Best Virginia Ripples Podcasts (2026)

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Trauma-Informed IEPs: When Behavior Signals More with Dr. Desirie Sykes 29:02

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2h ago29:02

29:02

Happy New Year! We can’t believe it’s already 2026. We made it through the holidays, which can be a particularly challenging time for many students. Our last episode of 2025 covered the topics of misbehavior and dysregulation, and we continue in that direction with today’s guest. Join us to learn more! Dr. Desirie Sykes is a speaker, leader, advo…

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A New Look at Misbehavior: Creating Upstream Solutions for Dysregulated Students with Dr. Doug Bolton 31:02

1M ago31:02

31:02

This episode will be the final one of 2025, as we take a break from the podcast over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Before we introduce today’s topic and guest, we want to address the “elephant in the room”: the shifts happening in the Department of Education under the Trump administration. Just a heads-up: following us on Instagram is th…

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The Current State of DEI in the US: What is Worth Fighting For? 26:03

2M ago26:03

26:03

With so many school holidays fast approaching, there are many kids who need interventions right now, and their parents are panicking. Furthermore, the effects of the government shutdown are being felt as Head Start programs are having to close their doors. Families are scrambling, and we are witnessing significant shifts that are having a profound …

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How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It) with Lindsey Cormack 21:47

3M ago21:47

21:47

Today’s topic is one that not many people are talking about, but it’s a big problem in our country. We are discussing the deficit in our children’s education about civics, government, and basic politics. As parents and educators, we have a huge responsibility to do better, and today’s guest is taking on the challenge. Join us to learn more! Lindsey…

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A Look at CA Assembly Bill 461 and a New, Much-Needed Approach to Truancy 18:55

3M ago18:55

18:55

Typically, October is a busy month for us as we are already a couple of months into the new school year; reality has set in, and winter/holiday breaks are fast approaching. Today’s focus comes from a lively topic of discussion that was posted on our Instagram last week: an update on CA Assembly Bill 461, which repeals a 2011 Truancy Law. That law p…

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What Do Our Kids Really Need? Moving Forward with the “Next Great Iteration” of our Educational System with Dr. Annalies Corbin 23:38

3M ago23:38

23:38

We’ve become accustomed to the normal back-to-school craziness this time of year, but this year seems more chaotic than usual! Numerous lawsuits are being filed to challenge the funding cuts, which are having a significant impact on programs, services, staffing, and students. There are numerous unknowns that contribute to the turmoil. We are doing …

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Virginia District Funding Cuts Jeopardize Education For All 20:02

4M ago20:02

20:02

Here we are, on the front lines of the fight for inclusive education. Now, a month or so into the new school year, we are already in the thick of the fight, and we are seeing numerous lawsuits being filed as things are changing daily. Many of our listeners are already feeling the impact of funding cuts to education. Today’s episode focuses on the a…

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Racial and Cultural Responsiveness and Accountability in Education with Jebeh Edmunds 26:50

4M ago26:50

26:50

Our goal is always to keep people informed about what’s going on in today’s world that directly affects the education of our students. It is essential to consider the communities that are forming within the broader context of the current political climate. How are conversations being navigated around important topics like race and culture? Today’s …

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The Ripple Effect of Losing $65 Million in Federal Education Support with Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez 29:40

5M ago29:40

29:40

We are in the middle of the start of another school year across the country, whether your students have already returned or have a later start date. One of the most important events from last school year was the Supreme Court decision to withhold $65M in federal funding for education, and we are seeing those impacts across the board. Dr. Jacqueline…

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Finding Balance in the “Least Restrictive Environments” for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students with Jennifer Catalano 21:51

5M ago21:51

21:51

Welcome back to the podcast as we kick off a new school year! We are excited, as always, to jump into some very important topics in the coming weeks. First up is our amazing guest, Jennifer Catalano, to discuss her work in deaf education and share her perspective on the least restrictive environments for these students. Is it better to have 100% in…

