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© Shomari and Paul
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Shomari Jones and Dr. Paul Sutton examine issues that impact education and the education system, and ways that issues of race, power, and privilege impact students, educators, schools, districts, and the larger educational system. Each episode focuses on a specific topic. Within that topic we’ll anchor our discussion in a particular current event or story from the community.
36 Episodes
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In this episode, Paul sits down with Mr. Matt Stokes, an excellent white school leader in the Pacific Northwest. Matt has a strong reputation for being a highly relational school leader, in particular with students who identify as students of color. In this fascinating conversation, Paul and Matt talk about how Matt came to school leadership, the non-profit he helps run, and what it means to lead with care, courage, and empathy. As always, huge thanks to Mr. Brad Conger who ran the sound board for us and offered his wisdom and insights.
In part 2 of this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Jamie Cho, a long-standing community member who has served on multiple district community committees. In this spirited discussion, we continue to unpack how districts do community engagement, what they get right, and where improvements are needed. As always, Brad Conger ran the sound board and made sure everything came off without a hitch!
In this episode, Shomari and Paul talk with Dr. Jamie Cho, a long-standing community member who has served on multiple district community committees. In this spirited discussion we unpack how districts do community engagement, what they get right, and where improvements are needed. As always, Brad Conger ran the sound board and made sure everything came off without a hitch!
In Part 2 of what was one of our favorite episodes, Shomari and Paul talked with Anecia Grigsby and Harland Warrior, two Black school leaders, about their experiences leading public schools in the K-12 system. School leadership is crucial for the development of great schools and Anecia and Harland describe their complex, exhausting, and rewarding efforts leading schools as Black leaders. As always, Brad Conger worked the sound board and kept the recording rolling as the discussion went long.
In what was one of our favorite episodes, Shomari and Paul talked with Anecia Grigsby and Harland Warrior, two Black school leaders, about their experiences leading public schools in the K-12 system. School leadership is crucial for the development of great schools and Anecia and Harland describe their complex, exhausting, and rewarding efforts leading schools as Black leaders. As always, Brad Conger worked the sound board and kept the recording rolling as the discussion went long.
In this episode, Shomari and Paul talk to Luke Michener and three students (Matthew Reed, Quinn Austin, and Brooklynn Wetzel) in his AP African American Studies class to find out how the class is going and what students think the importance of it is given our current political climate. As always, Brad Conger worked the sound board and made sure everyone's voices could be heard...literally. Thanks so much to Luke Michener and his students for sharing their time and experiences with us and our listeners.
In this episode, Shomari and Paul discuss the latest attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and policy. They discuss why it might be happening, how they think about what is next, and what people could do to stay in the movement. As always, we thank Brad Conger for his work on the sound board.
In this longer-than-usual episode, Shomari and Paul discuss the onslaught of Executive Orders coming from the new Administration and how to make sense of the ones that most directly impact education and the K-12 system. Shomari and Paul invite folks to share their thoughts with us in the comments section. We'd love to hear what's on your mind and what you'd like to hear us discuss in the future. As always, Shomari and Paul are joined by Brad Conger who runs the sound board and offers his take on the conversation.
In Part 2 of this very important episode, Shomari and Paul continue their conversation with Swafiya Twahir and Shane VonBruck to discuss changes they'd like to see in how teachers and school leaders handle the problem of the n-word in school hallways and classrooms. As always, Brad Conger works the sound board for us an chimes in to add his perspective as a current high school teacher.
Shomari and Paul are thrilled to announce the podcast has been awarded an AVA Digital Media Excellence Award in podcasting! We are humbled to receive this honor and and are thankful to Brad Conger for entering the podcast into the competition!
In Part 1 of this very important conversation, Shomari and Paul sit down with high school students Swafiya Twahir and Shane VonBruck to discuss the prevalence of the n-word in public school hallways and classrooms and how it impacts them as students of color. As always, Brad Conger works the sound board for us and chimes in to add his perspective as a current high school teacher.
