Episodes

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with Roxy B. Rocker, a disability advocate, entrepreneur, and media creator who has lived through decades of change in the disability rights movement. Roxy shares her journey of navigating life with multiple disabilities, building businesses on a shoestring budget, and creating accessible fashion and media that spotlight inclusion. From her definition of true inclusion to her call for society to be “disability curious,” this conv...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with sexuality educator Amy Lang to explore how parents can approach conversations about bodies, relationships, and sexuality—especially with neurodivergent children. Amy shares her decades of experience helping families move past discomfort to build openness, safety, and trust. Together, they discuss starting conversations early, navigating puberty, addressing myths about neurodivergence and sexuality, and creating inclusive spa...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with Seth Besse, CEO of Undivided.io, to explore how technology, advocacy, and lived experience can transform support for families raising children with disabilities. Seth shares his personal journey with ADHD and dyslexia, the challenges parents face navigating complex systems, and how Undivided.io equips caregivers with clear roadmaps, resources, and guidance to unlock vital benefits. Together, they discuss bridging gaps in kno...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with Robert “B-Cide” Cardillo II, a rapper, author, and entrepreneur whose journey through music and life was reshaped by his multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Robert opens up about his early years in hip-hop, his battles with health setbacks, and how positivity, creativity, and community have fueled his resilience. He shares the inspiration behind his memoir Myelin My Shoes and the importance of storytelling as therapy. Listeners wi...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Blake Baumann and Pickens Calhoun for a powerful conversation on neurodiversity, parenting, and inclusion. Blake shares his journey of being diagnosed with autism later in life after his son’s diagnosis, and how that experience inspired him to create ASPIE-R Autism Coaching and the Autism Independence Academy. Together, Blake and Pickens discuss strategies for building confidence, creating structure at home, supporting young adult...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron speaks with Brooke Garren, an autistic, ADHD, and dyslexic licensed clinical social worker and founder of Uniquely You Behavioral Health and Affirming Minds Coaching and Consulting. Brooke shares how her lived experience shapes her work in creating neurodivergent affirming therapy, workplaces, and communities. She discusses the importance of moving beyond awareness into true inclusion, removing barriers to authenticity, and supporting indi...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with Kendra Gottsleben, a rare disease and disability advocate, to explore what true inclusion looks like in practice. Kendra shares her journey with Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), her role as founder of Rare by Design, and how representation and accessibility can transform communities. From film festivals to inclusive fashion shows, she highlights innovative ways to elevate voices often left out of conversations. Together, AAron a...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes author and coach Ellen Busch for a powerful conversation on resilience, identity, and inclusion. Ellen shares her journey with dyslexia, the barriers she faced in education, and the deep trauma that shaped her path. She reflects on breaking free from societal labels, surviving abuse, and embracing healing through therapy, spirituality, and self-discovery. Together, AAron and Ellen explore what it truly means to honor someone’s hum...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron sits down with Dr. Robin Harwick, founder and director of The Pearl Remote Democratic High School. Together, they dive into what true inclusion looks like in schools and society, the power of democratic learning environments, and how trauma-informed practices can transform education. Dr. Harwick shares how giving students voice, choice, and community care fosters growth, autonomy, and healing. Listeners will gain insights into bridging the...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron sits down with Lyubim Kogan, former Olympic ski jumper, 9/11 survivor, and founder of Wings for Heroes. Lyubim shares his powerful journey from growing up in the Soviet Union to building a life in the United States, where inclusion became a defining theme. He reflects on resilience, the importance of community, and how adventure sports like paragliding can transform the lives of veterans and people with disabilities. This conversation dive...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes community activist and mother of three, Carol Waldman, for an engaging conversation on inclusion, advocacy, and the journey of raising a son on the autism spectrum. Carol shares her family’s story, from navigating early diagnoses and therapies to celebrating milestones in sports, faith communities, and college life. She also highlights the importance of community, policy change, and finding support networks that truly empower neur...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with counselor and coach Kathy O’Connell to explore the intersection of disability, inclusion, and dating. Kathy, who lives with cerebral palsy, shares her personal journey of self-advocacy, navigating early exclusion, and eventually finding love. Together, they unpack the challenges people with disabilities face in building meaningful relationships, from confidence to rejection, and even the impact of sexual ableism. Listeners w...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes author, volunteer firefighter, and gym co-owner Mila Maxwell to share her story of growing up with a sister who has cerebral palsy and how that shaped her view of inclusion. Mila discusses the challenges of balancing empathy with guilt, the lessons her sister taught her about gratitude and perspective, and the healing process of writing her debut novel Finding Lady Baltimore. Together, AAron and Mila explore the importance of seei...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron speaks with Margie Ainsworth, host of the More Than Able podcast. Margie shares her perspective on growing up with hydrocephalus and agenesis of the corpus callosum, navigating school and relationships, and the ways she’s building independence with support from community organizations. She explains how language shapes inclusion, why “unique differences” resonates with her, and how her podcast amplifies voices from the disability community....

