Conscious Pathways: Conversations for Transformative Education

After a short break, I’m back with a personal update. In this episode of Conscious Pathways, I share openly about navigating burnout, balancing responsibilities, and taking intentional steps toward rest and healing.

I also give you a behind-the-scenes look at upcoming changes for the podcast, including:

• Why I’m shifting to bimonthly episodes
• What a podcast rebrand will mean for listeners
• How I’m separating the podcast from my business to create more clarity and alignment

This episode is part reflection, part announcement, and part reminder that prioritizing self-care doesn’t mean stepping away from your passions — it means sustaining them in healthier, more intentional ways.

Episode Highlights:

• Facing burnout and finding balance
• The role of creativity in healing and growth
• Exciting changes ahead for the podcast
• Why self-care is a non-negotiable
• How you can help shape the future of Conscious Pathways

💡 I’d love your input! Please take a few minutes to complete the listener survey and help shape the future of the podcast: Listener feedback survey!

If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, needed permission to pause, or wanted to realign with your values then this episode is for you.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes on education, social justice, and the journey toward authentic living.

🎧 Listen and follow Conscious Pathways wherever you get your podcasts

💬 Leave a comment or DM me—what part of this episode resonated with you?

📲 Share this episode with an educator, parent, or colleague who needs to hear it

📍 Follow Conscious Pathways for more episodes & updates: https://linktr.ee/conscious.pathways

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In this powerful episode of Conscious Pathways, host Brittney Carey sits down with Dr. Helen P. Young—educator, counselor, and advocate for equity in higher education. With over 25 years of experience in both K–12 and community college settings, Dr. Young shares her inspiring journey into education, the challenges she’s faced as a Black woman in academia, and her groundbreaking work to create pathways from California community colleges to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Dr. Young dives into the California Community College Transfer Guarantee to HBCUs, a program she helped lead to ensure students—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—have access to meaningful higher education opportunities. We also explore her co-founded initiative, Pipelines to Possibilities (P2P), which supports and prepares HBCU graduate students to become leaders in California’s community college system.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or social justice advocate, this episode offers practical insights into how we can better support students of color and reimagine the educational systems that shape their futures.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• Why transfer pathways to HBCUs matter
• How parents can advocate for college access
• The realities educators of color face in higher ed
• What true mentorship and systemic change can look like

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about educational equity!

🎧 Listen and follow Conscious Pathways wherever you get your podcasts

💬 Leave a comment or DM me—what part of this episode resonated with you?

📲 Share this episode with an educator, parent, or colleague who needs to hear it

📍 Follow Conscious Pathways for more episodes & updates: https://linktr.ee/conscious.pathways

“If we are comfortable enough to talk about Black suffering, we have to be comfortable enough to talk about how that suffering made Black folks feel.”

— Dr. Brittany Jones

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What happens when we strip emotion from how we teach history? In this powerful episode of Conscious Pathways, I sit down with Dr. Brittany Jones, a researcher, educator, and former social studies teacher whose work centers on Black emotionality, anti-racist teaching, and critical emotional pedagogy.

We explore the emotional weight of historical truth, how racialized emotions—like Black anger and grief—are often misunderstood or suppressed in schools, and how this shapes both curriculum and classroom culture. Dr. Jones shares how emotions carry power, and why educators must create space for students to feel fully, especially when confronting histories of oppression and resistance.

This conversation is a call to humanize the classroom, validate student emotions, and teach history with truth, care, and clarity.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why emotional literacy belongs in social studies classrooms
• How racialized emotions show up in school settings
• The impact of misreading or weaponizing Black emotionality
• How to move from sanitized curriculum to truthful, liberatory history teaching
• Concrete strategies for educators to create emotionally supportive learning environments

🎧 Listen and follow Conscious Pathways wherever you get your podcasts

💬 Leave a comment or DM me—what part of this episode resonated with you?

📲 Share this episode with an educator, parent, or colleague who needs to hear it

📍 Follow Conscious Pathways for more episodes & updates: https://linktr.ee/conscious.pathways

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In this episode of Conscious Pathways, I sit down with Bee Alvarado—Child Development Specialist, children’s author, and founder of Mother Earth’s Learning Center. Bee shares her powerful journey from big sister in a Mexican-American family to visionary educator creating nature-based learning experiences for young children.

We talk about:

• How nature and healing shaped Bee’s teaching philosophy
• The role of storytelling and cultural identity in early education
• Her mobile program bringing earth-conscious, sensory-rich learning to communities
• Her upcoming book Miss B and Her Magic Hat
• Breaking cycles of generational trauma through education

If you’re passionate about early childhood education, environmental stewardship, and holistic practices that empower both children and families—this one’s for you.

