This episode, Dr. Greg Mathison, explores the thought-provoking and somewhat rhetorical statement/question, It's The White Man's Fault and shares his journey to responsiveness. Dr. Mathison is assistant superintendent with the Parkway Schools located in St. Louis. Like many of our journeys, Greg's journey is windy road of twists and turns that are a combination of the predictable and the unexpected. His journey begins in Minnesota and makes it way through Japan and other places around the world. Dr. Mathison is willingly takes on the very sensitive topic of how white men are generally viewed when it comes to race and culture in our society. and does so with eloquence and wisdom. Listen closely for how the Red Hot Chili Peppers become part of the conversation.  Dr. Hollie will continue to share his train of thoughts that led to the special series and the ongoing paradox of how we make generalizations while at the same time see each person as an individual - including white men. 

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

Is institutional racism the white man's fault? This rhetorical question will be tackled over the next 3 episodes. In part one, Andrew Haaheim, high school science teacher from Minneapolis-St. Paul, answers the question from his perspective as a "white man" and CLR educator. More than that, though, Andrew tells his fascinating journey to responsiveness that began during a compelling moment with an individual student 13 years ago. We also learn about the rings of culture that resonate for Haaheim (pronounced HAW-HIME), with a particular take on age culture. Andrew brings multiple vantage points and keen insights about culture and race, proving once again that we should never judge a book by its cover. Dr. Hollie's two cents introduces the series theme and provides his rationale for the focus on the "white man."

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

The Unsung Heroes Series culminates with Dr. Amy Swick, English Learning/Bilingual Coordinator in the Appleton (Wisconsin) Schools. Amy's journey begins in Wisconsin, where her roots are, then goes to Reno, and finally returns to Wisconsin. All along, Dr. Swick has been an advocate for cultural responsiveness regardless of her location, with a particular focus and expertise on second language learning. There is a certain charm that comes with Amy's journey, as you will see when she discusses the two rings of culture that resonate for her. Most importantly, Dr. Swick shows us all that you can get your equity fight on, regardless of your positionality, if you have the courage and the savviness to do so. Dr. Hollie's "two cents" is an emphatic push to put the focus on the students as the new school year begins. Despite all the distractions, including the Delta variant surge and new mask mandates, we have to show up for them and Dr. Hollie reminds us of that. Be inspired.

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

Hear Suzanne Nguyen's fascinating  journey to responsiveness. Suzanne is  Executive Director of Federal, Bilingual, and Native American Programs for the Rio Rancho Public School District in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From her position in "mid level management," she has positively influenced cultural and linguistic responsiveness (CLR) in Rio Rancho slowly but surely.  Her advocacy is not only professional but personal because of her upbringing in New Mexico as an Asian American with Vietnamese heritage. More interestingly is her education experience, and the matriculation through school as the "only one" or "one of very few, "  which drives her passion for equity and CLR and at the same time has been the root of her bi-culturalism. Be moved by a life-changing homecoming she experienced as an adult. As always, anticipate Dr. Hollie's two cents with his take on "who is at the top" of your district could be the glass ceiling for your equity and CLR success. 

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

The focus on the unsung heroes - assistant superintendents, chief academic officers, and directors - continues with Dr. Meg Schnoor, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning in Palatine Schools (Chicago area). Meg's insights and sharp perspective about how to lead from behind is worthwhile. Rarely do we hear from the mortar of the brick so to speak. More interestingly is Dr. Schnoor's journey to responsiveness which takes us from her experience as a teacher in alternative education to a rise up the ranks to assistant superintendent.  In between is a delve into Meg's consciousness about her cultural intersections of class, ethnicity, and gender (with a splash of religion). As always, Dr. Hollie provides his two cents in this episode. This time he goes a bit off topic (or maybe not) with his spin on how to disconnect from work, which is a concession on his part, and why it is a challenge for him to disconnect. 

