The School for Disrupters: Recent Episodes
Sarah Gulish
The School for Disrupters is a weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Kimberly McGlonn and Dr. Sarah Gulish. This dope digital space is dedicated to vulnerable conversations about self-awareness, self-definition and of course, all kinds of disruption. Listen as we inspire each other and we hope, you.
We have big dreams: for ourselves, our kids, our companies. In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah unpack the idea of what it means to dream. They share stories of dreams that worked out, ones that fell flat, and how your dreams of today might prepare you for something you're not expecting in the future.
Listen and learn more about a LIVE taping of the School for Disrupters that is happening on May 23rd, 2024:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/school-for-disrupters-live-episode-tickets-901469358117?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
What does it mean to be a parent, a caregiver? And, how can we parent ourselves first? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah discuss all things parenting- struggles, wins, fails, and how the inner voices we hear can provide insight into how we approach the topic of parenting.
Listen and catch the disrupter sisters LIVE!! Details inside.
Well, this episode took an unexpected turn. What started out as a conversation on healing and claiming inner and outer healing turned into a reflection on spirituality and the shared journey that Kimberly and Sarah have experienced "off microphone."
Listen in to meditate on the idea of healing, how healing is possible, and what we can do to anchor ourselves to something bigger than what we can see.
[Also, listen to the end for an announcement about something coming very soon!]
“Wellness.” How do we talk about self-care? Community care? Is it inclusive? Holistic? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah break down the idea of wellness and how they are working towards being well in their personal lives. Through a mining of past experiences, often painful at times, they talk about how our collective wellness is intrinsically linked and connected to our identities and purposeful pursuits.
In the episode, Kimberly talks about the “hurkle durkle” and why we might need more of it:
https://www.realsimple.com/hurkle-durkle-8553591
Do you feel free? How are you pursuing freedom? In this episode, Sarah and Kimberly break down the word “freedom” and how we can identify what we need freedom FOR and freedom FROM. Listen in to learn why Sarah chose “freedom” as her word of the year and find out what Kimberly would tell the kids about freedom.
Check out the hustle sanely journal here:
https://www.jessicamassey.com/journal
Have you ever been stuck in a cabin deep in the woods with no heat in the middle of winter? In this bonus episode, the disrupter sisters recap a very *special writing retreat and all of the hilarity that ensued when given two days to isolate and write.
This bonus episode includes some meditations on creativity, thoughts on future opportunities for the SFD community, AND a BIG announcement from Kimberly!
Find out why Kimberly and Sarah were retreating and how a regular retreat practice can fuel your soul.
As we move close to the new year, we have a lot of expectations about who we should be and how we should show up. In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah dig into the idea of "expectations" and how they affect our relationships and sense of self. Sarah shares a new hobby that's been giving her life (and defying expectations), and Kimberly digs into a season of learning and hope.
Do you embrace solitude as a regular, necessary practice for your well-being? In this episode, Sarah and Kimberly discuss the idea of solitude and how it has become more essential than ever. They share practical ways to practice solitude on a regular basis, and how being alone with ourselves is not only helpful, it's essential to being human.
It's time for a pivot! In this episode, Sarah and Kimberly dig into the idea of pivoting. Why is it so necessary (and hard) to grow our pivoting skills? And, how can we practice pivoting by examining our motivations? Listen in to hear about how Sarah failed to pivot (and learned the hard way) and what Kimberly would tell the kids about pivoting.
Are you a Patreon member of SFD? You can get monthly journal prompts for episodes by contributing as little as $10 a month. Help us keep these conversations going by supporting SFD!
https://patreon.com/SchoolforDisrupters
What does it mean to truly support teachers? To support students? To support friends and family? In this emotionally moving episode, Sarah and Kimberly get vulnerable about the concept of support and why it can be so hard to ask for the things we need. They provide practical strategies and nourishing meditations on the idea of support and all that comes with it.