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350: The Current State of Affairs in US Education: Our Appearance on Dr. Karen Wilson’s Podcast 41:33

7M ago41:33

41:33

This is our last episode before our much-needed summer break. Taking this break helps us to refocus and prepare for a new school year. We recently made another appearance on the Diverse Thinking Different Learning: A ChildNEXUS podcast with Dr. Karen Wilson, who has also joined us on our podcast before. Today, we are featuring that episode as an ov…

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Clearing Up Confusion About 504 Plans with April Rehrig 23:33

7M ago23:33

23:33

The landscape of American education has undergone significant changes over the past few months, particularly in the realm of special education. Our diligence in staying informed about developments in our field is more important than ever as we approach the start of a new school year in just a few weeks. Our focus today centers on understanding 504s…

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Digging into DEI Success for Students with Tracy Baynes, Part 2 29:44

8M ago29:44

29:44

Today’s episode brings back Tracy Baynes to share her best tips and advice for getting your student involved in their education earlier rather than later. She gives practical steps middle school students can take to prepare for college success, even if they are low-income students. Join us to learn more! Tracy Baynes is the founder, president, and …

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Digging into DEI Success for Students with Tracy Baynes 23:50

8M ago23:50

23:50

We continue our journey to view the education of our children holistically as we strive to develop them into productive and inclusive members of society. Tracy Baynes joins us to share her interesting work in helping students achieve unimaginable success. Tracy Baynes is the founder, president, and CEO of STEP, the Student Expedition Program. As an…

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A One-Size-Fits-All Approach Does Not Work with Dr. OiYan Poon 21:09

9M ago21:09

21:09

Today’s conversation covers the impact of recent executive orders on DEI, the historical context of the civil rights movements, and the importance of local community efforts. Our guest is Dr. OiYan Poon, a community-engaged research scholar, educator, storyteller, and leader for intersectional racial equity. Her research is focused on the racial po…

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Innovative Learning with the Modern Classrooms Project with Robert Barnett 19:37

9M ago19:37

19:37

Today’s episode features a fascinating conversation about strategies to support students and schools during unknowns and big transitions in education in the US. We welcome Robert Barnett to the podcast to discuss his innovations in teaching math and how his nonprofit, The Modern Classrooms Project, is training teachers to teach differently. Join us…

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Fostering Independence and Community: A Look at Jonathan’s Landing Foundation 24:42

9M ago24:42

24:42

Many parents of kids with disabilities share the same fear of what will happen to their child in adulthood and when they are no longer here to care for and advocate for them. Today’s guest is Kimberly McCarten, CEO of Jonathan’s Landing Foundation, in Orlando, FL. This remarkable organization is bringing innovation into how we service people in the…

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Inclusivity and Equity in the Classroom with Dr. Emily Affolter 16:10

10M ago16:10

16:10

We love to offer solutions along with our discussions of the current problems in education today. Today’s fresh perspective comes from Dr. Emily Affolter, the director of the Sustainability Education Ph.D. at Prescott College. The focus of this program is on the nexus of social and environmental justice as enacted in teaching, learning, and leading…

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The “Dear Colleague” Letter and Recent Executive Orders 22:45

10M ago22:45

22:45

One of the benefits of hosting a podcast in our field of civil rights and special education is that we can do quick follow-ups to incidents as they happen. If you follow us on social media, you know we cover many topics there, and we utilize the podcast for more in-depth conversations about relevant happenings in our field. One such recent event is…

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Connection, Vulnerability, Empathy, Advocacy, and “Healthy Mental Health” with Mike Robbins 22:47

11M ago22:47

22:47

We are still in the early months of 2025, and there is a LOT happening in the state of California and across the country. There are many important conversations we need to have, and our guest, Mike Robbins, joins us to discuss the current state of affairs. We have concerns about what’s happening with DEI and special education, but we want to keep t…

