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.
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Rising Above Dads podcast, our hosts have an honest conversation about reframing the hard parts of being a special-needs dad. From the unexpected challenges to the daily realities, they explore how shifting our perspective can help us find purpose, strength, and hope in the middle of the hard. A conversation about embracing the journey and seeing God’s goodness in every season.
Meet the hosts:
Steve Chatman is married to Lori and has 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Two of his adult daughters live with Down Syndrome. Steve is Vice President of Rising Above Ministries. He studied Psychology and played rugby at Tennessee Tech and later studied theology and family ministry at Bethel Seminary. He procrastinates a lot, loves to watch old Gameshows on YouTube, and he owns a banjo and tuxedo but rarely uses either.
Daniel Brooks is married to Dusti and has 4 sons, one of which has Congenital Central Hyperventilation Syndrome. Daniel is the Online Campus Pastor at his 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 likes to sing random songs that he thinks are relevant to the conversation during the podcast.
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:
www.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/
15 Oct 2026
Reframing What It Means to Be a “Good Dad”
Reframing What It Means to Be a “Good Dad”
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Rising Above Dads podcast, the guys discuss
how parenting children with a disability has reshaped their understanding of what it means
to be a good dad.
Meet the hosts: Nearly 70 years of combined special-needs parenting!
Steve Chatman is married to Lori Ann and has five children and four grandchildren. Two of
his daughters have Down syndrome. After 30 years in church ministry, Steve now serves as
vice president of Rising Above Ministries. He attended college in Tennessee and seminary
in Minnesota and is a frequent procrastinator who enjoys watching YouTube videos. He
owns a banjo, reciprocating saw, and a tuxedo—though he rarely uses any of them.
Daniel Brooks is married to Dusti and has four sons, including one with Congenital Central
Hypoventilation Syndrome. As his church’s Online Campus Pastor, he uses technology and
media to help people connect with God. Daniel studied music performance in college and
enjoys hanging with his family, supporting his sons’ interests, and singing random songs on
the podcast. He is often late to podcast recording sessions due to fixing someone’s car.
Dustin Rawls is married to Mandy and has two children, including a daughter born with
spina bifida. He works for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, leads the men’s
ministry at his church, and is passionate about discipleship. Dustin has never met an
audience he didn’t enjoy. From bowling a perfect 300 to being MTSU’s first homecoming
king to earning four degrees, he clearly enjoys proving he can do things no one cares about.
Brandon Jones is married to Elizabeth and has two daughters, including one with cerebral
palsy. He works in automotive detailing and serves on the board of the local Rescue
Mission and Rising Above Ministries. A devoted family man and “Best Girl Dad Ever”
according to his wife, Brandon enjoys talking about the Jordan-era Bulls, conspiracy
theories, professional wrestling, and reminding everyone of the night he met Hulk Hogan.
Related links:
“The Lord Will Provide” song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AB78OHv85s
Base Camp for Dads: https://www.risingaboveministries.org/base-camp
Contact us:
schatman@risingaboveministies.orgAbout 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.
1 Oct 2026
ChatGPT, Dads, and Bedazzled Push Up Pops
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Rising Above Dads podcast, the hosts have fun
evaluating ChatGPT’s answers about special-needs fatherhood and sharing some crazy
stories about “bedazzled ice cream”!
Meet the hosts: Nearly 70 years of combined special-needs parenting!
Steve Chatman is married to Lori Ann and has five children and four grandchildren. Two of
his daughters have Down syndrome. After 30 years in church ministry, Steve now serves as
vice president of Rising Above Ministries. He attended college in Tennessee and seminary
in Minnesota and is a frequent procrastinator who enjoys watching YouTube videos. He also
owns a banjo, an impressive reciprocating saw, and a tuxedo—though he rarely uses them.
Daniel Brooks is married to Dusti and has four sons, including one with Congenital Central
Hypoventilation Syndrome. As his church’s Online Campus Pastor, he uses technology and
media to help people connect with God. Daniel studied music performance in college and
enjoys hanging with his family, supporting his sons’ interests, and singing random songs on
the podcast. He is often late to podcast recording sessions due to fixing someone’s car.
Dustin Rawls is married to Mandy and has two children, including a daughter born with
spina bifida. He works for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, leads the men’s
ministry at his church, and is passionate about discipleship. Dustin has never met an
audience he didn’t enjoy. From bowling a perfect 300 to being MTSU’s first homecoming
king to earning four degrees, he clearly enjoys proving he can do things no one cares about.
Brandon Jones is married to Elizabeth and has two daughters, including one with cerebral
palsy. He works in automotive detailing and serves on the board of the local Rescue
Mission and Rising Above Ministries. A devoted family man and “Best Girl Dad Ever”
according to his wife, Brandon enjoys talking about the Jordan-era Bulls, conspiracy
theories, professional wrestling, and reminding everyone of the night he met Hulk Hogan.
Related links:
Base Camp for Dads: https://www.risingaboveministries.org/base-camp
Contact us:
schatman@risingaboveministies.org
About the ShowRising 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.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
16
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
Contact Rising Above Dads Podcast
Guest appearances
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Hosts of Rising Above Dads Podcast and Rising Above Dads Podcast host the show. Published by Rising Above Ministries.
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