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CharterNation Podcast

California Charter Schools Association

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The CharterNation Podcast is a monthly podcast produced by the California Charter School Association. Episodes feature our Changemakers interview series in which CCSA's President & CEO Myrna Castrejón interviews influential charter public school leaders and allies on high-priority topics in K-12 education. Hosted by Ana Tintocalis, a former K-12 education journalist, the CharterNation Podcast also features news/analysis, perspectives and uplifting charter school stories in the Golden State. ...
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And we’re back…almost. After a long, unplanned hiatus The Collected Edition will be back with brand new episodes starting in July 2024. This is just a brief announcement episode to explain where we’ve been and what will be coming. Thanks, everyone for your patience while we’ve been gone and I hope you will join us again for new and exciting convers…
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Season 3 Episode 4 - Graduation Season It’s Graduation time in California! The CharterNation Podcast celebrates with a new segment called Best in Class which highlights exceptional charter schools in the Golden State. Our first series of interviews focuses on 10 exceptional charter high schools that are sending a significant number of historically …
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Season 3 Episode 3: Film Club Edition We shine a spotlight on two documentaries about two charter public schools that are working to educate some of the most vulnerable student populations in California. First, Watts Learning Center (WLC) is the focus of A School Grows In Watts which offers an intimate and powerful portrayal of how WLC is changing …
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Season 3 Episode 2 - Women’s History Month Special: March is Women’s History Month and in this episode, you hear from some amazing women in California’s charter school movement who are standing tall. Changemakers Interview Series: The tables are turned on CCSA’s fearless leader Myrna Castrejón. Instead of hosting our Changemakers segment, she’s our…
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CCSA's CharterNation Podcast is back with Season 3 in 2024! In February, we bring you a special Black History Month episode featuring perspectives of dynamic Black charter school leaders in California. Changemakers: CCSA President and CEO Myrna Castrejón interviews Maya Woods-Cadiz, Superintendent of AIMS K-12 College Prep Charter District in Oakla…
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“One of my favorites among the multitude of Xmas stories!” It’s that festive time of the year and what’s a better way to celebrate than with a rolicking adventure from the legendary Darwyn Cooke? It’s got everything: The Fantastic Four, Inhumans, mind control, lost children, shopping a Macy’s, and a tender J. Jonah Jamison. Oh, and Spider-Man saves…
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“Tank Girl simply is.” Today on the program we discuss the anarchic insanity that is Tank Girl. A punk rock fever dream created by artist Jamie Hewlett and writer Alan Martin in 1988, it was a frenetic cacophony of a comic book that didn’t so much cross the line of decency and good taste, as it erased that line completely and said, “Line? What line…
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Episode 10: Changemakers: To cap CCSA's observance of Native American Heritage Month, we’re bringing back a special Changemakers interview from Season 1 in which CCSA’s President and CEO Myrna Castrejon sits down with Marcos Aguilar, Head of School at Anawakalmekak International University Preparatory of North America. Anawakalmekak is a charter pu…
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“…a noble piece of work in the ongoing evaluation of the comics medium.” Today on the program we discuss the radical parody/satire that is Ambush Bug! The 1985 crazy meta masterpiece (?) from the legendary Keith Giffen and Robert Loren Fleming. It’s only 4 issues…but man is it something. In addition, we talk about the second season of Loki and lowe…
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“Nostalgia writ large” Today on the program we discuss the retro adventure-chic masterpiece that is The Rocketeer by Dave Stevens. It’s cool, it’s beautiful, it ended too soon. In addition, we talk about the passing of Keith Giffen, a true legend in comics. As always, thanks for listening. WE STILL WANT YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS! SEND ‘EM HERE: REQUEST …
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Episode 9: Changemakers: CCSA's President & CEO Myrna Castrejón interviews Brian Bauer, CEO and Superintendent of Granada Hills Charter, a TK-12th grade charter public school that gained its independence 20 years ago and grew to be an academic and athletic powerhouse. Gain insight as he reflects on how his school broke away from district control to…
