Equity Builds Expertise the Podcast

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• Juliann Harris, VP of STEM at the KIPP Foundation, discusses the messy reality of shifting towards a centralized model of support with Shana. She emphasizes the critical importance of providing all students exposure to high-quality instructional materials. (Recorded December, 2025)

Software engineer Kasozi Wilson shares his pivot to computer science after realizing accounting wasn't for him. He reflects on how his athletic background taught him to analyze failure to grow, and the tension of relying on generative AI as a source of truth in fast-paced startups.

In this episode, cousins De'mbe Wilson and Julliana Fernandez-Wilson share their journeys into healthcare and offer an honest look at what success in these careers really requires. Through their experiences in physical therapy and nursing, they discuss the discipline, self-awareness, communication, and preparation needed to thrive in demanding STEM-based professions.

Together, they reflect on what schools could have done better to prepare them and what students need to understand now if they hope to build meaningful, sustainable careers in healthcare.

Shana celebrates her 10th episode with her former student, Tiaja Harley-Wiltshire. Cost engineer Tiaja Harley-Wiltshire shares her journey into a white, male-dominated construction field. She discusses combating "weaponized intelligence" , planning from "point A to point C", and why learning to effectively communicate is critical.

Confidence doesn’t come before action; it grows through it.

In this episode, Shana shares her personal motto, “Do it afraid,” and explores how self-efficacy is built over time. She challenges the idea of the “safe path” and encourages listeners to rethink how risk and growth are connected.

This one is about mindset, courage, and what it really takes to keep going.

Managing tasks is not the same as leading people.

Laila Plamondon breaks down the difference between management and leadership and introduces practical tools, including the SBI feedback model, to support growth and accountability.

This conversation is especially relevant for leaders who want to build stronger teams without doing all the thinking for them.

Culture isn’t something you assign—it’s something you build.

In this solo episode, Shana challenges leaders to take a closer look at their role in shaping team and classroom environments. She explores why accountability, vulnerability, and consistency matter more than intention.

If you’re leading people, this episode is a call to step in—not step back.

Guest: Art Worrell

What can STEM teachers learn from history classrooms?

Art Worrell shares how knowledge organizers can reduce cognitive overload, build vocabulary, and support long-term retention. He walks through practical strategies that help students become more independent and confident learners.

This episode is packed with immediately usable tools for any educator.

STEM is more than content—it’s a language.

In this episode, Shana breaks down three critical skills that often go untaught: note-taking, vocabulary, and data literacy. These are the tools students need to access complex content and build independence.

If you’ve ever wondered why students struggle to keep up, even when they’re trying, this episode connects the dots.