Boldly Challenging Ableism

Boldly Challenging Ableism

Boldly Challenging Ableism exposes ableism and dismantles myths that marginalize people with disabilities. Host Katrina Simons uses her life-long disability and her experiences in advocacy at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration to boldly, irreverently go where everyone has gone before — to issues like employment, housing, justice, education and culture — but she brings along enough humor and an approachable style that you’ll be thinking anew about what community inclusion really means.

Episodes

Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E12: Addressing Ableism & Disparities in Healthcare with Sarah Ailey

August 3, 2026 • 26 mins
Katrina Simons sits down with nurse researcher Sarah Ailey to explore how lived experience as a parent drives real advocacy in healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities. From working in home care during the AIDS epidemic to exposing systemic gaps in medical training, Sarah sheds light on how ableism affects patient care throughout a person’s…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E11: Navigating Support Systems And Positive Behavior Tools With Dupree Edwards

July 27, 2026 • 25 mins
Katrina Simons catches up with returning guest Dupree Edwards to chat about his recent milestones, from landing a new civil service position to growing his radio show business. Dupree opens up about the realities of advocating for his needs, sharing how he successfully appealed a reduction in his support staff hours and navigated a move…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E10: Inside the HS Classroom with Science Teacher Emma (Pt 2 of 2)

July 20, 2026 • 24 mins
Katrina Simons sits down with high school general education teacher Emma in part 2 of our conversation to unpack what it’s really like supporting students with disabilities in a bustling ninth-grade classroom. The two dive into the everyday realities of managing IEP accommodations, navigating the social dynamics of high school inclusion, and collaborating with special…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E9: Inside the HS Classroom with Science Teacher Emma (Pt 1 of 2)

July 13, 2026 • 25 mins
Host Katrina Simons sits down with ninth-grade earth science teacher Emma to chat about the real highs and lows of working in a modern high school. From navigating shifting student dynamics to dealing with the sudden rise of AI tools in the classroom, they break down what it actually takes to support educators today. They…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E8: A Decades Long Legacy of Advocacy with Linda Wolford (Pt 2 of 2)

April 20, 2026 • 26 mins
In the second part of this two-part series, Katrina Simons sits down with Linda Wolford from the Minnesota Council on Disability to dig into the real story behind “enhanced rate” for personal care assistants in Minnesota. Linda clarifies how this policy actually came to be through the hard work of disability activists rather than the…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E7: A Decades Long Legacy of Advocacy with Linda Wolford (Pt 1 of 2)

April 13, 2026 • 26 mins
It’s a special homecoming of sorts as host Katrina Simons catches up with Linda Wolford, the Government Relations Director for the Minnesota Council on Disability and a longtime mentor in the disability community. Linda reflects on her forty-year journey in the Twin Cities, from being carried up the stairs of her inaccessible high school to…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E6: The Red Tape of Accessible Living with Nick Wilkie (Pt 2 of 2)

April 6, 2026 • 26 mins
Katrina Simons welcomes back Nick Wilkie from the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living in this concluding part of their deep dive into accessible living. They discuss the financial and logistical hurdles of home modifications before shifting gears to Nick’s passion for three-wheeled motorcycles and his love for building Legos to maintain a positive mindset. It’s…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E5: The Red Tape of Accessible Living with Nick Wilkie (Pt 1 of 2)

March 30, 2026 • 25 mins
Katrina Simons welcomes Nick Wilkie to the podcast to bond over their shared experiences with disability and life in St. Paul. They explore Nick’s role at the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living and the importance of helping others remove barriers to independence. This conversation kicks off a two-part series highlighting Nick’s journey from an employment…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E4: Navigating Neurodiversity and Self Advocacy with Adam Ruff

March 23, 2026 • 26 mins
Katrina Simon sits down with Adam Ruff from Advocating Change Together to talk about his journey and work in the disability community. They dive into the personal side of being neurodivergent and the unique hurdles of living with a non-apparent disability. It is an insightful look at how self-advocacy and community leadership are making a…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E3: Faith, Mental Health, and Finding Your Voice with Guest Joe Carr

March 16, 2026 • 24 mins
Katrina is joined by disability advocate Joe Carr. Joe gets real about the often-overlooked connection between mental health and disability. He opens up about his personal journey, from the challenges of feeling misunderstood to finding deep support in his faith and the people who truly see him. It’s a powerful conversation about the importance of…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E2: Fighting for Better Air Travel Standards with Rob Wudlick

March 9, 2026 • 26 mins
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…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S2 E1: Raising Team Felix with Haley Brunelle and the Magic of AAC

March 2, 2026 • 25 mins
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…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S1 E18: Michael Sack on Keeping the Twin Cities Accessible and Disability Advocate Ed Bartz

October 13, 2025 • 26 mins
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.
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S1 E17: Artist and Self-Advocate Thomas Robinson

October 6, 2025 • 26 mins
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.
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S1 E16: Renata Ticha, Research Associate, ICI at the U of MN

September 29, 2025 • 28 mins
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.
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S1 E15: Rebelling Against Ableism w/ BJ Stasio

September 22, 2025 • 26 mins
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.
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S1 E14: Amy Hewitt, Director, Institute on Community Integration

September 15, 2025 • 28 mins
Amy Hewitt joins us to discuss the direct support care crisis and why it’s an “everyone” problem.
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S1 E13 (Encore): Brian Begin on Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities

September 8, 2025 • 26 mins
This episode originally aired June 15, 2025: Host Katrina Simons is joined by Brian Begin for a conversation about Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act—a provision that allows employers to pay subminimum wages to workers with disabilities under specific federal certification. Brian breaks down how this law impacts workers today and shares insight…
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S1 E12: Jen Sommerness on Ableism in Education

August 25, 2025 • 26 mins
Katrina is joined by Jen Sommerness, a research associate at the TIES Center at the Institute on Community Integration. She discusses ableism in schools and making education meaningful for every student.
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Boldly Challenging Ableism – S1 E11: Katherine McLaughlin, Founder and CEO, Elevatus Training

August 18, 2025 • 26 mins
Katherine McLaughlin joins us to talk about sex and disability. She also shares why involving people living with disabilities in Sex Education is important.
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