unfiltered EDU

Bold Women EDU
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Unfiltered EDU is the podcast for women shaping the future of education — bringing candid conversations about leadership, career growth, education, and the issues impacting our industry. We bring together women from across the education ecosystem — educators, district leaders, architects and designers, manufacturers, industry leaders, consultants, and changemakers — to share real experiences, fresh perspectives, and insights you can actually use. We talk about what’s working, what needs to change, the lessons we’ve learned along the way, and what’s next. No scripts. No filters. Just honest

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    I Was Meant for This with Dr. Keri Johnson

    What if the career you never planned for becomes exactly where you're meant to be? Dr. Keri Johnson, Superintendent of Pelham City Schools in Alabama, joins host Jolene Levin for an honest conversation about unexpected career paths, the people who see our potential, and what it really means to lead. Keri was headed toward a career in architecture when a last-minute decision changed everything. That decision led her into education, where she went from special education teacher to school administrator to superintendent—a role she never imagined pursuing. Throughout her journey, it was often someone else who saw the next opportunity before she did. Those moments helped build the confidence to take chances, embrace new challenges, and grow into the leader she is today. In this episode, we talk about: Finding your path when life takes an unexpected turnRecognizing opportunities you might not see in yourselfThe people who encourage us to take the next stepBalancing motherhood and leadershipBuilding strong teams and celebrating their successWhy women supporting women makes everyone strongerKeri's message? “I was meant for this.” And sometimes, the best leaders are the ones who never set out to be in charge. No scripts. No filters. Just honest conversations with women who lead, challenge expectations, and make a difference in education and beyond. Unfiltered EDU is presented by Bold Women EDU — Where Conversations Lead. Learn more at bwedu.org.

    I Was Meant for This with Dr. Keri Johnson

  2. Oct 26

    Put Your Crown On with Darlene Akers

    What if believing you belong could change everything? In this episode of Unfiltered EDU, Jolene Levin sits down with Darlene Akers, Founder & CEO of Akers Business Solutions, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, breaking barriers, and the power of women supporting women. From earning college scholarships through pageants to building her own business in a male-dominated industry, Darlene shares the challenges, unexpected opportunities, and incredible women who helped shape her journey. In this episode: Creating your own path and believing in what's possibleBreaking barriers and challenging expectationsFinding the confidence to claim your seat at the tableThe power of mentorship and women lifting womenStaying the course when things get toughThe takeaway? Sometimes all it takes is one woman believing in another to change everything. And as Darlene reminds us, “Put your crown on and walk into a room as you belong there.” No scripts. No filters. Just honest conversations about the experiences, relationships, and choices that shape who we become. Unfiltered EDU is presented by Bold Women EDU — Where Conversations Lead. Join the conversation at bwedu.org.

    Put Your Crown On with Darlene Akers

  3. Oct 20

    The Power of a Pivot with Emily McGinnis

    What if the career you've built could open doors you never imagined? In this episode of Unfiltered EDU, Jolene Levin sits down with Emily McGinnis, National K–12 Manager at KI, for an honest conversation about career pivots, recognizing your value, and finding the courage to embrace what's next. From classroom teacher to school principal to a national role in the education industry, Emily shares how she discovered that the skills she built throughout her career could create opportunities she never imagined. In this episode: Knowing when it's time for a changeRecognizing the power of transferable skillsFinding purpose in unexpected placesThe importance of mentorship and women supporting womenBelieving in yourself when the next step feels uncertainThe takeaway? Your experience isn't just where you've been. It's what makes what's next possible. And as Emily reminds herself every day: You can do hard things. No scripts. No filters. Just honest conversations about the experiences, relationships, and choices that shape who we become. Unfiltered EDU is presented by Bold Women EDU — Where Conversations Lead. Join the conversation at bwedu.org.

