Dad to Dad Podcast

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 – [email protected]
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/

Our guest this week is Todd Evans of Brentwood, TN who is a business owner, author and father of two children with disability.  

Todd and his wife, Kristin, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of two children: an 18 year old who was born with a metabolic disorder and 14 year old who has Cri du chat syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5.

Together Kristin & Todd maintain the website: DisabilityParenting.com, dedicated to empowering parents of kids with all kinds of disabilities.

They are also co-authors of the book, How To Build a Thriving Marriage As You Care For Children with Disabilities.  Todd is also a member of the Nashville SFN Mastermind Group.

Theirs is a story about faith, marriage, overcoming adversity and service to others all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links - 
Phone – (731) 202-1112
Email – [email protected]
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-evans-a35744137/
Website - https://disabilityparenting.com/
Book - https://tinyurl.com/3urefxpr

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/

Our guests this week are father and daughter, Wayne Friedman of Louisville, KY and Reena Friedman Watts of Houston, TX. 

Wayne and his wife, Maureen, have been married for 45 years and are the proud parents of three daughters: Reena, Jessica and Stephanie, who between them have 13 children, Wayne and Maureen’s grandchildren.  A unique factoid is that Jessica and Stephanie live and work in Israel. 

Wayne ran a successful multi-generation family owned business for decades before retiring.  

Reena and her husband, Will, have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of four children ages five to 16.  Reena previously worked for decades as a producer of the Jerry Springer Show, based in Chicago.

In addition to being a successful TV producer, Reena now hosts the Better Call Daddy Podcast. At the end of each episode, Wayne leans in and provides his insights and pearls of wisdom.  The podcasts are; creative, interesting and always enlightening.

We’ll hear from and about this father-daughter duo on this SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links -
Reena – (310) 895-4032
Wayne – (502) 533-0697  
Reena - [email protected]
Wayne - [email protected]  
Reena – https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts/ 
Better Call Daddy Podcast – https://bettercalldaddy.com
BCD Episode #377 (6/14/24) featuring David Hirsch - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/377-pedaling-through-parenthood-special-fathers-network/id1525296416?i=1000659078645The Better Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/bettercalldaddypodcast/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bettercalldaddypodcast/

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/

Our guest this week is Dana Lange, of Denver, CO who does business development for Tuff Shed, is co-founder and CFO of Bright Life Connections, a non-profit and father of two including a daughter with a rare genetic disease.

Dana and his wife, Dana, have been married for 34 years and are the proud parents of two daughters: Sarah (28) and Victoria (26) who has Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by developmental delay, moderate to severe intellectual disability, among other challenges.

The Langes are also co-founders of Bright Life Connections a non-profit that helps loved ones effectively manage disability services in the Denver metro area.  They provide resources coordination to enable independence and personal growth for persons with disabilities, and to create opportunities for persons with disabilities to connect in the community to achieve their brightest life.

Dana is also a member of the new SFN Mastermind Group in Denver that meets on Monday evenings and he attended the SFN Matermind Group Retreat held in Chicago in September 2024. 

We’ll hear Dana’s story on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Link - 
Phone – (303) 591-6833
Email – [email protected]
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danajlange/
Bright Life Connections – https://www.brightlifeconnections.com/
Massachusetts Familly For Change. https://thearcofmass.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/

Our guest this week is Andrew Bustamante of Colorado Springs, CO a former covert CIA intelligence officer, U.S. Air Force combat veteran, business consultant, host of the Everyday Espionage Podcast, a self-proclaimed improvement junkie and perhaps most important of all, father of two adolescent children.

Andrew and his wife, Jihi, who is also a former CIA intelligence officer, have been married for 14 years and are the proud parents of two adolescent children.

In addition to doing business consulting, Andrew is host of the Everyday Espionage Podcast, where he interviews some fascinating guests as well and banters with his wife about their CIA days and how the lessons learned translate into everyday life.  As an example, be sure to check out the episode with ED Jackal, a former covert CIA agent. 

We also learn about why doctors, clergy and Peace Corps volunteers never serve in the CIA and why journalists seem to always be accused of espionage.  

We’ll hear Andrew's fascinating story on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links:
Email - [email protected]
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-bustamante-mba-89812a10b/
Everyday Spy – https://everydayspy.com/?homepage=c
ED Jackal Deep Cover Part I - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/edjackal-deep-cover-part-i/id1441789630?i=1000459839014

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/

Our guest this week is Mike Abramowitz of St. Augustine, FL, an entrepreneur, co-founder of Better Than Rich, speaker, author and transformational coach as well as father of two young children.

Mike and his wife, Lindsay, have been married for seven years and are the proud parents of two children: daughter Ella (1) and son James (3), who was born at 26 weeks, weighing 1 pound four ounces, which caused severe bronchial pulmonary challenges, necessitating a trachea, ventilator and feeding tube.  Their route to becoming parents also included; IVF, a series of miscarrIages and a still birth.  

