This episode originally aired October 5, 2026:

On this episode of Boldly Challenging Ableism, host Katrina Simons speaks with artist and self-advocate Thomas Robinson. Thomas shares his journey as a leader in disability advocacy and how art plays a role in amplifying his voice. Their conversation highlights the power of self-advocacy and the importance of challenging ableism in everyday life.

This episode originally aired September 28, 2025:

Renata Ticha is a research associate at the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota. Renata talks with Katrina about her research work around transitioning to adult services from the pediatric space.

This episode originally aired September 21, 2025:

Episode Description: BJ Stasio, Advocate for the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Activist BJ talks to us about his life of advocacy work- and about being a rebel.

This episode originally aired September 14, 2025:

Amy Hewitt joins us to discuss the direct support care crisis and why it’s an “everyone” problem.

This episode originally aired August 24, 2025:

Katrina is joined by Jen Sommerness, a research associate at the TIES Center at the Institute on Community Integration. She discusses ableism in schools and making education meaningful for every student.

This episode originally aired August 17, 2025:

Katherine McLaughlin joins us to talk about sex and disability. She also shares why involving people living with disabilities in Sex Education is important.

This episode originally aired August 10, 2025:

Jake Hamilton joins Katrina to talk about his family, growing up, what he does for work and what he does in his leisure time.

This episode originally aired August 2, 2025:

Nikki Villavicencio, Disability Culture and Leadership Specialist, Advocating Change Together.  Activist and City Council member Nikki talks about what it’s like living with a disability as a parent and how she’s raising her child. Nick Wilke from MCIL joins us as guest co-host.

This episode originally aired July 20, 2025:

Kathy joins us to continue our discussion on Ableism in systems meant to help and protect people living with disabilities.

This episode originally aired July 13, 2025:

Kathy Ware introduces us to herself and her adult child. Kathy and Katrina talk about how systems and disabilities interact- for good and for NOT so good. This is the first part of a two part series.