Episodios

  • SFN Dad To Dad 407 - Jeff Wallis of Valparaiso, IN A Veterinarian & Father Of A Son Who Had HADDTS Before Passing Away At 18

    SFN Dad To Dad 407 - Jeff Wallis of Valparaiso, IN A Veterinarian & Father Of A Son Who Had HADDTS Before Passing Away At 18
    Dec 5 2025
    Our guest this week is Jeff Wallis, of Valparaiso, IN who is a veterinarian and father of who had a son with Hypotonia, Ataxia, Developmental Delay, and Tooth-Enamel Defects Syndrome (HADDTS) an extremely rare but serious genetic condition caused by a mutation in the CTBP1 gene.

    Jeff and his wife, Mindy, have married for 22 years and are the proud parents of Charles 18, who very sadly past away in May, who had Hypotonia, Ataxia, Developmental Delay, and Tooth-Enamel Defects Syndrome (HADDTS) an extremely rare but serious genetic condition caused by a mutation in the CTBP1 gene.

    We learn about a host of organizations that played a key role in the Wallis family and on behalf of Charles including; the HADDTS Foundation, University of Chicago Genetics, Kids Work and Jacob's Ladder.

    We also learn about an epic cross country RV trip the family took with Charles during COVID to provide him with some extraordinary memories.

    While Charles lived a relatively short life, the Wallis family story one is about making the most of the situation and celbrating life.

    Show Notes -
    Phone – (219) 771-6129
    Email – wallisje1@yahoo.com
    HADDTS Foundation – https://www.haddtsfoundation.org/
    Jacob’s Ladder - https://www.jacobskids.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/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
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    31 m
  • SFN Dad To Dad 406 - Dave Tolmie With Tumsifu Munuo of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Director of Faraja School & Father Of A Child With Autism

    SFN Dad To Dad 406 - Dave Tolmie With Tumsifu Munuo of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Director of Faraja School & Father Of A Child With Autism
    Nov 28 2025
    Our guests this week are Dave Tolmie of Lake Forest IL and Tumsifu Munuo, of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

    In 1999, Dave Tomlie's parents, John and Joann, raised $250,000 and with the help of the Lutheran Church built Faraja School, a boarding school for one hundred K-7 youth with physical disabilities, where Tumsifu serves as director.

    In addiiton to the Faraja School, the Tolmie family created the Faraja Fund Foundation where Dave and his brothers have been instramentally involved for decades. John serves as vice-president, Paul is secretary/treasurer, and Dave is chairman of the board of directors.

    More recently the Faraja Fund Foundation created Faraja Forward a mobile outreach clinic and partnership with local health care providers as well as other specialists to serve families beyond those able to attend Faraja School. Faraja Forward is filling the unmet healthcare needs of hundreds of additional children in more remote locations, offering diagnosis, psychosocial support, physical and occupational therapy, and training to mothers and village health workers.

    It's an uplifting story about how a U.S. family has been able to transform the lives of thousands of families half way around the world through faith, education and building community around those touched by physical disabilities, all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.

    Show Links -
    Phone – (312) 927-5010
    Email – dmtolmie@gmail.com
    WhatsApp - +255 757 594 204
    Email – munuotumsifu4@gmail.com
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tolmie-b3339889/
    Website – https://www.farajaschool.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/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
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    32 m
  • SFN Dad To Dad 405 - JP Klop of Alberta, Canada, A Draftsman & Father Of Two Including One With Schwachman Diamond Syndrome

    SFN Dad To Dad 405 - JP Klop of Alberta, Canada, A Draftsman & Father Of Two Including One With Schwachman Diamond Syndrome
    Nov 21 2025
    Our guest this week is John Peter (JP) Klop of Alberta, Canada who is a draftsman with JPR Industries and father of two young children including a son with Schwachman Diamond Syndrome.

    JP and his wife, Lianna, have married for three years and are the proud parents of two young children: Anna (1) and Isaac (2), who has Schwachman Diamond Syndrome, which is characterized by: inability to digest food due to missing digestive enzymes, low muscle tone, anemia, skeletal findings and intellectual disability.

    JP is very open and authentic about the challenges related to SDS and his own brush with Autism that runs in his family.

