Send us a textWhat if one moment could change your entire career path? Dr. Kwane Stewart, founder of Project Street Vet, shares how a chance encounter outside a 7-Eleven transformed his life and his career as a veterinarian. Dr. Stewart found new purpose in providing medical care to the pets of unhoused individuals. Listen to learn more about Dr. Stewart's inspirational journey! Donate here!

Send us a textJuan Pablo Romero Fuentes is the founder of Los Patojos, an educational organization in Guatemala. He is also a teacher and organizer within the organization. Juan Pablo was honored as a top 10 CNN Hero in 2014. Juan Pablo and Dr. Sciarretta discuss a wide range of topics including pedagogical approaches, reflections on traveling across the world visiting schools, the role of his family and parents, the love he has for his homeland in Guatemala, and much more. Content Warni...

Send us a textHedy Chang is the Founder and Executive Director of Attendance Works. A 1986 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, Hedy brings a wealth of knowledge and passion about the intricate tapestry of factors that influence why students may not make it to class. Her Chinese American background and family legacy of activism provide a rich context as we discuss her dedication to unraveling the complexities of chronic absenteeism—an issue that's foundational to achieving justice in our education system...

Send us a textJoin us for an illuminating conversation with my brother, Peter Sciarretta, who shares his transformative journey from a 30-year teaching career to the world of life coaching. You'll uncover the nuances of life coaching, how it stands apart from traditional guidance like parental advice or mentorship, and the structured paths to becoming a certified coach. To learn more, visit Peter's website or his Instagram page @Peter_thecoach. To get in touch with Peter, email him at pe...

Send us a textBack by poplar demand for your late summer 2024 listening pleasure! Tommy Gomes is a fourth-generation San Diegan, retired commercial fisherman, business owner, and star of The Fish Monger, the #1 show on the Outdoor Channel. Dr. Sciarretta and Tommy talk about fishing, climate change, reflections on growing up today compared to 50 years ago, life lessons, education, and much more.Read more about Tommy and The Fish Monder in this San Diego Magazine article: https://bit.ly/41h3r8...

Send us a textJoin us for an enlightening conversation with Richard Barrera on his third visit to the Superintendent's Hangout. Richard opens up about the financial strategies and hurdles within the San Diego Unified School District, from dealing with budget deficits to the philosophy of prioritizing student needs over building reserves. We also delve into controversial issues such as banning cell phones on school campuses. Richard is a veteran school board member and renowned expert on...

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Sciarretta sat down with Young Abulencia and Buddy Gessel, two architects from the DLR Group. Young and Buddy talk about their careers and their work at DLR, while sharing fascinating insights that add dimension to common perceptions of architectural work.

Send us a textCheck out this inspiring episode, back by popular demand for your late summer 2024 listening pleasure! Felicia Rangel-Samponaro is one of the founders of The Sidewalk School, an NGO (non-governmental organization) focusing on providing education to asylum-seeking families and children at the US/Mexico border. In this wide-ranging interview, Felicia spoke about curricular design, hiring certificated teachers who are also asylum seekers, the racism she faces, the role of governmen...

Send us a textCheck out this summer 2024 re-release of a conversation with one of our most engaging and influential guests! Dr. Pedro Noguera is Dean of the USC Rossier School of Education. Dr. Noguera recounts his ascent from the streets of Brooklyn to the pinnacle of educational thought leadership. Feel the pulse of our nation's schools through his eyes, as we uncover the deep-seated challenges and innovative solutions that define today’s educational landscape. With Dr. Noguera's astu...

Send us a textArmand King, a TEDx speaker and founder of Lawrich Consulting LLC, is living proof that resilience and mentorship can turn one's life around. In this episode, we share Armand's raw and gripping journey from facing gang violence in Spring Valley, CA to becoming a powerful advocate for at-risk youth. Listen as we trace the shift in urban youth culture from the late '80s to today, considering how social media and changing societal values have shaped the realities of young people. A...

Send us a textLuci Fowers has dedicated her career to education. In this episode, Lucy details her journey from a small town in Utah to her work as a teacher and then charter school pioneer in California. Listen to hear more about Luci’s perspective on establishing strong school communities and much more!

Send us a Text Message.Here is one of our most popular episodes, back by popular demand for your summer 2024 listening enjoyment! CONTENT WARNING: The following episode contains discussions of physical and sexual abuse, violence, eating disorders, and other mature content. Parental guidance is strongly recommended.Jesse Leon is the author of his recently released memoir, I’m Not Broken. The bestselling author of The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros says "I’m Not Broken is a book for sur...

