assignment. We also learn about a couple of organizations that Landon has benefited from, including: Little Light HouseOK Family NetworkIt’s an uplifting story about a father's commitment to family and service to others, all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast. Show Notes -  Phone – (918) 269-1409 Email –  jw@dosausa.org Dads On Special Assignment - https://dosausa.org/ Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60+ stop tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026: to strengthen and grow the Special Fathers Network and distribute 1,000+ complimentary copies of our new book: Dads Raising Children With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads.  Special Fathers Network – SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/

    SFN Dad To Dad 442 - Jeremy Warren of Tulsa, OK, Founder of DOSA (Dads On Special Assignment & Father of 6, Including 1 With A Rare Disease

  8. Jul 31

    SFN Dad To Dad 441 - Frank Dillon of Glendale, AZ A Professor at Arizona State University & Father of Two Including One with Down Syndrome

    Our guest this week is Frank Dillon of Glendale, AZ who is a professor at Arizona State University in the School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology and perhaps most importantly, father of two including one with Down Syndrome. Frank and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of two children: Brady (14) and Reese (18) who has Down syndrome. We learn about a number of organizations that Reese and the Dillon family have benefited from, including: Gigi's Playhouse, New York Special Olympics and Arizona Down Syndrome Network. It's an uplifting story about family and resilience on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast. (this episode was recorded face-to-face in front of the audience at Gigi's Playhouse Scottsdale, as part of the SFN U.S. Tour).  Show Notes - Phone – (480) 622-4721 Email –  Frank.Dillon@asu.edu Gigi’s Playhouse Scottsdale – https://gigisplayhouse.org/phoenix/ Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60+ stop tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026: to strengthen and grow the Special Fathers Network and distribute 1,000+ complimentary copies of our new book: Dads Raising Children With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads.  Special Fathers Network – SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/

    SFN Dad To Dad 441 - Frank Dillon of Glendale, AZ A Professor at Arizona State University & Father of Two Including One with Down Syndrome
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4.7
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Fathers mentoring fathers of kids with special needs - presented by the Special Fathers Network. Host David Hirsch interviews some amazing fathers of kids with special needs.

Information

  • Creator
    David Hirsch
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    446
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright David Hirsch
  • Show Website
    Dad to Dad Podcast

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