In this heartfelt conversation, Bryan opens up about his journey as a father of four—Virginia, Dexter, and twins Celia and Ben. From the earliest days of medical challenges, including cancer diagnoses, surgeries, and a liver transplant, to the sudden heartbreak of losing his wife and partner of 25 years, Bryan shares his story with honesty and vulnerability.
We talk about what it really means to be present for your kids, how grief reshapes the way you see life, and why expressing love—out loud and often—matters so much. Bryan also reflects on the weight of tough conversations about mortality, the importance of mental health support, and the need to give ourselves permission to heal at our own pace.
This episode is a powerful reminder that behind every family is a story of resilience, love, and struggle. Bryan’s words will leave you thinking about how we show up for the people we care about—and why empathy and connection matter more than ever.
This conversation with Bryan was had earlier this year and he has been battling like anything to keep going. Recently he has shared that he is really struggling, not only with finances but also his own demons - alcohol.
The following is a direct copy of his post on his social media
“I feel like a piece of crap for doing this and I wouldn't be doing it unless I was out of options.
Over the past 8 months we've gone through a lot of change, unwanted growth, trying to fit in, in our new world attempting to see a future without Leslie Paige. During this time normal day to day operations have for the most part halted.
Finding myself in a mountain of debt, medical bills, depression, anxiety, kids who need stronger support than their weak father and me buried under empty bottles of Gin. 95% of this is my fault. Leslie was always the money and insurance manager. I know I'm losing the prior because of my lack of knowledge of the latter.
Im taking the first step towards my recovery from alcohol, but it is costly. I also found out that we may be charged the full amount for Ben's tablet($18,000)
I know everyone is tired of hearing my sob stories (and i can't say that | blame you ), "woe is me" ( paraphrasing a relative ) but my family and I can use the help. Even if it's just good company and a meal together. I appreciate everything you all have already done and I feel like a schmuck asking for more. Share if you want. Thanks again.
Truly undeserved of you all's support and love .
Love, Bryan”
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-hughan-familys-journey-to-healing
This is Richie Hardcore….
Richie is a fight coach, personal trainer, and public speaker—but in this episode, he speaks as a dad. We talk about how fatherhood challenged and changed him, from learning patience and playfulness to navigating the mental and emotional weight of raising kids. He opens up about masculinity, the role of fathers in different cultures, and why support networks and honest conversations matter—especially for parents of children with unique needs. It’s a real, reflective, and inspiring chat about what it means to show up as a man and a father.
You can find Richie’s website and social media here.
https://www.richiehardcore.com/
Almost two years ago, Franky sat down with me for a deeply personal conversation about navigating life as a dad to a child with special needs. Now, he’s back—and a lot has changed.
In this follow-up episode, we pick up where we left off, diving even deeper into what it means to grow through fatherhood, not just as a parent, but as a man trying to hold everything together. Franky opens up about earning a cybersecurity certification with no previous IT background, balancing the pressures of work and home, and the role his wife’s support has played in helping him keep moving forward.
We talk about the emotional toll of caregiving, the quiet guilt and burnout that can build up over time, and the fear many special needs parents carry but rarely talk about: What happens when we’re no longer able to care for our children?
This is a conversation about resilience, identity, and learning to show up even when we feel like we’re running on empty. It’s real, unfiltered, and full of insight for any parent navigating the complex, ever-changing journey of raising a child with additional needs.
This episode is probably brought to you by ‘It Takes a Village NC
https://www.ittakesavillagenc.com
Franky’s podcast - The unfortunate privilege podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/7meEuAT7apvoxsCZWmqiXF?si=qEXH0kloSp-1PGjbHRIzug
I’m talking to Andrew and it’s 10pm for me in Osaka and 9am for him in the US…
We begin talking about the two words which he uses to describe his personal journey - ‘filling’ and ‘grateful’.
Andrew has a unique and lovely way with words which I could never do, we talk about his life as dad which is so special.
For the last 7 years as caretaker for his youngest, Hadley, it is hard to imagine sometimes how bloody hard it must be, but like most dads, he steps up to the plate, like I did and like most dads do when we have a child with extra needs.
Does that come at a mental and physical cost? Maybe it does, for me it has.
That’s when Andrew shares that in the last week he cried in the car on his own,, while listening to music LOUD, and while it was not planned (never is) it is most needed and allowed him to give himself some self love and self compassion, resulting in him to be able to do what he does all over again., hoping that the sun will always come up the next day.
THIS IS A REAL UNFILTERED DAD JOURNEY.
If you would like to share yours, please get in touch on realufdjpodcast@gmail.com
