Episodes

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron welcomes Jey Young, a remarried father and mental health clinician. Jey shares his experiences growing up with a rare neuromuscular disorder called Andersen-Tawil syndrome and how it shaped his empathy and passion for helping children and families. They discuss the importance of fathers being active advocates for their children and overcoming societal biases. The conversation explores empathy as a vital tool for inclusion and the role of f...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron speaks with Katey Fortun, a motivational speaker and advocate for people with disabilities. Katey shares her personal journey of growing up with a learning disability and the importance of self-advocacy. They discuss how learning about oneself fosters empathy and inclusion. Katey emphasizes the value of children’s curiosity in promoting understanding and breaking down barriers. The episode concludes with actionable advice on making the wor...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Dōmo Jones, an author, entrepreneur, and podcast host. Dōmo shares her journey with a disability, detailing her diagnosis with a brain tumor at age nine, which affected her mobility and led her to use a walker. She discusses how she embraced her creativity by customizing medical accessories and founding a business. Dōmo emphasizes confidence, inclusion, and the power of storytelling. The conversation highlights her passion for e...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews Kimberly Michelle, a mental health advocate and tabletop gamer, about her journey in mental health advocacy and the importance of inclusion. Kimberly shares her personal struggles with mental health, how plushie therapy helps manage her anxiety, and her work as a mental health navigator. They discuss how Dungeons and Dragons and other games can be therapeutic tools for processing trauma. The episode emphasizes the importance of ...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews Joanne Copeland, who shares her story as a mother of twins with autism in Australia. Joanne opens up about the challenges of balancing different educational paths for her children and the societal shifts toward more inclusive environments. She discusses the value of empathy and how her experiences inspired her to write a bestselling book to raise awareness about disabilities and inclusion.Key Takeaways:Unique Journeys: Joanne...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron speaks with Tiffany Yu, CEO & Founder of Diversability and author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto. Tiffany shares her personal journey into disability advocacy following a car accident, at the age of 9, that also took the life of her father. She discusses the systemic nature of ableism, the importance of self-reflection in addressing discrimination, and how social connections can foster inclusion. Tiffany also highlights her journey from fou...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews Rebecca Engle, a special education teacher diagnosed with autism. Rebecca shares her experiences as both a special education student and teacher, discussing the importance of true inclusion. She highlights how inclusion is more than just being present in a classroom; it involves genuine participation and understanding. Rebecca also offers tips for parents on advocating for their child’s inclusion in general education settings, e...

In this episode of the Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Erin Perkins, a deafblind accessibility strategist, who shares her personal journey navigating life with dual sensory impairments. The conversation explores challenges in accessing support, from inconsistent educational accommodations to barriers in public venues like concerts. Erin emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and offers practical steps for businesses to improve accessibility, from websites to social media. The di...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron and guest Michelle Tetschner discuss their shared experiences advocating for inclusion in education for their children with disabilities. Michelle, the mother of a son with Down syndrome, highlights the importance of teamwork, confidence in IEP meetings, and a vision for the future. Together, they stress focusing on a child's strengths, building empathy with educators, and correcting misconceptions about disabilities to foster inclusion in...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron speaks with Kayla Coburn, an inclusion specialist and author, about the challenges of fostering inclusion in schools. Kayla shares her journey from paraprofessional to running her own business, “Inclusion Starts Now.” They discuss personal experiences with navigating educational systems, advocating for inclusion, and the importance of defining inclusion based on individual needs. Kayla offers tips for parents to move the needle towards inc...

On this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, AAron welcomes Joe Carr, who discusses his journey with cerebral palsy and the use of an AAC device. Joe shares his experiences of inclusion in school, adaptive sports, and his charitable efforts through his lemonade stand, raising over $70,000 for Gillette Children’s Hospital. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, self-acceptance, and building genuine connections. Joe’s insights offer a heartfelt reminder that love, understanding, and inclusion c...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, AAron speaks with Dr. Cheryl Blankman, an experienced school psychologist and advocate for inclusivity in education. They discuss the nuances of inclusion, emphasizing the importance of shifting the conversation from "inclusion" to "inclusivity" as a holistic, community-wide responsibility. Dr. Blankman highlights the significance of understanding disability through the social model, which focuses on creating environments that reduce barriers. They a...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, AAron addresses the issue of parents being denied access to visit their child in special education classrooms. He discusses the common reasons given—privacy and safety—and explains why these justifications may not always be valid, particularly with regard to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). AAron emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in ensuring their child’s needs are met and offers advice on how to address access denia...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, AAron interviews Stephanie Polcyn, a mother and advocate with a personal connection to disability. Stephanie shares her journey, highlighting her husband’s military-related disability, her own sudden hearing loss, and her experiences advocating for her children with ADHD and asthma. She discusses the challenges of navigating the education system, the importance of family involvement in defining success, and the power of inclusion as acceptance and su...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Sarah St. Louis, a certified ADA coordinator. They discuss Sarah’s work in advocating for more inclusive public spaces, including her involvement in Changing Spaces Minnesota, which advocates for adult-sized changing tables in public restrooms. Sarah shares her personal journey into the world of disability advocacy following her son’s accident, and the importance of empathy and education in creating inclusive environments. The c...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, AAron discusses the challenges and frustrations of encountering and addressing The Americans With Disability Act (ADA) violations in everyday life, particularly as a parent of a daughter who uses a wheelchair. He shares personal experiences, such as inaccessible sidewalks and schools, emphasizing the ongoing need for awareness and advocacy. Despite the ADA being in place for 34 years, AAron highlights the persistent gaps in accessibility and the emot...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews Anthony Cutno, a retired Marine and single father of three, including a daughter with a disability. Anthony shares his journey of learning about disabilities through his daughter and how it has shaped his perspective as a parent. He discusses the importance of inclusion, the challenges and rewards of raising a child with a disability and how his daughter’s resilience inspires him daily. The episode highlights the power of family...

In this episode of the Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews Michael Humel, a disability advocate with spina bifida. Michael shares his experiences growing up with a disability, including the challenges of using a wheelchair in an often inaccessible world. He discusses the importance of inclusion, the difficulties faced in everyday situations like parking and using public restrooms, and the need for greater empathy and awareness in society. Michael also talks about his initiative, Wheels ...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron welcomes Becca Boston, an inspirational speaker and mental health advocate. Becca shares her journey of growing up with dyslexia and auditory processing disorder, overcoming a domestic violence relationship, and finding her voice as an advocate for inclusion. They discuss the importance of empathy, active listening, and self-care, especially for caregivers. Becca emphasizes the power of embracing differences and linking arms to create a mo...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Nick Yerhart, a resilient individual with cerebral palsy who defies expectations. Nick shares his journey of overcoming physical limitations, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and empathy. He discusses how he navigates daily life, the challenges of accessibility, and the impact of his supportive parents. Nick’s story highlights the need for awareness and systemic change to ensure people with disabilities are fully included...

On this episode I interview Tim Villegas of Think Inclusive!!

-Conference Recap -My Inclusion Story

Initial thoughts after IEP meeting.