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The Day This Autism Dad Almost Gave Up (S8E24)
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Autism
Dad Podcast, I open up about one of the darkest moments of my life—a time when the weight of burnout, single parenting, and undiagnosed ADHD nearly pushed me past the brink. But more importantly, I talk about the moment I chose five more minutes—and how that choice changed everything.
Joining me is Dr. Kristen Guillory, a leading voice in men’s mental health and
founder of Candid Conversations for Men. Together, we break down what often goes unspoken, especially for dads raising neurodivergent kids. This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a lifeline.
If you're a dad feeling like you're carrying the weight of the world or a
parent trying to support your partner, this episode is for you.
What We Talk About:
- Why men’s mental health is still a taboo
topic—and how we can change that
- What it’s really like to parent autistic children as a solo dad
- The emotional toll of trying to be “strong” all the time
- How societal expectations silence men’s pain
- The moment I considered giving up—and what pulled me back
- How to break the silence and ask for help without shame
- The importance of presence over perfection in fatherhood
- The five-minute rule that can help you survive even the hardest days
This Week’s Sponsors:
NeuroProtek®
Developed by a Yale-trained neuroinflammation expert, NeuroProtek is a
brain-supporting flavonoid supplement designed to help with neurological
inflammation often seen in autism. Save 5% with code ROB5 at https://algonot.com
Mightier
Mightier helps kids with autism and ADHD learn emotional regulation through biofeedback and fun video games. It's a tool I used personally with my own kids, and it made a huge difference. Learn more at https://mightier.com use the code "theautismdad22" and save 10%.
If this episode resonates with you, please consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who needs to hear it. Visit listen.theautismdad.com for all
episodes and guest info. You’re not alone—there’s always someone listening.
Guest Bio:
Dr. Kristen Guillory is a former professor of counseling and social work, a
speaker, coach, and founder of KSGL Enterprises. She leads “Candid
Conversations for Men”—a national initiative providing spaces where men are seen, heard, affirmed, and celebrated. With over 25 events hosted nationwide, Dr. Guillory is changing how we approach men’s mental health.
Website: https://kristenguillory.com
Instagram: @drkristenguillory
Host Bio:
Rob Gorski is the founder of The Autism Dad platform and host of The Autism Dad Podcast. A single father to three autistic children, Rob turned his personal journey into a lifeline for other families. He’s been featured by CNN, ABC News, BBC, and more, and his award-winning blog and podcast reach hundreds of thousands of parents seeking hope and support.
Website: https://theautismdad.com
Instagram: @theautismdad
View all episodes
By Rob Gorski
4.5
111111 ratings
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Autism
Dad Podcast, I open up about one of the darkest moments of my life—a time when the weight of burnout, single parenting, and undiagnosed ADHD nearly pushed me past the brink. But more importantly, I talk about the moment I chose five more minutes—and how that choice changed everything.
Joining me is Dr. Kristen Guillory, a leading voice in men’s mental health and
founder of Candid Conversations for Men. Together, we break down what often goes unspoken, especially for dads raising neurodivergent kids. This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a lifeline.
If you're a dad feeling like you're carrying the weight of the world or a
parent trying to support your partner, this episode is for you.
What We Talk About:
- Why men’s mental health is still a taboo
topic—and how we can change that
- What it’s really like to parent autistic children as a solo dad
- The emotional toll of trying to be “strong” all the time
- How societal expectations silence men’s pain
- The moment I considered giving up—and what pulled me back
- How to break the silence and ask for help without shame
- The importance of presence over perfection in fatherhood
- The five-minute rule that can help you survive even the hardest days
This Week’s Sponsors:
NeuroProtek®
Developed by a Yale-trained neuroinflammation expert, NeuroProtek is a
brain-supporting flavonoid supplement designed to help with neurological
inflammation often seen in autism. Save 5% with code ROB5 at https://algonot.com
Mightier
Mightier helps kids with autism and ADHD learn emotional regulation through biofeedback and fun video games. It's a tool I used personally with my own kids, and it made a huge difference. Learn more at https://mightier.com use the code "theautismdad22" and save 10%.
If this episode resonates with you, please consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who needs to hear it. Visit listen.theautismdad.com for all
episodes and guest info. You’re not alone—there’s always someone listening.
Guest Bio:
Dr. Kristen Guillory is a former professor of counseling and social work, a
speaker, coach, and founder of KSGL Enterprises. She leads “Candid
Conversations for Men”—a national initiative providing spaces where men are seen, heard, affirmed, and celebrated. With over 25 events hosted nationwide, Dr. Guillory is changing how we approach men’s mental health.
Website: https://kristenguillory.com
Instagram: @drkristenguillory
Host Bio:
Rob Gorski is the founder of The Autism Dad platform and host of The Autism Dad Podcast. A single father to three autistic children, Rob turned his personal journey into a lifeline for other families. He’s been featured by CNN, ABC News, BBC, and more, and his award-winning blog and podcast reach hundreds of thousands of parents seeking hope and support.
Website: https://theautismdad.com
Instagram: @theautismdad
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