Think Inclusive

In this thought-provoking episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas welcomes back the illustrious educator and author, Paula Kluth. Known for her significant contributions to inclusive education, Paula delves deep into her latest work, "Universal Design Daily," while also embarking on an enlightening discussion about the dynamic nature of teaching and the continuous evolution of ed...

In this enlightening episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, we host Kristin Wiens, an impassioned educator and inclusion coach from Victoria, British Columbia. Kristin is celebrated for her innovative approach to promoting inclusive education through striking visuals and stop-motion animation via her initiative North Star Paths. From the creation of her educational content to her substantial impa...

In this episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Noah Jack, an inspiring musician on the autism spectrum. Noah shares the journey behind his new single "Neighborhood" and his passion for music that began at a very young age. He provides listeners with a glimpse into his life in Park Ridge, Illinois, and his current endeavors at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee...

In this insightful episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, Dr. Rob Horner, a prominent figure in the special education and behavioral analysis community, delves deep into the interconnected worlds of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Recorded in Marietta, Georgia, Tim Villegas hosts an enriching dialogue exploring the fundamental principles...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, Tim Villegas interviews Zachary Fenell, also known as the Cerebral Palsy Vigilante. Zachary, a passionate disability advocate, author, and marathoner, shares his extraordinary journey of training for and completing a full marathon despite having cerebral palsy. They discuss the challenges he faced, his meticulous training regimen, and the broader imp...

Join Tim Villegas in this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast as he sits down with John Spencer, a distinguished professor, speaker, and author. Broadcasting from Marietta, Georgia, Tim explores with John the profound impact of student engagement and the maker mindset in education, highlighting ways to empower ALL students, including those with disabilities, through innovative teaching practice...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, Tim Villegas interviews Arielle Hobbs, the founder of The Lion League. They discuss the importance of inclusion in schools and how The Lion League is working to create a more inclusive environment for students with disabilities. Arielle shares her personal experience of fighting for her son's rights and how it led her to start The Lion League. She ex...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, Tim Villegas interviews Emily Ladau and Kyle Khachadurian, the co-hosts of the Accessible Stall podcast. They discuss their journey in starting the podcast and their perspectives on disability inclusion and education. Emily shares her experience of attending a mainstream public school, while Kyle attended a school specifically for disabled individual...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Julia Bascom, the Executive Director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). Julia discusses the work of ASAN, which is a national grassroots organization run by and for autistic individuals. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and the need for autistic voices to be included in discussions about autism. J...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas interviews Audri Gomez and Aja McKee, educators with experience in the classroom and teacher training. They discuss the Disability Studies program at Chapman University and its emphasis on disability as a social construct. The guests explain how disability studies challenges the medical model of disability and focuses on the strengths and n...

In this episode, Tim Villegas interviews Debbie Taub, an expert in the field of special education alternate assessment. They discuss the concept of alternate assessment and its purpose in measuring the progress of students with significant cognitive disabilities. Debbie shares her insights on how alternate assessment can be a gateway to more inclusive schools and the importance of assessing all st...

In this episode, host Tim Villegas interviews Dr. Cheryl Jorgensen, an expert in inclusive education. They discuss the slow progress of inclusive education in the United States and the barriers that prevent its widespread implementation. Dr. Jorgensen highlights the existence of two separate education systems, general education, and special education, which perpetuate the idea that students with d...

In this episode, Tim Villegas interviews Russ Ewell, the CEO of Digital Scribbler and the founder of E Soccer. Russ shares the story of how E Soccer came to be, starting as a small soccer program for his own children with special needs and growing into a nationally recognized inclusive soccer program. He discusses the importance of community and the impact that sports programs can have on the live...

In this episode, Dr. Julie Causton discusses the necessary steps for schools to become more inclusive. She shares insights from her research project, Schools of Promise, which focused on transforming schools to be more inclusive. Dr. Causton emphasizes the importance of professional development for teachers and the need to reimagine the service delivery model in school districts. She also highligh...

In this episode, host Tim Villegas interviews Dan Habib about his latest film, "Who Cares About Kelsey." They discuss the importance of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) in schools, the challenges faced by students with hidden disabilities, and the need for leadership and systems change. Dan shares insights from his experiences filming Kelsey's story and highlights the transfor...

In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Ariane Zurcher, a prominent autism advocate and blogger. Ariane shares her journey from knowing nothing about autism when her daughter, Emma, was first diagnosed, to becoming a strong advocate for the autistic community. She discusses the initial reaction to Emma’s diagnosis, the need for a more inclusive approach to auti...

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 challengin...

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 socia...

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 teacher...