Advocacy PRIME: Recent Episodes

Michael Arrigoni

This PodCast shares stories, resources, and support for people with disabilities and their families. You will hear content from self-advocates, advocates of people with disabilities, community members, and all others who share the passion or curiosity for advocating for disability rights and equality. It consists of one main host (Michael Arrigoni) and rotating co-hosts who will share their respective in the fight for disability rights. You can support the PodCast here by providing a donation of any sort to paypal.me/advocacyprime

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Lindsey Frank is a Climate coach at a school district in Illinois. She is also an author and a passionate advocate for mental health and Mindfulness. She is also a proud business owner. Check her website and purchase her book at thebutterflywithin.me

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Hello community! 

Evan Whitehead is a Director of Special Services in an Elementary School District in Illinois, he has his Master of Education, oversees Early Childhood Programming, MTSS, SEL learning, and family engagement. We talk in depth about COVID-19 and the impact on mental health for all stakeholders. Also, we discussed mindfulness and a framework for post COVID-19, and struggles that students, parents, and educators are enduring.

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Hey there friends!

I have my very first reoccurring guest, Andrew Behrman, on the Podcast for episode 9. Today, we talk about his CILA living arrangement and how difficult it may be for a group of people with disabilities to find living arrangements in their community. He talks about some backlash that his future neighbors have given but tells how they will overcome this. Also, he has started his own Podcast "Wheeling and Dealing Sports".

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On the 7th conjunction episode of AdvocacyPRIME and ICEC, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Stringfellow about the benefits of joining an organization like CEC, how she enjoys mentoring students, and the amazing things that Eastern Illinois University (EIU) offers to students. Dr. Stringfellow is an associate professor at EIU, received her masters and PhD from University of Las Vegas (UNLV).

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On the 6th conjunction episode of AdvocacyPRIME/Illinois Council for Exceptional Children, the past president (advisory council), Ray Graham Memorial fund chair Bethanie Whittaker talks to us about the importance of CEC membership, the amazing things that ICEC is currently doing, and the benefits that you get for joining a great organization like this! Bethanie has her Masters in Special Education and Educational Leadership.

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On the 5th conjunction episode of AdvocacyPRIME and ICEC, Kevin Jones and I sat down to discuss Restorative Practices. Kevin has his masters in Restorative Practices, Educational Leadership, is affiliated with the Regional Office of Education #17, International Institute for Restorative Practices, Retired Principal for Alternative Schools, and Adjunct Professor/Trainer/Coach.

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On the 4th conjunction episode of AdvocacyPRIME and ICEC, John Snakenborg helps teacher candidates succeed on the required Special Education EdTPA during student teaching. He offers tips, suggestions, and uncovers myths to help YOU pass your EdTPA. Snakenborg trains the evaluators of this test, is an associate professor, and makes nation-wide presentations on this content.

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On the 3rd AdvocacyPRIME/Illinois Council for Exceptional Children (ICEC) conjunction episode, Ms. Stephenie Joerger talks about how she has benefited from CEC, her current role in ICEC, the importance of Mindfulness and practicing it as a teacher and much more. Ms. Joerger is a High School Special Education teacher who works with students with Emotional Disturbances and other disabilities. Listen as she she speaks with passion and love for the field.

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On the 2nd AdvocacyPRIME/Illinois Council for Exceptional Children (ICEC) conjunction episode, Drs. Reynolds/Stipp talk to us about the power of CEC at the University level and what they are doing for the community for people with disabilities. Also, they talk about the origination of Olivet Nazarene University and their teacher prep program, as well as an amazing Symposium that they just recently had.


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Become a member of ICEC

AP's YouTube Channel

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You can donate to this cause on PayPal to help me produce more content!

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On the 1st AdvocacyPRIME/Illinois Council for Exceptional Children (ICEC) conjunction episode, State Representative Terra Costa Howard of the 48th District talks to us about the amazing Advocacy she has for our communities. She is a State Legislator, Attorney, served on the School Board for Glen Ellyn 41 school board, volunteer in schools, adjunct professor, mother.

She talks further about a day in the life as a State Legislator, how she uses her power to advocate for those in need, working in the trenches and shares stories that empower.


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On the 8th episode of AdvocacyPRIME (AP), John and I sat down in my house to record AP's very first Video Podcast. He is an inspirational man who is an advocate for his son Christopher with Autism, programs manager for Total Link 2 Community, public speaker for...Key Ministry, Hope Anew, SOAR, The Mighty, and Special Fathers network.

Today's Epsiode

  • Why male advocacy is low
  • His successes and failures as a father of a son with Autism
  • How he was able to get out of the dark once he found a community
  • Advice for fathers and advocates alike!

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On the 7th episode of AdvocacyPRIME (AP), I connected with Jenna Strauss, a 42 year old Self-Advocate with Mosaic Down Syndrome. She is also an ambassador for Nothing Down (Non-for-profit organization for Down Syndrome)

Today's Episode

  • Defining a Self-Advocate and importance for advocacy
  • The experience of bullying in school
  • Family as her PRIME Advocates
  • Personal experiences with advocacy in this world

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On the 6th episode of AdvocacyPRIME (AP), I interviewed Andrew Behrman, a 25 year old with Cerebral Palsy.

Today's Episode:

  • How he is my inspiration
  • From Birth-Now
  • Goals and Aspirations
  • His family as PrimeADVOCATES to get him into a CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangement)

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On the 5th episode of AdvocacyPRIME (AP), I connected with Nick Hancart, Public Affairs Manager for STABLE- Ohio Treasure of State.

Today's Episode

  • Definition of STABLE and Stable Account
  • Education of ABLE act of 2014, what it means to people with disabilities
  • How to sign up for a STABLE account
  • Things that impact accounts in terms of government benefits
  • Helpful resources

Open a STABLE account

ABLE NRC

ABLE Alliance for Financial Empowerment


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On the fourth episode of AdvocacyPRIME (AP), I sat down with Early Childhood teacher Danielle Fritz and High School/Transition teacher Kevin Mitchell.

Today's Episode

  • Advocacy for your student at the IEP table
  • Effective Transition Planning/Plans
  • Philosophies of Special Education and why we are here
  • Early Intervention and the importance of it

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On the third episode of AdvocacyPRIME (AP), we talk about how advocates can take action to your local legislators as well as a personal insight on how this advocate marched his way to Springfield.

Today's Episode

  • PUNS
  • The definition of PUNS and services someone with DD can receive
  • The CRISIS that is currently happening in Illinois
  • Mike Baker Interview- Male advocate for his 20 year old son with Autism

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Here is the second episode of AdvocacyPRIME (AP)! On today's episode, we talk about the importance of advocating and the difficulties that come with it.

Today's episode

  • The importance of having a voice
  • Advocacy groups online
  • Jill Goldstein interview- Parent who has a son with Autism
  • Henry Goldstein- 20 year old transition student with Autism

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Welcome to the first episode of AdvocacyPRIME! This PodCast is dedicated to self-advocates, people who advocate for those with disabilities, and for those who want to be inspired by the amazing stories that need to be told. 

Today's Episode

  • Introduction of the Host (Michael Arrigoni
  • The passion behind the PodCast
  • The vision for AdvocacyPRIME (AP)
  • A look at the next episode