Ever wonder where the idea of the "perfect mother" came from? In this episode, Nancy Reddy, author of "The Good Mother Myth," dives deep into the historical and societal pressures on mothers, examining how patriarchal and capitalist ideals shaped our expectations. Reddy champions the power of community, connection, and public education to transform motherhood. Get ready to challenge the status quo and empower your journey! Check out all of Nancy's work & her book at - https://nancyreddy.subs...
Jun 30, 2025•42 min•Ep. 95
Patrice & Stacey welcome in Robert Jackson, an afrofuturist & poet, as he reflects on his personal story of loneliness and the importance of collective memory. Jackson emphasizes the power of shared memories in fostering community and identity. He speaks about how holding on to family stories that helped him break his isolation and inspired his work for Remembrance Day, a concept aimed at elevating elders and creating mutual holidays for collective remembrance. Check out Robert's TED tal...
Jun 23, 2025•36 min•Ep. 94
Join Patrice and Stacey in a captivating discussion with Rebe Huntman, memoirist and dancer, as she delves into her book, 'My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic and Miracle.' Rebe illuminates her path from early loss and maternal disconnect to profound reconnection through Cuban spiritual traditions. Learn how embracing ancestral rituals and normalizing grief can lead to healing and a deeper understanding of self. Her work beautifully illustrates the interconnectedness of identity, healing, and...
Jun 16, 2025•44 min•Ep. 93
Join Patrice and Stacey for their 2-year anniversary! This episode tackles the Supreme Court's ruling on religious charter schools (public or private?), dissects ECCA tax breaks for private schools, and dives into the Harvard-Trump battle over funding, international students, and academic freedom. They explore how these policies impact economic mobility, societal inequality, and the future of education. Discover how these decisions affect economic mobility and inequality, and learn why your vote...
Jun 09, 2025•23 min•Ep. 92
Stacey & Patrice are joined by Lisa Garcia, an environmental lawyer & former EPA Regional Administrator, as she unpacks her extensive career fighting for environmental justice. Learn about the EPA's foundational role in public health protection, its bipartisan history, and current challenges in environmental policy. Lisa provides a compelling call to action for increased public involvement to advance environmental safeguards and public health outcomes. The Educate U.S. podcast is present...
Jun 02, 2025•44 min•Ep. 91
Stacey and Patrice sit down with Anther co-founders Jon and Lara to help you unlock your potential! Discover how their positive psychology expertise — from UPenn to founding Larabar — fosters human thriving and builds psychological safety. Plus, get their essential insights on AI's impact and maintaining true human connection. To find out more about Anther, visit - https://www.antherglobal.com The Educate U.S. podcast is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC. & Positively...
May 26, 2025•33 min•Ep. 90
Can we really transform our institutions? Susan Sturm says yes. On this episode, Patrice and Stacey are joined by Columbia Law Professor & author of 'What Might Be", Susan Sturm, to explore her groundbreaking ideas from the book on confronting racism beyond surface-level DEI. Uncover the power of individual action and collaborative bridge-building to create lasting change for full participation. Get Professor Sturm's book at - https://whatmightbe.me or wherever books are sold! The Educate U....
May 19, 2025•50 min•Ep. 89
Donette Samuel joined Patrice & Stacey to discuss her inspiring story & personal career growth. From her diverse career path in technology, to the Peace Corps, and now with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Donette shares her insights on workplace flexibility, professional growth, generational differences, and her crucial advice for young professionals - find sponsors, know your "why," and focus on what you can control! Follow Donette - https://www.donette.page https://www.linked...
May 12, 2025•43 min•Ep. 88
How does academic research power our world, from the iPhone 16 to effective classrooms? Patrice and Stacey dissect the current administration's educational policies, highlighting threats to vital research funding and the dangers of policy without evidence. Patrice shares her personal journey homeschooling her daughter, offering an intimate look at the daily demands and joys. Discover why research is crucial for educational advancement and gain a real-world perspective on alternative learning. Th...
May 07, 2025•37 min•Ep. 87
Patrice and Stacey welcome back on the pod Angelica Solis from EdLoc (Education Leaders of Color) to explore the indispensable role of the United States Department of Education. Gain a clear understanding of the department's core functions, its impact on schools nationwide, and the critical policies and support systems that are currently at risk. Angelica brings her deep expertise to unpack the complexities of education policy and clearly articulate why a strong and effective Department of Educa...