Shomari and Paul are thrilled to announce the podcast has been awarded an AVA Digital Excellence Award in podcasting! We are humbled to receive this honor and are thankful to Brad Conger for exerting the podcast into the competition.
In this episode, Shomari and Paul engage in a wide-ranging discussion centering on "what now" one month after our latest election by focusing on the nuances and durability of the K-12 bureaucracy in times of change and turmoil. Shomari and Paul don't hold back and share deeply held views about how the K-12 system functions, why change is so hard, and where to look for hope. Props to Brad Conger for working the sound board and for offering his perspective in the conversation.
In this episode, Paul and Shomari talk to the esteemed Erin Jones and C. Marie Taylor about the Presidential election and its implications for people of color, in particular the Black community. Erin Jones was the first woman of color to run for the Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State and is now an educational and systems consultant. C. Marie Taylor is the Principal Consultant at Equity Through Action. In this election where every vote matters, please forward this episode to those friends, loved ones, and acquaintances who could use a nudge in the right (or left) direction.
In our first episode of the 2025-2026 school year, we welcome into the studio Dr. Ed Taylor, the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Professor of Education at the University of Washington. In this can't miss episode, we discuss what higher education is and could be and the ways the K-12 system and higher ed could work together to improve the lives of the students who choose to attend college and university. Dr. Ed Taylor brings a thoughtful, profound, and compelling perspective to the public discussion around the purpose and role higher ed could and should play in American society. As always, Brad Conger was working the sound board for this episode.
In this episode, Shomari and Paul review their year and revisit episodes to highlight important takeaways and learnings they have had from a year in the recording studio. Topics include where we are now in the DEI work across the educational landscape, the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education, and other interesting offshoots. As always, special thanks to Brad Conger for his in-studio direction and sound production.
In this episode, Shomari and Paul welcome their good friend and child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr. Ashok Shimoji-Krishnan, to discuss what mental health is, why our youth seem to be experiencing increased mental health crises, and how we can better support them to better mental health and well-being. As always, special thanks goes to Brad Conger who was on the sound board and provided technical support throughout. Dr. Ashok has his own podcast covering all topics child and adolescent mental health, which can be found at the link: https://askchildpsych.podbean.com.
In this episode, Shomari and Paul discuss the significance and meaning of Beyonce's new album, "Cowboy Carter," and why Shomari is a fan of Beyonce (kind of) but maybe not this Beyonce album. Shomari and Paul are thrilled to discuss this topic with Ms. C. Marie Taylor and Ms. Emerald Anderson-Ford, both of whom provide insights into what Beyonce's music means to them and the overall brilliance that is Beyonce. This was one of our favorite episodes and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Very special thanks to Brad Conger for running the phones and sound board to make this show a reality.
In this episode, Paul and Shomari listen to and discuss Sir Ken Robinson's talk "Changing Education Paradigms" published over 10 years ago. Sir Ken Robinson was a renown scholar and leader in education and his talk provides an interesting perspective on schools and their impact on American youth. Paul and Shomari's conversation covers everything from the purposes of American public schools, how they were designed, and why they are so hard to change. We encourage listeners to watch the YouTube video linked above either before or after they listen to the episode.
In this episode, Shomari and Paul talk to two high school Social Studies/History educators, Matt Daniels and Luke Michener, who will likely be asked to teach the new AP African American Studies course next year. The group talks about what teachers, especially white teachers, need to do to prepare to teach the content of this course, which is both intellectually, socially, and emotionally demanding for teachers and students, and necessary. Technical direction and support was provided by Brad Conger.
In this episode, Shomari and Paul welcome in to the conversation Jessica Youmans, a successful white-identifying high school science teacher, to discuss the kinds of things white-identifying teachers should consider in order to successfully serve the emotional, social, and intellectual needs of their students of color. At the end of the episode, the group discusses the extent to which white-identifying teachers can (and should) successfully teach students of color.
In this episode, Shomari and Paul talk with Chris Marks, a former Bellevue School District School Board President, about the work of the school board, how someone becomes a school board member and, from her perspective, what it means to be a good member of a school board.
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