Think Inclusive

Rasheera Dopson — Author, disability justice activist, researcher, and MPH student at Morehouse School of Medicine whose work explores the intersection of race, gender, and disability. She founded Beauty With a Twist in 2016 to build community among women and girls with disabilities and hosts the WomanHood & Disability podcast, creating a safe, intersectional space that bridges disabled and non‑disabled audiences.Host Tim Villegas welcomes Rasheera Dopson to talk about why she launched the WomanHood & Disability podcast and what it means to live at the intersection of womanhood and disability. Rasheera shares how moving from writing to podcasting pushed her to articulate lived experiences—like ableism and health disparities—in ways that invite both vulnerability and community. The conversation covers how she mixes solo episodes with interviews, uses cultural moments (e.g., Black History Month) to frame topics, and keeps the door open for allies while centering disabled voices. She also reflects on internships (including with Sen. Jon Ossoff’s office and AAPD), her goals in disability policy, and what’s ahead for Season 2, from body positivity to Black disability and intersectionality.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/rasheera-dopson-womanhood-and-disability-podcast/

Matt (he/him) — Disability advocate (legal name withheld in the episode), graduate of Wake Forest University, podcaster, and independent contractor. He lives with cerebral palsy and discusses the tightrope of earning income while maintaining essential Medicaid benefits. He also co-hosts the actual‑play Dungeons & Dragons podcast With Rolls and No Luck under the alias “Samurai Fooks.”Shirene Hayes (she/her) — Chief Encouragement Officer and creator of Super MEro and The Code, an SEL resource for schools. She’s an award‑winning author, keynote speaker, serial entrepreneur, world traveler, and mother of two grown sons; she champions the “each one, teach one” mindset and the “power of one.”Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/matt-from-with-rolls-and-no-luck-shirene-hayes-creator-of-super-mero/

Ira Eidle (Decatur, GA) is an autistic self‑advocate and curator of Autistic Archive, a growing collection that preserves and teaches the history of the neurodiversity movement. He earned a B.A. in Theater & Performance Studies from Kennesaw State University, completed the 2020 Autism Campus Inclusion program with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), and founded the student group Neurodivergent Advocates of Kennesaw. He currently interns at The Hirsch Academy and is passionate about documenting movement history so educators and advocates can learn from past wins—and missteps. Cameos in this episode: Bryan Nance, a barista at Independent Grounds (Kennesaw, GA), shares how meaningful, inclusive work has improved his life and skills; Tim Villegas hosts.Host Tim Villegas talks with Ira Eidle about the origins and evolution of the neurodiversity movement and why he created Autistic Archive to make that history accessible. They explore early listserv culture, seminal sites like Autistics.org and Neurodiversity.com, and recurring debates inside the movement—centering the question “who’s in control?” of spaces, services, and narratives about autistic people.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/ira-eidle-autistic-archive/

Haley Moss (she/her) — autistic attorney, author, artist, and advocate based in Miami, Florida. Known as Florida’s first openly autistic attorney, Haley now works as an educator and consultant to corporations and nonprofits on neurodiversity and disability inclusion, and is a frequent commentator on disability rights. Her books include Great Minds Think Differently, Neurodiversity for Lawyers and Other Professionals, and The Young Autistic Adults’ Independence Handbook. Earlier works include Middle School: The Stuff Nobody Tells You About and A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.What does independence actually mean for autistic young adults—and where does interdependence fit in? Haley Moss deconstructs the all‑or‑nothing notion of “doing everything by yourself,” offers practical life strategies (from grocery shopping to prescriptions), and lays out alternatives to guardianship with a strong emphasis on supported decision‑making. She closes with concrete ways educators can foster self‑advocacy at every age.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/haley-moss-autistic-independence/

Lisa Drennan — inclusion expert, trainer, consultant, and founder of Merge Inclusion Consulting. She draws on 37 years of leadership supporting people with disabilities and helps community organizations (like YMCAs, rec programs, camps, libraries, and faith groups) build inclusive cultures where everyone has a meaningful role. Host Tim Villegas talks with Lisa Drennan about moving inclusion beyond schools and into community life—especially recreation spaces like YMCAs, summer camps, JCCs, Boys & Girls Clubs, libraries, and arts programs. They cover practical advocacy steps for families (start at the top, ask about barriers, and suggest training), the mindset shift from “we can’t” to “how do we get to yes,” and why inclusion must be an organization‑wide commitment, not a one‑off program or single staff role. Lisa also shares a free toolkit she authored with The Arc of Massachusetts to help community organizations spark authentic friendships between people with and without disabilities.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/lisa-drennan-inclusive-recreation/

