unfiltered EDU

What if the career you never planned for becomes exactly where you're meant to be?

Dr. Keri Johnson, Superintendent of Pelham City Schools in Alabama, joins host Jolene Levin for an honest conversation about unexpected career paths, the people who see our potential, and what it really means to lead.

Keri was headed toward a career in architecture when a last-minute decision changed everything. That decision led her into education, where she went from special education teacher to school administrator to superintendent—a role she never imagined pursuing.

Throughout her journey, it was often someone else who saw the next opportunity before she did. Those moments helped build the confidence to take chances, embrace new challenges, and grow into the leader she is today.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Finding your path when life takes an unexpected turn
• Recognizing opportunities you might not see in yourself
• The people who encourage us to take the next step
• Balancing motherhood and leadership
• Building strong teams and celebrating their success
• Why women supporting women makes everyone stronger

Keri's message? “I was meant for this.”

And sometimes, the best leaders are the ones who never set out to be in charge.

No scripts. No filters. Just honest conversations with women who lead, challenge expectations, and make a difference in education and beyond.

Unfiltered EDU is presented by Bold Women EDU — Where Conversations Lead.

Learn more at bwedu.org.

What if believing you belong could change everything?

In this episode of Unfiltered EDU, Jolene Levin sits down with Darlene Akers, Founder & CEO of Akers Business Solutions, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, breaking barriers, and the power of women supporting women.

From earning college scholarships through pageants to building her own business in a male-dominated industry, Darlene shares the challenges, unexpected opportunities, and incredible women who helped shape her journey.

In this episode:

• Creating your own path and believing in what's possible
• Breaking barriers and challenging expectations
• Finding the confidence to claim your seat at the table
• The power of mentorship and women lifting women
• Staying the course when things get tough

The takeaway? Sometimes all it takes is one woman believing in another to change everything.

And as Darlene reminds us, “Put your crown on and walk into a room as you belong there.”

No scripts. No filters. Just honest conversations about the experiences, relationships, and choices that shape who we become.

Unfiltered EDU is presented by Bold Women EDU — Where Conversations Lead.

Join the conversation at bwedu.org.

What if the career you've built could open doors you never imagined?

In this episode of Unfiltered EDU, Jolene Levin sits down with Emily McGinnis, National K–12 Manager at KI, for an honest conversation about career pivots, recognizing your value, and finding the courage to embrace what's next.

From classroom teacher to school principal to a national role in the education industry, Emily shares how she discovered that the skills she built throughout her career could create opportunities she never imagined.

In this episode:

• Knowing when it's time for a change
• Recognizing the power of transferable skills
• Finding purpose in unexpected places
• The importance of mentorship and women supporting women
• Believing in yourself when the next step feels uncertain

The takeaway? Your experience isn't just where you've been. It's what makes what's next possible.

And as Emily reminds herself every day: You can do hard things.

No scripts. No filters. Just honest conversations about the experiences, relationships, and choices that shape who we become.

Unfiltered EDU is presented by Bold Women EDU — Where Conversations Lead.

Join the conversation at bwedu.org.

What if being fearless isn't about having no fear, but learning how to move forward despite it?

In this episode of Unfiltered EDU, host Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Miatheresa Pate, Founder & CEO of ETAPS, for an honest conversation about leadership, resilience, mentorship, and finding the courage to pursue what's possible.

From growing up in Brooklyn to becoming an education leader and entrepreneur, Mia shares how education, family, and mentorship shaped her journey. She also challenges traditional expectations of women in leadership and explains why embracing fear, rather than avoiding it, can make us stronger, more intentional leaders.

In this episode:

• Finding your fearlessness and moving forward despite uncertainty
• Challenging expectations of women in leadership
• The power of education, mentorship, and opportunity
• Balancing leadership, motherhood, and personal ambition
• Building confidence through discomfort and resilience
• Creating spaces where women can grow, lead, and lift others

As Mia reminds us, “Fearlessness doesn't mean that you can't be afraid.”

A conversation about owning who you are, recognizing what's possible, and choosing to lead — even when fear is part of the journey.

No scripts. No filters. Just honest conversations about the experiences, relationships, and choices that shape who we become.

Unfiltered EDU is presented by Bold Women EDU — Where Conversations Lead.

Join the conversation at bwEDU.org.

What if the qualities you question most about yourself are actually your greatest leadership strengths?

In this episode of Unfiltered EDU, host Jolene Levin sits down with Christine Feenstra, Executive Director of CALIE, for an honest conversation about leadership, vulnerability, confidence, and the power of community.

Christine shares her unexpected journey into education leadership, the lessons she's learned along the way, and why strong leadership doesn't mean having all the answers.

In this episode:

• Redefining what leadership really looks like

• Embracing vulnerability instead of hiding it

• Finding confidence outside your comfort zone

• Building communities that support and empower others

• Recognizing the strengths that make you uniquely you

• Giving yourself permission to lead authentically

No scripts. No filters. Just honest conversations about the experiences, relationships, and choices that shape who we become.

Unfiltered EDU is presented by Bold Women EDU — Where Conversations Lead.

Join the conversation at bwEDU.org.

What happens when you stop trying to fit the mold and start trusting what makes you you?

In the first episode of Unfiltered EDU, Jolene Levin sits down with Jennifer Womble, Chair of FETC, for an honest conversation about women in leadership, career pivots, confidence, networking and staying true to your values.

Jennifer shares her unexpected journey from law school to the classroom to national education leadership — including the moments she was told to tone down her enthusiasm and passion.

They talk about:

• Building relationships that open doors
• Navigating career pivots
• Leading with curiosity and positive intent
• Finding confidence through community
• Having the courage to try something new
• Why women shouldn’t have to “tone it down”

Your career doesn’t have to follow a straight line. And you don’t have to become less of yourself to lead.

Listen to the first episode of Unfiltered EDU, a podcast by Bold Women EDU.

Five questions. Five minutes. No filter.

Amy Dujon joins us for an Unfiltered Five conversation about leadership, connection, and what it means to show up authentically in education.

It’s quick. It’s candid. And it’s a reminder that some of the best conversations happen when we skip the script.

Unfiltered EDU is a Bold Women EDU podcast — where real conversations move education forward.

Lead the conversation.