About
The Story Behind Just Two Dads
Shawn & Brian met nearly a decade ago as colleagues at a financial services firm dedicated to bridging the gap between middle America and the wealthy, with an education-based approach to finances, covering topics such as short- and long-term savings, life insurance, retirement, debt solutions, business solutions, and estate planning – all things that they are both passionate about. With them each being parents to children with special needs, Brian inquired if Shawn would be interested in fostering a financial education initiative to serve fellow special needs families, utilizing the same approach. Since Shawn was already putting pieces together for such a plan, the fit made sense and the two launched what became known as the special needs initiative. As they began to make a name for themselves, they were invited to be guests on a couple of podcasts highlighting their rare positions as FATHERS of special needs children serving the community with compassion and care.
Eventually they found themselves encountering many amazing people who serve the special needs community and they acknowledged that some of the conversations that they shared as friends carried a higher level of vulnerability than most men and they thought the conversations might be of value to others. In addition, they kept encountering service providers and fellow parent warriors who were doing amazing things for the community that neither of them knew about. Both Shawn and Brian felt that there needed to be an outlet for highlighting these amazing people with open, honest, and sometimes, vulnerable communication from a “Dad” perspective. Less than a year later, the Just Two Dads podcast was born.
Our vision
To bring value, light, connectivity, and love to as many people as humanly possible, starting with the special needs community and reaching beyond. Our vision is to grow a global community that not only serves the special needs community but people in general: one that inspires, supports, and uplifts. We need not dim the light of others for ours to shine.
Meet Your Hosts
Originally from the island of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, Shawn Francis is a dedicated husband, and a father to 7 children: 2 of which are daughters from his wife’s previous marriage, 4 of which are his sister-in-law’s biological children whom he and his wife Laura first became legal guardians to before completing the adoption process, and one of which is his biological son, a young adult, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. He has more than a decade and a half of experience serving and educating families about goal setting & finances.
Shawn has served as a member of the Autism Parents Advisory Board at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and as a volunteer Ambassador with Autism Speaks. Just over 5 years ago, he decided to focus a sizable portion of his business on serving other families with members who have special needs or are neurodivergent.
Shawn is the co-founder of the men’s support group, The Den which was created to foster community among men who are parents or caregivers to the neurodivergent or those with special needs. He is also a 2024 Fellow in the Caring Across Generations Care Fellows Program (www.caringacross.org), a national organization working to transform the way care is given across America. Shawn is also the co-creator & co-host of the weekly podcast, Just Two Dads, which spotlights those who serve & inspire the special needs community & beyond. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
Brian Altounian has more than 34 years of experience in the entertainment and technology industries. He has served as a C-level executive for a number of companies and has had much success helping early-stage ventures raise capital and pursue exit strategies such as acquisitions and going-public initiatives. In the entertainment industry, he has served as a Producer, Executive Producer and Co-Producer of a number of television and film projects, including COWBOYS & ALIENS, AUDREY, LOST IN WOONSOCKET, and “Random 1” among others.
His greatest pride & joy is being a father to three children including a 28-year-old daughter who was diagnosed with Apraxia, Microcephaly and Developmental Delays at the age of 18 months, but who, despite being told all of the “normal” life experiences she would miss out on, has been a wife, a step mother, and a middle-school teacher (just SOME of the things that her Dr. said she would never be able to do.)
Brian’s second daughter is 25, graduated college with honors and is now living and working in the tech industry in Tel Aviv, Israel. Brian also has 17-year-old son who is in high school and who was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, further rooting Brian to the community of special needs and the medically complex.
After entering the financial services industry almost 10 years ago educating and serving families about wealth maximization and financial independence. Just over 8 years ago, he decided to focus a portion of his business on serving families with members who have special needs.
As part of his service to this community, he is the co-creator and co-host of the weekly podcast “Just Two Dads,” and the co-founder of The Den, which was created to foster community among men who are parents or caregivers to the neurodivergent or those with special needs. He currently serves on the Board of Yes I Can Unity Through Music & Education, which provides skills training for opportunities in the entertainment industry to young adults with disabilities. He also serves on the Board of We Are Brave Together, a non-profit support group for mothers of those with special needs. He lives in Los Angles, California.