Inclusion and Disability Advocacy from a Parent's Perspective: The Inclusive Dad

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with author and advocate Hilary Hodge to explore the realities of parenting with a chronic condition. Hilary shares her journey through severe asthma and Addison’s disease, the lack of resources for parents navigating hospitalizations, and why she wrote a book to fill that gap. Together, they discuss guilt, identity, invisible struggles, communication scripts, and b...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with speaker and change-navigation expert Laura Bratton to explore her journey of losing sight as a teenager and learning to live fully in a sighted world. Laura shares powerful insights on self-respect, faith, grit, and gratitude as tools for navigating life’s most challenging transitions. Together, they unpack the true meaning of inclusion, the importance of valid...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Joshua Dvorkin—a psychotherapist, coach, and spinal cord injury survivor—who shares his extraordinary journey of defying medical odds and rebuilding his life after a life-changing accident. Joshua opens up about resilience, gratitude, and the mindset shift that turned tragedy into purpose. Together, they explore how lived experiences shape inclusion, why accessibilit...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron welcomes artist, activist, and art therapist Zian Chavez, producer of the award-winning documentary We Are the Most Beautiful People: Adults with Disabilities. Zian shares their journey as a queer, non-binary, neurodiverse, Spanish, Indigenous, New Mexican living with multiple sclerosis, and how lived experience fueled their global movement for disability equity and dignity. ...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron sits down with Dr. Vaish Sarathy — educator, scientist, and mom to an 18-year-old non-speaking poet with Down syndrome and autism. Together they unpack what it truly means to “assume intelligence aggressively,” challenging outdated ideas about IQ, communication, and learning potential. Vaish shares her journey from chemistry PhD to pioneering inclusive education for neurodive...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron welcomes London-based healer and coach Jacob Reimann, who shares his transformative journey from trauma and mental illness to developing an integrative process for healing ADHD, dyslexia, and PTSD. Jacob explains how nervous system reflexes, trauma release, and mindful breathing can bring balance to the body and mind. The conversation explores how compassion and self-awarenes...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron sits down with Dr. Kim Fields, a former corporate executive turned educator, advocate, and coach, who shares her journey from burnout to rediscovering purpose after losing mobility. Together, they explore how empathy transforms inclusion from compliance to connection. Kim opens up about the biases she faced as a Black woman in corporate America and in the world of disability,...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron sits down with Dr. Kristen Donnelly — researcher, social worker, and co-owner of an intentional, nontraditional manufacturing company in Philadelphia. Together, they unpack what it means to truly see people as people, the dangers of burnout in American culture, and how curiosity can drive inclusion at every level — from boardrooms to neighborhoods. Kristen shares how her fami...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron talks with high school senior and disability advocate Alena Skinner, who shares her journey of inclusion through 4-H, adaptive horseback riding, and her own podcast, I Can Totally Do That. Alena opens up about her experiences with cerebral palsy, her leadership role in expanding disability access within 4-H, and her mission to amplify stories of people with disabilities in di...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron sits down with Jeremy Neuheisel, a passionate advocate for disability inclusion, faith, and purpose. Jeremy shares his personal journey navigating life with a disability, his reflections on faith and scripture, and the challenges of transportation and access in his community. Together, they explore what true inclusion looks like—beyond accessibility—and how faith, resilience,...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron talks with author and advocate Hugh Flynn, whose memoir Something Special Be captures the journey of seeking conservatorship for his brother with a disability. Hugh shares powerful lessons from growing up in an inherently inclusive family, his views on “playing nice” as the foundation of inclusion, and the complex realities of conservatorship and family conflict. Through humo...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad Podcast, host AAron sits down with trans non-binary life and recovery coach, Elena Rangel, for an honest conversation about inclusion, authenticity, and self-compassion. Elena shares their journey of embracing identity, redefining success beyond perfectionism, and transforming neurodivergence into strength. Together, they explore how inclusion begins with acknowledging each person’s unique exper...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with legally blind entrepreneur and inclusion advocate Eric Dingler to unpack what it really means to make digital and physical spaces accessible for all. Eric shares his journey from navigating life with ocular albinism to helping businesses embrace universal design—not out of fear of lawsuits, but as an act of being a good neighbor. Together, they explore “advocac...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with Tracy King, CEO of InspirEd, to unpack the intersection of neurodiversity, inclusion, and leadership. Tracy shares their late-in-life AuDHD diagnosis and how that shaped both their parenting and professional journey. Together, they explore why neuroinclusion isn’t just compassionate—it’s a smart business strategy. From dismantling outdated norms to reimagining ...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes James Early, host of The Bible Speaks to You podcast, to explore what it truly means to live with the mindset of Christ. James shares insights from his prison ministry and coaching program, highlighting the power of compassion, forgiveness, and seeing people beyond their labels. Together, they discuss how inclusion is rooted in love, how to embrace others’ backstorie...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes Tera Ajeet, a coach, spiritual guide, and advocate born blind in the Netherlands. Together they explore the meaning of inclusion, reframing limitations as strengths, and the power of intuition in personal growth. Tera shares her experiences navigating school, travel, and daily life without sight, offering a perspective on how deep listening and presence create connec...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes dyslexia researcher and advocate Russell Van Brocklen to share his journey from struggling with a first-grade reading level to transforming the way students with dyslexia learn. Russell explains how focusing on a child’s unique interests and shifting from articulation-first to word-analysis-first teaching can unlock dramatic growth in reading and writing. He also dis...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron welcomes filmmaker and storyteller Nicola Rose to discuss her latest feature film, Magnetosphere, a coming-of-age story centered on a neurodivergent girl discovering she has synesthesia. Nicola shares her creative journey from early exposure to inclusion through theater, to writing and directing films that highlight neurodiversity. Together, they explore the meaning of inclus...

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with Roxy B. Rocker, a disability advocate, entrepreneur, and media creator who has lived through decades of change in the disability rights movement. Roxy shares her journey of navigating life with multiple disabilities, building businesses on a shoestring budget, and creating accessible fashion and media that spotlight inclusion. From her definition of true inclus...