In the season three finale of "More Than a Monolith," Dr. Priya Nalkur—psychologist, executive coach, and author—delivers a heartfelt keynote from CAAPLE Con25. She explores the power of vulnerability in leadership, the importance of reframing mistakes as stepping stones to growth, and the transformative impact of sharing our stories. Through personal anecdotes and insights, Dr. Nalkur invites listeners to honor those who gave them a turn, embrace their full selves, and create spaces of inclusion and belonging. Join us for a powerful call to courage, connection, and authentic leadership as we close out a season dedicated to identity, wellness, and the power of voice.

In this episode of "More Than a Monolith," Dr. Shana Henry sits down with Janice Munemitsu, author of "The Kindness of Color," to explore the powerful true story of two families whose acts of solidarity changed the course of history. Janice shares her family's connection to the landmark Mendez v. Westminster case, the challenges faced by Japanese Americans during World War II, and the enduring impact of kindness, integrity, and community. Together, they discuss why these stories remain hidden, the importance of sharing intergenerational experiences, and how everyday acts of courage and allyship can inspire hope and change in our own communities. This episode is a call to action for listeners to uncover, share, and learn from the hidden histories that shape us all.

In this powerful episode of "More Than a Monolith," Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County’s 12th Superintendent of Schools, sits down with Dr. Diane Kitamura for an inspiring conversation about resilience, community, and transformative leadership. Dr. Bean shares his extraordinary story—from his birth in Vietnam and overcoming adversity as a child with polio, to becoming a passionate educator and single father of four. Discover how his personal experiences shaped his empathetic approach to leadership, his vision for uplifting vulnerable students, and his commitment to fostering equity and innovation in Orange County’s schools. This episode is a testament to the power of community, the importance of giving back, and the impact of leading with heart.

Explore the transformative power of rest, storytelling, and collective healing in Asian American communities in this heartfelt episode. Our guest shares insights on mental health, intergenerational trauma, and the importance of culturally rooted wellness practices. Learn about the journey behind the book "Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity," and practical ways to foster self-compassion and community care. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing is possible when we honor our stories and embrace our identities.

Join us for a powerful episode recorded live at CAAPLE Con 25, where AANHPI superintendents from across California share unfiltered reflections on identity, equity, and the courage it takes to lead. Moderated by Dr. Diane Kitamura, this panel dives deep into the challenges and triumphs of educational leadership, from recruitment and retention to cultural roots and systemic reform. Be inspired by stories of resilience, actionable insights, and a vision for a more inclusive future in education.

This special episode of "More Than a Monolith" features a candid, deeply personal conversation about identity, belonging, and the complexities of being Desi in America. Recorded live with audience participation, the discussion unpacks the often unspoken question: Are Indians really Asian? Listeners are invited to explore the nuances of cultural labels, microaggressions, and the search for belonging within the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) framework. Tune in for honest reflections, stories of growing up between cultures, and insights on how we can all create space for authentic self-definition and connection.

In this episode of "More Than a Monolith," host Shana Henry sits down with Dr. Meghna Bhatt—storyteller, educator, and advocate—to explore the transformative power of storytelling within the South Asian and AANHPI communities. Together, they discuss how sharing personal stories can foster healing, challenge stereotypes, and build authentic connections. Dr. Bhatt shares her journey into storytelling, the importance of safe and courageous spaces, and practical advice for those new to sharing their stories. The conversation also highlights the work of organizations like Capital Storytelling and Gulabi Stories, offering listeners inspiration and resources to begin their own storytelling journeys.

In this powerful episode, host Shana Henry sits down with keynote speaker, educator, and author Tony De La Rosa to explore the complexities of Asian American identity, the journey of unlearning internalized oppression, and the ongoing fight for representation in education. Tony shares personal stories, insights from his book "Teaching the Invisible Race," and poetry that challenges listeners to rethink advocacy, allyship, and the role of ethnic studies in schools. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about radical love, authentic leadership, and building coalitions for lasting change in and beyond the classroom.

Today my guest is Estella Owoimaha-Church, Executive Director of Empowering Pacific Islander Communities–also known as EPIC.  Estella, a former educator of nearly two decades, is a strong voice and advocate for marginalized communities having spoken all over the world about pressing education matters.  This was a heavy conversation for me because I could feel the depth of critical urgency Estella leads with every day.  In our conversation, we talk about the lack of representation ineducation, data disaggregation, the lack of care for our Pacific Islander communities and so much more.   We encourage you to continue to conversation with us by sharing this episode and tagging us on twitter or Linked in.  

Today’s episode is sponsored by SoundMind, an immersive wellness platform students can use as a mind management tool for emotional and phsyical wellness using music therpay.  Used by over 250,000+ students across the nation SoundMind is the leading mental health app for youth, including recently named Top 6 Mental Health Apps for Kids by Parents Magazine.  You can learn more and access theur Mental Health Toolkit by visiting www.soundmind.app.  

Welcome back to another episode of More Than a Monolith.  I am really thrilled to introduce you to our guest today, Maria Medrano.  I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Maria for about 15 years when her daughter enrolled in the school I had the honor of leading.  Maria, her husband Mauricio and I quickly connected through our passionate belief in the access and opportunity for underrepresented youth.  Since meeting her, I’ve continued to be inspired by Maria’s leadership in top positions at Cisco, Visa and Google.  Recently, Maria shared with me the decision to leave it all behind so she can accomplish her mission: To help end generational poverty through educational attainment for everyone.  While the goal sounds big, she’s the one to make it happen.  In this episode, we talk about college completion and transfer  rates for AAPI youth, barriers to accessing higher ed and the financial challenges for our families.  

Today’s episode is sponsored by SoundMind, an immersive wellness platform students can use as a mind management tool for emotional and phsyical wellness using music therpay.  Used by over 250,000+ students across the nation SoundMind is the leading mental health app for youth, including recently named Top 6 Mental Health Apps for Kids by Parents Magazine.  You can learn more and access theur Mental Health Toolkit by visiting www.soundmind.app.