Inclusion School Podcast

In this special episode of the Inclusion School Podcast, hosts Simone Morris and Julie Kratz come together to discuss pressing hot topics surrounding inclusion and diversity in today's challenging climate. With an empathetic lens, they address the difficulties faced by immigrant communities amid recent governmental changes and executive orders, sharing personal stories and insights. They emphasize...

In this week's special "Real Talk" episode, your hosts Simone Morris and Julie Kratz dive deep into the emotional landscape following the recent presidential election. With raw honesty and vulnerability, they share personal stories of processing grief, discussing leadership with their children, and grappling with the election results' broader implications on the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusi...

Welcome to this week's episode of the Inclusion School podcast! Get ready for some unfiltered insights as hosts Simone Morris and Julie Kratz dive into a real talk on navigating the complexities of the current political climate. With the U.S. election just around the corner, our hosts discuss how to approach political conversations with children, emphasizing the importance of voting for inclusion...

In case you missed it, Simone and Julie are re-releasing their episode from Season 6 with Tim Villegas.  Tim spent 16 years as a special education educator advocating for students with and without disabilities to learn side by side in the general education classroom. He shares his experience, knowledge and a roadmap for inclusive learning for all students.  You can listen to Tim as host of his Thi...

In this episode of The Inclusion School Podcast, hosts Simone Morris and Julie Kratz dive into essential discussions on fostering inclusive environments in education. In this episode, they welcome Tyreca Elliott, Manager of Kinder Care's Inclusion Services Team. Tyreca brings her rich experience as a former classroom teacher and a passionate advocate for inclusive practices. She shares insights in...

In this episode, hosts Simone Morris and Julie Kratz are joined by Dr. Andrew Kahn, the Associate Director of Expertise in Strategic Design at Understood.org. Dr. Kahn delves into the findings of their recent Back to School Stress Survey, shedding light on the anxieties faced by both neurodivergent and neurotypical families as they prepare for the new school year. He also shares invaluable strateg...

In this episode of The Inclusion School Podcast, Simone & Julie welcome Doctor Jasmine Moses, an expert in anti-bias early childhood education. They dive deep into her journey, the importance of incorporating anti-bias and anti-racist practices from a young age, and the transformative power of honoring children's voices. They also discuss amazing resources and books that can help parents, caregive...

Welcome to the Inclusion School Podcast! In today's episode, hosts Simone Morris and Julie Kratz welcome a remarkable guest, Latasha Morrison, the founder of Be the Bridge, an organization dedicated to promoting racial reconciliation and unity in America. Latasha shares her personal journey and the story behind Be the Bridge's inception, which stemmed from a deep commitment to addressing racial br...

Welcome to this week's episode of the Inclusion School Podcast! Simone and Julie are diving into a fresh and exciting conversation about inclusion in the advertising world with a special guest, Crystal Foote. Crystal is the founder of Digital Culture Group, a groundbreaking advertising and technology company that focuses on authentic, inclusive marketing strategies. She's on a mission to promote d...

In this episode of The Inclusion School Podcast, hosts Julie Kratz and Simone Morris sit down with Michelle Wilson, co-founder of Sam and Jack Publishing, based in Frisco, Texas. Michelle, a special education veteran, shares her journey of publishing children's books centered around inclusion, inspired by her own experiences, her three children, and particularly her granddaughter. Her first book,...

In this first episode of Season 10 of the Inclusion School podcas t, hosts Julie Kratz and Simone Morris discuss the challenges and importance of having courageous conversations with children about current political and social issues. They highlight the significant representation in politics and how it impacts conversations with their kids. They also stress the importance of voting and educating y...

In this week's episode of the Inclusion School Podcast, hosts, Julie Kratz and Simone Morris, are thrilled to welcome a very special guest, Bridgett McGowen-Hawkins, an award-winning speaker, publisher, and children's book author.  Her latest book, "What's Worrying Darwin?", co-authored with her young son, addresses autism through the story of a child named Darwin who learns to understand and appr...

In this week's episode, hosts Simone Morris and Julie Kratz are joined by a very special guest, Denise Hendershot. Denise, along with her husband Brian, co-hosts the DiverseLuv podcast, which explores their experiences as an interracial couple navigating a myriad of social challenges through courageous, authentic conversations. Denise shares deep insights into how embracing diversity in thought an...