Alida Miranda-Wolff is the CEO and founder of Ethos, a consultancy firm specializing in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) transformation. She is notable for her book, "Cultures of Belonging: Building Inclusive Organizations that Last," which explores strategies for fostering inclusive environments. Alida's background spans higher education at the University of Chicago, non-profit work in immigrant and refugee rights, and a pioneering role in venture capital as one of the first Latina directors. She has taught at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and General Assembly, cultivating a deep understanding of DEIB initiatives. Through Ethos, Alida aims to innovate and apply DEIB strategies that resonate with modern organizational dynamics.In this insightful episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, Tim Villegas engages Alida Miranda-Wolff, the CEO of Ethos and author of "Cultures of Belonging," to delve into creating inclusive educational environments. With a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), Alida explains how organizations, particularly schools, can foster a culture of belonging for both students and teachers. Tim and Alida discuss how identity and personal experiences shape one's approach to DEIB work, drawing from Alida's diverse career background in higher education, nonprofit, and venture capital sectors.Throughout the conversation, Alida emphasizes the importance of belonging as a core psychological need and describes her approach to building inclusive cultures, which hinges on the three R's—relationships, resources, and reciprocity. For schools, this means creating meaningful connections and ensuring educators are supported and fairly compensated. Alida also addresses the issue of value misalignment within educational institutions and how teachers can navigate these challenges. Practical strategies for fostering belonging among educators are discussed, encouraging teachers to build their micro-cultures and seek community support, even in misaligned systems.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/alida-miranda-wolff-building-inclusive-organizations-that-last/

King Williams — Atlanta-based journalist and filmmaker who traces CRT’s history, explains how cases like Dred Scott and Plessy v. Ferguson reveal the gap between what is legal and what is moral, and describes how groups like the United Daughters of the Confederacy shaped school narratives in the South.Alida Miranda-Wolff — CEO and founder of Ethos, clarifies what CRT is (and isn’t), outlines core tenets (race as a social construct; racism embedded in institutions; the role of counter-storytelling; and the critique of colorblindness/meritocracy), and shares how intersectionality and systems-thinking inform practical DEIB work.Eddie Fergus — Professor of Urban Education Policy at Temple University who teaches a doctoral seminar on CRT and connects historical/legal context to today’s school equity debates, noting why “when you’re accustomed to privilege, equity feels like oppression.”Pete Newlove — High school English teacher and doctoral candidate at the University of Colorado Denver who describes on-the-ground effects of anti‑CRT politics in schools and how educators navigate backlash, book bans, and board-level power shifts.Featuring a clip from Cecelia Lewis — A school leader whose experience became entangled in anti‑CRT rumors; she shares a powerful inclusion story about moving a student with significant behavioral support needs into general education.Host Tim Villegas explores how the anti‑CRT movement is spilling over into K–12 and threatening broader educational equity efforts—including disability inclusion. With insights from King Williams, Alida Miranda-Wolff, Eddie Fergus, and Pete Newlove, the episode clarifies what CRT actually is, how it’s being mischaracterized, and what practical steps educators can take to keep inclusion moving forward.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/what-inclusionists-need-to-know-about-the-anti-crt-movement/

Diana Pastora Carson is an educator of 30+ years who has taught at both the elementary and university levels. She’s a consultant and trainer on disability and diversity, a board alum of Disability Rights California and current board member of Disability Voices United. She hosts the Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters podcast and is the author of Beyond Awareness: Bringing Disability into Diversity Work in K–12 Schools and Communities and the children’s book Ed Roberts: Champion of Disability Rights. Diana is also a fierce sibling advocate. Her brother Joaquin spent 15 years in institutional settings after years of aversive “behavior” programs and harmful medication protocols. Diana and her family fought to bring him home into supported living on rural property designed for his safety and choice—what they lovingly call “Joaquinified.”Host Tim Villegas talks with Diana Pastora Carson about her family’s journey to free Joaquin from an institution and what true inclusion requires in schools and communities. They unpack why typical “disability simulations” miss the point, and why presuming competence, prioritizing communication access, and removing societal barriers are the real drivers of inclusion. The episode closes with how Diana’s Beyond Awareness work gives educators concrete, research‑informed steps that honor disabled people’s voices. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/diana-pastora-carson-beyond-awareness/

Greta Harrison is the creator and host of the Born Fabulous Podcast. A passionate advocate for inclusive education, Greta is a mother of two daughters—her youngest has Down syndrome and autism. Her journey has been shaped by a commitment to learning, community involvement, and storytelling. Greta’s podcast amplifies the voices of self-advocates and their families, showcasing the power of inclusion and the importance of hope in education. She is also a writer for The Mighty and is currently working on a fiction book.In this episode, Tim Villegas interviews Greta Harrison about her motivation for starting the Born Fabulous Podcast, her personal journey as a parent of a child with disabilities, and the importance of hope and relationships in inclusive education. Greta shares powerful stories from her life and podcast guests, emphasizing that inclusion is not just about access to education but about building a life in the community. The conversation also explores systemic challenges, the role of educators, and how parents can advocate effectively for their children.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/greta-harrison-born-fabulous-podcast/

Dr. Zerek Mayes — Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at a private school in Chicago, Illinois.Dena Slanda — Faculty at the University of Central Florida, working on teacher preparation grants through the Office of Special Education Programs.Lindsey Pike — Doctoral candidate at the University of Central Florida in Exceptional Education, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion at the intersection of disability and other markers of difference.Eric Wells — Director of IDEA Programs at the Oregon Department of Education.In this bonus episode recorded live at the Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Orlando, Tim Villegas sits down with four equity advocates to unpack the intersection of race and disability in education. The conversation explores why current systems often fail students from racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse backgrounds—and what educators can do to change that. From grassroots action to systemic reform, this episode is a call to reflect, act, and lead for equity.Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/the-intersection-of-race-and-disability-pop-up-podcast-cec2022/