In this powerful continuation of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast (The Unlearned Truth of Self-Sabotage: "They Don’t Want You to Know"), guest Dr. Courtney Wright goes deeper on mental health in education—how depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and self-sabotage quietly derail students, educators, and families. Hosted by Dr. Sito Narcisse and Tatiana Echevarria, this episode offers practical language, tools, and mindset shifts to recognize the spiral and reclaim control.

Mental health is not a weakness—it’s part of the learning journey.

“Life sucks sometimes. And that’s okay.”

What you’ll learn in Part 2:

How self-sabotage shows up in classrooms, staff rooms, and at home—and what it’s really trying to protect

Intrusive thoughts vs. identity: separating the thought from the thinker

Micro-habits that interrupt the spiral (breath work, naming emotions, journaling prompts)

Language that helps students and colleagues feel seen without pathologizing them

Boundaries and routines that reduce anxiety and decision fatigue

When to seek additional support—and how to advocate for it in schools

Featured Book

Spiraling in Control by Dr. Courtney Wright: A reflective guide to healing, growth, and reclaiming your power. Buy now on Amazon.

Connect with Dr. Courtney Wright

Speaking & inquiries: https://spiralingincontrol.org/

TikTok & Instagram: @doccourtneywright

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In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re honored to feature Dr. Mónica Lee Miranda, recipient of the Education Leadership Award by Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. Mónica’s story reflects the power of culture, community, and leadership in shaping the future of education.

Recently featured by Spectrum News Tampa Bay: https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/09/12/tampa-hispanic-heritage-inc--leadership-awards

How do we break barriers in higher education and create real student success?

In this inspiring episode of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast, host Dr. Sito Narcisse sits down with Dr. Mónica Lee Miranda, a proud Puerto Rican Latina and Assistant Vice President for University Community Partnerships at the University of South Florida.

From her roots in New York City to her role as a national higher education leader, Dr. Miranda shares how authentic partnerships, mentorship, and community engagement empower students and foster equity. She also reflects on her groundbreaking role as a Latina woman of color in higher education leadership, the importance of representation, and the power of mentorship for the next generation.

She also explores the role of AI in communication and why integrity and authenticity remain at the heart of leadership.

Key Takeaways:

Education is the foundation of opportunity

Mentorship builds confidence and access

Community partnerships must be reciprocal

Representation matters: Latina leadership in higher ed inspires students

AI can enhance engagement when used wisely

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What does it look like to center healing, equity, and culturally responsive care in schools?

In this powerful episode of Unlearned & Unlimited, hosts Dr. Sito Narcisse and Tatiana Echevarria sit down with Sarah Lauture Pullen—a Professional School Counselor, equity advocate, and systems thinker—whose work is disrupting the status quo in public education.

As the Founding School Counselor at KIPP Antioch College Prep Middle in Nashville, TN, Sarah brings nearly a decade of experience grounded in student-centered practices, trauma-informed care, and outcome-driven counseling strategies. She shares how her role goes beyond traditional support—into systems leadership, advocacy, and professional development for counselors across the region.

Named the 2024 Early Career Educator of Excellence by the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance, Sarah shares her journey, her philosophy, and how she’s leading efforts to break cycles of harm, build trust, and elevate the voices of students and families too often left out of educational decisions.

In This Episode:

Culturally responsive school counseling in action

Disrupting cycles of harm in K–12 schools

Building student-centered support systems

Equity-driven leadership in education

Healing justice and access for underserved communities

Featuring:

Sarah Lauture Pullen, M.S., Counseling | Johns Hopkins University

B.S., Communication | Southern Connecticut State University

Board Member, SCSU Alumni Association

Nashville, Tennessee | KIPP Public Schools

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The National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) has been a driving force for equity, leadership, and Black excellence in education since its founding in 1970. In this powerful episode of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast, hosted by Dr. Sito Narcisse, we sit down with NABSE’s leadership team to reflect on the organization’s history, its present-day mission, and its vision for the future.

NABSE is more than an organization—it is a movement dedicated to supporting Black educators, elevating student outcomes, and shaping educational policy across the nation. With roots grounded in advocacy and excellence, NABSE provides a platform for educators, leaders, parents, and community members to share best practices, strengthen networks, and ensure Black students thrive.

