Épisodes

  • In the Pursuit of Impact with Dr. Damia Thomas

    In the Pursuit of Impact with Dr. Damia Thomas
    Jan 21 2025
    In this episode of 'The Exit Interview,' host Dr. Asia Lyons welcomes Dr. Damia Thomas, who brings over two decades of experience in urban education. They discuss retention challenges in education, emphasizing the importance of work environment, culture, and kindness over monetary incentives. Dr. Thomas shares her journey from starting as a teacher to becoming a school principal and author and founding her consultancy. She highlights her experiences in transforming school cultures, working in predominantly Black communities, and the critical role of leadership. Dr. Thomas provides actionable insights on establishing consistency, leveraging leadership teams, and creating values-based systems to promote teacher retention and well-being.
    00:00 Introduction to Retention Challenges00:43 Welcome to The Exit Interview Podcast01:37 Introducing Dr. Demia Thomas03:51 Dr. Thomas' Journey in Education04:59 Experiences in Urban Education12:09 Leadership and Principalship23:00 Founding an All-Girls School27:22 Closing Ceremony Reflections28:05 Challenges and Changes in Leadership30:59 Navigating Racial Dynamics34:00 Realizing the Need for Change37:29 Transition to Consulting45:01 Shoutouts and Current Work47:15 Supporting School Leaders52:30 Final Thoughts and Wellness
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    55 min
  • What It Means To Be Well with Dr. Shawn Ginwright

    What It Means To Be Well with Dr. Shawn Ginwright
    Jan 6 2025
    In this episode of The Exit Interview Podcast for Black Educators, Dr. Asia Lyons and guest host Stacey Taylor Brandon welcome Dr. Shawn Ginwright, a thought leader in education and youth development. Dr. Ginwright discusses his revolutionary concept of healing-centered engagement and the importance of self-reflection for Black educators dealing with racial battle fatigue and systemic oppression. Emphasizing the need for self-care and community healing, he shares insights from his acclaimed book, 'The Four Pivots.' He highlights practical steps leaders can take to foster wellness in educational spaces. Dr. Ginwright also underscores the vital role of Black women in caregiving, the necessity of establishing sanctuary spaces, and the importance of giving from one's excess rather than essence. Throughout the episode, the conversation delves into personal narratives, systemic challenges, and actionable strategies for integrating wellness practices into everyday life and professional settings.
    P.S. The Exit Interview will record a live episode with Joy Delizo-Osborne at SXSW EDU 2025 on March 5th! Hope to see you there!
    00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview00:36 Meet the Guest Host: Stacey Taylor Brandon01:30 Introducing Dr. Sean Genwright01:43 Dr. Genwright's Work and Contributions03:23 Welcome Dr. Genwright to the Podcast04:39 The Importance of Self-Reflection05:22 Racial Battle Fatigue and Healing11:03 Balancing Care and Self-Wellness21:32 A New Perspective on Motherhood21:59 The Impact of Stress on Health23:22 Applying the Four Pivots in Education25:12 Personal Development for Leaders26:52 Building Supportive Systems31:48 Shoutouts and Acknowledgements34:45 The Importance of Self-Care40:16 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude
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    37 min
  • Taking Care and Moving Forward with Dr. LaShaune Stitt

    Taking Care and Moving Forward with Dr. LaShaune Stitt
    Nov 19 2024

    When the school nurse has to check your blood pressure three times, you know you're in trouble. In this episode of the 'Exit Interview' podcast, I archive the story of Dr. LaShaune Stitt. Dr. Stitt recounts her journey from childhood dreams of teaching to pioneering spaces for young men of Color, and the community-centered approaches that defined her work. Amidst these achievements, she opens up about the health crises and systemic challenges that led her to leave formal education. Our discussion touches on the critical support from women in her professional community, her experiences with racial battle fatigue, and the vital importance of therapy and self-care for Black educators. We delve into the significance of culturally responsive teaching environments and Dr. Stitt's current consulting work, emphasizing the broad, impactful ways educators can contribute to their communities beyond traditional classroom roles.



