This week’s co-host doesn’t say a word, but his presence says everything. James sits down with his son Lucas, a non-verbal teenager with autism, for a special episode. With the help of Pirate Booty, duck noises, and an AAC device, Lucas shows listeners what communication looks like when it’s completely authentic. Whether it’s asking for water or no-selling a dad joke, nothing Lucas does is performative and that honesty has become one of James’s greatest parenting lessons. You’ll hear ab...

In this episode, James Guttman explores how his nonverbal son with autism, Lucas, redefined the very idea of perfection. It’s not about milestones, math scores, or sports trophies. It’s about honesty, love, and authenticity. Lucas doesn’t hide his intentions. He doesn’t play emotional games. And while life with severe autism comes with real challenges, James shares how those challenges are matched by something even more powerful: a son who is, in every meaningful way, perfect. If you’ve ever ...

What if your child couldn’t speak...but still knew exactly how to make you laugh? In this heartfelt episode, James Guttman shares the unexpected ways he built a private language of humor with his nonverbal son, Lucas. From early fears about never sharing a laugh to perfectly timed glances and paused songs, this story is a reminder that connection doesn’t need to be spoken. Sometimes, all it takes is a sideways look and a shared moment. Whether you’re on your own autism journey or just need a ...

At 35 years old, James Gutman was given just four hours’ notice before undergoing a quintuple bypass with no prior health issues, no medications, and no warning signs. But that life-saving operation wasn’t the end of his story. It was the beginning of a new one. In this powerful episode of Hi Pod! I’m Dad, James shares how surviving heart surgery changed everything: how he viewed stress, how he approached parenting, and how he discovered a deeper connection with his nonverbal son Lucas throug...

Every parent has their share of parenting challenges, but when your child has severe, non-verbal autism, even something as ordinary as a haircut can become a years-long emotional battle. In this week’s episode of Hi Pod! I’m Dad, James Guttman shares the raw and personal story of how a supposedly “autism-friendly” salon failed his son Lucas and how that painful moment led him down a years-long journey of cutting his son’s hair himself. From heartbreaking meltdowns to trying every trick in the...

We all have stories we tell ourselves about who our kids will become, how our relationships will unfold, and what life is supposed to look like. But what happens when reality tears those stories apart? In this week’s episode of Hi Pod! I’m Dad, James Guttman shares a raw, honest reflection on the life he never expected. From a divorce during the pandemic to parenting a nonverbal son with autism, James opens up about the imagined futures he had to grieve and the unexpected beauty he found in l...

James Guttman reflects on the emotional milestones of parenting a neurotypical teenager and a nonverbal son with autism. In this week’s heartfelt episode, he shares how Olivia has grown from the little girl who monopolized his time after school into a self-sufficient 17-year-old — and how their bond has evolved along the way. At the same time, James discusses the equally powerful connection he shares with Lucas, built on unspoken cues and trust. With honesty, humor, and vulnerability, he expl...

Watch This Episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/ad4q7DE2SlE James Guttman shares a deeply personal look at the evolution of his parenting journey with Lucas, his 14-year-old son with severe autism. From the emotional tug-of-war over age-appropriate toys to unexpected moments of connection in thrift stores and living rooms, James explores how he learned to stop correcting his son’s play and instead joined him in it. This episode dives into the beauty of authenticity, the pressure of societal...

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5tgNT1CIUw4 What does it really mean to appreciate autism - not just accept it? In this personal episode, James Guttman reflects on how his non-verbal son Lucas has reshaped his perspective and brought unexpected joy into their lives. Through emotional honesty and candid moments, James shares how their bond has grown through trust, gestures, and a shared understanding that goes far beyond words. It's Here! Get the book – “Hi World, I’m Dad: How...

In this special episode, James Guttman celebrates the release of his new book Hi World, I'm Dad and officially launches the video version of his podcast - available here on YouTube. He opens up about autism appreciation, what it truly means to love without conditions, and how his son Lucas, who is non-verbal with autism, has shaped his understanding of life, connection, and purpose. From surviving a heart attack and quintuple bypass to embracing his son’s unfiltered authenticity, James shares...