Send us a Text Message.As part of our 2024 summer recap, back by popular demand here is one of our most popular episodes! Retired DEA special agent Rocky Herron has embraced a new challenge an anti-drug and alcohol ambassador for the San Diego County Office of Education. Rocky joins us to unravel a gripping story of his transition from the front lines of the drug war to the classrooms of San Diego County and beyond (he’s delivered his message to students in 17 countries) where he's on a missi...

Send us a Text Message.Back by popular demand, here is a re-run of one of most popular episodes! Zachary Tong has set his sights on setting four world records for solo unsupported ocean rowing, crossing both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans in one calendar year starting on January 1, 2025. We discuss his inspiration and preparation for this incredible journey in this wide-ranging interview. Connect with Zach on Instagram: https://instagram.com/hermosazachFollow Zach’s journey from his website:...

Send us a Text Message.In case you missed this episode when it was originally released, we are sharing it again as a summer special. Prepare to be challenged and inspired as we dive headfirst into the world of education with none other than the world-renowned Professor Sugata Mitra. Known for his pioneering "hole in the wall" experiment, Mitra's insights into the power of peer teaching, the role of AI, and the necessity of forward-thinking education are set to revolutionize the way we think a...

Send us a Text Message.Dr. Susan Lewallen and her husband Dr. Paul Courtright have devoted their careers to providing eye care to underserved communities in Africa. Listen to learn more about their inspiring work and unique life stories. Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, we hear from Ben Frahm, a screenwriter and professor at Syracuse University (who also happens to be David's cousin). Listen to learn more about Ben's experience in the world of screenwriting and the practical and theoretical knowledge that guides his own work and that of his students.

Send us a Text Message.Antonio Torres, one of the founders of the Community Plate Initiative, joins us to share his profound journey from early community service to launching an innovative nonprofit in San Diego during the pandemic. Antonio opens up about CPI, which distributes high-quality, nutritious meals to unhoused communities in San Diego, and addresses the challenges and creative solutions involved in sustaining such a vital project. To learn more about the Community Plate Initiative, ...

Send us a Text Message.Imagine transforming a childhood wonder for Legos into orchestrating major school revitalization projects—that's the journey Lee Dulgeroff, Senior Executive Director for Facilities Planning and Construction at San Diego Unified School District, shares with us. Lee's path from tinkering with building blocks to leading immense educational infrastructure initiatives is as remarkable as it is inspiring. Join us as we unpack the dedication it takes to turn nostalgic play int...

Send us a Text Message.We're honored to welcome Judge CJ Mody, the first South Asian justice to serve on the San Diego Superior Court. This exchange connects the personal with the universal, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the life and work of a judge who leads with integrity, wisdom and empathy.

Send us a Text Message.Step into the journey of Dr. Olivia Graeve, whose personal narrative transcends geographical boundaries and academic disciplines. As a groundbreaking professor of engineering at UC San Diego, Dr. Graeve not only shapes the minds of our future innovators but also weaves a web of international collaboration through the ENLACE program. Her story, from a childhood in Tijuana to academic prestige in San Diego and beyond, embodies the spirit of unity and the power of STEM edu...

Send us a Text Message.I chatted with the remarkable Amanda Ripley, best-selling author and journalist who has embraced a fresh lens on the world of conflict. As described in her latest book “High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out” Amanda explores the landscape of 'high conflict’ and steers us towards constructive, rather than destructive, outcomes. To learn more about Amanda and her work:amandaripley.comthegoodconflict.com

Send us a Text Message.Juan Arambul comes from a family of educators. He works as an educational leadership consultant with the ANEW Project, an organization centered around thoughtful progress and positive change. Listen to learn more about Arambul's mission to inspire students and disrupt the stagnancy that often characterizes schooling in the 21st century. Please note that this episode was filmed. You can find the video here.

Send us a Text Message.Shana Morgan is the owner of Morgan's Monograms, a custom embroidery service and storefront in La Mesa, California. The path of entrepreneurship is not laid with roses, and Shana’s narrative is a testament to the thorns encountered along the way—betrayal, financial upheaval, and natural disasters. With its rich history of craftsmanship, the embroidery industry has been revolutionized by technological advancements and the digital age. Shana provides a front-row seat to t...