Episodes

Shawn & Brian have an unusually candid conversation about financial education, financial literacy, & what it means to the special needs community Financial Planning Event Registration: https://www.wearebravetogether.org/events/p/financial-planning-resource-group — 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.com/ch...

Shawn & Brian are visited by Tamara Wiggins who's taken her daughter's diagnosis & not only turned it into a business but with unique vulnerability, invites the world into her daily experience as a parent, through social media. Tamara Wiggins is a social media influencer that supports families of special needs children and their caregivers. She focuses on highlighting diversity in the Autism community, and began when her daughter Lilac was diagnosed in 2011. As an advocate, she offers advice an...

Sri Hatharasinghe-Gerschler, M.A., stops by to talk with Shawn & Brian about her journey from her own experience as a student in special education, to her choice to now become a warrior for those in a similar position. Website: https://www.srihatharasinghegerschler.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/srihatgerschler_ieps_n_more_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iepsaremyjam/ — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-t...

April 20, 2022 | Episode 85 Shawn & Brian are visited by Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson who shares her story of inspiration & triumph over challenge & her mission to serve others. Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson is a former Emmy award winning television executive and producer who pioneered the magazine show format with the syndicated show PM Magazine and served as the Executive Producer on the long running talk show, Leeza. In those capacities, Alspaugh-Jackson helped foster the careers of many people who run ...

April 13, 2022 | Episode 84 Shawn & Brian are visited by Athalie Malone who lost her sight after suffering a stroke. She discusses how she turned that challenge into a blessing for others. Athalie Malone was born December 28, 1965 on the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. She moved to San Antonio in 1980 and proudly graduated from SGRH Royal in 1983. Ms. Malone attended Bethune-Cookman University, where she studied Business Administration. Due to health she did...

April 6, 2022 | Episode 83 We are joined by award winning actress, philanthropist, mother, wife, & special needs warrior& then some, Holly Robinson Peete. You may recognize her from her work on TV shows "Sesame Street", "21 Jump Street", "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper", "Chicago Fire", "Law & Order: SVU", to name a few. But there is so much more to her. Her son, RJ was diagnosed with Autism at a time when resources were low & ignorance was high. Through perseverance & love, she & her husband, forme...

March 30, 2022 | Episode 82 Shawn & Brian chat with Maisie Soetantyo, founder of Autism Career Pathways. Maisie is an openly autistic advocate and inclusivity trainer. In 2019, Maisie started the nonprofit Autism Career Pathways with a mission to increase hiring and long-term retention rates for autistic individuals seeking careers in all types of businesses. Maisie also believes that autistic individuals have the right to redefine meaningful employment in their best possible ways. As a long ...

March 23, 2022 | Episode 81 Shawn & Brian discuss the myriad of ways that special needs families are affected financially. From personal finance to how benefits are attained, protected, & even affected by the pandemic. Mentioned: https://www.wearebravetogether.org/ https://www.bankrate.com/ ABLE Accounts: https://www.irs.gov/government-entities/federal-state-local-governments/able-accounts-tax-benefit-for-people-with-disabilities The Power of Zero by David McKnight — Instagram: https://w...

March 16, 2022 | Episode 80 For each diagnosis, each person, & each situation, things may differ but there are certainly experiences that are also shared or common. Shawn & Brian discuss these today...from the perspective of a dad.. & beyond. — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads YouTube: https://www...

March 9, 2022 | Episode 79 Actor, Warrior, & Advocate, Greg Grunberg visits with Shawn & Brian to discuss being a father to a child with epilepsy, his mission to remove the stigma associated with it, & his non-profit organization. Greg Grunberg is best known for his role as X-wing pilot Snap Wexley in “STAR WARS”, as well as “STAR TREK”, “A STAR IS BORN” and alongside Al Pacino in the Barry Levinson film ‘PATERNO.’ As well as on his many memorable series “HEROES”, “CASTLE ROCK”, “LOST”, “ALIAS...

March 2, 2022 | Episode 78 Shawn & Brian discuss the very personal matter of how one chooses to identify their child or loved one with special needs. — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GN4T9fkHEVR5R_16w_7bw #justTwoDads #SpecialNeedsParenting #Exercisin...

