by Andrew | May 17, 2026
On the 72nd anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, Andrew and Dr. Val talk with Cecilia Marshall, granddaughter of Justice Thurgood Marshall and founder of the Thurgood Marshall Foundation. Together, they reflect on the families behind Brown, the sacrifices made in the fight for educational justice, and why public schools remain essential to democracy.
Ms. Marshall shares personal stories about knowing Thurgood Marshall simply as “Grandpa,” the responsibility of preserving his legacy, and her vision for a traveling museum bringing civil rights and civics education to communities across the country.
This conversation explores collective responsibility, the power of diverse public schools, and what it means to keep building bridges in a deeply divided moment.
by Andrew | May 6, 2026
What if accountability didn’t require public shaming? MacArthur “Genius” Dr. Loretta Ross joins us to talk about the power of “calling in”—a practice rooted in love, curiosity, and connection. From her personal journey through trauma and healing to her decades of justice work, Dr. Ross shows us how we can hold each other accountable without breaking our communities. A timely, necessary conversation about parenting, privilege, public schools, and the power of showing up as our best selves.
by Andrew | Apr 22, 2026
We’re going back to the archives to revisit a conversation with Heather McGhee. Her book, The Sum of Us, called attention to the idea of “solidarity dividends”, the gains that are made when people come together across race to fight for justice. She joins us to talk about her new podcast, also called The Sum of Us, which features a different story of cross racial solidarity in each episode.
by Andrew | Apr 8, 2026
What happens when a community refuses to accept segregation—and organizes instead?
In this episode, we explore the 1931 Lemon Grove Incident, one of the first successful school desegregation cases in the U.S., through a conversation with author Maria Dolores Águila.
Her book A Sea of Lemon Trees brings this history to life through the eyes of 12-year-old Roberto Alvarez, a young person navigating identity, injustice, and courage.
Together, we reflect on the power of community, the importance of representation, and what it means to pass stories of resistance on to our kids—especially in a moment when history feels both urgent and unfinished.
by Andrew | Mar 25, 2026
School closures are often framed as inevitable—but what if they’re the result of deeper systemic choices?
This week, we talk with Dr. Mara Tieken about how closures disproportionately impact Black, Brown, and low-income communities—and why they rarely deliver the promised benefits. Together, we explore the idea of spatial injustice and what it means to see schools not just as buildings, but as the heart of our communities.
If schools are being closed in your community (or even if they’re not), this conversation invites us to ask: what do we owe each other—and all of our kids—when it comes to public education?
