Episodes

March 21, 2025

An Unseen Enemy: Could This Be Affecting Your Child?

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. This episode is a big one—personal, emotional, and, quite honestly, a little overwhelming. I’ve always been open about doing whatever it takes to help Wyatt live his best life, even if it means exploring paths that might seem unconventional. Today, I’m diving into something that took years of research, testing, and serious soul-searching: parasites. Yep, you read that right. Parasites. For a long time, I dismissed the idea. It sounded absurd. But after working with ...
March 14, 2025

Finding the One Thing That Centers You

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. In today’s episode, I’m getting real about stress. Life has been a whirlwind lately—from business challenges to balancing family, working on our basement, and diving into multiple business groups. It’s been a lot, and honestly, I’ve been feeling the weight of it all. But here’s the thing: stress is part of the journey, and how we manage it makes all the difference. I share some of my go-to methods for handling stress, including my morning routine, cold baths, breathi...
March 7, 2025

Stronger, Healthier, Happier: My Daily Habits for a Better Life

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I’m sharing some personal insights on health, mental strength, and how small, consistent actions can create big changes. As a parent of a child with autism, I know firsthand how important it is to take care of myself so I can be the best dad I can be. Today, I talk about the journey of improving health, managing stress, and accepting that parenting—especially in the world of special needs—is a marathon, not a sprint. I also ...
Feb. 28, 2025

What’s New in Life, Why Fun Matters, and the Journey Ahead

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Life’s been a whirlwind lately, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. In this episode, I’m giving you an inside look at what’s been going on—how I’m staying busy, what I’ve been working on, and most importantly, where Wyatt is in his journey. I talk about the challenges of staying productive, the rollercoaster ride of detoxing and therapy, and the huge changes we’re making in our lives, from business shifts to a brand-new community center project in our small town. P...
Feb. 21, 2025

From Exhausted to Empowered: My New Mission for Health & Advocacy

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I’m talking about my journey toward better health and the exciting connections I’m making in the autism and caregiver community. I’m sharing my personal experiences, not as an expert, but as a father navigating this road alongside you. We’re in this together, and my mission is to support, inspire, and advocate for families like ours. Key Takeaways: Spreading the Word – I need your help! Share the show with anyone who might ...
Feb. 14, 2025

With Kailee: Love, Laughter & The Realities of Our Relationship

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I’m bringing my wife, Kailee, back on the show! We’re diving deep into what makes our marriage work, the struggles we’ve faced, and how we navigate life as parents of an autistic child. From finding our roles in marriage to dealing with stress, emotions, and personal growth, we cover it all—while sprinkling in some humor along the way. We’re Opening Up About: The ups and downs of our relationship and how we make it work. T...
Feb. 7, 2025

Why I Have to Live Forever: This Dad's Realization

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. Today, I want to share an experience that hit me hard and gave me some much-needed clarity about the direction of this show. If you're navigating life as a parent of a child with autism, or just trying to be the best version of yourself, I think you’ll connect with this one. Key Takeaways: Reflecting on the Journey – The feedback from my episode with my wife was amazing! It’s a reminder that sharing openly helps others know they’re not alone. Finding Structure in C...
Jan. 31, 2025

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Autism, and The Search for Answers

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy! This episode is all about questioning everything and leaving no stone unturned when it comes to our children's health. I’m not coming to you as an expert—just as a dad who’s been in the trenches, researching, learning, and doing everything I can to help my son. Today, I’m sharing my thoughts on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and why his push for accountability in medicine, nutrition, and public health has caught my attention. I also dive into the “perfect storm” theory of aut...
Jan. 24, 2025

A New Puzzle Piece in Autism Care: Understanding Oxalates

Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Today, we’re diving into a fascinating topic that’s brand new to me—oxalates. You’ve probably heard this word tossed around in health conversations, but did you know it could have implications for autism? This episode of Spectrum in Camouflage is all about peeling back the layers of what oxalates are, how they may affect kids with autism, and the ways we can mitigate their impact. I’ll share research, personal insights, and actionable steps to empower families naviga...
Jan. 17, 2025

Navigating Autism as a Team: Love, Faith, and Resilience

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. Today, I’m joined by my amazing wife, Kailee, as we dive into a conversation about parenting Wyatt, our autistic son. This episode is all about navigating differences as a couple, embracing the tough moments, and finding strength in faith and teamwork. From mental strength to homeschooling and everything in between, we’re unpacking the ups and downs of this beautiful journey called parenthood. Let’s jump in! Key Takeaways Parenting as a Team Requires Trust and Grace...
Jan. 10, 2025

Reboot Your Life: Staying Motivated Beyond Resolutions

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. Today, I’m diving into the whirlwind of life, reflecting on what it takes to rebuild and refocus—whether that’s in parenting, business, or personal health. From navigating life as a dad to an autistic son to managing a small business, I’m sharing the tools and lessons that keep me grounded, re-energized, and moving forward. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. The new year is here, but I’m not about New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I’m focused on creatin...
Jan. 3, 2025

Building Bridges: Creating a Village for Autism Advocacy

Hey, What's Up! It's Tommy. Welcome to a brand-new year! In today’s episode, I’m reflecting on the joys and challenges of navigating the holidays with an autistic child while sharing personal experiences, lessons, and encouragement for parents and caregivers in the autism community. From celebrating small victories to the importance of building a supportive village around you, this episode dives deep into what it means to advocate for and uplift our kids. Let’s talk about keeping high standards...
Dec. 27, 2024