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“Conflict in narrative is fun!” The premise of the show is to talk about the famous and infamous runs in comics, and this comic falls perfectly into both categories. Probably one of the most acclaimed and controversial runs in comics, Neal Adams and Denny O’Neil‘s Green Lantern Green Arrow arguably changed comics forever. But is it any good? Does i…
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“…it prioritizes intelligence and romanticism over violence and cynicism.” Today on the program we talk about the greatest thing in the history of the world…Doctor Who! In particular, the stories The Star Beast and the City of the Damned, both classic comics featuring the 4th Doctor Tom Baker. These comics were originally published in the late 70s …
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“…dynamic and fast-paced action rendered with cyber-punk aesthetics mixed with epic Kurosawa-esc samurai visuals.” Listener Request! Neither Brian nor I are TMNT fans – or at least we were not familiar with the franchise to claim to be one. But listener Emily requested The Last Ronin for us to read and we did so with a little trepidation…but man, w…
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“Much of this is highly entertaining, goofy four-color fun.” Episode 100! Woo Hoo! And for this momentous occasion, we delve deep into the history of comics and discuss the very first (?) superhero team – the Justice Society of America! Full of Golden Age wackiness and wartime propaganda, All-Star Comics is an interesting and fascinating look into …
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The 2022-23 academic year has officially come to a close in California. We reflect on the past year by bringing back three of the most popular Changemaker interviews on the CharterNation Podcast featuring: Dr. Cristina de Jesus, president and CEO of Green Dot Public Schools CA. Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles and charter school al…
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“And it can be a lot of fun for the sheer goofiness of its premise and the audacity for even attempting it.” Today on the program we discuss a weird one – the Creature Commandos! It’s about soldiers during WW2 who get transformed into movie monsters in order to scare the enemy. Seriously. The premise is bonkers and the tone is all over the place. A…
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Episode 7: Changemakers: CCSA's President & CEO Myrna Castrejón interviews Ana Ponce, Executive Director of GPSN, a nonprofit intermediary organization working to improve the public school system in Los Angeles. She discusses the importance of measuring the effectiveness of programs in LAUSD, engaging students outside the school day, and how famili…
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What is Personalized Learning? It can mean different things to different people within the charter public school movement. In this episode, we get a better understanding of personalized learning through the perspectives of three people at three different kind of personalized learning schools: Cameron Curry, CEO, The Classical Academies (San Diego) …
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“A great intro to the laughing magician, and a harrowing series of events. Strewth!” One of the longest-running Vertigo titles and one of the best. Along its run, Hellblazer featured a long list of some of the more talented and acclaimed creators in comics. On this episode, we discuss where it all began (sort of) with Jamie Delano and John Ridgway’…
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Episode 4: Special Episode featuring exclusive Changemakers Interview with former California Governor Jerry Brown. Changemakers: Former CA Governor Jerry Brown brings his no-nonsense philosophy on education policy and politics as a guest on the CharterNation Podcast this month. Brown, who also served as the Mayor of the City of Oakland, sits down w…
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“…just strap in and let yourself take the ride and you will not be disappointed.” Are you interested in a comic that covers the entire history of Marvel comics from its beginnings through the 70s and 80s and into a hypothetical future? Well, this is the comic for you! Today on the program we will be discussing Avengers Forever, the comic that attem…
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Episode 4: Special Episode featuring exclusive Changemakers Interview Changemakers: We’re capping Women’s History Month by bringing you an exclusive interview with one of California’s most fearless female political leaders and education equity champions: Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber. Dr. Weber is California’s first Black Secretary of Sta…
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“I don’t know if this is a “good” comic, but it is a hugely entertaining one.” Today on the program…it’s a weird one! It’s the super violent and super bizarre The Shadow by Andy Helfer with art by Kyle Baker and Bill Sienkiewicz. This is some bat-shit crazy stuff people! A comic that manages to satirize and parody all the excesses of the 80s while …
