Welcome to Beyond the Spectrum.. every age, every need!

Episodes

186
Oct. 16, 2024

Connecting families, managing disabilities

Seth Besse & Lindsay Crane of Undivided.io stop by for a visit with Shawn & Brian. Seth is Seth Besse is a seasoned entrepreneur and product leader, who has launched innovative technology products that enhance efficiency and broaden access to information. Seth and his team at Undivided.io are developing a groundbreaking platform – the first of its kind – designed to support families raising children with disabilities. This project underscores Seth's firm belief in the transformative potential of...
185
Oct. 9, 2024

People First

This week on Just Two Dads. Maria Perrin & Jessica Mercado from People First visit Shawn & Brian. Maria Perrin, is the Chief Growth & Strategy Officer, @ PPL (https://pplfirst.com/). Maria is a champion for healthcare access and a disability rights advocate. For 20 years, she has worked with Medicaid and Medicare populations focused on developing whole-person care solutions. She has implemented and managed hundreds of initiatives across 45 Medicaid programs, Medicare, and state departments of de...
184
Oct. 2, 2024

Finding Your Way to Resources Wayfinder Family Services

Yanet Cortez, Rosa Hernandez, & Diana Lopez Trujillo share their individual stories & how each was led to a life of service with Wayfinder's Family Services (wayfinderfamily.org). Wayfinder offers free comprehensive support for individuals & families who have members with special needs & brings tremendous value to their community.
Sept. 25, 2024

Autism savvy

Amber Arrington is a mother to 6 children, 3 of whom are autistic. Autism was once a word she feared and has become a word she loves. Now she helps parents navigate an autism diagnosis and the autism landscape as a whole. She educates moms about available services and connects them with appropriate resources and professionals. Amber helps parents become "autism savvy" so they can know the best next steps to take for their child.
Sept. 24, 2024

Things men don't usually talk about

This is episode is the first of a monthly series where Shawn & Brian tackle topics most men have a hard time opening up about.
Sept. 12, 2024

Autism, nutrition & more

Dr. Tasnuva Sarwar Tunna, returns to Just Two Dads. A pharmacist, educator, and research scientist with several high-impact publications, she earned a PhD in Pharmaceutical Science, majoring in Natural Medicine. She's a mom of 2 boys and 1 girl. Her son was diagnosed with stage 3 nonverbal autism with developmental delays at the age of 2 in her home country of Bangladesh. She immigrated to Ottawa, Canada in 2019. She is the founder of the Autism Success Academy which seeks to change lives throug...
180
Sept. 5, 2024

Conservatorships, what are they & why are they important?

Conservatorship. When you hear that word it may bring to mind recent cases involving celebrities. But there's more to it than that & like anything important to the general population, it's 10 X more important to Caregivers & the people they love & care for. Bruce Kauffer is an Attorney with a crusader's mindset. He is the founder of The Conservatorship Center. Conservatorships are the only area of law that he practices. He's spent decades serving families by cutting through red tape to simplify ...
179
July 31, 2024

Episode 179: Lynn & Jonathan Greenberg - Mother & Son Co-Authors

Lynn Greenberg has focused her life on being a champion for children. As a trained Attorney, Lynn spent her time in the legal world practicing family law, providing pro bono work for kids, and advocating on their behalf. When her youngest son Jonathan was diagnosed with Dyslexia, becoming his advocate, as well as others, came easy. Understanding how to gather facts and create strategic plans, Lynn developed a road map to success for her son and has since become an active supporter of all neurod...
178
July 17, 2024

Episode 178: Weller B. Killebrew - A Father’s Love

Weller Killebrew is a husband, father, & special needs Advocate. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Lanterman Regional Center & is the Facilitator for the So Cal Father's Group. As a father to a non-verbal 18-year-old son, his advocacy is genuine & constant. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4505255944912896 eMail: socalfathersgroup@gmail.com — Website: https://justtwodadspodcast.com/ eMail:wearejusttwodads@gmail.com Instagram:...
177
July 10, 2024

Episode 177: Steven Niel - Performing Arts Studio West

Steve Niel is a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry with a diverse background both in front of and behind the camera. He graduated from the LA Second City Conservatory Program, which is renowned for training in improvisational comedy. Steve has an impressive portfolio in commercials, television, and film spanning over 30 years. But Steve's most impressive credit may be his work with Performing Arts West, where since 2008, he's helped nurture the dreams & talents of those with dis...
176
July 3, 2024

Episode 176: Cherisse Watts - Equal Access to Resources

Cherisse Watts is a doctoral student in the School of Nursing at the University of California at Los Angeles, and a graduate of Wellesley College and Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. Her research interests include investigating health disparities and improving the quality of care among Black and Latinx children. Her research efforts are concentrated on advocating for medically underserved and low-income families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) a...
175
June 19, 2024

Episode 175: Chiante Williams-Ranel & Sean Ranel - StarChild Interventions

Chiante Williams-Ranel is a seasoned veteran in the field of behavioral therapy, who began honing her expertise with neurodivergent children during her time at Pepperdine University. While volunteering at a local elementary school, she discovered her lifelong passion for nurturing the unique learning paths of these children. After 8 years as a behavioral therapist, ascending to the role of Director at TOTAL Programs Learning Center, Chiante founded StarChild Interventions. What started as a focu...
174
June 12, 2024

