On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Adrian (@adrian_rollins - twitter // @adrian.rollins - instagram) reflect on Adrian's dual-career life; first as a professional cricketer and then as a highly regarded leader in education. Adrian's familial links to both sports and education give a good window into understanding how he entered both professions and how he has used his identity to push the narrative about expectations and realities wider than sometimes considered. This is further interrogated when looking the relationship between representations (and perceptions) of profess ..read more

On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Matthew (@callmemrmorris - twitter // @matthewrmorris - instagram) have an illuminating and reflective conversation about how identity intersects with and shapes experiences - particularly of Black men within the educational landscape. During the conversation, Matthew provides countless examples of being intentional and contemplative in making decisions, as well as working with the effects of them - In particular, thinking about how those decisions would impact the representation he would be providing for others. Similarly, we trade stor ..read more

On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Jason Bradshaw (@JBradshaw01) have a brilliant conversation about how the spectrum of Blackness expands far beyond the extremities its often given by both Black and non-Black people alike. Right from the start, we talk about Jason's love for both science and science fiction in particular. We talk about how these interests led him to study science for his undergrad degree, but that same passion for science fiction has at points been presented as a 'non-stereotypical' thing for Black men to be involved in. We talk about how reflecting on ..read more

On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Dr Melissa Wilson (@Drawn2Intellect) have a blast talking about the ways in which the work of anti-oppression is both beneficial for our immediate selves and is at the same time, bigger than us. In a different direction from other podcasts that Dr. Wilson has been on - she is a regular guest on the equally awesome 'Anti-Racist Educator Reads' podcast series - the format of EWB allowed for a more personal and reflective conversation that spans the amassed wealth of experience and knowledge to date. We have a great discussion about how we ..read more

On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Cleon (@inperspectiveuk) have an overdue redo of what would have been EWB's first conversation! Honing in on Cleon's interest in coaching and development, we talk about how early career exposure to this, (via a HR role in the police service) left him dissatisfied with the focus being on procedural compliance over personal development. The impact of this would influence his work in youth development more broadly. We consider how undertaking the role of Head of Behaviour in a Black body is a complex navigation of working within the c ..read more

On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Craig (@MrCunninghamEDU) have an intersectional conversation about their experiences in the classroom. We talk about how going into teaching for Craig was a bit of an inevitable career choice, despite the length of time he was able put it off for (according to his family) and the uncertainty of it being a welcoming space based on own school experiences. We also explore the intersection of characteristics that are more and less visible and how being both Black and gay can play out professionally and personally in educative spaces. A conv ..read more

On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Karl (@actionheroteacher) have a wide ranging conversation about education. We talk Karl's reflections that led him to write his book Action Hero Teacher - the angle of which was intentionally written for teachers, 'in a friendly voice that would give them practical, no BS help that would make the difference in their teaching career'. Click here to check out more of about Karl's reflection of that book two years on. We engage in a conversation about the history and utility of education; the unhelpful flattening of racial groups termed as ..read more

On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Manny (@Mannyawo) have an EXTENDED conversation about the legacy of the education system inherited by the previous generation as well as the hopes of correcting some of the harmful impacts endured throughout their own. We talk about how structural racism and discrimination are ever present in the education system and how pattern spotting - being something that all educators are trained to do - can reveal a very different sequence of events when an equity/justice lens is placed over it. We explore critical moments of our educational expe ..read more

On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Mekel (@MekelHomer) have a conversation about the identity in education and how it shapes interactions and long term experiences. We talk about the impact of being a man, working with infants - who we as a society teach to be wary of strange and unfamiliar men; the use of self to illustrate life examples of similarities and difference to showcase a variety of Black experiences, and; leaning into identity to build and maintain rapport with students in order to influence how they see themselves. We also discuss how being secure in identitie ..read more

On this episode from @ewbpod, Mahlon (@SuperMahrio) and Chantelle (IG - @Chantelle38 / ? - @_ChanRaq) have a conversation that is as much a journey of self reflection as it is one that is a reflection of working within the education system at various levels. We talk about reflections of working with students throughout their educational career, including encouraging young boys to cry as a means of expression, (as opposed to suppressing it and then sanctioning other associated expressions) and how the experience of simply trying to get through university as a BAME student can cause one not take ..read more