About the Guest(s): Dr. Julie Causton is a former professor at Syracuse University where she spent 14 years empowering future educators with dual licensure in special and general education. As an inclusion facilitator and expert, she co-founded Inclusive Schooling alongside Kate McLeod. Together, they work tirelessly across the U.S. and worldwide, helping schools to adopt inclusive education practices. Julie is also a prolific author, with numerous books and articles aimed at advancing inclusive...
Jul 05, 2019•29 min•Season 7Ep. 3
About the Guest(s): Dr. Erin Studer is the principal of Chime Charter School, an inclusive education TK-8 institution in Woodland Hills, California, known for its innovative approaches in integrating students of all abilities. With an extensive background in educational leadership, Dr. Studer has been instrumental in advancing inclusion practices in schools since the 1990s. He plays an active role in the special education community, contributing to the Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA) ...
Apr 27, 2019•25 min•Season 7Ep. 2
About the Guest(s): Lou Brown is the co-founder of TASH (The Association for People with Severe Handicaps), an advocacy organization focusing on the rights and inclusion for individuals with significant disabilities and support needs. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin, where he made significant contributions to the disability rights movement and inclusive education practices. Lou has been an influential figure in advocating for the deinstitutionalization and comprehensive...
Apr 02, 2019•23 min•Season 7Ep. 1
About the Guest(s): Marci Heit is the founder of QD Foodie, an innovative company that creates inclusive kitchen tools designed for people of all abilities. A voiceover artist and committed advocate for inclusivity, Marci was inspired by her volunteer work with the "Kids on the Block" disability awareness puppet show and her personal connections, including a friendship with 90-year-old Elda, who lost her sight but continued baking. Marci's creative background and personal experiences have fueled...
Dec 16, 2018•16 min•Season 6Ep. 14
About the Guest(s): Renay Marquez is a co-founder of ParaEducate, an organization dedicated to supporting paraeducators with resources, training, and curriculum modifications for inclusive classrooms. With a background in architecture from the University of Southern California and extensive experience working as a paraeducator since 2003, Renay is well-versed in modifying curriculum, collecting data, and exploring technology solutions for students with disabilities. Throughout her career, she ha...
Nov 25, 2018•40 min•Season 6Ep. 13
About the Guest(s): Jen Tennican is a filmmaker specializing in documentary films. She began her career in the late nineties in Boston and later moved to Jackson, Wyoming, in 2002. Jen is known for her award-winning documentaries "The Stagecoach Bar: An American Crossroads" and "Far Afield: A Conservation Love Story," both of which were distributed nationally by American Public Television. Her recent project, "Hearts of Glass," is a documentary that explores the innovative integration of a high-...
Nov 04, 2018•34 min•Season 6Ep. 12
About the Guest(s): Annette Jett is the Executive Director of Build Inclusion, a non-profit in Kentucky that specializes in providing employment services for individuals with disabilities. She is a devoted mother to a 13-year-old daughter with disabilities and has leveraged her personal experiences to navigate and understand available support resources. Annette is also an educational consultant, vocational navigation expert, and creator of the "Take Flight" curriculum, aimed at helping students ...
Oct 28, 2018•50 min•Season 6Ep. 11
About the Guest(s): Beckett Haight is a National Board Certified special educator with extensive experience in special education across three continents and multiple countries, including Mexico, Ecuador, Kuwait, and the Dominican Republic. An advocate for inclusive education, Beckett has worked in high-need schools and currently teaches at an American school in Mexico. He holds a master's degree in Educational Technology and has shared his insights through speaking engagements, such as his recen...
Oct 12, 2018•34 min•Season 6Ep. 10
About the Guest(s): Dan Habib is an accomplished filmmaker at the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability. He is renowned for creating impactful documentaries such as "Including Samuel," "Who Cares About Kelsey?," "Mr. Connolly Has ALS," and his latest work, "Intelligent Lives." Dan’s films have garnered international acclaim, being featured in numerous film festivals, broadcasted globally, and translated into 17 languages. He has been nominated for Emmy awards multiple times, esta...
Sep 18, 2018•36 min•Season 6Ep. 9
About the Guest(s): Nikki Heiman is a veteran special education teacher and a prominent advocate for inclusive education. She is the founder of My Creative Inclusion, a platform offering valuable resources and strategies for inclusive practices. Nikki is also a sought-after speaker, delivering keynotes across the United States on inclusion and disability mindset. In addition to her professional dedication, she is a devoted mother to her 14-year-old son, Trenton, who has Down syndrome. Episode Su...
