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Rising Above Dads Podcast

Rising Above Dads Podcast

By: Rising Above Ministries
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About this listen

Calling all dads in the special needs world—whether you’re navigating IEP meetings, meltdowns, or just trying to get through the day without stepping on a LEGO... this one’s for you. Rising Above Dads is the podcast where we talk real-life parenting with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of heart. No sugarcoating. No expert-only jargon. Just dads supporting dads, sharing laughs, and reminding each other we’re not in this alone. Tune in for funny fails, small victories, dad wisdom, and stories that’ll lift you up (or at least make you feel slightly more sane). Because fatherhood doesn’t come with a manual—but at least now, it comes with a podcast.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • Our Relationship with Friends, Part Two
    Jan 29 2026

    RAD Podcast S2E12 Show Notes / Summary

    Episode Title: Our Relationship with friends, Part 2

    Episode Summary: In this episode of the Rising Above Dads podcast, we continue our conversation on the challenges and blessings of being friends with other men who do not have children with disabilities. Great conversation! Lots of laughs, tears, and encouragement!

    Meet the hosts:

    Steve Chatman is married to Lori and they have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Three of their children live with special needs. Steve serves as Vice President of Rising Above Ministries, played rugby at Tennessee Tech, studied theology and family ministry at Bethel Seminary, procrastinates a lot, loves to watch old TV Gameshows on YouTube, and he owns a banjo and tuxedo but rarely uses either.

    Daniel Brooks is married to Dusti and they have 4 sons, one of which has congenital central hyperventilation syndrome. Daniel is the Online Campus Pastor at Hope Church and enjoys using technology and media to help others connect with God. He studied music performance at Tennessee Tech. In his spare time he enjoys hanging with his family and watching his boys pursue their passions. He also loves to drink coffee and quote Tow Mater from the movie Cars.

    Dustin Rawls is married to Mandy and has two children, Dylan and Madison who was born with Spina Bifida. Dustin serves as the Men’s Ministry director at his church and has a passion for discipleship. He works for the financial aid arm of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and has never met an audience he didn’t love. Whether it was bowling a perfect 300, becoming the first ever homecoming king at MTSU, or finishing his fourth degree, clearly Dustin has a need to prove something that nobody else cares about.

    Related links:

    Risingaboveministries.org

    Contact us:

    schatman@risingaboveministies.org

    About the Show

    Rising Above Dads is created & produced by Rising Above Ministries. To learn more about us and our resources for special-needs families, visit our website at www.risingaboveministries.org. If you’ve enjoyed listening and want to hear more, we’d love for you to subscribe to our podcast or share it to encourage a friend.

    *Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

    https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Our Relationship with Friends, Part One
    Jan 23 2026

    RAD Podcast S2E11 Show Notes / Summary

    Episode Title: Our Relationship with friends, Part 1

    Episode Summary: In this episode of the Rising Above Dads podcast, our hosts are joined by a few of their closest friends. A super fun conversation about the challenges and blessings of being friends with other men who do not have children with disabilities. Lots of laughs, tears, and encouragement!

    Meet the hosts:

    Steve Chatman is married to Lori and they have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Three of their children live with special needs. Steve serves as Vice President of Rising Above Ministries, played rugby at Tennessee Tech, studied theology and family ministry at Bethel Seminary, procrastinates a lot, loves to watch old TV Gameshows on YouTube, and he owns a banjo and tuxedo but rarely uses either.

    Daniel Brooks is married to Dusti and they have 4 sons, one of which has congenital central hyperventilation syndrome. Daniel is the Online Campus Pastor at Hope Church and enjoys using technology and media to help others connect with God. He studied music performance at Tennessee Tech. In his spare time he enjoys hanging with his family and watching his boys pursue their passions. He also loves to drink coffee and quote Tow Mater from the movie Cars.

    Dustin Rawls is married to Mandy and has two children, Dylan and Madison who was born with Spina Bifida. Dustin serves as the Men’s Ministry director at his church and has a passion for discipleship. He works for the financial aid arm of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and has never met an audience he didn’t love. Whether it was bowling a perfect 300, becoming the first ever homecoming king at MTSU, or finishing his fourth degree, clearly Dustin has a need to prove something that nobody else cares about.

    Related links:

    Risingaboveministries.org

    Contact us:

    schatman@risingaboveministies.org

    About the Show

    Rising Above Dads is created & produced by Rising Above Ministries. To learn more about us and our resources for special-needs families, visit our website at www.risingaboveministries.org. If you’ve enjoyed listening and want to hear more, we’d love for you to subscribe to our podcast or share it to encourage a friend.

    *Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

    https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Our Relationship with Employers, Part Two
    Jan 15 2026

    RAD Podcast S2E10 Show Notes / Summary

    Episode Title: Our Relationship with Employers, Part Two

    Episode Summary: In this episode of the Rising Above Dads podcast, we continue the conversation with local small business leaders who employ individuals with disabilities. We discuss how both parents and employers can equip and empower our children with disabilities to thrive in the workplace.

    Meet the hosts:

    Steve Chatman is married to Lori and they have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Three of their children live with special needs. Steve serves as Vice President of Rising Above Ministries, played rugby at Tennessee Tech, studied theology and family ministry at Bethel Seminary, procrastinates a lot, loves to watch old TV Gameshows on YouTube, and he owns a banjo and tuxedo but rarely uses either.

    Daniel Brooks is married to Dusti and they have 4 sons, one of which has congenital central hyperventilation syndrome. Daniel is the Online Campus Pastor at Hope Church and enjoys using technology and media to help others connect with God. He studied music performance at Tennessee Tech. In his spare time he enjoys hanging with his family and watching his boys pursue their passions. He also loves to drink coffee and quote Tow Mater from the movie Cars.

    Dustin Rawls is married to Mandy and has two children, Dylan and Madison who was born with Spina Bifida. Dustin serves as the Men’s Ministry director at his church and has a passion for discipleship. He works for the financial aid arm of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and has never met an audience he didn’t love. Whether it was bowling a perfect 300, becoming the first ever homecoming king at MTSU, or finishing his fourth degree, clearly Dustin has a need to prove something that nobody else cares about.

    Related links:

    Grade-A-Catering

    The Exceptional Bean

    Rising Above Community Groups for dads

    The Runner Dudes Podcast

    Contact us:

    schatman@risingaboveministies.org

    About the Show

    Rising Above Dads is created & produced by Rising Above Ministries. To learn more about us and our resources for special-needs families, visit our website at www.risingaboveministries.org. If you’ve enjoyed listening and want to hear more, we’d love for you to subscribe to our podcast or share it to encourage a friend.

    *Theme music and editing by Open Mic Studios.

    https://openmicrecordingstudio.com/

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
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