Don’t forget to rate & review the show—it helps more educators and families find us!

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In this inspiring episode of Conscious Pathways, host Brittney Carey is joined by award-winning educator and TEDx speaker Nick Marmolejo to explore how purpose-driven learning can transform education. Nick shares his personal journey into the classroom, the pivotal role mentorship played in shaping his philosophy, and why purpose—not just performance—should be at the center of our schools.

Together, we unpack how cultivating a love for learning, creating emotionally safe environments, and rethinking the school-to-career pipeline can better serve all students, especially those with special needs. Nick also introduces his upcoming children’s book, Where’s My Compass?, a powerful story about a boy with autism finding his purpose.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about reimagining education with equity, intention, and heart.

🎧 Tune in now to rethink how we shape the future of education!

🔗 Links & Resources:

📍 Connect with Nick Marmolejo: TedX: Are Schools Destroying Purpose?, LinkedIn

📍 Follow Conscious Pathways for more episodes & updates: https://linktr.ee/conscious.pathways

📍 Subscribe to the Pathways of Promise Newsletter for deeper insights: https://pathwaysofpromise.beehiiv.com/subscribe

💬 Join the conversation! What resonated most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media using #ConsciousPathwaysPodcast.

🔗 Subscribe & Share:

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider sharing it with a fellow educator or parent. You can also subscribe to Conscious Pathways for more thought-provoking discussions at the intersection of education and social justice.

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In Episode 55 of Conscious Pathways, Brittney Carey sits down with Dr. Erika L. McDowell—educator, equity steward, and liberatory leader—to explore how education can be a tool for freedom and transformation.

Dr. McDowell shares her powerful journey as a legacy educator and speaks candidly about the systemic challenges Black educators and communities continue to face. From her experience in district leadership to her work with the Black Wildflowers Fund, she highlights the importance of equitable funding, intentional support, and collective action in dismantling oppression.

This inspiring episode dives deep into what it means to reimagine education through a liberatory lens—where access, equity, and empowerment are not just goals, but guiding principles.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• The roots of Dr. McDowell’s work in community and legacy
• Why centering Black educators is crucial for system-wide change
• How initiatives like the Black Wildflowers Fund are reshaping possibilities
• Practical steps for building freedom-centered education spaces

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Black Wildflowers Fund
• Connect with Dr. Erika McDowell on LinkedIn or Instagram
• Follow Conscious Pathways on Instagram: @conscious.pathways
• Subscribe to the Pathways of Promise newsletter for early access and resources: Join Here
• Shop our recommended books on DEI and education through our Bookshop page – support local bookstores and social justice learning!

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode, and leave a review!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Conscious Pathways

01:20 Meet Dr. Erica McDowell

02:08 A Legacy in Education

05:43 Challenges and Systemic Oppression

07:46 The Black Wildflowers Fund

14:51 Community and Advocacy

24:01 Understanding Trauma in Education

25:09 The Origins and Evolution of Education

25:58 The Importance of Diversity in Education

26:41 Personal Stories and Community Impact

28:27 Challenges and Solutions in Modern Education

34:08 Reimagining Education for Freedom

42:25 Connecting and Collaborating for Change

44:35 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

"We don’t stop fighting for inclusion just because policies shift—we double down on the classroom, the community, and each other." — Dr. Tr’Vel T. Lyons

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In this episode of Conscious Pathways, I sit down with Dr. Tr’Vel T. Lyons—educator, researcher, and DEI advocate—to explore what it means to fight for inclusive, supportive learning environments when educational policies and public narratives are increasingly regressive.

Dr. Lyons shares his personal journey into education, inspired by a college access program that changed his life, and dives deep into what it truly takes to create equitable academic spaces. We talk about supporting Black boys in the classroom, designing DEI-centered interventions, and how educators and parents can take meaningful action—even when the system feels like it’s working against us.

If you’re a teacher, parent, or advocate trying to navigate this moment with purpose and compassion, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported, and re-energized.

Dr. Tr’Vel T. Lyons is an adjunct assistant professor and associate researcher at the USC Rossier School of Education. His research focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic programs, with an emphasis on supporting historically underrepresented students. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban Schooling from UCLA, where his dissertation, Cacti in the Classroom, explored cultivating supportive learning environments for Black boys during their critical ninth-grade year.

