Skip to main content
This Epoch Life

This Epoch Life

By Epoch Education Inc.

This Epoch Life podcast discusses topics related to our diverse world and how to build inclusion. Guests share their lived experiences to enhance listeners' awareness of different perspectives coming from diverse identities. This podcast is a resource from Epoch Education, a company that trains and transforms with innovative in-person and online equity workshops that support school districts, companies and leaders to build capacity to carry on equity work internally.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Challenging How History is Taught: Follow-up discussion

This Epoch LifeOct 07, 2020

00:00
22:18
Challenging How History is Taught: Follow-up discussion

Challenging How History is Taught: Follow-up discussion

Host of This Epoch Life Podcast, Bailee Bennett-Andrade, interviews Dr. Nancy Dome about some points which were brought up in last week's episode with Nicole Kukral. They examine why there needs to be concern regarding the current history curriculum being taught in public education and the call to action.

Oct 07, 202022:18
Challenging How History is Taught

Challenging How History is Taught

Guest, Nicole Kukral, is a program specialist and the creator of the Equity Audit Rubric. This Rubric was created to challenge problematic policies, procedures, curricula, etc. that we see in our public education system today. In this episode she breaks down how she recognized problematic narratives in history textbooks, so she interrupted the billion dollar companies and was given the opportunity to repair.

Sep 17, 202026:34
A Story on Access and Higher Education for a Non-Binary Student

A Story on Access and Higher Education for a Non-Binary Student

Assistant Professor in Theatrical Arts, Roy Lightner, shares his experience when a non-binary student was restricted access to his theatre department due to the current structure of higher education admissions. He advocated for this student because he recognized the problematic policies and procedures and how the student's identity was adding to the barriers which held them back. Dr. Nancy Dome shows how this scenario is a great depiction of the RIR protocol- Recognize, Interrupt, Repair.

Sep 17, 202022:36
Tools for Better Communication, Compassionate Dialogue, and the RIR Protocol

Tools for Better Communication, Compassionate Dialogue, and the RIR Protocol

This episode marks the official beginning of Season 2! Dr. Nancy Dome and Dr. Jennifer Jeffries founded the RIR protocol many years ago at CSU San Marcos as a means to improve communication around issues of equity. Today the protocol has transformed into a universal tool to be used in interpersonal, intra-personal, and institutional scenarios for when people need to engage in Compassionate Dialogue™. Right now we live in a very rigid socio-political climate, the tools these two women developed have never been as necessary as they are today.

Check out the video Podcast at: https://youtu.be/ZUL5G-8RLfM


Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout season 1! This podcast is a labor of love and we hope you all continue to join in.

Sep 03, 202032:13
Ericka Huggins-Part II

Ericka Huggins-Part II

In this episode we feature Ms. Ericka Huggins for part II of her incredible life story. Ericka was a founding Black Panther Party Member, activist, and political prisoner. In the last episode she told her story of being a young black woman in the Black Panthers, this time she tells a different story using anecdotal perspectives. 

Aug 27, 202051:09
Speaking with a Professional in Community Engagement.

Speaking with a Professional in Community Engagement.

In this episode the CEO of Epoch Education, Dr. Nancy Dome, talks with our guest Patricia Prado-Olmos who sits as the current Vice President of Community Engagement for CSU San Marcos. Patricia shares the evolution of her career and how she promotes community engagement at a university which holds a diverse set of students.

Aug 20, 202030:03
Back to School- Teacher commentary on how to prepare for the year to come.

Back to School- Teacher commentary on how to prepare for the year to come.

In this episode of the podcast we talk with Stephanie Woodham, middle school teacher at Thomas Russell Middle School. She shares with us how she is preparing for the upcoming school year of distance learning including how to stay engaged with her students and keeping up her equity protocol. 

Aug 13, 202018:14
Shifting Cultures Part III

Shifting Cultures Part III

In this episode we speak with Veline Mojarro, one of the three co-founders at SHIFT.  We discuss what our current socio-political situation means for the anti-racist movement and her perspective on being an ally at a time like this. 