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

Episode 2 of season 2 debuts the Unsung Heroes Series, focusing specifically on assistant superintendents of instruction/professional development, chief of academic officers, and directors of equity/instruction/professional development. Dr. Ian Buchanan, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction in University City Schools (St. Louis), kicks off the series with fire. Hear Ian's incredible journey to responsiveness from East St. Louis to now founder and CEO of the Nia Education Group (niaeducationgroup.org). Dr. Buchanan demonstrates his in-depth knowledge about cultural and linguistic responsiveness (CLR), as we define it, with references from Billie Holiday to Tupac Shakur to Bayard Rustin and a very interesting story related to situational appropriateness. As always, hear Dr. Hollie's riff , this time on anti-black culture stances and the importance of recognizing the nuance of culture. 

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

Welcome to season two of Outrageous Love the Podcast! The first episode, dubbed the personal episode, features Dr. Hollie's daughter,  Attorney Imani Hollie's journey to responsiveness. Imani shares her journey from the lenses of a daughter, a former student of the Culture and Language Academy of Success (CLAS) and as an attorney working in criminal law. The highlights of CLAS, a laboratory school for cultural responsiveness founded by Dr. Hollie, Anthony Jackson, and Janis Bucknor in 2003 are themed as well. For a fuller description of CLAS, check out the documentary, OASIS: The Story of CLAS. While the success of CLAS is celebrated, the tragic death of Daunte Wright is acknowledged and lamented. Will it ever end and what are we going to do different this time are the questions to be answered. Hear Dr. Hollie's "two cents" about the never-ending killings of BIPOC men and women at the hands of law enforcement.  Season two, episode 1 is a celebration, an appreciation, and a call to action (again).

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

Episode 12 is the final entry for season 1 and it end on a very high note. Meet Bianca Suglia, 5th grade French Immersion teacher,  for one of the most diverse and interesting journeys to responsiveness thus far. In addition to her teachers teach testimony, Bianca fascinates us with her journey, which starts in Romania and lands in, of all places, Edina, Minnesota. Incredible!  Bianca's diversity brings intrigue on multiple levels - language, nationality, and ethnicity. Find out the cultural connections between Isaac Newton, Columbia, and Maya Angelou.  As always, hear Dr. Hollie's commentary. This time he riffs on the mix of emotions in the air right now as more students return to in-person schooling, as COVID appears to be in 4th quarter, as vaccinations steadily increase and as the watchful eye of justice hovers over the George Floyd trial.  Siempre Adelante!!!

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

The deserved spotlight on the frontline workers in education continues. Episode 11 features high school teacher Felicia Homberger from the Hopkins Schools in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Felicia's journey to responsiveness starts in Milwaukee and works its way through Boston to New York, landing in the Twin Cities. Key to her journey is the celebration and resonation of her Jewish heritage, which she is very proud of. Felicia provides insight and perspective about cultural responsiveness through the lens of Jewish culture. You will be moved by " tikkun olam," Felicia's inspiration to stay steadfast in ongoing fight for social justice. And, let's not forget, it is Black History Month! Hear Dr. Hollie's take on BHM and his call for celebrating culture all year long - everyday and in anyway.   

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

Welcome to the new year, a new president, the new normal, and a new episode of Outrageous Love the Podcast. 2021 and episode 10 kick off a new 3-part series, Teachers Teach, which puts the focus on the outstanding, noble, and sacrificial work educators have been doing for our students for almost one year. Whether it be in-person with students, in a so-called hybrid model, or totally virtual, our educators have stepped up to the plate and made a significance difference for countless students. This new series is meant to celebrate and honor their work and to give a few of them a platform to express themselves. Part 1 starts with Dr. Genita Williams, educator extraordinaire, from the ATL by way of the STL. Dr. Williams has been an university professor,  district administrator, school leader, and now back to where it all started, a middle school teacher. Yes! A school leader who made the choice to go "front" to the classroom. Hear Genita's journey from classroom teacher to celebrated school leader to classroom teacher again. Hear Dr. Hollie's "two cents" on his takeaways from working with thousands of teachers (virtually) during the pandemic. 

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