Episodes

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Mergers Aren’t Failures: Protecting Impact Through Trust and Strategy – with Jessica Sutter

Mergers Aren’t Failures: Protecting Impact Through Trust and Strategy – with Jessica Sutter

Episode 14 · · 57:55

From Bronx roots to shaping the future of public education: Jessica Sutter shares how a life grounded in service, trust, and intellectual rigor led her from the classroom to national...

The Shiny New Penny Problem: Data-Driven Courage for Lasting School Change – with Kelli Marshall

The Shiny New Penny Problem: Data-Driven Courage for Lasting School Change – with Kelli Marshall

Episode 13 · · 46:41

From sixth-grade math teacher to superintendent to leadership coach — Kelli Marshall shares how data-driven courage, deep relationships, and a clear “why” can transform schools and t...

Leveraging Life Experiences: Behind a Career in Youth Opportunity and Equity

Leveraging Life Experiences: Behind a Career in Youth Opportunity and Equity

Episode 12 · · 27:55

From a childhood shaped by instability to a career dedicated to building pathways of opportunity, The Stronger Podcast host, Mike Montoya, shares how resilience, education, and suppo...

The Power of Stability: Why Retaining School Leaders Will Shape the Future of Education

The Power of Stability: Why Retaining School Leaders Will Shape the Future of Education

Episode 11 · · 16:12

The Stronger Podcast host, Mike Montoya, looks ahead to the future of school leadership, unpacking why the next hiring cycles will define whether schools stabilize or continue to str...

Unlocking Parent Power: How Families Can Democratize Educational Equity – with Michelle Vilchez

Unlocking Parent Power: How Families Can Democratize Educational Equity – with Michelle Vilchez

Episode 10 · · 01:02:25

From community organizer to education equity leader, Michelle Vilchez shares her journey of empowering parents and transforming schools, helping families of color advocate for meanin...

Schools Weren’t Built for Us: Reimagining Education From the Community Up – with Malka Borrego

Schools Weren’t Built for Us: Reimagining Education From the Community Up – with Malka Borrego

Episode 9 · · 53:40

From reimagining neighborhood schools to coaching leaders through liberation and change, Malka Borrego shares how authenticity, proximity to community, and systems-level leadership c...

Test Scores Aren’t the Whole Story: Rethinking Accountability and Impact – with Cathy Jones

Test Scores Aren’t the Whole Story: Rethinking Accountability and Impact – with Cathy Jones

Episode 8 · · 48:50

From educator to nonprofit leader, Cathy shares her journey of transforming education and community engagement, helping Bexar County’s youth access post-secondary opportunities while...

Purpose Shouldn’t Mean Poverty: Rethinking Service, Wealth, and Leadership – with Sharhonda Bossier

Purpose Shouldn’t Mean Poverty: Rethinking Service, Wealth, and Leadership – with Sharhonda Bossier

Episode 7 · · 55:32

From Watts to leading a national education movement, Sharhonda Bossier shares her journey of championing educational equity and economic mobility for young people of color while rede...

The Kindergarten Lie: How We Miss Kids Long Before High School – with Clarisse Mendoza Davis

The Kindergarten Lie: How We Miss Kids Long Before High School – with Clarisse Mendoza Davis

Episode 6 · · 46:55

From first-grade helper to transformative education leader, Clarisse Mendoza Davis shares her journey of serving underserved youth and reshaping early childhood and alternative educa...

Equity Isn’t Optional: Calling Out Broken Systems – with Jessica de Barros

Equity Isn’t Optional: Calling Out Broken Systems – with Jessica de Barros

Episode 5 · · 51:56

From Seattle classrooms to federal policy halls, Jessica de Barros shares her journey of championing equity in education, showing how a lifelong commitment to access and opportunity ...

Transforming Education: Giving Every Student Real Choices and Career Confidence – with Daniel Gray

Transforming Education: Giving Every Student Real Choices and Career Confidence – with Daniel Gray

Episode 4 · · 53:12

From charting pathways for thousands of students to reimagining what true opportunity looks like, Daniel Gray shares a blueprint for reshaping how young people discover their futures...

How Community Saved Me: Identity, Loss, and Becoming a Leader – with Kat Ling

How Community Saved Me: Identity, Loss, and Becoming a Leader – with Kat Ling

Episode 3 · · 55:24

From rural classrooms to leading a mission-driven nonprofit, Kat Ling shares her journey of transforming education and leadership, cultivating inclusive communities, and empowering l...

Redefining the Ladder: From Corporate Climb to Classroom Change – with Helen Chan

Redefining the Ladder: From Corporate Climb to Classroom Change – with Helen Chan

Episode 2 · · 54:25

From corporate consultant to education changemaker, Helen Chan shares her journey of transforming disillusionment into purpose, using her talent expertise to build joyful, equitable ...

From Tokyo Classrooms to Oakland Streets: The Future of School – with Rich Harrison

From Tokyo Classrooms to Oakland Streets: The Future of School – with Rich Harrison

Episode 1 · · 58:22

From Osaka to Oakland, Rich Harrison’s journey bridges continents and classrooms, revealing how one educator’s global upbringing shaped his vision for more equitable, community-roote...