About the Show
WestEd’s experts, along with leading scholars and practitioners in the fields of education and human development, discuss ways to help every learner to thrive in school, career, and life—from educator well-being and racial disparities to evidence-based approaches to research, evaluation, professional learning, and technical assistance.
In each episode, host Danny Torres welcomes WestEd’s leading and emerging voices to discuss the most pressing and enduring issues in education and health and human development.
Drawing from evidence, research, and extensive experience, guests offer innovative and actionable strategies for ensuring success for every learner.
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Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 14: Early Signs of Distress: Identifying and Implementing Systemic Improvements—A Conversation With Aimee Evan, John Carwell, and David Frank
Discover the Indicators of Distress and learn how two state education agencies collaborated with WestEd to identify necessary improvements and implement processes that led to lasting success.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 13: Preventing Gun Violence in the United States—A Conversation With Lori Toscano, Shaun Ali, and Kerwin Henderson
In this Leading Voices podcast episode, host Danny Torres speaks with WestEd's Justice and Prevention team about the Violence Prevention Navigation Framework.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 12: Cultivating Belonging, Inclusive Spaces, and Reflective Practices—A Conversation With Monica Mathur-Kalluri
In this episode of the Leading Voices podcast, host Grace Westermann talks with Monica Mathur-Kalluri, Project Director within WestEd’s Early Childhood Intervention, Mental Health, and Inclusion team, about the challenges in the early childhood field and ways to improve the field for early childhood practitioners, specifically for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) practitioners.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 11: The Critical Role of Early Intervention—A Conversation With Angela McGuire
WestEd's early intervention expert Angela McGuire discusses the critical role of early intervention in improving outcomes for young children with disabilities.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 10: Accelerating Literacy Learning With Reading Apprenticeship—A Conversation With Linda Friedrich and Cynthia Greenleaf
Host Marley Arechiga talks with WestEd's Linda Friedrich, Director of Literacy, and Cynthia Greenleaf, Senior Research Scientist in Literacy. They discuss what Reading Apprenticeship research shows about developing academic literacy and what has changed since the 1990s and the pandemic.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 9: Helping State Agencies Build and Modernize Integrated Data Systems—A Conversation With Baron Rodriguez and Sean Cottrell
Host Danny Torres talks with Baron Rodriguez and Sean Cottrell of WestEd’s Data Integration Support Center (DISC) about the Center’s services and why integrating data systems helps state leaders and policymakers address the needs of the whole person and community.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 8: How States Can Attract and Sustain Teachers—A Conversation with Caitlin Beatson and Kate Wright
In this episode, host Marley Arechiga talks with Caitlin Beatson, Deputy Director of the Region 2 Comprehensive Center at WestEd, and Kate Wright, Director of the Region 15 Comprehensive Center, about building a robust educator workforce.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 7: Building on a Solid Foundation—A Conversation with WestEd’s New CEO Jannelle Kubinec and Former CEO Glen Harvey
Danny Torres talks with WestEd’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jannelle Kubinec, and former CEO Glen Harvey, who stepped down in 2023 after 26 years at the helm.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 6: Advancing Evidence-Based Practices in the REL West and Northwest Regions—A Conversation with Katie Drummond and John Rice
In this episode, Danny Torres talks with two Regional Educational Laboratory Directors about the effects of the pandemic, accelerating learning, and ongoing projects designed to improve outcomes for students.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 5: How Students Can Help Shape School Climate Policy and Practice—A Conversation with Rebeca Cerna and Julian Berkowitz-Sklar
In this episode, Danny Torres (host) and Grace Westermann (co-host), talk with Rebeca Cerna, Director for the California Center for School Climate (CCSC), and special guest, Julian Berkowitz-Sklar, a graduating senior at Saratoga High School in California and member of the Center's Youth Advisory Team.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 4: The REMIQS Project and State School Accountability Systems—A Conversation with Dr. Raifu Durodoye
In this episode, host Danny Torres and Dr. Raifu Durodoye, Senior Research Associate at WestEd, discuss the REMIQS project, a multi-state, mixed-methods investigation designed to explore how we can best serve our most vulnerable learners. Their conversation focuses on expanding measures of school quality and reframing (remixing) accountability systems in ways that can support all learners.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 3: Sustaining Education Leaders of Color—A Conversation with Dr. Erin Browder
In this episode, host Danny Torres and Dr. Erin Browder, Senior Program Associate at WestEd, discuss the pressing and enduring needs of leaders of color and the work the education community must do to address the systemic inequities that threaten leaders’ health and well-being.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 2: Amplifying Student Agency with Formative Assessment
In this episode, we hear from Nancy Gerzon, Franchesca Warren, and Cali Kaminsky, all experts with WestEd’s Formative Insights. Formative Insights works with schools and districts to amplify student agency and identity through formative assessment policies and practices.
Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 1: Adult Well-Being and Creating a Culture of Care
In this episode, Dr. Christina Pate, Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety, and host Danny Torres share a rich discussion about the importance of educator self-care for improved well-being and better student outcomes.
Production Team
Danny Torres
Host and Associate Director, Events & Digital Media
Tanicia Bell
Senior Content Manager
Sanjay Pardanani
Audio Producer
Grace Westermann
Cohost, Senior Specialist, Strategic Communications and Visibility
Marley Arechiga
Cohost, Senior Specialist, Strategic Communications and Visibility
Additional Podcasts
Our podcasts feature WestEd's leading voices, skilled practitioners, and expert researchers in a variety of fields sharing their experiences and expertise on the most pressing issues in education and human development. Learn more at WestEd.org/podcasts.
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