Real Talk: A Diversity in Higher Ed Podcast

KC, Saïeda, and Danielle get behind the mic together one last time to recap season 7 and reflect on the group's time together as cohosts of Real Talk. For those who aren't caught up, this marks KC's final episode, concluding six seasons as the show's lead host. Join us in wishing KC farewell @realtalkhighered on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

KC, Saïeda, and Danielle talk with sociologists Dr. Cassi Meyerhoffer ( Imprisoned: Interlocking Oppression in Law Enforcement, Housing, and Public Education ) and Dr. Venice Michalsen ( Mothering and Desistance in Re-Entry ) about interlocking systems of oppression, the responsibility of researchers to communities, and the possibilities of abolition.

Tune in for a special announcement by KC, followed by a fascinating talk with Drs. Marian Evans and Anuli Njoku about their new book, Navigating Academia During Covid-19: Perspectives and Strategies from BIPOC Women . Don't miss this important and timely conversation about mentorship, fostering health and well-being on a community level, and the birth story of this beautiful book.

KC and Real Talk team member, Cindy Cardozo, engage in a conversation with three theatre professionals—Mike Skinner, associate professor of theatre at Southern Connecticut State University; Rebecca Goodheart, producing artistic director at Elm Shakespeare; and Rachel Alderman, associate artistic director for Long Wharf Theater—regarding the significance of the arts in promoting social change and i...

KC, Danielle, and Saïeda talk with Amelea Lowery, a graduate student in Yale’s Master of Public Health program, about trauma and healing, how to tap into and create community when you’re new to town, and liberation through the land. 

KC, Saïeda, Danielle, and Zoe talk with student leader and Marisa Howard, a student resident advisor, about friendships in college — how to create community, navigate tricky situations, and make healthy connections.

Join KC, Danielle, and Saïeda as they sit down with the passionate creators behind two cherished community spaces in New Haven: Alisha Crutchfield-McLean of BLOOM and Lauren Anderson of Possible Futures. In this episode, they explore the significance of community spaces that have enriched their lives, discussing the role of plants, books, and communal gatherings in nurturing personal and collectiv...

KC, Saïeda, and Danielle talk with a panel of expert guests about affirmative action—its political history, its legal present, and the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision on our university campuses and beyond. Guests are: Tess Marchant-Shapiro, professor of political science Andy Marchant-Shapiro, attorney at law Julie Edstrom, vice-president of enrollment management Diane Ariza, vice-president...

KC, Saieda, and Zoe talk with Dr. June Parks, a clinical psychologist whose years of working with children and trauma have informed her current work empowering student support workers in higher ed. They talk about resilience–its possibilities and its limits—and the importance of mindset in preventing burnout. Dr. June Parks is a licensed clinical psychologist, consultant, keynote speaker, and yout...

Join KC, Zoe, and Diane Ariza as they sit down with David Garza, the Executive Director of LEDA (Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America). In this episode, they delve into the power of mentorship, the significance of diverse leadership, and the authenticity that drives it. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, David's journey, born on the U.S.-Mexico border and marked by hi...

Join KC, Danielle, Saieda, and Zoe, along with our special guests, Dr. Mary Boudreaux and Brandon Lovene, for the podcast's very first live show! Recorded before an audience of 1,200 incoming students at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, this episode delves into the challenges and opportunities of joining a new and diverse community, tackling the important topic of bias and provi...

In the exciting Season 7 premiere, KC, Saieda, and Danielle reunite for a lively conversation, reminiscing about their college experiences and sharing valuable insights on what they wish they'd known back then. Plus, stay tuned for hints about the upcoming episodes you won't want to miss.

KC, Saieda, Danielle, and Zoe talk with outgoing SCSU President Joe Bertolino about the challenges and opportunities facing higher ed. Reflecting on his 7-year tenure at the university, they grapple with legacy, and reflect on the work ahead for aspiring social justice universities.

KC, Saieda, and Danielle talk with Dr. Sami Schalk about her new book, Black Disability Politics. Learn about the ways we have not recognized disability justice work in Black liberation movements, the importance of making scholarship accessible and useful to activists and communities, and taking pleasure activism seriously! Follow Dr. Schalk on Twitter @DrSamiSchalk, on IG @fierceblackfemme or che...

Saieda, Danielle, Zoe and KC reflect on the season, some of their favorite moments, and talk about what it takes to be a podcaster.

Saieda, KC, and Danielle talk with undergraduate student Kyle Magri about spirituality, religion, and connection with others. Kyle hosts the group Monthly Magic at Southern Connecticut State University, a diverse and inclusive community dedicated to finding the sacred in the people, places, and things where most religious institutions refuse to look. The conversation moves through healing religiou...

In this episode, Danielle, Saieda, and KC talk with school social worker and dance instructor Chelsea Little-Hughes about paths to meaningful work, community education, and creating connection, discipline, and joy in her dance studio. To learn more about CR & Co. Dance Studio, see https://www.crandcodance.com/ .

Zoe, Danielle, and KC talk with Milford Public School’s transition program student Johnny Vaccino and two of his teachers. Eric Paradis is the head of Special Ed for MPS and is joined by colleague Erin Williams to discuss disability rights, the challenges of moving through the world with disabilities, the contributions of disability rights activists, and what needs to happen next for true disabili...

KC, Saieda, and Danielle talk with New Haven journalist Lucy Gellman and UW-Madison journalism professor Dr. Sue Robinson about engaged journalism, the changing media landscape, and the future of the field. You can read Lucy’s work at https://www.newhavenarts.org/ and see more about Sue at https://journalism.wisc.edu/news/staff/susan-robinson/ .

The team talks with Dr. David Robinson-Morris about radically reimagining the structures of higher ed, polite disruption, and the healing necessary for these times. For more on Dr. Robinson-Morris, visit https://www.drmphd.com.

KC, Saieda, and Danielle talk with stand up comedian Linda Belt about the importance of comedy to society, cancel culture, and what teachers can learn from comedians.

KC, Danielle, Saieda, and Zoe talk with Miros Gonzalez about her journey to reconnect with her Yaqui roots and the possibilities of filmmaking to share these stories. You can contact Miros via www.yaquiland.com . In the episode, she mentioned Kin Theory, an initiative of Nia Tero, which is a global network of indigenous media creators; they host free online monthly office hours: https://www.kinthe...

KC and Danielle talk with two educators and changemakers about the public school system, with a focus on underfunded schools. Guests Patricia Gagliardi, Director for Inclusion and Restorative Justice Education Development at SCSU and Alva Hanson, First Year Experience and Environmental Science instructor at Tunxis Community College, bring their rich experiences to the conversation.

KC and Danielle talk with Sahmah Nah, CEO of Gateway U in Newark, about new models of higher ed and ways to break down barriers that keep students of color from being able to complete degrees.

This season, Real Talk is heading in a fresh new direction with multiple co-hosts joining KC in the studio. Our cross-generational team includes Danielle Campbell, a graduate student, Zoe Pringle, an undergraduate student and Saieda Lataillade-Lewis, a post-grad. Join us for hot takes, fresh insights, and a lot of laughs as we test the waters together.