Best EduGladiators Podcast Podcasts (2025)

1
#44 - Damn the Torpedoes! Fighting Book Bans & Erasure at the Naval Academy 30:27

1M ago30:27

30:27

In this episode, we’re diving into the dangerous and deliberate removal of nearly 400 books from the U.S. Naval Academy’s library ahead of a visit from the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this past Tuesday, April 1, 2025. 🎧 We’re unpacking: ✅ What’s really behind this wave of book bans ✅ How this rollback of DEI threatens all marginalized groups—not…

1
#43 - More Than Just a Party: The Black Resistance of Mardi Gras 19:13

2M ago19:13

19:13

Mardi Gras is often seen as just a wild party—beads, parades, and celebrations. But what many don’t realize is that Mardi Gras has deep African, Creole, and Black American roots. It’s a tradition born from Black resilience, joy, and resistance. So, in today’s episode, we’re answering: ✅ What are the African and Black American influences on Mardi Gr…

1
#42 - Honoring Black History Month Year Round 20:04

3M ago20:04

20:04

We’ve spent February celebrating Black History Month, amplifying Black excellence, addressing the current state of DEI and recognizing the profound impact of Black leaders, innovators, and change-makers. But as the month comes to a close, here’s the real talk—Black history doesn’t end on February 29th. So today, we’re going to talk about: ✅ The ori…

1
#41 - Hiring Season 2025: Will Politics Keep Good Teachers & Leaders Away? 17:41

3M ago17:41

17:41

Public school hiring in 2025 is under attack. With new political restrictions on DEI, merit-based hiring shifts, and increased scrutiny on educators, schools are struggling to hire diverse and experienced teachers. In this episode of the Real Talk Education Podcast, we break down: ✔️ How political changes are reshaping public school hiring ✔️ The b…

1
#40 - How the Past Is Fueling Today’s Fight for Public Education 13:16

3M ago13:16

13:16

📢 Did you know that the push for a federal Department of Education was originally backed by the Ku Klux Klan? Yes, you read that right. In the 1920s, the KKK pushed for a federal education department to enforce cultural homogeneity and racial exclusion. But over time, education policy transformed—from being a tool of oppression to a pillar of civil…

1
#39 - Navigating Black History Month in a Divided America 15:14

3M ago15:14

15:14

As Black History Month begins, the battle over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in schools is intensifying. With political attacks against DEI initiatives growing—led by Trump and other conservative leaders—educators, students, and communities must be prepared to resist efforts to erase Black history and marginalized voices from classrooms. I…

1
#38 - Teaching Moment: Trump's First Day Echoes of Hitler 23:16

4M ago23:16

23:16

In this episode of Real Talk Education, we analyze the historical parallels between Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and Donald Trump’s planned first-day executive actions. From “Draining the Swamp” rhetoric to targeting marginalized groups, we explore how Jim Crow laws inspired the Nuremberg Laws and how echoes of authoritarian tactics are resurfacing…

1
#37 - MLK’s Dream vs. Trump’s Agenda 47: What Does America Stand For in 2025? 16:13

4M ago16:13

16:13

In this episode of Real Talk Education, we dive into the striking contrast between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of justice and equality and the policies associated with Donald Trump’s presidency and Agenda 47. As Trump’s inauguration coincides with MLK Day in 2025, we discuss what this means for America’s moral and social direction. Discover…

1
#36 - Post-Election Classroom Strategies for Educators 26:42

6M ago26:42

26:42

Explore strategies for educators to create supportive, inclusive classrooms after the election. Discover practical solutions for fostering respect, empathy, and civil discourse in your school community post-election. Resources: For a complete list of strategies to help your students and colleagues post-election, check out our blog post. Parent Emai…

1
#35 - Embracing Discomfort: Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable 30:45

2y ago30:45

30:45

The topic of race and racial discrimination continues to remain a pressing issue in modern society particularly in schools for both students, teachers and leaders. As discussions surrounding racism and microaggressions become more prevalent, it is crucial for white people to not only participate in these conversations but also to be comfortable wit…

1
#34 - Real Talk About MLK Day 32:54

2+ y ago32:54

32:54

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, better known as MLK Day. Many people will post their favorite MLK quote. Some white allies will even join in marches around the country remembering the legacy of Dr. King, usually quoting from his "I Have A Dream"speech. Today is often filled with remembrance, but in too many spaces and places just more talk. I…

