Join us for an inspiring episode of our Educating Empathy Podcast, presented by SissyMarySue Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering empathy, equity, and education for a brighter future. This special interview is hosted by the dynamic Dr. Lugene Rihki Kennebrew, an award-winning educator, filmmaker, and cultural innovator known for his groundbreaking work in education and the arts. In this episode, Dr. Kennebrew sits down with the brilliant Richard A. Murray, a renowned playwright and screenwriter whose work has left an indelible mark on the world of theater and film. Richard takes us through his extraordinary life, sharing personal stories, reflections, and the creative process behind his celebrated productions such as Food Play, Rashad’s Ride on The Spirit Train, and more. From his early days as a playwright in the vibrant Philadelphia theater scene to his impactful work in Atlanta and beyond, Richard discusses how his art amplifies empathy and supports culturally relevant learning. Guided by Dr. Kennebrew’s thoughtful questions, this episode delves into how storytelling bridges communities, sparks important conversations and nurtures a deeper understanding of the human experience. 

ABOUT the HOST: 
Dr. Lugene Kennebrew is a distinguished educator, filmmaker, and cultural leader with over a decade of experience shaping minds and creating transformative art. As the Black Joy Galaxy founder and a pioneer in African-centered education, Dr. Kennebrew is passionate about using the arts to empower, educate, and foster empathy across diverse communities. Dr. Kennebrew serves with distinction on the Board of Directors for SissyMarySue Education Fund 501(c)(3) nonprofit, an organization committed to Advancing Education Empowerment and Access. By supporting initiatives like the Educating Empathy Podcast, our nonprofit provides a platform to celebrate diverse voices, foster inclusion, and champion innovative learning and personal growth approaches. Find info including podcasts on our website www.sissymarysue.org 

Music by De'Arris Judkins and Lugene Kennebrew
Editing by Lugene Kennebrew and Anthony Hotakainen

Lee Truer shares her personal introspective, empathy driven POETRY and poignant reflections of when she encouraged students, in a writing project that allowed them to process difficult feelings after the death of George Floyd. You see, her students lived in the Minneapolis community where the protests and unrest due to racism and cruelty that led to the death of George Floyd, took place. She reflects on this time as well.
I am particularly honored to share this highly gifted person with our listeners. Lee is a former mentor of mine from St. Mary's University who empowered me! I am eager for you to hear why I believe she is so very precious and talented. This is the first VIDEO of our Educating Empathy PODCAST, I hosted. Lee is effervescent, she needs to be seen!

Host: Dr. Wendy Muhlhauser-Tingblad
Editing: Anthony Hotakainen
Music: De'Arris Judkins

The Implications of African-Centered STEM - Prof. Sharif Beyah
PODCAST "Educating Empathy" - SissyMarySue Education Fund 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit. 
GUEST: Professor Sharif Beyah
HOST: Dr. Lugene Kennebrew

Music: "Already Done" by De'Arris Wayne Judkins; "Change the World the More We Care" by Dr. Lugene Kennebrew.
Editing by Dr. Lugene Kennebrew and Anthony Hotakainen

Visit our Website! www.sissymarysue.org

SissyMarySue Education Fund 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit- Public Charity offers the complete audio on our PODCAST -Educating Empathy- of:
Creative Play for Teaching Empathy to Young Children
( a doctoral dissertation- documentary of play pedagogy, empathy and inclusion/equity )
This is rich with play and other research that can support the implementation of it for our youth in education and beyond! 

Our nonprofit website www.SissyMarySue.org has links to our PODCASTS.

The FUTURE of Research Presentation &
Representation in Research ….
This is the research of our FOUNDER Dr. Wendy Muhlhauser-Tingblad ProQUEST published and video posted on YOUTUBE 2021! These are her comments. "I believe a documentary film format will be more common in the future for doctoral scholars in a multimedia era! We hope it will help lead the way for more research to be presented this way! I also hope it will lead the way for more ethnographic research to help all voices and life experiences to be included in higher education research to truly reflect everyone!!"