Aug 25, 2018•25 min•Season 6Ep. 8
About the Guest(s): Amanda Morin is a renowned expert in the field of special education and advocacy. With a background as a parent, teacher, and early intervention specialist, Amanda has transitioned to a role of education writer and advocate. She currently holds a significant position at the National Center for Learning Disabilities and contributes extensively to their online resource, Understood.org. Amanda is also the author of several books, including "The Everything Parent's Guide to Speci...
Aug 19, 2018•32 min•Season 6Ep. 7
About the Guest(s): Paula Kluth is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and consultant specializing in inclusive education and autism. With several acclaimed publications to her name, including "Don't We Already Do Inclusion?" and "Universal Design Daily," Paula is an influential voice in educational reform. Her work focuses on helping educators create effective and welcoming classrooms for all students, particularly those with disabilities. Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode...
Jul 28, 2018•50 min•Season 6Ep. 6
About the Guest(s): Kristin Wiens is an inclusion coach based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She is the creator of Northstar Paths, an initiative that provides educational content through stop-motion animation, graphics, and illustrations focused on inclusion, universal design for learning, self-regulation, and mindfulness. Kristin is the author of the children’s book “My Gratitude Jar,” and collaborates with renowned children's entertainer Raffi, designing online courses and graphics th...
Jul 21, 2018•42 min•Season 6Ep. 5
About the Guest(s): Noah Jack is a talented singer-songwriter hailing from Park Ridge, Illinois. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, Noah's unique journey in music began when he could hum at age four before he could speak. Currently studying music at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, Noah has recently released his heartfelt single, "Neighborhood," which is a tribute to his supportive hometown community. His upcoming EP, "All in the Family," is set to release in January, with each ...
Jul 14, 2018•26 min•Season 6Ep. 4
About the Guest(s): Dr. Rob Horner is a Professor Emeritus of Special Education at the University of Oregon and the Director of the Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). He boasts a 25-year history in research grants, systems change related to school reform, and positive behavior support. With over 150 professional papers and six texts to his name, Dr. Horner's expertise is widely recognized in the fields of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and posi...
Jul 07, 2018•57 min•Season 6Ep. 3
About the Guest(s): Zachary Fenell is a speaker, marathoner, and author who actively champions disability advocacy. Fenell, known as the "Cerebral Palsy Vigilante," uses multiple platforms to dispel misconceptions and inspire others to see possibilities beyond their circumstances. He has written two notable books: Off Balanced, a memoir about living with cerebral palsy, and Rock Realities, which compiles his interviews with Indie and Alternative Rock musicians. Fenell completed a full marathon d...
Jun 30, 2018•47 min•Season 6Ep. 2
About the Guest(s): John Spencer is a professor in Oregon, an accomplished speaker, and an author known for his works "Empower" and "Launch." He has an extensive background in teaching middle school for over a decade and currently educates future teachers at the university level. John is passionate about empowering students through the maker mindset and design thinking, believing in the potential of all learners, including those with disabilities. His approach revolves around enhancing student e...
Jan 07, 2018•39 min•Season 6Ep. 1
About the Guest(s): Arielle Hobbs is the founder of The Lion League, a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting inclusion in schools. She is a passionate advocate for inclusive education and has dedicated her work to creating a curriculum that teaches students how to be more inclusive with their disabled peers. Arielle is a thinker and writer who found her purpose when she had to fight for her son's right to equal opportunities. Through The Lion League, she aims to change the way schools...
Nov 28, 2017•33 min•Season 5Ep. 3
About the Guest(s): Emily Ladau: Emily is a passionate disability rights activist, public speaker, writer, and digital communications consultant. She is the editor-in-chief of a blog for an organization called Rooted in Rights and has worked on various projects related to disability accessibility. Emily believes in making ideas and concepts readily accessible to people with disabilities to create a more inclusive world. Kyle Khachadurian: Kyle does not identify as an activist but is dedicated to...
Aug 06, 2017•41 min•Season 5Ep. 2
About the Guest(s): Julia Bascom is the Executive Director at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). She has extensive experience in disability rights advocacy and has served on various boards and councils related to disability equality. Julia is autistic herself and is dedicated to promoting the rights and inclusion of autistic individuals. Episode Summary: In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Julia Bascom, the Executive Director of the Autistic Self ...
