Brave Voices in Education - The Podcast

What happens when educators examine their power instead of protecting it? In this eye-opening episode of Brave Voices in Education , host Craig Aarons-Martin sits down with Dr. Tanji Marshall-Reed , a veteran educator, leadership coach, and unapologetic advocate for equity. Together, they unpack how instructional power , curriculum design , and leadership decisions impact student agency, family en...

In this powerful episode of Brave Voices in Education , host Craig Aarons-Martin (he/him) moderates a dynamic and deeply personal roundtable with four youth leaders from the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth : 🎤 Avery Barry (she/her) – Student & Commissioner, Bridgewater State University 🎤 Kamryn “KC” Chandler Fontaine (they/them) – Fieldwork Administrator, HGSE & Commissioner 🎤 A...

In this powerful episode of Brave Voices in Education , host Craig Aarons-Martin (he/him) moderates a dynamic and deeply personal roundtable with four youth leaders from the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth : 🎤 Avery Barry (she/her) – Student & Commissioner, Bridgewater State University 🎤 Kamryn “KC” Chandler Fontaine (they/them) – Fieldwork Administrator, HGSE & Commissioner 🎤 A...

How do we stay brave when the world asks us to be bulletproof? In this soul-stirring episode of Brave Voices in Education , host Craig Aarons-Martin sits down with Dr. Keisha Chandler , Managing Director of Partner Success at ASCD and fierce advocate for Black brilliance in schools. Together, they explore the long shadow of racism, childhood experiences in segregated spaces, Montessori education,...

What does it look like to hold peace while the world spins in chaos? In this bold excerpt from Brave Voices in Education , Dr. Keisha Chandler reminds us that even in the face of political turmoil, personal loss, and systems built to overwhelm us — joy is not just possible, it's necessary . ✨ Listen as she shares her radical approach to choosing joy, stillness, and Black womanhood rooted in l...

In this Brave Voices in Education short, Hedreich Nichols reminds today’s educators: protect your peace. Her advice? Limit your news intake . In an age of nonstop headlines and rising tensions, tuning out can be a radical act of self-care and sustainability. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/show/17hB2hI7DFfxghHRPeCe2B 🎙️ Guest: @Hedreich | hedreich.com #BraveVoicesPodcast #H...

Craig Aarons-Martin shares how he bypassed politics and put students first — investing $20K in diverse texts from Lee & Low Books to ensure Black and Brown youth saw their brilliance in every classroom. This is what unconventional, courageous leadership looks like. 📚 Learn more about Lee & Low Books: https://www.leeandlow.com 🎧 Full episode → https://bravevoicespod.com #BraveVoicesPod #C...

In this clip, Corey Yarbrough opens up about leading with heart — not ego — as he fights to amplify student voices in a time where DEI work is being silenced. Bravery looks like showing up anyway. 📺 Watch the full episode: https://bravevoicespod.com #CoreyYarbrough #BraveVoicesPod #DEILeadership #StudentVoiceMatters #YouTubeShorts #BlackEducators #BraveLeadership #826Boston

@Hedreich Nichols keeps it all the way real in this powerful clip from Brave Voices in Education 🎙️ She breaks down why history — the full, unfiltered truth — must remain in the American canon, no matter how uncomfortable it makes folks who want to erase or rewrite it. Listen to the full episode on Spotify → 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/show/17hB2hI7DFfxghHRPeCe2B #BraveVoicesPodcast #HedreichNicho...

In this episode, host Craig Aarons-Martin sits down with award-winning author, curriculum designer, and global educator Hedreich Nichols for a timely and truth-filled conversation on teaching with courage, heart, and historical honesty. Together, they unpack what it means to be an educator in an era of book bans, anti-DEI rhetoric, and legislative pushback on inclusive teaching. Hedreich shares ho...

Presented by Massachusetts ASCD | Women’s History Month Special This powerful episode honors Women’s History Month by centering the voices of women who are boldly disrupting inequitable systems, resisting harmful policies, and reshaping education through justice, truth, and healing. Hosted by @wearemascd and @iamcraigaaronsmartin of @ccmedgroup, this panel unites leaders on the frontlines of advoc...

In this powerful episode of Brave Voices in Education , Craig sits down with author, educator, and unapologetic truth-teller Kwame Sarfo-Mensah —founder of Identity Talk 4 Educators—to explore what it means to teach, lead, and liberate as a Black man in education. Kwame unpacks the urgency of disrupting dominant narratives that silence Black male educators and learners, shares his journey from cla...

When offered $250K in federal funds, Corey Yarbrough chose courage over censorship. In this powerful clip from the Brave Voices in Education podcast, Corey explains why 826 Boston rejected the funding to protect student expression. “That money came with a muzzle — and we refused to silence our students.” This is what values-driven leadership looks like. 🎙️✨ Watch the full episode to hear how Core...

In this episode of Brave Voices in Leadership and Education, Craig Aarons-Martin engages in a profound conversation with Corey Yarbrough, an executive director and social justice advocate. They explore Corey's journey from his upbringing in Norfolk, Virginia, to his impactful work in Boston's educational landscape. The discussion emphasizes the importance of youth leadership, the challenge...

What does it really mean to live brave? Not perform it. Not post about it. But live it — when nobody’s watching. In this solo episode, I’m pulling up real close to share what I’ve been sitting with in therapy, in prayer, and in quiet moments of reflection. I talk about growing up in New Orleans with blue-collar, God-fearing parents who gave with their whole hearts — even when it cost them. I share...

Why this podcast? Why now? In this first episode of Brave Voices in Education , host Craig Aarons-Martin gets personal about the journey that led him here. From navigating spaces that weren’t built for us to fighting for equity, belonging, and real change in education, this podcast is about amplifying the voices that too often go unheard. If you’ve ever felt unseen as an educator, leader, or stude...

What happens when the truth we avoid starts speaking through the body? What does it cost leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and caregivers to stay silent in a moment that demands courage? In this deeply personal episode, Craig Aarons-Martin opens up about the physical, emotional, and spiritual cost of silence — hair loss, weight changes, exhaustion, and the pressure of carrying brilliance while na...

Some people talk about mental health in theory. Today’s guest lives it, breathes it, and builds community from it. In this episode of Brave Voices in Education , Craig Aarons-Martin sits down with Nieisha Deed — founder of PureSpark , fierce mental health advocate, and a Black woman living, surviving, and thriving with bipolar disorder. Together, they unpack: What happens when your identity is wra...

Some people talk about mental health in theory. Today’s guest lives it, breathes it, and builds community from it. In this episode of Brave Voices in Education , Craig Aarons-Martin sits down with Nieisha Deed — founder of PureSpark , fierce mental health advocate, and a Black woman living, surviving, and thriving with bipolar disorder. Together, they unpack: What happens when your identity is wra...