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

Episodes

Episode 150: Hasna Nada - Learning Autism
Oct. 25, 2023

Episode 150: Hasna Nada - Learning Autism

Hasna Nada is a mother of 4, including a 6 & a 16-year-old son each diagnosed with Autism. She has been a passionate advocate for the last decade, bringing attention to the need for adequate services, inclusion, & acceptance ...

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Episode 149: Sara Kaufman & Natally Raisin - Willowcrest School
Oct. 11, 2023

Episode 149: Sara Kaufman & Natally Raisin - Willowcrest School

Sara Kaufman & Natally Raisin visit with Shawn & Brian to discuss the passion they have for serving the underserved & how it led to the creation of Willowcrest School. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYa...

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Episode 148: Self-Care for Caregivers
Oct. 4, 2023

Episode 148: Self-Care for Caregivers

Shawn & Brian discuss the importance of self-care for caregivers on this week's episode. Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4505255944912896 Mentioned: https://snnla.org/...

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Episode 147: Michelle Wagner - Mickey on the Move
Sept. 20, 2023

Episode 147: Michelle Wagner - Mickey on the Move

Michelle Wagner is a full-time realtor, mom, and award-winning author who dedicates her time and energy to charities and events supporting children with hearing loss. Michelle takes pride in assisting families as they work th...

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Episode 146: Frank Zankich - Back to School Part II
Sept. 13, 2023

Episode 146: Frank Zankich - Back to School Part II

In part II of our Back to School series, Frank Zankich joins Shawn & Brian. Frank is a kind man with a warrior's heart who, as an education Attorney, helps students with special needs fight for their educational rights. Want ...

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Episode 145: Sandy Santeiro - Back to School Part I
Sept. 6, 2023

Episode 145: Sandy Santeiro - Back to School Part I

Bilingual Educational Advocate & warrior extraordinaire, Sandy Santeiro returns to visit with Shawn & Brian as the first of many guests in a two part "Back to School" series. What kind of things do I need to do to prepare my ...

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Episode 144: Bret Lieberman - YIC Unity: Good Karma Festival
Aug. 30, 2023

Episode 144: Bret Lieberman - YIC Unity: Good Karma Festival

Bret Lieberman returns as a guest to give us an update on Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education's (https://www.yicunity.org/) program and upcoming Music and Arts festival in Santa Clarita, California called the Good Karma...

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Episode 143: Jessica Patay - You Are NOT Alone
Aug. 23, 2023

Episode 143: Jessica Patay - You Are NOT Alone

Jessica Patay, wife, mother, & founder of the amazing non profit organization, We Are Brave Together, returns to the show to discuss among other things, membership having grown to over 2,000 moms in 50 states and 22 countries...

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Episode 145: Susanna Peace Lovell - Special Needs & Grief
Aug. 16, 2023

Episode 145: Susanna Peace Lovell - Special Needs & Grief

Life Coach for Special Needs Families, mother to a daughter diagnosed with autism, & friend of the show, Susanna Peace Lovell returns for a visit. Susanna, Shawn, & Brian discuss grief and emotions related to it as well as th...

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Episode 141: Jada Golden - Educator at Large
Aug. 9, 2023

Episode 141: Jada Golden - Educator at Large

Jada Golden visits with Shawn & Brian. She's a dynamic educator from Boston, Massachusetts who has recently established her independent practice here in Los Angeles, Educator at Large, INC, since January 2023. She is a licen...

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Episode 140: Charmaine Carter & Nicole Hampton Peters - Pace Run for a Cause
Aug. 2, 2023

Episode 140: Charmaine Carter & Nicole Hampton Peters - Pace Run for …

Charmaine Carter & Nicole Hampton are the co-founders of Pace Run For a Cause (https://www.pacerunforacause.org/),a 501C3 non-profit organization, based in Southern California, who's mission is to create awareness & opportuni...

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Episode 139: Jordan “Jo” Quinones - PERSEVERANCE
July 26, 2023

Episode 139: Jordan “Jo” Quinones - PERSEVERANCE

She’ll NEVER drive a car. She WON'T live on her own. She’ll be DEPENDENT ON YOU AS HER PARENTS FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE. Sound familiar? These are the words given to Brian Altounian & his then wife, when their daughter, Jord...

