Welcome to ItsPersonalPodcast, hosted by Gary R. Gray Jr.—teacher, writer, storyteller, and kid from Preston now teaching in Singapore. This ain’t your typical pod. No fancy edits. No perfect soundscapes. Just real talk. Sometimes it’s Gary, solo, diving deep—into childhood, into choices, into what it means to be growing, moving, becoming. He peels back the layers, questions his “accomplishments,” wonders out loud if he’s living a full life. It’s vulnerable. It’s honest. It’s personal.
Other times, he brings folks along—educators, authors, parents, artists, people who carry stories in their pockets and wisdom in their scars. Especially those from the Global Majority. The ones often unheard. The ones worth listening to.
Together, they talk identity, joy, loss, memory, meaning. They ride the back roads of becoming.
This space is human. Unscripted. Yours.
Find Gary everywhere @GaryRGrayJr.
Welcome back Veera! This is Veer'as second appearance on ItsPersonal and this time she is back for a check in. Gary speaks with Veera specifically about motherhood and its ups and downs, along with Covid19 family times and duties. This is an episode you will not want to miss. You can find Veera at www.veerahiranandani.com.
On this episode Gary talks with Wendy Shang, author of The Great Wall of Lucy, This Is Just A Test and The Way Home Looks Now. It does not take long for Gary and Wendy to connect. Wendy talks about the idea of Asian pressure, raising a family and her favorite teacher! You can find Wendy on twitter @WendyShang and her website www.wendyshang.com.
gary is back with season two of itspersonal and this time around he gets even more personal with some of your favorite authors, storytellers, educational minds in the game. sit back and truly listen to the story of authors and educators behind the scenes.
@Estherbrunat is a crack yo-mama jokes type of teacher. She teachers math to high schoolers and shares a weekly show on Instagram "What the Kids be Sayin" explaining some of the newest trends in the classroom. On this episode Gary and Esther share laughs and some important topics within her life right now. Check out Esther online @Estherbrunat she is halurrious!
On this episode Danielle Alanna (@hotmessteaching) shares growing up in a single parent household, schooling in a predominantly white school, and a relative as a teacher. Learn more about Danielle and her educational journey on this episode of its person. Don't forget to check out her instagram account.
@Asmahanmashrah is a social racial religious justice advocate who presents, shares, and inspires others in the educational world. On top of her great work online, she is in the community, on the ground making a change. Listen as Gary speaks with this inspiration teacher about life, and how she's got to where she is today. Follow Asmahan online: @Asmahanmashrah
Derrick D. Barnes is from Kansas City, MO. In this episode we listen to Derrick explain his journey as an author, a friend, a husband and a father. Derrick takes the time to open up about his past and how things have turned around after many years of hard work. You don't want to miss this chat. Derrick gives some amazing advice to up and coming authors and creators. You can check out Derrick's website at www.derrickdbarnes.com
Elizabeth Kleinrock(www.teachandtransform.org)gets personal on this episode and shares the unexpected. We skip the edu talk, and really get to know Liz outside of the classroom. Liz talks about growing up in a white household, jewish family traditions and 80s music. You do not want to miss this one. Check out Liz on instagram/twitter @teachandtransform she shares some of the most thoughtful comments and work online.
This is PART II of a conversation Gary had with Juana. What a beautiful soul this lady has. Juana shares a detailed insight on her illustrating and storytelling process, along with what it takes to raise mixed kids in today's world. Check Juana out on Twitter @Juanamartinez
Juana Martinez-Neal is easily one of my favorite authors and illustrators; Alma, Princess and the Pea, Babymoon, Fry Bread (etc). In PART I of this chat, Juana talks about family and how it has played an important part of her childhood growing up. She speaks about a large family in which her mother, grandparents, uncles and cousins all play an important role in who she is today. Stay tuned for PART II in which Juana talks more about her life in America, and how her kids deal with specific situat...
NOTE: Sorry about Audio.. Colby was kind enough to be one of the first educators to interview. This was done on an iphone :-) From author, to youtube expert, podcaster, educator, father, friend, etc. The dude Colby Sharp does it all! And he does a great job at it too. During this podcast, Gary speaks with the man himself. They talk about the importance of putting the right books in every kids hands, family, his early years in an all white school, and so much more. This podcast is jammed with per...
Before you get into this podcast, have you listened to PART II? If not, go back and listen to Mike share personal stories. Don't worry, PART II is not going to disappear. In PART II Mike talks more about the patience of teachers and how important this is for student life. He takes a walk down memory lane and shares his love for Ninja Turtles. Lastly, and probably most important, he shares some amazing insights on what educators can do today to help make their classrooms more equitable and fun.
Mike Ochs is part of TCRWP (Teachers College Reading and Writing Project)He has led site-based staff development in schools across the country. In this episode Gary and Mike talk sports (and of course teaching) Let's not beat around the bush here. Both basketball fans, Gary and Mike talk about the progression of the Brooklyn Nets basketball team and what real personalized learning looks like. Mike hits home the idea of patience and why he feels teachers need to remember that students have ideas ...
Dr. Kim Parker is special :-) What a treat, I mean what a treat! Dr. Kim Parker talks changing her dress to meet the needs of white people, going to HOWARD, disrupting literacy and the breakdown of #31DaysIBPOC on twitter. If you haven't checked out this hash tag, please go and do so RIGHT NOW. You will not be disappointed. Sit back and relax. Enjoy this amazing ladies story.
