Dad to Dad Podcast

Our guest this week is David Aarestad of Champaign, IL who is a lawyer by education and training, an adjunct professor of Law at University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign and father of two, including one with Down Syndrome. David and his wife, Karen, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of two children: Brynn (20) and Sofia (22) who has Mosaic Down Syndrome, which impacts only 1 1/2% of those with Down Syndrome. Prior to moving to Illinois two years ago, the Aarestads lived in Denver for more than a decade. While there they were involved in many many organization that supported Sofia and the family, including: Adam’s CampRocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association, and Global Down Syndrome FoundationIt's an uplifting story about a father's commitment to family and dedication to the welfare of other families all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Show Notes - Phone – (303) 514-5522Email – [email protected] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-aarestad-96163b9/ Adam’s Camp – https://adamscamp.org/Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association – https://rmdsa.org/Global Down Syndrome Foundation - https://www.globaldownsyndrome.org/Gigi’s Playhouse – https://gigisplayhouse.org/For the record, this episode was recordred at the Urbana Country Club in Urbana, IL, on day #31 and stop #65 of the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60-plus stop tour to strengthen the SFN and distribute 1,000 complimentary copies of the new book: Dads Raising Children with Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads. Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026: Special Fathers Network –SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/videosPlease support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Our guest this week is Rick Corbett of Loganville, GA who worked in the electrical industry for 25 yeara before becoming a full-time caregiver. Rick is father of two boys including one with Hydrocephaly and a caregiver to a young woman with special needs. Rick and his x-wife, Mary, were married for 29 years and are the proud parents of two boys: Sean (30), who lives with his mom and Richard (36) who has Hydrocephalus, a rare, complex, and chronic illness. Rick is also caregiver to Morgan (32) who is wheelchair bound due to a brain injury suffered at birth. We learn about how Richard was warmly embraced by his high school classmates where he was known as "Touchdown Richard" becuase of his enthusiam for and involvment with the high school football team. We also learn about the impact the Tim Tebow Foundation 'Night To Shine' program has had.It's an uplifting story about a father's devotion to his children and others all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.Thius episode was recorded at St. John Neumann Church in Lilburn, GA on day #18 and stop #37 of the SFN U.S. Tour, Special thanks to SFN Mentor Father Scott Sowers, who was featured in episode #9, for organizing the gathering at St. John Neumann Church. Show Notes - Phone – (404) 578-5259Email – [email protected] thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60+ stop tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026: to strengthen and grow the Special Fathers Network and distribute 1,000+ complimentary copies of our new book: Dads Raising Children With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads. Special Fathers Network –SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/videosPlease support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Our guest this week is Jeremy Warren of Tulsa, OK a graphic artist, founder of DOSA (Dads On Special Assignment) and fatther of six boys, including one with a rare disease. Jeremy and his wife, Heidi, have been married for 22 years and are the proud parents of six boys ranging in age from 2 to 18 including, their second oldest, Landon (16) who has a rare disease, which was officially diagnosed just a few years ago as PURA Syndrome and a secondary condition known as P-O-L-G, both of which have resulted in severe neurodevelopmental delays and intellectual disabilities, plus a slew of other side effects.The mission of DOSA is to serve dads of children with special needs by providing tools and resources that equip them to become healthier mentally, physically, and spiritually in order to lead their families well and embrace their role as a dads on special assignment.We also learn about a couple of organizations that Landon has benefited from, including:Little Light HouseOK Family NetworkIt’s an uplifting story about a father's commitment to family and service to others, all on this episode of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast.Show Notes - Phone – (918) 269-1409Email – [email protected] On Special Assignment - https://dosausa.org/Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60+ stop tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026: to strengthen and grow the Special Fathers Network and distribute 1,000+ complimentary copies of our new book: Dads Raising Children With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads. Special Fathers Network –SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/videosPlease support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/

Our guest this week is Jerod Garland of Pella, IA who is an 8th grade history teacher, an author and father of three including one with Down Syndrome. Jerod and his wife, Leah, have been married for 19 years and are the proud parents of three girls: Zoe (11), Eliana (14) and Kayla (17), who has Down syndrome.In addition to being an 8th grade history teacher Jerod authored the book Shovels And Spades, where he shares his journey as the father raising a spirited daughter with Down Syndrome.We also learn about two organizations that have played an important role in Kayla's life: Special Olympics and Gigi's Playhouse. It's an uplifting story about faith, family and embracing life, all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.(this episode was recorded face-to-face in front of the audience at Gigi's Playhouse Des Moines, as part of the SFN U.S. Tour). Show Notes - Phone – (641) 295-9642Email – [email protected] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerod-garland-6948313a/Gigi’s Playhouse Des Moines – https://gigisplayhouse.org/desmoines/Book: Shovels & Spades - https://tinyurl.com/yhjmt3h2Special thanks to all those who supported the SFN U.S. Tour, a month-long, 50-state, 60+ stop tour that took place from May 21 to June 21, 2026: to strengthen and grow the Special Fathers Network and distribute 1,000+ complimentary copies of our new book: Dads Raising Children With Special Needs & Disabilities: A Guide For 21st Century Dads. Special Fathers Network –SFN is a dad to dad mentoring program for fathers raising children with special needs. Many of the 900+ 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/videosPlease support the SFN. Click here to donate: https://21stcenturydads.org/donate/Special Fathers Network: https://21stcenturydads.org/