    The Power of a Pivot with Emily McGinnis

  4. Oct 13

    Finding Your Fearlessness with Dr. Miatheresa Pate

    What if being fearless isn't about having no fear, but learning how to move forward despite it? In this episode of Unfiltered EDU, host Jolene Levin sits down with Dr. Miatheresa Pate, Founder & CEO of ETAPS, for an honest conversation about leadership, resilience, mentorship, and finding the courage to pursue what's possible. From growing up in Brooklyn to becoming an education leader and entrepreneur, Mia shares how education, family, and mentorship shaped her journey. She also challenges traditional expectations of women in leadership and explains why embracing fear, rather than avoiding it, can make us stronger, more intentional leaders. In this episode: Finding your fearlessness and moving forward despite uncertaintyChallenging expectations of women in leadershipThe power of education, mentorship, and opportunityBalancing leadership, motherhood, and personal ambitionBuilding confidence through discomfort and resilienceCreating spaces where women can grow, lead, and lift othersAs Mia reminds us, “Fearlessness doesn't mean that you can't be afraid.” A conversation about owning who you are, recognizing what's possible, and choosing to lead — even when fear is part of the journey. No scripts. No filters. Just honest conversations about the experiences, relationships, and choices that shape who we become. Unfiltered EDU is presented by Bold Women EDU — Where Conversations Lead. Join the conversation at bwEDU.org.

    Finding Your Fearlessness with Dr. Miatheresa Pate

  5. Oct 7

    You Were Born For This with Christine Feenstra

    What if the qualities you question most about yourself are actually your greatest leadership strengths? In this episode of Unfiltered EDU, host Jolene Levin sits down with Christine Feenstra, Executive Director of CALIE, for an honest conversation about leadership, vulnerability, confidence, and the power of community. Christine shares her unexpected journey into education leadership, the lessons she's learned along the way, and why strong leadership doesn't mean having all the answers. In this episode: Redefining what leadership really looks likeEmbracing vulnerability instead of hiding itFinding confidence outside your comfort zoneBuilding communities that support and empower othersRecognizing the strengths that make you uniquely youGiving yourself permission to lead authenticallyNo scripts. No filters. Just honest conversations about the experiences, relationships, and choices that shape who we become. Unfiltered EDU is presented by Bold Women EDU — Where Conversations Lead. Join the conversation at bwEDU.org.

    You Were Born For This with Christine Feenstra

  6. Sep 29

    Don’t Tone It Down with Jennifer Womble

    What happens when you stop trying to fit the mold and start trusting what makes you you? In the first episode of Unfiltered EDU, Jolene Levin sits down with Jennifer Womble, Chair of FETC, for an honest conversation about women in leadership, career pivots, confidence, networking and staying true to your values. Jennifer shares her unexpected journey from law school to the classroom to national education leadership — including the moments she was told to tone down her enthusiasm and passion. They talk about: Building relationships that open doorsNavigating career pivotsLeading with curiosity and positive intentFinding confidence through communityHaving the courage to try something newWhy women shouldn’t have to “tone it down”Your career doesn’t have to follow a straight line. And you don’t have to become less of yourself to lead. Listen to the first episode of Unfiltered EDU, a podcast by Bold Women EDU.

    Don’t Tone It Down with Jennifer Womble

  7. Sep 9

    Unfiltered 5 with Amy Dujon: Leadership, Connection + Showing Up

    Five questions. Five minutes. No filter. Amy Dujon joins us for an Unfiltered Five conversation about leadership, connection, and what it means to show up authentically in education. It’s quick. It’s candid. And it’s a reminder that some of the best conversations happen when we skip the script. Unfiltered EDU is a Bold Women EDU podcast — where real conversations move education forward. Lead the conversation.

    Unfiltered 5 with Amy Dujon: Leadership, Connection + Showing Up
  • 7 Episodes

About

Unfiltered EDU is the podcast for women shaping the future of education — bringing candid conversations about leadership, career growth, education, and the issues impacting our industry. We bring together women from across the education ecosystem — educators, district leaders, architects and designers, manufacturers, industry leaders, consultants, and changemakers — to share real experiences, fresh perspectives, and insights you can actually use. We talk about what’s working, what needs to change, the lessons we’ve learned along the way, and what’s next. No scripts. No filters. Just honest

Information

  • Creator
    Bold Women EDU
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bold Women EDU
  • Show Website
    unfiltered EDU