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Understanding ICE and Immigration Issues in 2025 23:13

11M ago23:13

23:13

There is SO much going on in our country right now, and we are faced with many unknowns about what’s coming next. We don't want to be part of the “noise,” but we want to give you accurate information about relevant topics. Today’s focus is on ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, particularly in schools. Our guest is Victoria Lucero, an immigra…

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Workable Solutions to Combat Teacher Burnout with Karen Foley 23:32

12M ago23:32

23:32

Teachers are our “boots on the ground” partners for all we want to accomplish in education. There are real mental health challenges all around us, and teachers need our support more than ever. Nothing will impact a child’s learning like a great teacher–and the reverse is also true, unfortunately. Join us as we explore this important topic! Karen Fo…

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Helping Students Learn Executive Functioning Skills with Dr. Tara Williams 22:41

1y ago22:41

22:41

Executive functioning is more than a catchy buzzword phrase in the world of education. What does it mean, how can we understand it better, and how can we do a better job of helping students? Join us as we explore this topic in today’s episode! Dr. Tara Williams is the owner and founder of Innovative Collegiate Consultants, which assists students wi…

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Advocacy, Equity, Inclusion for Even the Most Marginalized with Patrick Jones 25:59

1y ago25:59

25:59

Grassroots efforts usually work to bring about change. Unfortunately, our political leaders don’t look closely at education, disability rights, and reform in the same way we discuss these topics here in this space. Our goal is always to spur more conversations about education, disability rights, civil rights, and support for marginalized communitie…

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Building a Classroom Community of Confident Writers with Rob Sanders 16:43

1y ago16:43

16:43

Believe it or not, October is over. It was a busy month for IEP meetings, and the holiday rush is about to begin. In today’s episode, we want to give helpful insights about community building in a classroom through a simple, actionable technique; this conversation will benefit teachers, parents, and administrators–anyone who wants to foster confide…

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Education is in Peril with the Implications of Project 2025 17:10

1y ago17:10

17:10

Today’s episode includes a look into the controversial Project 2025 plan, a 900-page roadmap created by far-right think tanks, like The Heritage Foundation. With the elections looming, we are giving our perspectives on some of the alarming implications of this proposal, particularly its potential to dismantle essential educational protections, eras…

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The Changing Face of College Admissions and Equity with Emily Chase Coleman 23:26

1+ y ago23:26

23:26

In today’s episode, Vickie and Amanda discuss the evolving landscape of college admissions with Emily Chase Coleman, CEO of HAI Analytics. They explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on admissions, highlighting the shift away from standardized testing and the importance of considering diverse factors in admissions decisions. Emily shares insig…

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The US Supreme Court, Affirmative Action, and the Future of Education 16:18

1+ y ago16:18

16:18

Today’s episode focuses on a Supreme Court case in favor of eliminating affirmative action, which has huge implications in the world of education. In reality, what the Supreme Court does and how they make decisions stems from who the justices are. With every decision, we should evaluate if it aligns with what we believe and what is best for our cou…

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Leading with Empathy in an Inclusive Classroom Environment with Dr. Jessica Werner 26:04

1+ y ago26:04

26:04

Today’s focus is on accommodating children in the general education classroom to provide a truly inclusive environment. It’s vital for all of us involved in education to understand the WHY of these accommodations with an emphasis on empathy. Join us for a closer look. Dr. Jessica Werner is the founder of Northshore Learning, a team of consultants b…

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Teaching Inclusion, Acceptance, and Responsibility Through Character Development with Kristin Woodward-Vaassen and Icle Freeland 24:11

1+ y ago24:11

24:11

Teaching Inclusion, Acceptance, and Responsibility Through Character Development with Kristin Woodward-Vaassen and Icle Freeland Character education can happen in many forms. Today’s episode highlights a unique program that is fun, effective, and quickly growing in popularity. What child doesn’t love taking care of a pet? Join us to hear more from …