Simone Morris and Julie Kratz welcome the inspiring Keylonda Wheeler to this episode of The Inclusion School Podcast. Keylonda, a passionate speech therapist and children's book author, shared her heartwarming journey to diversify kids' literature, honoring her friend and empowering children with disabilities. She offers ways to use more inclusive language such as: "non-speaking" over "nonverbal",...

Julie & Simone are excited to welcome Micaela Benn, an inspiring children's book author and founder of a company dedicated to coaching and marketing support for picture books promoting early literacy through culturally diverse stories.  Micaela shares her journey behind her book "Little Mister Fix-It" and how it captures the essence of a positive family environment. Together they dive into an enli...

Join Simone & Julie as they welcome back to the podcast, Brytani Cavil, a passionate change agent dedicated to creating equitable opportunities for students and families. From her work with Brown Book Box and consultancy in education, to her advocacy for summer and after school programs, Brytani's insights highlight the importance of messaging, parent involvement, and access to diverse experiences...

In this episode of The Inclusion School podcast, Simone and Julie are joined by the passionate and knowledgeable Jandy Flores, who is a professional development specialist for educators and specializes in bilingual and cultural awareness, and early literacy. Jandy shares insights into the importance of language, culture, and heritage in education. They explore the nuances of being a bilingual teac...

In this week's episode of the Inclusion School Podcast, hosts Julie Kratz and Simone Morris are joined by author and parent liaison, Jeni DeGregorio. Jeni opens up about her journey as a parent of a child with sensory processing difficulties and autism, sharing her experiences and insights. She discusses the inspiration behind her children's books, which aim to make sensory exercises more fun and...

In today's insightful episode with children's book author, Sara Momtaz, Julie & Simone explore her inspiring journey with "Mou Mou and Friends," a vibrant world where every child belongs. Sara shares deeply personal stories, reminding us that inclusion is more than a buzzword—it's about real kids with real stories. They discuss the power of representation, the tough yet enlightening path of advoca...

In this first episode of Season 9 of the Inclusion School Podcast, hosts Julie Kratz and Simone Morris sit down with Jamee Herbert, CEO and co-founder of Bridge Care. Jamee shares her journey into creating Bridge Care, a parent-led childcare data and community management platform aimed at supporting equitable and effective early childhood care and education systems. The discussion dives into the c...

In this episode, hosts Julie Kratz and Simone Morris reflect on the end of season 8 and the rich conversations they've had with guests. They recap the topics covered this season, including equitable education, inclusivity at the playground, inclusive media, and blending family, faith, and inclusive leadership. They also share their plans for the hiatus, discussing rest, personal projects, and prio...

In this week's episode of the Inclusion School podcast, hosts Julie Kratz and Simone Morris sit down with the inspiring Alana M. Hill. Alana, a passionate ministry leader, teacher, and author, shares her journey of raising a blended family and finding purpose in the face of life's challenges. Alana delves into the intersection of diversity, inclusion, and faith, emphasizing the importance of creat...

In this week's episode, hosts Julie Kratz and Simone Morris tackle the topic of navigating difficult conversations during the holiday season. With Thanksgiving just behind us and the winter holidays fast approaching, it's essential to be mindful of inclusive language and respectful dialogue. Julie and Simone share their insights on setting boundaries, practicing curiosity, and knowing when it's ne...

Welcome to this week's episode of the Inclusion School Podcast! Simone & Julie have an incredibly inspiring guest joining us today, Maureen Lawton. Maureen is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a special focus on the entertainment industry. With her organization, Dreamcatchers, Maureen is dedicated to creating people-first workplace experiences and fostering inclusive...

In case you missed it, today we are re-releasing one of Simone and Julie's most popular episodes of The Inclusion School podcast.  This episode is from Season 7 with their guests, the co-founders of Candidly Connecting, Veronica Appleton & Khalilah Lyons.  Veronica and Khalilah founded Candidly Connecting with the mission to create inclusivity at the playgrounds.  They have a goal of empowering 1...