HyphenatEdD Leader

In this week’s Voices from the Huddle interview of the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast, Dr. Rochelle Smarr connects with fellow BWEL author, Dr. Monisha Rosby. In this moving conversation, Dr. Rosby shares her transformative journey from single mother to wife to Ed.D. graduate to Associate Principal. All while building a mentorship empire and small business. She opens up about navigating spaces not originally designed for women of color in leadership, dismantling the superwoman mentality, and leading from the heart in K-12 and higher education. From obtaining her Ed.D. online at St. Thomas University to her work with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dr. Rosby reveals how she’s creating pipelines for the next generation of leaders while maintaining hard boundaries and bringing her whole self to every room. This episode is a masterclass in humble leadership, strategic mentorship, and remembering to breathe when the margins try to box you in.Learn more about Dr. Monisha Rosby and the resources she shared during her conversation in her Voices from the Huddle profile.As always, listen to prior episodes on the Substack: like, subscribe, and comment to support the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast.Thanks for reading HyphenatEdD Leader! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

Join Dr. Smarr, host, for an inspiring Voices from the Huddle episode of the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast, interview with Dr. Darby, a founding school leader based in the UAE. She reminds us that attacks often come when your brilliance shines brightest. Dr. Darby discusses the unique challenges women of color face in educational leadership, from navigating patriarchal systems to the exhausting reality of code-switching. Dr. Darby discusses the unique challenges women of color face in educational leadership, from navigating patriarchal systems to no longer code-switching.Learn more about Dr. Lacrisa Darby and the resources she shared during her conversation in her Voices from the Huddle profile.As always, listen to prior episodes on the Substack to like, subscribe, and comment to support the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

In this powerful episode, Dr. Rochelle Smarr gets real about what it’s like to lead as a Black woman—managing white male staff, leading courageously when you’re scared, and setting boundaries when your authority is questioned directly and aggressively. This is real talk about leaning on God, faith, and accountability when the weight feels too much. If you’ve ever doubted yourself in these moments, this episode reminds you: you’re not alone, and you’re not failing as a leader.As always, check out prior episodes on the Substack, along with being sure to like, subscribe, and comment to support the growth of this staff huddle, the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

What happens when your hyphens are rooted in something deeper than a title or a role? On thisVoices from the Huddle episode of the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast, Dr. Rochelle Smarr, connects with Dr. Nicole Sesay joins us for a soul-stirring conversation about leading from the margins. Dr. Sesay unpacks the hyphens that shape who she is as a leader . She shares candid stories of facing resistance and marginalization as a Black woman navigating school leadership. With honesty and grace, she walks us through what she’s learned about boundaries, self-worth, and what it really means to lead with integrity when the system wasn’t designed with you in mind.We also get a sneak peek at her chapter “Coming Out of the Dark” in Black Women in Educational Leadership: Stories of Resilience and Achievement, where she brings her three-point blueprint to life. Giving listeners a taste of the depth and vulnerability she brings to that work. And she casts a vision for a community where women genuinely support women through the hardest seasons of leadership. If you’ve ever felt unseen, underestimated, or out of place in spaces you were called to lead, this episode is your huddle.Learn more about Dr. Nicole Sesay and the resources she shared during her conversation in her Voices from the Huddle profile. On April 11 at 2PM (EST), Dr. Sesay will be hosting a virtual book launch to discuss “Coming Out of the Dark” in Black Women in Educational Leadership: Stories of Resilience and Achievement. Register for the Zoom at her website, NicoleESesay.comAs always, listen to prior episodes on the Substack: like, subscribe, and comment to support the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

In this Voices from the Huddle episode of the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast, Dr. Rochelle Smarr sits down with Dr. Shanelle Watkins for a conversation as layered and intentional as the hyphens she carries into her leadership. Dr. Watkins opens up about how each of her identities shows up in her daily leadership, why she chose the Ed.D. over the Ph.D., and what earning that doctorate finally gave her permission to do. Spoiler: it was the green light she needed to launch Leading While Becoming, her coaching and empowerment platform designed to fill the gap she experienced firsthand as a Black woman navigating institutions that weren’t always built with Women of Color in mind.At the heart of this episode is Dr. Watkins’ radical idea that women of color don’t have to choose between being strong and being soft. She shares how she resisted the pressure to harden early in her career, chose authenticity over imitation, and built a leadership identity that is unapologetically her own: imperfect and powerful.Hyphens shared: Educator-Coach-Mom-Soror-Black GirlLearn more about Dr. Shanelle Watkins and the resources she shared during her conversation in her Voices from the Huddle profile.As always, listen to prior episodes on the Substack: like, subscribe, and comment to support the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

