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Rising Above Dads Podcast

Rising Above Dads Podcast

Written 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 Relationships
Episodes
  • Our Relationship with Employers, Part 1
    Jan 8 2026

    RAD Podcast S2E9 Show Notes / Summary

    Episode Title: Our Relationship with Employers, Part 1

    Episode Summary: In this episode of the Rising Above Dads podcast, our hosts talk 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
    49 mins
  • Our Relationship with School Personnel
    Jan 1 2026

    RAD Podcast S2E8 Show Notes / Summary

    Episode Title: Our Relationship with School Personnel

    Episode Summary: In this episode of the Rising Above Dads podcast, our hosts discuss the importance of dad’s involvement with our child’s educational experience. Joining us on this episode are Todd Clinton, Director of Special Education in Jackson County, TN and Becky Davidson, Co-Founder and President of Rising Above Ministries.

    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:

    The Rising Above App

    Rising Above with Becky Davidson

    How to navigate an IEP videos

    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
    59 mins
  • Our Relationship with Culture, Part Two
    Dec 18 2025

    RAD Podcast S2E7 Show Notes / Summary

    Episode Title: Our Relationship with Culture, part 2

    Episode Summary: In this episode of the Rising Above Dads podcast, our hosts continue the conversation on stepping out into culture with our children living with disabilities and how we overcome our fears, frustrations, and fatigue and lead both our family and culture.

    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:

    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
    45 mins
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