Apr 12, 2017•35 min•Season 5Ep. 1
About the Guest(s): Audri Gomez has been in the field of special education since 2000. She has worked as a resource specialist and in self-contained classrooms in the K-12 setting for the Newport Mesa Unified School District. Currently, she is an adjunct professor for the Department of Special Education at Chapman University. Aja McKee has worked in the early childhood field since 1996. She teaches early childhood special education for the Capistrano Unified School District and is a certified sp...
Apr 14, 2015•34 min•Season 4Ep. 1
About the Guest(s): Debbie Taub is the Director of Research at Keystone Alternate Assessment. With a background as a classroom teacher and school forms specialist, she has extensive experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Debbie has contributed to the field of educating children with complex needs through journal articles, book chapters, and professional development trainings. She is an active member of var...
Aug 16, 2014•59 min•Season 3Ep. 4
About the Guest(s): Dr. Cheryl M. Jorgensen is a renowned expert in inclusive education with over 30 years of experience in the field. She worked as a faculty researcher at the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability, focusing on inclusive education for students with autism, intellectual, and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Jorgensen is passionate about working with students with Down Syndrome and their educational teams. She has authored numerous books and articles on inclus...
May 13, 2014•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 3
About the Guest(s): Russ Ewell is the CEO of Digital Scribbler, the founder of Hope Technology Group, and the creator of the communication app Quick Talk AAC. He is also the founder of EA Soccer, an all-volunteer inclusive soccer program dedicated to empowering both typical and special needs children of all abilities. Russ has been a strong advocate for inclusion and has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports and education. Episode Su...
Mar 01, 2014•50 min•Season 3Ep. 2
About the Guest(s): Dr. Julie Causton is an associate professor in the Department of Teaching and Leadership at Syracuse University. She is the creator of the website Inspire Inclusion, which provides resources and support for parents of children with disabilities. Dr. Causton has conducted research on inclusive practices, including the landmark project Schools of Promise. She is a leading expert in the field of inclusive education and has worked with schools across the country to promote inclus...
Jan 22, 2014•59 min•Season 3Ep. 1
About the Guest(s): Dan Habib is a former photojournalist turned filmmaker. He gained recognition in the disability rights community for his award-winning documentary "Including Samuel," which chronicled the journey of his son with cerebral palsy. His most recent film, "Who Cares About Kelsey," follows high schooler Kelsey Carroll as she navigates her senior year while dealing with a history of abuse, neglect, and ADHD. Dan is dedicated to promoting inclusion and positive behavior support for st...
Sep 28, 2013•40 min•Season 2Ep. 4
About the Guest(s): Ariane Zurcher is a Huffington Post blogger and the creator of the blog “Emma’s Hope Book,” which chronicles her experiences raising her autistic daughter, Emma. She is a leading voice in the autism community and advocates for inclusion and understanding. Ariane has gained a deep understanding of autism through her interactions with autistic individuals and has transformed her perspective on the condition. Episode Summary: In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host ...
Sep 06, 2013•32 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this episode, host Tim Villegas interviews Dr. Paula Kluth, an expert in inclusive education. They discuss the concept of reverse inclusion and whether it can be a stepping stone to authentic inclusion. Dr. Kluth shares her insights on ways educators can promote inclusion in their local schools and the role of technology in the classroom. The conversation highlights the importance of challenging traditional models of education and creating inclusive environments that meet the needs of all lea...
Sep 06, 2013•56 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Marvin, Sharon, and Dana Fialco, the authors of the Starbella book series. The series is based on the real-life experiences of Tara Fialco, who showed incredible musical talent from a young age but faced challenges due to her autism. The Fialco family shares their journey of discovering Tara’s talent, navigating her social challenges, and advocating for inclusion and acceptance. The Starbella books aim to inspire childr...
Mar 08, 2013•45 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Nicole Eredics, an experienced educator in inclusive education. Nicole shares her insights and experiences from working in the fully inclusive educational system in British Columbia, Canada, and compares it to the US educational system. They discuss the differences in approach to inclusion, the challenges faced by teachers, and the importance of parental involvement. Nicole emphasizes the need for proper training and su...
Nov 30, 2012•35 min•Season 1Ep. 1
