In this episode, Elena coaches Isao Osuga, a veteran high school math teacher, as he contemplates career paths and what he really wants in life. This conversation went into places that neither Elena nor Isao expected!

On our first Bright Morning Book Club episode, Elena and Rebecca talk about Zadie Smith’s most recent book of essays, Intimations, and her 2012 novel, NW. Topics include why we read, parachuting into characters, the challenges of these times we live in, and more. There are spoilers! 

In this episode, Elena has a conversation with artist and writer Indira Allegra. Indira shares how their performative practice responds to this current moment, honors ancestors, and works toward healing the community and the self. 

Indira’s website

San Francisco Chronicle article, “How can we mark this moment?” 

James Baldwin
Nina Simone 
Gunta Stölzl
Pamela Djerassi 
Paul Robeson
Josephine Baker
Wilma Mankiller
Lorraine Hansberry 
Felix Gonzalez-Torres

This week, Elena coaches Abigail Brown, a first-year teacher in Indianapolis. While in some ways Abigail is dealing with typical new teacher challenges, she’s also (as we all know) beginning her career in an unprecedented situation. Elena coaches Abigail on prioritizing, getting clear on her values and the impact she wants to have, and on self-care. 

On this episode, Elena interview Traci Thomas, the host of the podcast The Stacks, about her love of nonfiction, her favorite and least favorite interviews, and her experience with imposter syndrome. Elena loves Traci’s podcast and wanted to know who the woman behind the mic was—and now she knows! 

Show Notes

The Stacks podcast

Kiese Laymon

Breathe, Imani Perry

Blood in the Water

Jacqueline Woodson

Jason Reynolds

Ibram X. Kendi

Damaris B. Hill

The Nickel Boys, Colson Whitehead

Ta-Nehasi Coates

Jesmyn Ward

Roxane Gay

Still Processing podcast, Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris 

Ira Madison III

Jesus Land

A Thousand Lives

Emma Copley Eisenberg

Savage Appetites

Business Insider list of books

Thick, Tressie McMillan Cottom 

The Four Agreements

In this week’s episode, Elena coaches Pearl Garden, a long time educator, who is contemplating new job aspirations. Elena found this to be a challenging conversation, but you’ll need to listen to the episode first to hear why! 

Our guest this week is Tim’m West, an educator, author, poet, hip-hop artist, and the host of the Brave Educator podcast. Tim’m shared stories about growing up in Arkansas, the origin of his name, grappling with vulnerability, and joy.  

Show Notes

Authors & Others Mentioned: 

James Baldwin

Nella Larsen

Jean Toomer

Marlon Riggs

Melvin Dixon

Aimé Césaire

Kiese Laymon

Tim’m’s website: https://www.braveeducator.com/educator

Brave Educator Podcast

Deep Dickollective

In this episode, I coach Huber Trenado, a teacher (who is also a former student!) on the first steps to fulfill his vision for a virtual classroom where students feel loved and accepted. We also explore what to do in those moments when his confidence lapses and how he can manage anxiety.

Show Notes

Padlet – a virtual platform for collaboration

The Art of Coaching Workbook (retired July 2024 with the release of Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching)

Practicing Using the Facilitative Stances

On today’s episode, I talked with Caitlin Schwarzman about the 18 months she spent with her family at sea on the sailboat that they’d built. We talked about courage, maternal anxiety, big storms, and the impact this experience had on her teenage kids. 

Show Notes:

Caitlin’s sailing blog

Sea People, by Christina Thompson

Find Your Purpose and Thrive course at Bright Morning

In this episode we hear how Keiko Elizabeth, a former teacher, pursued a calling to be an actress. She also describes returning to the site of the Japanese internment camp where her father was born, how her passion for acting began, and a daily empathy practice that helps her access courage.

Show Notes

Keiko’s website: https://keikoelizabeth.com/

Instragram: @imkeiko

Keiko mentioned the following places and people:

Tule Lake Segregation Center also see this site

Letticia Kratz, Life Coach 

Ava DuVernay – writer, producer, director and distributor of independent film

Dominique Morrisseau – Playwright

Danai Gurira – Actress and playwright 

Breonna Taylor

Diana Castle’s The Imagined Life