Episodes

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews Nefrit El-Or, an advocate for eating disorder recovery and late-diagnosed autism awareness. Nefrit shares her journey from feeling broken to embracing self-acceptance after receiving an autism diagnosis during treatment for anorexia nervosa. She highlights the significant overlap between autism and eating disorders, emphasizing the need for greater inclusivity and accommodations in treatment settings. Nefrit discusses her creati...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Tracee Garner, an author, disability advocate, and wheelchair user. Tracee shares insights on redefining inclusion, the challenges of accessibility, and her journey as a writer. She emphasizes the importance of active outreach, breaking attitudinal barriers, and fostering independence for individuals with disabilities. The discussion highlights Tracee’s advocacy for better healthcare access, employment opportunities, and the inc...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Dr. Kendra Hall, an educator specializing in equity and inclusion in higher education. They explore the nuances of inclusion, focusing on creating environments where everyone feels they belong. Kendra shares insights on transitioning students with disabilities from K-12 to college, emphasizing self-advocacy and navigating accommodations. They discuss empathy as a tool for fostering belonging and challenge systemic barriers in educ...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron welcomes Bryson Tarbet, a neurodiverse former music educator and foster dad, to discuss practical approaches to inclusion. Bryson shares his personal experiences growing up with ADHD and sensory processing disorder, emphasizing the importance of breaking barriers in classrooms and beyond. Together, they explore fostering true inclusion versus mere participation, the power of play-based learning, and the transformative role of music in educ...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Alexis Welch, a seasoned special education teacher and master IEP coach, to discuss practical strategies for fostering inclusion for children with disabilities. They explore the evolving definition of inclusion, the importance of parent-teacher collaboration, and actionable tips for overcoming challenges in IEP meetings. Alexis emphasizes the significance of individualized plans and communication, and they discuss the emotional as...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Dr. Julie Pham, a Vietnamese refugee and entrepreneur who founded CuriosityBased. Dr. Pham discusses “curiosity-based inclusion,” a concept encouraging open questioning without fear of judgment, and explores how curiosity fosters authentic inclusion, especially in workplaces. The conversation covers navigating cultural differences, managing expectations, and cultivating empathy. Dr. Pham also shares personal insights on respect,...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron welcomes Nicolas Comstock, a disability advocate who shares his personal journey with inclusion. Nicolas discusses his view that true inclusion means being valued for one’s contributions, not merely as a token of diversity. They explore the importance of inclusive design in education, advocating for full integration, and the role of empathy in creating accessible spaces. Nicolas also opens up about the challenges and misconceptions he’s fa...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron interviews disability advocate John Fela about his experiences as a father to a child with autism and his work with Joni and Friends, a global Christian disability organization. Fela discusses his journey advocating for inclusion, community, and understanding for people with disabilities. He emphasizes the importance of creating supportive networks for parents, especially fathers, and shares personal stories of resilience and growth throug...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews Lindsay Perry, who shares her personal journey with breast cancer and reflections on inclusion, empathy, and resilience. Lindsay describes how her cancer experience reshaped her views on inclusivity, especially in how society treats individuals facing illness. Through candid discussions, Lindsay highlights the power of empathy, supportive communities, and genuine curiosity to create inclusive environments. Key Takeaways: Empath...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron interviews motivational speaker and author Win Charles, who shares her personal journey with cerebral palsy and her experiences with inclusion, advocacy, and resilience. Win discusses challenges within education, accessibility in public spaces, and her advocacy work in promoting accessibility and breaking stigma around disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of persistence in making voices heard and offers insights for parents and comm...

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...