What happens when you dare to tell your story beyond the degrees and titles? In this episode of the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast, Dr. Smarr reflects on her experience attending the “Telling Your Equity Educator Story” workshop with Kim Cawkwell and explores how your equity story becomes a powerful leadership tool. This isn’t about the deficit—it’s about the assets you bring by being uniquely, fully, authentically, unapologetically YOU. Dr. Smarr shares how her equity story informs her leadership, mentorship, and very being, and invites listeners to consider their own narrative as an act of claiming space at the center.Thanks for listening in on today’s episode. Be sure to listen to prior episodes on the Substack to like, subscribe, and comment to support the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

Season 2, Episode 4 | In this week’s episode of the HyphenatEdD Leader Podcast with Dr. Rochelle Smarr brings you a Voices from the Huddle conversation with Dr. Sharon H. Porter. Dr. Porter breaks down why she chose the EdD over the PhD (spoiler: she’s a doer who believes research has to leap off the page and make real change), and shares the winding road to actually getting that degree. She shows up with all her hyphens, unapologetically.We dig into what it means to walk into leadership spaces as a woman of color carrying weight, assumptions, and limited sponsorship, and how she transforms that pressure into intentional design. Dr. Porter opens up about the realities of hyphenated leadership: how all the balls shouldn’t be up at the same time. Also, why learning to say “no” took her years, and the difference between leading wherever you are, versus needing to be the leader. Dr. Porter reminds us to show up whole, wherever you are—and give yourself grace for the seasons when you can’t do it all.Learn more about Dr. Sharon Porter and the resources she shared during her conversation in her Voices from the Huddle profile.As always, listen to prior episodes on the Substack: like, subscribe, and comment to support the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast.Thanks for listening to the HyphenatEdD Leader! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

In this powerful Voices from the Huddle conversation, Dr. Rochelle Smarr connects with with Dr. Latrese Younger, educator, learner, data analyst, bibliophile, and middle school principal. She shares how her hyphenated identities shape her leadership from the margins. She reflects on pivoting through her career with faith as her compass, moving wherever God sends her to ensure “someone gets what they need.”At the heart of this episode is Dr. Younger’s groundbreaking work: Black Women in Educational Leadership (BWEL), which evolved from social media highlights of Black women education leaders starting in November 2019 to now a board-led organization offering mentorship, professional development, and more. Including the forthcoming book Black Women in Educational Leadership: Stories of Resilience and Achievement. Dr. Younger reminds us that storytelling is ancestral work, essential to uplifting communities and ensuring the next generation of Black women leaders never gets discouraged.Learn more about Dr. Younger and the resources she shared during her conversation in her Voices from the Huddle profile. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

From navigating emotional reactions to making tough decisions about contracts and transitions, Dr. Smarr walk’s through the realities of managing staff, holding honest conversations, and choosing what’s best for your team and programs. She also reflect on another moment earlier in my career when she had to end a partnership with a leader after a successful international trip. Reminding us that leadership isn’t just about beginnings; it’s about stewarding endings with clarity and compassion. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

In this Season 2 opener, Dr. Rochelle Smarr introduces the theme “Leading from the Margins to the Center” and explores what it means to claim authority, tell your truth, and build a career that honors all of who you are! Even when the spaces you lead in weren’t designed with you in mind. This episode unpacks why we’ve been taught to lead small, shrink our expertise, and apologize for taking up space—and invites listeners to begin the journey from invisible to visible, from questioning yourself to claiming your authority. Welcome to Season 2!Thanks for listening to an episode of the HyphenatEdD Leader! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

In this reflective year-end episode, Dr. Smarr looks back on 2025—a year marked by grit, grace, and God’s goodness. From leadership milestones and major professional wins to spiritual growth and global adventures, she walks through her 2025 “brag sheet,” reminding listeners that celebrating wins is just as important as learning from failures. This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and acknowledge just how far you’ve come. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

