Think Inclusive

By Tim VillegasSociety & Culture Education Courses

Think Inclusive episodes

July 21, 2018 Visual Empowerment: Using Graphics to Enhance Inclusive Education with Kristin Wiens
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In this enlightening episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, we host Kristin Wiens, an impassioned educator and inclusion coach from Victoria, British Columbia. Kristin is celebrated for her innovative approach to promoting inclusive education through striking visuals and stop-motion animation via her initiative North Star Paths. From the creation of her educational content to her substantial impact on teachers and students alike, this episode offers comprehensive insights into the tools and philosophies that drive inclusion forward.
Kristin opens up about the origins and milestones of North Star Paths, emphasizing the importance of visually engaging resources in bridging understanding gaps among educators about students with disabilities, focusing on important topics like behavior as communication and self-regulation. Through her unique blend of creativity and pedagogy, she shares effective strategies, triumphs, and challenges faced in advocating for inclusive education. The episode also delves into how Kristin’s illustrations have transformed professional development for teachers and community education, showcasing her collaborative work and future aspirations.
Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/kristin-wiens-northstar-paths/
43 min
July 14, 2018 The Sound of Acceptance: Noah Jack’s Journey Through Music and Advocacy
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In this episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Noah Jack, an inspiring musician on the autism spectrum. Noah shares the journey behind his new single "Neighborhood" and his passion for music that began at a very young age. He provides listeners with a glimpse into his life in Park Ridge, Illinois, and his current endeavors at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The interview explores the deep support from Noah's community and family, which has been crucial in his development and success as a musician.
Noah discusses the process of creating "Neighborhood," a reflective piece that serves as his thank you letter to his supportive community. He highlights the technical aspects of recording the song and the emotional journey tied to its production. Noah also shares his experiences of growing up with autism spectrum disorder, the acceptance he found in his community, and his hopes for using music as a medium to foster understanding and inclusion. The conversation concludes with Noah's aspirations for his career and his desire to give back through charitable initiatives centered around music therapy.
Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/noah-jack-musician-on-the-autism-spectrum/
27 min
July 07, 2018 Exploring the Link Between PBIS and ABA with Rob Horner
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In this insightful episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, Dr. Rob Horner, a prominent figure in the special education and behavioral analysis community, delves deep into the interconnected worlds of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Recorded in Marietta, Georgia, Tim Villegas hosts an enriching dialogue exploring the fundamental principles of human behavior, the practical applications of ABA, and how these methodologies contribute to inclusive education and supporting students with challenging behaviors.
The conversation unpacks the theoretical and practical underpinnings of ABA, describing it as the study of behavior patterns and their interactions with the environment. Dr. Horner explains how PBIS extends ABA principles within a broader context to create supportive and sustainable environments in schools. Throughout the episode, concerns regarding the historical applications of ABA, such as its association with compliance and aversive techniques, are discussed and clarified. Dr. Horner emphasizes that PBIS is about designing effective environments to promote positive, socially valued outcomes for all students.
Complete show notes and transcript:
57 min
June 30, 2018 Zachary Fenell Discusses Marathon Journey and Disability Advocacy
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In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, Tim Villegas interviews Zachary Fenell, also known as the Cerebral Palsy Vigilante. Zachary, a passionate disability advocate, author, and marathoner, shares his extraordinary journey of training for and completing a full marathon despite having cerebral palsy. They discuss the challenges he faced, his meticulous training regimen, and the broader implications of his achievement for disability rights and perceptions.
Throughout the conversation, Zachary Fenell talks about his motivation, inspired by author John W. Quinn, and how he overcame numerous physical and logistical challenges during his marathon training. He provides insights into the specific accommodations he required, including the use of a cane and special orthotics. Moreover, he touches on the significance of being called an inspiration and the importance of respecting personal limitations while pushing for greater inclusivity. The episode closes with Fenell discussing his future plans, including another marathon, a potential new memoir, and his ongoing contributions to Think Inclusive.
Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/zachary-fenell-the-cerebral-palsy-vigilante/
48 min
June 30, 2018 #17 Zachary Fenell the Cerebral Palsy Vigilante
Today we have speaker, marathoner, and author of two books, Zachary Fenell. The first, Off-Balanced, a memoir about what it was like growing up and living with Cerebral Palsy as well as a Rock Realities, a compilation of 13 interviews he did with indie and alternative rock musicians. We discuss his most recent endeavor, completing a marathon and all the challenges that came up for him being a person with cerebral palsy.
48 min
January 07, 2018 John Spencer Discusses Empowering All Students Through Design Thinking