With just days until the release of Hi World, I’m Dad, James Gutman opens up about the journey that inspired his most personal work yet. In this heartfelt episode, James reflects on parenting his non-verbal son, Lucas, the fears that never came true, and the quiet beauty that replaced them. This isn't a tragedy- it’s a love story. 🔹 Hi World, I’m Dad will be available in stores, on Amazon, and as an audiobook narrated by James 🔹 Lucas, now 14, remains non-verbal, but joyful, kind, and fully ...

James Gutman shares his journey of learning to truly see and appreciate his nonverbal son Lucas, transforming what many would consider a challenging situation into a source of profound joy and personal growth. This deeply personal episode explores how a heart surgery became the catalyst for shifting from constant worry about what he wasn't doing for his son to genuine appreciation for who his son actually is. • The contrast between raising a neurotypical daughter who hit all developmental mi...

James Gutman shares personal stories about raising his son Lucas who has severe autism, revealing how his perspective evolved from fighting against pity to embracing complete appreciation for who his son is. •James discusses his upcoming book "Hi World, I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey from Autism Awareness to Acceptance, to Appreciation," releasing globally on June 19, 2025. • Started blogging in 2017 to share stories about Lucas without the pity that often came with in-person conver...

James Gutman makes a major announcement about his upcoming book "Hi World I'm Dad: How Fathers Can Journey from Autism Awareness to Acceptance to Appreciation" being released as an audiobook on June 19th, 2025. He shares personal reflections on recording the audiobook and his authentic approach to parenting his son Lucas. • The audiobook will be available on multiple platforms including Audible, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo. It is available for pre-order now. • James d...

James reflects on his journey from worried father to advocate for autism appreciation, crediting his quintuple bypass surgery at 35 as a turning point in how he viewed his son Lucas's autism. Rather than focusing on what needed to be "fixed," James began appreciating Lucas's unique perspective and finding joy in moments others might misinterpret as sad. • The podcast grew from James's frustration with not being able to share funny stories about Lucas without receiving sympathy • James explai...

From being unable to say the word "autism" aloud to embracing the term "severe autism," James Gutman shares his transformative seven-year journey with his son Lucas in this heartfelt episode. He recalls a pivotal moment when someone referred to his non-verbal son's condition as "the real autism," triggering both offense and reflection about how we label and understand neurodiversity. James takes us through his evolution as a father and writer, revealing how his blog "Hi Blog, I'm Dad" (launc...

James Gutman explores the evolution from autism awareness to acceptance to appreciation as a father raising his nonverbal son, Lucas. He shares personal stories about appreciating his son's unique perspective on life, including the refreshing honesty that comes with autism even during challenging moments. • The differences between autism awareness, acceptance, and appreciation from both a parent's and society's perspective • How public understanding of autism has improved significantly since...

What does it really mean to love your child unconditionally? In this raw, heartfelt episode, James Gutman tackles the controversial topic of "curing" autism, sharing why he celebrates rather than seeks to change his 14-year-old non-verbal son Lucas. After his recent HuffPost article went viral, James found himself at the center of an intense debate. Many readers assumed his son must be "high-functioning" simply because he writes positively about him. The reality? Lucas faces significant dail...

Ever wondered what pure, unfiltered humanity looks like? My son Lucas shows me every day. Through the lens of raising a nonverbal child with autism, I've discovered something remarkable about human connection that I never expected to find. Most people see limitations when they look at someone like Lucas. Politicians make sweeping statements about what autism is, focusing on what's missing rather than what's present. But they're missing the extraordinary gifts hiding in plain sight. Lucas com...

James Gutman explores the journey of raising his nonverbal son Lucas, challenging societal expectations about fatherhood and special needs parenting. Through this experience, he's discovered that the future he once feared has become the life he now cherishes, finding unexpected beauty in raising a child who reflects his purest values. • Raising a nonverbal child means gradual adaptation rather than sudden change • Society often sets low expectations for fathers, especially special needs dads...