Episode 174: Maurice McDavid & Sean Ranel - Father’s Day Edition 2024

Shawn & Brian are visited by Maurice McDavid & Sean Ranel. Maurice is a father to a young adult son on the autism spectrum & Sean along with his wife, owns a business that provides ABA therapy. Both are members of The Den, the men's group for fathers & caregivers. The four discuss fatherhood in today's world, the definition/re-definition of masculinity, & what it means to have a place like The Den for refuge & support. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamy...
173
June 5, 2024

Episode 173: Julia DeNey - Sense-ational You

Julia DeNey founded Sense-ational You, a maker of adaptive apparel for autistic children who need help with sensory regulation to succeed and be included. While at Cornell University, Julia established and ran a volunteer partnership with a local autism preschool for her sorority and, from this passion, focused her fashion studies on the special needs of autistic children. She began building Sense-ational You after graduating in 2020. During this time, Julia also got a job in special education t...
172
May 29, 2024

Episode 172: The UNDERAppreciated Teacher

Shawn & Brian discuss the matter of teachers.. from middle school to professors at colleges & universities, it seems to be a common theme that they are underpaid. How many teachers do you know that buy their own classroom supplies? Is it different outside the U.S.? Do we appreciate our teachers? Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4505255944912896 — Website: https://justtwodadspodcast.com/ eMail:wearejusttwodads@gmail.com Instagram: http...
171
May 22, 2024

Episode 171: Transitions

Shawn shares with Brian, the experience of conservatorship, the reality of being a father & caregiver to a legal adult, & more. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4505255944912896 — eMail:wearejusttwodads@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://anchor.fm/justtwodads LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads YouTube: https://www.youtube....
170
May 15, 2024

Episode 170: Pod Swap with Father Hoods

In a first Just Two Dads is doing a "pod swap" with Manny "Digital" Montilla from the Father Hoods podcast (https://fatherhoodspod.com/). This is a great show that talks about the trials and joys of Father Hood. Enjoy this episode! This is Episode 151 from their podcast Tantrums featuring Mic Geronimo.
169
May 8, 2024

Episode 169: Manny “Digital” Montilla - Father Hoods

Manny Montilla, better known as "Manny Digital," is the visionary behind FlyDadGear.com (https://flydadgear.com/) and co-host of the Father Hoods podcast, platforms dedicated to empowering dads to be present and positive forces in their children’s lives. As a former Vice President at Yahoo! and a serial entrepreneur with a knack for digital advertising, Manny leverages his expertise to support fatherhood through innovative products and insightful content. Drawing from his own experiences as a da...
168
May 1, 2024

Episode 168: Madeline Handy & Charles Beckham - CalABLE

Shawn & Brian are visited by Madeline Handy, an Outreach Specialist with CalABLE (https://www.calable.ca.gov/), and Charles Beckham who is an Authorized Legal Representative on behalf of his Grandson. They discuss the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program, what it means in general, the benefits that Charles has experienced, and the recent changes to the plan in California through CalABLE. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/45052...
167
April 10, 2024

Episode 167: EMM - EMMPowered Universe

Curve Magazine described our next guest, the musician EMM as "...the definition of a thriving independent artist: calling all the shots in her own career, making her visions come to life, having a hand in every sonic choice and every melody you hear, betting on herself, and standing up for what she believes in most...EMM is a force." She's also been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which she wears proudly as a badge of honor. Be prepared to be blown away by this Megastar in the making! ...
166
April 3, 2024

Episode 166: Jamiel Owens - The Autism Fathers’ Conference

As a Father of a 16-year-old boy who is on the Autism spectrum, Jamiel Owens is truly an advocate for his son Shayne and other Autism parents. Jamiel has been through many challenges and triumphs in his life as a disabled individual himself, which has led him to give back to other men who may be experiencing the same issues within their own lives and, without someone to speak to about them. Raised in North Philadelphia, Jamiel has served his and other communities as a law enforcement officer, a...
165
March 20, 2024

Episode 165: Mark Purifoy - Semper Fortis

Mark Purifoy is a dedicated father who has served his country in the United States Navy. Furthermore, he’s an inspiration to many because he’s a single father to a son on the autism spectrum who is non-verbal & has made the choice to be more warrior than worrier. From homelessness to hopefulness, hear his story on this episode of Just Two Dads. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4505255944912896 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markmad...
164
March 13, 2024

Episode 164: Elizabeth Trenary - Your YOU

Author, Elizabeth Trenary talks about her journey, her vulnerability, her discovery, & her new book....Your YOU. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4505255944912896 Book: https://a.co/d/0AgJSS7 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lady_elizabeth75/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@smilewithme75 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brwneyedgirl75 — eMail:wearejusttwodads@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podc...
163
March 6, 2024

Episode 163: Kelley Coleman - Book Launch Celebration!!

Mother, wife, & Author, Kelley Coleman returns to talk in more detail about her book, "Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child." Available for pre-order NOW on Amazon and will be available on March 13th, 2024. On her last visit, Kelley discussed the writing & publishing process and the matter of fulfilling her dream to write a book that is of service to others. Now she's back to give an overview on some of the chapters & topics that's sure to help caregivers new to a diagnos...