Aug 06, 202016:38
Shifting Cultures Part II

Shifting Cultures Part II

In this episode we are talking with Natalie Bui, who is one out of the three co founders over at SHIFT, a DEI consulting company that focuses on building equity, diversity and inclusion along with sexual harassment prevention. she shares with us her experiences of being a first generation, Asian American in the United States and how her identity has helped her throughout her journey leading a successful consulting company. Check out their website here: https://www.shiftingculture.co/

Jul 01, 202031:13
Shifting Cultures

Shifting Cultures

In this episode we have Kausar Mohammed here to share her story with us. Kausar is the co-founder of Shift, a consulting company addressing the major cultural shift in the wake of the #metoo movement by creating spaces for honest dialogue, understanding and change. She is also an actress and creative. Check out their website at www.shiftingculture.co 

Jun 24, 202021:56
Bringing Back Our Sense of Community

Bringing Back Our Sense of Community

Our guest, Dr. Yvette Latunde, is a dedicated Teacher-Scholar who brings her insights from local levels all the way to international platforms. She promotes inclusive communities in academics applying the concepts of hospitality and critical theory. Her main area of focus are safe/ welcoming environments that foster collaboration and family and community engagement. She is currently running a consulting group called Bridges Leadership and Education Services you can check it out on Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram.

Jun 17, 202041:15
The Ever Forward Club

The Ever Forward Club

This episode features Ashanti Branch who is the founder and Executive Director of the Ever Forward Club which mentors young men in middle and high school by providing them with safe, brave communities that build character and transform lives.

Jun 10, 202033:46
Cultural Proficiency for Our Current Civil Rights Movement

Cultural Proficiency for Our Current Civil Rights Movement

In this episode we talk with Delores and Randy Lindsey.  The husband and wife were part of the educational restructuring after desegregation in the 1960's and have a long career history around creating cultural proficiency in education. They currently collaborate with colleagues interested in providing equitable educational opportunities for all students through the Center for Culturally Proficient Educational Practice.

Jun 03, 202039:11
Preparing Young Scholars for Higher Ed

Preparing Young Scholars for Higher Ed

In this episode we talk with Nicholas Haystings, the Executive Director at Square Root Academy. Square Root Academy is a S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) based non-profit organization dedicated to educating underrepresented youth on the fundamentals of S.T.E.M. while emphasizing collaborative learning, innovation, and academic excellence. Check out their brand new online platform, Scholar’s Playground, where you can find resources for your young scholar to learn STEM based curriculum.

May 27, 202021:52
Distance Learning Exposing the Digital Divide

Distance Learning Exposing the Digital Divide

In this episode of the podcast we sit with Dr. Leilah Kirkendoll, Principal at San Diego County Office of Education. We discuss some of the digital inequities we see surfacing due to our global pandemic, and what we should be doing to maximize our efficiency during this time of distance learning.

May 20, 202033:51
A Fifth Grade Superhero

A Fifth Grade Superhero

In this episode our guest, Stephanie Hammer, fifth grade teacher at Theodore Jonah Elementary School, shares her journey as she discovered the benefits of equity in her classroom through Epoch Education’s Trainer of Trainers Program. She stands as a perfect example of what it takes to create an open and honest atmosphere for her students, and the results are astounding.

May 14, 202030:01
Creating Access for Youth Leadership

Creating Access for Youth Leadership

In this episode we are focusing on building youth leadership. Our guest, Armoni Easley, is the co-founder of the non profit organization, Project Optimism, which works on empowering leadership mindsets for underprivileged youth and young adults. They provide programs and events that inspire optimistic mindsets.

May 06, 202049:20
Leading with Gratitude

Leading with Gratitude

This week's special features Epoch Education Equity trainer, Deraan Washington, interviewing Equity trainer, Janecia Rolland, about her faith and leading with gratitude during trying times. 

Apr 29, 202024:24
Dream Big, Work Hard, Make it Happen!

Dream Big, Work Hard, Make it Happen!

Our guest, Bonnie Barron, was a former principal at a school site which had the opportunity to work with Epoch Education. Through her openness and willingness to lean in to the process of building equity, she was able change the culture of her school into an all inclusive and engaging atmosphere. We hope her story inspires other educators who find the need to be more inclusive but may be intimidated or overwhelmed by the process.

Apr 15, 202025:54
Disrupting Systems of Oppression

Disrupting Systems of Oppression

Our guest, Dr. Talisa Sullivan, shares her passion for eliciting the historical systems of oppression and marginalization of different groups in our society and how we can use compassionate dialogue to disrupt them. She has a book in the works which speaks to these topics and involves the voice of those who have personally experienced societal oppression.

Apr 08, 202043:16
Ms. Ericka Huggins and the Heart of the Black Panther Party.

Ms. Ericka Huggins and the Heart of the Black Panther Party.

In this episode we have the privilege of talking with Ericka Huggins who was a professor of Sociology and African American studies at Merritt College in Oakland along with other institutions and for 35 years she has advocated for restorative justice. She is also a member of the iconic Black Panther Party. She shares her story with us about her trying experiences during a tense time in our history from losing her husband in an assassination to being a political prisoner for two years. Ericka’s story is powerful and shows the community focus of the Black Panthers which has been misconstrued over time.

Apr 02, 202050:11
Our Bodies, Our Rights.