Apr 28, 2025•46 min•Ep. 86
Dive into abundance with Patrice and Stacey as they share their personal journeys with a powerful meditation. Then, they pivot to a thought-provoking discussion on abundance vs. scarcity in education, challenging the "failing schools" narrative and exploring the potential within our classrooms. Get ready for relatable insights, critical conversations about school choice and family engagement, and a sneak peek at our next episode! Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively...
Apr 21, 2025•23 min•Ep. 85
Pull up a chair at The Educator's Table with our guest Michelle Cummings! Stacey and Patrice engage in a heartfelt conversation with the author of 'The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide,' 5th Edition, Michelle Cummings. Discover Michelle's inspiring journey from the classroom to the cutting edge of educational technology, as she shares her lifelong passion for teaching, ways to help improve teacher shortage in America, how we need to reimagine student success beyond standardized tests, and the...
Apr 14, 2025•47 min•Ep. 84
Patrice & Stacey dive into the essential work of fostering a positive mindset in a world that often leans negative. We explore personal experiences with health and the impact of media, alongside inspiring stories from education and youth empowerment. Understand the brain's natural negativity bias and discover actionable strategies like journaling and spending time outdoors to intentionally cultivate joy and recognize its power as a form of resistance. Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roast...
Apr 08, 2025•34 min•Ep. 83
Patrice and Stacey welcome in Joneé Billy, a dynamic social impact leader, who shares her powerful journey and transformative work she does at Power Play NYC. Discover how sports catalyze leadership, resilience, and equitable opportunities for young girls, and learn why 94% of women in C-suite roles, played sports. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about empowering the next generation of female leaders! Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea - Ha...
Apr 02, 2025•34 min•Ep. 82
So, we were supposed to talk about the Department of Education. But, you know how it goes... Patrice and Stacey got sidetracked (in the best way!) by the fascinating, wild, 'Holy Wars' happening in Oklahoma. They unpack the unexpected links to these conflicts, and also dive into how the term 'mental health' seems to be thrown around pretty casually these days. Story - https://hechingerreport.org/how-oklahomas-superintendent-set-off-a-holy-war-in-classrooms/ Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roa...
Mar 24, 2025•20 min•Ep. 81
Elisa Padilla, founder of 'Kick It By EP', joined Patrice & Stacey to share her journey of turning personal loss, into a platform for authentic storytelling. She discusses normalizing grief, inspired through IG live conversations with women in sports and entertainment, and the importance of being true to yourself. Tune in for a powerful message of resilience and authenticity! Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea - Have a cup of the best tasting coffee that g...
Mar 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 80
Stacey & Patrice welcome UNC-Greensboro Sociology Chair & noted author, Dr. Steven Cureton, for a thought-provoking conversation on the social construction of race and masculinity. We examine how societal forces, from family dynamics to political regimes, shape our identities and experiences. Dr. Cureton sheds light on the challenges faced by those who exist outside the "white, male, heterosexual" center, and the importance of understanding the hidden curriculum that governs our interact...
Mar 10, 2025•44 min•Ep. 79
President and CEO of the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, Mariekarl Vilceus-Talty re-joins the podcast for a conversation with Stacey on today's critical health battles: norovirus, vaccine misinformation, and the looming impact of funding cuts on maternal health. Mariekarl, who was recently honored as one of NJ's 100 most powerful women, shares vital insights on reproductive rights, family planning, and the dangers of predatory "crisis pregnancy" centers, plus, g...
Mar 03, 2025•39 min•Ep. 78
In a world that feels increasingly divided, how do we rebuild trust and create meaningful change? In this episode, Stacey talks with Reginald "Reggie" Richardson, a veteran educator & social justice champion. Reggie shares his vision for a stronger, more connected society, outlining practical steps you can take to make a difference in your own backyard. From local engagement to honest dialogue, this episode will inspire you to build bridges and create a powerful counterforce to division! Lin...
Feb 24, 2025•51 min•Ep. 77
In this episode, Stacey is joined by Dr. Keith D. Dorsey, managing partner at Boyden, to discuss the significance of diversity on boards. Dr. Dorsey shares insights from his experience as a board advisor, corporate director, and founder of Boardroom Journey. Have you ever considered joining a board? Interested in understanding the importance of board diversity? We got the episode for you. Educate U.S. is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea - Have a cup of t...
