This is part of a special series of interviews within the SFN Dad To Dad Podcasts known as the SFN Mastermind Group Monday Podcasts.  Each Monday host David Hirsch interviews one of the SFN Mastermind Group dads on the impact the mastermind group has had on him and the wellbeing of his family.  

This Monday’s guest is John Fela of Lyons, IL who works in Chicago for Joni & Friends, the global Christian disability ministry.  John is also the father of a teenage son with Autism.

John and his x-wife, Elizabeth, were married for 15 years and are the proud parents of Christopher (16), who is Autistic and non-verbal.  The couple divorced about five years ago.  More recently, John is happily married to Faith.

John was part of the original SFN Dad To Dad Mastermind Group community.  He was previously featured in episode #65 of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast in August 2019. 

It’s an uplifting conversation about perseverance, overcoming life's challenges and advocacy, all on this episode of the SFN Dad to Dad Podcast.

Show Notes - 
Phone – (847) 722-5273
Email – jfelageller74@gmail.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-fela-0b839920/
SFN Dad To Dad Podcast #65 - https://www.spreaker.com/episode/dad-to-dad-65-john-felageller-of-highwood-il-father-of-a-son-with-autism-school-teacher-blogger-and-writer--18772596
Favorite Mastermind Group Books –
The Voice Of Victory, by Wayne Messmer – https://tinyurl.com/5n8uhku6 
The Secrets of the Bulletproof Spirit, by Azim Khamisa -https://tinyurl.com/5bztw4cm

About the SFN Mastermind Group –

WHAT- 
SFN Mastermind Group dads meet weekly by Zoom for 75 minutes. Each meeting:
◦            starts with a round of wins from the past week,
◦            includes a discussion of the current book (6 per year) being reviewed,
◦            has two Dad-In-The-Middle sessions for dads to share a challenge, and
◦            ends with a recap and look at the week ahead. 

WHO - 
SFN Mastermind Group Dads are those:
◦            seeking meaningful friendships with like-minded dads,
◦            willing to invest their time and make a financial commitment,
◦            looking for a safe place to be open and authentic, and
◦            who realize seeking advice is a strength, not a weakness.  

WHY - 
SFN Mastermind Group Dads benefit by:
◦            realizing they are NOT alone
◦            having better relationships with their spouse,
◦            developing improved understandings of their child(ren),
◦            tapping into the experience and wisdom of others,
◦            getting weekly encouragement from like-minded dads, and
◦            creating a pathway to become the best version of themselves

21st Century Dads Foundation is looking to provide 100 special needs fathers with the opportunity to be part of the class of 2024 Mastermind Group.