Two Disabled Dudes

In this episode, Sean and Kyle count down the final days before setting sail on Rare At Sea, before diving into a candid—and frustrating—travel story. Kyle shares a cascade of challenges involving lost luggage, broken accessibility equipment, freezing temperatures, and the familiar reality of navigating a world not built for wheelchairs. The moment underscores how disability-related obstacles often stack up, turning ordinary travel...

In this episode, Kyle and Sean explore the often-blurry line between hope and denial.

They unpack how hope can be powerful when it’s grounded in reality, values, and daily action, and how it becomes harmful when it delays grieving, ignores body limits, or ties happiness to a future “if/then” outcome like a cure or treatment. Kyle and Sean reflect on how recognizing reality doesn’t mean giving up, but rather building systems that all...

Episode 286 marks the start of a new season—and the 10th year—of the Two Disabled Dudes Podcast. Sean and Kyle reflect on how far the show has come, touch on what it means to keep showing up for a decade, and invite listeners into the fun by floating ideas for a listener nickname, with “Dude Squad” leading the pack. They also look ahead to upcoming community moments and reconnect with why they keep doing the work.

The heart of the e...

What happens when effort isn’t enough—and your body simply says no?

Kyle and Sean reflect on the moments when disability turns everyday challenges into hard limits. From navigating airports to realizing they can no longer do things they once loved, they explore the emotional, mental, and social impact of learning where the line truly is between “hard” and “impossible.”

They discuss pushing past limits and how fitness, therapy, honest...

Sean and Kyle dive into “the responsibility of achievement”—what happens when your personal wins start to carry weight for other people.

Sean shares a story from a recent all-inclusive trip to Mexico, where resort staff pointed out that the two wheelchair guys were the most consistent tippers. That sparks a conversation about why they often feel responsible to “represent” disabled folks well in situations like Uber, airlines, and tr...

In this episode, Kyle and Sean discuss the importance of disability employment and accessible travel with guest Daniel Van Sant, Director of Disability Policy at the Harkin Institute. They explore the challenges faced by disabled individuals in the workforce, the significance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the barriers to travel for those with disabilities. Daniel shares insights on advocacy, the need for po...

It’s a live-recorded birthday hangout as Kyle turns 44 and Sean dials in from his new (very echoey) apartment mid-move. After shout-outs to folks in the live chat, the Dudes dive into a candid conversation about dreaming big—and how diagnoses, delays, and logistics don’t have to kill big goals, they just change how you chase them. Sean shares why he postponed his world’s-longest stairway climb and how reframing timelines, adapting ...

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...