The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators
The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators

The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators

Dr. Asia Lyons

Overview
Episodes

Details

Amidst all of the conversations about the recruitment of Black educators, where are the discussions about retention? The Exit Interview podcast was created to elevate the stories of Black educators who have been pushed out of the classroom, main or central office. The podcast asks guests to share their education journey, the "last straw" that made them decide to leave education, and, most importantly, what they are doing now that they have left the traditional education sphere.

Recent Episodes

In the Pursuit of Impact with Dr. Damia Thomas
JAN 21, 2025
In the Pursuit of Impact with Dr. Damia Thomas
In this episode of 'The Exit Interview,' host Dr. Asia Lyons welcomes Dr. Damia Thomas, who brings over two decades of experience in urban education. They discuss retention challenges in education, emphasizing the importance of work environment, culture, and kindness over monetary incentives. Dr. Thomas shares her journey from starting as a teacher to becoming a school principal and author and founding her consultancy. She highlights her experiences in transforming school cultures, working in predominantly Black communities, and the critical role of leadership. Dr. Thomas provides actionable insights on establishing consistency, leveraging leadership teams, and creating values-based systems to promote teacher retention and well-being.

00:00 Introduction to Retention Challenges
00:43 Welcome to The Exit Interview Podcast
01:37 Introducing Dr. Demia Thomas
03:51 Dr. Thomas' Journey in Education
04:59 Experiences in Urban Education
12:09 Leadership and Principalship
23:00 Founding an All-Girls School
27:22 Closing Ceremony Reflections
28:05 Challenges and Changes in Leadership
30:59 Navigating Racial Dynamics
34:00 Realizing the Need for Change
37:29 Transition to Consulting
45:01 Shoutouts and Current Work
47:15 Supporting School Leaders
52:30 Final Thoughts and Wellness
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55 MIN
What It Means To Be Well with Dr. Shawn Ginwright
JAN 6, 2025
What It Means To Be Well with Dr. Shawn Ginwright
In this episode of The Exit Interview Podcast for Black Educators, Dr. Asia Lyons and guest host Stacey Taylor Brandon welcome Dr. Shawn Ginwright, a thought leader in education and youth development. Dr. Ginwright discusses his revolutionary concept of healing-centered engagement and the importance of self-reflection for Black educators dealing with racial battle fatigue and systemic oppression. Emphasizing the need for self-care and community healing, he shares insights from his acclaimed book, 'The Four Pivots.' He highlights practical steps leaders can take to foster wellness in educational spaces. Dr. Ginwright also underscores the vital role of Black women in caregiving, the necessity of establishing sanctuary spaces, and the importance of giving from one's excess rather than essence. Throughout the episode, the conversation delves into personal narratives, systemic challenges, and actionable strategies for integrating wellness practices into everyday life and professional settings.

P.S. The Exit Interview will record a live episode with Joy Delizo-Osborne at SXSW EDU 2025 on March 5th!  Hope to see you there!

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:36 Meet the Guest Host: Stacey Taylor Brandon
01:30 Introducing Dr. Sean Genwright
01:43 Dr. Genwright's Work and Contributions
03:23 Welcome Dr. Genwright to the Podcast
04:39 The Importance of Self-Reflection
05:22 Racial Battle Fatigue and Healing
11:03 Balancing Care and Self-Wellness
21:32 A New Perspective on Motherhood
21:59 The Impact of Stress on Health
23:22 Applying the Four Pivots in Education
25:12 Personal Development for Leaders
26:52 Building Supportive Systems
31:48 Shoutouts and Acknowledgements
34:45 The Importance of Self-Care
40:16 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude
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36 MIN
Taking Care and Moving Forward with Dr. LaShaune Stitt
NOV 19, 2024
Taking Care and Moving Forward with Dr. LaShaune Stitt

When the school nurse has to check your blood pressure three times, you know you're in trouble. In this episode of the 'Exit Interview' podcast, I archive the story of Dr. LaShaune Stitt. Dr. Stitt recounts her journey from childhood dreams of teaching to pioneering spaces for young men of Color, and the community-centered approaches that defined her work. Amidst these achievements, she opens up about the health crises and systemic challenges that led her to leave formal education. Our discussion touches on the critical support from women in her professional community, her experiences with racial battle fatigue, and the vital importance of therapy and self-care for Black educators. We delve into the significance of culturally responsive teaching environments and Dr. Stitt's current consulting work, emphasizing the broad, impactful ways educators can contribute to their communities beyond traditional classroom roles.



00:00 Welcome and Milestones

00:57 Introducing Dr. LaShaune Stitt

02:25 Dr. Stitt's Journey into Education

06:23 Founding an All-Male School

08:46 Challenges and Leadership in Education

18:24 Health and Well-being in Education

26:56 The Struggles of Educators

29:12 The Principal's Secret

32:06 The Breaking Point

36:04 A New Beginning

39:12 Shoutouts and Gratitude

41:44 Current Endeavors

48:04 Defining Wellbeing

52:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell


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46 MIN
Worthy of Rest with Octavia Raheem
NOV 7, 2024
Worthy of Rest with Octavia Raheem
In this episode of The Exit Interview, host Dr. Asia Lyons engages in a deep conversation with Octavia Raheem about the transformative power of rest. Octavia Raheem, an accomplished author, rest restorative coach, and former public school teacher, shares her journey from traditional education to becoming a leader in wellness and restorative practices. The discussion explores the importance of rest for Black educators, the systemic challenges they face, and the necessity of self-care. Raheem passionately discusses the interplay between creativity, rest, and holistic well-being, offering practical steps for educators to integrate rest into their lives. Make sure to order her new book, Rest Is Sacred: Reclaiming Our Brilliance Through the Practice of Stillness.
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38 MIN
Learning to Relearn with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah
OCT 25, 2024
Learning to Relearn with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah
In this episode of The Exit Interview: A Podcast for Black Educators, Dr. Asia Lyons interviews Kwame Sarfo-Mensah and discusses his transformative journey from aspiring professional athlete to dedicated educator. Kwame discusses his initial pivot to becoming a math teacher and the various challenges he faced in his early teaching years, including a lack of support and job security in Philadelphia charter schools. Moving to Boston, he navigated the complexities of unionized school districts, ultimately learning the importance of self-care to avoid burnout and racial battle fatigue. This episode highlights systemic issues in education, such as the exploitation of committed Black educators and the importance of acknowledging their experiences. Reflecting on his time in Philadelphia, Kwame emphasizes the need for better support systems and career pathways for Black educators. His journey extends internationally as he moves to Sierra Leone, initiating the 'Identity Talk for Educators Live' podcast and authoring 'Learn to Relearn.'
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68 MIN