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In this episode of Conscious Pathways, I sit down with Bee Alvarado—Child Development Specialist, children’s author, and founder of Mother Earth’s Learning Center. Bee shares her powerful journey from big sister in a Mexican-American family to visionary educator creating nature-based learning experiences for young children.

We talk about:

• How nature and healing shaped Bee’s teaching philosophy
• The role of storytelling and cultural identity in early education
• Her mobile program bringing earth-conscious, sensory-rich learning to communities
• Her upcoming book Miss B and Her Magic Hat
• Breaking cycles of generational trauma through education

If you’re passionate about early childhood education, environmental stewardship, and holistic practices that empower both children and families—this one’s for you.

Don’t forget to rate & review the show—it helps more educators and families find us!

In this inspiring episode of Conscious Pathways, host Brittney Carey is joined by award-winning educator and TEDx speaker Nick Marmolejo to explore how purpose-driven learning can transform education. Nick shares his personal journey into the classroom, the pivotal role mentorship played in shaping his philosophy, and why purpose—not just performance—should be at the center of our schools.

Together, we unpack how cultivating a love for learning, creating emotionally safe environments, and rethinking the school-to-career pipeline can better serve all students, especially those with special needs. Nick also introduces his upcoming children’s book, Where’s My Compass?, a powerful story about a boy with autism finding his purpose.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about reimagining education with equity, intention, and heart.

🎧 Tune in now to rethink how we shape the future of education!

🔗 Links & Resources:

📍 Connect with Nick Marmolejo: TedX: Are Schools Destroying Purpose?, LinkedIn

📍 Follow Conscious Pathways for more episodes & updates: https://linktr.ee/conscious.pathways

📍 Subscribe to the Pathways of Promise Newsletter for deeper insights: https://pathwaysofpromise.beehiiv.com/subscribe

💬 Join the conversation! What resonated most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media using #ConsciousPathwaysPodcast.

🔗 Subscribe & Share:

If this conversation resonated with you, please consider sharing it with a fellow educator or parent. You can also subscribe to Conscious Pathways for more thought-provoking discussions at the intersection of education and social justice.

In Episode 55 of Conscious Pathways, Brittney Carey sits down with Dr. Erika L. McDowell—educator, equity steward, and liberatory leader—to explore how education can be a tool for freedom and transformation.

Dr. McDowell shares her powerful journey as a legacy educator and speaks candidly about the systemic challenges Black educators and communities continue to face. From her experience in district leadership to her work with the Black Wildflowers Fund, she highlights the importance of equitable funding, intentional support, and collective action in dismantling oppression.

This inspiring episode dives deep into what it means to reimagine education through a liberatory lens—where access, equity, and empowerment are not just goals, but guiding principles.

🎧 Tune in to learn:

• The roots of Dr. McDowell’s work in community and legacy
• Why centering Black educators is crucial for system-wide change
• How initiatives like the Black Wildflowers Fund are reshaping possibilities
• Practical steps for building freedom-centered education spaces

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Black Wildflowers Fund
• Connect with Dr. Erika McDowell on LinkedIn or Instagram
• Follow Conscious Pathways on Instagram: @conscious.pathways
• Subscribe to the Pathways of Promise newsletter for early access and resources: Join Here
• Shop our recommended books on DEI and education through our Bookshop page – support local bookstores and social justice learning!

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode, and leave a review!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Conscious Pathways

01:20 Meet Dr. Erica McDowell

02:08 A Legacy in Education

05:43 Challenges and Systemic Oppression

07:46 The Black Wildflowers Fund

14:51 Community and Advocacy

24:01 Understanding Trauma in Education

25:09 The Origins and Evolution of Education

25:58 The Importance of Diversity in Education

26:41 Personal Stories and Community Impact

28:27 Challenges and Solutions in Modern Education

34:08 Reimagining Education for Freedom

42:25 Connecting and Collaborating for Change

44:35 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

"We don’t stop fighting for inclusion just because policies shift—we double down on the classroom, the community, and each other." — Dr. Tr’Vel T. Lyons

In this episode of Conscious Pathways, I sit down with Dr. Tr’Vel T. Lyons—educator, researcher, and DEI advocate—to explore what it means to fight for inclusive, supportive learning environments when educational policies and public narratives are increasingly regressive.

Dr. Lyons shares his personal journey into education, inspired by a college access program that changed his life, and dives deep into what it truly takes to create equitable academic spaces. We talk about supporting Black boys in the classroom, designing DEI-centered interventions, and how educators and parents can take meaningful action—even when the system feels like it’s working against us.

If you’re a teacher, parent, or advocate trying to navigate this moment with purpose and compassion, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported, and re-energized.

Dr. Tr’Vel T. Lyons is an adjunct assistant professor and associate researcher at the USC Rossier School of Education. His research focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic programs, with an emphasis on supporting historically underrepresented students. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban Schooling from UCLA, where his dissertation, Cacti in the Classroom, explored cultivating supportive learning environments for Black boys during their critical ninth-grade year.

In this episode we discuss:

• The impact of transformational college access programs
• Creating inclusive classrooms in the face of policy rollbacks
• Supporting Black boys through intentional, strength-based approaches
• The intersection of race, class, and gender in academic equity
• The emotional toll of advocacy—and how to stay grounded
• Real strategies for parents and educators to resist regressive systems
• Why hope and community are essential in this work

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Learn more about Dr. Lyons’ work at USC’s Center for Education, Identity, and Social Justice
• Follow Conscious Pathways on Instagram: @conscious.pathways
• Subscribe to the Pathways of Promise newsletter for early access and resources: Join Here
• Listen to our episode on Voices of Neurodiversity with Dr. JPB Gerald
• Shop our recommended books on DEI and education through our Bookshop page – support local bookstores and social justice learning!

