Episodes

  • #TeachTheBabies To Show Up As You Are (in conversation with a high school student and their mom)

    #TeachTheBabies To Show Up As You Are (in conversation with a high school student and their mom)
    Sep 10 2024
    This would only be a Dr. David J. Johns production if the perspective and experiences of a student were centered. This episode features Oceanne–a brilliant non-binary/gender fluid middle school student who talks about the reality of being othered and what it really means to be “normal,” the (un)learning unspoken school and societal rules, and finding your purpose and passion. Their mother, Christine Ruiz, an entrepreneur, business owner, and fierce defender of her babies' ability to thrive, talks about the importance of finding support, working through the desire to control, and allowing your children to challenge you to stretch and grow. This episode celebrates the power of Black women and their nurturing love, the importance of good therapy, and unschooling as a decolonizing movement.
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    40 mins
  • Dolls & Dreams

    Dolls & Dreams
    Sep 3 2024
    In this bonus episode, we dive into two significant stories that illuminate the complexities of race, identity, and possibilities for Black children. Our journey takes us back to the 1940s and then forward to the present, where we will explore the groundbreaking work of psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark, as well as the narrative of Black Barbie, brought to life by director Ava DuVernay. The experiences of Black children, both in the 1940s and today, are shaped by societal views of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. We must continue to engage in conversations about racism, anti-Blackness, identity, orientation, and expression, and the importance of representation in all aspects of life—from education to play. Acknowledging this not only empowers children today but also sets the stage for a more equitable future. Let’s all get free!

    Credit: Emily Leugers and Niko Feliciano, with production support.
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    13 mins
  • #TeachTheBabies about (Public) Charter Schools

    #TeachTheBabies about (Public) Charter Schools
    Aug 27 2024
    Naomi Shelton is nationally known and respected as a vocal advocate for quality choice options for Black and Brown students and families. She currently serves as CEO of the National Charter Collaborative. Do you know what distinguishes a charter school from other public schools? Do you have questions about whether charter schools are public schools? Tap into this episode to grapple with these questions and more.
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    47 mins
  • Being Black in Americas Schools

    Being Black in Americas Schools
    Aug 20 2024
    This episode features a book talk conversation where Dr. Johns interviews author Brian Rashad Fuller about his latest publication, Being Black In America’s Schools. The conversation, which took place on James Baldwin’s Centennial Birthday draws inspiration from the prolific witness and writer, touches on the apologies that educators owe their students, the process of unlearning trauma taught in public schools, and the process of learning that teaching is political.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Montessori Methods are African by Nature

    Montessori Methods are African by Nature
    Aug 13 2024
    Maia Blankenship is a mother, career educator, and proud Spelman University Alumna. She helped found Wildflower Schools in 2021 and is the co-CEO of Black Wildflowers Fund. Have you ever wondered what happens at Montessori schools and if they’re suitable for Black students? This episode answers these questions and more. Parent, family, and community engagement, the enduring legacy of lessons learned at HBCUs, and African-centered child-centered learning are unifying themes.
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    36 mins
  • The Trappings of Private School Privilege

    The Trappings of Private School Privilege
    Aug 6 2024
    Bobby Edwards is the director of community inclusion and external relations at the McLean School. His current role calls for constant engagement with our community to develop and implement Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. This episode describes the role that elite private schools play in preserving privilege, what privileged families seek to buy when playing the real estate for school access game, and the importance of supporting the unique needs of all learners.
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    49 mins
  • White Supremacy Mutates

    White Supremacy Mutates
    Jul 30 2024
    Judith Browne Dianis is the Executive Director of the Advancement Project National Office. She’s served as a lawyer, professor, and civil rights advocate for the movement for racial justice for decades, including at the NAACP-LDF. Did you know that for every one white male student suspended or expelled K-12th grades, the rate is three times higher for Black boys? The rate is six times higher when comparing suspension rates of Black girls to their white counterparts. This episode reflects on how Brown increased surveillance and discipline for Black students, the consequences of carceral policy-making, and the power of context and community.
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    39 mins
  • Systems Work Exactly As Designed

    Systems Work Exactly As Designed
    Jul 23 2024
    Dr. Christina Grant is the DC State Superintendent of Education for the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. She is a system leader, researcher, and highly sought-after public speaker with decades of receipts for improving life opportunities and outcomes for children and families across the country. If you’ve ever wondered what a superintendent is responsible for or why it’s important to support Black women educators, you’ll want to bookmark this episode.
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    49 mins