It is the middle of July and that means it is time for the annual summer fun episode. We are delving into the true crime genre, which is by far the most popular podcasts. Our true crime involves a theft. A student's opportunity to be cultural in the context of school was stolen and more importantly an opportunity to be validated and affirmed was lost. Listen in as we follow what happens to an African American 8th grader who experiences a cultural misunderstanding that escalates into being punished for being his cultural self, which is what cultural and linguistic responsiveness should be. In CLR, we call this escalation a true crime. Hear from the student, called Student A (not his real name), directly in this episode. Dr. Hollie's two cents will set the context. Get excited! 

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Here is another episode with a "random" guest who volunteered to share their journey to responsiveness. At a recent CLR Deep Dive Institute in Alburquerque, NM, the participants were asked out of the blue, "Who would like to be a guest on Outrageous Love the Podcast?" Udell Chavez, an educator from Santa Fe, stepped up to the plate. And we are grateful that he did. His CLR journey is unique and most relevant to today's sociopolitical times, as you will hear. Udell speaks from the heart but also from an experience that too many of our students are now facing. We can learn from Mr. Chavez in many ways. Dr. Hollie's two cents chimes in as well, not wanting to ignore the elephant in the room - the current treatment of immigrant students and their families. This is an episode that started off in one direction but ended up in an entire different space...thankfully.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

This year, we invited participants in our CLR Deep Dive Institutes to be guests on the podcast for an "open mic" series. In other words, say what you want, get some things off your chest, or just let loose. Our first taker is an educator from Las Cruces, NM. Meet Micaela Altamirano, a multi-talented and multi-faceted educator. She may be new to CLR but she is not new to the needs of underserved students. Over the years, she has used her many skills to be validating and affirming for students in special education and currently with equity in technology. As always, listen in for Dr. Hollie's two cents where he just asks the questions, but rarely gives the answers.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Episode 61!!! We are celebrating 6 years of Outrageous Love and 6 years of honoring journeys to responsiveness. From all walks of life, we have interviewed over 50 educators who have inspired us with their personal histories, equity walks, and keen insights on equity and cultural responsiveness. Per tradition, we start the new season with Dr. Hollie's personal episode, which supposedly provides a peek inside his personal space. To kick off the 6th season, Dr. Hollie focuses on the importance of family and introduces us to his cousin, Carrie Palmer. Carrie is a true renaissance woman - multi-talented and multi-faceted. She brings a lens that is varied, leveled, and nuanced. VABBulous life story. Hear Dr. Hollie's two cents, which provides some history and background on the podcast and why we must advocate for outrageous love now more than ever.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We culminate the special series celebrating special education educators with two powerhouse educators. First up is Kiechelle Russell, 20 year veteran educator in special education and the origin of CLR and Special Education for Dr. Hollie in terms of a model classroom example. Dr. Hollie first saw Kiechelle's classroom over 20 years ago and 20 years later she is still representing for special education students, now as an administrator. You are going to be intrigued by her journey and how connected her journey has been to CLR and Dr. H from day one. Second up is Cindy Krumplitsch, another seasoned SPED educator. Based on a recent classroom observation, Cindy's classroom inspired this series, as she has begun to take a deep dive into cultural and linguistic practices. Cindy's journey to responsiveness is fascinating in so many ways, demonstrating that there is no one path to VABB. Dr. Hollie will culminate the series with his two cents.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

We culminate the special series celebrating special education educators with two powerhouse educators. First up is Kiechelle Russell, 20 year veteran educator in special education and the origin of CLR and Special Education for Dr. Hollie in terms of a model classroom example. Dr. Hollie first saw Kiechelle's classroom over 20 years ago and 20 years later she is still representing for special education students, now as an administrator. You are going to be intrigued by her journey and how connected her journey has been to CLR and Dr. H from day one. Second up is Cindy Krumplitsch, another seasoned SPED educator. Based on a recent classroom observation, Cindy's classroom inspired this series, as she has begun to take a deep dive into cultural and linguistic practices. Cindy's journey to responsiveness is fascinating in so many ways, demonstrating that there is no one path to VABB. Dr. Hollie will culminate the series with his two cents.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Our world has been turned upside down or at least it feels like it and yet we remained focused. Our eyes are still on the prize. We are going to beat meanness with kindness. We continue our celebration of CLR educators in special education. We go back to Ithaca, one of our CLR superstar districts, where we meet Christine Barley, a self-professed white anti-racist educator. Here this outstanding educator's fascinating journey to responsiveness. Born and raised in the Central New York, Chris provides a unique perspective and one that we wish were far more common. Dr. Hollie's "two cents" is a finger wag about one of his key teachings - we don't fix one generalization with the solution of another generalization. 

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

Happy 2025! With our thoughts and prayers on the devasting wildfires in Southern California and the pending historic Presidential Inauguration (not to mention the birthday of Martin Luther King), we begin a celebration of CLR Special Education Educators. I have been inspired so many times by the dedication, commitment, and compassion that these educators demonstrate everyday. I have personally witnessed the moving validation and affirmation of students with various challenges. In so many ways, special education teachers are culturally and linguistically responsive inherently. We start the 3 part series with an educator from Southern California who is new to special education but not new to teaching. And as a bonus, Shawnee Muhammad shares her journey to responsiveness that started with Dr. Hollie 35 years ago, when they taught at the same school. A true full circle moment. 

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

The last episode of 2024. End the year with outrageous love and listen two the journey of Quincy Davis, independent school educator. Traditionally in December, OTLP goes traditional public school adjacent with the guest. Mr. Quincy, as the students call him, fits the bill. He goes back over 15 years in the work of CLR and is a friend, colleague, and mentee of Dr. Hollie's. For the past 10 years or so, Quincy has been directly engaged with private/independent schools so he brings knowledge and experience for what validation and affirmation means in that context. You will be surprised and not so surprised by what he has learned. Les we forget Dr. Hollie's two cents, which is a summation of the latest series focusing on Directors of Equity and a celebration of OTLP making the top 25% of all podcasts in 2024.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm

The final episode in the 3 part series culminates with a double episode. We have two dynamite educators who currently serve as directors of equity and inclusion. Both are from California, one in the Bay area and the other in Southern California. Shamar Edwards is in the Alameda Schools (Oakland) and Dr. Ayanna Balogun works in the Rialto Schools (San Bernardino). Check out their similarities and differences in their journeys as CLR educators and also as African American women in high pressure positions. Decide for yourself. Have they been able to lead equity in their respective districts or are they managing inequity? Don't forget Dr. Hollie's two cents where he gives some post election commentary. We shall overcome.

Learn more about CLR and Dr. Hollie at www.culturallyresponsive.org and Twitter @validateaffirm