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Join Tim Villegas in this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast as he sits down with John Spencer, a distinguished professor, speaker, and author. Broadcasting from Marietta, Georgia, Tim explores with John the profound impact of student engagement and the maker mindset in education, highlighting ways to empower ALL students, including those with disabilities, through innovative teaching practices.
In this engaging conversation, John Spencer shares his rich journey from teaching middle school to shaping future educators at the university level. He delves into his books "Empower" and "Launch," particularly focusing on the design thinking process, its application in K-12 education, and how it transforms the classroom into a dynamic learning environment. John addresses common concerns educators face, such as managing a classroom with diverse needs, balancing curriculum requirements, and overcoming the traditional fixation on compliance. Emphasizing the importance of creativity and student agency, he provides valuable insights and inspirational stories of success that span his teaching career.
Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/john-spencer-student-engagement/
40 min
January 07, 2018 #16 Rethinking Content Delivery and Student Engagement with John Spencer, author of Empower
Today we have John Spencer, speaker and author of Empower and Launch, entertaining and practical books that help us to rethink how we deliver content and engage students in the learning process. We talk about what it looks like to help students own their learning, including students with disabilities.
40 min
November 28, 2017 The Lion League: Changing How Schools Build Inclusion
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In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, Tim Villegas interviews Arielle Hobbs, the founder of The Lion League. They discuss the importance of inclusion in schools and how The Lion League is working to create a more inclusive environment for students with disabilities. Arielle shares her personal experience of fighting for her son's rights and how it led her to start The Lion League. She explains the unique approach of the organization, which focuses on teaching students about inclusion and disability to foster natural friendships and understanding. Arielle also discusses the different ways schools can implement The Lion League's curriculum and the impact it can have on students.
Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/the-lion-league-changing-how-schools-build-inclusion/
33 min
November 28, 2017 #15 Inclusive Schools Curriculum with Arielle Hobbs of the Lion League
Recording from my office in beautiful Marietta, GA...you are listening to the Think Inclusive Podcast (Episode 15). Today we have Arielle Hobbs, founder of the Lion League, a fantastic organization that is changing how we build inclusive schools around the United States. We talk about what inclusion looks like in her family and how the Lion League is different from other "social inclusion" organizations. After the podcast, please stop by our Patreon page where you can support our goal to bring you in-depth interviews with inclusive education and community advocacy thought leaders. In order to cover our hosting, transcription, and production costs we need to meet our goal of $100 per month. Please help us keep this vital resource available to everyone by pledging your support of $1, $5, $10, or $20 per month. When you pledge as little as $1 per month you get access to our patron-only feed for blog posts, special edition podcasts, and picture updates along the way. So without further ado...here is the interview. Arielle Hobbs is the Founder of a nonprofit called, The Lion League. She has been a thinker and a writer her whole life but found her passion when she had to rise up and fight for her son to have the same opportunities as everyone else. Through her nonprofit, Arielle has curated a curriculum that teaches students how to be more inclusive with their disabled peers. Arielle has hands-on experience as the mother and caregiver of three children. Locally she interacts with many families and children with disabilities through her nonprofit. Globally she has spent time in the Indian Himalayas, caring for children with disabilities and their families. Arielle and her husband live in Spicewood, Texas. They have three children, four French bulldogs, and two cats. That is our show. We would like to thank Arielle from the Lion League for joining us. Make sure you check out their website: thelionleague.org and you can find them on Facebook and Twitter. Follow Think Inclusive on the web at thinkinclusive.us as well as Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and now Instagram! Today's show was produced by me talking into USB headphones, a ZOOM H1 Handy Recorder, MacBookPro, GarageBand, and a skype account. You can also subscribe to the Think Inclusive podcast via the iTunes music store, Google Play, Stitcher or Podomatic.com (the largest community of independent podcasters on the planet). from Marietta, GA...please join us again on the Think Inclusive podcast...thanks for your time and attention.
33 min
August 06, 2017 The Power of Inclusion: A Conversation with Emily Ladau and Kyle Khachadurian
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In this episode of the Think Inclusive podcast, Tim Villegas interviews Emily Ladau and Kyle Khachadurian, the co-hosts of the Accessible Stall podcast. They discuss their journey in starting the podcast and their perspectives on disability inclusion and education. Emily shares her experience of attending a mainstream public school, while Kyle attended a school specifically for disabled individuals. They explore the pros and cons of self-contained special education classrooms and the importance of finding a balance between inclusion and meeting individual needs. The conversation delves into the complexities of inclusive education and the challenges faced by the disability community.
Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/the-power-of-inclusion-a-conversation-with-emily-ladau-and-kyle-khachadurian/
42 min