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Episode 3: Women's History Month Special Changemakers: CCSA's President & CEO Myrna Castrejón interviews Cristina de Jesus, President & CEO of Green Dot Public Schools California. De Jesus is one of the most influential female leaders of charter schools in the Golden State. She talks about the evolution of Green Dot in CA, lessons learned, and how …
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“It is a veritable ‘Where’s Waldo’ of gothic and Victorian novels.” Today on the program we will be discussing The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, a troubled classic by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill. This is a creative tour de force, an overflowing toy chest full of rich ideas, mixing multiple copyright-free characters in a story full to the brim…
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Episode 2: Black History Month Special Changemakers: CCSA's President & CEO Myrna Castrejón interviews Dr. Helen V. Griffith, Executive Director of The Preuss School UC San Diego, about this school's unique partnership with UCSD and the need to grow more UC-charter public schools in California. Charter Spotlight: We venture to AIMS High School in O…
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Episode 1 Rundown: Charter School News: CCSA's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Miller provides analysis regarding CA Governor Gavin Newsom's budget proposal and what it means for charters. Changemakers: CCSA's President & CEO Myrna Castrejón interviews Mike Madrid, a CA political analyst who explains the power of the Latino voting…
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“Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” Today on the program…you just got lucky! We will be discussing Longshot – the 80s comic Ann Nocenti and illustrated by a young Art Adams. And this is as 80s as 80s get. Interdimensional amneasia, mullets, and pouches! Nocenti does some spectacular writing at its purplest, and Adams creates art tha…
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“The point is just to have fun, to embrace the joy and wackiness of the season.” Today on the program we discuss Superman’s Christmas Adventure from 1940. Written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Jack Burnley this is a 16-page dose of Golden Age goodness. This is a madcap story; a romp with loads of silliness wrapped up in colorful paper and tied with …
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“What is history but a fable agreed upon?” Today on the program we discuss Fables, the Bill Willingham written and Mark Buckingham illustrated classic in the comic book pantheon. Does it hold up? Does it deserve its place in the history of great comics? Is it political (spoiler: yes)? Listen and find out! In addition, we discuss the legacy of Kevin…
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“…his panels don’t so much seek to terrify, but rather they haunt you. It is disturbing and beautiful.” Today on the program we discuss the horror comic Rachel Rising by Terry Moore. This is a stark, scary, disturbing, and strangely funny comic. If you’ve never read Terry Moore’s work…you should. He is a singular creator, one whose voice and vision…
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“This series broke with convention, it broke with tradition, and the broke the fourth wall.” Today on the program we discuss the Sensational She-Hulk. The classic, genre-defying series by John Byrne. The series poked fun at the tropes and clichés of comic books, the publishers, the creators, and the fandom. It was a satire, a parody, a deconstructi…
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“Not everything in life is golden or satisfying.” Today on the program we take a look at Aztek: The Ultimate Man written by Grant Morrison & Mark Millar with art by Stephen Harris. It is a 90s extravaganza fill with excess, grittiness, and questionable costume choices. It’s the book that caused a rift between Morrison and Millar that, let’s face it…
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Flintstones, read the Flintstones. You’ll have a gay old time. Today on the program we talk about the 2016 12-issue mini-series The Flintstones written by Mark Russell and art by Steve Pugh. This reimagining was more realistic – in that, the character designs were less stylized and given more human proportions – and its situations and attitudes ref…
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“Maybe even better than eating quiche.” Today on the program we talk about the classic, brilliant, iconic, beautiful, glorious, and wonderful comic BONE. We like this one, can you tell? This is a comic that is a vaudevillian comedy, a Disneyesque cartoon, and an epic fantasy all at once. Jeff Smith created something special here. Also, Brian gets w…
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“This being the 90s Crimes and Judgments falls into the excesses that decade could bring.” In this episode, we discuss The Spectre: Crimes and Judgments by John Ostrander and Tom Mandrake from 1992. This is a gritty, noir, horror thriller with 90s excess…we have opinions. This is a story full of contradictions, missed opportunities, and confused me…
