It's Personal Podcast - podcast cover

It's Personal Podcast

Gary R. Gray Jrsoundcloud.com

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.

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Episodes

ItsPersonal II 54. Cody Miller chats garbage plates, pop culture and power rangers!

On this podcast Cody chats with me about his favorite power rangers, family and pop culture. One thing (well I have many but) I love about Cody is his honesty. He chats about his early family life and schooling, along with his move to New York to teach! Cody's authentic voice needs to be heard, and I know you will do a lot of learning listening to the wisdom he has to share. Twitter: https://twitter.com/CodyMillerELA

Aug 31, 202034 min

#ItsPersonal II 53. Dr. Erica B-Rivera chats Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer and family

Dr. Erica B-Rivera spends time chatting about her life as a Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer with A LOT of staff members. She shares specific examples about her childhood in which she experienced racism, and deep thoughts about her identity and who she is. Dr. Erica B-Rivera talks about how parents can start the conversation around race at home. You are going to need a pen and a pad for this one! So many gems. Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericabrivera Edutopia Article: https://www.edutopia.o...

Aug 13, 202022 min

#ItsPersonal II 52. Candice IIoh chats new book, mentors and family!

Candice IIoh chats being a new author during covid-19, her family household and schooling as a child growing up. Candice also goes in depth about her love for dance and the role it has played in her life thus far. She also talks about mentors who have helped her throughout the process of being a new author. instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomher/ twitter: https://twitter.com/BecomHer Order book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607663/every-body-looking-by-candice-iloh/ SLJ V...

Jul 30, 202028 min

#ItsPersonal II 51. Sayantani DasGupta talks family inspiration, social justice and little joys

New York Times bestselling author Sayantani takes time out of her busy schedule to chat about her childhood home, inspiration and today's world. Sayantani holds nothing back, and shares her true feelings about the state of the world. Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sayantani16?s=21 Instagram: https://instagram.com/princesskiranmala?igshid=lbo0vm01ewdy Website: http://www.sayantanidasgupta.com/writer/

Jul 24, 202029 min

#ItsPersonal II 50. Randy Ribay chats being an activist, identity and being an educator

Randy does it all! On this podcast Randy talks about his university undergrad/graduate schooling experiences, along with his family, and activism work in his community. Randy shares many insights on his identity and how he started to realize it was okay to be himself, and be proud of the history, background, and experiences that he came from. instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randyribay/?hl=en twitter: https://twitter.com/randyribay website: http://www.randyribay.com/

Jul 11, 202041 min

#ItsPersonal II 49. Ibi Zoboi chats family, teachers that look like her and code switchin

Ibi Zoboi is simply amazing. On this podcast Ibi digs deep into her past and shares how her past experiences show up in her writing, the American Dream, and schooling in BX. Ibi shares what it means to "get out" and own a home in New Jersey. Ibi is the truth, nothing but the truth. Twitter: https://twitter.com/ibizoboi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibizoboi/ Website: http://ibizoboi.net/

Jul 09, 202034 min

#ItsPersonal II 48. LaMar Timmons-Long chats grandma, New York and connecting with students

LaMar Timmons- Long is a New Yorker through and through. During this chat, LaMar talks specifically about his grandma, and some of her special recipes (no secrets revealed, he dives into the concept of building connections with students and how this truly allows educators to build community, and lastly, LaMar spends time talking about fashion. This is Part 1 of a 2 part series with LaMar. Twitter: @TeachLTL Instagram: thekinglamar__

Jul 07, 202026 min

#ItsPersonal II 47. Padma Venkatraman chats AWARDS, family and her amazing daughter

Padma talked with me a few months ago, as she was winning awards Walter Award 2020; SCBWI Golden Kite Award 2020; Paterson Prize and the list goes on. Padma really gets personal and opens up about family. She shares stories about her mom and dad, in which many of her stories are influenced from. You truly do not want to miss out on this beautiful soul. Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/padmaatv Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/padmaatvinsta Website: https://padmavenkatraman.com/

May 30, 202042 min

#ItsPersonal II 46. Natasha Diaz talks about making burgers and being a new momma!

Before anything, Natasha thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I loved getting into your world outside of the amazing author that you are. On this chat Natasha talks being a new mom, her love for cooking, family, and growing up a New Yorker! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashaerikadiaz/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/TashiDiaz?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Book: Color Me In (Please try to find at your local book store)

May 28, 202029 min

#ItsPersonal II 45. Grace Lin talks being an illustrator and writer and editor best friend!

Grace Lin, author of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, When the Sea Turned Silver, Year of The Dog and so much more, is a spark of fire! She chats with us about her workload being an illustrator and writer, along with being a mother. Within all of that, she shares personal experiences about her childhood that have influenced why she writes for kids like her.

May 26, 202031 min

#ItsPersonal II 44. Christie Nold chats being a white ally, childhood memories and current interest

Christie Nold is a gem. On this podcast we spend time with Christie talking about the work she does in education around being a white ally. She dives in and shares specific examples of how this work can be done by others. She also spends time talking about the importance of equity work in itself in order to create a liberated society. This is one you do not want to miss Twitter: https://twitter.com/christienold?lang=en

May 23, 202037 min

#ItsPersonal II 43. Jess Lifshitz chats being a mom, favorite teacher and hobbies!

On this podcast we have Jess Lifshitz! 5th grade queer educator who consistently fighting for equity for kids in her classroom. On this episode Jess talks specifically about being a mom and what this looks like for her, the impact of her favorite teacher growing up and things she likes to do for fun. PS: Check out her twitter account for amazing resources! Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jess5th

May 21, 202033 min

#ItsPersonal II 40. Torrey Maldonado talks What Lane, childhood inspirations and what's next!