1
#33 - Tips to Prioritize Student Athlete Safety 28:25

2+ y ago28:25

28:25

Injuries are a common occurrence in sports, especially in the NFL where players can be seriously injured in front of a large audience. This was the case for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who collapsed on the field during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2, 2023. It was immediately clear that this was a ser…

1
#32 - Top 7 Tips to Keep Your Classroom Inclusive During Christmas & New Years 30:35

2+ y ago30:35

30:35

During the Christmas season, many people around the world celebrate the holidays and traditions of their respective religions. While the specifics of these celebrations may vary widely, there are a few general principles that can help you to respectfully and thoughtfully participate in the holiday traditions of others as well as teach your students…

1
#31 - Stay or Go? Educator Exodus on Twitter 20:56

2+ y ago20:56

20:56

For over a decade, Twitter has provided teachers and leaders a transformational space to build their professional learning communities, exchange lesson ideas, find out what’s going on in schools around the country, build successful side gigs, and be inspired by other educators. Since billionaire Elon Musk purchased the platform in October 2022, man…

1
#30 - Teaching The Truth About Native Americans 28:42

2+ y ago28:42

28:42

November is Native American Heritage Month with the goal of celebrating the rich and diverse cultures and traditions of Native Americans. November is also the perfect time to correctly educate our students and school communities on the full histories, important contributions, and the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and …

1
#29 - The Hidden Superpower of “Black Panther”: Boosting Diversity In STEM 28:42

2+ y ago28:42

28:42

The blockbuster hit, ‘Black Panther’, may be set in the fictional afro-centric world of Wakanda, but the movie’s power of boosting diversity in STEM careers is very real. According to the United States Department of Commerce, 7 out of 10 STEM positions in the US are held by white, non-Latinx people. Black, Native American, and Latinx (any race) wor…

1
#28 - Empowering BIPOC Students To Be More Than "The Help" 33:34

2+ y ago33:34

33:34

As we think about eradicating the barriers of occupational hierarchy of our BIPOC students, we have to identify drivers and access points in our college and career readiness practices that subconsciously reinforce the pathways of these barriers. Equity work is complex. It is time to have some “real talk” about how eradicating occupational hierarchy…

1
#27 - DEI Allies…It’s Not About You 19:41

2+ y ago19:41

19:41

Allies are a critical piece for moving the needle of making our schools for students and staff more diverse, equitable, and inclusive; however, when faced with action steps that includes addressing one’s own biases, microaggressions and discriminatory behavior, DEI allies quickly revert to problematic responses to their fragility. It’s time to have…

1
#26 - DEI Recruitment & Retention Strategies For Schools 14:08

2+ y ago14:08

14:08

It’s time to have some “real talk” about why districts are struggling with recruiting and retaining diverse staff. Having a diverse teacher and leadership workforce is critical, yet, few districts have achieved the goal of building a teaching workforce that looks like its students. In today’s episode, we will uncover challenges to your school or di…

1
#25: Top 3 Strategies to Effectively Fight Misinformation in Schools 30:48

2+ y ago30:48

30:48

It’s time to have some “real talk” about the elephant in the room or for some listeners, the boardroom - misinformation. Plus I will share tips to fight back against misinformation about our schools, students and curriculum! This particular podcast episode corresponds to the EduGladiators Twitter chat for October 22, titled “Debunking Misinformatio…

1
#24: Psychological Safety for Diverse Staff 25:12

2+ y ago25:12

25:12

Since the horrific, public murder of George Floyd in the summer of 2020, companies and school districts nationwide have increased their awareness of systemic racism towards Black Americans, but have done very little since that unforgettable event to operationalize the DEI pledges, resolutions and marketing campaign promises made in 2020. Instead DE…

1
#23: Culture Vulturing: Cultural Appreciation vs. Appropriation 17:37

2+ y ago17:37

17:37

The fall season is here and now is the perfect time to have some ”real talk” on Culture Vulturing. Our holidays in the United States have always been political, but so have the practices of appropriating a group's culture instead of simply appreciating it. Listen closely to today’s episode for tips to STOP Culture Vulturing. Also, be sure to subscr…