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Teaching the Teachers: Strategies for Inclusive Education with Andrew Goff 29:40

1+ y ago29:40

29:40

Most of the country is off and running into another school year, and it’s a great time to reflect on where we can improve and how we can be more knowledgeable in supporting students and addressing their needs. This episode focuses on training for school staff, district staff, and parents. Today, we share part two of our interview with Andrew Goff. …

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ENCORE: Live from the BOOST Conference! 50:15

1+ y ago50:15

50:15

Today’s episode is a replay of our session at the BOOST Conference from a few months ago. It relates specifically to next week’s conversation, which is the reason we want to air it again. This episode was also featured as an encore episode over the summer. Enjoy! We loved having the opportunity to speak at the BOOST Conference about our podcast, th…

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The Benefits of Instructional Audio Systems for Inclusive Classrooms with Dr. Stephanie Meyer 19:38

1+ y ago19:38

19:38

Last week’s episode was about central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) and its impacts on a student’s ability to learn. For this episode, we are excited to welcome Dr. Stephanie Meyer to the show. She is an audiologist in the Rio Rancho public schools who will share her perspective about how instructional audio can be more inclusive. Her career …

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Digging Deeper into Central Auditory Processing Disorder 22:16

1+ y ago22:16

22:16

Today’s show expands on our previous episode with Dr. Connie McReynolds in which we discussed central auditory processing deficits in kids with autism or ADHD. Even though many experts would argue that this is a medical disorder, it has profound impacts on education and certainly qualifies as an area of unique need for many children. Join us to lea…

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Solving the ADHD Riddle with Dr. Connie McReynolds 23:44

1+ y ago23:44

23:44

It’s the beginning of another school year, and we are coming to you with many informative episodes to prepare and support you in whatever challenges this new school year may bring. Today’s episode focuses on a better way to assess, intervene, and support kids with ADHD by identifying and addressing the root causes. We welcome today’s guest, Dr. Con…

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A Big-Picture View of Special Education Litigation with Tim Adams 30:47

1+ y ago30:47

30:47

Welcome! Today’s episode takes a big-picture view of what’s going on in education with our taxpayer dollars and how we can educate more parents about their general rights in advocating for their children. We use a recent California case as an example of how things can go so wrong–and cost millions of dollars–in special education law. Tim Adams has …

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ENCORE: Approaching Life with an Unstoppable Mindset with Michael Hingson 24:27

1+ y ago24:27

24:27

We are joined today by a special guest, Michael Hingson, host of the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. We have shared a lot of time on each other’s podcasts and learned a lot from Michael’s perspective on special education, especially what he experienced in the very early days of special ed. Join us to learn more about Michael’s life and work! Michael H…

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ENCORE: Three Steps to Plan Now for the Future of Your Disabled Child with James Lange 37:10

1+ y ago37:10

37:10

We're happy to bring you some of our listener favorites during the next few weeks. These episodes are sure to pique your interest by featuring topics important to each of us Enjoy! We are pivoting from our normal education-centric topics today to take a broader view of the financial side of raising a child with a disability. We want to make sure th…

1
ENCORE: LIVE from the Boost Conference 34:04

1+ y ago34:04

34:04

We're happy to bring you some of our listener favorites during the next few weeks. These episodes are sure to pique your interest by featuring topics important to each of us Enjoy! We recently had the chance to speak at the BOOST Conference about our podcast, the IEP system, and special education in general. The BOOST Conference is an annual event …

1
Proactive Solutions to Students’ Mental Health with Maria Barrera 20:24

1+ y ago20:24

20:24

We are taking a summer break for July to soak up a little summer fun with our families, so we are replaying some of our most popular episodes that are packed with information and inspiration. We will be back in August with new episodes to prepare us for the 2024-2025 school year. Today’s replay first aired a few weeks ago during Mental Health Aware…

