The Your Story Matters Podcast

Dr. Renae Bryant

Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. Each week The Your Story Matters Podcast will feature a new guest sharing their "why" and stories. 

  1. Sep 13

    The Your Story Matters Podcast Episode 56: Dr. Jennifer Cheatham - Superintendent as Civic Leader

    Send us Fan Mail Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. Each week The Your Story Matters Podcast will feature a new guest sharing their "why" and stories. On this episode of The Your Story Matters Podcast, I have a  conversation with Dr. Jennifer Cheatham. Dr. Cheatham currently serves as a senior lecturer and the faculty chair of Harvard University’s Initiative on Superintendent as Civic Leader. She served in education for close to 30 years working in both public education and public education serving non-profits. She served in various roles as teacher, reform coordinator, program manager, coach, executive director of curriculum and instruction, chief of instruction of Chicago Public Schools and finally superintendent of Madison Metropolitan School District for six years before transitioning to lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Along with Christina Grant and Ross Wiener, Dr. Cheatham is the co-editor of the book, Superintendent as Civic Leader: Stewarding the Future of Public Education. I am so excited for you to get to know and learn from Dr. Jennifer Cheatham. LI: Jennifer Cheatham HGSE: Jennifer Cheathan HGSE Superintendent as Civic Leader Program applications due 10/8/26 Book: Superintendent as Civic Leader: Stewarding the Future of Public Education AASA School Administrator Magazine Sept. 2026 Issue Featuring Dr. Jennifer Cheatham's article, A New Leadership Paradigm: Superintendent as Civic Leader: Uniquely positioned to restor public trust and reimagine public schooling's next era

    The Your Story Matters Podcast Episode 56: Dr. Jennifer Cheatham - Superintendent as Civic Leader
  2. Sep 3

    The Your Story Matters Podcast Episode 55: Dr. Martin Yousef Servant Leadership

    Send us Fan Mail Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. Each week The Your Story Matters Podcast will feature a new guest sharing their "why" and stories. Today, I have a conversation with Dr. Martin Yousef. Dr. Yousef is the Associate Dean at the University of La Verne’s LaFetra College of Education. With more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, Dr. Yousef brings a unique blend of academic, operational, and human resources expertise to his work. His career spans key roles including professor, academic administrator, chief operating officer, and HR leader, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of how institutions function and thrive. Dr. Yousef has led major initiatives in academic operations, curriculum innovation, and program development, with a focus on designing high-quality, student-centered learning experiences across modalities. He is deeply committed to building and sustaining strategic partnerships, particularly with community colleges, K–12 districts, and regional organizations, to expand pathways, strengthen leadership pipelines, and advance educational equity. His research interests include online learning, generational preferences in education delivery, leadership styles, change management, and the role of HR in talent development and retention. He is also one of the co-designers of the one year old, still new Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership Program. I am so excited for you to learn about and from Dr. Martin Yousef today!  LI: Martin Yousef, Ed.D., SHRM-SCP University of La Verne Doctorate in Educational Leadership Program

    The Your Story Matters Podcast Episode 55: Dr. Martin Yousef Servant Leadership
  3. Aug 23

    The Your Story Matters Podcast Episode 54: Dr. Cynthia Rapaido Shares How to Step Up Your School Leadership Game

    Send us Fan Mail Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. Each week The Your Story Matters Podcast features a new guest sharing their "why" and stories. If you haven’t already, follow The Your Story Matters Podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you know when the episodes drop. We can also find the The Your Story Matters Podcast on YouTube at the Dr. Renae Bryant Channel, so please like and subscribe.  On this episode of The Your Story Matters Podcast I have a conversation with Dr. Cynthia Rapaido. Dr. Rapaido has over 30 years of experience in K-12 education, having served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and board member. A researcher, coach, award-winning leader, and author, Dr. Rapaido holds an Ed.D. in International and Multicultural Education and a M.A. in Educational Administration. Her dedication extends to higher education, where she has contributed as a faculty lecturer, dissertation advisor, IRB board member, university field supervisor, placement coordinator and program co-director. Her passion for teaching and mentoring is evident in her continuing role as an educator and educational leadership coach. She was commended by the ACSA and received the 2013 California Secondary Co-Administrators of the Year award. In 2014, the National Association of Secondary School Principals recognized her as a finalist for the Assistant Principal of the Year award for the State of California. She is the author of the award-winning book, How to Step Up Your School Leadership Game. I am so excited for you to get to know and learn from Dr. Cynthia Rapaido today.  LI: Dr. Cynthia Rapaido How to Step Up Your School Leadership Game  All Author Website: Dr. Cynthia Rapaido

    The Your Story Matters Podcast Episode 54: Dr. Cynthia Rapaido Shares How to Step Up Your School Leadership Game
  4. Aug 3

    The Your Story Matters Podcast Episode 51: Dr. Talisa Sullivan

    Send us Fan Mail Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. Each week The Your Story Matters Podcast will feature a new guest sharing their "why" and stories. This week I have a conversation with Dr. Talisa Sullivan. Dr. Sullivan is an instructional and transformational leader with twenty-five years of experience serving K–12 schools, county offices, and universities across Southern California. Her journey has carried her through classrooms, alternative and comprehensive schools, district and county systems, and higher education spaces in Riverside, San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties, always with a focus on students and communities who have been historically marginalized. Along the way, she has become known as a bilingual educator, equity-driven strategist, and compassionate mentor who helps schools design learning environments where every learner is seen, valued, and supported to succeed. She is the author of the Quantum 10 Framework, founder of the Q10 Conference and the Transformational Leadership Consulting Service and serves on the Mosaic Legacy Foundation Board, a non-profit started by retired Riverside County Office of Education Superintendent, Dr. Judy White. Talisa also has a new book coming out soon. I am excited for you to get to know and learn from Dr. Talisa Sullivan today. LI: Talisa Sullivan, Ph.D. FB: Dr. Talisa Sullivan IG: @dr.sulli Transformational Leadership Consulting Services

    The Your Story Matters Podcast Episode 51: Dr. Talisa Sullivan
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Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. Each week The Your Story Matters Podcast will feature a new guest sharing their "why" and stories. 

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