    We’ll hear JP’s story, his commitment to family and service to others all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

    Show Notes -
    Phone – (226) 231-0933
    Email – jpklop@outlook.com
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpeterklop/
    Website – https://shwachman-diamond.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/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
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    30 m
  • SFN Dad To Dad 404 - Tom Chibucos of Chicago, A Manager of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Services, Father Of Two Including One w ASD

    SFN Dad To Dad 404 - Tom Chibucos of Chicago, A Manager of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Services, Father Of Two Including One w ASD
    Nov 14 2025
    Our guest this week is Tom Chibucos of Chicago, IL, who is a Related Service Provider Manager of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology services at Chicago Public Schools and father of two including one who is on the Autism spectrum.

    Tom and his wife, Michelle, have been married for 20 years and are the proud parents of two children; Sylvie (10) and Vincent (9), who is non-verbal and on the Autism spectrum.

    Tom is also a co-founder of Pediatric Therapy Network Chicago, started in 2010 to deliver highly skilled therapeutic support to young children and families in their homes and communities so that all children can fully participate in the joys of childhood.

    We’ll hear Tom’s story, his commitment to family and service to others on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

    Show Notes -
    Phone – (773) 818-3491
    Email – tomchibucos@gmail.com
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaschibucos/
    Website - https://www.ptnchicago.com/

    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/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
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    29 m
  • SFN Dad To Dad 403 - Swapna Sasidharan Of Schaumburg, IL Mother of 2 Including One With POGZ & Founder Of The Cure POGZ Disorders Foundation

    SFN Dad To Dad 403 - Swapna Sasidharan Of Schaumburg, IL Mother of 2 Including One With POGZ & Founder Of The Cure POGZ Disorders Foundation
    Nov 7 2025
    Our guest this week is Swapna Sasidharan, of Schaumburg, IL, a Vice President of Technology at APCO Holdings, mother of two children, including one with POGZ, and founder of the Cure POGZ Disorders Foundation. Swapna and her husband, Sandeep, have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of two children: daughter Sloka (12) and son Ved (10) who has POGZ, a rare genetic disorder characterized by: developmental delays, cyclic vomiting, autism, microcephaly and gastrointestinal issues.Educated as an engineer, informed about the challenges of rare diseases and inspired to find a cure for POGZ, the rare disorder her son has, Swapna and the team at the Cure POGZ Disorders Foundation are dedicated to finding treatments and hopefully a cure for POGZ and other rare diseases.We’ll hear all about Swapna's background growing up in a traditional Indian family, about her career, her journey as a rare disease parent, her understanding about acceptance (the difference between surrender and acknowledgement) and her enthusiasum for life on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Show LinksPhone – (847) 532-9808Email – swapna@curepogzdisorders.orgLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/swapnasasidharan/Website – https://www.curepogzdisorders.org/Daily Herald Story - https://www.dailyherald.com/20250226/news/schaumburg-moms-mission-is-to-find-cure-for-sons-rare-condition/ IL Tech Magazine Spot Light - https://issuu.com/illinois_tech/docs/illinois_tech_magazine_spring_2025 Kirt Consulting Blog - https://www.ronkritconsulting.com/post/the-mom-who-took-on-genetics-swapna-sasidharan-s-mission-to-cure-rare-diseaseFacebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/people/Cure-Pogz-Disorders-Foundation/61566626403487/Instagram Page - https://www.instagram.com/curepogzdisorders/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/ SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
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    27 m
  • SFN Dad To Dad 402 - David Apple of San Francisco, CA, Founder & CEO Of Shark Tooth Bio & Father Of Two Including One With CMT1A

    SFN Dad To Dad 402 - David Apple of San Francisco, CA, Founder & CEO Of Shark Tooth Bio & Father Of Two Including One With CMT1A
    Oct 31 2025
    Our guest this week is David Apple of San Francisco, CA, a serial entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Shark Tooth Bio, and father of two, including a son with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.

    David and his wife, Cristina, have married for seven years and are the proud parents of two young children: Zoe (3) and Ari (5) who was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, AKA CMT1A, a rare mono genetic disease that impairs the signal from the brain to the muscles causing weakness, loss of sensation, pain, and atrophy.

