In this eye-opening episode of Cold-Pressed Conversations™, we sit down with educator and consultant Kylie Elizabeth to unpack what truly shapes successful learning environments—and it’s not just curriculum.

From the hallways of public schools to the heart of charter communities, Kylie reveals how school culture, teacher wellness, and parental involvement work together to form the foundation of thriving students—and burnout-free educators.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ How school culture impacts student motivation and equity

✔️ The emotional toll of teaching—and how to prioritize educator wellness

✔️ Why engaged parents are powerful partners in academic success

✔️ The biggest mistakes schools make when it comes to hiring and leadership

✔️ How to create sustainable environments where both students and teachers can grow

💬 This episode is for you if you’re:

A school leader or principal facing staff retention challenges

A parent curious about how to better support your child’s education

A teacher feeling overwhelmed by shifting school expectations

A policymaker looking to build community-centered educational policies

🔗 Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro

03:10 – Why School Culture Matters More Than Ever

08:42 – Public vs. Charter School Dynamics

14:05 – The Link Between Teacher Wellness & Student Outcomes

19:37 – The Emotional Intelligence Gap in Education

24:18 – How Parents Can Collaborate with Educators

30:00 – Final Thoughts + Advice for Schools Moving Forward

👇🏾 Join the Conversation! What resonated with you most in this episode? Comment below—we’d love to hear how your school or community is tackling these issues.

Contact Information for Kyle Elizabeth:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thevirtuosoeducator/

linktr.ee/thevirtuosoeducator

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💎 How to connect with Dr. Jewel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjwhitewilliams/

Are we just learning, or are we transforming?

🌱 In this powerful episode, we explore Embracing Transformative Learning through the lens of The Project—a groundbreaking approach that blends spiritual growth, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility into one unforgettable journey.

👉 If you’re an educator, learner, or lifelong thinker searching for deeper meaning in education, this episode is for you.

🧠 What you'll learn:

• How spiritual growth is not just religious—it's your compass for purpose and humanity.
• Why intellectual growth thrives when paired with metacognition and reflective practice.
• The role of social responsibility in transformative education.
• How to create safe, healing learning spaces that elevate marginalized voices.

🎧 Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

02:15 – Why We Need a New Learning Model

06:45 – Spiritual vs. Intellectual Growth (and why you need both)

12:30 – The Power of Experiential Learning

19:10 – How to Build Safe Learning Spaces

25:00 – Final Reflections & Takeaways

Contact Info for Dr. Zakia Yasmin Gates:

LinkedIn:

💬 Join the discussion and comment below!

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💎 How to connect with Dr. Jewel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjwhitewilliams/

📌 Are you leading with confidence—or just surviving the chaos?

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Cynthia Rapaido, seasoned educational leader and mentor, to explore a refreshing take on leadership: the Fruit Leadership Chart.

Whether you’re a new assistant principal or a seasoned school leader, her insights will reshape how you approach your role, your wellness, and your legacy.

⏱️ TOP 5 MUST-WATCH MOMENTS

00:02:10 – 🍎 The Fruit Leadership Chart: Are you an apple, pineapple, grape, or orange?

00:05:48 – 🧠 The power of embracing your multifaceted identity as a leader

00:08:12 – ❤️ Social wellness and setting boundaries as an educational leader

00:11:30 – 🗣️ How to build trust through clear and adaptive communication

00:14:45 – 🌱 Leadership coaching: Helping others clear credentials and grow

🔥 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• A fresh framework for identifying your leadership style
• Why understanding your identity improves your leadership impact
• How to balance professional roles with personal well-being
• Tools for coaching and mentoring aspiring principals Real tips for improving trust, communication, and team morale

👥 WHO THIS IS FOR:

• School leaders, administrators, and aspiring principals
• Educators seeking to step into leadership roles Professionals exploring identity-based leadership
• Anyone who wants to lead with more authenticity and wellness

Contact Information for Dr. Cynthia Rapaido:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-rapaido-ed-d-7455b67/

💬 Join the discussion and comment below!

👍 Like if you support educators and value their voices.

🔔 Subscribe for more insights on education and learning.

💎 How to connect with Dr. Jewel:

Wellness Website: https://jwhitewilliams.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjwhitewilliams/

Join the newsletter: https://blacktie-legacy.ck.page/315fc563c4

Transforming Lives Through Reading: A Mentor's Inspiring Story

How do educators prioritize wellness while carrying the weight of others’ growth? Find out in this heart-opening conversation with Ms.China Pedescleaux Rivers—educator, mentor, and wellness advocate—who shares her real-world wisdom on intellectual, emotional, and financial well-being. Whether you're an educator, school leader, or a lifelong learner, this episode is for you.

