What if love wasn’t the reward at the end of the road…
but the foundation we build on from the start?

In this episode of Brave Voices in Education, I’m joined by Annie Paraison, founder and CEO of Love Before All — a movement rooted in wellness, embodiment, and the truth that love is a strategy for liberation.

We talk about what it means to listen to your body, stop normalizing harm, and lead from a place that’s both compassionate and clear. Annie breaks down agape love, interconnectedness, and why healing isn’t a destination — it’s a practice that shapes how we show up for ourselves and everyone we touch.

If you’ve been surviving on fumes, trying to be “strong,” or craving a more human way to lead… press play.

🔗 Connect with Annie / Love Before All:
Website: lovebeforeall.com
IG: @consciouslba
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annie-paraison-emba-95304617
YouTube: youtube.com/@Lovebeforeall

✨ More Brave Voices: BraveVoicesPod.com

Your child has rights.
Do they know them?

In this episode of Brave Voices in Education, Craig Aarons-Martin welcomes Alison Matulli, attorney, educator, First Amendment expert, and founder of The Little Lawyers, for a timely and deeply human conversation about student voice, civic education, and raising digital citizens in a complicated world.

Together, they explore how young people are learning about freedom through social media, headlines, and lived experience, often without the tools to understand their rights or the consequences tied to their voice. Alison reframes the law as a story about people, reminding us that when children see themselves in the narrative, they stop shrinking and start speaking.

In this episode, you’ll hear about
Teaching the First Amendment through real stories and everyday choices
Why voting begins at home, not just at the ballot box
How parents and educators can nurture courage while protecting safety
What it means to prepare young people for citizenship in a digital age
Alison’s book Your Freedom, Your Power, a kids guide to the First Amendment

This conversation is for parents, educators, mentors, and anyone committed to helping young people move through the world with clarity, courage, and care.

🎧 Listen now at BraveVoicesPod.com

📩 Subscribe to Brave Voices in Education so these courageous conversations arrive in your feed every week
🤍 Share this episode with someone who loves young people loudly
💬 Reflect with us: What is one conversation you are ready to have differently with the young people you serve?

Connect with Alison Matulli
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonmatulli?igsh=b3hob3hiczg0NnZj
The Little Lawyers: https://thelittlelawyers.com/about/

#BraveVoicesPod #EducationPodcast #StudentVoice #DigitalCitizenship #FirstAmendment #YouthAdvocacy #TeacherLeadership #ParentingWithPurpose #CivilDiscourse

In this engaging conversation, Craig Aarons-Martin and Desiree Whitehead explore themes of personal growth, branding, and the importance of integrity in business. They share their journey of meeting at a marketing conference, the significance of trusting one's passion, and the value of mentorship. Desiree emphasizes the importance of community support and the necessity of failing forward in the pursuit of success. The discussion culminates in advice for younger selves and the power of collaboration in achieving dreams.

Takeaways

• Cuffing season is a time for connection and warmth.
• Desiree Whitehead is a visionary in branding and marketing.
• The importance of community and finding your tribe.
• Trusting your dopeness is essential for personal growth.
• Failure is a stepping stone to success.
• Integrity and authenticity are key in branding.
• Mentorship can accelerate your career.
• You are enough just as you are today.
• Collaboration can lead to greater impact.
• Passion can be turned into profit.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cuffing Season and Connection

01:56 Meeting and Building Relationships

04:36 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Storytelling

08:08 Recognizing Passion and Purpose

10:01 Taking the Leap: Leaving Corporate for Entrepreneurship

13:24 Trusting Your Dopeness

18:39 Celebrating Success and Client Relationships

23:35 Navigating the Next Steps in Business

24:02 Manifesting Future Collaborations

26:24 Building Community and Celebrating Success

29:22 Trusting Black Women and Failing Forward

33:44 The Importance of Support Systems

39:32 Lessons for My Younger Self

To learn more about Desiree Whitehead, visit:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireewhitehead-mba/