Apocalyptic Education

About Apocalyptic Education

Apocalyptic Education is a podcast series that meets listeners at the intersection of education, health, and societal transformation. Hosted by Tiffani Marie and Kenjus Watson, the podcast unearths the profound impacts of systemic antiblack violence on schools and health, while exploring radical alternatives to traditional schooling. Through engaging discussions with experts in the field, the series uncovers the biopsychosocial effects of antiblackness and champions Black ancestral ways of being.

Publisher

Tiffani Marie & Kenjus Watson

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Jan 2024

Latest episode

14 May 2025

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 May 2025

   parenting through the apocalypse

   last episode.

2. 

   30 Apr 2025

   the legacy of little nate (part 2)

   Potential Activation Warning- The following episode description contains references to suicide. Please take care while reading. We include helpful resources after the description In this continuation of The Legacy of Little Nate, Kenjus and Tiffani sit with Cassandra Edwards and Canada Taylor Parker once again for the conclusion of their unflinching conversation about death, grief, and the slow, grinding violence that Black people endure long before their final breath. Canada and Cassan...

3. 

   16 Apr 2025

   the legacy of little nate (part 1)

   Potential Activation Warning- The following episode description contains references to suicide. Please take care while reading. We include helpful resources after the description In this initial installment of a special 2 part episode, Tiffani and Kenjus chop it up with Cassandra Edwards and Canada Taylor Parker to explore potent intersections between grief, mothering, activism, and the weight of trying to sustain life within an relentlessly anti-black world. As mothers, organizers, he...

4. 

   2 Apr 2025

   nou tout se zanj o

   In this episode, Tiffani and Kenjus chop it up with Dr. Amber McZeal—scholar, artist, and sacred activist—to explore the expansive terrain of decolonizing the psyche, ancestral memory, and the spiritual labor of refusing coloniality. From their first encounters with Amber’s transformative work to the unexpected synchronicities that led to this moment, the conversation unfolds as a meditation on relationality, refusal, and reverence. Amber traces her path from Lafayette, Louisiana, to the libe...

5. 

   19 Mar 2025

   a buoy to hold on to

   In this episode, Kenjus and Tiffani reflect on their journey co-writing the Apocalyptic Education paper in 2020, tracing their paths through grief, academia, and spiritual grounding. They revisit the origins of their collaboration, peeling back the layers of their initial skepticism, the tensions of intellectual competition, and the deep ancestral calling that ultimately brought them together. The conversation weaves through personal and communal grief, from Tiffani’s reflections on her Uncle...

6. 

   5 Mar 2025

   terry and sheryll's children

   In this episode, Tiffani and Kenjus chop it up with their mothers, Sheryll and Terry, who turn the tables to interview their children on the green couch. This special episode explores the impact of their wisdom on Tiffani and Kenjus' journeys as educators. Through critical questioning and listening, Sheryll and Terry elicit from their children a deep exploration of teaching as a calling, with Tiffani and Kenjus recounting early experiences that signaled their future roles. They reflect ...

7. 

   19 Feb 2025

   the power of the leopard

   In this episode, Tiffani and Kenjus chop it up with Kiazi Malonga, student/teacher of Congolese drumming and culture bearer. Kiazi walks us through the spiritual and communal powers of the Ngoma drum, as vessels of cultural preservation and healing. He shares his journey from the Bay Area, particularly East Palo Alto, to stages around the world. We explore the impact of his father’s legacy, the late Malonga Casquelourd, the craftsmanship of Congolese drums, the sacred art of drum-making, and...

8. 

   5 Feb 2025

   of stomach pains and burning men

   In this episode, Kenjus and Tiffani chop it up with Moses Omolade, an educator, spiritual practitioner, and advocate for wellness, to explore the intersections of body, spirit, and community. They dive into Moses’ journey from discovering Pilates as a spiritual practice to using hunger strikes as a radical tool of refusal against systems invested in our undoing. The conversation unpacks how the body holds memory, the power of spiritual detox as preparation for resistance, and the profound les...

9. 

   22 Jan 2025

   maroon science and other runaway parrots

   In the Season 2 premiere, Tiffani and Kenjus chop it up about freedom, captivity, and Blackness through the lens of two stories about parrots that shift their understanding of autonomy, consent, and belonging. They unpack the layers of maroon science and how it illuminates African Indigenous paths of intergenerational love, navigation, and self-determination.The hosts reflect on rites of passage and other ceremonies, discussing how these sacred practices guide transitions and hold the potenti...

10. 

