🎙 Welcome to Unraveling Education – where we pull back the curtain on school district politics, power plays, and public education profiteering.
I’m Danielle Ford, former Trustee of the Clark County School District (CCSD)—the fifth-largest school district in the nation—and now a Nevada State Board of Education member.
Over the years, I’ve had a front-row seat to billions of dollars in spending, political backroom deals, and strategic corruption happening not just in CCSD, but across public education. And trust me—this is a story worth telling.
⚡ But let’s be clear—I’m not here to tear down public education. I’m an advocate for ethical reform, accountability, and policies that actually serve students, educators, and communities. Exposing corruption isn’t about destroying the system—it’s about making it work the way it should.
🎭 What to Expect:
📖 Storytime Episodes – These are the heart of the podcast. I share firsthand experiences from my time on the board, the unexpected twists, the battles fought, and the lessons learned.
🔍 Deep Dives & Investigations – Following the money, exposing shady deals, and connecting the dots behind the scenes.
🎙 Interviews & Expert Insights – From whistleblowers to educators, we bring in key voices to help uncover what’s really happening in education.
✨ Where to Start?
Jump in wherever you like—but if you want the full story, the Storytime episodes are where it all unfolds. Whether you start from Season 1’s “Diary of a New School Board Trustee” for a first-hand look into school boards and governance corruption or dive straight into Season 2’s Pandemic-themed episodes, you’ll get a binge-worthy breakdown of what’s really happening in public education.
⚡ Join the Movement. Stay Informed. Help Unravel the Truth.
🔗 http://UnravelingEducation.com (http://UnravelingEducation.com)
The Superintendent Shuffle- Part 1: Inside CCSD’s Wild Superintendent Search
In Part 1 of The Superintendent Shuffle, I break down the chaos behind Clark County School District’s (CCSD) superintendent hiring process — and why it has educators, families, and policy-watchers in Southern Nevada raising red flags. 🔎 You’ll learn: -Why the public erupted (again) over CCSD’s opaque hiring process -How Chiefs for Change reappeared in the background -What insiders are saying about John Anzalone’s sudden removal -How this all impacts transparency, trust, and leadership in...
13 Apr 2025
The Superintendent Shuffle- Part 2: The Nevada Education Power Play
After Jhone Ebert was tapped to lead CCSD, the Nevada Governor quietly filled her old State Superintendent seat — triggering controversy, questions, and a whole lot of political maneuvering. In Part 2 of The Superintendent Shuffle, I investigate the power play behind Nevada’s education leadership, including: -Why I filed an Open Meeting Law complaint -How former Nevada State Superintendent Steve Canavero returned to the scene -What role Chiefs for Change continues to play -And how ...
8 Mar 2025
The Pandemic Begins: Fear, Chaos & The School Shutdown That Changed Everything
March 2020: The moment everything started unraveling 🧵 This is the real, unfiltered story of how the COVID-19 pandemic hit the education system—and how power, politics, and profit shaped the decisions that changed millions of lives. • What really happened behind closed doors? • Why did school leaders refuse to shut down—until they had no choice? •Who was pulling the strings behind the scenes? This is Season 2, Episode 1 of Unraveling Education, a deep dive into the chaos, corruption, and c...
31 Aug 2024
Book Bans & Voucher Plans: The TRUTH about Moms for Liberty (The Education Wars) 📚
Learn what Moms for Liberty really is and who’s behind them, the long history of book bans, the obsession with transgender policies, the WHY behind anti-CRT initiatives, and the REAL agenda that’s propelling all the chaos surrounding public education in America. This episode is a binge of "The Education Wars" by Jennifer Berkshire & Jack Schneider 🔗 https://amzn.to/3WzeAAR Check out their podcast “Have you Heard”Support the production of "Unraveling Education" 🙏 http://UnravelingEducation...
17 Jul 2024
The Jesus Jara Chronicles: Part 3
This is the epic conclusion to "The Jesus Jara Chronicles". Learn about the closed sessions, mediation, and legal scandals that were orchestrated to punish school board members, rip off taxpayers, and get Jesus Jara contracts and huge payouts...
