Boldly Challenging Ableism
Sundays 2-2:30 PM
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.
This episode originally aired August 2, 2025: Nikki Villavicencio, Disability Culture and Leadership Specialist, Advocating Change Together. Activist and City Council member Nikki talks about what it’s like living with a disability as a parent and how she’s raising her child. Nick Wilke from MCIL joins us as guest co-host.
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This episode originally aired July 20, 2025: Kathy joins us to continue our discussion on Ableism in systems meant to help and protect people living with disabilities.
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This episode originally aired July 13, 2025: Kathy Ware introduces us to herself and her adult child. Kathy and Katrina talk about how systems and disabilities interact- for good and for NOT so good. This is the first part of a two part series.
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This episode originally aired June 22, 2025: Katrina is joined by Matt McClean who talks about identity and the intersectionality of living as a disabled transgender man. We talk a little bit about the fears that trans people must contend with during these difficult times.
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This episode originally aired June 1, 2025: This week host Katrina Simon speaks with Graduating student Joe Carr, who shares with us his “etiquette rules.” Joe talks about his advocacy work and his plans moving forward as he finishes his transition program and life as a student living with a disability. That’s Boldly Challenging Ableism…
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This episode originally aired June 8, 2025: Mary Hauff, Director, Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Consortium, Institute on Community Integration, and Dupree Edwards, Lead State Advisor on Systems Change, Institute on Community Integration. Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Consortium director Mary Hauff and Lead State Advisor on Systems Change Dupree Edwards talk about the Minnesota Inclusive Higher…
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This episode originally aired July 27, 2025: Katrina is joined by Chris Farrell, Senior Economics Contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Chris talks with Katrina about limitations around disability and money. We also talk a little bit about working when you live with a disability.
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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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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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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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