Matt was the mixed kid in elementary. In middle school. In high school, college. And still is today. On this episode, Gary talks with Matthew de la Peña an American Newbery Medalist who writes children books and novels for young adults. Gary get's personal with Matt, and digs into his past about his childhood home and family. If you enjoy this episode, keep the conversation going on twitter @GaryRGrayJr.
On this episode Gary talks with the one and only Valeria Brown (@ValeriaBrownEdu). This lady has helped Gary in so many ways! She is an amazing wife and momma of 2 love kids. She helps educators understand the importance of race within education. She works closely with TeachingTolerance.org. And host of #CLEARTHEAIR on twitter. If you are interested in tough topics, and engaging conversations, Valeria can help you with that. This podcast is long, but worth EVERY second! Enjoy :-)
On this podcast Gary talks with math specialist Marian Dingle (@DingleTeach)from Georgia. Marian gets right into talking specially about her family love, kids and husband. How she balances her need for alone time, and husbands busy schedule. She talks about being "the black kid" and the "black kid who's smart". All in 5th grade. This pod, is jammed with deep reflection and real life motivation. Marian, thanks for keeping it real.
This is Partt II of my conversation with Tiffany Jewell, the amazing Montessorian Educator. In this episode we wrap up our conversation about the life of a bi-racial kid, the idea of tracking systems in school and how they are ****** up, and super mom. You can find Tiffany on instagram @tiffanymjewell. Go check her out!
Today I have a treat for you. Instagram friend, Tiffany Jewell is a Montessorian, anti-racist educator and passionate book lover. On this episode we talk about Tiffany's past, growing up as a bi-racial kid, and what her favourite teacher did for her. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. You can Jewell on Instagram: @tiffanymjewell
This is Part II of a two part series with Nic Stone. In this episode we continue about Nic's unicorn husband, his ability to adjust, and love for her and the boys. We get into a chat about her dad (the best dad in the world), mom's intensity, and toxic masculinity. I hate that this podcast is over. Nic was a special guest, and will forever go down as one of my favourite guest on the show. Thanks Nic for keeping it real! #MuchLove
Nic Stone is my long lost friend. We waste little time talking personal, and sharing experiences. This was one of my favourite podcast because Nic and her personality. I felt like I've talked to Nic in another life, and we just picked up from the last time we talked. In this episode (1 of 2 parts) we talk target setting up parents, talking husband out of working, the health care system in America, Food Stamps and her first novel that she calls HOT GARBAGE! You do not want to miss this episode! T...
These 30mins are worth it! We all know Sylvia for her amazing work around sketchnoting, but did you know she had a twin sister? Loved funk and soul? Played university basketball for a division 1 school in Canada? Didn't think so.. On this episode we cover it all! Sylvia gives us the low down on her childhood growing up in Ontario.
Welcome to the pod! On this episode... HOLD UP.. I apologise for the audio on this cast. It was one of my first cast (in which I was trying to figure things out) but Julia still killed it! Easily one of my favourite cast and people in the world for her kind heart, and insightful thoughts. Listen closely for 100000 nuggets and life lessons.
Hey podcast. This episode is Part II of a 2 part series with Donalyn Miller. Author of the Book Whisperer & Game Changer (With Colby Sharp I hope you are able to gain something from this podcast. I know it is a little on the long side, but it was hard to cut anything out when Donalyn Miller speaks so many truths about education, laughter, and life overall. Let me know what you think @GaryRGrayJR on twitter. I'd love your feedback. You can also find me @GaryRGrayJR on instagram.
I remember eating the perfect Blue Box Mac & Cheese. My mom use to make it. She would add hot dogs once in a while to spice it up! On this episode I talk closely with Donalyn Miller. The reading guru and literature expert. Author of books such as the Book Whisper, Reading in the Wild and Game Changer. NOTE: This is ONE of a two part series with Donalyn. Let's go!
This is one of my early favourite podcast with Dee Fogarty (her first podcast ever!), book and literacy expert! I'm still trying to find all the books she shares on her instagram account. Take a look at what she recommends and be ready to BREAK THE BANK! Check out her account on the gram @Ilovebooksandicannotlie
LOVED the conversation with Veera Hiranandani around identity and the writing process. We dig deep into her past and how she navigated different backgrounds and cultures. Veera is honest and informative, gently, kind and simply an awesome soul. Veera was recently (2019) awarded the 2019 John Newbery Honor Award winner for her gripping story The Night Diary. Thank you @VeeraHira for sharing your story!
One of the coolest cats in the game, Mr. Cornelius Minor @MisterMinor takes the time to chat about disrupting education and making meaningful connections with students. Cornelius finishes with a great message for to educators wanting to create change in the educational world.
BIG THANK you to Britt for being the first guest on Its Personal. Britt is an amazing mama, and educator who uses social media platforms to share her knowledge with the world. Britt talks specifically about her high school life and the many challenges she faced, and what helped her overcome those challenges.
This is the end of an 8 part series called teacher talk. This was my first podcast. Even though it was only 8 parts, it took me a while to finish. This is a thank you and an appreciation to those who have listened. Thank you, I appreciate you.