>> Text Danielle Directly << (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2277732/open_sms)
14 Jun 2024
The Jesus Jara Chronicles: Part 2
We're really getting into the heat of Jesus Jara's corruption in CCSD now, friends! Learn about the scheme to get Superintendent Jara's contract extended, the time he was fired... and then unfired... and way more!
25 May 2024
The Jesus Jara Chronicles: Part 1
This episode is all about my experience with the absolute lawless tyrant, Jesus Jara, and the evil and maniacal things he did while he was superintendent of CCSD, the 5th largest school district in the country.
This episode chronicles Jesus Jara’s employment before during and after my term on the Clark County school board, it includes the chaos he purposely crafted and the destruction he caused so that he could remain employed and continue to gain power.
By the finale, you’ll understand the methods he used to bribe those who could be bribed, threaten and punish the rest, force thousands of educators, staff and admin to quit, bring student enrollment numbers down by 30,000.
These stories fully explain how Jesus Jara pathologically lied to everyone he could, was almost fired, and then fired and then unfired, threatened and sued the board multiple times, dodged getting a proper evaluation for almost 6 years, all while being constantly rewarded with contract extensions and raises taking his final salary to over $400,000 plus perks, qualifying for the Nevada retirement system, and received a lump sum payout of $250,000 when he resigned without notice.
Settle in. We have a lot to cover…
Watch on YouTube (https://youtu.be/u9ReZRKgbbg)
1 Apr 2024
I'm running for Nevada Board of Education & supporting these CCSD School Board Candidates [Election]
In this special Election Episode, I’ll explain why I semi-impulsively decided to run for Nevada Board of Education and tell you the details of my race.
I’ll showcase 3 candidates who are running for the Clark County School Board, who I believe would bring much-needed positive changes to the district.
And we’ll go over some election info and ways to get involved in campaigns!
_________
Candidate Donation Links:
Anna Binder: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friends-for-anna-marie-binder-1
Tameka Henry: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tameka-henry-committee-to-elect-2
Kamilah Bywaters: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kamilah4trustee
________
http://UnravelingEducation.com/sponsor
21 Mar 2024
Charter Schools, Privatization Agendas, & the Denver School District Takeover
My guest for this episode is Mike DeGuire. Mike was a principal in Denver, Colorado for 12 years, where he witnessed privatization agendas play out that led to half of the Denver School District being taken over by Charter Schools.
As a researcher, public education advocate, and member of Advocates for Public Education Policy, he’s spent the last few years pushing for major changes to the Denver school district and the state of Colorado.
We had a great conversation about the privatization movement and how students are being harmed by it. I found lots of similarities between Denver and CCSD and Mike shared some connections to Nevada that I did not know about. So get your pencils ready…
Read "Billionaires Exposed" at https://networkforpubliceducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Billionaires-Report-Final.pdf
📖 Books Referenced 📖
A Wolf at the School House Door: https://amzn.to/3VnTJS9 (https://amzn.to/3VnTJS9)
Democracy in Chains: https://amzn.to/4akRxPx (https://amzn.to/4akRxPx)
Outside money in School Board Elections: https://amzn.to/4csfNRv (https://amzn.to/4csfNRv)
Mike DeGuire, Ph.D., is an executive coach for school leaders in Denver, and he serves on the board of Advocates for Public Education Policy. He has been a teacher, district level reading coordinator, and a principal in the Denver metro area for most of his education career. He also worked as a leadership consultant for several national education organizations, and as an educator effectiveness specialist with the Colorado Department of Education. He blogs periodically at http://medium.com/@jfiske80 (http://medium.com/@jfiske80).
-----
*Mike's Last name is pronounced "De Gear"
*Denver has 1/4 "charter" schools and 1/4 "innovation" schools
-------
UnravelingEducation.com (http://UnravelingEducation.com)
2 Mar 2024
CCSD Superintendent Search, Chiefs for Change & Broadies Scam, Educational Reforms, and more!