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In #ChartersAt30 Part 3, we bring you a special Change Makers interview featuring Nina Rees, the President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. For the past nine years, Nina has deepened bipartisan relationships in Washington D.C. to secure political support for charters across the country. CCSA's Myrna Castrejón sits down w…
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“It’s fan service above and beyond the call of duty.” Today on the program we discuss the absolute gloriousness that is the Marvel/DC crossover epic JLA Avengers written by Kurt Busiek, and art by the mighty George Pérez. It is a bonanza of comic book wonder, a masterclass by Pérez, and a pretty good story overall. You want easter eggs? This comic …
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In #ChartersAt30 Part 2, we bring you a special Change Makers interview featuring Jed Wallace, the longest serving president and CEO of the CCSA. Jed was instrumental in building the charter school movement in California. Also, you’ll hear key takeaways from this year’s Portrait of the Movement Report, the annual study produced by CCSA. This year t…
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“…a well-told, layered story with complex ideas and themes about a guy in a mini-skirt who fights robots.” Today on the program we discuss the flagship title that launched Valiant Comics – Magnus Robot Fighter. This is the story of a man named Magnus …that fights robots …in a mini-skirt …which to be fair was the style at the time. Written by Jim Sh…
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Thirty years ago, the 1992 California Charter Schools Act made its way through the legislature and was signed into law, launching a public education movement that has benefitted millions of students statewide. To celebrate this milestone CCSA’s CharterNation Podcast is releasing three special podcast episodes beginning this week featuring interview…
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“In 1985, with the publication of Beauty and the Beast, history officially died. ” Today on the program we wade into the infamous end of the pool. Beauty and the Beast by Ann Nocenti and “art” by Don Perlin. It tells the story of the love affair between Hank Mccoy’s Beast and – the disco-inspired mutant Dazzler. Is it good? Well, no. But does it ha…
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“…in Black Monday Murders Hickman actually out Hickman’s himself.” Today on the program we discuss The Black Monday Murders by Johnathan Hickman and Tom Coker – which should be a breeze. It’s…complicated. We have an interesting time trying to explain what is actually happening. Because the Black Monday Murders can be a bit daunting for first-time r…
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Ensuring more Black educators are leading and teaching in public schools. That’s the topic of this week’s episode as we honor of Black History Month in February. Our special guest is Laura McGowan-Robinson, the founder and CEO of the Diversity in Leadership Institute based in Los Angeles. Her organization is working to build an effective pipeline o…
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Happy New Year 2022 from the California Charter Schools Association! It’s the start of a new legislative season in Sacramento. Governor Gavin Newsom kicked things off by releasing his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. We hear from CCSA’s Vice President Colin Miller who gives us more details about the proposed spending plan – and what it…
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“A hero’s journey writ small… with cosmic implications. ” Today on the program we discuss the classic run on Starman written by James Robinson and art by Tony Harris. This is a beloved run on the character (and deservedly so) with lots of phallic imagery. Also, Paul and Brian have differing ideas on the true nature of Jack Knight – is he a jerk or …
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In this special episode of the CharterNation Podcast, we bring you a rebroadcast of a CCSA Facebook Live Event that took place on Dec. 9th and focused on how charter public schools are supporting the mental health and wellness of student amid the pandemic. The event was timed to the release of CCSA's 2021 Portrait of the Movement report called Are …
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In this episode, host Ana Tintocalis takes listeners to Larchmont Charter School in Los Angeles to learn about a simple yet powerful social and emotional strategy: talking circles. We also preview an upcoming report produced by the California Charter Schools Association called "Are the Kids OK? How California Charter Public Schools Support Social-E…
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“A good horror story makes you feel more than just afraid. It should unsettle you, it should make you confront ideas you’d rather not think about. ” Today on the program we talk horror. The 2014 6-issue story written by Scott Snyder and beautifully illustrated Jock about scary creatures in the woods and the town that might not be as innocent as it …
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