Fresh Perspectives

Season 7 kicks off with Zeeyana Jivraj, a professional footballer for Pakistan's Women's National Team with a master's degree in cancer biology. Her story doesn't begin with soccer or science alone. For Zeeyana, the two have always been intertwined. In this episode, our hosts explore how growing up with two passions shaped her journey—and why they have more in common than you might think. Zeeyana...

In this special episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Ted Dintersmith, venture capitalist, filmmaker, and author of Aftermath: The Life-Changing Math That Schools Won’t Teach You , to discuss the future of math education in the age of AI. From standardized testing to the heavy emphasis placed on calculus, Ted challenges the way math is traditionally taught and asks an important question: are we p...

In the season finale of our podcast, hosts Nick Monzi and Calvin Sibert are joined by Monica Rowley, an award-winning educator, poet, and lifelong learner whose journey offers an inspiring lens on the evolving purpose of education. From teaching neurodiverse students in Hawaii to leading classrooms in New York City and now Philadelphia, Monica shares what it means to truly meet children where they...

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Diana Leon joins host Calvin Sibert to explore the importance of empathy and community within education. A first-generation Mexican American, Diana shares how her background in mental health and child welfare shaped her desire to help young people succeed, both in and beyond the classroom. Diana brings her personal experiences, creating a way to connect and u...

Joining the conversation this week is Aimee Katz, an inspiring educator whose lifelong curiosity has shaped her career in the classroom. From teachers who pushed her to be her best self to meaningful school experiences, Aimee now strives to create those opportunities for her own students every day. They discuss the lasting impact of COVID-19 on academics and relationships, the need to rebalance su...

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, hosts Nick Monzi and Calvin Sibert sit down with George Lee, an energetic Los Angeles educator who’s transforming his community through his enthusiasm, empathy, and purpose. George opens up about his own struggles in school and how these experiences shaped his mission to make a difference. From the challenges of burnout and turnover to the joy of seeing reali...

Brian Scott, a dedicated science educator from Minnesota, joins the conversation to discuss the power of experiential learning. Brian shares his journey into the classroom, from a baseball coach to a teacher, channeling his passion for uplifting the youth. Swapping anecdotes, Brian discusses how his personal life guided his own teaching style by leveraging real-world experiences to engage students...

In the season premiere, hosts Nick Monzi and Calvin Sibert sit down with Tania Vellejo, a passionate program specialist with Communities In Schools, whose journey has been driven by one mission - to be the person she needed when she was younger. Tania shares her journey from a high school volunteer to growing into a leader who now supports students, families, and educators across 20 campuses throu...

In this season finale, Nick and Calvin sit down with Jordan Thew and Josh McQuillan from the Boys & Girls Club of Fox Valley to explore how out-of-school-time (OST) programs are transforming student outcomes across Wisconsin. Jordan and Josh share their personal journeys into youth work, how leading with purpose brought them to the Boys & Girls Club, and what keeps them dedicated. They dis...

Ron Ottinger, a pioneer in out-of-school STEM education and Executive Director of STEM Next Opportunity Fund, joins the hosts to discuss the untapped potential of afterschool programs and summer learning. From the success of the Million Girls Moonshot to the creation of community-driven ambassador programs like Flight Crew, Ron emphasizes the importance of creating environments where students can...

S5: E3 – Emily Ong on Equity, AI, and the Future of Girls Who Code Emily Ong, Director of Partner Development at Girls Who Code, joins us for a powerful conversation about community, culture, and coding. Rooted in her background in organizing and a deep belief in doing “good work with good people”, Emily shares how Girls Who Code is evolving its strategy to meet the moment and the importance of in...

What does it take to launch a professional sports team and embed purpose into every play? Veronne Clark, the first Director of Community for the Golden State Valkyries, joins our hosts to reflect on her path through the NFL, NBA, and more—and the question that’s guided her throughout it all: what am I good at? This episode dives into how sports and education can team up for real change. Check out...

