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What if burnout isn’t a personal failure—but a cultural one?

In this reflective episode of The Cultural Curriculum Chat™ Podcast, Jebeh Edmunds sits down with Jake Knox, author of Oak Logs & Gasoline, for a conversation many educators, leaders, and creatives didn’t realize they needed.

Jake invites us to slow down and reconsider what we’re building—and how we’re sustaining it. Using the powerful metaphor of starting fires versus tending them, this episode explores why so many capable, hardworking people feel disconnected despite doing “all the right things.” Together, Jebeh and Jake unpack how our culture rewards speed, intensity, and urgency—often at the expense of responsibility, mentorship, and long-term growth.

This conversation moves beyond hype and quick fixes to focus on foundations: the quiet work of leadership, the role of presence in mentorship, and what it means to build something that lasts when no one is watching. It’s a grounding pause for anyone feeling burned out, overextended, or unsure how to lead with more intention.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

• Why we confuse intensity with meaning—and the cost of rushing growth
• The difference between starting something and sustaining it
• How mentorship rooted in presence changes leadership and learning
• What sustainable, values-aligned growth really looks like
• Small shifts you can make to tend what matters most

Whether you’re an educator, leader, parent, or creative navigating a full and demanding life, this episode offers permission to slow down—and a reminder that meaningful work is built over time.

🎧 Listen, reflect, and share this episode with someone who might need the reminder to tend what matters.

Learn more about Jake Knox here at: oaklogsandgasoline.com

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What if the way we teach grammar is actually doing harm?

In this episode of The Cultural Curriculum Chat™ Podcast, host Jebeh Edmunds sits down with Patty McGee — author, literacy educator, and consultant — to challenge the shame-based, punitive ways grammar has been taught for generations.

Patty shares how language is deeply connected to identity, culture, and belonging, and why students from marginalized communities are often made to feel that the way they speak is “wrong” instead of valid. Together, they explore how grammar can be taught through play, curiosity, and multiple “buckets” of language rather than correction and compliance.

This conversation is essential listening for educators who want to build classrooms where students feel seen, respected, and empowered through their words.

You can find Patty’s work and teaching resources by following her on Instagram at @pmgmcgee. Patty McGee | National Literacy Consultant

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COME SAY Hey!!

Instagram: @cultrallyjebeh_

Facebook: @JebehCulturalConsulting

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LinkedIn: @Jebeh Cultural Consulting

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Buy My Book: The Orange Blossom https://a.co/d/dRgzqgB

🎉 Show your support and rock the culture!
Check out the official Cultural Curriculum Chat™ merch — from cozy beanies to statement mugs that celebrate community, curiosity, and inclusive storytelling. Grab your favorite pieces and rep the movement! ➤ https://jebehedmunds.com/merch-shop/

👉 Every purchase helps support the podcast and our mission to amplify diverse voices.

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Empathy has become one of the most overused—and misunderstood—words in leadership and inclusion spaces. Often framed as a “nice to have” or a soft interpersonal skill, empathy is frequently stripped of its complexity, discomfort, and emotional labor.

In my recent conversation with Matthias Biehl on The Cultural Curriculum Chat™ Podcast, we explored what empathy really looks like in practice—especially when people don’t share the same identities, backgrounds, or worldviews.

Matthias brings over eight years of experience working in inclusion and organizational culture, grounded not only in theory but in lived experience. He challenges the idea that empathy is easy, pointing instead to its emotional cost—and its power.

We discussed why organizations struggle to talk honestly about bias and belonging, how psychological safety is often misunderstood, and what happens when inclusion becomes performative rather than relational.

One of the most powerful takeaways?
Empathy isn’t about agreement. It’s about engagement.

In polarized workplaces and communities, the ability to stay present, curious, and accountable may be one of the most critical leadership skills we have.

If you’re ready to rethink empathy—not as softness, but as strength—this conversation is for you.

🔗 Learn more about Matthias’ work and his startup at https://pool-match.com

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COME SAY Hey!!

Instagram: @cultrallyjebeh_

Facebook: @JebehCulturalConsulting

Pinterest: @Jebeh Cultural Consulting

LinkedIn: @Jebeh Cultural Consulting

Leave a Review on our Podcast! We value your feedback!

Buy My Book: The Orange Blossom https://a.co/d/dRgzqgB

🎉 Show your support and rock the culture!
Check out the official Cultural Curriculum Chat™ merch — from cozy beanies to statement mugs that celebrate community, curiosity, and inclusive storytelling. Grab your favorite pieces and rep the movement! ➤ https://jebehedmunds.com/merch-shop/

👉 Every purchase helps support the podcast and our mission to amplify diverse voices.

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