The Inclusion Podcast

Ep. 76 "They’re Too Distractible”… Is NOT a Reason for Pull-Out

“They’re too distractible” is often used as a quick justification for pull-out, but what if it’s pointing to something else entirely? In this episode, Kristie and Julie u

Ep. 75 The “Real World Lie” Stop Preparing Students for a Life No One Would Choose

“We’re preparing students for the real world”, but what if that version of the real world is outdated, inequitable, and not a life anyone would choose? In this episode, J

Ep. 74 Behavior Charts in Disguise—and Why They Need to Go

You may think you’ve moved beyond behavior charts, but what if they’re still showing up in disguise? In this episode, Julie and Kristie uncover the hidden ways behavior s

Ep. 73 When “They Need a Small Group” Is Code for Exclusion

When a student is struggling, “they need a small group” can sound like the right solution, but too often, it’s code for removal and exclusion. In this episode, Julie and

Ep. 72 The Golden Rule of Support: Would You Want This Help?

Imagine someone supporting you all day—deciding when to step in, what to say, and how close to stand. In this episode, Kristie and Julie explore how even well-intentioned

Ep. 71 Less Praise, More Learning: 7 Reasons to Shift Toward Intrinsic Motivation

Praise might feel positive—but it can actually backfire. In this episode, Julie and Kristie dig into why overpraising can reduce motivation, damage trust, and even increa

Ep. 70 When “Doing Nothing” Is Actually Doing Something: Reframing Engagement

What if we’ve misunderstood what engagement really looks like? In this powerful episode, Kristie and Julie unpack why rest, quiet moments, and nonverbal participation are

Ep. 69 Completing Unpreferred Tasks Should NOT Be an IEP Goal

Is “doing hard things” really the right benchmark for students with disabilities? In this episode, Julie and Kristie challenge the idea that completing unpreferred tasks

Special Episode of The Inclusion Podcast: You Say You’re Inclusive… But Your System Says Otherwise

You say you’re inclusive—but what does your system actually show? In this special episode, Julie and Kristie unpack seven clear indicators that reveal whether a school is

Ep. 68 The Inclusive Schedule Trap: What Schools Keep Getting Wrong—and What to Do Instead

Too often, what looks like an inclusive schedule on paper falls apart in practice. In this episode, Kristie and Julie explain the common traps teams fall into when creati

Ep. 67 Steal This Script: How Leaders Talk About Inclusive Education

In this episode, Julie and Kristie reveal the exact words school leaders can use to promote inclusion with clarity, confidence, and compassion. From responding to resista

Ep. 66 The Relationship Behind the Roles: Co-Teaching That Clicks

Before you can have trust, share a classroom, or divide lessons, you have to build a relationship. In this episode, Kristie and Julie explore what makes co-teaching work—

Ep. 65 Read the Room, Regulate Yourself: What to Do When Behavior Escalate

When a student yells, swears, withdraws, or melts down, it’s not about control—it’s about regulation. In this episode, Julie and Kristie share how to shift from managing

Ep. 64 A Para Is Not an Environment: Clearing Up the LRE Confusion

There’s a lot of confusion around what Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) really means—especially when paraprofessional support is part of the plan. In this episode, Jul

Ep. 63 Giving Breaks Isn’t the Problem—It’s How We’re Using Them!

When students are dysregulated, offering a break can feel like the right move—but is it always helpful? In this episode, Kristie and Julie unpack how well-meaning adult-l

Ep. 62 Design Before Discipline: How to Prevent Behavior with Simple Shifts

Before behavior escalates, the classroom environment can do the heavy lifting. In this episode, Julie and Kristie share 16 proactive tweaks that help prevent challenging

Ep. 61 F%$# you! Now what?

When a student swears at you or lashes out, it’s easy to react. In this powerful episode, Julie and Kristie help you build a personalized response plan that prioritizes c

Ep. 60 Non-Verbal Ways to Support Behavior in the Moment

What your body says in the classroom matters just as much as your words—sometimes more. In this episode, Julie and Kristie break down how your posture, pace, tone, and ey

Ep. 59 Mini-Moments that Matter: Building Trust Without Tons of Time

Building trust with students doesn’t require big gestures—it’s about intentional mini moments woven into everyday interactions. Julie and Kristie share 23 simple ways to

Ep. 58 Why Running and Refusing Aren’t the Real Problem

What if a student runs? Or refuses to participate? In this episode, Julie and Kristie go beyond labels to focus on nervous system states, explaining why behaviors like el