Educate U.S.

Stacey & Patrice welcome UNC-Greensboro Sociology Chair & noted author, Dr. Steven Cureton, for a thought-provoking conversation on the social construction of race and masculinity. We examine how societal forces, from family dynamics to political regimes, shape our identities and experiences. Dr. Cureton sheds light on the challenges faced by those who exist outside the "white, male, heter...

President and CEO of the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, Mariekarl Vilceus-Talty re-joins the podcast for a conversation with Stacey on today's critical health battles: norovirus, vaccine misinformation, and the looming impact of funding cuts on maternal health. Mariekarl, who was recently honored as one of NJ's 100 most powerful women, shares vital insights on re...

In a world that feels increasingly divided, how do we rebuild trust and create meaningful change? In this episode, Stacey talks with Reginald "Reggie" Richardson, a veteran educator & social justice champion. Reggie shares his vision for a stronger, more connected society, outlining practical steps you can take to make a difference in your own backyard. From local engagement to honest dialogue...

In this episode, Stacey is joined by Dr. Keith D. Dorsey, managing partner at Boyden, to discuss the significance of diversity on boards. Dr. Dorsey shares insights from his experience as a board advisor, corporate director, and founder of Boardroom Journey. Have you ever considered joining a board? Interested in understanding the importance of board diversity? We got the episode for you. Educate...

Higher education is facing a connectivity crunch as student enrollment rebounds. In this episode, Nick & Stacey explores how "smart campus" solutions can address this challenge by welcoming Scott Drossos of Boldyn Networks, to talk about the growing need for ubiquitous campus-wide connectivity. Discover how Boldyn's innovative approach, leveraging technologies from fiber to 6G, can future-proo...

They're signed, sealed, and delivered, but what do they  really  mean for education? Nick & Stacey dive into the latest executive orders by President Trump, examining their potential impact on the world of education & beyond the classroom. Articles mentioned in the episode - https://www.acenet.edu/Documents/Trump-EO-Summary-012325.pdf https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/2025-...

Parents Defending Education (PDE) raised alarms about DOJ spending on school DEI initiatives. Stacey & Nick dive deep on their narrative, explain why these investments are essential, and consider other perspectives on the conclusions that PDE draws from their report. Link to the PDE appearance referenced in the episode on Fox News -  https://www.foxnews.com/media/department-justice-spent-...

Stacey and Nick look back on the major themes of the show in 2024, and share some clips from some of their favorite interviews on the pod. Happy New Year everyone! Educate U.S. is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea -  Hot coffee, iced coffee, tea & more, nothing gets us through the day like the great tasting products from our friends over at Fresh R...

The battle over school vouchers rages on, shaping the future of education in America. Stacey sits down with Jennifer Berkshire, co-author of  The Education Wars  and creator of the ' Have You Heard'  podcast, to unpack the political forces driving this issue and explore what's at stake for students and communities. Links to Jennifer's work - https://www.jenniferberkshire.com ht...

Nick and Stacey start off by sharing their recent experiences in their respective parent teacher conferences, while Nick wonders why we academically push our students, while emotionally stunting them. Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea -  Hot coffee, iced coffee, tea & more, nothing gets us through the day like the great tasting products from our friend...

Is school choice the solution to educational inequality? Or does it exacerbate existing disparities?  Seth Rao, a seasoned education policy expert, joins us to unravel the intricacies of school choice. From his experiences in Nevada, San Antonio, and Chicago public schools, Seth offers a nuanced perspective on the benefits and drawbacks of school choice. Stacey & Seth delve into the...

In this episode, Stacey is joined by Ron Rapatalo, a leader in social impact hiring for over 20 years. Ron began his career in search operations, transitioned to leading recruitment & admissions efforts, has designed hiring processes for clients focused on social impact & more. He has worked with organizations such as New Leaders and Teach For America. Together, they discuss the challenges...