Feb 17, 2025•47 min•Ep. 76
Higher education is facing a connectivity crunch as student enrollment rebounds. In this episode, Nick & Stacey explores how "smart campus" solutions can address this challenge by welcoming Scott Drossos of Boldyn Networks, to talk about the growing need for ubiquitous campus-wide connectivity. Discover how Boldyn's innovative approach, leveraging technologies from fiber to 6G, can future-proof universities and empower students. Join us to learn how interconnected campuses are shaping the fu...
Feb 03, 2025•37 min•Ep. 75
They're signed, sealed, and delivered, but what do they really mean for education? Nick & Stacey dive into the latest executive orders by President Trump, examining their potential impact on the world of education & beyond the classroom. Articles mentioned in the episode - https://www.acenet.edu/Documents/Trump-EO-Summary-012325.pdf https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/nea-immigration-guidance-booklet-2025.pdf https://www.idra.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IDRA-Infographic-10...
Jan 27, 2025•33 min•Ep. 74
Parents Defending Education (PDE) raised alarms about DOJ spending on school DEI initiatives. Stacey & Nick dive deep on their narrative, explain why these investments are essential, and consider other perspectives on the conclusions that PDE draws from their report. Link to the PDE appearance referenced in the episode on Fox News - https://www.foxnews.com/media/department-justice-spent-over-100-million-dei-education-programs-over-last-four-years-report Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roa...
Jan 09, 2025•17 min•Ep. 73
Stacey and Nick look back on the major themes of the show in 2024, and share some clips from some of their favorite interviews on the pod. Happy New Year everyone! Educate U.S. is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea - Hot coffee, iced coffee, tea & more, nothing gets us through the day like the great tasting products from our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee! Visit this link https://lddy.no/1k3n0 & use our promo code EDUCATEUS for 20% off your f...
Jan 02, 2025•27 min•Ep. 72
The battle over school vouchers rages on, shaping the future of education in America. Stacey sits down with Jennifer Berkshire, co-author of The Education Wars and creator of the ' Have You Heard' podcast, to unpack the political forces driving this issue and explore what's at stake for students and communities. Links to Jennifer's work - https://www.jenniferberkshire.com https://soundcloud.com/haveyouheardpodcast https://www.educationwarsbook.com Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roasted Coffe...
Dec 24, 2024•39 min•Ep. 71
Nick and Stacey start off by sharing their recent experiences in their respective parent teacher conferences, while Nick wonders why we academically push our students, while emotionally stunting them. Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea - Hot coffee, iced coffee, tea & more, nothing gets us through the day like the great tasting products from our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee! Visit this link https://lddy.no/1k3n0 & use our promo code EDUCATEUS f...
Dec 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 70
Is school choice the solution to educational inequality? Or does it exacerbate existing disparities? Seth Rao, a seasoned education policy expert, joins us to unravel the intricacies of school choice. From his experiences in Nevada, San Antonio, and Chicago public schools, Seth offers a nuanced perspective on the benefits and drawbacks of school choice. Stacey & Seth delve into the impact of school choice on public education, the importance of targeted universalism, and the role of regulatio...
Dec 09, 2024•38 min•Ep. 69
In this episode, Stacey is joined by Ron Rapatalo, a leader in social impact hiring for over 20 years. Ron began his career in search operations, transitioned to leading recruitment & admissions efforts, has designed hiring processes for clients focused on social impact & more. He has worked with organizations such as New Leaders and Teach For America. Together, they discuss the challenges leaders face, the importance of making space for others, and the idea that citizenship should exten...
Dec 02, 2024•40 min•Ep. 68
Stacey and Nick try to make sense of former WWE CEO Linda McMahon being appointed to lead the Department of Education, plus, a look at Texas Board of Education approving public schools have Bible verses incorporated into reading instruction. Read more about both stories here - Texas public schools & bible verses - https://www.fox4news.com/news/texas-schools-bible-textbook Linda McMahon tapped for head of Dept of Education - https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-trump-education-secretary-w...
Nov 25, 2024•33 min•Ep. 67
Stacey and Nick react to President-elect Donald Trump's vision for the Department of Education, plus, Stacey makes sense of the recent success of her Philadelphia Eagles. Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea. The weather has cooled down, and you too can cool down with a fresh cold brew, iced tea or iced coffee from our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee, or if you need something hot, they got you too! Visit this link https://lddy.no/1k3n0 & use our promo c...
Nov 18, 2024•38 min•Ep. 66
