What if the problem isn’t leadership… but the system around it?

As we close out Women’s History Month, we’re proud to spotlight a conversation that speaks directly to the realities, challenges, and strength of women in leadership.

In this powerful episode of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast, host Dr. Sito Narcisse sits down with Dr. Catherine Barnes, President of Sudden Impact Solutions LLC and author of “Sister, Why You Hate Me? Ending the Cycle of Sister to Sister Destruction,” to unpack the real, unspoken challenges women face in leadership.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level motivation and dives into the deeper realities:

Women are asked to lead… then criticized when they do

High performers are elevated… then targeted

Success can cost you your identity

Leadership systems rely on policies—but ignore people

Many of us are carrying beliefs we learned from good people… that no longer serve us

And too often, leaders would rather double down than admit they were wrong

Dr. Barnes shares how these patterns didn’t start today—they’ve been conditioned over time. From the idea that there’s “only room for one,” to the lack of support among women in leadership spaces, these cycles continue to repeat… unless we choose to break them.

Her work focuses on helping organizations, leaders, and communities heal, grow, and create healthier relationships—especially among women navigating leadership, identity, and connection.

This episode explores:

The hidden pressure and targeting of women leaders

The myth of “only one seat at the top”

Losing yourself in your title and reclaiming your identity

Why policies don’t solve people problems

The importance of intentional leadership

How unlearning is just as powerful as learning

Why accountability builds trust—and ego destroys it

Featuring insights from:

Dr. Catherine Barnes

President of Sudden Impact Solutions LLC

Author of “Sister, Why You Hate Me? Ending the Cycle of Sister to Sister Destruction”

Order her book: https://book.sisolutionstoday.org/

About the Podcast

The Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast challenges traditional thinking in leadership, education, and personal growth—creating space for honest conversations that push transformation.

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What does it really take to lead, fail, and create lasting change in education?

On this powerful episode of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast, Host Dr. Sito Narcisse and Guest co-host Tatiana Echevarria sit down with education leader and former superintendent Joshua Starr to unpack the real truths behind leadership, system change, and success.

From teaching in Brooklyn classrooms with the most vulnerable students to leading large school systems, Joshua Starr shares the moments that reshaped his thinking—and ultimately defined his leadership journey.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

• Why failure is required for greatness and every successful leader has faced it

• The critical difference between being “nice” vs being truly kind in leadership

• Why education challenges aren’t about kids—but about adult decisions

• How chasing trends, politics, and pressure is hurting school systems

• Why the best leaders stay focused, steady, and disciplined

• The career advice that changed everything:

“Don’t chase the job. Chase the change.”

Joshua Starr also breaks down how real leadership requires courage—the courage to confront data, make tough decisions, and stay committed to what works even when the system pushes you in another direction.

This is more than a conversation about education.

It’s a masterclass in leadership, purpose, and impact.

If you’re an educator, leader, policymaker, or someone striving to make a difference—this episode will challenge how you think about success.

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What does it really take to fix education in America?

In this powerful episode of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast, host Dr. Sito Narcisse sits down with former New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza for an honest conversation about leadership, equity, and the future of public education.

Carranza has led some of the largest and most complex school systems in the United States, including:

• New York City Department of Education — the largest school district in America with 1.1 million students

• Houston Independent School District

• San Francisco Unified School District

In this conversation, Carranza breaks down what education leaders must unlearn in order to transform public schools and ensure every student receives a high-quality educational experience, regardless of their ZIP code.

The discussion explores some of the most pressing issues facing public education today, including:

• why education systems struggle to deliver equity

• how leadership decisions impact millions of students

• the challenge of providing the same high-quality education across rural, suburban, and urban districts

• the stark contrast between the cost of educating students and the cost society pays when systems fail them

From rural communities to the largest urban school systems like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, education leaders face the same mission: ensure every student supported by public tax dollars has access to opportunity.

This episode challenges educators, policymakers, and leaders to rethink how we build school systems that truly serve every child.

If you care about education reform, leadership, and the future of public schools, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

🎙 Host: Dr. Sito Narcisse

🎙 Guest: Richard Carranza

Former Chancellor — NYC Department of Education

CEO — Carranza Educational Consulting

Chief of Strategy & Global Development — IXL Learning

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As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we are honored to release this episode on International Women’s Day to recognize the leadership and impact of Dr. A. Katrise Perera — a leader opening doors for the next generation of women in education.

What does it truly mean to lead when the spaces were never built for you?

In this powerful episode of the Unlearned and Unlimited Podcast, host Dr. Sito Narcisse sits down with Dr. A. Katrise Perera — Superintendent of Lancaster ISD and founder of the national organization SisterSupes — for a conversation that covers legacy, representation, wraparound services, and the fight for justice in education.

Dr. Perera opens up about the moment she became the first African American superintendent in her district and the words her father spoke that changed everything:

"Don't worry about being the first. Worry about not being the last."

She breaks down what 100% really means in Lancaster ISD — not a statistic, but a commitment to knowing every single student by name, by strength, and by need. From opening a community grocery store to launching a school clinic, Lancaster ISD is redefining what it means to truly serve kids and families through real wraparound services and community partnerships.

Dr. Perera also shares the story behind SisterSupes — the organization she founded to support BIPOC female superintendents leading in spaces that were never designed for them. What started as a need for mentorship and community has grown into a national network of nearly 150 women leaders across the country.

And in a moment that hits home for anyone feeling the weight of injustice, Dr. Perera delivers a message of resilience for historically marginalized communities:

"Don't throw up your hands." Knowledge starts in the classroom. Power lives in "We the People." And persistence? Persistence is a form of resistance.