Stacey and Nick try to make sense of former WWE CEO Linda McMahon being appointed to lead the Department of Education, plus, a look at Texas Board of Education approving public schools have Bible verses incorporated into reading instruction.   Read more about both stories here - Texas public schools & bible verses - https://www.fox4news.com/news/texas-schools-bible-textbook Linda McM...

Stacey and Nick react to President-elect Donald Trump's vision for the Department of Education, plus, Stacey makes sense of the recent success of her Philadelphia Eagles. Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea. The weather has cooled down, and you too can cool down with a fresh cold brew, iced tea or iced coffee from our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee, or if y...

The election is over, but the questions remain. Nick and Stacey, along with special guest Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez, dive into the biggest questions facing our nation. Follow Dr. Rodriguez on all the platforms--LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, or you can email her at: drdamarybonillarodriguez@gmail.com Educate U.S. is presented by Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea -  The weather h...

Nick & Stacey welcome in Yalitza Vasquez a seasoned educator and Deputy Superintendent, to the pod for a conversation on for supporting English Language Learners. Yalitza shares her personal journey, insights on multilingual education & more.  Discover how educators can bridge the gap between cultures, advocate for educational equity, and foster a love of learning in diverse classroom...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Latayvia Brown, a renowned entrepreneur and author of the bestselling books "The Ultimate Emotional Intelligence Digital Workbook" and "Unveiling the Single Self." Latayvia shares her journey and expert insights on navigating life's challenges through emotional intelligence.   Check out how LaTayvia and her team are connecting schools and commu...

Stacey and Nick reflect on the recent VP debate and talk about the risks social media poses to having informed conversations.  Be sure to check out the links below to be more informed on the truth being left out in recent political attack ads Check your facts with:  https://www.npr.org/2024/09/03/nx-s1-5094245/fact-checking-tv-ads-from-the-harris-and-trump-campaigns https://www.msn....

Did you know the origins of modern standardized testing informs voter education? Nick and Stacey dive into the voting and how to become a knowledgeable voter. Educate U.S. is presented by -  Fresh Roasted Coffee & Positively Tea - As the summer months have cooled down, you too can cool down with a fresh cold brew, iced tea or iced coffee from our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee. Visi...

Nick and Stacey reflect on the anniversary of 9/11 last week, honoring the memory of those lost and reflecting on the enduring impact still felt across this country from the tragic events of that day. Plus, they recap last week's Presidential debate and the discussion of education topics (such as student loan debt) discussed by the candidates. Links for articles referenced in this episode:  h...

Joining us in this episode to look at the world of education policy is Seth Rau, Director of Government Affairs at Cartwheel. A veteran of the ed policy landscape, Seth has dedicated his career to ensuring that our children receive the education they deserve. Seth explains the intricate workings of education funding, revealing where the money comes from and how it's allocated to schools. He also p...

Our guest in today's episode is Dr. Catherine Pearlman, a licensed social worker, author and speaker in the area of children & digital devices. In this episode, Dr. Pearlman shares tips on how parents can support the safe use of devices by their children, her views on the recent discourse sparked by Dr. Jonathan’s Haidt’s book, “The Anxious Child”, & more. Educate U.S. is presented by...

Our guest is Allison Felsenthal, who shares with Stacey & Nick her inspiring journey of how she got into the world of fitness & health, revealing how working out isn't just about the body, but involves the mind & soul.  From conquering self-doubt through sport, to finding the right workout shoes, discover the power of setting small goals, the importance of knowing y...

Dr. Maria Murray is the CEO & President of the Reading League, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to advance the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction. Dr. Murray is passionate regarding the prevention and remediation of reading difficulty and consistently strives to increase educator knowledge and the connections between research and practi...

In this episode, we dive deep into the issue of maternal health, with a special focus on the alarming disparities faced by Black women in the U.S. Joining us to break this down is Mariekarl Vilceus-Talty, President & CEO of the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey.  Marikekarl helps us unravel the complex web of systemic issues contributing...