Taking Notes with Jon Carroll

In this episode Dr. Carroll sounds off on the senseless expulsion and need for homeschooling for Lansing, MI student Sakir Everett. Actor and Artist Terayle Hill (All American) joins the show to talk about navigating the industry as a creative and the particular opportunities that HBCUs offer in this time.

Dr. Carroll contrasts the feeling of pride and adulation over The Dimpled One announcing his college decision and contrasts that with the death of Demartravion "Trey" Reed and the growing clouds of political violence looming in the country. Collette Bowers Zinn of Private School Axis joins the show to talk about new and exciting developments with the organization.

In this episode we talk with Lisa Meyers Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of Private School Village. The non-profit is centered in SoCal, but is quickly spreading it's wings and Lisa breaks news here about where the next chapter will be in addition to talking about points of emphasis for the year.

In this episode, Dr. Carroll catches the family up on what has been happening since our last podcast in June and shares lessons from the basketball recruiting world, tips for working with students at the start of the school year and observations on how political leadership is failing all around us

Dr. Carroll hits on Father's Day, the 25th Anniversary of the BET Awards, Beyonce in London, the magical day that is June 15th for Student Athletes, and then multihyphenate dynamo Nefetari Spencer joins the show to talk about her development as writer and actor.

In this episode Dr. Carroll reflects on graduation day at Harvard-Westlake and the joy of closing this chapter celebrating with The Dimpled One. We also get into the continued attacks on universities and specifically the announcement that in the eyes of the Office of Civil Rights at the Dept of Ed, Columbia University does not meet accreditation standards. Dr Tyrone Howard joins us to talk about the life of an academic at a time like this and how universities might move forward in this tumultuous time.

In this episode Dr. Carroll notes the emotions that come with the end of the school year and the closing of a chapter at Harvard-Westlake. He talks about the need for families to start planning now if next year will be an outplacement on whether for Kindergarten, Middle School or College. Dr. Amy Anderson of ReSchool joins us to talk about the exciting growth of her program.

In this special crossover episode with the 4050 Social Club podcast, Dr. Carroll talks all things Robert Griffin III vs Ryan Clark and their public spat that arose from analysis of the Indiana Fever/Chicago Sky game that took place on May 17th. We also discuss ways to address public disputes and what can be learned from them.

In this episode we talk about the ways education is being weaponized to undermine institutions like Florida A&M University (FAMU) with the appointment of an underqualified president and Chicago Public Schools as the Black Male Success Program comes under fire. Craig Randall of Trust Based Observations joins us to talk about building trust between teachers and administrators.

In this episode Dr. Carroll talks about the excellence on display at the Jack & Jill yacht fundraiser, the incompetence on display at a Portland Catholic school that expelled a student based on parents looking to hold the school accountable, and finally Dr. Rodney Glasgow returns to talk about picking up the pieces after the NAIS decides to cancel the People of Color Conference and the Student Diversity Leadership Conference for 2025.

In this episode Dr. Carroll talks about what student recruitment will look like for students moving forward in the age of the transfer portal and Name-Image-Likeness with Robert Icart, director of BTI Basketball club.

Dr. Carroll talks about the impact of visiting the Museum of Tolerance and the dangerous effects of erasure of Black history and stories, the defunding of the National Parks Service, and attacking diversity, equity, and inclusion with anti-Blackness at its core. Dr. Rema Vassar joins us to talk about the ways that Black communities can resist the current wave of attacks on schools

Dr. Carroll talks about hiring a teacher at Jabali Academy and the end of a storied HS basketball season for the The Dimpled One. He addresses the National Assoc of Independent Schools recent decision not to have the People of Color Conference (PoCC) and Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in 2025 as well as the closing of regional Head Start centers and what that means for education in this country. Raamla Mohamed, showrunner of "Reasonable Doubt" (Hulu) and recent Essence Women in Hollywood awardee also joins the show.

Dr. Carroll nerds out as he talks about how the time we are living through makes him think about racial identity models he studied in college and how that informs how we should be moving today and in the future. Omar Dorsey (The Bookie, Queen Sugar) joins us to talk about being the recipient of a Lexus Uptown Honors award.

Dr. Carroll laments the tragic death of Caleb Wilson during a suspected hazing incident, digs into what we can take away from Pasadena Unified School District eliminating positions, and the value of the State of the People event hosted by Joy Ann Reid and Angela Rye

Dr. Carroll takes a victory lap over the Eagles Super Bowl win, talks about the dangers of teen parties and student protests after recent violence and talks to comedian Chris Spencer about his development from strictly standup to multihyphenate talent

In this episode Dr. Carroll gets ready for the Big Game reflecting on his favorite Eagles and then talking Bird Gang and sports parenting with actor Sean Patrick Thomas

In this episode Dr. Carroll talks about the effective end of application season for Class of '25 students and lessons learned as a parent. Yetunde Daniels Rubenstein of Arising Education Consultants stops by to talk about working with families on the college journey.

In this episode Dr. Carroll talks about his opposition to the Trump administrations executive orders removing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from government offices and what that will mean for other institutions. As a case study of why DEI is important Dr. Carroll looks into the case of school shooter Solomon Henderson and some of the writings he left behind

Dr. Carroll speaks with Maud Arnold of the Syncopated Ladies about her journey to building a life around tap dancing and the arts.

