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 Tony Brescia of West Dundee, IL who owns a Hallmark store, is the father of two including a son with Tuberous Sclerosis, and more recently is raising funds to create Project ALEX (Adult Living EXperience) Communities, a unique residential community for adults with intellectual disabilities. 

Tony and his wife, Joelle, have been married for 35 years and are the proud parents of two boys: Jason (29) and Alex (33), who was born with Tuberous Sclerosis, a rare genetic disease that causes non-cancerous (or benign) tumors to grow in the brain and several areas of the body, including the spinal cord, nerves, eyes, lung, heart, kidneys, and skin. 

Tony has been part of the Tuesday night SFN Mastermind Group, has attended the annual weekend SFN Mastermind Group Retreats and was featured in episode #268 of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast in August of 2023.  Tony & Joelle have been outspoken advocates for Project ALEX (Adult Living EXperience) Communities, a vision they have for creating a unique residential environment for adults with disability and their families. 

Show Notes -
Phone – (847) 736-0535
Email – tbrescia@earthlink.net
Website – http://www.joelleshallmark.com/
Tubular Sclerosis Association – https://tuberous-sclerosis.org/
Canine Companions for Independence – https://canine.org/
SFN Dad To Dad Podcast Episode #268 –  https://21stcenturydads.org/268-tony-brescia-of-west-dundee-il-father-of-two-including-a-son-with-tubular-sclerosis-co-chair-of-project-alex-communities/
Tony’s Favorite SFN Mastermind Group Book – The Voice of Victory by Wayne Messmer.

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.   

Curious to learn more?
Are you looking to meet like-minded dads?
Do you feel like something is missing?  
SFN Mastermind Group FAQs - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group/  
Schedule A Call - https://21stcenturydads.org/sfn-mastermind-group-inquiry-form/