Rooted2Thrive:Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity Creating Belonging in Math Class for Black and Brown Students Season 6, Episode 52 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Overview: In this inspiring episode, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with math specialist and author Shameeka Browne about reclaiming the joy and humanity within mathematics education. Browne challenges the traditional &quo...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity Stronger Together: The Power of Cross-Sector Collaboration for Community Impact Season 6, Episode 51 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Overview: In this episode, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Valerie Kind-Rubin to explore how deep, relationship-based collaboration can transform the landscape of philanthropy. As the Managing Trus...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Joy as a Radical Pathway and Practice of Liberation Season 5, Episode 50 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Guest: Dr. Krista Robinson-Lyles Overview: In this inspiring and heart-centered conversation on the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari welcomes Dr. Krista Robinson-Lyles — founder and president of the Joy Hope Col...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Is DEI DOA?: A Pathway Forward Season 5, Episode 49 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Guest: Rodney Patterson Overview: In this compelling episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Rodney S. Patterson — CEO of The Learner Group, pastor, coach, consultant, and author of Trump and the Race Card and Is D...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | From Allyship to Action: How Leaders Build Equity and Justice Season 5, Episode 48 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Guest: Adam Barney Overview: In this energizing and authentic conversation on the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Adam Barney—energy coach, author, and podcast host—to explore what it m...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Identifying Implicit Bias in EducationSeason 5, Episode 47Host: Rochelle Peterson-AnsariGuest: Zakiyyah Boone, MBAOverview:In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari welcomes Zakkiyah Boone, CEO of WonderSpring Early Education, to discuss how implicit bias shapes educational...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Parents Need to Know Their RightsSeason 5, Episode 46Host: Rochelle Peterson-AnsariGuest: Dr. Timberly BakerOverview:In this insightful episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari talks with Dr. Timberly Baker — Associate Professor at Arkansas State University, educational consultant with Equity Educators, and...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Parenting as Power: The Transformative Wisdom of Black MotherhoodSeason 5, Episode 45Host: Rochelle Peterson-AnsariGuest: Dionna TilleryOverview:In this heartfelt and empowering episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Dionna Tillery — a Ph. D. student, educator, nonprofit leader, doula, and...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Preparing Our Children to Thrive in AmericaSeason 5, Episode 44Host: Rochelle Peterson-AnsariGuests: Ashley and Ismael JimenezOverview:In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Ashley and Ismael Jimenez—partners, parents, and advocates dedicated to raising social...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | The Importance of Believing in Yourself Season 5, Episode 43 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Guest: Karen Smith Overview: In this heartwarming and empowering episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari welcomes master percussionist, playwright, and writer Karen Smith. Their conversation weaves together themes o...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Maintaining Your True Self Throughout Your Career Season 5, Episode 42 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Guest: Dr. Cherie Crosby-Weeks Overview: In this inspiring episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Dr. Cherie Crosby-Weeks, Program Director of Teacher Education and Chair of Behavioral Scie...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Writing Past The Pain Season 5, Episode 41 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Guest: Dr. Brian JohnsonOverview:  In this episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Dr. Brian Johnson, pastor of Revival Tabernacle in Pennsylvania and author of nine books, including the acclaimed historical novels Send Jud...

Overview In this Rooted2Thrive Podcast episode, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with guest Justin Green, Real Estate Investor, about the intersections of faith, finance, and fatherhood. Justin shares his personal journey of balancing his spiritual beliefs with the realities of financial responsibility, while also embracing the challenges and rewards of being a father. Their conversation highlights...

Overview In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari is joined by Dr. Ranelli A. Williams, a CPA and profit strategist, to discuss financial stewardship as a direct path to empowerment and equity. Dr. Williams shares her personal and professional journey, emphasizing her passion for teaching financial literacy in marginalized communities and helping Christian pr...

Overview In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Kevin Covington, Assistant Director of Retention and Outreach at Villanova University, about the transformative power of education. Covington shares his personal journey into the field of education, which began with a passion for building character in student-athletes and evolved into a career focu...

Overview In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Elissa Zylbershlag, an anti-bias educator and leadership coach, about the critical concept of self-awareness. Zylbershlag defines self-awareness using an analogy of "the mirror and the portrait": "the mirror" represents our private self-perception, including our values and intentions, while "the portrait" repres...

Overview In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Maya Stewart, Chief of Strategy and Professional Learning at Lee Montessori PCS , about her journey as an educator and the "leadership trifecta": do the thing, say the thing, be yourself. Stewart shares her professional path from Arcadia University to becoming a school principal in Washin...

Overview In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari interviews author, educator, and her former student, Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, about the power of diverse literature as "love letters to our children." Reynoso-Morris shares that her journey as an author was inspired by her grandmother's storytelling and a desire to see her Dominican and Puerto Rican cu...

Overview In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host  Professor P (Rochelle Peterson-Ansari) speaks with Yolanda Booker, a mental health therapist and the founder of the nonprofit organization Grief Speaks. Drawing from the profound experience of losing her son to cancer, Booker introduces the often-overlooked stage of grief: insecurity, which arises from the significant life changes an...

Overview In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Luca Poxon, Project Coordinator at Temple University and Philly Children's Movement, about the importance of integrating joy and justice-centered practices into education to combat dehumanizing systems. Poxon shares their personal journey, which began with witnessing educational inequities in high...

Overview In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with poet, author, and cultural worker, J Mase III about the deep-seated connection between trans solidarity and racial justice. J Mase III argues that these movements are inseparable, tracing the historical erasure of trans and gender-nonconforming leaders in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities back t...

Overview In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Dr. Bill Ayers, a retired distinguished Professor of Education, about the concepts of freedom, abolition, and collective liberation from his latest book. Dr. Ayers explains that freedom is a contested term, often meaning cruelty for the conquered when claimed by the conqueror, and is best understood by...

Overview In a crucial conversation, Professor P (Rochelle Peterson-Ansari) and Executive Coach & DEI Consultant, Vanity Jenkins of ShiftEd Consulting delve into the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They explore why DEI initiatives often fall short, how the current sociopolitical climate is leading to the erasure of DEI efforts, and, most importantly, what individuals and organ...

Overview Dr. Corinne Green of HRMOM, LLC (Human Resources Managers On the Move LLC) joins Professor P to dive into the vital connection between data and empathy in building thriving and equitable workplaces. Discover how understanding individual experiences and leveraging data – including insights from those on the ground – can drive meaningful change and foster human dignity in organizational cul...

Overview Mariah Wilson, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, joins Professor P to explore how better communication can revolutionize patient care. They discuss overcoming biases, the power of empathy, and practical coaching techniques for healthcare professionals to build trust and truly connect with patients. Learn from Mariah’s lived experience in clinical settings, as a coach as...