“For Good”

In this deeply personal episode, I open the door to a chapter of my life shaped by fear, resilience, and the journey toward being fully seen. Inspired by the story of Elphaba from *Wicked*, I reflect on what it means to live as “the other,” to carry labels you never asked for, and to find yourself trapped in a jail built from survival, silence, and shadows of your own making.

But this isn’t a story of despair. It’s a story of rising.

“For Good” explores how being ostracized can ignite a fire that transforms you, how hiding can lead to healing, and how embracing your truth—out loud—can free not just you, but everyone watching from the sidelines. Together, we walk through the parallels between a misunderstood fictional heroine and a real-life journey toward liberation, identity, and impact.

Listeners will leave this episode encouraged to reflect on their own stories—where they have dimmed their light, played small, and where it's finally time to step forward with courage.

This one is for anyone who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or underestimated. You’ll walk away with renewed hope, a deeper understanding of your worth, and a reminder that even the hardest chapters can shape you… *for good.*

Today, we’re going to look forward waaay forward and dream about what a world could look like if we stopped tinkering with broken systems and started building new ones rooted in liberation, technology justice, and joy.

This… is Afrofuturism in action.

And this… is what leadership looks like when we refuse to accept harm as the cost of learning.”

Today, we’re not focusing on ‘achievement gaps.’ We’re addressing harm.

Yes, I said it harm.

When we talk about an achievement gap, it often sounds like some kids just didn’t try hard enough. But what if I told you that the ‘gap’ isn’t between students — it’s between the world they deserve and the world they received?

I read a powerful article by Dr. Bettina Love in Education Week that changed how I think about this. She said: ‘Stop talking about gaps — talk about harm.’ And she’s right. Because if we can’t identify the harm, we can’t fix it.

Today, I want to bring this conversation out of academic journals and into the real world. Because I’ve seen it, I’ve lived it, and I know the difference between a “have” and a “have-not” school… and it goes much deeper than test scores.

In this powerful episode of My Life Ain’t Perfect, Rodrick C. Johnson opens up about the quiet exhaustion that comes with being the strong one. From leading schools and supporting teachers to showing up for family and community, Rodrick reflects on the moments he realized even superheroes need rest.

Today’s episode is about words. Not just any words, the ones you speak over your own life. The affirmations that become armor when the world tries to tell you who you’re not. Because the truth is… before I ever built a business, wrote a book, or coached a teacher, I had to learn how to speak life into myself.”

Here is a guide to engage with this weekhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1THHMZvEZxSs3z6yyHACznN0f0a97xPK9JuKr_TxSfQw/copy

“Some stories don’t start on paper.

They start as scars.

They live in our memories, in our silence, in the questions we asked when no one had answers.

Welcome back to My Life Ain’t Perfect, the podcast where we turn our most challenging moments into healing lessons. I’m Rodrick C. Johnson—literacy coach, speaker, educator, and today… storyteller.

In this episode, we’re talking about Joey’s Journey: A Long Way Home.

A children’s book that came from the pieces of my own past… and became one of the most powerful healing tools I’ve ever held.”

Welcome back to My Life Ain’t Perfect the podcast where we get honest about the mess behind the mission. I’m your host, Rodrick C. Johnson, and today’s episode is as real as it gets.

It’s called The Day I Almost Quit. And if you’ve ever sat in your car after school and just wept... or stared at your resignation letter thinking, ‘Maybe it’s time…’ this one’s for you. Let’s talk about what happens when the weight almost wins.”

In this BONUS episode, I unpack a few thoughts around my viral post. This is Part 1, as I have a lot more to say, and I haven't even addressed the comment section yet.

Thank you for listening. Don't worry, you will still receive your episode on Sunday!

If you want to join my teacher PLC, please use this link to register:https://bit.ly/teacherPLC

“What do you do when the life you pictured doesn’t match the one you’re living?

Welcome back to My Life Ain’t Perfect, the podcast that doesn’t wait for the highlight reel. We unpack what’s real—what hurts, what heals, and what helps us get back up. I’m your host, Rodrick C. Johnson. And today… this episode? This one’s about detours.

It’s called This Ain’t What I Planned. And if you’ve ever had to let go of a dream, shift directions, or grieve something you thought would happen—you’re not alone. I’ve been there. Still walkin’ through it. Let’s talk.”

If you’ve ever said, ‘This kid just won’t listen,’ or ‘We need more discipline,’ this If you’ve ever lamented, ‘This kid just won’t listen,’ or said, "We need more discipline,’ this episode is perfect for you.

Welcome back to My Life Ain’t Perfect, the podcast where we embrace chaos, challenge systems, and reveal the truth about transformation. I’m your host, Rodrick C. Johnson, a literacy coach, CEO of The Energized Educator, and creator of the disruptive framework called The 3R Method, which changes how schools handle behavior.

Today’s episode, titled 'The Behavior Blueprint,' emphasizes that behavior is not just something to control; it’s a language. If we don’t learn to speak it, we’re simply reacting, not teaching. The episode is for you.