Think Inclusive

Think Inclusive brings you real conversations about building schools where every learner belongs.

Think Inclusive is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 237 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Think Inclusive, a education show with 237 episodes published.

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  Episode #42

  Dream Careers: Inside the Minds of Georgia State's IDEAL Students

  Aug 14, 202622 minS13

  Join us for episode three of MCIE's "Think Inclusive" four-part series in collaboration with Think College, as Tim Villegas visits the IDEAL program at Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta. IDEAL — Inclusive Digital Expression and Literacy — is a college program for students with intellectual disabilities built around creative media: film, television, and digital arts. It is also a commuter program. There are no dorms and no leafy college town here. Every student crosses one of the most traffic-choked metro areas in the country to get to class, some of them spending three hours a day on buses or paratransit for the privilege. The episode opens in a careers class, where nine students name their dream careers: veterinarian, flight attendant, musician, actor, podcaster, comic book writer. The heart of the episode is a question about what stands between a dream like that and an actual job — and the answer starts with a checkbox. Employment coordinator Mykal Tairu spent years as a community organizer working on Ban the Box, the policy fight over whether a person with a criminal record gets to introduce themselves before their application lands in the trash. He argues that adults with intellectual disabilities face a version of the same box, just unprinted. Along the way, Tim spends a morning with students Isaiah and David, hears what a real job in the film department means to a comic book writer, and learns what happens when a program insists that hiring its graduates is not a favor. As Tairu puts it, it's not a charity case. It's a case where an employer sees the value someone brings and decides they need him. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/dream-careers-inside-the-minds-of-georgia-states-ideal-students-1342/

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  Episode #41

  Redwood SEED Scholars: Roots That Hold Each Other Up

  Aug 7, 202632 minS13

  Join us for episode two of MCIE's "Think Inclusive" four-part series in collaboration with Think College, as Tim Villegas travels to the University of California, Davis, to visit the Redwood SEED Scholars Program — California's first four-year residential college program for students with intellectual disabilities, and the first at any UC campus. SEED stands for Supported Education to Elevate Diversity, and the name comes from an unlikely grove of redwood trees growing in the Central Valley heat, holding each other up by their shallow, interlocking roots. It's a fitting image for a program built on community: scholars live in the dorms, take UC Davis classes across 27 different departments, work paid jobs on campus and in town, and are surrounded by more than 170 paid peer mentors. The story starts with founding director Beth Foraker, her son Patrick, and a blister on a Friday night in a Virginia dorm room — the moment she understood what her state was failing to offer its young adults with intellectual disabilities. From there, this episode follows the program's fast, improbable build (a $2.1 million federal TPSID grant in October 2020, first scholars on campus by August 2021), the "ladder of opportunity" that moves scholars from internships into careers with employers like UC Davis Logistics and the Mondavi Center, and what happened to the program's first graduating class: eighty-eight percent living independently, all of them working, none of them with a job coach. Along the way, senior scholar Audrey Schlossberg, ticket office manager Amy Roark, and logistics director Jen Carmichael make the case that inclusive higher education changes campuses and communities as much as it changes students — and Beth makes an argument she thinks the whole country needs to hear about building four-year programs with inclusive living. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/redwood-seed-scholars-roots-that-hold-each-other-up-1341/ This episode was made possible with generous support from Think College. Learn more at thinkcollege.net .

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  Episode #40

  "I Identify as Blind": Lachi on Disability Language, Identity, and Why Words Matter in Schools

  Jul 30, 20261 hourS13

  Lachi is a distinguished figure in the music and media industries, known for her work as an award-winning recording artist, producer, and advocate. She has a dynamic career that includes a Grammy-nominated album, hosting the PBS series Renegades, and founding the organization RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities). Lachi is also a national trustee of the Recording Academy and she identifies as blind and neurodivergent. In this riveting episode of Think Inclusive , host Tim Villegas engages in a profound conversation with the multitalented Lachi, who uses her platform to advocate for disability pride and accessibility in the music industry. The episode dives deep into how language shapes our understanding of disability, and why Lachi chooses to “identify as blind,” a declaration that challenges societal norms and sparks dialogue about the disabled community versus the disabled population. Joining this dialogue, Lachi shares her experiences growing up with blindness and neurodivergence, highlighting how these challenges shaped her career as a musician and advocate. This episode is rich with insight into Lachi’s philosophy on inclusion and her journey to remove stigmas attached to disabilities. Her reflections on navigating the industry, establishing RAMPD to support disabled music professionals, and the importance of speaking to individuals with dignity and respect offer a thoughtful critique on how society views and engages with disability. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/i-identify-as-blind-lachi-on-disability-language-identity-and-why-words-matter-in-schools-1340/

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  Episode #39

  Navigating Identity: Poetry, Disability, and Inclusion Advocacy with LeDerick Horne

  Jul 30, 202651 minS13

  LeDerick Horne is a spoken word poet, advocate, and speaker known for his work in special education and disability advocacy. He serves as the board chair of All In for Inclusive Education and is co-author of “Empowering Students with Hidden Disabilities: A Path to Pride and Success.” LeDerick has performed his poetry at high-profile venues, including the White House, and is the co-host of the “Black and Dyslexic Podcast.” His work primarily revolves around exploring his dual identity as a Black man with a learning disability, utilizing poetry to advocate for inclusive education practices. In this insightful episode of Think Inclusive, Tim Villegas is joined by LeDerick Horne, a distinguished advocate for inclusive education and a spoken word poet. The conversation delves into the implications of labeling in education and the transformative power of truly inclusive environments. As someone who has navigated the challenges of a learning disability, Horne shares his journey and the significance of acknowledging disability as a political identity. The dialogue explores how educators can effectively support students with hidden disabilities such as dyslexia. With an emphasis on collaboration among teachers and acknowledging gaps in knowledge, Horne asserts that integration within classrooms should not merely be about co-location but about genuine collaboration and support. Furthermore, the episode includes a compelling discussion on the intersectionality of race and disability, urging educators to demystify neurodiversity and challenge systemic segregation in schools. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/navigating-identity-poetry-disability-and-inclusion-advocacy-with-lederick-horne-1339/

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  Episode #38

  Building Inclusive Schools: A Journey of Transformation and Belonging with Angela Macklin and Sue Wright

  Jul 24, 20261h 7mS13

  Angela Macklin is a dedicated special education teacher and inclusive systems leader who played a pivotal role in transforming Cottage Lake Elementary School into a hub of inclusivity. Angela’s expertise in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and inclusive practices has now extended to the district-wide level in the North Shore School District, Washington. Her innovative approach is centered on fostering environments where every student can thrive, focusing on systemic change from the ground up. Sue Wright is an experienced kindergarten teacher at Cottage Lake Elementary, where she has taught for 15 years. She possesses firsthand knowledge of how segregated and inclusive practices impact students and faculty. Over the years, Sue has become a vital ally in implementing inclusive models at the school, working closely with Angela Macklin to break down barriers between general and special education. In this enlightening episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas engages with Angela Macklin and Sue Wright to uncover what happens when a school stops waiting for the ideal inclusive blueprint and takes matters into its own hands. At the heart of Cottage Lake Elementary’s transformation lies a commitment to fostering inclusive educational spaces where every student is valued and no classrooms are segregated. Through their account, Angela and Sue provide insider insights into creating schools where each child truly belongs, recounting their journey of trial, error, and ultimate success. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/building-inclusive-schools-a-journey-of-transformation-and-belonging-with-angela-macklin-and-sue-wright/

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