Two Disabled Dudes

This live episode features longtime friend and rare disease advocate Ben Forred. After years as a scientist studying rare conditions and leading a global patient registry, Ben launched Zebra Site Studios to design websites tailored specifically for rare disease organizations. In this conversation, Kyle, Sean, and Ben dig into the unique challenges of advocacy websites—balancing accessibility, multiple stakeholder needs, compliance,...

Sean and Kyle reconnect after travel, skipping a planned live stream to actually experience London. Kyle opens with the saga of curb-damage to his new accessible van—weeks of repairs, inspections, and isolation—before the relief of finally getting back on the road. From there, the conversation pivots to travel takeaways: how attitude—not just laws—shapes access. In London (and across the Netherlands and Paris), they encountered a “...

Recorded live in-studio (CA and PA), Kyle and Sean welcome viewers and then dive into a vulnerable discussion about the transition from walking to using assistive devices like walkers and wheelchairs. Incorporating comments from the audience, they talk honestly about the embarrassment, shame, and pride tied to showing visible signs of disability, as well as the unexpected freedom and safety these tools can bring. The conversation e...

This replay of our first-ever Two Disabled Dudes Podcast live broadcast captures all the excitement—and a few mic mishaps—of going live with our audience. Listeners from around the world joined in via chat while we shared personal updates, gave away a $20 Amazon gift card, and welcomed returning guest Effie Parks, host of Once Upon a Gene. Effie reflected on how our show inspired her to start her own podcast and shared moving stori...

In the final episode of season 13, after a brief discussion about dog poop DNA, Kyle and Sean reflect on how their priorities, perspectives, and self-image have evolved over time. From awkward teen years and early adult panic to working through tough moments, they explore the power of hindsight and personal growth. The conversation dives into public misperceptions of disability, body image struggles, and the ways they’ve learned to...

In Episode 276, Kyle kicks things off with a brunch story involving an oversized, impossible-to-handle coffee mug and a series of well-intentioned but clumsy attempts to make it right.

The episode then shifts gears with a fun and thought-provoking compilation of answers from past guests to the question: If you ruled the world, what would you change? Responses range from practical ideas like increasing accessibility and reducing barr...

In this episode, Sean and Kyle kick things off with a nostalgic dive into Kyle’s latest midlife hobby—collecting Sacramento Kings basketball cards from the early 2000s. What began as a simple eBay gift for his nephew spiraled into a full-on tribute to his college years, complete with prized cards now stashed in a personal safe. The dudes banter about their shared sports memories, the glory days of Bibby and Weber, and how even Shaq...

Sean kicks things off with an update on his long-standing Starbucks habit, revealing surprising progress in cutting back—even if a freshly remodeled store briefly pulled him back in. It’s a light and honest moment that sets the tone before shifting into something deeper: a conversation with Brett Brackett, former NFL player and current president of Uplifting Athletes.

Brett shares how his journey from the football field to rare dise...

In classic Two Disabled Dudes fashion, the episode opens with a hilariously painful recounting of bloodwork gone wrong. Kyle survives a multi-day ordeal involving broken systems, pre-dawn wake-ups, and a forgotten ID, while Sean’s appointment gets derailed by a national holiday his lab forgot existed. Moral of the story: get your labs done early—or prepare for a side quest no one asked for.

Things shift from comedy to clinical trial...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Erin, founder of the Rae of Hope Foundation, to talk about caregiving, community, and what it means to find joy even when life is hard.

Erin shares her family’s journey following her daughter Reagan’s epilepsy and cerebral palsy diagnoses, how caregiving shaped her 30s, and how she’s now carving out space for herself as Reagan becomes more stable. We dive into the real stuff—g...

In partnership with Jett Foundation, we roll into an inspiring conversation with a powerhouse panel of guests who prove that nothing—not even a ridiculously expensive adaptive wheelchair—can keep them from chasing their dreams. From power soccer to adaptive paragliding (yes, that’s a thing!), our guests share how nonprofits, grants, and a little creative Googling can help make adventure accessible.

But it's not just about the gear—i...

What happens when a teenager asks, “Why are you in a wheelchair?” at the bar... and it’s not weird at all? In this episode, Sean and Kyle reflect on what it means to be curious, considerate, and occasionally oblivious when it comes to disability—and why teens might just be winning in the empathy department. From cruise ship conversations to elevator etiquette, we explore how age, culture, and confidence shape the way people react (...

Ever feel like your energy levels are on a shoestring budget? In this episode, Sean and Kyle tackle the daily balancing act of managing energy, especially with a rare disease. From the science of sleep hygiene (which, by the way, Kyle has mastered like a bedtime ninja) to the mystery of why spoon theory uses, well, spoons as...

When it comes to wheelchair repairs, navigating the system shouldn’t be harder than the fix itself—but for Sean, that’s exactly what happened. In this episode, he shares the frustrating saga of dealing with a major medical equipment provider, exposing the inefficiencies, miscommunications, and outright absurdities of the process. From lost time to pointless bureaucracy, Sean’s experience highlights the challenges disabled individua...

This episode features an interview with Heidi Wallis, Executive Director of the Association for Creatine Deficiencies (ACD). Heidi discusses ACD’s efforts in advancing research, treatments, and newborn screening for creatine deficiency disorders. Heidi shares her personal journey as a mother of two children with creatine deficiencies, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. The conversation also explores the ch...

In this episode, we dive into a topic that hits close to home: the tension between hoping for a cure and fully embracing life as it is today. We explore how dreaming about a different future—whether through medical breakthroughs, financial success, or other changes—can be both motivating and, at times, limiting.

Kyle shares a frustrating parking lot experience that sparks a conversation about accessibility, awareness, and the small ...

This episode features a heartfelt conversation with Rivki, a mother of six, including her youngest son, Eli, who was diagnosed with CTNNB1 syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. She shares her journey of recognizing early developmental concerns, overcoming medical dismissals, and advocating for a proper diagnosis. She discusses the impact of Eli's condition on the family, the challenges and joys of raising a child with a challenging ra...

In this episode, Sean and Kyle dive into the evolving nature of independence, especially in the context of disability and life transitions. Kyle shares his journey toward hiring a personal care attendant (PCA) and how his perception of needing help has changed over time. The discussion explores the fine line between dependence and empowerment, emphasizing that asking for help can actually lead to greater freedom, not less. From nav...