Mike was born and raised in New Jersey and is the youngest of eight siblings.  His dad fought in two Israel wars, which revealed some very positive and enlightening aspects of his dad's personality, which helped shape his world view and impacted his commitment to fathering.  

At heart Mike is an entrepreneur with a drive and commitment to serve.  We learn about Vector Marketing and the Cutco Mafia, GRAB Tomorrow, PB&J for Tampa, Front Row Dads, and Better Than Rich, a virtual assistant platform, which allows users to leverage their time and accelerate growth.

We’ll hear Mike’s incredible story on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links
Phone – (732) 687-8688
Email – [email protected] 
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeabramowitz1/
Personal Website - https://mikeabramowitz.com/about/
Better Than Rich - https://www.betterthanrich.com/
PB&J for Tampa – https://mikeabramowitz.com/programs/pbj/
G.R.A.B. (Grow. Re-Evaluate.  Appreciate. Believe.) - https://mikeabramowitz.com/programs/grab/

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/

Our guest this week is Tony Bombacino of Chesterton, IN, co-founder of Real Food Blends and father of two, including one with multiple disabilities. 

Tony and his wife, Julie, have been married for 18 years and are the proud parents of two children: daughter Luca (15) and son AJ (13) who has multiple disabilities. 

Tony and Julie founded Real Food Blends in response to seeking wholesome foods suitable for AJ, who is tube fed.  Real Food Blends was acquired by Nutricia, part of Danone S.A..  Subsequent to the sale Tony & Julie founded CINO United, LLC, working with and guiding B2C/B2B companies through all stages of growth.  Areas of expertise and work include: creating and/or evolving digital (and overall) marketing, brand, sales, product, business development, partnership, transportation/warehousing and capital raising strategies to help turn vision into reality.

Tony's story is a series of overcoming some of life's greatest challenges, including losing his mom when he was a teenager, the death of his older brother Scott at 40 and during the past 13 years, parenting a son with severe disabilities, who is unable to talk or walk.  

Along the fatherhood journey, Tony also found time and some value in sharing his thoughts and experiences through a blog reflecting on various issues related to being a father of a child with disability.  We also learn about a number of organizations that have played in instrumental role for the Bombacinos, including: A Rosie Place For Children and Jacob's Ladder.  

Tony is also a member of the new Chicago SFN Mastermind Group, a group of like-minded dads that meet virtually on a weekly basis to: share weekly wins and heartfelt experiences as well as read & reflect on six books a year and meet with the authors.  

It’s an inspiring story about: faith, a father's love for his family, overcoming adversity and commitment to service, all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links -
Phone – (708) 359-1626
Email - [email protected]
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonybombacino/details/experience/
A Rosie Place For Children - https://arosieplace.org/
Jacob’s Ladder - https://www.jacobskids.org/  
Tony’s Blog posts connected with Special Needs Dads -   
https://www.realfoodblends.com/special-needs-dad-the-role-that-everything-and-nothing-prepared-me-for/  
https://www.realfoodblends.com/special-needs-dad-strong-2/  
https://www.realfoodblends.com/best-fathers-day-gift-special-needs-dad-can-give/   https://www.realfoodblends.com/keep-going-special-needs-dad/   https://www.realfoodblends.com/bouncing-back/  
https://www.realfoodblends.com/happy-almost-10th-anniversary-to-me/

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/

This is part of a special series of interviews within the SFN Dad To Dad Podcasts known as the SFN Mastermind Group Monday Podcasts.  Each Monday host David Hirsch interviews one of the SFN Mastermind Group dads on the impact the mastermind group has had on him and the wellbeing of his family.  

This Monday’s guest is Ruslan Vasyutin of Ukrainian who currently lives in Solihull, England and who is the father of a daughter with Cerebral Palsy, who is unable walk or talk. 

Ruslan and his x-wife, Olga, divorced two years ago, shortly after they fled Ukraine in March of 2022, weeks after the Russian invasion.  They are the proud parents of Alice (12) who has severe Cerebral Palsy and is unable to walk or talk.

Ruslan has been involved with the Special Fathers Network for four years.  He's done two SFN Dad To Dad Podcast interviews one in May of 2021 and a second in March of 2022, just weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  He is one of the first members of the London SFN Mastermind Group and attended the 2024 SFN Mastermind Group Weekend Retreat in Chicago.

It’s an uplifting conversation about a father's love for his child, perseverance, overcoming life's challenges and advocacy, all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Notes -
Phone – +44 757 817 0700
Email – [email protected]
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rvasyutin/
Previous SFN Dad To Dad Podcasts –
May 2021 – https://21stcenturydads.org/148-ruslan-vasyutin-of-kiev-ukraine-has-a-daughter-with-cerebral-palsy-is-an-outspoken-advocate-for-special-needs/
March 2022 – https://21stcenturydads.org/191-special-report-ukraine-with-sfn-mentor-father-ruslan-vasyutin/  
Favorite SFN Mastermind Group Book – Zero To Hero by Allen Lynch

About the SFN Mastermind Group –

WHAT- 
SFN Mastermind Group dads meet weekly by Zoom for 75 minutes. Each meeting:
◦            starts with a round of wins from the past week,
◦            includes a discussion of the current book (6 per year) being reviewed,
◦            has two Dad-In-The-Middle sessions for dads to share a challenge, and
◦            ends with a recap and look at the week ahead. 

