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Dad to Dad Podcast

Dad to Dad Podcast

By: David Hirsch
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 Fathers mentoring fathers of kids with special needs - presented by the Special Fathers Network. Host David Hirsch interviews some amazing fathers of kids with special needs.Copyright David Hirsch
Episodes
  • SFN Dad To Dad 409 - Nick Massie of Los Angeles, CA A Film Industry Veteran & Father To Son, Cole, An Actor With Cerebral Palsy

    SFN Dad To Dad 409 - Nick Massie of Los Angeles, CA A Film Industry Veteran & Father To Son, Cole, An Actor With Cerebral Palsy
    Dec 19 2025
    Our guest this week is Nick Massie of Los Angeles, CA, a film industry veteran and father of an adult son who is an actor with Cerebral Palsy.

    Nick and his wife, Michelle, have been married for 29 years and are the proud parents of Cole (28), an actor and member of the Screen Actors Guild, who also has cerebral palsy.

    Cole was feature in the highly acclaimed movie The Paper Bag Plan, which bebuted in 2024. It's a well told story and Cole gave a heartfelt performance as Billy, a young man with Cerebral Palsy. The screen play was written and the film was directed by Anthony Lucero.

    We also learn about the impact that various organization's have had on Cole's development, including: Canine Companions, Shane's Inspiration, United CP and Ronald McDonald House.

    It's an uplifting father-son interview with a cameo appearance from Michelle, all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.

    Show Notes -
    Phone – (323) 620-3903
    Email – nickmassie04@gmail.com
    Paper Bag Plan YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFRKK3wIQ3E
    Cole Massie's Web Page: http://www.colemassie.com

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
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    26 mins
  • SFN Dad To Dad 408 - Eric Freund of San Diego, CA A HS Teacher, Founder of Hope On The Hard Road, Podcast Host & Father Of Two With ASD

    SFN Dad To Dad 408 - Eric Freund of San Diego, CA A HS Teacher, Founder of Hope On The Hard Road, Podcast Host & Father Of Two With ASD
    Dec 12 2025
    Our guest this week is Eric Freund of San Diego, CA who is a high school teacher, coach, co-founder of Hope On The Hard Road and father of two children who are both Autistic.

    Eric and his wife, Christen, have married for 27 years and are the proud parents of two: Abby (21) and Caleb (23), both who are on the Autism spectrum.

    Christen & Eric are co-founders of Hope On The Hard Road, a non-profit organization whose mission is: helping connect and encourage families with children with special needs through programs designed to support the unique needs of the individual, the family, and the community.

    Eric also hosts the bi-weekly Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast, now with more than 90 episodes.

    The Freund family story is one of; faith, hope and a commitment to serving others, all on this eipsode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

    Show Notes -
    Phone – (760) 201-5207
    Email – eric@hopeonthehardroad.org
    LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-freund-5438416b/
    Website - https://hopeonthehardroad.org

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
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    29 mins
  • SFN Dad To Dad 407 - Jeff Wallis of Valparaiso, IN A Veterinarian & Father Of A Son Who Had HADDTS Before Passing Away At 18

    SFN Dad To Dad 407 - Jeff Wallis of Valparaiso, IN A Veterinarian & Father Of A Son Who Had HADDTS Before Passing Away At 18
    Dec 5 2025
    Our guest this week is Jeff Wallis, of Valparaiso, IN who is a veterinarian and father of who had a son with Hypotonia, Ataxia, Developmental Delay, and Tooth-Enamel Defects Syndrome (HADDTS) an extremely rare but serious genetic condition caused by a mutation in the CTBP1 gene.

    Jeff and his wife, Mindy, have married for 22 years and are the proud parents of Charles 18, who very sadly past away in May, who had Hypotonia, Ataxia, Developmental Delay, and Tooth-Enamel Defects Syndrome (HADDTS) an extremely rare but serious genetic condition caused by a mutation in the CTBP1 gene.

    We learn about a host of organizations that played a key role in the Wallis family and on behalf of Charles including; the HADDTS Foundation, University of Chicago Genetics, Kids Work and Jacob's Ladder.

    We also learn about an epic cross country RV trip the family took with Charles during COVID to provide him with some extraordinary memories.

    While Charles lived a relatively short life, the Wallis family story one is about making the most of the situation and celebrating life.

    Show Notes -
    Phone – (219) 771-6129
    Email – wallisje1@yahoo.com
    HADDTS Foundation – https://www.haddtsfoundation.org/
    Jacob’s Ladder - https://www.jacobskids.org/

    Special Fathers Network -
    SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 800+ SFN Mentor Fathers, who are raising kids with special needs, have said: "I wish there was something like this when we first received our child's diagnosis. I felt so isolated. There was no one within my family, at work, at church or within my friend group who understood or could relate to what I was going through."

    SFN Mentor Fathers share their experiences with younger dads closer to the beginning of their journey raising a child with the same or similar special needs. The SFN Mentor Fathers do NOT offer legal or medical advice, that is what lawyers and doctors do. They simply share their experiences and how they have made the most of challenging situations.

    Check out the 21CD YouTube Channel with dozens of videos on topics relevant to dads raising children with special needs - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzDFCvQimWNEb158ll6Q4cA/videos

    Please support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/

    Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

    SFN Mastermind Group - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/

    Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father, SFN Mastermind Group dad and 21CD board member Shane Madden for creating the SFN jingle on the front and back end of the podcast..
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
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