    00:00 Welcome and Milestones

    00:57 Introducing Dr. LaShaune Stitt

    02:25 Dr. Stitt's Journey into Education

    06:23 Founding an All-Male School

    08:46 Challenges and Leadership in Education

    18:24 Health and Well-being in Education

    26:56 The Struggles of Educators

    29:12 The Principal's Secret

    32:06 The Breaking Point

    36:04 A New Beginning

    39:12 Shoutouts and Gratitude

    41:44 Current Endeavors

    48:04 Defining Wellbeing

    52:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell
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    47 min
  • Worthy of Rest with Octavia Raheem

    Worthy of Rest with Octavia Raheem
    Nov 7 2024
    In this episode of The Exit Interview, host Dr. Asia Lyons engages in a deep conversation with Octavia Raheem about the transformative power of rest. Octavia Raheem, an accomplished author, rest restorative coach, and former public school teacher, shares her journey from traditional education to becoming a leader in wellness and restorative practices. The discussion explores the importance of rest for Black educators, the systemic challenges they face, and the necessity of self-care. Raheem passionately discusses the interplay between creativity, rest, and holistic well-being, offering practical steps for educators to integrate rest into their lives. Make sure to order her new book, Rest Is Sacred: Reclaiming Our Brilliance Through the Practice of Stillness.
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    39 min
  • Learning to Relearn with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah

    Learning to Relearn with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah
    Oct 25 2024
    In this episode of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators, Dr. Asia Lyons interviews Kwame Sarfo-Mensah and discusses his transformative journey from aspiring professional athlete to dedicated educator. Kwame discusses his initial pivot to becoming a math teacher and the various challenges he faced in his early teaching years, including a lack of support and job security in Philadelphia charter schools. Moving to Boston, he navigated the complexities of unionized school districts, ultimately learning the importance of self-care to avoid burnout and racial battle fatigue. This episode highlights systemic issues in education, such as the exploitation of committed Black educators and the importance of acknowledging their experiences. Reflecting on his time in Philadelphia, Kwame emphasizes the need for better support systems and career pathways for Black educators. His journey extends internationally as he moves to Sierra Leone, initiating the 'Identity Talk for Educators Live' podcast and authoring 'Learn to Relearn.'
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    1 h et 8 min
  • Advocating for Better Mental Health with Shatiera Porte'e

    Advocating for Better Mental Health with Shatiera Porte'e
    Oct 8 2024
    In this episode of 'The Exit Interview, a podcast for Black educators,' Dr. Asia Lyons hosts Shatiera Porte'e, a school counselor, author, coach and education consultant. Shatiera shares her experiences working tirelessly in education during the COVID pandemic, reflecting on the challenging conditions that led to burnout and her decision to leave traditional education spaces. The discussion highlights the systemic issues Black educators face, such as overwork and lack of compensation, and underscores the need for mental health support within the education system. Shatiera talks about her current role as the founder of 'School Counselors on Wheels,' where she mentors students and educators, emphasizing mental wellness in education. She also introduces her self-help book 'I Forgive Myself for Forgetting Myself,' which aims to promote self-care among service professionals. Throughout the episode, Shatiera pays tribute to influential Black educators who impacted her life, expressing gratitude and reflecting on her journey toward balancing personal wellness and professional aspirations.
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    56 min
  • Lessons In Liberation with Sarah Graham

    Lessons In Liberation with Sarah Graham
    Sep 24 2024
    In this deeply engaging episode, Dr. Asia Lyons and Sarah Graham discuss the highs and lows of teaching, the systemic issues within public and charter schools, and the importance of culturally responsive and liberatory education. Sarah shares her personal journey, insights into creating inclusive curriculum, and the urgent need for rest and self-care. This episode is a must-listen for educators and anyone interested in the fight for educational equity.
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    48 min
  • Centered in Love with Julia Berry

    Centered in Love with Julia Berry
    Sep 9 2024
    In this episode of The Exit Interview, hosted by Dr. Asia Lyons, Julia Berry shares her transformative journey from wanting to be a teacher, doctor, and dancer as a child to becoming an educator focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Julia outlines her path from excelling in math and engineering, realizing her passion for teaching, to teaching youth in correctional and treatment facilities. She discusses the challenges she faced with leadership due to her bold approach to DEI work. Julia touches upon the impact of race and supremacy on educational settings and emphasizes the importance of leadership involvement in DEI efforts. After leaving several roles due to systemic resistance to change, she finally finds alignment with her values at a community-based organization rooted in ancient African philosophy. The conversation delves into the personal and professional grief Julia encountered, her methods of self-care, and the joy she finds in her children, gardening, and yoga practice.
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    1 h et 6 min