Two Disabled Dudes

Sean and Kyle kick off this episode with a conversation about smart technology, AI, and the growing tension between convenience and commercialization in everyday life. That discussion sets the stage for a powerful interview with Joshua Resnikoff , founder and CEO of Sunstone Health, whose family’s rare disease journey inspired him to tackle one of healthcare’s biggest challenges: the long and frustrating diagnostic odyssey faced by...

Part 2 continues Debbie Drell’s story, focusing on the real-life impact of caregiving, invisible illness, and the need for empathy.

Debbie highlights how much people take for granted—walking short distances, being in crowds, traveling, or getting through a full day without rest. For her sister Alex, who lives with multiple rare conditions including pulmonary hypertension, these everyday activities can be exhausting or even life-thre...

In this first part of the conversation, Sean and Kyle sit down with longtime friend and rare disease advocate Debbie Drell, whose connection to the space runs deep—both professionally and personally.

Debbie shares the story of her sister Alex, who was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension decades ago and given just two years to live—yet is still fighting today. As both a caregiver and advocate, Debbie offers a raw look into the real...

Episode 296 explores connection, resilience, and the power of meeting people where they are—starting with a story about a young man with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) who courageously continues cycling even after a crash.

The episode’s main conversation features Dr. Eric Mitchell and his son Dylan, who share their work with Neurodiversity Consultants and their strengths-based, relationship-driven approach to supporting neurodiverg...

Another frustrating hotel experience opens the episode, but the real conversation centers on what it actually means to “never give up.”

After dealing with a series of accessibility failures—miscommunication, poor accommodations, and a lack of understanding—Kyle and Sean shift into a bigger idea: persistence isn’t just about pushing harder.

Using the story of a breakthrough Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) drug approval, they explore how real...

This episode starts with a classic 2DD moment—a wild but relatable story about Kyle discovering he had a piece of road stuck in his knee for a year and a half. It’s funny, a little absurd, and quickly turns into something more meaningful: how often we ignore small issues—physical or otherwise—and just learn to live with them instead of addressing them.

From there, the conversation shifts into a deeper topic: finding your people—and ...

In this special Rare Disease Day conversation, The Dudes partner with Jett Foundation to moderate a thoughtful panel on advocating for care needs, independence, and life with disability. Joined by Jake, Ashley, Charlie, and Xavier, the discussion highlights the many forms advocacy can take—from managing care and navigating insurance to simply showing up in the world, pursuing work, and building a meaningful life on your own terms.

E...

What starts with airport chaos and accessibility frustrations turns into a meaningful conversation about what it really takes to move rare disease research forward.

Sean and Kyle kick things off with travel stories from their trip to Rare At Sea, including misplaced mobility equipment, inaccessible hotel setups, and the all-too-common surprises that come with traveling disabled. Then they’re joined by Derek Ansel, who pulls back the...

In this episode, Sean shares the bold details behind his upcoming climb of the Niesen Stairway in Switzerland—the world’s longest staircase with 11,674 steps, the equivalent of climbing the steps of the world’s tallest building nearly four times.

Because the stairs are a private emergency access route alongside a mountain tram, Sean and his team will attempt the ascent overnight in the dark, navigating uneven steps, changing terrai...

Episode 290 opens with some 2DD catch-up: Kyle finally gets an accessible room for the Rare at Sea cruise after a stressful mix-up, plus a few laughs about his missing suitcase (and making do with two pairs of underwear). The guys also give an early thank-you to Rocky, their travel agent, for going above and beyond.

The main conversation is with Joe Zinski, a data scientist working on Castleman disease research in David Fajgenbaum’s...

In recognition of Rare Disease month we are bringing you a conversation that we first published in May 2024.

In this interview, John Crowley shares how his children’s diagnosis with Pompe disease propelled him from a concerned father into the rare disease biotech world, ultimately helping develop a life-saving enzyme replacement therapy. He reflects on the journey that followed—building Amicus Therapeutics, advocating ...

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,...