The Outsider Within

Outsider Within introduces guest Dr. Brad Lehman, Assistant Professor at VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School and former police officer/sergeant, to discuss the gap between ethics training and real-world decision-making in criminal justice. Lehman describes realizing in his first week of patrol that academy and classroom preparation did not equip him for nuanced community, cultural, and human situations...

In this episode of Outsider Within, we speak with Dr. Anastasia Berg, a UC Irvine philosophy professor and author of a New York Times op-ed, about why basic AI use is harmful for students. Berg argues that AI influences students’ linguistic and cognitive development, undermining mastery of concepts, interpretation, inquiry, and communication, with implications for self-governance and democratic pa...

In the aftermath of the murder of Minneapolis resident, US citizen and poet, Renne Good, at the hands of an ICE paramilitant, we talk with internationally renowned critical scholar, Dr. Shirley Steinberg, and immigrant advocate and immigration scholar, Dr. William McCorkle, about the political and social ramifications of her death. This podcast originates at ODU, and we recognize all the good that...

How do you spot fake news in a world full of misinformation? The  Outsider Within  team unpacks critical media literacy with insights from Elise Gravel’s book, "Killer Underwear Invasion," offering practical tips for families and educators to think critically and check their sources. Tune in for real talk, book recs, and tools to fight disinformation!

In this episode of The Outsider Within, we sit down with Dr. Sally Pirie, an anthropologist, visual artist, and professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. ​ Dr. Pirie shares her groundbreaking work in comics-based research, exploring how comics can democratize knowledge and make complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. She discusses her passion for normalizing gender diver...

In this thought-provoking and timely episode, we catch up with Dr. Raul A. Mora to discuss his work in the award-winning Literacies in Second Languages Project research lab and what it means to find community and purpose across and within our interconnected worlds.

Horses have always inspired the collective imagination. In this compelling episode, we talk with Dr. JuliAnna Avila about her research which “collapses the distance” between geographical and cultural boundaries, digital and physical spaces, and, most significantly, horses and humans. Influenced by New Literacies scholarship and employing a sociocultural theoretical framework, Ávila explores self-d...

As a country, we are in unprecedented times. In this special episode, we speak to four young voters all of whom are voting in a presidential election for the first time:  Rylee Gore- University of Memphis Malachi Drumgole - James Madison University  Jeffrey Jones - University of Maryland, Eastern Shore  Quinton Smith - University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

In this episode, Dr. Stovall discusses some of the ideas that he feels are critical to becoming an antiracist educator and, more broadly, an antiracist community member who attends critically to questions of race and justice to create more accessible, welcoming campus communities.

In this inspiring episode, we had a chance to sit down with Councilwoman Jennifer Rouse. We talk about her journey from the classroom to a seat on the City Council and how she inspires young people to be civically engaged. 

In this dynamic episode, we talk with scholar, activist, and social media influencer, Dr. Angel Jones about her unapologetic take on the role of public scholarship and social media to combat racism and advocate for justice.

In this provocative episode, we talk with Mathematics Educator, Dr. Danny Martin, about the problem of viewing math as neutral and untouched by racism and anti-Blackness.

In this inspiring episode, we talk with Dr. Helen Holton, an experienced former legislator and noted executive leadership expert, about her take on our current educational landscape and where we go from here.

In this stirring and thought-provoking episode, we talk with Dr. Mikel Cole about his work with immigrants at the US Southern Border. Dr. Cole and his team are the authors of the book  Flying Kites: Narratives of Prison Literacies in Essays and Art

In this episode, we caught up with De Nichols. De is a User Experience (UX) design researcher and community organizer who mobilizes changemakers to develop creative approaches to social, civic, and racial justice issues across their communities. She recently published her first book, Art of Protest, via Bonnier UK and Candlewick

In this episode, Dr. Gregory Hutchings talks with us about his efforts to support equity in education. He was Superintendent of Alexandria Public Schools and is now the CEO of Revolutionary ED, LLC. and the first Executive In Residence at American University’s School of Education. He authored the book, Getting Into Good Trouble at School: A Guide to Building an Antiracist School System, and is a m...

In this episode, internationally renowned critical pedagogue, Dr. Shirley Steinberg, draws comparisons between the United States and Canada in responding to oppression in society in general and education in particular.

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Young speaks about his work in combatting educational censorship, We discuss way to actively resist censorship and provide resources for educators.

In this episode, we talk with Member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Dr. Jennifer Markides about her work in, with, and for Indigenous youth and communities.

In this episode, Dr. Carey shares insights from his Black Boy Mattering Project and his work in community activism.

2022 has seen one of the largest numbers of Banned and Challenged books to date. In this episode, we talk to leading experts who unpack this disturbing trend and offer suggestions to educators on addressing this in their classrooms and beyond.

Public schools have become central to the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals. In this episode, we discuss current events and opportunities for advocacy.

An interview with CRT scholar Dr. Jamel K Donnor about current issues in education.