Hi Pod! I'm Dad.

James Guttman
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Hi Pod! I’m Dad is where I talk through fatherhood while raising a son with autism who does not speak. I’m James Guttman, the dad behind Hi Blog! I’m Dad. This podcast isn’t about tips or solutions. It is about what life actually feels like when autism is part of your home every day, and you are trying to be present for it without pretending it is easier than it is. Some episodes are about joy and connection. Others are about exhaustion, fear, patience, and the quiet moments that never make it into awareness campaigns. Everything you hear here comes from real mornings, real mistakes, and a deep love for my kids. There is no takeaway. Just one dad saying the things he usually keeps to himself.

  1. 2d ago

    My Biggest Worry For My Non-Verbal Son Has Changed

    Years ago, I had a dream that my non-verbal son was speaking. Someone in the dream told me, "He's been talking this whole time." I never forgot it. This week, I had another dream about Lucas. Except this time, he wasn't speaking. He was 15, getting himself dressed, walking through a hotel on his own and trying to use a room key. When I woke up, I understood almost immediately what had changed. I'm not worried about Lucas speaking anymore. He communicates. I understand him. What I worry about now is whether he'll have the life skills and independence he needs when I'm no longer here to help him. In this episode, I talk about both dreams, why communication devices and gestures became so important for Lucas, an uncomfortable conversation with someone who believed every non-verbal child could speak, and what it actually looks like to teach independence when doing everything myself would be so much easier. Most of all, I talk about how the things we worry about as parents change as our kids grow. I still want Lucas to be able to do everything in the world. But I've also learned that wanting everything for him and needing him to become someone different are two very different things. It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print. Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

  2. Jul 31

    People Think Having a Nonverbal Teenager Is the Hardest Age. They Couldn’t Be More Wrong.

    People often assume the hardest part of raising a nonverbal child with autism comes during the teenage years, when your child is bigger, stronger, and harder to physically manage. After raising my 15-year-old son Lucas, I can honestly say the years that scared me most came much earlier. This week, I talk about why the uncertainty of ages 5, 6, and 7 weighed on me far more than life with a nonverbal teenager today. I share a recent moment that reminded me just how much Lucas has grown, why fear of the future can be more difficult than the reality itself, and how years of patience, consistency, and small lessons have shaped the young man he is today. I also discuss teaching emotional regulation, setting healthy iPad boundaries without constant battles, respecting a nonverbal teenager's privacy and dignity, and why peace of mind often comes from finally knowing your child instead of fearing who they might become. If you're parenting a nonverbal autistic child and wondering what the future holds, I hope this episode offers a little reassurance. It may not get easier physically, but it can get much easier emotionally. It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print. Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

  3. Jul 24

    My Non-Verbal Son's Silence Isn't Permission To Do Less

    What happens when your child never asks for anything? This week I'm talking about a new mattress. Not because mattresses are exciting, but because buying one for my non-verbal son, Lucas, reminded me of something I've been thinking about for years. He never asked for it. He wasn't complaining about the old one. He probably would have slept just as happily on two pillows and a blanket on the floor. That realization led to a much bigger conversation about parenting a child with profound autism. When your child doesn't ask, doesn't complain, and seems content with almost anything, it can become surprisingly easy to mistake silence for not needing more. I talk about why I never want to fall into that trap, how the same philosophy applies to taking Lucas to the circus, Sesame Street Live, and even the beach, and why I believe our kids deserve experiences they never would have thought to request. In this episode:  Why I finally replaced Lucas's six-year-old mattress  The danger of confusing silence with contentment  How "Why bother?" can become the most damaging question a parent hears  Sesame Street Live, the circus, and why trying still matters  Why I'm hoping to take Lucas back to the beach  The parenting philosophy behind doing more for children who ask for lessIt's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print. Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

  4. Jul 17

    Betting On Myself

    With my birthday arriving in the middle of July, I’m taking a rare step back to look at how much my life has changed. I talk about leaving behind a career writing about professional wrestling, finding my real voice through stories about Lucas and Olivia, starting over after heart surgery and divorce, and learning to stop taking responsibility for everyone else’s behavior. Most of all, I share how Lucas has taught me to be myself without apologizing, trust my instincts, and keep betting on the life I’m building. It’s an old-school, personal episode about boundaries, growth, unexpected dreams, and realizing that the best birthday gift I could give myself was knowing I can handle whatever comes next.  It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print. Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

