Hot Topics!

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Sandra Williams about the best reading strategies for teachers, parents, and tutors to use with their students. They also discuss the importance of implementing these strategies at an early age. Who is Sandra Williams? Sandra Williams is a retired teacher with 30 years of teaching experience. She has taught grades 1, 3, 4, and 5. She is the...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Claudine Land about the role models who influenced her love for writing, the ways in which she developed the skill, and her zeal for turning it into a small business. Who is Claudine Land? Claudine Land, a native of Jamaica, West Indies, comes from a generational background of business owners and understands first-hand what it takes to run a...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Debra Pralle about the pros and cons of the acting industry, the steps to enter the industry, and its evolution during the pandemic. Who is Debra Pralle? Debra Pralle has worked in film, television, and theatre for over thirty years. She also contributes to the industry in Seattle by guiding the next generation of actors and filmmakers throu...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Jan Sixt about the ways that parents can strengthen their homeschooling skills and build more self-confidence. Who is Jan Sixt? Jan Sixt, founder of JSTutor.com, offers over 1200 educational videos covering many subjects for preschool through 12th grade. With over 45 years of teaching experience, Jan helps parents teach foundational concepts...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Darren Jones about the legalities of homeschooling and the ways that parents can be well-informed about it. Who is Darren Jones? Darren Jones has been with the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) since 1996, serving as a legal assistant and an attorney in various capacities. At the office, he dedicates 40% of his time to assisting...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Whitnee Lowe (aka W.L. Carol) along with her mother Cissy Lowe about growing up with Asperger's Syndrome, understanding the symptoms, and learning how to manage the disability. Who is Whitnee Lowe (aka W.L. Carol)? W. L. Carol was born and raised in the state of Texas. After showing some signs of being autistic, she spent some of her prescho...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Danita Young about the flaws of the weight loss industry, the wrong ideas we have about weight loss, and the proper way to get in shape. Who is Danita Young? Danita Young is the Owner and co-founder of Booty Bands & Barbells®.  This female fitness brand uses women-designed fitness equipment, educational content, personal training apps, a...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Debbie Lindon about the struggles of teaching in urban and suburban areas, along with the change in career choice due to the pandemic. Who is Debbie Lindon? Debbie Lindon, owner of Peaceful Vibes, offers private and group sessions of sound healing, sound reiki, and chakra balancing for people and pets. She is certified in sound healing, anim...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to returning guest Robin Simpson about the realities of the school-to-prison pipeline and the ways that we can address it. Who is Robin Simpson? Robin Renee Simpson received her Associate in Human Services degree from the New York College of Technology and her Bachelor's degree from Metropolitan College. She's pursuing her Master's in Childhood and S...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to returning guest Jaciann Wright about the balance of motherhood and entrepreneurship and the challenges that come with it. Who is Jaciann Wright? Jaciann Wright is a 25-year-old married/single mom with a compelling story. She is Jamaican, born and raised halfway in America, and holds a BS in Mathematics, class of 2016. Thanks to the Smart Scholars...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Amber Hawkins about the future of employment, the rise of machines and the internet, and the ways that we can remain employed in our digital world. Who is Amber Hawkins? Amber Hawkins hails from Toledo, Ohio, one of 3 daughters to Walter and Gussie Hawkins (deceased); their brother Arthur passed away years prior. While attending Cardinal Str...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to returning guest Robin Simpson about twice exceptional (or 2E) students and the ways that we can support them. Who is Robin Simpson? Robin Renee Simpson received her Associate in Human Services degree from the New York College of Technology and her Bachelor's degree from Metropolitan College. She's pursuing her Master's in Childhood and Special Edu...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to returning guest Malachi Davis about the impact of bullying on kids and the ways that we can address it. Who is Malachi Davis? Malachi Davis is the co-founder of the Mal the Motivator Brand. He's a motivational speaker at some of the most prestigious venues and institutions nationwide. In addition to motivational speaking, he is also a mentor and w...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Brenda Farmer about the struggles of raising four children as a single mother and navigating her young children through racism. #singlemom #racism #hottopics Who is Brenda Farmer? Brenda Farmer was born and raised in Southeast Queens (SEQ). She grew up in a two-parent household, with her mother staying home until the children were older and...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to returning guest Samantha Miller about her reasons for homeschooling her daughter, the steps for starting the process, and the impact of homeschooling on her family. Who is Samantha Miller? Samantha is a wellness coach and energy healer in Tucson, AZ. A former educator, she runs her online business to care for and homeschool her child with multiple...

Welcome to Hot Topics! This is a special episode because Gabrielle Crichlow is her own guest! In this episode, she talks about the beginning of her entrepreneurship, the life events that caused it, and the impact of those events on her mindset. * Interview re-purposed with permission. Credit goes to the Mindset + Motivation for Women Entrepreneurs of Color Facebook group * Mindset + Motivation for...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Jaciann Wright about the struggles of having a baby during the height of the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on her pregnancy plans, and overcoming postpartum depression. Who is Jaciann Wright? Jaciann Wright is a 25-year-old married/single mom with a compelling story. She is Jamaican, born and raised halfway in America, and holds a BS in M...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Carrie Meyers about the struggles of educators and the ways that they can practice self-care. Who is Carrie Meyers? Carrie (she/her) spent over thirteen years dazzling unimpressed middle and high school students with her mastery of the French language. After burning out, she started Empowering educators to engage In whimsical present-moment...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Jackie Williams about the deaths of her children and grandchild, their impact on her mental health, and the ways that she's overcoming her grief. Who is Jackie Williams? Jackie Williams is the owner of 360 Grief Support Services, which is a virtual grief support service. She earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Maryland...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Lauren Varlack about the boom of the EdTech industry as a result of the pandemic, the impact of the digital world on teachers and students, and the difference between remote learning and virtual school. Who is Lauren Varlack? She calls herself the Edupreneur’s Educator. This means she is an educator/teacher helping Black women edupreneurs be...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to returning guest Robin Simpson about the importance of early intervention programs for children who may have developmental disabilities. Who is Robin Simpson? Robin Renee Simpson received her Associate in Human Services degree from the New York College of Technology and her Bachelor's degree from Metropolitan College. She's pursuing her Master's in...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Samantha Miller about the struggles of raising a daughter with multiple diagnoses and the lessons she learned along the way that made her a better mother. Who is Samantha Miller? Samantha is a wellness coach and energy healer in Tucson, AZ. A former educator, she runs her online business to care for and homeschool her child with multiple spe...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to returning guest Nathifa Lewis about the importance of technology in schools, its impact on our daily lives, and the ways that we can embrace it and use it as a tool. Who is Nathifa Lewis? Nathifa Lewis is a Technology and Education Professional with over 20 years of experience in both fields. She is also a mom of 3 and was recently elected Secreta...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Nathifa Lewis about the importance of "a village" in raising children, her involvement in the school system, and technology in finding a community. Who is Nathifa Lewis? Nathifa Lewis is a Technology and Education Professional with over 20 years of experience in both fields. She is also a mom of 3 and was recently elected Secretary of the Co...

Welcome to Hot Topics! Gabrielle Crichlow talks to guest Malachi Davis about the impact of his upbringing with a single mother on his values as a father to his 3-year old daughter. Who is Malachi Davis? Malachi Davis is the co-founder of the Mal the Motivator Brand. He's a motivational speaker at some of the most prestigious venues and institutions nationwide. In addition to motivational speaking,...