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Andrew Davie, a clinical mental health counselor, author, and former educator whose life took an unexpected turn after surviving a ruptured brain aneurysm. Andrew shares his journey of recovery, becoming a full-time caregiver for his mother with ALS, and redefining fulfillment through service, empathy, and presence. He discusses the importance of inclusion for individuals with disabilities, the power of simply being there for othe...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Roman Wyden, life coach and host of ADHD IS OVER. Roman shares his journey of questioning his son’s ADHD diagnosis, choosing not to medicate, and focusing on creating a calmer, safer family environment. He explains how stress, trauma, and environmental factors influence behavior, and why addressing the “nervous system of the family” can transform outcomes. Together, they discuss parental intuition, the dangers of labels, and the i...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron welcomes Rebecca Prejean, CEO of EB Graphics & Consulting, to discuss how her personal journey as a parent of an autistic child led to building a business focused on accessible design and inclusive learning. Rebecca shares insights about navigating Texas school systems, creating neurodivergent-friendly workplaces, and how empathy and environment—not deficits—drive success. Her blend of lived experience and professional expertise offers pra...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron talks with Kyle Wright, a content creator and advocate who received a late autism diagnosis during the COVID pandemic. Kyle shares how losing structure triggered his self-discovery and led to a powerful journey of autism acceptance, neurodiversity advocacy, and creating Rubik’s Cube art as a therapeutic tool. He opens up about navigating corporate inclusion, building inclusive workplaces, and launching a movement rooted in the truth that y...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with nurse, author, and advocate Allyssa Meyerhofer to discuss her journey into disability advocacy following her daughter Gabby’s rare diagnosis of Trisomy 9p. Allyssa shares how connection, creativity, and community transformed her challenges into purpose. From writing her first book Mama’s Heart to winning the Karis Award at Mayo Clinic, Alyssa brings insight, heart, and hope to families navigating complex diagnoses. Together,...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes autistic self-advocate and tech leader Shea Belsky for a candid and insightful conversation on neurodiversity, leadership, and authentic inclusion. Shea shares how his IEP shaped his self-awareness, the power of crafting a personal advocacy "elevator pitch" at work, and how inclusion requires more than intention—it requires action. From working with multiple managers to running marathons, Shea offers practical tools and deeply hum...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes hypnotist and coach Duff McDuffee for a powerful conversation on neurodivergence, self-acceptance, and shifting from punishment to progress. Duff shares his personal journey as a late-discovered autistic person and how embracing difference rather than masking it opened up a life of meaning and connection. From redefining inclusion to challenging internalized shame, this episode offers fresh insight and practical strategies for par...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Derek Crager, founder of Practical AI and AIforAutistics.com, for a powerful conversation about late autism diagnosis, the intersection of AI and neurodiversity, and how technology can empower inclusion. Derek shares his personal journey, the challenges of growing up undiagnosed, and how he transformed his experiences into tools like PocketMentor to support neurodivergent individuals. From dyslexic-friendly fonts to AI mentorship ...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron speaks with Matt Melvin, author of Bullied Behind Bars, about inclusion, transformation, and the role faith plays in healing and justice. Matt opens up about his experience with autism, impulsivity, incarceration, and the powerful lessons learned through adversity. Together, they discuss the importance of empathy, the brokenness of the justice system, and how journaling, prayer, and purpose can lead to healing and advocacy. Their candid co...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Dr. Victoria Mattingly, CEO of Mattingly Solutions and author of Inclusalytics, for a powerful conversation on allyship, inclusive leadership, and redefining DEI. Dr. V shares her unique two-book approach to allyship, why empathy and active listening are game changers, and how her lived experience with alopecia has reshaped her view on visible differences. Together, they explore what true partnership in allyship means and why orga...