Colorful Conversations

Episode 12 Beto O'Rourke

Episode 4 - Cimaje Best

A colorful conversation with Cimaje Best, Project Manager at the Op-Ed Project

Episode 3 - Jad Abumrad

A colorful conversation with Jad Abumrad, creator and host of the Radiolab podcast.

Episode 2 - The Original Common Grounders

A conversation with the former Wesley Prep students who started The Common Ground Experiment.

Episode 1 - Rebecca Bruff

A colorful conversation with Rebecca Bruff, the award winning author of              Trouble the Water,  a beautifully written piece of historical fiction about the life of Robert Smalls, a former slave and civil war hero.

A Colorful Conversation with Daniel Roby of Austin Street Center

Our guest on this episode is Daniel Roby, CEO of Austin Street Center, an emergency shelter in Dallas.  Have you ever wanted to learn more about how you can help those experiencing homelessness in our community?  Then this is the episode for you.  Daniel has had a deep compassion for those experiencing homelessness since he was a child.  He shares the story of how his calling grew over the years as he chats with Jack, John Mark and Joshua.  Along with their discussion on issues surrounding h...

A Colorful Conversation with Chairman Morgan Meyer

On today’s episode we are honored to have a very special guest,  Chairman Morgan Meyer.  He was nice enough to schedule a Zoom meeting with our entire class, and it was great!  Chairman Meyer is serving in his 4th term as a state representative.  He is the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for the 87th legislature regular session. He authored many bills that focus on protecting children and support financing for education.  He is a graduate of SMU and lives in University Park, and he ...

A Colorful Conversation with Mr. Beto O'Rourke

We are honored to have Mr. Beto O’Rourke on this episode! Listen in as he shares about everything from where to find the best fried pies in Texas to how he handles life's challenges. He takes the time to authentically connect with my students during our chat, and it makes them feel so special.  Mr. O'Rourke is a native of El Paso and  has served on the city council there. He continues to support his neighbors by volunteering locally in a variety of ways with his family.  Mr. O'Rourke served ...

A Colorful Conversation with Eryn Bird

This is a sweet episode because  my students had the honor of chatting with Ms. Eryn Bird.  Eryn is the amazing producer/audio engineer who edits every single episode of Colorful Conversations.  She does incredible work, she is always professional, and I have always gotten the edited episodes back in two days or less.  She is always happy to make any adjustments or revisions (which are rarely needed), and with every episode, her work becomes more and more intuitive.  If you are looking for a...

A Colorful Conversation with Sandra Godina and Michael Horne

On this episode, Dr. Michael Horne,  CEO of the Parkland Foundation and Ms. Sandra Godina,  Director of Program and Organizing for Leadership for Educational Equity, discuss their common work for equity in the areas of healthcare and education.  In addition, they share wonderful leadership strategies and stories about the importance of family and friends.  Mia, Charlie, Liam and Ava do a wonderful job sparking this colorful and important conversation!  To learn more about the Parkland Founda...

A Colorful Conversation with Daron Babcock and Trog Trogdon of Bonton Farms

We have two very special guests on this episode of Colorful Conversations, Daron Babcock and Matthew “Trog” Trogdon.  Daron is the founder and CEO of a very special place called Bonton Farms, and Trog has been his right-hand man from the beginning.  Bonton Farms is a very special place that is so much more than just a farm.  It is a beacon of hope in South Dallas.  Daron and Trog like to say they are in the business of growing people.  They have sown seeds of hope in the community by providi...

A Colorful Conversation with Michelle Kinder

I first heard Michelle Kinder speak at the Changing the Odds Conference hosted by Momentous Institiute,  the non-profit for which she was the Executive Director at the time.  She was so inspiring and engaging ,  I began to follow everything she posted.  Michelle is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Social Emotional health. She is a speaker, leader, executive coach, and a writer. As a fellow of the Op-ed project, she has articles published in several national publications such a...

A Colorful Conversation with Aelicia "Chocolate" Watson

On this episode, our guest is Aelicia Watson, better known as Chocolate to her friends. Chocolate is the Founder and Executive Director of Redeemed Women, a non-profit she created in South Dallas  with a vision of transforming women to lead independent lives by building relationships and addressing their spiritual, physical and vocational needs. Chocolate is an incredibly wise and passionate community leader.  She is an elevator and a bridge builder, and our community is better because of he...

A Colorful Conversation with Paige Chenault

This week our guest is Paige Chenault, founder of The Birthday Party Project.  Her mission is to bring joy to children experiencing homelessness through the magic of birthday parties.  Paige reminds us of the importance of slowing down, dreaming big, and leaning in to make others feel valued and loved.  Listen as Ava, Amara, Grayson and Mia chat with Paige about the things that matter most.   

A Colorful Conversation with Jerry Conatser

Mr. Jerry Conatser President of Conatser Construction Management group, chairman of t Cook Children’s Child Study Center and former Chairman of Cook Children’s Health Care System is our guest on this episode.   As he shares stories about his life, it will make you want to be a better version of yourself.  He is the epitome of what it means to live with intention. Somehow he has managed to successfully run a large construction company, give his time and resources to help many charitable cause...

A Colorful Conversation with Cimaje Best

This week our guest is Cimaje Best, Program Manager and director of fellowships for the OpEd project.  The Op Ed project is an organization  working to amplify the voices of the under-represented by empowering them to take thought leadership positions in their fields (through op-eds and much more); The Op Ed project’s goal is to provide a diversity of voices working to solve the world’s biggest problems because when we become more inclusive, we collectively become more intelligent, free, and...

A Colorful Conversation with Jad Abumrad

This is such a special episode!  My students and I were fortunate enough to have a colorful conversation with Jad Abumrad, creator and host of the incredibly popular WNYC podcast, Radiolab.  He graciously shared stories and pro-tips with us and gave us a glimpse into a day in his life as a musician,  peabody award winning journalist and all around wonderful human being. You can learn more about Jad HERE.  Check out his TED Talk HERE.  Listen to Radiolab HERE, and listen to his amazing 9 part...

The Original Common Grounders

Mrs. Cousino and some of her former students discuss the origin of The Common Ground Experiment and how each project unfolded.  These students share what they've learned through cultivating common ground in the community, and they offer advice to the current 4th graders.  Hope you enjoy! The book we created during our most recent project, HEART WORDS, is still available and would make a beautiful Christmas present for all the children on your list!  It is an alphabet book filled with inspir...

Interview with Author, Rebecca Bruff

James, Mills and Preston interview Rebecca Bruff, Author of Trouble the Water and Stars of Wonder.  They talk about life and writing and Robert Smalls, whose incredible story Mrs. Bruff told so beautifully in her first piece of historical fiction, Trouble the Water.  I hope this episode sparks your interest in Robert Smalls, a Civil War hero you may not have learned about in school, but certainly should have. Rebecca also has a new children's Christmas story coming out called Stars of Wonde...