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Episode 138: Billy Dinnerstein & Rosemary “Roe” Brush - Your Kind of Cuts
July 19, 2023

Episode 138: Billy Dinnerstein & Rosemary “Roe” Brush - Your Kind of …

Billy Dinnerstein & Rosemary "Roe" Brush, visit with Shawn & Brian to talk about their Barbershop in New Jersey called Your Kind of Cuts. The shop caters to those with sensory & special needs. Billy grew up in the foster care...

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Episode 137: Sylvia Lopez - Parent Advocate Mentor
June 28, 2023

Episode 137: Sylvia Lopez - Parent Advocate Mentor

Sylvia Lopez, her home, & spirit are all a bastion of inclusion. Much of the credit goes to the home her parents provided and raised her & her siblings in. It’s also why she’s such a staunch advocate for the marginalized and ...

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Episode 136: Special Needs & Life Changes
June 21, 2023

Episode 136: Special Needs & Life Changes

Shawn & Brian discuss the following: how do we address the birds & the bees with our children who have special needs, dating & being a single parent to a child with special needs, and transitioning from an adolescent to a tee...

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Episode 135: Special Needs & Life Expectancy
June 7, 2023

Episode 135: Special Needs & Life Expectancy

Shawn & Brian discuss life, death, grief, & everything in between. How does a diagnosis affect life expectancy? How does that affect the way we live versus die? Today.. on Just Two Dads. — eMail:wearejusttwodads@gmail.com Ins...

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Episode 134: Kyle Jetsel - The Driven Autism Dad
May 31, 2023

Episode 134: Kyle Jetsel - The Driven Autism Dad

Kyle Jetsel is the father of six children, two of which have been diagnosed with Autism. For years, Kyle & his now deceased wife Shelly, struggled with raising their sons on the spectrum. It was like they were being asked to ...

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Episode 133: Justin Nahama - NuroLux
May 10, 2023

Episode 133: Justin Nahama - NuroLux

Justin Nahama visits Just Two Dads. Justin is a passionate and highly accomplished leader, business strategist and attorney committed to creating impact for all. He specializes in working with companies focused on optimizing ...

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Episode 132: Kyle Stock - Special Needs Educator
May 3, 2023

Episode 132: Kyle Stock - Special Needs Educator

It's always fascinating to learn how those with no family members in the Special Needs community come upon the choice to make it their mission to serve our community. Kyle Stock is both a Special Education teacher, and an adv...

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Episode 131: David & Tiger Villec - The Autistic Tiger
April 26, 2023

Episode 131: David & Tiger Villec - The Autistic Tiger

David & Tiger Villec visit with Shawn & Brian to discuss his path as a father to his 10 year old son, Tiger who was not only diagnosed with ASD, but is a self taught, world renowned artist, the youngest to participate at New ...

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Episode 130: The Den: Men’s Group for Fathers & Caregivers
April 19, 2023

Episode 130: The Den: Men’s Group for Fathers & Caregivers

Shawn & Brian discuss the need for comradery amongst men in general, but in particular, how it fits in today's world, especially for those who are dads or caregivers to those with special needs and how it became the impetus f...

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Episode 129: Melissa Gagne - Your Special Education Rights!
April 5, 2023

Episode 129: Melissa Gagne - Your Special Education Rights!

Melissa Gagne is a partner with the Law firm of Laviano & Gagne, LLC in Sherman, Connecticut. She is the Executive Vice President of the Board of Directors for CCARC, a nonprofit agency that provides day and residential servi...

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Episode 128: Sasha Long - The Autism Helper
March 22, 2023

Episode 128: Sasha Long - The Autism Helper

Sasha Long, BCBA, M.A., is the founder and president of The Autism Helper, Inc. She is a board certified behavior analyst and former special education teacher. Sasha works full time as a consultant, writer, and behavior analy...

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Episode 127: Larkin O’Leary - Common Ground Society
March 8, 2023

Episode 127: Larkin O’Leary - Common Ground Society

Larkin O'Leary is the Chief Operating Officer & Co-founder of Common Ground Society, a passionate educator, credentialed through CSU, Chico, having taught grades ranging from Pre-K-8th grade, & has won several awards. She a...

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