This episode features six incredible leaders carrying NABSE’s legacy forward:

Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney – President, NABSE | Superintendent of Aldine ISD

Dr. Kimberly McLeod – President-Elect, NABSE

Dr. William Blake – Secretary, NABSE | Educator, Leader & “Dr. KOOL”

Phyllis L. Williams – Executive Director, NABSE

Statia Paschel – NABSE Conference Secretary | SEL Leader & CASEL Fellow

Charlette Butler-Strickland – NABSE Conference Secretary | Principal, DCPS

Together, they discuss:

The history and legacy of NABSE and its founding vision

Why NABSE remains the premier organization for Black educators in America

How NABSE supports educators at every level—from parents to superintendents

The importance of resilience, perseverance, and critical thinking in shaping future-ready scholars

How NABSE conferences empower members with networking, mentorship, and shared solutions

The role of volunteers and community in driving NABSE’s impact

Learn more about NABSE and its leadership: https://nabse.org

Why This Episode Matters

NABSE represents hope, connection, and power for educators who may feel isolated in their districts. As the guests share, NABSE provides not only professional development but also the inspiration to persist, innovate, and lead with excellence.

From overcoming educational inequities to preparing the next generation of leaders, this conversation highlights why NABSE continues to matter more than ever in today’s shifting educational landscape.

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Why does everyone think they’re an expert on schools, just because they went to one?

On this episode of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast, hosts Dr. Sito Narcisse and Tatiana Echevarria sit down with David L. Thomas, Jr., a national thought leader and influencer on education governance. Together, they unpack the politics of education, the role of school boards, and the realities behind decision-making that impacts millions of students.

About David L. Thomas, Jr:

David L. Thomas, Jr. is the National Vice President for Strategic Sales at RethinkED, where he drives national growth in social-emotional learning and mental health solutions for K-12 schools. A recognized sales and business development expert, Thomas has advised school boards, district administrators, and education leaders across the country.

Previously, Thomas served as Executive VP of Business Development for Accelify Corporation, leading strategies that helped drive its acquisition by Frontline Education in 2019. His career also spans leadership in higher education and community institutions, including serving as Director of Adult Education and Workforce Development, Director of Alumni Affairs, and Acting Director of the Black History Museum and Research Library at Bishop State Community College.

With advanced academic training toward a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Development, a Master’s in History, and years of experience shaping governance at the intersection of policy, education, and leadership, Thomas brings unmatched insight into how school boards shape the future of education.

This episode explores:

Why school governance is more complex than most people realize

How school boards influence every student’s future

The politics behind education decisions in the U.S.

Why bridging divides in education requires stronger leadership and community trust

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In this powerful episode of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast, hosted by Dr. Sito Narcisse and Tatiana Echevarria, we sit down with Manal Al-Ansi, MAT, Esq. — a visionary leader in global education, workforce development, and the founder of Diaspora District.

Manal’s journey spans from the classroom as an elementary school teacher to becoming an attorney and senior-level executive shaping global education policy. Through Diaspora District, she is spearheading a transformative workforce and education conference in Ghana, connecting brilliant Black minds, creatives, and professionals from across Africa and the diaspora.

This isn’t just a conference — it’s a movement of Black excellence, building bridges between education and industry while creating pathways from classrooms to careers. With over a decade of experience advising top government officials, developing impactful policies, and driving sustainable growth, Manal brings unmatched expertise to the conversation on how we reimagine education for the future of Africa and beyond.

Register & Learn More: https://diasporadistrict.com/

Follow on Instagram: @diasporadistrict

Diaspora District Ghana 2025 (Dec 17–20, 2025): Education Reimagined: Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders Through AI, Entrepreneurship, and Global Partnerships.

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What does it really mean to face setbacks — and then redefine success?

In this powerful episode of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast, host Dr. Sito Narcisse sits down with Dr. Karlton Odell Johnson, an experienced educational leader, CEO of TASK Educational Consultant Group, and CTO of The Ed-Tech Group Inc. With over 20 years of leadership in Broward County Public Schools and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Johnson brings a wealth of knowledge on organizational leadership, instructional design, and building resilient communities.

Together, they explore:

How setbacks shape leaders and educators.

The role of education in guiding students toward Destination Excellence.

Why setbacks don’t define us, but how we redefine success does.

Lessons on perseverance, leadership, and vision that apply in schools, organizations, and life.

This conversation is for educators, leaders, parents, and anyone striving to transform challenges into opportunities.

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Bilingual education is more than learning two languages—it’s about unlocking opportunity, identity, and confidence.

In this episode of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast, guest Ulysses Navarrete—a respected Latino education leader and advocate—shares how bilingual learning transforms the lives of Latino students. From boosting cognitive skills to strengthening cultural identity and community bonds, Ulysses brings both personal experience and professional expertise to the conversation.

The cognitive benefits of bilingualism, Personal stories from Latino families, Expert insights on educational strategies, and The role of bilingual education in cultural preservation

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