1
#22: DEI Awareness to Action 28:42

2+ y ago28:42

28:42

Have you ever heard of the fable, The Elephant and The Mouse? Well in this episode of Real Talk Education, we are zeroing in on what is needed for teachers and leaders to move beyond just awareness of inequities, biases and microaggressions, but to actual action to combat these issues. How can schools and districts move from awareness rhetoric to v…

1
#21: Unapologetic DEI In Schools 6:05

2+ y ago6:05

6:05

“Unapologetic DEI” is our October theme for our #EduGladiators Twitter Chat and resources including this podcast. All month long we will have “real talk” on DEI topics that often keep us from creating inclusive learning environments for our students as well as psychologically safe work environments for teachers and even leaders. Each week we will h…

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Trailer: Real Talk Education Podcast 0:55

2+ y ago0:55

0:55

Welcome to the Real Talk Education Podcast, where we dive into the real topics facing real teachers, leaders, and students with your host, Marlena Gross, DEI champion, national edu thought leader and founder of EduGladiators. Each week we will discuss the topics that might be keeping you up at night as an educator or parent. This is not an echo cha…

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#20 - The Excellence Lifestyle with Colin Seale 51:14

5+ y ago51:14

51:14

Excellence isn't just a goal or expectation, but a lifestyle. Welcome to The Arena - the podcast for EduGladiators. In this week's episode we sit down with award-winning educator, advocate, entrepreneur, #criticalthinking expert, @Forbes contributor, and Founder of @thinkLawUS - Colin Seale - to discuss how excellence is not just a word or item on …

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#19 - Diving Into Leadership with Evan Robb 18:17

5+ y ago18:17

18:17

Welcome to The Arena - the podcast for EduGladiators. In this week's episode Principal, TEDx Speaker, and Corwin Author Evan Robb discusses leadership as well as his latest projects. Evan shares how to build the foundations of effective leadership despite daily distractions in his new book - The 10-Minute Principal. Connect with Evan Robb to learn …

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#18 - The Secret Sauce with Rich Czyz 26:20

5+ y ago26:20

26:20

It is always an honor to have incredible educators in The Arena - the podcast for EduGladiators. In this week's episode, author and educator Rich Czyz helps us uncover The Secret Sauce to engage our students. Connect with Rich Czyz to learn more about his new book and strategies to engage students. Twitter: @RACzyz Website: http://www.fouroclockfac…

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#17 - Power of Play with Michael J. Hynes 32:43

6y ago32:43

32:43

EduGladiators is BACK with a NEW season of podcasts to help you grow as a warrior for our students! We are excited to have Michael Hayes share his passion advocating for play in schools. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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After the Chat - Developing High Performing PLCs with Josue Falaise 25:39

6y ago25:39

25:39

(11.10.17) Looking for ways to take your PLC to the next level? Join in to hear from Josue Falaise as he answers questions on Developing High Performing PLCs! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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After the Chat - Gearing Up 39:48

6y ago39:48

39:48

(7.29.17) Keep the convo going after the #EduGladiators chat! Join in to hear from the #EduGladiators CORE Warriors on how they are gearing up for the new school year! Plus ask the warriors your Qs! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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#16 - Super Hero Powers with Dennis Griffin, Jr. 56:30

6y ago56:30

56:30

(7.17.17) Dennis Griffin, Jr. shares how his passion of super heroes and how we all can tap into our super powers to be impactful in our students' lives. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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#15 - Masterminds with Daniel Bauer 41:12

6y ago41:12

41:12

(6.26.17) In this episode, Daniel Bauer shares his secret system on how to accomplish more in 12 weeks than others do in a year through his Masterminds program. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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After the Chat - Peer Classroom Observation with Josue Falaise 27:29

6y ago27:29

27:29

(6.24.17) Keep the convo going after the #EduGladiators chat! Join in to hear from Josue Falaise & ask him your questions on Peer Classroom Observations & Walkthroughs. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

1
#14 - Rise From the Ashes with Terence White 38:05

6y ago38:05

38:05

(6.12.17) Terence White shares his story of perseverance rising from the ashes with the help of his teachers to become a successful teacher and mentor. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

1
#13 - Staying on Target with Zachary Jeans 53:50

6y ago53:50

53:50

(5.22.17) In this episode, #Impact Matters founder, Zachary Jeans, share how to stay on target with our goals to further our professional growth and increase our impact in our respective organizations. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