"Higher Education remains white male dominated which is not an accurate representation of our country or world!"

BELOW is the link to the documentary film. I have included the citation and abstract! It will still resonate today! Somehow it seems important that we share this! 

ABSTRACT: Operating from the hypothesis that much of our prejudice and inequality results from a lack of empathy, my dissertation answers the research question: What reflective insights emerge from an autoethnographic study of creative story-telling and play, in online teaching of elementary grade children? This autoethnographic study, with video component, examines my online teaching and experiences that emphasize playfulness, empathy, diversity and inclusion, 11 the context of education and for general youth development. Through the use of documentary style presentation, I offer excerpts of me teaching, an online version of storytelling and play, as learning tools to facilitate the understanding of empathy and shared humanity. I provide a recorded narrative of my reflections that I film, in addition to a prose introduction. The dissertation has three main dimensions: a) Excerpts of recorded online teaching of just me (no children are seen and portions of already existing footage of interviews, b) Narrative of reflections for class planning, personal and academic discoveries, teaching, and other data comprised of journal entries, personal reflections, poetry, c) Intro, citations of research, literature review, and conclusions. I believe my illustrations will make for unique connections between playfulness and the development of empathy.

Keywords: Play, creative play, empathy, education, K-6 education, online teaching.

puppets, story, storytelling, hierarchy, discrimination, prejudice, inequality.

APA Citation: 

Muhlhauser, W. J. (2021). Creative Play for Teaching Empathy to Young Children: an Inner Exploration of an Instructor’s Process, a Visual and Narrative Journey (Doctoral dissertation, Fielding Graduate University).

Link to VISUAL version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7evfLBX9Pos&t=26s

Find the written version on ProQuest under Wendy Muhlhauser. https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/creative-play-teaching-empathy-young-children/docview/2510326346/se-2

Music by De'Arris Wayne Judkins (DRS), Chad Ihlenfeldt, Sara Guhl, and Anthony Hotakainen. Production and editing of documentary and podcast by Wendy Muhlhauser and Anthony Hotakainen.

ACCESS and INCLUSION in AVIATION
our "Educating Empathy" --PODCAST!
Mamie Lanford Singleton-began an aviation enrichment program for youth in St. Paul Minnesota, when she was serving as a Police Officer that expanded to far beyond Minnesota. She serves as the Executive Director of YIMA (Youth Initiative Mentoring Academies)! She offered young people an enrichment activity beyond sports. She beams when she shares about her aviation students finding their confidence and going on to become Harvard graduates, pilots, air traffic controllers and so on!
Colonel George London- was the first Black Pilot of C-17 plane. He served in Vietnam and ultimately served as a commander leading 900 people. He trained countless Pilots in the Air Force! He did consultant work after retiring from the Air Force for many years but took a huge pay cut to teach Physics at a High School level to empower young people-to discover their true value! Next, he launched Columbia Training Centers (CTC) to train young people to become pilots!

Host: Dr. Wendy Muhlhauser-Tingblad
Edit by Anthony Hotakainen
Music: "Already Done" by De'Arris Judkins (DRS)

In this episode, Dr. Wendy Muhlhauser-Tingblad speaks with Dr. Anton Treuer. Dr. Treuer is a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University in the Department of  Languages and Indigenous Studies. He has authored several books including "Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians but Were too Afraid to Ask "The Assassination of  Hole in the Day." 

The conversation centered on  language revitalization and  included discussion of Ojibwe language immersion schools, the role of technology in language learning, and many cultural elements of Indigenous learning philosophies. Dr. Treuer also shares about his personal background and how Indigenous culture influenced his scholarly work.
Music: "Already Done" by De'Arris Wayne Judkins
Editing by De'Arris Wayne Judkins

