Dad Up: Why Fathers Matter with Troy Grant

Dad Up: Why Fathers Matter with Troy Grant

What does it take to truly engage fathers? In this episode of Dadvocating, Troy Grant shares his remarkable journey from growing up with New York State child welfare and juvenile justice system involvement to leading New York's statewide fatherhood efforts at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). He reflects on the father figures who shaped his life, why fathers are too often overlooked by service systems, and how his experience as a licensed mental health clinician inspired him to champion father engagement. Troy discusses the lessons he learned in the Marine Corps, the importance of mentorship, challenging stereotypes about dads, building natural supports that strengthen families and communities, and creating lasting systems change. He also shares practical parenting wisdom, thoughts on self-care and Father's Day, and a few personal interests outside of work. It's an honest, inspiring conversation about why fathers matter—and how simply showing up can change lives. Follow ⁠⁠Rabbi Simcha on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/rabbisimcha/?hl=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jewishautismnetwork.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.jewishautismnetwork.com] Troy Grant on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/troygrant-] Troy's Recommendations Book: Too Seasoned To Care: How Aging Turns Experience Into Wisdom and Liberation by Kenneth Braswell https://www.amazon.com/Too-Seasoned-Care-Experience-Liberation/dp/B0FCMWRC6B [https://www.amazon.com/Too-Seasoned-Care-Experience-Liberation/dp/B0FCMWRC6B]   Podcast: OCFS Voices  https://open.spotify.com/show/2WObUPfn2YXbPQciCeBxFu [https://open.spotify.com/show/2WObUPfn2YXbPQciCeBxFu]

Autism, Immigration & Advocacy Bin Feng Challenge to Calling: A Family’s Journey

In this episode of the Dadvocating podcast, we speak with Bin Feng about fatherhood, autism advocacy, cultural stigma, and finding purpose through family. Bin shares his journey as a Chinese American immigrant father in New York City From the fear and uncertainty of visa challenges and his son’s autism diagnosis, to discovering hope through education, community, and advocacy. What once felt overwhelming became a calling, as he learned to embrace vulnerability and channel it into meaningful change for families navigating autism systems. Together, we discuss the barriers many Chinese and culturally diverse families face, including language access, navigating complex medical and educational systems, and the deep cultural stigma surrounding disability that can delay support and isolate parents. Bin explains how shame and silence often prevent families from seeking services or advocating for their children’s rights and why open conversations matter. Bin also reflects on becoming a statewide and national advocate, including annual autism advocacy visits to Washington, DC, where he brings his son to help policymakers see the human side of disability policy. He shares the joy he finds in his son’s successful work routine as a janitor, the importance of engaging fathers in caregiving and advocacy, and why self-care is essential for parents raising children with disabilities. We also talk about Project READY, the organization he founded to support transition-age youth and limited-English-speaking families, the importance of early diagnosis and outreach through the Office of New Americans, and how his neurotypical daughter’s experience growing up alongside her brother inspired her path toward medicine. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, advocacy, and redefining what purpose and success can look like for a family. Follow ⁠Rabbi Simcha on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/rabbisimcha/?hl=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jewishautismnetwork.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.jewishautismnetwork.com] Bin Feng on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bin.feng.1650?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=BF7G2JcW2nWfAToK&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1XCRsgk6zQ%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr] ⁠www.projectready.org⁠ [https://projectready.org]

Making New York More Accessible: A Conversation with Self-Advocate Shamika Andrews

In this episode, we sit down with self-advocate Shamika Andrews, Community Outreach Coordinator at the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State. Shamika shares how growing up in an inaccessible neighborhood helped shape her passion for disability rights and advocacy. She reflects on key moments that launched her advocacy journey, from challenging an inaccessible graduation stage to becoming involved with Miss Wheelchair New York and working directly with policymakers. We discuss the power of storytelling in advocacy, the importance of mental health supports in the disability community, and the principle of “nothing about us without us.” Shamika also offers advice to new self-advocates: value your voice, ask for help when needed, and remember that everyday advocacy matters. Follow Rabbi Simcha on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/rabbisimcha/?hl=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jewishautismnetwork.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.jewishautismnetwork.com] Shameka Andrews⁠ on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/disabilityempowered/] Butterfly on Wheels by  Shameka Andrews [https://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Wheels-Shameka-Andrews-ebook/dp/B084VV4PT7?ref_=ast_author_dp_rw&th=1&psc=1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vC4BubgnVlUcYrS1H_Auh53Mh1tKnK_iGpvu6a08adjGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.KCF80ow5bgcmioqsax1gpM93wJSvRosRS3ews5taX2I&dib_tag=AUTHOR]

The Commissioner & The Dadvocates - Lived experience meets statewide leadership. A kitchen table conversation with OPWDD Commissioner Willow Baer - Episode 6

What happens when lived experience meets statewide leadership? In this episode of Dadvocating, Simcha Weinstein and fellow dadvocate Steve Gonyea sit down with Willow Baer, Commissioner of the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, for a candid kitchen table conversation about dads, disability, and what families really need from systems. From what OPWDD actually oversees, to why father engagement matters, to how families can find their voice inside big systems, this episode is about showing up, being seen, and building real partnership. Commissioner Baer shares what drew her to this work, how New York is working to protect family stability, and what gives her hope when the work feels heavy. From services to self care, and even a surprise reveal at the end, this is a candid conversation you will want to stay for. Follow ⁠Steve Gonyea - ⁠Finding Common Ground⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/854348870048741/] ⁠⁠Rabbi Simcha on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/rabbisimcha/?hl=en] ⁠⁠⁠www.jewishautismnetwork.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.jewishautismnetwork.com] www.opwdd.ny.gov [https://opwdd.ny.gov/about-us/leadership]

Fatherhood, Foster Care, and a Guy Named Steve Gonyea - The Dadvocating Podcast Episode 5

In this episode of the Dadvocating Podcast, host Simcha welcomes Steve Gonyea, a fellow state lead from the New York Alliance for Developmental Disabilities (Nyad). Steve shares his journey as a father and advocate, highlighting the challenges and joys of raising an autistic child, fostering children with disabilities, and navigating the complex systems of support services. Steve emphasizes the importance of fatherhood involvement in advocacy, discusses his experience creating a community hub for individuals with disabilities, and reflects on the impact of his work in grassroots advocacy. The conversation underscores the need for more father-focused conversations in the advocacy space and Steve's efforts to build a supportive community for all. Follow Steve Gonyea - ⁠Finding Common Ground [https://www.facebook.com/groups/854348870048741/] ⁠Rabbi Simcha on Instagram ⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/rabbisimcha/?hl=en] ⁠⁠www.jewishautismnetwork.com⁠⁠ [https://www.jewishautismnetwork.com] 00:00 Introduction to the Dadvocating Podcast 00:47 Meet Steve Gonyea: A Father and Advocate 01:14 Challenges in Foster Care and Advocacy 02:27 The Role of Fathers in Advocacy 04:27 Steve's Podcasting Journey 06:37 Steve's Advocacy and Foster Care Experience 13:49 Creating a Safe Space for Autistic Children 16:13 The Emotional Journey of Advocacy 22:15 The Importance of Dental Care in Foster Settings 24:48 Setting Up a Home Podcast Studio 26:51 Navigating Marriage and Foster Care Challenges 29:31 Self-Care Tips for Parents 34:39 Mentorship and Generational Healing 39:17 Building a Community of Dadvocates