  5. Jul 10

    The Thing People Get Wrong About Profound Autism

    This week, I'm talking about something that's been on my mind for a long time. People often debate labels like "high functioning," "low functioning," and "profound autism," but I think they're missing the bigger point. My son Lucas doesn't measure his life by jobs, marriage, or fitting into society's expectations. So why do so many other people? In this episode, I explain why comments about "eradicating autism" struck such a nerve, why I was disappointed by much of the reaction that followed, and why I believe a person's value has nothing to do with how much they contribute to everyone else. Most of all, I share what Lucas has taught me about authenticity, freedom, and appreciating people for who they are instead of what they can do. It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print. Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

  6. Jul 3

    Patience Is Different When You're Raising A Child With Autism

    My son Lucas accidentally dumped an entire cup of water over my head. The surprising part wasn't the mess. It was what happened next. In this episode, I explain why raising a child with autism has completely changed the way I think about patience, discipline, and emotional regulation. Some parenting lessons happen in the moment. Others have to wait until the moment has passed. Understanding the difference has transformed not only how I parent Lucas, but how I respond to frustration in my own life. I share the story behind the "spill-proof" cup that somehow wasn't, why yelling teaches my son nothing, how staying calm helped us navigate everything from public meltdowns to everyday mishaps, and why I believe children often mirror the emotions we bring into the room. This isn't a conversation about letting bad behavior slide. It's about recognizing that every child learns differently and that sometimes the most effective lesson begins only after everyone has taken a breath. If you've ever wondered what parenting a child with autism really looks like, or if you've ever struggled to stay patient in a difficult moment, I hope this episode helps. It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print. Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

  7. Jun 26

    They Tell Me My Baby Is An Adult Now

    My daughter Olivia turned 18, and somewhere between scholarship nights, senior prom, and graduation, it finally hit me: my baby isn't a little girl anymore. In this episode, I look back at the journey that started long before graduation. I talk about the early days of HiBlogI'mDad, when Olivia colored the original blog logo, why surviving my quintuple bypass changed the way I looked at fatherhood, and how my relationship with my son Lucas taught me that parenting has never been about perfection. It's about connection. I also share one of the most important lessons I've ever tried to teach my children: I don't care how many awards, grades, or diplomas they earn if they aren't good people. Watching Olivia grow into a fiercely loyal, compassionate young woman has shown me that sometimes the greatest accomplishment isn't raising a successful child. It's raising a kind one. This episode is about letting go, holding on, surviving the teenage years, and realizing that the future you've spent years preparing for eventually becomes your past. If you're a parent wondering where the time went, this one's for you. It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print. Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

  8. Jun 19

    A Pool Day With A Grown-Up Kid

    A quick tap on your kid's leg used to feel like nothing. Then one day it doesn't. This week, James shares a simple summer pool trip with his nonverbal son Lucas that turned into something much bigger. As his daughter prepares to graduate high school, he's already feeling the weight of time moving faster than ever. That reality hits again when he realizes the little boy he's spent years taking to the pool is now a full-sized young man. What follows is a story about routines, trust, transitions, and the quiet ways communication happens without words. James talks about preparing Lucas for outings, handling difficult transitions, and why successful days aren't accidents. They're built on years of trial and error, patience, and learning to understand each other. Most of all, it's a reminder that growth doesn't happen all at once. It stacks up over time, often in ways you don't notice until one ordinary day suddenly feels extraordinary. If you're raising a child with autism, navigating special needs parenting, or simply trying to stay connected as your kids grow older, this episode is about the relationships that make progress possible. Subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who could use a parenting win this week. It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How Fathers Can Journey to Autism Awareness, Acceptance, and Appreciation” on audio, digital, or print. Follow Us On TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Also, be sure to read the blog that started it all - Hi Blog! I'm Dad.

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10 Ratings

About

Hi Pod! I’m Dad is where I talk through fatherhood while raising a son with autism who does not speak. I’m James Guttman, the dad behind Hi Blog! I’m Dad. This podcast isn’t about tips or solutions. It is about what life actually feels like when autism is part of your home every day, and you are trying to be present for it without pretending it is easier than it is. Some episodes are about joy and connection. Others are about exhaustion, fear, patience, and the quiet moments that never make it into awareness campaigns. Everything you hear here comes from real mornings, real mistakes, and a deep love for my kids. There is no takeaway. Just one dad saying the things he usually keeps to himself.

Information

  • Creator
    James Guttman
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hi Pod! I'm Dad.
  • Show Website
    Hi Pod! I'm Dad.