    25 Apr 2024

    (cult)ure and other thangs apocalyptic

    In this episode, Tiffani and Kenjus chop it up among themselves for their Season 1 recap. They explore the balance of calm amid chaos in their attempts to achieve homeostasis during the apocalypse. They discuss rites of passage, initiation, and ceremony as essential components of this balance. Tiffani and Kenjus also discuss the art of letting go of control. A vignette about a puppet show gone awry shows that the best moments often happen when we stop trying to control everything. The hosts use this grounding as a springboard to explore the stigma surrounding cults, challenging the negative connotations and questioning when a tight-knit group becomes something society fears. They attempt to identify the culture within cults. The episode wraps up with a prayer for surrender. Tiffani and Kenjus encourage listeners to embrace change and find the courage to let parts of themselves die, making room for the afterlife, or the afterbirth, of the apocalypse. Note: This episode explores controversial topics like cults and mass suicide. Tiffani and Kenjus do not intend to make light of or advocate for these tragic realities. ________ Stay connected: www.apocalypticeducation.org (http://www.apocalypticeducation.org/) Hosts: Tiffani Marie & Kenjus Watson Music By: Redtone Records (http://www.redtonerecords.com/) Production by: Jesse Strauss, Paxtone Records Sponsored By: The Institute for Regenerative Futures (https://www.sjsu.edu/education/community/irf.php)

11. 

    11 Apr 2024

    the kids are alright (part 2)

    In Part 2 of The Kids Are Alright episode, we chop it up with about five of Tiffani's former students, spanning her last 20 years of teaching. The group includes a "cool and collective" entrepreneur planning to finish college soon, a program director deeply involved in community work and motivational speaking, a young college student contemplating joining the Armed Forces, a revolutionary artist and event organizer, and a charismatic young person who emphasizes their intellect and the importance of being "lit". As the conversation unfolds, the topic of schools - whether to keep them or leave them behind - becomes a central theme. The young people share their nuanced views, reflecting a mix of support, skepticism, and outright disillusionment with the American schooling system. Their stories illuminate the complexities of navigating school systems that often feel disconnected from their personal and community needs. Alongside their varied experiences, a common thread emerges: a critique of the schooling system's shortcomings and a call for a more inclusive, supportive, and relevant approach to learning that truly meets the needs of all young people. Our convo captures a range of emotions and critical ideas on the role of schools in shaping the future of young folks and, by extension, our society. San Jose State University Professor Marcos Pizarro, Ph.D., offers our final thoughts.

12. 

    28 Mar 2024

    the kids are alright (part 1)

    In this episode, we chop it up with about five of Tiffani's former students, spanning her last 20 years of teaching. The group includes a "cool and collective" entrepreneur planning to finish college soon, a program director deeply involved in community work and motivational speaking, a young college student contemplating joining the Armed Forces, a revolutionary artist and event organizer, and a charismatic young person who emphasizes their intellect and the importance of being "lit". As the conversation unfolds, the topic of schools - whether to keep them or leave them behind - becomes a central theme. The young people share their nuanced views, reflecting a mix of support, skepticism, and outright disillusionment with the American schooling system. Their stories illuminate the complexities of navigating school systems that often feel disconnected from their personal and community needs. Alongside their varied experiences, a common thread emerges: a critique of the schooling system's shortcomings and a call for a more inclusive, supportive, and relevant approach to learning that truly meets the needs of all young people. Our convo captures a range of emotions and critical ideas on the role of schools in shaping the future of young folks and, by extension, our society. University of Michigan Professor Sharim Hannegan-Martinez, Ph.D., offers our final thoughts.

13. 

    15 Mar 2024

    the language we cry in

    In this episode, we chop it up with Tinisch Hollins, a Black San Franciscan activist and critical advocate for the rights of crime survivors, and Apryl Joe, a citizen of the Navajo Nation dedicated to the reclamation of her people's sovereignty. Together, they discuss reparations & Indigenous reclamation, while illuminating the interconnected historical and ongoing fight against settler colonial violence faced by Black and Native  communities. Through their conversation, they explore themes of solidarity, racial tension, healing, and the collective journey towards transcending the deep-seated confines of white supremacy. _______ Stay connected: www.apocalypticeducation.org (http://www.apocalypticeducation.org/) Hosts: Tiffani Marie & Kenjus Watson Music By: Redtone Records (http://www.redtonerecords.com/) Production by: Jesse Strauss, Paxtone Records Sponsored By: The Institute for Regenerative Futures (https://www.sjsu.edu/education/community/irf.php)

14. 