In this episode we discuss:

• The impact of transformational college access programs
• Creating inclusive classrooms in the face of policy rollbacks
• Supporting Black boys through intentional, strength-based approaches
• The intersection of race, class, and gender in academic equity
• The emotional toll of advocacy—and how to stay grounded
• Real strategies for parents and educators to resist regressive systems
• Why hope and community are essential in this work

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Learn more about Dr. Lyons’ work at USC’s Center for Education, Identity, and Social Justice
• Follow Conscious Pathways on Instagram: @conscious.pathways
• Subscribe to the Pathways of Promise newsletter for early access and resources: Join Here
• Listen to our episode on Voices of Neurodiversity with Dr. JPB Gerald
• Shop our recommended books on DEI and education through our Bookshop page – support local bookstores and social justice learning!

Loved this episode? Take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more educators and advocates find the show!

What does it truly mean to learn? How can we create classrooms that affirm, uplift, and empower Black and brown children?

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In this episode of Conscious Pathways, host Brittney Carey sits down with Mike Browne, Senior Director of Community Engagement at Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington, to explore the critical distinction between schooling and learning. Mike shares his powerful journey into education, drawing from his upbringing and cultural background to advocate for culturally responsive and sustaining educational spaces.

We explore:

✅ The difference between education and the institution of school

✅ How to move away from behavior policing and toward fostering joy in learning

✅ The importance of identity, Black agency, and decolonizing educational practices

✅ Why kindergarten readiness should be redefined for lifelong success

✅ How community engagement and grassroots efforts can drive systemic change

This thought-provoking conversation challenges traditional notions of education and provides actionable steps for educators, parents, and advocates to build inclusive and affirming learning environments.

🎧 Tune in now to rethink how we shape the future of education!

🔗 Links & Resources:

📍 Connect with Mike Browne: @miguelitobrowne - Twitter, Linkedin, Podcast: Spotify, Apple, Instagram @napcast206

📍 Follow Conscious Pathways for more episodes & updates: https://linktr.ee/conscious.pathways

📍 Subscribe to the Pathways of Promise Newsletter for deeper insights: https://pathwaysofpromise.beehiiv.com/subscribe

💬 Join the conversation! What resonated most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media using #ConsciousPathwaysPodcast.

Listener feedback survey!

In this powerful episode of Conscious Pathways, Brittney Carey sits down with Sharon Shelton, a leader in racial justice and equity, to discuss the pivotal experiences that shaped her decades-long career in social justice. Sharon reflects on her upbringing in South Los Angeles, attending predominantly white schools, and a life-changing encounter with civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

Together, Brittney and Sharon dive into:

• Why understanding history is essential for today’s social justice movements
• The intersections of race, gender, and equity in community organizing
• How Sharon’s Anti-Racism Wheel supports respectful, productive dialogues
• The role of education and mediation in building equitable communities

💡 Key Takeaways:

• How educators and parents can foster conversations on racial equity
• Actionable steps for community involvement in social justice
• The power of identity exploration for lasting social change

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about creating pathways to a more just, compassionate, and equitable world.

👉 Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Beehiiv for early access.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Sharon Shelton’s Anti-Racism Wheel
• Community organizing tips for parents and educators
• Book recommendations on social justice from Brittney’s Bookshop.org page (support local bookstores & social justice learning!)

🎧 Call to Action:

💬 What steps can you take today to build a more equitable community? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram, Youtube, and LinkedIn @Conscious.Pathways

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In this thought-provoking episode of Conscious Pathways, we dive deep into the transformative world of early childhood education with Akiea "Ki" Gross, a passionate advocate for abolitionist pedagogy and pro-Black, queer, and trans liberation. As the creator of Woke Kindergarten, an abolitionist early childhood ecosystem, Ki shares their innovative approaches to resist, heal, liberate, and create within the realm of education.

Throughout our conversation, Ki offers invaluable insights into:

🌟 Engaging Young Students in Critical Pedagogy: Discover practical strategies and techniques for nurturing critical thinking and social consciousness in even the youngest learners.

🌟 Seeing the Humanity in Children: Ki emphasizes the importance of recognizing and honoring the full humanity of children, fostering environments where their voices, experiences, and identities are valued and respected.

🌟 The Educator's Role in Supporting Students' Educational Journey: From classroom teacher to cultural organizer, Ki reflects on the multifaceted role of educators in empowering students to navigate their educational paths with agency, dignity, and authenticity.

Join us as we explore the intersection of education, liberation, and social justice, and gain inspiration for fostering inclusive and transformative learning environments for all learners, regardless of age.

Listen in to gain fresh perspectives on early childhood education and embark on a journey towards conscious and liberatory teaching practices.

Connect with Ki:

• wokekindergarten.org
• Instagram

👍🏾 Keep up with Conscious Pathways:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@conscious-pathways

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conscious.pathways/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-pathways-education

Newsletter: https://pathwaysofpromise.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ConsciousPathways

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