The Inclusion Podcast

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 eloping or shutting down are signs of dysregulation—not defiance. Download the free resource: Human Ways of Being at inclusiveschooling.com/download58.

Ep. 57 Stop Looking for a Trigger: What Behavior is Really Communicating

Sometimes behavior isn’t about a trigger—it’s about what’s happening beneath the surface. In this episode, Julie and Kristie unpack why searching for a single cause of behavior often leads us in the wrong direction, and how we can shift to listening beneath behavior instead. Learn how to identify the real messages behind actions like yelling out or withdrawing, and respond with empathy and clarity. Download the free resource: Listening Beneath the Behavior at inclusiveschooling.com/download57. 

Ep. 56 Inclusion and Safety Can Coexist

This courageous and nuanced conversation dives into one of the biggest fears around inclusion: safety. Julie and Kristie name the fear, challenge ableist assumptions, and provide seven steps to help educators feel equipped, empowered, and proactive when facing concerns about safety in inclusive settings. With humor and honesty, they tackle myths, share research-backed practices, and guide listeners through a shift from exclusion-based thinking to supportive, inclusive responses. Bonus: the handout at inclusiveschooling.com/download56 includes de-escalation techniques, student support plan templates, and strategies to track “success minutes.”

Special Episode of The Inclusion Podcast: The Behavior Reset Every School Leader Needs

Tired of behavior challenges draining your team’s energy and stalling learning? In this special episode, we reveal why outdated approaches keep failing, what actually works, and how to shift mindsets across your staff—without adding another initiative to your plate. Walk away with clarity, strategies you can use tomorrow, and access to our free Behavior 360 Bonus Dashboard—packed with ready-to-use tools, mindset shifts, and practical solutions you can share with your team today. Get instant access at inclusiveschooling.com/360-podcast. 

Ep. 55 Paraprofessionals: How to Hide in Plain Sight

Julie and Kristie explore how paraprofessional support can be both effective and unobtrusive. With humor, heart, and powerful metaphors (yes, including Harry Potter's invisibility cloak!), they unpack what it means for paraprofessionals to “hide in plain sight.” The episode offers strategies to increase student independence, dignity, and social connection by camouflaging support and avoiding over-reliance. With resources like “20 Ways to Provide Invisible Support” and “110 Ways Paras Can Help,” this episode is full of practical tools and radical shifts in mindset. Download the robust 29-page guide at inclusiveschooling.com/download55.

Ep. 54 Five Small Moves for a Big Shift in School Culture

In this episode, Julie and Kristie invite listeners to put on their creativity hats and explore five small yet powerful shifts that can profoundly improve school culture. They focus on the “feel” of a school—how it welcomes students, families, and educators—and how small tweaks, like changing a sign from “You are late” to “We’re glad you’re here,” can radically shift emotional tone and engagement. From morning greetings to creative cafeteria strategies, this episode empowers listeners to build inclusive culture through intentional micro-moves. Download the companion resource at inclusiveschooling.com/download54 for practical steps to begin your journey.

Ep. 53 Ten Quick Inclusion Wins: Reset and Refresh

Feeling like your inclusive practices need a boost? You're not alone—and you're in the right place. In this energizing episode, Julie and Kristie share 10 quick inclusion wins that can help you reset, refresh, and re-engage at any point in the school year. Whether it’s the start of a new term or you’re navigating a mid-year slump, these simple but powerful strategies are designed to rebuild relationships with students and staff, add novelty and choice to assignments, rethink participation beyond “raise and respond,” realign and clarify roles with paraprofessionals, and celebrate the progress you’ve already made. Each idea comes with practical tools and bonus resources, including a jam-packed downloadable guide full of embedded supports and strategies. It’s like hitting a reset button for your inclusive classroom or school. Grab your free resource at inclusiveschooling.com/download53, then hit play and get inspired to try just one win today—your future self (and your students) will thank you.

Ep. 52 Multisensory Magic: Co-Teaching On the Fly with One Teach, One Make

In this episode, we dive into an easy, fun, and highly inclusive co-teaching move: One Teach, One Make Multisensory. Sharing real-world examples and practical tips, we show how pairing direct instruction with multisensory experiences can transform engagement and access for all learners. Whether it’s adding props, movement, music, or visuals, this is how a low-prep strategy brings novelty, creativity, and deeper connection into any lesson—on the fly or with a little planning. Download the free Multisensory Co-Teaching Guide at https://inclusiveschooling.com/download52 to start using One Teach, One Make in your classroom today

Ep. 51 You are the Thermostat

Ever wish you could shift the emotional climate in your classroom? In this episode, we explore co-regulation—and how educators act like thermostats, adjusting conditions so every student can learn and connect. Small shifts can create big changes. The download for offers simple, brain-based strategies that show you how to act as a thermostat — adjusting the emotional environment with intention, not reacting to behaviors alone. Get your free download at https://inclusiveschooling.com/download51.

Ep. 50 Beyond Praise, Rewards, and Punishment

Today we’re questioning everything we thought we knew about praise, rewards, and punishment. Are these tools really helping—or are they hurting our efforts to build safe, inclusive classrooms? Let’s dig into what connection-centered support can look like instead. And be sure to get our 10 Inclusive Swaps: Moving Beyond Praise, Rewards, and Punishment at https://inclusiveschooling.com/download50.