Category: Community
-
“The people who are making these decisions are not educators or specialists. They’re politicians.” – Taylor
In this episode, I speak with Taylor, an educator and reading specialist—about her experience being a public school teacher, and what contributed to her leaving the system. We talk about the literacy crisis in America, what the root cause is, what systemic factors are perpetuating it, and what she would do differently if she were…
-
“I had the tools to break out of my bubble, but he had no tools to break out of his.” – Juan-Felipe
In this episode, I speak with Juan-Felipe, engineer, policy officer, and CEO of Join a Town—about the 180° change in his journey when his straight-A and honors* track record changed for the first time during college. Juan-Felipe discusses the transformative impact that observing the significant disparities in living conditions between himself and marginalized populations within…
-
“I’m here for you, but I’m going to sit back and let you figure out how to handle that.” – Savanah
In this episode, I speak with Savanah, a senior health analyst and health education specialist—about her earliest memories of being homeschooled before attending a public school for the last 4 years before college. We talk about what subjects she enjoyed, what subjects she enjoyed less, as well as the challenges of navigating peer relationships in…
-
“When we use math in the world, it’s always in a collaborative environment.” – Kentaro
In this episode, I speak with Kentaro, a math teacher, curriculum developer, and teacher trainer—about his early memories of being an internally motivated child and student. I ask him about the cultural and socioeconomic differences between his home life growing up, and the private high school he went to after attending public schools through the…
-
“We need more time to stop and think. We’re all in a hurry and I don’t know where we’re going.” – Sonia
In this episode, I speak with Sonia, an educator, podcaster, and career coach—about her earliest memories of growing up as the youngest daughter of immigrant parents, to becoming an educator and advocate for defining what success looks like for the next generation. We talk about the mentors in her life who saw great potential in…
-
“A college degree doesn’t prove you’re smart. But it does prove that you’re disciplined.” – Sun
In this episode, I speak with Sun, an entrepreneur and storyteller, about his education journey from Korea to the US, California to New York, and engineering to film school. We talk about his socio-emotional development from being the good kid to eventually overcorrecting to protect himself from the bullies. We also discuss what it means…
-
“’You lift your shirt, I’ll lift my shirt, too.’ That’s what makes a good relationship—getting vulnerable and sharing your sh**.” – Reena
—
by
In this episode, I speak with Reena, a TV producer, podcast host, and mompreneur, about her earliest memories of experiencing both social connection and disconnection in schools, as well as both shock and ultimately the push she needed to find her own voice. We talk about her career in TV and entertainment including working as…
-
“I am because we are. If you don’t work well with others, figure it out. How can you connect more dots? Who can you build with” – Charli
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Charli Kemp, an educator and social impact-maker, about her high school memories of selling candy, evading tardy sweeps by hanging out in the counselor’s office, and negotiating her grades with her teachers…before becoming an educator herself. We talk about her nonlinear journey of discovering her place in education…
-
“Every single thing in our world is related to science. If we reframe it that way, then there’s a place for everyone.” – Andrea
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Andrea Love, an immunologist, microbiologist, and science communicator, about her early interests in science and scientific literacy. We talk about how she became interested in science, what her parents and teachers did to encourage her to continue pursuing her curiosities, and why she is passionate about encouraging children…
-
“I don’t have to go into places that make me uncomfortable. I don’t have to say ‘yes’ to people who make me uncomfortable.” – Phyllis
In this episode, I speak with Phyllis, a personal branding strategist, writer, and coach about her young adulthood, first marriage, as well as her parenting journey of raising and homeschooling a teenage daughter. She shares about some of the challenging experiences she lived through as a young woman struggling with her worth, as well as…