This episode is for every educator, leader, parent, and change-maker who refuses to give up on the next generation.

🎙️ Host: Dr. Sito Narcisse

🎧 Guest: Dr. A. Katrise Perera | Superintendent, Lancaster ISD | Founder, SisterSupes

📌 Subscribe for weekly conversations on education, faith, equity & leadership.

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What would you do with a blank check to rebuild the national school system?

In this powerful full-length episode of the Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast, host Dr. Sito Narcisse sits down with Dr. Roderick Sams, Chief Development Officer at CENTEGIX, to unpack the future of education without the noise.

They tackle the real questions shaping schools today:

• What are the 3 non-negotiables every national school system must prioritize?

• Why safe and orderly learning environments come first

• The urgency of clear reading and math proficiency standards

• Preparing every child for life after high school

• The reality of AI changing human capital across industries

• Why education won’t escape automation

• The national teacher shortage crisis

• And why, no matter what technology advances, human-to-human connection in education remains irreplaceable

This conversation isn’t about hype.

It’s about leadership, policy, and building a system that works for students, teachers, and communities.

AI may assist. Systems may evolve.

But schools are still powered by people.

If you care about education reform, K-12 leadership, school safety, or the future of teaching, this episode is a must-watch.

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What happens when technology evolves faster than leadership?

In this powerful episode of Unlearned & Unlimited, hosted by Dr. Sito Narcisse and Tatiana Echevarria, Dr. Donald E. Fennoy II shares one of his biggest fears:

That communities experiencing high levels of poverty and communities of color may not be understanding the life-changing impact of artificial intelligence quickly enough.

And even more concerning… are the people writing the laws prepared to regulate it?

Dr. Fennoy speaks candidly about generational leadership gaps, the pace of AI innovation, and whether policymakers truly understand the tools shaping our future. With AI already transforming education, workforce pathways, and economic mobility, the stakes are too high for delay.

This perspective comes from someone who has led at the highest levels of education in America.

Dr. Fennoy served as Superintendent of The School District of Palm Beach County, the 10th largest school district in the nation, educating more than 193,000 students and overseeing 23,000 employees. During his tenure, he successfully managed $1.3 billion in tax referendum initiatives, improved operational systems across nine departments, and led the district through Hurricanes Matthew and Irma.

Before Palm Beach County, he served as Senior Area Superintendent in Fulton County Schools, leading 28 schools to significant academic and operational gains. He also served as Executive Director for New Leaders for New Schools in Maryland and previously led a nationally recognized high school turnaround in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, earning the National School Change Award.

Today, Dr. Fennoy continues to influence national education leadership as Chief in Residence with Chiefs for Change, Operating Partner with The Vistria Group, and Superintendent in Residence for BookNook, focused on expanding equitable access to rigorous instruction through technology. He is a Broad Academy Fellow and earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. He is also a proud Florida A&M University alumnus, recognized among the institution’s 125 most notable alumni.

This conversation is not about politics.

It is about preparedness.

It is about equity.

It is about who gets left behind in the AI revolution.

If artificial intelligence is reshaping the world, our communities must be equipped to lead, not react.

This is Unlearned & Unlimited.

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What if leadership came with a different set of rules depending on who you are?

Recorded live at the MCEL (Men of Color in Educational Leadership) 2025 National Convening, Dr. Sito Narcisse and Tatiana Echevarria sit down with Harrison Peters, CEO & Co-Founder of MCEL, to unpack the unspoken survival framework leaders of color navigate every day.

This isn’t just about code switching.

It’s about equilibrium.

It’s about perception.

It’s about mastering competencies at a level where the margin for error disappears.

In this powerful conversation, they discuss:

• Why leaders of color can’t “slam the door” the way others can

• The emotional double standards in leadership spaces

• The pressure to be twice as good just to be considered equal

• The historical roots of survival frameworks, including the Green Book

• How identity, resilience, and intentional leadership shape educational outcomes

• Why this work is bigger than individuals and about legacy

Harrison Peters brings over two decades of experience in education leadership, from classroom teacher to state turnaround superintendent, and now CEO of MCEL. A U.S. Navy veteran and national leader in equity-centered leadership development, he has helped secure millions in grants, increase graduation rates, and mentor the next generation of diverse leaders.

This conversation is about power.

It’s about preparation.

It’s about understanding the rules of the game while working to change them.

If you care about education, leadership, equity, and the future of our schools, this episode is essential viewing.

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In this powerful episode of Unlearned & Unlimited, Dr. Sito Narcisse and Guest co-host Tatiana Echevarria sit down with education leader Robert Runcie for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about access, expectations, and legacy.

From being an average student who once believed college was unaffordable, to being placed on an honors track that changed his trajectory, Robert shares how public education provided the information, access, and opportunity that shaped his life.

He opens up about:

• Growing up in a family that deeply valued education

• Parents with limited formal schooling who believed in opportunity

• Not understanding what “Ivy League” meant

• Choosing college based on affordability and financial aid

• Why transparency around FAFSA and ROI matters

• The difference between equity in outcome and equity in opportunity

• Treating every student as if they were your own child

• Giving back through leadership in public education

This conversation is about more than school systems. It’s about belief systems. It’s about expectations. And it’s about building pathways that allow every child the chance to succeed.

Opportunity changes everything.

If you care about public education, leadership, economic mobility, and creating opportunity for the next generation — this episode is for you.

🎙️ Unlearned & Unlimited Podcast

Hosted by Dr. Sito Narcisse with Guest co-host Tatiana Echevarria

Guest: Robert Runcie (CEO of Chiefs for Change)

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