Rooted2Thrive:Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Parenting as Power: The Transformative Wisdom of Black MotherhoodSeason 5, Episode 45Host: Rochelle Peterson-AnsariGuest: Dionna TilleryOverview:In this heartfelt and empowering episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Dionna Tillery — a Ph. D. student, educator, nonprofit leader, doula, and...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Preparing Our Children to Thrive in AmericaSeason 5, Episode 44Host: Rochelle Peterson-AnsariGuests: Ashley and Ismael JimenezOverview:In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Ashley and Ismael Jimenez—partners, parents, and advocates dedicated to raising social...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | The Importance of Believing in Yourself Season 5, Episode 43 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Guest: Karen Smith Overview: In this heartwarming and empowering episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari welcomes master percussionist, playwright, and writer Karen Smith. Their conversation weaves together themes o...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Maintaining Your True Self Throughout Your Career Season 5, Episode 42 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Guest: Dr. Cherie Crosby-Weeks Overview: In this inspiring episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Dr. Cherie Crosby-Weeks, Program Director of Teacher Education and Chair of Behavioral Scie...

Rooted2Thrive Podcast: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity | Writing Past The Pain Season 5, Episode 41 Host: Rochelle Peterson-Ansari Guest: Dr. Brian JohnsonOverview:  In this episode of the Rooted2Thrive Podcast, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari sits down with Dr. Brian Johnson, pastor of Revival Tabernacle in Pennsylvania and author of nine books, including the acclaimed historical novels Send Jud...

Overview In this Rooted2Thrive Podcast episode, Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with guest Justin Green, Real Estate Investor, about the intersections of faith, finance, and fatherhood. Justin shares his personal journey of balancing his spiritual beliefs with the realities of financial responsibility, while also embracing the challenges and rewards of being a father. Their conversation highlights...

Overview In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari is joined by Dr. Ranelli A. Williams, a CPA and profit strategist, to discuss financial stewardship as a direct path to empowerment and equity. Dr. Williams shares her personal and professional journey, emphasizing her passion for teaching financial literacy in marginalized communities and helping Christian pr...

Overview In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Kevin Covington, Assistant Director of Retention and Outreach at Villanova University, about the transformative power of education. Covington shares his personal journey into the field of education, which began with a passion for building character in student-athletes and evolved into a career focu...

Overview In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Elissa Zylbershlag, an anti-bias educator and leadership coach, about the critical concept of self-awareness. Zylbershlag defines self-awareness using an analogy of "the mirror and the portrait": "the mirror" represents our private self-perception, including our values and intentions, while "the portrait" repres...

Overview In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Maya Stewart, Chief of Strategy and Professional Learning at Lee Montessori PCS , about her journey as an educator and the "leadership trifecta": do the thing, say the thing, be yourself. Stewart shares her professional path from Arcadia University to becoming a school principal in Washin...

Overview In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari interviews author, educator, and her former student, Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, about the power of diverse literature as "love letters to our children." Reynoso-Morris shares that her journey as an author was inspired by her grandmother's storytelling and a desire to see her Dominican and Puerto Rican cu...

Overview In this episode of the "Rooted2Thrive," host  Professor P (Rochelle Peterson-Ansari) speaks with Yolanda Booker, a mental health therapist and the founder of the nonprofit organization Grief Speaks. Drawing from the profound experience of losing her son to cancer, Booker introduces the often-overlooked stage of grief: insecurity, which arises from the significant life changes an...

Overview In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Luca Poxon, Project Coordinator at Temple University and Philly Children's Movement, about the importance of integrating joy and justice-centered practices into education to combat dehumanizing systems. Poxon shares their personal journey, which began with witnessing educational inequities in high...

Overview In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with poet, author, and cultural worker, J Mase III about the deep-seated connection between trans solidarity and racial justice. J Mase III argues that these movements are inseparable, tracing the historical erasure of trans and gender-nonconforming leaders in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities back t...

Overview In this episode of "Rooted2Thrive," host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari speaks with Dr. Bill Ayers, a retired distinguished Professor of Education, about the concepts of freedom, abolition, and collective liberation from his latest book. Dr. Ayers explains that freedom is a contested term, often meaning cruelty for the conquered when claimed by the conqueror, and is best understood by...

Overview In a crucial conversation, Professor P (Rochelle Peterson-Ansari) and Executive Coach & DEI Consultant, Vanity Jenkins of ShiftEd Consulting delve into the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They explore why DEI initiatives often fall short, how the current sociopolitical climate is leading to the erasure of DEI efforts, and, most importantly, what individuals and organ...

Overview Dr. Corinne Green of HRMOM, LLC (Human Resources Managers On the Move LLC) joins Professor P to dive into the vital connection between data and empathy in building thriving and equitable workplaces. Discover how understanding individual experiences and leveraging data – including insights from those on the ground – can drive meaningful change and foster human dignity in organizational cul...

Overview Mariah Wilson, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, joins Professor P to explore how better communication can revolutionize patient care. They discuss overcoming biases, the power of empathy, and practical coaching techniques for healthcare professionals to build trust and truly connect with patients. Learn from Mariah’s lived experience in clinical settings, as a coach as...

Overview Join Professor P. Rochelle Peterson-Ansari in a rich and insightful conversation with her former student and esteemed colleague, Amber Williams. This episode delves deeper into three powerful pathways to fostering deeper human connection: understanding, dialogue, and cultural competence. Amber shares her journey into this crucial work, rooted in her own experiences and fueled by a passion...

Overview In this episode of Rooted to Thrive Conversations, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari (Professor P) engages in a discussion with Dr. Olufemi Fadeyibi, an expert in mentoring interventions and closing the achievement gap for Black and Brown boys. Dr. Fadeyibi shares his personal journey, from experiencing a sense of disconnect from his identity in his youth to dedicating his career to empowerin...

Overview Join Professor P. Rochelle Peterson-Ansari in a deeply insightful and thought-provoking conversation with her friend and esteemed colleague, Dr. Chezare A. Warren, Associate Professor of Equity and Inclusion in Education Policy at Vanderbilt University, Author of "Centering Possibility in Black Education," TEDx Speaker, and Convener of The Possibilities Project. This episode expands on th...

Overview In this episode of Rooted2Thrive: Conversations That Elevate Our Humanity , host Rochelle Peterson Ansari (Professor P) speaks with Dr. Alissa Gardenhire, President of ADG Group, LLC, accomplished entrepreneur, and educator, to discuss the concept of centered leadership and its role in fostering transformative change. With over 30 years of experience addressing societal challenges, Dr. Ga...

Overview In this episode of Rooted to Thrive Conversations, host Rochelle Peterson-Ansari welcomes Dr. Carl Moore, founder and CEO of Youniversal Luv Unlimited, a nationally recognized learning scientist and expert in personal leadership and spiritual development. Dr. Moore discusses the concept of self-directed leadership, emphasizing accountability, alignment of mind, body, and spirit, and the i...

Overview Join Rochelle (Professor P) in a powerful conversation with Chuanika Sanders-Thomas, PCC, Executive and Leadership Coach and CEO of Imagine & Inspire Leadership, as they explore the transformative power of self-coaching. With over 25 years in public education as a teacher, principal, and executive coach, Chuanika Sanders-Thomas possesses a deep understanding of human behavior and lead...

Overview Tired of putting everyone else first? Join Professor P and the powerhouse Safiyyah Islam as they dive deep into the messy, beautiful journey of self-love. They unpack the crucial role of self-love in breaking down cycles of oppression. Safiyyah shares deeply personal stories, including a transformative "naked mirror challenge," revealing the power of authentic self-acceptance. L...