Think Inclusive

Meghan Ashburn is a mother of autistic twins. She's an educational consultant who is passionate about inclusion and accessibility. Meghan is the creator of Not an Autism Mom and hosts That Au-Some Book Club. Jules Edwards is an autistic activist and parent of autistic children. She is the writer of Autistic, Typing, and works to educate the community and influence policy to promote disability just...

Madison Tevlin is an actor, advocate, and podcaster known for her breakout role in the film Champions and her viral YouTube performances. Madison’s work centers on authentic representation in media, advocating for inclusion that goes beyond disability. She is the host of the upcoming podcast 21 Questions, which celebrates identity, energy, and connection. Madison’s advocacy extends to inclusive cl...

Dr. Jen Newton is an Associate Professor of Special Education at Ohio University and founder of Teaching is Intellectual . Jen works to re‑imagine general education as the default setting for all learners and centers belonging, access to curriculum, and accountability for systems so that inclusion is real, not just a placement. Tim and Jen unpack what “general education” really means under IDEA: n...

Will Parker is an educator, author, and executive coach. Will helps school leaders build strong cultures, communication, and community through his work at Principal Matters. He’s a former principal and host of the Principal Matters podcast. Will’s work matters for inclusion because he supports educators in leading with heart and compassion, especially during challenging times. In this episode, Tim...

Brit Barron - Speaker, author, and comedian. Brit’s work explores how we stay connected in a polarized world, focusing on empathy, belonging, and liberation for all people. Brit’s book, Do You Still Talk to Grandma?, dives into cancel culture and navigating relationships with people we love but deeply disagree with. Their work matters for inclusion because it helps people build bridges in schools,...

Jack Pearpoint: Canadian publisher, inclusion advocate, and co‑creator of person‑centered planning tools like MAPS, PATH, and Circle of Friends. Jack’s work centers on relationships and building local leadership for change so every learner belongs. In this episode, Jack Pearpoint and Tim Villegas talk about “inclusion punk rock”—doing what’s right for learners even when systems say no. They dig in...

Jennifer Gonzalez — National Board Certified Teacher and the voice behind Cult of Pedagogy. After more than a decade in classrooms, she now helps educators sharpen their craft with clear, practical guidance. Her work matters for inclusion because it centers relationships, cognitive growth, and everyday practices that make classrooms safe and welcoming for every learner. In this conversation, Jenni...

Cathi Davis is the principal of Ruby Bridges Elementary School in Woodinville, Washington, and the 2025 Washington State Principal of the Year. She leads a school built on the promise “we thought of you when we made this place,” designing for belonging, elevating student voice, and protecting adult collaboration so inclusive practices stick. Principal Cathi Davis shares how Ruby Bridges Elementary...

Samuel Habib is a college student, filmmaker, and disability rights advocate. He co-directed The Ride Ahead , a documentary chronicling his transition into adulthood as a disabled person. Samuel works part-time at the Westchester Institute for Human Development and is pursuing a degree in history at Southern New Hampshire University. Dan Habib is an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and longtime...

Welcome to Think Inclusive. Each week, we bring together families, educators, and disability rights advocates to build a shared understanding of inclusive education—and what inclusion looks like in real schools and communities. Hosted by Tim Villegas, Director of Communications at the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education (MCIE), Think Inclusive shares real stories, practical strategies, and...

In this compelling episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages in an enlightening conversation with Elizabeth Bonker, a prominent advocate for non-speaking individuals. Elizabeth shares her inspiring journey of becoming a voice for non-speakers through typing. Despite the communication barriers she faced, Elizabeth emerged as a powerful force in advocating for inclusivity in education an...

In this riveting episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas delves into the intricacies of educational inclusivity and innovation in California, spotlighting the transformative EmbraceAbilities project. This initiative is spearheaded by Marcia Reily and Kristen Danhour Stanke, two educational specialists from the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Their mission is to reshape how the educat...