EDUCATING EMPATHY- Podcast GUEST- Kai Carter recalls life growing up in Duluth Minnesota. Her family courageously and heroically paved the way for other families of color to be accepted in that community ultimately. You see, she comes from a Duluth family that represented many firsts in the community of Duluth in the 60’s. They were the first family to build and live in an all-white neighborhood which was met with hatred initially. While living in their home, the word hate and the “n” word were painted together on her family’s sidewalk and the side of the house repeatedly. Even during the building of the home white and black allies stood on watch, during construction, so that the home was not sabotaged which was attempted. They became a most beloved family in the community. Kai’s mom became one of the first Black teachers in the area as well! The neighbor who had been most opposed to the family living there became the closest friend of Kai’s father. Kai’s father advocated for him in his aging.
Music: "Already Done" by De'Arris Wayne Judkins
Editing by De'Arris Wayne Judkins

Produced by our nonprofit-Public Charity

SissyMarySue Education Fund 501 (c) (3)

Learn more about our work

www.sissymarysue.org

EDUCATING EMPATHY- Podcast GUEST- Kai Carter recalls life growing up in Duluth Minnesota. Her family courageously and heroically paved the way for other families of color to be accepted in that community ultimately. You see, she comes from a Duluth family that represented many firsts in the community of Duluth in the 60’s. They were the first family to build and live in an all-white neighborhood which was met with hatred initially. While living in their home, the word hate and the “n” word were painted together on her family’s sidewalk and the side of the house repeatedly. Even during the building of the home white and black allies stood on watch, during construction, so that the home was not sabotaged which was attempted. They became a most beloved family in the community. Kai’s mom became one of the first Black teachers in the area as well! The neighbor who had been most opposed to the family living there became the closest friend of Kai’s father. Kai’s father advocated for him in his aging.
Music: "Already Done" by De'Arris Wayne Judkins
Editing by De'Arris Wayne Judkins

Produced by our nonprofit-Public Charity

SissyMarySue Education Fund 501 (c) (3)

Learn more about our work

www.sissymarysue.org

April PODCAST GUEST- Dr. Lenneal Henderson recalls life growing up in a social justice minded family, elaborates on reasons behind serving at both HBCU’s and a traditional college concurrently, as well as his vast array of board service, through a lens of empathy! He gets candid about many things including Ukraine, the current tide in the sea of social justice and the policy that supports or circumvents it. Dr. Henderson is truly a National Treasure! As a Black male he attended Berkeley in the 60’s, worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Dr. Howard Thurman, Congressman John Lewis and supported the Poor People’s Campaign even after Dr. Martin Luther King was killed. He stayed in a tent on Washington for 42 days, 29 of them in the rain- to support the work of Dr. King. He’s been involved in impactful Policy, serves as a dean and is a professor at three colleges! I was honored that he was my professor for doctoral Systems classes and served on my dissertation committee. I’m humbled he’s our President of the Board of Directors for SissyMarySue Education Fund! He’s a great mentor! I am humbled to have his insight and support!
Part 1 & 2! April 2022 https://www.sissymarysue.org/
Music - "Already Done" by De'Arris Judkins
Editing by Anthony Hotakainen

April PODCAST GUEST- Dr. Lenneal Henderson recalls life growing up in a social justice minded family, elaborates on reasons behind serving at both HBCU’s and a traditional college concurrently, as well as his vast array of board service, through a lens of empathy! He gets candid about many things including Ukraine, the current tide in the sea of social justice and the policy that supports or circumvents it. Dr. Henderson is truly a National Treasure! As a Black male he attended Berkeley in the 60’s, worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Dr. Howard Thurman, Congressman John Lewis and supported the Poor People’s Campaign even after Dr. Martin Luther King was killed. He stayed in a tent on Washington for 42 days, 29 of them in the rain- to support the work of Dr. King. He’s been involved in impactful Policy, serves as a dean and is a professor at three colleges! I was honored that he was my professor for doctoral Systems classes and served on my dissertation committee. I’m humbled he’s our President of the Board of Directors for SissyMarySue Education Fund! He’s a great mentor! I am humbled to have his insight and support!
Part 1 & 2! April 2022 https://www.sissymarysue.org/
Music - "Already Done" by De'Arris Judkins
Editing by Anthony Hotakainen