Dr. Carroll welcomes back Dr. Rodney Glasgow and Priyanka Rupani to talk about the legacy of the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC). Dr. Carroll also talks about the sticky situation the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) finds itself in after speakers at the People of Color Conference (PoCC) are targeted for controversial remarks

In this episode Dr. Carroll reflects on his final year as a faculty member of the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) and the mentors that helped shape him and the conference. He also discusses UCLA rising percentage of Black and Latino students as well as CA introducing the first Southeast Asian curriculum.

In this episode Dr. Carroll digs into how the proposed tax-credit in education may be taken in advantage of from a number of perspectives. Jennifer Rivers also stops by to talk college admissions as we draw closer to early decision applicants receiving notifications.

In this episode Dr. Carroll responds to the report and footage of Beverly Hills HS students marching down the halls with Trump/MAGA regaila intimidating Black students and teachers during election week. Private School Village (PSV) Founder Lisa Johnson returns to the show to talk about organizing in the face of the election results.

In this episode Dr. Carroll breaks down pieces of the educational concepts that President-Elect Trump has put forward as he prepares to return to the White House. He also talks with dancer/actor/director Keena Ferguson Frasier about growing up in a creative household and being able to pivot.

In this episode, Dr. Carroll discusses the aftermath of the election and the influence of power on the voting behavior of the electorate. He also analyzes what the behavior of Trump supporters in the days after the election potentially means for schools and students.

In this episode Dr. Carroll breaks down the ways normalized hate speech filters down into schools and the behavior of children. Tony Hinchcliffe's remarks at Madison Square Garden and Ryan Girdusky's remarks to Mehdi Hasan on CNN are noted as examples.

In this episode Dr. Carroll gives an update on what has kept him away for the last three weeks from kicking off school fundraising to chairing the Pollyanna Conference, he also grapples with the recent loss of a student

In this episode Dr. Carroll talks about the experience of being on a recruiting visit and also the impact of attending the NOVA Music Festival exhibit in Los Angeles

In this episode Dr. Carroll addresses the impacts of the divisive, othering language being used by the Presidential and VP candidates of the Republican Party in addition to talking about a new testing policy being implemented by LAUSD

In this episode Dr. Carroll talks about making sure you are immersed in your school community as you head back to school while also giving students the necessary independence to grow and thrive.

In this episode we talk about and celebrate the work of Private School Village (PSV) with Founder and Executive Director Lisa Johnson.

In this episode Dr. Carroll checks in with friend of the show Janine Jones to talk about training for DEI and to breakdown the viral conversation between Nancy Mace, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Keith Boykin on the Abby Phillip Show

Dr. Carroll shares some thoughts on standouts from the Olympics and then has a chat with Todd Wilson, Founder of Core Prep Academy to talk about maximizing the student-athlete HS experience.

Dr. Carroll talks about the final chapter of AAU basketball for the Dimpled One, the hype around Nike's Peach Jam tournament, his summer program Roots of Knowledge and a wish list of conversations he hopes to see in 2024-25 school year

Dr. Carroll reflects on the BET Awards, the end of PRIDE Month and has a conversation with Morehouse student Amir Staten

Dr. Carroll reflects on witnessing The Dimpled Ones first scholarship offer and offers thoughts on summer work for students so that they return to the classroom ready to go in the Fall

In this epidsode we dive into the PASS program that Jay-Z and Roc Nation made headlines for supporting. We first lay out some of the history of voucher programs, dissect what exactly is in the PASS bill and then get into my thoughts on Roc Nation's involvement

Dr. Carroll dives into the topic of school choice following the Jay-Z headlines about supporting the PASS program in PA. Kara Sax joins the show to talk about the work she does with the Alliance Charter School Network and other educational programs

We continue our chat with Admissions expert Chris Jones in this epidsode and also get into how his knowledge of admissions plays out in his role as a trustee for an elementary school. We also get into what it is like parenting when the kids have left the house and what it was like having children in NY during the student encampments

In this episode Dr. Carroll revels in school being out and thinks about what's ahead for the summer to recharge. Chris Jones joins the show to talk about the college admissions landscape

The conversation continues with Erikk Aldridge of Rockstars Baseball about helping students athletes navigate the road from youth sports to high school and college. Dr. Carroll also talks about the case of Seth Towns and getting everything out of the college years of athletic eligibility.

In this episode Dr. Carroll reflects on the family journey with sports and talks about pitfalls to avoid when it comes to spending resources and pushing student athletes. Erikk Aldridge, founder of Rockstar Baseball, joins the show to share his experience guiding parents along the sports path and lessons he learned with his own student-athletes

Dr. Carroll talks about attending a milestone reunion and why they are important along with graduations. Dr. Anthony Sparks stops by to talk about delivering the commencement address at his alma mater.

Dr. J talks about planning the summer for your student, a case study of Rutgers and how they avoided police force with their student encampment, and thoughts on teachers being able to arm themselves

Dr. Carroll talks about what has been happening since he last sat in front of a microphone, the educational opportunities of studying the student encampments at universities, and finally some early tips on the new admissions cycle about to begin

Dr. Carroll reflects on what needs to happen in public education so that we prevent the ability for teachers to prepare students to be informed citizens and global humans. Dr. Tyrone Howard joins for a conversation on preparing teachers

Dr. Carroll reflects on annual trip to historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement and takeaways from being able to see these historic venues in-person

More states are joining the group where DEI is not welcome, recommendations to get away and disconnect during Spring Break, and a conversation

A life update on the family blessings for Team Carroll, notes on the end of admissions season, why Black students SHOULD be looking to stay away from Florida colleges, and a note on the entertainment industry's award season