Dad Talk: Staying in the Fight with Zack Ponder from the UnSpecial Podcast

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with my new close friend, Zack Ponder from The UnSpecial Podcast. Zack is one of those guys you meet online and instantly think, man, I get him. He has a heart for profoundly affected families, even though he did not come into this space as a special needs parent. He came into it through calling, compassion, and a real desire to make sure families feel seen and supported.

We get real fast. We talk about faith, contentment in hardship, and how easy it is to chase comfort when life gets brutal. Zack shares pieces of his family’s cancer journey, including how he and his wife have spent extended time in Mexico for treatment, how he’s been traveling back and forth from Idaho, and what it is like doing all of that while raising four little kids. That part hit hard.

We also talk about mental health, the dark “what if” thoughts that can creep in, and why these conversations can genuinely be life-saving. We cover sobriety, accountability, the pressure of being visible online, and the idea that you have to fill your own cup if you want to help other people.

This one is honest, hopeful, and packed with the kind of perspective that makes you want to keep moving forward, even if you are tired.

Key Takeaways

• Philippians 4:13 is not about hype, it’s about contentment when life is hard.
• “Shut up and serve” is a simple phrase, but it can pull you out of the victim spiral.
• Sharing your story can help someone stay alive, even if you never find out about it.
• Being public about purpose adds accountability, it forces you to live what you say.
• You can’t pour into everyone else if your own mental strength is empty.
• One day equals day one, that mindset can change everything, especially with sobriety.
• Hope is powerful, and sometimes hope is the first step before anything else changes.
• Healing takes time, consistency, and commitment, not quick fixes.
• Dads need other dads, and conversations like this create community for the ones who feel alone.
• Faith does not remove pain, but it gives you something solid to stand on inside the pain.

Zack Ponder

• The UnSpecial Podcast (search on your podcast app)
• https://www.unspecialllc.com/
• Zack Ponder on Instagram: @zack.ponder

If you’re a dad carrying a heavy load, or you’re a parent trying to stay strong through autism, medical battles, or just the pressure of daily life, I hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone. Keep moving. Keep showing up. Help the one in front of you.

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Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families. If you have questions or ideas or want to share your journey, email me at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

Let’s learn, grow, and make a difference, one step, one piece of the puzzle, one child at a time.