    David reflects on growing up in France and Israel. In March 2024 and after Ari's diagnosis, with his background as an engineer and success in the business world, David shifted his primary focus to creating and building Shark Tooth Bio, a for profit organization whose mission is: developing treatments for CMT1A and unlocking solutions for other neuropathies. To-date Shark Tooth Bio has raised $650K and has been able to assemble and first class board and contract with some of the world's top scientists.

    We also learn about David's involvement with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA).

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

    Show Links -
    Phone – (415) 910-8647
    Email – apple@sharktooth.bio
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/appledavid/
    Website – https://www.sharktooth.bio/
    Website - https://cmtausa.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/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
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    29 m
  • SFN Dad To Dad 401 - Greg Corey of Highland Park, IL, A Wealth Manager & Father Of Three Including A Son With Down Syndrome

    SFN Dad To Dad 401 - Greg Corey of Highland Park, IL, A Wealth Manager & Father Of Three Including A Son With Down Syndrome
    Oct 24 2025
    Our guest this week is Greg Corey of Highland Park, IL a wealth manager at Ameriprise Financial Services and father of three children including a son with Down Syndrome.

    Greg and his wife, Carly, have been married for 10 years and are the proud parents of three children: Ashton (4), Frankie (6) and Presley (8), who has Mosaic Down syndrome, which was not detected or diagnosed until he was three years old.

    We also learn about a host of organizations that Presley has benefited from including:
    • Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA)
    • Kick Start Therapeutic Day Care, and
    • Gigi’s Playhouse
    It's an uplifting story about commitment to family and service to others all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

    Show Links -
    Phone - (847) 847-2134
    Email – gregorycorey@gmail.com
    Email - greg.corey@AMPF.com
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryjcorey/
    Website – https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/gregory.corey/

    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/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
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    26 m
  • SFN Dad To Dad 400 - David Hirsch, Founder Of 21st Century Dads Foundation & Podcast Host Reflects On The Past Nine Years

    SFN Dad To Dad 400 - David Hirsch, Founder Of 21st Century Dads Foundation & Podcast Host Reflects On The Past Nine Years
    Oct 17 2025
    To celebrate the 400th episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast, David Hirsch, founder of 21st Century Dads Foundation and host of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast offers his heartfelt thanks to all those who have been involved with and supported 21CD & SFN. He reflects on:
    • addressing the issue of father absence in society,
    • his journey as a fatherhood advocate,
    • starting the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative,
    • making an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show,
    • starting the 21st Century Dads Foundation,
    • Dads Honor Ride 2015 from Santa Monica to Chicago, 2,325 miles in 21 days,
    • giving a TEDx Talk entitled: Why We Need To Break The Cycle Of Father Absence,
    • writing the book: A Father's Journey To Break The Cycle Of Father Absence,
    • Dads Honor Ride 2016 from Boston to Chicago, 1,400 miles in 21 days,
    • Creating the C2EFA (Cycle To End Father Absence) indoor riding events,
    • Dads Honor Ride 2017 Around Lake Michigan, 958 miles in 9 days,
    • creating the Special Fathers Network Mentoring Program,
    • starting the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast,
    • recording 24 bi-weekly Zoom calls on various topics
    • creating the 21CD YouTube channel,
    • holding annual SFN Dads Virtual Conferences,
    • creating the SFN audiobook series,
    • creating the weekly virtual SFN Mastermind Group experience, and
    • holding annual SFN Mastermind Group weekend retreats
    Special thanks to all the individuals, businesses, and foundations that have financially supported 21CD, the growing list of partners and affiliates, all the individuals who have volunteered, especially the 21CD board of directors: Tom Costello, Rich Gathro, Gary Grube, Chris Hunter, Shane Madden, Wayne Messmer, Brian Page and John Shouse. And last but not least, Tom Couch of Couch Media, who has produced the past 398 episodes of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.

    Show Notes –
    Email - david@21stCenturyDads.org
    Email - tcouch2501@gmail.com
    Website - https://21stcenturydads.org/
    TEDx Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CDeMgmeb94

    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 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.

    21CD YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@21stcenturydads58/videos

    Click Here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

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

    SFN Dads Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/
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    50 m