🧠 Topics We Cover

✨ Intellectual wellness through the power of books and storytelling

💬 Emotional growth after personal loss

💰 Financial wellness as a form of freedom

🤝 Legacy-building through community service

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Why Educator Wellness Matters

02:35 – Books That Shaped a Life: Maya Angelou, Michelle Obama & More

06:40 – Emotional Wellness & Grief: A Personal Story

10:50 – Financial Wellness & Career Transitions

14:05 – Giving Back: Community Work Inspired by Her Mother

18:30 – Final Reflections & Educator

Wellness Tips Mentioned in this episode:

Maya Angelou’s Letter to My Daughter

Michelle Obama’s Becoming Why Watch?

Educators are the heartbeat of every community—but too often, their own well-being is overlooked. Ms. Pedescleaux Rivers's story reminds us that self-care is not selfish—it's strategic.

💬 Join the discussion and comment below!
👍 Like if you support educators and value their voices.

🔔 Subscribe for more insights on education and learning.

💎 How to connect with Dr. Jewel:

Wellness Website: https://jwhitewilliams.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjwhitewilliams/

Join the newsletter: https://blacktie-legacy.ck.page/315fc563c4

Is college still the golden ticket—or is it quietly draining Black women’s futures? In this powerful, truth-telling episode, Dr. Jewel Williams sits down with Dr. Yahaira G. Hall, higher ed leader and researcher, to unpack the financial and emotional toll of student debt on Black female graduates. From career misalignment to generational silence around money, this is the real talk we all needed in high school.

Real conversations. Real wellness. Real numbers.

TIME-STAMPED SECTIONS

0:00 – Introduction

1:25 – Why Financial Literacy Must Start Early

4:10 – The Truth About Student Debt

6:38 – Setting Financial Goals Before You Enroll

9:15 – Career Planning vs. Paying Bills

12:02 – The Emotional Toll of Debt

14:20 – Family Conversations That Can Change Everything

16:45 – Final Thoughts + Action Steps

KEY INSIGHTS YOU'LL LEARN:

The financial trap of over-borrowing for college

How student loans impact Black women’s long-term wealth

Critical money questions to ask before taking on debt

Why open financial conversations can change the game

How to plan your career with your bank account in mind It’s not just about getting a degree. It’s about building a future.

Watch this BEFORE you or your child signs that loan paperwork.

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💬 Join the discussion and comment below!

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💎 How to connect with Dr. Jewel: Wellness

Website: https://jwhitewilliams.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjwhitewilliams/

Join the newsletter: https://blacktie-legacy.ck.page/315fc563c4

In this insightful episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor, a pediatric nurse practitioner and Chief Nursing Officer at Archer Review, discusses the essential strategies for enhancing wellness in nursing. From the importance of mentorship and financial wellness to managing sleep and stress, she shares practical advice on how nurses can prioritize their well-being in a demanding profession. Whether you’re a new nurse navigating the challenges of the field or a seasoned professional seeking balance, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.

Episode Timeline:

00:00:15 – Introduction & Weather

00:01:00 – Nursing Journey

00:04:15 – Wellness Challenges

00:12:12 – Mentorship Program

00:17:22 – Preventing Burnout

Featured Guest:

Dr. Morgan Taylor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-clark-taylor

💬 Join the discussion and comment below!

👍 Like if you support educators and value their voices.

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💎 How to connect with Dr. Jewel: Wellness

Website: https://jwhitewilliams.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjwhitewilliams/

Join the newsletter: https://blacktie-legacy.ck.page/315fc563c4

How can educators and schools create a culture of wellness that actually works? Today’s guest, Principal Withers Jackson, shares his journey of prioritizing health in schools and how small changes lead to lasting impact.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• How a simple walking challenge sparked school-wide wellness
• The power of community support (including a Peloton donation!)
• Fun ways to motivate students and teachers to stay active
• Why personal wellness is key for educators

⏳ Timestamps:

1. 1:47 Intro of Withers Jackson, background, and role.

2. 9:29 Importance of time management and personal joy.

3. 10:20 Weight loss challenge for teachers and students.

4. 15:06 Walking initiative for staff health.

5. 17:23 Community support and mentor acknowledgments.

🎯 Why Watch?
This episode is packed with practical strategies you can apply today to improve wellness in your school or workplace. Don’t miss it!

📢 Listen now & start your wellness journey!

In this episode, educator Kimberly A. Branch, a veteran educator, shares insights on the importance of educator wellness, student engagement, and intellectual wellness in the classroom. The conversation highlights educational strategies that support diverse learning styles and emphasizes the importance of bringing fun back into education to create a positive and effective learning space.

❓What’s one way you create an engaging learning environment in your classroom? Share your thoughts in the comments👇🏾

This video is NOT sponsored.

Timecodes:

00:01:05 - Educator Wellness

00:06:26 - Student Engagement

00:10:55 - Dyslexia Support

00:12:01 Testing Pressure

00:14:10 Intellectual Wellness

00:15:33 Classroom Transformation

💬 Join the discussion and comment below!

👍 Like if you support educators and value their voices.

🔔 Subscribe for more insights on education and learning.

Wellness Website: https://jwhitewilliams.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjwhitewilliams/

Join the newsletter: https://blacktie-legacy.ck.page/315fc563c4