Sam’s Podcasts

In this episode of ISS EDUlearn, Changing Perspectives Executive Director Sam Drazin explores how to design classrooms where every student can succeed. He unpacks the “curb cut effect,” Universal Design for Learning, and the mindset shift from compliance to empathy. Sam challenges educators to make lasting, inclusive change one intentional step at a time.

In this episode of The DIVERG. Podcast, Sam Drazin talks about his journey and the importance of social-emotional learning and disability awareness as key components of inclusive school communities. He shares actionable ways educators, parents, and advocates can champion inclusion and help build environments where every learner can participate and belong.

In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas leads a powerful conversation on rebuilding education amid shifting policies and growing challenges for inclusive schools. Joined by experts from special education law, occupational therapy, teacher preparation, and inclusive design, the panel explores how systemic change impacts students with disabilities. Sam Drazin underscores the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion as central to any reform effort and calls for collective advocacy to protect inclusive practices.

In this engaging episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas welcomes Sam Drazin, Executive Director of Changing Perspectives, to talk about inclusive education as a strategic priority for schools. Sam shares how his organization supports educators through professional development, coaching, and site visits and emphasizes the importance of creating a vision of inclusion supported by incremental implementation.

In this episode, Sam Drazin and Riley Mulcahy discuss how understanding educator mindsets is essential for transforming schools into inclusive learning communities for students with learning differences. Hosted by the Educating All Learners Alliance, the conversation defines the core components of inclusive mindsets and explains how school leaders can collect and use data to drive meaningful change. Sam and Riley share free tools available to administrators and outline practical strategies for analyzing data to guide action planning and strengthen inclusive practice across K–12 settings.

In this episode of Think Inclusive, host Tim Villegas sits down with Changing Perspectives Executive Director Sam Drazin to explore what it takes to build truly inclusive schools. Sam shares his journey from classroom teacher to nonprofit leader, offering practical insights on dismantling structural barriers and fostering inclusive mindsets. Together, they discuss why inclusion is more than a philosophy—it is a reflection of the real world.

In this episode of SENIA International, host Lori Boll speaks with Sam Drazin, Founder and Executive Director of Changing Perspectives, about his background, the vision behind his organization, and how schools can become more inclusive. The discussion highlights the role of empathy and awareness in creating educational environments that value every learner.

In this episode of SIP & Sam Coffee Talk, hosts Sam Drazin and Janelle Mercado talk with the father-daughter team Teresa and Mark Burnett about their journey as education advocates. Teresa, a young adult with a disability, shares how self-advocacy helped her pursue her dream of becoming a DJ, while Mark reflects on the challenges and successes of championing equitable opportunities for his daughter. Their story illustrates the power of advocacy, partnership, and perseverance in building communities rooted in belonging.

In this episode, hosts Sam Drazin and Janelle Mercado welcome filmmaker and social justice activist Amanda Lukoff to discuss the history and ongoing impact of the R-word. Speaking from her perspective as a sibling of a person with a disability, Amanda shares how her experience inspired her to create The R-Word documentary, which examines the origins and lasting harm of this term. The conversation offers educators, families, and allies practical ways to challenge harmful language and promote respect and inclusion.

In this first episode of SIP & Sam Coffee Talk, hosts Sam Drazin and Janelle Mercado dig deep into the power of language and how it shapes perceptions of disability. They explore how everyday words can reinforce ableism and offer practical suggestions for reframing the way we speak about disability to interrupt exclusionary narratives. This episode invites educators and advocates to reflect on the influence of language and to model more inclusive communication in schools and communities.

In this episode of SIP & Sam Coffee Talk, Sam Drazin and Janelle Mercado speak with disability and social justice activist Emily Ladau about her lived experiences as a person with a disability and the ways society often misinterprets disability. Emily shares personal stories and meaningful examples that challenge ableism and invite listeners to become stronger allies and change makers within the disability community.

In this episode of 5 Minutes with EALA, Sam Drazin, Founder and Executive Director of Changing Perspectives, shares how his organization partners with schools to advance equity, inclusion, and social-emotional learning for all students. Founded in 2013, Changing Perspectives helps educators cultivate inclusive mindsets and build equitable learning environments where every student feels seen and supported. Sam highlights the organization’s unique learning models, designed to educate, empower, and inspire individuals to become changemakers in their schools and communities.

In this episode of OT for Inclusive Occupations: Stories of Not Just Being Invited to the Party but Dancing, Sam Drazin discusses inclusive education and how participation must extend beyond invitation to genuine engagement.

In this episode of OT for Inclusive Occupations, Sam Drazin, Founder and Executive Director of Changing Perspectives, shares how social-emotional learning and disability awareness can sow the seeds of inclusion. He describes how the Changing Perspectives curriculum helps educators cultivate empathy and belonging in their classrooms.