Resources in this episode:
Consolations by David Whyte: https://davidwhyte.com/pages/consolations
Data Stories by Victoria Boler and Sarah Gulish:
https://fflat-books.com/product/data-stories-music-advocacy-through-data-collection-and-story-telling/
It's Kimberly's birthday month, and we're celebrating with an episode that's all about celebration. In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah discuss the need for celebration in our classrooms and lives. They tackle:
- Examples of celebration in the classroom
- How to have a sober celebration
- Celebration songs and "happy dances"
- Why celebrating is deeply connected to gratitude for life
Listen to the end to hear about the #celebrationchallenge, and share your celebrations with us on Instagram (@schoolfordisrupters).
Do you want to help sustain this podcast? Consider becoming a Patreon member:
https://www.patreon.com/SchoolforDisrupters
What does it mean to seek and find harmony? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah break down the definition of "harmony" and how we might pursue thinking about harmony in the classroom with students. How do we make sense of conflicting narratives? And, what do we do when we don't have the same beliefs as other people?
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Ted Talk on the danger of a single story:
https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en
J.R.'s work in Brazil ("Women are Heroes"):
https://www.jr-art.net/projects/rio-de-janeiro
And, while this book wasn't mentioned, you can learn more about American history and specifically the history of the Whitney Plantation that Kimberly visited in the book, "How the Word is Passed" by Clint Smith:
https://bookshop.org/p/books/how-the-word-is-passed-a-reckoning-with-the-history-of-slavery-across-america-clint-smith/15485196?ean=9780316492935
What does it mean to hold power? To EMpower? To feel powerful? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah dive into all of the ways that power shows up: in our identities, in our classrooms, in our business pursuits, and more.
Listen in to learn why Sarah needs some "blazer energy" and how Kimberly connects video games and powering up.
Want to support SFD and get access to regular journal prompts and more? Head to patreon.com/SchoolforDisrupters.
It's the first episode of season four! In this season, Sarah and Kimberly introduce a new format and new focus for SFD. Through a bell-ringer (quick check-in), word of the day, and "what do we tell the kids?", they explore what it means to plant and be planted.
This season of School for Disrupters is all about supporting educators. How do we plant ourselves and curate a balance of voices and energies in our daily walk? How can we stay present and motivated in the work we're doing? And, what does it mean to be spiritually, emotionally, and mentally present in a space?
Listen in as Kimberly provides her mantra for staying present, and Sarah shares how it feels to be uprooted and replanted at the start of a new school year. PLUS, listen to the end for a special announcement!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Jen Rafferty supports teachers through Empowered Educator:
https://empowerededucator.com/
Dr. Annie McKee and the book, "How to be Happy at Work":
https://bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-be-happy-at-work-the-power-of-purpose-hope-and-friendship-annie-mckee/9049332?ean=9781633696808
You can catch up with SFD on Instagram (@schoolfordisrupters). Did you like this episode? Have any questions, thoughts, or reflections? Send us an email at schoolfordisrupters@gmail.com
When is the last time you were truly vulnerable? And, how does vulnerability show up in your life both in what you share and what you receive? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah sit down to talk about the (sometimes scary) world of vulnerability. They shoutout some great resources and learnings from the SFD community. Thank you for listening and being here!
What does it mean to persist and find the courage to continue when it's hard? And, when should you hit the brakes and change directions? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah break down the idea of "persistence." They share their own struggles with persisting and strategies for pivoting when, (as Kimberly says), "the math ain't mathin'" Listen to be encouraged and hear the disrupter sisters fumble their way through sports analogies.
Is optimism the same thing as hope? Is there such a thing as an optimistic disposition? In this episode of School for Disrupters, Kimberly and Sarah break down the word "optimism": as a way to ground ourselves in the future, as north star, and as a type of protest. They talk about strategies for dealing with toxic negativity and share their thoughts on grounding the future generation in realistic optimism.
The Disrupter Sisters are BACK! In this first episode of season three, Kimberly and Sarah unpack the word "intention." What does it mean to start your day with specific intentions? How do you cultivate intentions and learn to let go when the future is unclear? They talk about Kimberly's recent career shift and the things that hold them back from living in line with their intentions.