February 23, 2022 | Episode 77 Shawn & Brian are visited by front line special needs warriors, Matt Asner & his wife, Navah Paskowitz-Asner as they discuss their path into the community & the amazing work they are doing at the Ed Asner Family Center, named after Matt's father, legendary actor, Ed Asner. This dynamic couple share their journey in the special needs community. They have separately and collectively made great advances and improvements to the community. They talk about how both fam...

February 9, 2022 | Episode 76 Corey Fox pays a visit to Shawn & Brian to discuss how his organization, Developmental Dynamo, helps the exceptional child thrive. Developmental Dynamo is dedicated to using cutting-edge ideas and methodologies to treat each individual child. For more than 13 years, Corey Fox and his team of development professionals have been working with exceptional children and their families to meet this goal. Website: http://developmentaldynamo.com/ — Instagram: https://www...

Feburary 2, 2022 | Episode 75 David Hirsch pays a visit to Shawn & Brian. He is the founder of the Special Father's Network, & 21stcenturydads.org, organizations that uplift, unite, & recognize father's who are raising children with Special Needs. David’s professional career began in 1982 when he obtained his CPA and worked as an auditor and tax accountant with Price Waterhouse in Chicago. From 1985-2007 he was a financial advisor with Smith Barney, Inc., where he was a Senior VP and a member ...

Shawn & Brian are visited by Faith Golden, a special education teacher, childhood development professional, & Grandmother to a child with a rare condition, Tuberous sclerosis. Join in as she shares her journey, challenges, & lessons. Faith’s career with children goes back to age 8 when she began as a mother’s helper in her neighborhood. The parents really appreciated having an extra pair of hands, especially the family with four children, two of them twins. Her major in college was a natural o...

January 19, 2022 | Episode 73 Shawn & Brian discuss what it means to be a good person. Is it simple, or something one should be working on all the time & improving? — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads #justtwodads #loveandempathy #legacy

Shawn & Brian are visited by Myrna Scales a wife, mother, & warrior who shares the story of her infant son's cancer diagnosis, his treatment, what she learned from it, & how she is making it the ultimate teachable moment for others!

January 5, 2022 | Episode 71 Shawn & Brian kick off the new year with a discussion about goal setting, resolutions, & the less than obvious difference that each of us makes in the lives of others. — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads #justTwoDads #GoalSetting #2022andBeyond

December 22, 2021 | Episode 70 Shawn & Brian Discuss how special needs families are impacted by the holiday season. Videos Mentioned: Ed Mylett & Kurt Warner: https://youtu.be/t_ZLBVm3nuA Steven Schapiro: https://youtu.be/7xSlz1PSjLA — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads #justTwoDads #SpecialNeeds...

December 15, 2021 | Episode 69 Shawn & Brian discuss the current state of the economy & the pandemic & how it effects the special needs community. — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads #justTwoDads #TheStateoftheEconomy #SpecialNeedsFamilies

December 8, 2021 | Episode 68 Shawn & Brian discuss what it means to be a man & how that effects being a dad to a child with special needs. — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads #justTwoDads #SpecialNeedsParenting #DefiningMasculinity

December 1, 2021 | Episode 67 Shawn & Brian discuss friendship among men. — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads #justTwoDads #specialneedsparenting #friendshipandbrotherhoodamongmen

November 24, 2021 | Episode 66 Shawn & Brian Discuss, Gratitude, Thanksgiving, & how special needs families do Thanksgiving — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just_two_dads/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-two-dads/id1535250142 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justtwodads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearejusttwodads #justTwoDads #SpecialNeedsParenting #Thanksgiving2021

November 17, 2021 | Episode 65 Business owner & Advocate, Billy Price, joins Shawn & Brian to discuss his journey & his vision. As a teenager, Seattle native Billy Price suffered a spinal cord injury and became paralyzed from the chest down, losing the ability to move his fingers. Daily tasks became difficult, but using his creative mind and unyielding spirit, he never gave up. He continued on, facing life's challenges with tenacity and determination. Born out of a need, BILLY Footwear was fo...