1
After the Chat - Professional Learning Communities with Daisy Dyer-Duerr 33:31

6y ago33:31

33:31

In this episode, Daisy Dyer-Deurr shares how Professional Learning can transform your practice as an educator to have a greater impact on students and colleagues. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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#12 - Leadership Dunk Tank with Rebecca Coda & Dr. Rick Jetter 35:23

6y ago35:23

35:23

(5.8.17) No school leader is immune to the effects of discrimination, bad politics, revenge, or ego-driven coworkers. In this episode, authors Rebecca Coda and Rick Jetter share how they equip school leaders with the practical knowledge and emotional tools necessary to survive and, better yet, avoid getting "dunked." Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/p…

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#11 - Formative Tech with Monica Burns 37:17

6y ago37:17

37:17

(5.1.17) In this episode, Monica Burns talk about her NEW book #FormativeTech sharing how how technology tools can energize teacher practice by providing easy ways to implement formative assessment every day. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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#10 - Student Leadership with Mathieu Williams & Kealakehe Intermediate Students 40:28

6+ y ago40:28

40:28

(4.17.17) How are you elevating student leadership in your school? In this episode, Mathieu Williams and his students from Kealakehe Intermediate (Hawaii) share how they promote student leadership! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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After The Chat - Hacking Engagement with James Sturtevant 29:26

6+ y ago29:26

29:26

(4.1.17) April is all about "Hacking" and we are honored to have James Sturtevant, author of Hacking Engagement, leading the April 1st chat! Don't miss the opportunity to engage with James LIVE After the Chat! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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#9 - The Wheel of Misfortune with Erik Francis 37:44

6+ y ago37:44

37:44

(3.6.17) In this episode, Erik Francis debunks the DOL Wheel of Misfortune and share strategies to enhance your capacity in asking rigorous questions. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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#8 - Permission to Parent with Daniel Patterson 50:17

6+ y ago50:17

50:17

(2.20.17) #EduGladiators is more than a hashtag! Now, it's also a PODCAST helping to usher in a new era of leadership, engagement and advocacy grounded in what is BEST for kids! In this episode, Daniel Patterson empowers our greatest allies as educators - PARENTS! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.…

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#7 - Systemic Change Agents with Joël McLean 36:37

6+ y ago36:37

36:37

(2.6.17) In this episode, Joël McLean, #TacEdChat leader and Canadian Principal, shares the importance of Systemic Change Agents to further improve the learning experience for students. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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#6 - Restorative Justice 32:51

6+ y ago32:51

32:51

(1.21.17) January EduGladiators is Rethinking Discipline! Saturday, January 21, we discuss Restorative Justice. After Saturday's chat the convo continues with the warriors of #EduGladiators - Dr. Sanée Bell, Colleen Skiles & Sean Thom. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.…

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After the Chat - Classroom to Community with Colleen Skiles & Sean Thom 25:47

6+ y ago25:47

25:47

(1.14.17) Join EduGladiators' "After the Chat" on January 14 as Core Warriors Colleen Skiles & Sean Thom take a deeper dive in the chat topic - Classroom to Community from the EduGladiators {NEW} Chat Series: Rethinking Discipline. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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#5 - Connected Ed 38:40

6+ y ago38:40

38:40

(1.9.17) In this episode, Brendan Fetters shares the impact of Connected Ed and strategies to become and remain engaged in the global educational community. #realtalk #newera #connecteded Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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#4 - The Power of Simple with Kyle Wagner 33:03

6+ y ago33:03

33:03

(12.19.16) As adults, we can tend to over complicate things. In this episode, author and middle school director, Kyle Wagner, walks us through his book "The Power of Simple". Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.By EduGladiators

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#3 - Asking Good Questions with Erik Francis 42:11

6+ y ago42:11

42:11

(12.5.16) #EduGladiators is more than a hashtag! Now, it's also a PODCAST helping to usher in a new era of leadership, engagement and advocacy grounded in what is BEST for kids! In this episode, Erik Francis will help us understand the power of Asking Good Questions! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.…

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The Arena {Special Edition} - Defining Sanctuaries with Sean Thom 28:06

6+ y ago28:06

28:06

(11.18.16) #EduGladiators founder, Marlena Gross-Taylor, and Core Warrior, Sean Thom, examine the impact of the presidential election on school culture and define how schools must always be a safe place for students to learn and grow. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.…

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