About the Guest(s): Dr. Leah Kelley is a distinguished neurodivergent education consultant, author, activist, educator, and parent. With 25 years of experience as a public school teacher, her roles have included primary teacher, inclusion resource teacher, and SEL Mental Health helping teacher. Leah is known for her national and international presentations on neurodiversity, advocacy, and inclusio...

Episode Summary In this bonus episode of Think Inclusive, hosted by Tim Villegas, listeners are invited to relive a dynamic and innovative event organized by the Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA). The December 2024 retreat featured 22 mission-aligned organizations gathered for a 36-hour innovation sprint aimed at developing transformative projects in inclusive education. The event emphasized...

Episode Summary In this insightful bonus episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, host Tim Villegas and the Inclusion Today team explore the collaborative journey embarked upon with the Educating All Learners Alliance. Igniting an ambitious national campaign, their goal is to ensure that more than a million students are educated in environments committed to inclusive learning practices. This episod...

About the Guest(s): Rachel Zemach is a deaf author and former educator with a passionate career centered around advocating for deaf students. Her profound experiences in mainstream education as a deaf teacher culminated in the writing of her book, "The Butterfly Cage: Joy, Heartache, and Corruption Teaching While Deaf in a California Public School," published in 2023. Rachel, who became deaf at th...

About the Guest(s): Emily Ladau is an activist, writer, and speaker, known for her relentless advocacy for disability rights. With a decade of experience, Emily serves as the editor of Able News, a digital newspaper amplifying the voices and stories of New York's vibrant disability community. Her involvement in disability rights extends beyond writing, as she continually seeks to inspire and chall...

About the Guest(s): Charmaine Thaner is a seasoned educator and advocate with over 30 years of experience, who has dedicated her career to supporting families and children with special needs. As a mother to a son with Down syndrome, she blends personal experience with professional expertise to guide parents through the complexities of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. Thaner is t...

About the Guest(s): Guy Stevens is a nationally recognized expert and advocate for ending restraint and seclusion in schools. He is the founder of the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint (AASR), a nonprofit organization focused on reforming punitive discipline practices in educational settings. Guy is also a board member of the ARC of Maryland and PDA North America. His advocacy is dedicated...

About the Guest(s): Toni Barton is a leader in education innovation and the founder of Speligent. She is a recognized authority on transforming schools through inclusive, equity-driven, and tech-enabled learning models, having gained vast experience as a teacher, principal, and district leader. Toni initiated the Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute at Relay Graduate School of Education, trainin...

About the Guest(s):  Riley Mulcahy is the founder and Executive Director of The Riley Project, a nonprofit organization focused on storytelling and community building for individuals with learning differences. A graduate of St. Mary's College of California with a background in English and Creative Writing, Riley is also the Marketing and Admissions Associate at Compass High School, where he c...

About the Guest(s): Alissa Rausch is a dedicated advocate for inclusive education rights, especially for young children with disabilities and various intersectional identities. Based at the University of Denver, she has extensive experience as a provider, program leader, educator, and technical assistance provider, notably developing inclusive programs and participating actively in legislative ini...

About the Guest(s): Jani Kozlowski is a renowned early childhood professional, boasting over 30 years of experience. She is an accomplished author and speaker, serving as a technical assistance specialist and consultant. Jani focuses on supporting the development of young children and their families, with expertise in early childhood disability services, learning environments, and social-emotional...

About the Guest(s): Jen Newton is an Associate Professor at Ohio University with a dedicated career in inclusive education spanning 25 years. Her expertise encompasses anti-racist, anti-ableist education, early childhood inclusion, and inclusive teacher preparation. Beginning her career as an early interventionist and inclusive pre-kindergarten teacher, Dr. Newton now focuses on teacher education,...

About the Guest(s): Brilly Semenova: Brilly is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities, having started her advocacy journey during her middle school years. She is based in Maryland but operates nationally, providing resources and support to families and individuals. Her focus covers education, employment, social skills, and legal guidance for navigating benefits for people with dis...