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Moving From Diversity to Inclusion (Part 2 with Michael Hingson) 27:19

1+ y ago27:19

27:19

We promised you a Part 2 with Michael Hingson—and here it is! We don’t always get the opportunity to follow up a guest interview with a second part, and that’s why we are thrilled to bring you more of Michael’s inspiring story and his important work in the field of accessibility. Michael first joined us last May for an episode titled, “Approaching …

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Affirming Neurodiversity in IEPs with Santanna Ficken 30:59

1+ y ago30:59

30:59

Today’s episode is Part 2 of our conversation with Santanna Ficken, a mental health practitioner who proudly identifies as a disabled, autistic/ADHDer with multiple neurodivergencies. Santanna is a passionate advocate with MnNEAT (Minnesota Neurodivergent Education, Advocacy, and Therapy Services), which focuses on building trust and relationships …

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Systemic Ableism in the IEP Process–and How We Can Change with Santanna Ficken 25:07

1+ y ago25:07

25:07

Today’s episode is Part 1 of our conversation with Santanna Ficken, a mental health practitioner who proudly identifies as a disabled, autistic/ADHDer with multiple neurodivergencies. Santanna is a passionate advocate with MnNEAT (Minnesota Neurodivergent Education, Advocacy, and Therapy Services), which focuses on building trust and relationships …

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The Right Approach to Bullying Prevention with Alain Pelletier 26:13

1+ y ago26:13

26:13

June is here! That means many school districts are on summer break, and many more are in the last week or so of the school year. Wherever June finds you, we are glad you’re with us for this exciting episode. We have mentioned bullying on the show many times, but we’ve never dedicated an episode to it. We welcome Alain Pelletier, a professional yout…

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A Holistic View of Language and Cultural Context (Part 2) with Dr. Alexander Tan 24:29

1+ y ago24:29

24:29

We are honored to visit again with Dr. Alexander Tan to discuss the integrity of evaluations and assessments of English-language learners. This topic aligns perfectly with our goal of helping all parents better understand the IEP process. Are we providing culturally- and linguistically-responsible evaluations? Do parents of different cultural backg…

1
Proactive Solutions for Students’ Mental Health with Maria Barrera 19:54

1+ y ago19:54

19:54

It’s a busy, busy time of year as schools are finishing up! We wanted to get this episode in before the end of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Our guest today helps us understand the need for a more comprehensive and relevant curriculum focused on skill-building and emotional awareness instead of reacting to students’ mental health nee…

1
Live from the BOOST Conference 33:33

1+ y ago33:33

33:33

We recently had the chance to speak at the BOOST Conference about our podcast, the IEP system, and special education in general. The BOOST Conference is an annual event to inspire youth, learning, and change. Many different educational professionals attend the conference in Palm Springs, California, to participate in classes, workshops, and network…

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Three Steps to Plan Now for the Future of Your Disabled Child with James Lange 36:38

1+ y ago36:38

36:38

We are pivoting from our normal education-centric topics today to take a broader view of the financial side of raising a child with a disability. We want to make sure that families, and people working with these families, have all the resources and tools for a well-rounded toolkit for supporting their kids. We welcome James Lange to the podcast to …

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Approaching Life with an Unstoppable Mindset with Michael Hingson 23:56

1+ y ago23:56

23:56

We are joined today by a special guest, Michael Hingson, host of the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. We have shared a lot of time on each other’s podcasts and learned a lot from Michael’s perspective on special education, especially what he experienced in the very early days of special ed. Join us to learn more about Michael’s life and work! Michael H…

1
Love Is a Classroom with Andrew Goff 25:23

1+ y ago25:23

25:23

It’s a very busy time of year for everyone involved in IEP meetings, for sure! In today’s episode, we are discussing IEP meetings and the roles of compassionate educators who want to look beyond strict compliance to genuinely meet the needs of students with disabilities and special needs. Join us for the conversation! Andrew Goff taught early child…