Boldly Challenging Ableism

This week we feature Rob Wudlick, an industrial engineer and dedicated advocate for spinal cord injury research. Rob joins Katrina Simon to share the frustrating reality of air travel for wheelchair users, from the nightmare of having a custom chair mangled by an airline to the constant battle for better accessibility standards. It’s a candid look at how the system is failing the disability community and what needs to change to ensure everyone can travel with dignity.

#Ableism #DisabilityRights #SpinalCordInjury #AccessibleTravel #AirTravel #DisabilityAdvocacy #WheelchairLife #InclusiveDesign #TransportationEquity #RobWudlick

Starting off season two, Katrina chats with her friend Haley Brunelle about her journey as a “medical mom” to her incredible eight-year-old son, Felix. They dive into the world of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), the daily hurdles of navigating healthcare systems, and why Haley is so passionate about giving Felix the best shot at an independent life. It’s a heartfelt, funny, and deeply honest look at finding community and ditching the ableist filters we often put on ourselves.

This episode originally aired June 21, 2025:

Katrina is joined by Matt McClean who talks about identity and the intersectionality of living as a disabled transgender man. We talk a little bit about the fears that trans people must contend with during these difficult times.

The post Boldly Challenging Ableism – Ep. 37 (Encore): Matt McClean on Living as a Disabled Transgender Man first appeared on AM 950.

This episode originally aired June 1, 2025:

This week host Katrina Simon speaks with Graduating student Joe Carr, who shares with us his “etiquette rules.” Joe talks about his advocacy work and his plans moving forward as he finishes his transition program and life as a student living with a disability. That’s Boldly Challenging Ableism this Sunday at 2 or anytime via podcast.

The post Boldly Challenging Ableism – Ep. 36 (Encore): Ableism and Etiquette Rules w/ Joe Carr first appeared on AM 950.

This episode originally aired June 8, 2025:

Mary Hauff, Director, Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Consortium, Institute on Community Integration, and Dupree Edwards, Lead State Advisor on Systems Change, Institute on Community Integration. Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Consortium director Mary Hauff and Lead State Advisor on Systems Change Dupree Edwards talk about the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Consortium and the importance of being a lifelong learner- with or without a disability. Nick Wilke, Independent Living Coordinator with the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, joins us as guest co-host.

The post Boldly Challenging Ableism – Ep. 35 (Encore): Inclusive Learning Beyond High School w/ Mary Hauff & Dupree Edwards first appeared on AM 950.

This episode originally aired May 18, 2025:

Jillian Nelson, Policy Director, Autism Society of Minnesota. Lobbyist Jillian Nelson talks to us about her life working at the legislative level for the Autism Society of MN. She also shares what it’s like living with multiple disabilities. Nick Wilke from MCIL joins us as guest co-host.

The post Boldly Challenging Ableism – Ep. 34 (Encore): Lobbying for Fair Systems w/ Jillian Nelson first appeared on AM 950.

This episode originally aired October 12, 2025:

Michael Sack talks to us about his work with the city of Minneapolis in getting and keeping the community accessible. Then a conversation with disability advocate Ed Bartz.

The post Boldly Challenging Ableism – Ep. 33 (Encore): Michael Sack on Keeping the Twin Cities Accessible and Disability Advocate Ed Bartz first appeared on AM 950.

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.

The post Boldly Challenging Ableism – Ep. 32 (Encore): Artist and Self-Advocate Thomas Robinson first appeared on AM 950.

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.

The post Boldly Challenging Ableism – Ep. 31 (Encore): Renata Ticha, Research Associate, ICI at the U of MN first appeared on AM 950.

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.

The post Boldly Challenging Ableism – Ep. 30 (Encore): Rebelling Against Ableism w/ BJ Stasio first appeared on AM 950.