WHO - 
SFN Mastermind Group Dads are those:
◦            seeking meaningful friendships with like-minded dads,
◦            willing to invest their time and make a financial commitment,
◦            looking for a safe place to be open and authentic, and
◦            who realize seeking advice is a strength, not a weakness.  

WHY - 
SFN Mastermind Group Dads benefit by:
◦            realizing they are NOT alone
◦            having better relationships with their spouse,
◦            developing improved understandings of their child(ren),
◦            tapping into the experience and wisdom of others,
◦            getting weekly encouragement from like-minded dads, and
◦            creating a pathway to become the best version of themselves

21st Century Dads Foundation is looking to provide 100 special needs fathers with the opportunity to be part of the class of 2024 Mastermind Group.

Our guest this week is Chris Hunter of Orlando, FL a father and grandfather, who has devoted much of his career to serving families with special needs, to help plan their financial future.  

Chris and his wife, Jane, have been married for 40 years and are the proud parents of an adult daughter and four grandchildren. 

Chris is from Canada.  He has a civil engineering degree from New Brunswick University and a MBA from York University.  For 15 years, Chris worked for LafargeHolcim as a professional engineer.  The next 15 years he worked as a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch.  Since 2009 he has been a financial advisor, vice president & investment officer at Wells Fargo Advisors.

Chris has been very intentional about serving families touched by disability in a way that separates him from most of the advisor community. 

His is story of compassion and care.  And we’ll hear his story on this week’s episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Links
Phone – (407) 592-4939
Email - [email protected]
LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishunterorlando/
Website - https://fa.wellsfargoadvisors.com/chris-hunter/

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/

This is part of a special series of interviews within the SFN Dad To Dad Podcasts known as the SFN Mastermind Group Monday Podcasts.  Each Monday host David Hirsch interviews one of the SFN Mastermind Group dads on the impact the mastermind group has had on him and the wellbeing of his family.  

This Monday’s guest is Todd Evans of Brentwood, TN owns multiple businesses, is an author and is the father of two children who have different abilities.

Todd and his wife, Kristin, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of two children: an 18 year old born with a metabolic disorder and 14 year old, who has Cri du chat syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5.

Kristin & Todd are the authors of How To Build A Thriving Marriage As You Care For Children With Disabilities. It's a must read for all parents whose families touched by disability.

Kristin & Todd also host and maintain the website: https://disabilityparenting.com/, which has some excellent resources for parents and caregivers touched by disability. 

Todd has been involved with the Special Fathers Network less than a year.  His SFN Dad To Dad Podcast, episode is scheduled to air in November 2024.   He was one of the first members of the Nashville SFN Mastermind Group and he attended the 2024 SFN Mastermind Group Weekend Retreat in Chicago..  

It’s an uplifting conversation about faith, family, perseverance, overcoming life's challenges and advocacy, all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Notes -
Phone – (731) 202-1112 
Email – [email protected]
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-evans-a35744137/
Website - https://disabilityparenting.com/
Book - https://www.amazon.com/Build-Thriving-Marriage-Children-Disabilities/dp/1540903737/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LLBSHPJK220N&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.e6fcilBY15aGN8XMG5QVhw.9hm3b4z3SDB5gMxdFu9N7cjU1iZf65jfSYO3cKOv7aw&dib_tag=se&keywords=evans%2C+how+to+build+a+thriving+marriage+as+you+care+for+children+with+disabilities&qid=1727382950&s=books&sprefix=evans%2C+how+to+build+a+thriving+marriage+as+you+care+for+children+with+disabilities%2Cstripbooks%2C96&sr=1-1

About the SFN Mastermind Group –

WHAT- 
SFN Mastermind Group dads meet weekly by Zoom for 75 minutes. Each meeting:
◦            starts with a round of wins from the past week,
◦            includes a discussion of the current book (6 per year) being reviewed,
◦            has two Dad-In-The-Middle sessions for dads to share a challenge, and
◦            ends with a recap and look at the week ahead. 

WHO - 
SFN Mastermind Group Dads are those:
◦            seeking meaningful friendships with like-minded dads,
◦            willing to invest their time and make a financial commitment,
◦            looking for a safe place to be open and authentic, and
◦            who realize seeking advice is a strength, not a weakness.  

WHY - 
SFN Mastermind Group Dads benefit by:
◦            realizing they are NOT alone
◦            having better relationships with their spouse,
◦            developing improved understandings of their child(ren),
◦            tapping into the experience and wisdom of others,
◦            getting weekly encouragement from like-minded dads, and
◦            creating a pathway to become the best version of themselves

21st Century Dads Foundation is looking to provide 100 special needs fathers with the opportunity to be part of the class of 2024 Mastermind Group.