Torrey finishes this 3 part series talking about his new book What Lane! And how he continues to find motivation from his community to share stories that relate to kids that grow up in the very same neighborhood he was born. Torrey talks the importance of family in his life and fatherhood. Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/torreytwitter Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/torreyinsta Website: http://torreymaldonado.com/

May 10, 202040 min

#ItsPersonal II 39.5 Torrey Maldonado chats Red Hook Housing Project and his writing blueprint

Torrey dives head first into his life growing up in Red Hook Housing Project. He talks specifically about how he uses his books as a blueprint for kids to understand how to be successful when life continues to through you curveballs. Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/torreytwitter Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/torreyinsta Website: http://torreymaldonado.com/

May 10, 202034 min

#ItsPersonal II 39. Torrey Maldonado talks growing up in the projects and Mommas writing influence

Gary finally gets to chat with his homeboy! Torrey about life during covid, family influences and growing up in the projects. Gary chats with Torrey in this podcast (one of three part series) about everything. Torrey shares wisdom for anyone and everyone willing to challenge themselves and take on obstacles they maybe facing today. Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/torreytwitter Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/torreyinsta

May 10, 202021 min

#ItsPersonal II 38. Lilliam Rivera chats about New York living, addition and family

We all know that Lilliam is an amazing writer of books, but on top of that, she is a wonderful person. On this podcast, Lilliam breaks down her childhood life, parenting, and addition. She goes in depth on the idea of togetherness and friendship. And spends time really looking at her past and how it has influenced her to be who she is today. Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilliamr?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilliamr/?hl=en Website: h...

May 07, 202024 min

#ItsPersonal II 36. Kiese Laymon talks past struggles, hip hop and strong family ties.

Kiese Laymon talks about his favorite hip hop artist, family bonds, school, weight and current quarantine life. Gary waste no time feeling comfortable with Laymon, for he is one of Gary's favorite authors. He is a professor at University of Mississippi and currently has 3 full length books. Twitter: https://twitter.com/KieseLaymon?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kieselaymon/?hl=en

Apr 30, 202033 min

#ItsPersonal II 35. Kwame Mbalia drops in and chats with us about strong family values and snacks

Kwame chats about family roots and traditions that have shaped his upbringing. He talks specifically about how his parents have been sharing the importances of roots/traditions since day one and that is what drives his family today. Oh, and he talks about his favorite snacks! You do not want to miss it! Twitter: https://twitter.com/KSekouM?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbalia1/?hl=en

Apr 27, 202026 min

#ItsPersonal II 34. Dr. Chad Williams talks about growing up in Preston and covid-19

Dr. Chad Williams practices in Nova Scotia, Canada. Like Cinera States, in the last episode, Chad is family. On this episode, Chat talks about growing up in the black community, how our black community can stay safe during covid and what the future holds for our world. This is an interview you do not want to miss.

Apr 23, 202048 min

#ItsPersonal II 33. Dr. Cinera States chats young dreams to be a doctor and covid-19

Dr. Cinera States practices in Nova Scotia Canada. She said she wanted to be a doctor when she was young, and she turned out to be one today. She's worked extremely hard to reach this stage in her life and she is sharing how this all happened. Within that, she is sharing more awareness around covid-19 and what we can do to stay protected.

Apr 20, 202036 min

#ItsPersonal II. 32. Fred Aceves talks new book, dropping out and family

Fred Aceves talks about the pressures of completing the second book, starting late in his reading journey and family in Mexico. Fred also dives into his message for kids out there who "struggle" with reading or finding the right book. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fred.aceves/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/FredAceves?s=20 Website: https://www.fredaceves.com

Apr 16, 202028 min

#ItsPersonal II: 31. Minh Le chats being a father, how he met his amazing wife and books!

Minh was easily one of Gary's favorite guest to date. Gary had the chance to meet Minh last year at NCTE. Minh was kind enough to speak with Gary and his wife on a number of occasions about everything. Not just books. Not just education. Life. And that is what Gary and him chat about on this podcast. Website: http://minhlebooks.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bottomshelfbks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bottomshelfbks/

Apr 13, 202028 min

EP. 30.5 Pernille Ripp dives into her growth around teaching & talks about her hubby!

Pernille talks specifically about her growth in teaching and how her work is a product of many other scholars over the years. She also talks blogging and her writing process. Lastly, Pernille gives the audience a run down of how her marriage happened and how it continues to stay strong today. Twitter: @PernilleRipp Website: www.pernillesripp.com Instagram: @Pernillesripp

Apr 10, 202025 min

EP. 30 Pernille Ripp shares stories of how she got into teaching and mothering

Pernille shares intimate stories about her up bringing and the importances of motherhood. She dives into her past and shares stories about her mother, and the influence she's had on her. Pernille also talks about bullying and its impact on her and her family. Twitter: @pernilleripp Website: https://pernillesripp.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pernillesripp/?hl=en

Apr 10, 202022 min

EP. 29.5 Patrick talks what it means to love aloud and navigating the online world

Patrick is back and what a special part II of this podcast. Gary talks more with Patrick about the meaning of "love aloud" and building strong bonds in relationships. They also dive into the "education celebrity" and how this culture is starting to rise online. These two sound like two close friends catching up. You don't want to miss this second part to an amazing conversation. You can find Patrick @Presiden tPat and www.stayingoodtrouble.com

Apr 07, 202018 min

EP. 29 Patrick Harris talks family, relationships and amazing school lunches!

This is part one of a two part series featuring Patrick Harris. On this episode Gary uses some of Patricks most powerful tweets to start conversation/reflection. Patrick takes us on a walk down memory lane and shares important moments in his life that led him to where he is today. You can find Patrick online at @PresidentPat and www.stayingingoodtrouble.com

Apr 07, 202023 min
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