Unified Exchange

For Episode 9 of the Unified Exchange podcast, we connected with Jen Hansen, Special Olympics International Director of Early Childhood Development! Jen is devoted to the growth of Young Athletes, bringing inclusion to the youngest members of the Unified Movement. The Unified Exchange podcast is led by the SOMN Unified Champion Schools team, bringing the voices of educators, students, staff, volunteers and others with unique perspectives to the entire SOMN community. Stay tuned for future episodes! Learn more about volunteering at Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota this June at https://2026specialolympicsusagames.org/get-involved/volunteer/open-roles. 

For Episode 8 of the Unified Exchange podcast, we connected with Student Athlete Ambassador Carter Will to learn more about his Unified journey. As a Student Athlete Ambassador, Carter uses his platform as a member of the Bethel University Football Team to encourage inclusion and kindness in his school and community! The Unified Exchange podcast is led by the SOMN Unified Champion Schools team, bringing the voices of educators, students, staff, volunteers and others with unique perspectives to the entire SOMN community. Stay tuned for future episodes! 

For Episode 7 of the Unified Exchange podcast, we asked Unified educators and admin to share their favorite Unified memories. From Unified sports events to stories of friendships between students, these extraordinary Unified leaders are making their schools more inclusive for all! The Unified Exchange podcast is led by the SOMN Unified Champion Schools team, bringing the voices of educators, students, staff, volunteers and others with unique perspectives to the entire SOMN community. Stay tuned for future episodes!

For Episode 6 of the Unified Exchange podcast, we heard from two members of the Global Youth Leadership Council, Rylynn and Tom, and former Stillwater High School educator, Paula! Tom and Rylynn have been immense advocates for Unified programming for the past several years, speaking at the national level and leading the Unified movement across the world. Paula has mentored this extraordinary pair, as well as made inclusion the standard at Stillwater High School. The Unified Exchange podcast is led by the SOMN Unified Champion Schools team, bringing the voices of educators, students, staff, volunteers and others with unique perspectives to the entire SOMN community. Stay tuned for future episodes!

For Episode 5 of the Unified Exchange podcast, we heard from four outstanding past and current Student Board of Directors Cabinet members! Students are at the heart of the Unified movement, and these four are truly leading by example in their schools and communities. We are so proud of their dedication and are thrilled to share their stories and insights! The Unified Exchange podcast is led by the SOMN Unified Champion Schools team, bringing the voices of educators, students, staff, volunteers and others with unique perspectives to the entire SOMN community. Stay tuned for future episodes!

Welcome to the fourth episode of the Unified Exchange podcast! Hear from educator Maia Miller and SOMN staff members Peter Mayer and Maxine Jennings for a conversation about the Cool School Polar Plunge. This project is created by the Special Olympics Minnesota Unified Champion Schools team and will feature guests from our incredible community sharing their thoughts on inclusion, the Unified movement, Special Olympics and more. Stay tuned for future episodes!

Welcome to the third episode of the Unified Exchange podcast! Hear from students Bria and Ainsley as they join our Unified Champion Schools team for a conversation on being strong student leaders and advocating for inclusion. This new project is created by the Special Olympics Minnesota Unified Champion Schools team and will feature guests from our incredible community sharing their thoughts on inclusion, the Unified movement, Special Olympics and more. Stay tuned for future episodes!

Welcome to the second episode of the Unified Exchange podcast! Hear from educators Shawn Perez and Suzi Pierce as they join our Unified Champion Schools team for a conversation on modeling inclusion and becoming National Banner Schools. This new project is created by the Special Olympics Minnesota Unified Champion Schools team and will feature guests from our incredible community sharing their thoughts on inclusion, the Unified movement, Special Olympics and more. Stay tuned for future episodes!

Welcome to the pilot episode of the Unified Exchange podcast! Hear from SOMN CEO and President, Bill Fish, as he joins our Unified Champion Schools team for a conversation on inclusion and leading with a purpose.

Watch the episode here!