What happens when effort isn’t enough—and your body simply says no?

Kyle and Sean reflect on the moments when disability turns everyday challenges into hard limits. From navigating airports to realizing they can no longer do things they once loved, they explore the emotional, mental, and social impact of learning where the line truly is between “hard” and “impossible.”

They discuss pushing past limits and how fitness, therapy, honest friendships, and self-compassion have helped them adapt. This honest conversation dives into grief, identity, letting go of comparison, and learning to listen to your body—lessons that resonate whether you live with a disability or not.

Sean and Kyle dive into “the responsibility of achievement”—what happens when your personal wins start to carry weight for other people.

Sean shares a story from a recent all-inclusive trip to Mexico, where resort staff pointed out that the two wheelchair guys were the most consistent tippers. That sparks a conversation about why they often feel responsible to “represent” disabled folks well in situations like Uber, airlines, and travel.

From there, they unpack:

• Doing big, visible challenges (bike rides, India, the Niesen Stairway) without feeling like you owe the world the “next big thing.”
• How seeing someone else go big can give you permission to aim higher in your own way—even if your version looks totally different.
• The tension between honest vulnerability, toxic positivity, and the risk of sharing hard moments online when you don’t control how people react.

They wrap with a reminder: you don’t owe anyone perfection or constant upward momentum, but you do have influence—and you get to decide what you want to do with it. Plus, thank-you notes to a teammate who made a dry training fun and a longtime friend who opened the door to Sean’s career at Nugget Markets.

In this episode, Kyle and Sean discuss the importance of disability employment and accessible travel with guest Daniel Van Sant, Director of Disability Policy at the Harkin Institute. They explore the challenges faced by disabled individuals in the workforce, the significance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the barriers to travel for those with disabilities. Daniel shares insights on advocacy, the need for positive representation of disabled individuals, and the current trends in airline accessibility. The conversation emphasizes the importance of visibility and self-advocacy in creating a more inclusive society.

It’s a live-recorded birthday hangout as Kyle turns 44 and Sean dials in from his new (very echoey) apartment mid-move. After shout-outs to folks in the live chat, the Dudes dive into a candid conversation about dreaming big—and how diagnoses, delays, and logistics don’t have to kill big goals, they just change how you chase them. Sean shares why he postponed his world’s-longest stairway climb and how reframing timelines, adapting methods, and asking for help keep the dream intact. Together they unpack urgency (doing the right things now), mindset (narratives that move you forward), and practicality (designing your life around reality, not an old vision). They wrap with gratitude notes to the friends and neighbors who’ve shown up when it counted.

This live episode features longtime friend and rare disease advocate Ben Forred. After years as a scientist studying rare conditions and leading a global patient registry, Ben launched Zebra Site Studios to design websites tailored specifically for rare disease organizations. In this conversation, Kyle, Sean, and Ben dig into the unique challenges of advocacy websites—balancing accessibility, multiple stakeholder needs, compliance, fundraising, and SEO. With his deep personal and professional experience in rare disease, Ben explains how he helps groups turn their online presence into a powerful, stress-free tool for connection and advocacy.

Sean and Kyle reconnect after travel, skipping a planned live stream to actually experience London. Kyle opens with the saga of curb-damage to his new accessible van—weeks of repairs, inspections, and isolation—before the relief of finally getting back on the road. From there, the conversation pivots to travel takeaways: how attitude—not just laws—shapes access. In London (and across the Netherlands and Paris), they encountered a “whatever it takes” mindset: bartenders hauling out awkward ramps with a smile, black cabs universally equipped and drivers eager to problem-solve for two chairs, and even a teenager from Portugal who wordlessly pushed Sean up a long riverside incline. Small gestures, big impact.

They contrast that spirit with common U.S. experiences, arguing that readiness plus genuine welcome is the real accessibility flex. Highlights include a boat ride on the Thames, a not-quite-ramp-friendly pub called Walkers, an accessible-on-request Starbucks, and Kyle’s tiered advice for visiting Paris (bring someone—you’ll enjoy it more). Shout-outs close the show: Kyle thanks multilingual community connector Miriam in Belgium; Sean tips his cap to United Airlines for careful wheelchair handling. Listeners chime in from Hawaii to Pennsylvania, and the dudes wrap with a call to subscribe and join the next live session—birthday episode included.

Recorded live in-studio (CA and PA), Kyle and Sean welcome viewers and then dive into a vulnerable discussion about the transition from walking to using assistive devices like walkers and wheelchairs. Incorporating comments from the audience, they talk honestly about the embarrassment, shame, and pride tied to showing visible signs of disability, as well as the unexpected freedom and safety these tools can bring. The conversation expands into themes of feeling like a burden, hiding pain, struggling with speech in public or professional settings, and ultimately the power of owning one’s reality rather than hiding it.

This replay of our first-ever Two Disabled Dudes Podcast live broadcast captures all the excitement—and a few mic mishaps—of going live with our audience. Listeners from around the world joined in via chat while we shared personal updates, gave away a $20 Amazon gift card, and welcomed returning guest Effie Parks, host of Once Upon a Gene. Effie reflected on how our show inspired her to start her own podcast and shared moving stories of how her work connects and empowers rare disease families.

Together, we dove into the vision for Rare at Sea, our upcoming group cruise in February 2026 celebrating Rare Disease Day. From accessibility perks to the joy of connecting without a strict agenda, we discussed why this trip is as much about friendship and fun as it is about awareness. We wrapped up with gratitude notes, an open invitation for anyone connected to rare disease to join us, and a reminder to catch our next live recording on August 17, 2025.

In the final episode of season 13, after a brief discussion about dog poop DNA, Kyle and Sean reflect on how their priorities, perspectives, and self-image have evolved over time. From awkward teen years and early adult panic to working through tough moments, they explore the power of hindsight and personal growth. The conversation dives into public misperceptions of disability, body image struggles, and the ways they’ve learned to let go of what doesn’t matter. They wrap up with gratitude for a supportive coach and a powerful book recommendation that’s reshaping how Sean thinks about leadership and service.

Links and Resources

• Unreasonable Hospitality

In Episode 276, Kyle kicks things off with a brunch story involving an oversized, impossible-to-handle coffee mug and a series of well-intentioned but clumsy attempts to make it right.

The episode then shifts gears with a fun and thought-provoking compilation of answers from past guests to the question: If you ruled the world, what would you change? Responses range from practical ideas like increasing accessibility and reducing barriers, to grand visions of kindness, open science, and even perfect weather in Pennsylvania. Each guest's answer serves as a reminder of how personal experiences shape our view of what the world could be.

The episode wraps up with heartfelt thank-you notes: Kyle expresses his gratitude to all his generous donors by adding each of their names to his fundraising “spirit chain,” while Sean thanks Santino, a colleague who went out of his way to share how much he enjoyed Sean's recent corporate presentation. These moments of appreciation highlight the power of connection and acknowledgment in both personal and community-driven efforts.

This episode is a reminder that even small gestures can have a world-changing impact.

Links and Resources

• Katie, Team Telomere
• Heidi, Association for Creatine Deficiencies (ACD)
• Jay, Write on, Fight on
• Rivki, CTNNB1 Connect & Cure
• Kendall, Icon
• Erin, Rea of Hope