What does transformation have to do with love? How can you be anchored to another person while free to explore new versions of yourself? And, what do we do when love doesn't work out the way we planned? In this FINAL episode of season 2, Kimberly and Sarah dig into transformation as it connects with love. They dig deep into hard emotions and through laughter and some tears, connect over how to make bold choices to live and love.
It's the second part of our three part series on love. In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah sit down to talk about love in the context of friendship. What can friendship love offer us? And, how do we know when it's time to let a friend go? They talk about the good, the beautiful, and the ugly of deep friendships.
How do you speak to yourself? How do you treat yourself? Today, we’re starting a three part series on “Love” and we’re starting with us. Listen in and learn why the term “self love” rubs Sarah the wrong way and how Kimberly reframes it to send a powerful message. If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of negative self talk or doubting your brilliance, this is a must listen.
What does it mean to be courageous? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah unpack the word "courage" and how being courageous is a personal practice. Listen and learn how a trip on the El taught Sarah to be more courageous in loving vulnerable people. And, learn how Kimberly is aiming to have courage in her own life. This episode is thoughtful, tender and inspiring.
What does it mean to surrender? In this week's episode, Kimberly and Sarah unpack the word that sounds so easy but is incredibly difficult to embrace. They share their biggest struggles to surrender, reflect on "surrender wins" (while diving into body image), and spend time to pause and reflect. This episode is full of thoughtfulness, laughter, and joy.
In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah dive into the word, "crisis." They talk about the dual nature of crisis (the breaking and the blooming), and how we show up when people we love are in crisis. Kimberly talks about "green screening" our lives and Sarah digs into places we go to avoid crisis. Finally, they end with conversations for the kids about crisis. This is a heartfelt, must-listen episode.
We are ending 2021 talking about a word we want to embrace as we move into a new year. In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah unpack the idea of peace and the common threats to our peace (like social media). They give practical advice for mining the past year to develop clarity and hopefully, peace!
The idea of tribe is embedded in us as humans; we are people made for social connection. Who makes up your tribe? And, what actions are you taking to expand your tribe to center your own personal growth? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah talk about their tribes and the incredible music they make. They discuss how to make friends as adults and how to make edits, too.
In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah talk all about generosity. What does it mean to be a generous person? How do we receive generosity? And, they did into the idea of cultivating the beauty you want to see in the world through word and actions. This is a must listen for anyone wanting to pursue meaning in the midst of consumerism and societal pressure.
We are BACK with a brand new SFD episode. After a long and much-needed hiatus from recording conversations, Kimberly and Sarah are celebrating a very special milestone together. In this episode, they talk about the pressure around milestones, their favorite birthday gifts, and what the kids should know about keeping track of goals and reflecting on their past histories.
Grief. What is grief and how do you move through it? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah reflect on their past experiences with grief, the collective grief of 2020, and what it means to show up for people who are grieving. This conversation is raw and heartfelt. It ends with ideas for talking to kids about grief and being better at grieving and allowing for healing to happen.
What is justice? Is the justice system really a justice system? And, when we work on creating a more just society, where can we start? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah discuss their thoughts on justice, the role of grace and restoration, and their personal experiences with unjust treatment. They share some ideas for creating more just spaces and doing the inner work needed to move forward.
What do you think of when you hear the word "pleasure"? What are the things that bring you pleasure? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah dive into this topic and alllll of the things that go with it. From the simple pleasures of childhood to pursuing pleasure as an adult and re-calibrating their view of their bodies, they break down common thoughts around pleasure and how they're trying to embrace a pleasure-filled life.
In this final episode of Season 1, Kimberly and Sarah sit down to answer listeners' questions and reflect on the first season. They talk about their biggest takeaways, moments of learning, and favorite guests! And, listen for a sneak peek of what is to come in season 2. You won't want to miss it!
What does it mean to be a teacher? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah talk all about the art of teaching and how their separate journeys brought them to the classroom. They describe the wins, fails, and laughs that characterized their first few years as educators and what they think makes a teacher truly effective. Listen as they share their takeaways for the kids and all those listening in and thinking about the place and power of this profession.
