Episodes

In this weeks compelling episode, we speak with Dr. Asia Lyons, CEO of Lyons Educational Consulting, co-facilitator of the Black Educator Wellness Cohort, and co-host of The Exit Interview Podcast. With experiences spanning Detroit to Denver, Dr. Lyons shares her journey, from attending a gifted hi…

After teaching in Atlanta's public schools, Brittni Joy had to make a choice, quit teaching or try her hand at teaching in the Middle East. Take a listen as she shares her experience as an educator both here and abroad, what she feels would improve schools in the United States and what she is up t…

In this episode, host Dr. Asia Lyons and fellow educator Kevin Adams have an insightful conversation with former educator turned full-time entrepreneur, Deidra Fogarty. Deidra shares her journey, beginning as a teacher, and transitioning into leadership roles within the education system, only to la…

In this compelling episode of the 'Exit Interview', our hosts, Dr. Asia Lyons and Michelle Emmanuelle, hold a deep and earnest conversation about the experiences of black educators and the burnout they face, as reflected through Michelle's own journey. The episode starts with an introduction to Mic…

In this enlightening episode of The Exit Interview podcast, co-hosts Dr. Asia Lyons and Kevin Adams welcome guest Lacey Robinson, president and CEO of UnboundEd. Lacey shares her profound experiences and insights on the education system, particularly focusing on Brown and Black students. Starting a…

In this episode of The Exit Interview, Dr. Asia Lyons interviews Ronda Haynes-Belen, a former community engagement specialist. Ronda shares her experiences working in Denver Public Schools (DPS), discussing the anti-Blackness and oppressive structures she encountered. After yearning for a work envi…

In this stirring episode of 'The Exit Interview,' Dr. Asia Lyons talks to Mia Street, a former educator who shares her challenging journey through the education system and her decision to leave due to institutional racism. Mia recounts multiple incidents where she faced racialized trauma and was pl…

In this episode, Dr. Siobhan Flowers, a licensed psychotherapist and educator wellness strategist, joins Dr. Asia Lyons and Kevin Adams on the 'Exit Interview' podcast. They discuss burnout and mental health in black educators, dissecting the systemic and institutional barriers contributing to diss…

In this thoughtful and insightful episode of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators, Dr. Dedrick Sims discusses the importance of Black and Brown male educators, the challenges they face, and the steps needed to support them more effectively. He also shares his personal journey in educat…

In this episode of the Exit Interview podcast, co-host Kevin Adams reflects on his 18-year teaching career in Denver Public Schools and his transition from classroom teacher to assistant principal. Kevin discusses the unique challenges and experiences faced by Black educators, including feelings of…

In this special episode, Dr. Desa Daniel welcomes Dr. Asia Lyons, an educator, consultant, and co-host of The Exit Interview podcast, for an in-depth discussion about racial battle fatigue among Black educators. Dr. Lyons shares her personal journey from teaching in Denver to founding her own consu…

In this episode of the Exit Interview podcast, Dr. Asia Lyons welcomes back Janet Stickmon to discuss the concept of racial battle fatigue, its impact on educators of color, and the journey toward healing and joy. Janet shares her personal experiences with the physical and emotional toll of racial …

This brief episode highlights the crucial importance for school districts to acknowledge and address the influence of family support on the departure of Black educators from the education field. The departure is being triggered by various factors, such as policies, colleagues, administrators, and o…

Janet Stickmon received the McPherson Distinguished Teaching Award at Napa Valley College. She takes great pride in working with her students.  She has created CenterJoyPWR®: Strategies for Healing Racial Battle Fatigue—an online experience for professionals of color who want to center joy in thei…

In this episode of, The Exit Interview, Enola Garland found her way into the classroom as an early childhood educator. She quickly realized that working with three and four-year-olds was what she was meant for. After years in the ECE space and with COVID-19's impact on her students, colleagues, a…

In this episode of Exit Interview, Dr. Asia Lyons reflects on her personal and professional journey as an educator. She shares her experiences growing up in Detroit, her initial pursuit of engineering, and the pivotal moments that led her to teaching. Dr. Lyons discusses her time in Colorado’s Cher…

Nedra Rudolph is one of thousands of educational professionals that many of us see but never truly SEE. Having worked in Title 1 schools, as a Dean of Students, a paraprofessional, and a family liaison. These professionals are categorically invaluable, and grossly undercompensated.She had a gre…

In this episode, the hosts interview Crystal Gillis, an educator whose journey spans from recording engineering to teaching and coaching in the Cherry Creek School District. Crystal shares her experiences as a Black woman educator, detailing the challenges she faced, including lack of support, raci…

Scholar, Author, Entrepreneur, and Educator Desmond Williams has been there, done that. A talented and effective classroom teacher, he quickly moved up the ranks to become a building leader. But even as a principal, Desmond was not achieving the impact he wanted to. He found himself in frequent con…

Branta Lockett moved through her educational odyssey at the highest levels. W.E.B. DuBois would have absolutely drafted her for his Talented Tenth All Star Team. Highly Gifted and Talented, International Baccalaureate, Brown University, she brought her sterling credentials to Denver, hoping to be t…

Jacci tells us her story of coming full circle. With her love for whom we in education consider as “littles,” she tells her journey as a childcare center owner who, with a heart for doing more for her community, begins her work as a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Director in a Denver Metro Area org…

Arvian Harper is a “Denver Public Schools lifer.” A graduate of the hallowed halls of East High School, she received a full ride engineering scholarship, later changing to pre-med. Like so many of us, she heard the call to the classroom, and she heeded, teaching Early Childhood Education, becoming …

After a turbulent year locally and nationally, Dr. Asia Lyons and Kevin Adams are back with your Back to School shopping list. They break down issues facing educators of color and the communities they serve as super-producer Gerardo Muñoz sits in the virtual producer’s chair! Asia discusses life af…

When a former director of equity in a school district joins our podcast you know it’s gonna be good.  Stacey Brandon shares what led her to become a social worker in a Denver Metro school district, her journey to becoming director of their equity department, and consequently the decision she had to…