In this season’s debut episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Jordan Toma, motivational speaker and author of "I’m Just a Kid with an IEP,” for an inspiring conversation. Jordan shares his personal journey through school, what social-emotional learning (SEL) truly means for students, and why educators must meet students where they are. Jordan brings lived experience and heartfelt insight into buil...

In our season finale, Nick and Calvin are joined by Rico Francis, the first Social Impact Director at the Pacers Foundation, the public charity founded by Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Rico shares his journey from attending after-school programs to leading them in college, ultimately shaping his career in youth services. The conversation dives deep into the realities of nonprofit work, strate...

Nick and Calvin talk with Ebony Grace, CEO of New Jersey's Afterschool & Out-of-School Time Professional Network, to explore the significance of non-traditional educational spaces. Ebony shares the innovative tools her organization employs to uplift students and service providers alike, showcasing the power of building strong networks from the ground up. Through personal anecdotes, they discus...

Join us for a special feature of the Mizzen Meets webinar hosted by Carlos Santini, CEO of Mizzen, a nonprofit providing free resources to educators across the country, featuring our host Nick Monzi. The two reflect on their professional journeys since first connecting in 2015, sharing insights on creating impactful learning experiences and the critical importance of STEM equity in education. As C...

In this episode, Nick and Calvin welcome Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save The Music, a nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable music education across the U.S. through access to instruments and programs. Henry opens up about the life-changing power of music in the classroom and its role in shaping his own career. Together, they discuss how music empowers youth, fosters creativity, and s...

In this season premiere, Nick and Calvin talk with former NBA TV personality and podcaster, Leigh Ellis. He takes us through the moment he turned his career around, leaving the booth in search of pick-up games around the world and the stories in between – like the infamous shoot-out with Steph Curry. Tune in as they discuss career exploration, the life lessons travel teaches you, and the beauty of...

In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Mariana Rivera, an educator from San Francisco, California. Mariana is a longtime NBA Math Hoops program educator at Bay Area Community Resources, and in 2017, her students Angela and Patricia Rodas attended and won the inaugural NBA Math Hoops National Championship. Throughout the conversation, the group recaps the memorable 2017 season and th...

Join Nick and Calvin in this week's episode as they sit down with Kayla Alexander, professional basketball player, author, and Learn Fresh board member. Kayla shares her passion for education and her inspiring journey as a division 1 athlete, and also speaks about her children's book, The Magic of Basketball . Tune in to gain insights into Kayla's multifaceted career and her dedication to achievin...

In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with a group from Clevyr, an application and development firm from Oklahoma City, OK. Clevyr is the developer of the NBA Math Hoops apps and the NBA Math Hoops digital game, and we have worked closely with them to build out Learn Fresh digital tools for students and educators. Nick and Calvin are joined by Kelli Matthews, Strategic Account Manager,...

In this week’s episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Jesse Smith Thomas, Partnership Marketing Manager at the Los Angeles Rams and formerly at the New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints. Jess shares her transition from a career in STEM to a career in professional sports in her late 20s, and how her STEM education benefited her in this career shift. The three discuss the role of partnership m...

Meet Learn Fresh’s Chief Program Officer, Colleen Serafini! In this episode, Colleen sits down with Nick and Calvin to share discuss her career in education, her journey to joining Learn Fresh, and reflections on Learn Fresh's work and mission. Colleen was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended University of California Berkeley. Her first position after graduation was with Amer...

In Episode 16, Nick and Calvin chop it up with Eric Woodyard, an award-winning journalist and author from Flint, Michigan. Eric is currently the NFL Nation reporter for the Detroit Lions at ESPN, where he also covers basketball and boxing. Eric has appeared on ESPN’s “The Jump,” “E:60”, and “Outside the Lines”, and was awarded first place for Best Sports Story and Best Sports Feature categories in...