Our Bodies, Our Rights.

In this episode we address the difficult topic of access when it comes to reproductive rights. Women of color along with women of low economic status are disproportionately affected when it comes to policy which determines what they can and cannot do with their own bodies. Our guest Monika Dymerski is a political activist who passionately fights for fair and safe policy. We hope you enjoy, and make sure to subscribe so you can stay up to date with our equity journey!

Mar 25, 202030:15
How to Use Grief as an Asset
Mar 18, 202036:54
Navigating Womanhood as a First-Generation Immigrant

Navigating Womanhood as a First-Generation Immigrant

In this episode Epoch Equity Trainer, Deraan Washington, interviews Equity Trainer, Rozina Kapadia, about the intersection of her womanhood as she grew up in an immigrant household. Rozina’s family is Pakistani, therefore she represents East meets West when it comes to her cultural standing.

Mar 11, 202031:12
Two sisters and Women's History

Two sisters and Women's History

In this episode Epoch Education CEO and co founder, Nancy Dome, sits with co founder, Dora Dome, to talk about Women’s History and some of the legal statutes created around protecting women in our schools.

Mar 04, 202018:39
It is Not the Responsibility of Black and Brown Educators to Qualm Racism

It is Not the Responsibility of Black and Brown Educators to Qualm Racism

This week we discuss with Marie Smith and Nancy Dome the power of using Critical Race Theory to build narratives for the lived experience of educators of color. Marie is an attorney and educator who is the co author of a research paper called Experiences With Racism: Narratives From Black Educators. This research leans into the fact that it is not the responsibility of black and brown educators to qualm the racism which exists in our education systems.

Feb 26, 202036:17
Free? Or Just Unbonded?

Free? Or Just Unbonded?

In this episode we get to feature our first student voice. Lily wrote a powerful essay about inequitable practices in our criminal justice systems for her high school English class. Along with her Godmother, Epoch Equity trainer Kelly Cole, we dive deep into structural racism and how future generations are looking into this issue. Her essay is posted on Epoch Educations’ blog page so make sure to check it out!

Feb 19, 202047:36
Getting real with STEM4Real

Getting real with STEM4Real

In this episode we get real with Dr. Leena Bakshi. Leena shares an inspiring journey which leads to her building STEM4Real, a company which teaches STEM based learning with a social justice lense. CEO, Dr. Nancy Dome, Leena and myself discuss tracking, environmental racism, and the physical attributes we must reshape when we consider what a scientist looks like.

Check out and follow Stem4real at their website, Facebook and Twitter to learn more about some of their amazing and impactful work.

Feb 12, 202029:18
Why they leave.

Why they leave.

In this episode we sit down with Epoch Equity Trainer, Dr. Erikca Brown, to discuss the difficulties of being a teacher of color in white-dominated education systems. Dr. Brown has published research which analyzes the disparity of turn over rates for African American teachers in the U.S.

Feb 05, 202024:39
"You're pretty, for a black girl."

"You're pretty, for a black girl."

In this episode of the podcast we sit down with Epoch Education’s equity trainer, Deraan Washington, to discuss the harmful connotations behind the statement “You are beautiful, for a black girl.” and the microaggressions we experience when it comes to Eurocentric beauty standards.

Jan 29, 202017:23
The Unintended Consequences of Desegregation

The Unintended Consequences of Desegregation

This week we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. Guests Dr. Erikca Brown and Dr. Gina M. Newton discuss their different points of research to unfold the unintended consequences of desegregation. Dr. Brown is an equity trainer for Epoch Education and has conducted research looking at the high turnover rate of African American teachers in modern school systems. Dr. Newton is a CTE coordinator for Los Angeles County Office of Education and a public speaker whos research looks at the impact and legacy of African American educators prior to desegregation and their influence on cultural competency.

Jan 22, 202026:09
Special Education-the last accepted form of segregation.

Special Education-the last accepted form of segregation.

In this episode we talk with Rozina Kapadia, equity trainer for Epoch Education, about the downfalls of Special Education in the United States. Rozina was a teacher for children in Special Education for years before becoming an equity trainer for Epoch Education. She discusses with us how Special Education is one of the last accepted forms of segregation in Western Society.

Jan 15, 202016:31
Where do we tend to miss the mark with diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Where do we tend to miss the mark with diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Todays episode of the podcast features two exceptionally special guests, Dr. Nancy Dome and Cassie Bennett-Porter. Nancy is the co Founder and CEO of Epoch Education and Cassie is the Director of Elementary for the San Juan School district. In this podcast we reveal the difficulties behind creating an equitable atmosphere and share stories of how empathy lays the foundation for growth.

Jan 08, 202024:28