Loved this episode? Take a moment to rate & review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more educators and advocates find the show!

What does it truly mean to learn? How can we create classrooms that affirm, uplift, and empower Black and brown children?

In this episode of Conscious Pathways, host Brittney Carey sits down with Mike Browne, Senior Director of Community Engagement at Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington, to explore the critical distinction between schooling and learning. Mike shares his powerful journey into education, drawing from his upbringing and cultural background to advocate for culturally responsive and sustaining educational spaces.

We explore:

✅ The difference between education and the institution of school

✅ How to move away from behavior policing and toward fostering joy in learning

✅ The importance of identity, Black agency, and decolonizing educational practices

✅ Why kindergarten readiness should be redefined for lifelong success

✅ How community engagement and grassroots efforts can drive systemic change

This thought-provoking conversation challenges traditional notions of education and provides actionable steps for educators, parents, and advocates to build inclusive and affirming learning environments.

🎧 Tune in now to rethink how we shape the future of education!

🔗 Links & Resources:

📍 Connect with Mike Browne: @miguelitobrowne - Twitter, Linkedin, Podcast: Spotify, Apple, Instagram @napcast206

📍 Follow Conscious Pathways for more episodes & updates: https://linktr.ee/conscious.pathways

📍 Subscribe to the Pathways of Promise Newsletter for deeper insights: https://pathwaysofpromise.beehiiv.com/subscribe

💬 Join the conversation! What resonated most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media using #ConsciousPathwaysPodcast.

In this powerful episode of Conscious Pathways, Brittney Carey sits down with Sharon Shelton, a leader in racial justice and equity, to discuss the pivotal experiences that shaped her decades-long career in social justice. Sharon reflects on her upbringing in South Los Angeles, attending predominantly white schools, and a life-changing encounter with civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

Together, Brittney and Sharon dive into:

• Why understanding history is essential for today’s social justice movements
• The intersections of race, gender, and equity in community organizing
• How Sharon’s Anti-Racism Wheel supports respectful, productive dialogues
• The role of education and mediation in building equitable communities

💡 Key Takeaways:

• How educators and parents can foster conversations on racial equity
• Actionable steps for community involvement in social justice
• The power of identity exploration for lasting social change

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about creating pathways to a more just, compassionate, and equitable world.

👉 Subscribe and listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Beehiiv for early access.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Sharon Shelton’s Anti-Racism Wheel
• Community organizing tips for parents and educators
• Book recommendations on social justice from Brittney’s Bookshop.org page (support local bookstores & social justice learning!)

🎧 Call to Action:

💬 What steps can you take today to build a more equitable community? Share your thoughts with us on Instagram, Youtube, and LinkedIn @Conscious.Pathways

In this thought-provoking episode of Conscious Pathways, we dive deep into the transformative world of early childhood education with Akiea "Ki" Gross, a passionate advocate for abolitionist pedagogy and pro-Black, queer, and trans liberation. As the creator of Woke Kindergarten, an abolitionist early childhood ecosystem, Ki shares their innovative approaches to resist, heal, liberate, and create within the realm of education.

Throughout our conversation, Ki offers invaluable insights into:

🌟 Engaging Young Students in Critical Pedagogy: Discover practical strategies and techniques for nurturing critical thinking and social consciousness in even the youngest learners.

🌟 Seeing the Humanity in Children: Ki emphasizes the importance of recognizing and honoring the full humanity of children, fostering environments where their voices, experiences, and identities are valued and respected.

🌟 The Educator's Role in Supporting Students' Educational Journey: From classroom teacher to cultural organizer, Ki reflects on the multifaceted role of educators in empowering students to navigate their educational paths with agency, dignity, and authenticity.

Join us as we explore the intersection of education, liberation, and social justice, and gain inspiration for fostering inclusive and transformative learning environments for all learners, regardless of age.

Listen in to gain fresh perspectives on early childhood education and embark on a journey towards conscious and liberatory teaching practices.

Connect with Ki:

• wokekindergarten.org
• Instagram

👍🏾 Keep up with Conscious Pathways:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@conscious-pathways

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conscious.pathways/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-pathways-education

Newsletter: https://pathwaysofpromise.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ConsciousPathways

🚀 Sponsors & Affiliates

Support Local Bookstores: https://bookshop.org/shop/conscious

Black Girl Vitamins: https://blackgirlvitamins.co/

👉🏾 Use Code UPLIFTED15 to save 10% off your order!

⭐ Support Conscious Pathways:

Donate to Conscious Pathways: https://ko-fi.com/consciouspathways

In this episode of the Conscious Pathways podcast, host Brittney Carey speaks with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, founder of Identity Talk Consulting and author of Learning to Relearn: Supporting Identity in a Culturally Affirming Classroom.

Kwame shares his journey from aspiring athlete to influential educator and consultant. Together, they explore how centering student identity can transform classrooms, build culturally affirming spaces, and support student well-being.

What you’ll learn:

• How anti-bias, anti-racist practices foster inclusive classrooms.
• Why reflective practice is critical for educators.
• Actionable tips for empowering students through culture and justice.
• Kwame’s vision for a reimagined education system.

Connect with Kwame:

INSTAGRAM - @kwam_the_identity_shaper

BLUESKY - @kwamesarfomensah.bsky.social

LINKEDIN - https://linkedin.com/in/kwame-sarfo-mensah

PATREON - https://patreon.com/kwamesarfomensah

YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@kwamesarfo-mensah5785

WEBSITE - https://identitytalk4educators.com

PODCAST - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/identity-talk-4-educators-live/id1509599570

Don’t miss out!

Subscribe to Conscious Pathways for more insights on the intersection of education and social justice.