Feeling grateful for where you are, but hungry for more? In this episode, Dr. Smarr shares personal stories of self-funded professional development and explores how to advocate for yourself, create your own opportunities, and invest in your growth—professionally, spiritually, and personally. Learn actionable tips to stay relevant, build accountability, and pair faith with action as you refine your leadership and claim your vision.Thanks for reading HyphenatEdD Leader! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

This week on HyphenatEdD Leader, Dr. Smarr is reflecting on what it means to lead through chaos — when the structure shifts, the support fades, and you’re left reimagining your purpose in the middle of it all. It’s an honest look at higher ed’s new reality: doing less with less — and finding the courage to lead, pivot, or pause with intention.Listen to the episode and share how you’re learning how to do less with less in this ever-changing climate of higher education. #HigherEdLeadership #HyphenatEdD #AuthenticLeadership #DoLessWithLess This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

How learning to fall forward became the foundation of leadership, resilience, and purpose. In this episode of HyphenatEdD, Dr. Smarr explores how failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s a prerequisite for it. Through personal stories from her leadership journey—from SJSU to SEIU to CSUSM—she unpacks how early missteps shaped her philosophy on succession planning, empowerment, and resilience.Resources & Mentions:* 📖 From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life — by Arthur C. Brooks |Book Link (Amazon)* ✝️ Scripture References:* Philippians 1:6 – “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it…”* Romans 8:28 – “All things work together for good…”* 2 Timothy 1:7 – “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

Being a HyphenatEdD Leader means recognizing that your multiple hyphens—your roles, responsibilities, and impact—do not go unnoticed.In this episode, Dr. Smarr recount a moment when she didn’t even need a nametag. People already recognized her and the work she bring to the table. It was one of those moments of validation we all need, reminding us that our contributions matter and are being seen.This is your reminder: lean into being Big in this Space. Give yourself credit for all that you bring—your expertise, your leadership, your commitment. You are known for great things, and it’s okay to own that.✨ Take a moment today to acknowledge your own impact. You deserve it.Listen to the full episode here and share your moment of validation in the comments.#HyphenatEdDLeader #BigInThisSpace #Leadership #CareerValidation #CommunityEngagement #ExperientialLearning This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

After attending a powerful poetry reading by 2023-24 San Diego Poet Laureate, Jason Magabo Perez, at UC San Diego, Dr. Smarr reflects on how Perez weaves his doctoral journey, artistry, and commitment to social justice into every part of his life’s work. In this episode, Dr. Smarr spotlights Perez’s poem “We Deserve the Unthinkable” and invites you to pause and ask yourself:* How is your passion leading your life?* What truths are you brave enough to speak through your own craft?Tune in to hear how scholarship, creativity, and advocacy can live as one.Share your responses in the comments.Thanks for reading HyphenatEdD Leader! This post is public, so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

In this episode of HyphenatEdD Leader, we explore what it means to lead, organize, and show up during complicated political and social times. Dr. Smarr will share her personal takeaways from the field, what’s at stake in 2025, and reads the powerful piece “Our Ancestors Prepared Us for This Moment.” This is a call to act—not in grand gestures, but in small, intentional ways. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

IARSLCE turns 25 this year—and I’m honored to serve as Chair during this moment of reflection, tension, and transformation. In this episode of #HyphenatEdD, I share how I navigated a recent board meeting, what the global research report really means, and how grace and grit help me lead with intention. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

In this episode of HyphenatEdD, Dr. Rochelle Smarr shares the story behind the podcast’s title and why she chose to pursue an Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) rather than a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy). She breaks down what makes the Ed.D. a practitioner’s degree, reflecting on the factors that influenced her decision, including her desire to become a Practitioner-SME (Subject Matter Expert) grounded in real-world impact. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com

I hope you enjoyed today’s staff huddle on the HyphenatEdD Leader. Be sure to engage with me in the comments on this podcast episode page. Be sure to follow and engage with me on Instagram at “HyphenatEdD_Leader” to keep the discussion going. See you at the next staff huddle! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hyphenateddleader.substack.com