In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah sit down with Dom Miller, chief of staff for Philadelphia Councilman Isaiah Thomas. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dom believes that government can truly be for the people and of the people. She shares her thoughts on progress in Philly and what it's like to run a staff of folks that come from a variety of backgrounds. You can find out more about Dom and the incredible work she is doing via Instagram @_dommiller.
In light of the events of recent weeks, Kimberly and Sarah tackle the idea of "America" and what it means to be American right now. They unpack leadership, reconciliation, and what it means to speak up when it feels uncomfortable to do so (Kimberly even coaches Sarah through saying what she really feels). In the end, they reflect on what we need to tell the kids about America and the responsibility of privilege.
In this installment of "Meet the Disrupter," Kimberly and Sarah sit down with Rebecca Aronow. Rebecca is the person behind "House Cat Presents," the inclusive and forward-thinking event promotion and production company. House Cat "aims to curate comfortable, safe, accessible events centered around community care and abolition." In this episode, they discuss Rebecca's path to starting their largest event series, "the Feminist Flea Market and Craft Fair," and the ways they are trying to disrupt the event promotion space. You can find out more about Rebecca's work at www.housecatpresents.com and www.feministflea.com.
In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah unpack what it means to "start" something-- a passion project, a personal goal, a way of being. They delve into challenging others' expectations, connecting with community, and how incremental steps can lead to something big. Grab a cup of tea and a notebook and reflect on the year behind as you plan for all the things you want to start in 2021.
Rest: to cease work or movement to recover... What does it mean to rest? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah discuss the importance of rest and tangible ways they are trying to pursue rest during the winter break and as we approach a new year. Both Kimberly and Sarah struggle to press pause but recognize the importance of play, hobbies, and yes, even some trashy television.
In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah sit down with Jean-Jacques (@heyjeanjacques) to talk about the ways he is bringing equity and access to his yoga community. As both practitioner and teacher, Jean-Jacques has spent years learning the practice of yoga and bringing it to people of all ages and abilities. This beautiful conversation centers on the notions of space, peace within our bodies, and inclusivity within the yoga industry. You can catch up with Jean-Jacques and his work at http://www.jeanjacquesgabriel.com/.
How do we define failure? How can past failures shape our future? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah dig into the word that makes many of us cringe. In the end, they discover that failure is what you make of it and that comparison might be the key to unlocking the things we’re striving for.
In our second installment of “meet the disrupter,” we sat down with Drew Alexander Forde (aka @thatviolakid) to talk about life as a classically trained violist. Drew is pushing boundaries as an entrepreneur, conscientious content creator, and incredibly gifted musician. Listen in to learn more about what makes this viola kid so special and what he would tell the kids about disruption.
When we talk about success, what are our metrics? And, can we be successful in one area but struggle in another? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah breakdown the idea of success--in parenting, in running a business, and in life. The show ends with the ever-important, "What do we tell the kids about success?"
In the inaugural episode of “Meet the Disrupter,” Sarah and Kimberly sit down with Tess Hart from Triple Bottom Brewing in Philadephia, PA. They discuss what it means to be a disrupter in the brewery space and how Tess’ childhood experiences propelled her towards issues of justice and equity.
What does it mean to strategize? In business? In life? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah dig into strategy: how to say no, how to plan for the future, and what to tell the kids.
What does it mean to endure? What's required for endurance? In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah unpack endurance during what feels like a hard time- politically, socially, and personally. They share their perspectives on endurance and what is needed for long-term wellness and hope for the future.
Let's get right down to it: Who gets to decide how we identify? Our parents? Our partners? Well hopefully, not forever. In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah tackle "identity" and some of the baggage that comes with nailing down a fixed identity (or choosing one that changes). They talk about faith, families, and the never-ending quest to evolve.
In this episode, Kimberly and Sarah define the word "disruption" and what it means in different places and spaces. They tackle race, parenting, identity, and more. The episode ends with "what do we tell the kids?", a segment on distilling hard topics and sharing them with young folks.