Parenting with Strength: Coping with Anxiety and Overload

What's Up! Tommy here. Parenting a child with autism comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to managing stress and anxiety. In this episode, I open up about anxiety and practical steps to support mental health. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or family member trying to understand, this episode offers insights, encouragement, and tools to navigate the emotional load of special needs parenting. Key Takeaways Stress and Anxiety Are Real: Parenting an autistic child often bring...
Dec. 23, 2024

Merry Christmas! Making Memories, Faith, and Thankfulness

What's Up! It’s Tommy, and I’m here with a heartfelt episode of Spectrum in Camouflage to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and reflect on the past year. This season can bring its share of challenges, especially for families navigating autism or special needs, but it also offers so many opportunities to reflect, give thanks, and find joy in the little moments. In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on gratitude, finding peace in the chaos, and focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. I ta...
Dec. 20, 2024

Making Gluten-Free Holidays Simple and Joyful with Kailee Rhine

What's Up! It’s Tommy, and I’m so excited to bring you a special episode of Spectrum in Camouflage. Today, I’m joined by my amazing wife, Kailee, for her podcast debut! We’re talking all things holidays—how we’ve embraced a gluten-free lifestyle, the ups and downs of navigating family gatherings, and how we make the season joyful for our neurodiverse family. From baking gluten-free cutout cookies to handling overstimulation during holiday chaos, we’re sharing what’s worked for us, what hasn’t...
Dec. 13, 2024

How to Offer Help to Families with Autism (Without Overstepping)

What's Up! It’s Tommy! In this episode, I’m digging into a question a friend recently asked me: How can you offer help to a family raising a child with autism without overstepping? That got me thinking about our journey, the struggles we’ve faced, and the things I’ve learned along the way. I’m sharing some personal stories—from a snowy walk with my dog to a moment of clarity thanks to 1 Peter 5:7. I also open up about the mental challenges I’ve been working through, the importance of gratitude,...
Dec. 6, 2024

Preparing for the Holidays: Gifts, Grace, and Gratitude

What's Up! It’s Tommy here! The holidays are here, and we all know what that means: a mix of joy, stress, and a lot of running around—especially when you’re navigating life with a special needs child. In this episode, I’m sharing how we tackle family gatherings, manage dietary needs, and focus on what really matters during this busy season. From a successful Thanksgiving at my grandparents’ house to prepping for Christmas, I’ll walk you through what’s worked for us, what hasn’t, and why giving t...
Dec. 2, 2024

A Post Thanksgiving Special: Making Memories, Not Perfection

What's Up? It's Tommy with Spectrum in Camouflage! In this episode, I reflect on navigating family gatherings during the holiday season as a parent of an autistic child. With Thanksgiving upon us, I share insights on managing the chaos, embracing the unexpected, and prioritizing moments that create lasting memories for our kids—no matter how unconventional those moments might seem. Let’s dive into creating a family-centered holiday experience where grace, adaptability, and love take center stag...
Nov. 29, 2024

Unpacking the MTHFR Mutation: What Parents Need to Know

In this episode of Spectrum and Camouflage, I discuss MTHFR gene mutations and their potential impact on health—both for us as caregivers and for our children. While this episode gets a little more technical than usual, it’s an important one for parents of children with autism and anyone looking to improve their overall health. I cover what the MTHFR mutation is, how it affects folate processing and detoxification, and why understanding it can make a huge difference in managing conditions like ...
Nov. 22, 2024

Max Out Your Life: Lessons from Ed Mylett on Mental Strength and Parenting

In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I take a slight detour to discuss an important topic: mental strength and personal growth. Drawing from Ed Mylett’s book Max Out Your Life, I share insights that have deeply impacted my approach to parenting, business, and personal development. The book is a quick, practical read filled with actionable advice on creating strong habits, managing your time effectively, and reprogramming your mindset to achieve your goals. Whether you’re navigating the ch...
Nov. 15, 2024

Teacher Burnout: We Appreciate Your Important Work

In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I focus on the growing burnout crisis affecting special education teachers and the need for more support from the entire community. As the father of an autistic child, I understand the challenges that teachers face in working with children who have high and unique needs. I discuss the immense pressures in the special education field, sharing why we all need to step up and recognize the work these teachers do each day. With autism rates on the rise and ...
Nov. 8, 2024

Moments of Decision: Grace and Handling Frustration as a Parent

In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I wrap up stories from my recent Colorado hunting trip and delve into the importance of giving yourself grace as a parent—especially when raising a special needs child. Through personal stories, I discuss the parallels between hunting and fatherhood, from learning patience to honoring personal convictions. After a challenging experience where I chose not to take a shot at an elk due to ethical considerations, I came back home to face the complex reality...
Nov. 1, 2024

Lessons in Perseverance: Milestones, Mountains, and Mindsets

Today, I reflect on powerful lessons learned from a hunting trip in Colorado and how they apply to parenting, especially as a parent of a special needs child. I share a story about my friend’s perseverance in hunting and how that same resilience is essential in parenting, where the “prizes” are small but monumental milestones, like Wyatt learning to take himself to the bathroom. I discuss the importance of avoiding rigid timelines for our children’s growth, especially in a world that can someti...
Oct. 25, 2024

Tomorrow’s a New Day: The Power of Pep Talks, and Embracing New Days

In this episode of Spectrum in Camouflage, I recorded from a hunting trip in Colorado and discussed how anxieties and fears can drain our energy before an event even starts. I also shared personal struggles with long road trips, family dynamics, and the exhaustion that comes with balancing personal needs with caring for my son, Wyatt, who is on the autism spectrum. I emphasize the importance of embracing each new day as a fresh start. Through pep talks, faith, and practical strategies, I discus...