    28 Feb 2024

    this coat used to be black

    In this episode, we chop it up with the revolutionary preacha and community leader, Pastor Michael McBride. He shares his unique experiences of the deep impacts of systemic violence, including his personal encounters with police brutality. The discussion delves into the intricate relationship between grief and activism, particularly through Pastor Mike's involvement with 'Live Free', a movement addressing mass incarceration, voter suppression, police violence, and other systemic violences. He reflects on his journey, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Ferguson protests in reshaping his life and ministry. These experiences not only enhanced his understanding of social injustices but also transformed his church into a sanctuary for social change. On a more personal note, Pastor Mike discusses the challenges of balancing his demanding role in activism with his family life. He shares a deep desire for a world where children can grow free from the shadows of societal ills, expressing his aspirations for his daughters to lead lives filled with joy and security, far removed from the adversities he faces. Throughout the episode, Pastor Mike underscores the significance of healing in mitigating the emotional toll of activism. His narrative, interwoven with vulnerability, contradiction, and sorrowful humor, offers a deep perspective on the complex interplay between grief and activism, the transformative power of faith, and the role of community leadership in social transformation. San Jose State University Professor Rebecca Burciaga, Ph.D., offers our final thoughts. _______ Stay connected: www.apocalypticeducation.org (http://www.apocalypticeducation.org/) Hosts: Tiffani Marie & Kenjus Watson Music By: Redtone Records (http://www.redtonerecords.com/) Production by: Jesse Strauss, Paxtone Records Sponsored By: The Institute for Regenerative Futures (https://www.sjsu.edu/education/community/irf.php)

15. 

    15 Feb 2024

    i am not coyolxauhqui - i am xihuicoyotl - turquoise fire

    In this episode, we chop it up with Drs. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales and Christine Vega, both mothers and critical professors. We explore Coyolxauhqui and dismemberment, and its relationship to birthing trauma, particularly in the high-pressure pursuit of tenure in academia. Allyson opens up about her personal journey through infertility, sharing the profound lessons learned and emphasizing the significance of rest in birthing endless possibilities. Christine adds her insights on the empowering role of Chicana Mother Work, underlining the critical interdependence between self-care and collective resilience. Together, they unpack "mothering" as a revolutionary educational philosophy. They advocate for an authentic approach to teaching, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care for students, while challenging the constraints of schooling. This episode is a deep exploration of how mothering, in all its facets, can reshape and redefine the landscape of education. California State University (Dominguez Hills) Professor Stephanie Cariaga, Ph.D., offers our final thoughts. _______ Stay connected: www.apocalypticeducation.org (http://www.apocalypticeducation.org/) Hosts: Tiffani Marie & Kenjus Watson Music By: Redtone Records (http://www.redtonerecords.com/) Production by: Jesse Strauss, Paxtone Records Sponsored By: The Institute for Regenerative Futures (https://www.sjsu.edu/education/community/irf.php)

16. 

    31 Jan 2024

    dancing to kendrick lamar while the earth shook

    In this episode, we chop it up with Kiki Jordan, a renowned midwife based in California. Kiki lends her expertise to our discussion on the radical aspects of home birthing, set against the formidable backdrop of the medical-industrial complex. We explore how Black Autonomous Birthing Communities (BABCs) provide valuable insights for rethinking our transition from schooling to holistic education. Kiki shares wisdom from her birthing experiences and her attempts to launch a community-grounded Wellness Center, guiding us in reimagining the concept of school abolition and its potential for transformative educational practices. University of Illinois at Chicago Professor David Stovall, Ph.D., offers our final thoughts. _______ Stay connected: www.apocalypticeducation.org (http://www.apocalypticeducation.org/) Hosts: Tiffani Marie & Kenjus Watson Music By: Redtone Records (http://www.redtonerecords.com/) Production by: Jesse Strauss, Paxtone Records Sponsored By: The Institute for Regenerative Futures (https://www.sjsu.edu/education/community/irf.php)

17. 

    17 Jan 2024

    Apocalyptic Education - The Audiobook

    Apocalyptic Education is a transformative journey, presented by Tiffani Marie and Kenjus Watson, two critical Black educators. This audiobook invites listeners to participate in a funeral for schooling, marking the end of a violent regime and the beginning of remembered futures. Through their personal narratives and research, Marie and Watson explore the deep-rooted traumas inflicted by American schooling systems on Black folk. Watson's exploration of the psychological impacts on young Black men through biomarkers of health reveals the hidden costs of their academic pursuits. In contrast, Marie's studies uncover pedagogical practices that could shield Black children from the ravages of systemic racism, challenging the status quo of schooling. This audiobook is a call to dismantle and rebuild. Drawing inspiration from influential figures and the tradition of Black church call-and-response sensibilities, Marie and Watson advocate for Apocalyptic Education (AE) – a radical reimagining of learning rooted in African ancestral wisdom. This concept transcends traditional pedagogy, envisioning an education that truly serves and uplifts Black communities. Apocalyptic Education is a space for mourning, reflection, and, most importantly, sacred memory. It encourages educators, students, and listeners from all walks of life to acknowledge the stench of decay emanating from the current schooling system and to embrace a new educational paradigm. Join Marie and Watson in this wake for schooling and be part of the movement towards a future where education is synonymous with well-being and sustainability. _______ Stay connected: www.apocalypticeducation.org (http://www.apocalypticeducation.org/) Hosts: Tiffani Marie & Kenjus Watson Production by: Redtone Records (https://www.redtonerecords.com/) & 25th Street Recording (https://www.25thstreetrecording.com/) Sponsored By: The Institute for Regenerative Futures (https://www.sjsu.edu/education/community/irf.php)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 17 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

6

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71