Joining me in this episode is CCSD educator, Robert Cowles. We discuss the upcoming CCSD Superintendent Search and history, National Superintendent training programs such as: Chiefs for Change, Broad Academy, etc. We both share our thoughts on what qualities the future leader of the Clark County School District should possess, what selection process should be used, and the Nevada State Legislature’s role in all of this.
UnravelingEducation.com (http://unravelingeducation.com)
21 Feb 2024
Houston, we have a Problem! & his name is AJ Crabill [Storytime]
You’ll learn the complete background of AJ Crabill aka "the mysterious stranger" & his sinister agenda for the Clark County School District. Then an update on the happenings in CCSD & the Superintendent Jara saga. I’ll explain the snazzy conference we attended with other school boards across the country, the national vendors we were introduced to, and the "really scary, frightening” epiphany that was had.
http://UnravelingEducation.com
7 Feb 2024
The CCSD Board Member Bought by Billionaires [Storytime]
This episode contains: the questionable change to board governance a certain Trustee tried to sneak though for approval at a board meeting, I’ll take you through that meeting play by play. Then you’ll learn about that board member’s employment and candidate background. The names of the donors who funded their electron are sure to shock you and leave you with the same questions I had.
You’ll hear about the unethical, and possibly illegal, changes that were done to take away the board’s power, the ethics complaint I filed about it, and I’ll bring you up to speed on the current threat to the Clark County school board and taxpayers, and how you can get involved with fighting back.
❤️ Donate: http://unravelingeducation.com
💪 Fight Back: http://unravelingeducation.com/fightback
▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/2vmkIPdxh2k
1 Feb 2024
Brainwashing the School Board at Harvard [Storytime]
In this episode you’ll hear about my experience visit Harvard University for school board training, some of the interesting people I met, and how I realized that all of the school board Trustees in attendance were being brainwashed.
Quick disclaimer: my feelings and opinions about this training does not reflect my feelings and opinions about Harvard itself. Everything I’m going to share with you is specific to the packaged program which takes place on Harvard’s campus.
It takes a lot to produce an episode of Unraveling Education. It’s all made possible by donations and sponsorships and we could sure use the help!
To make a donation or become a sponsor visit UnravelingEducation.com/sponsor (http://unravelingeducation.com/sponsor)
20 Jan 2024
The History of School Boards & Why They're Under Attack
This episode will cover the history of school boards and why they are so important to you and to your voting rights. I’ll begin to explain how all public school boards in America are under attack. Then fill you in on the current state of the Clark County School Board and the recent events that have chipped away at the trustees’ power even more.
It takes a lot to produce an episode of Unraveling Education. It’s all made possible by donations and sponsorships and we could sure use the help!
To make a donation or become a sponsor visit http://UnravelingEducation.com/sponsor (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa29WQXhkMG1jZUtVVzZlcTN4V25nVWxGY2JYQXxBQ3Jtc0trT01wZ1d1R21IRzlvMWJ5di1IRWgzb3FIQzM1d1Q2aGEyZ2xidzBYUnp6Z0UwQVhPVHRWYjF2S25xOWQtT1JzLW9nZmN5bmZlREhoSDFMelBDU0I0NXpYblpFbHNqbG0zWFUtcjRSNUUyUnAyS2I0TQ&q=http%3A%2F%2FUnravelingEducation.com%2Fsponsor&v=GdqXhb66C_s)
31 Dec 2023
Racism in Schools, Anti-Racist Policy, and CRT
In this episode: Racism in Schools, we discuss the horrific racist targeting that happened to Akiko and Jshauntae's children at school, which then led to:
- Them organizing the community and launching a movement
- Me going viral for being racist, the creation of a district-wide anti-racism policy
- & ultimately our friendship
We also talk about Racism in general, why most people are so uncomfortable talking about it, and what needs to happen to make systemic change not only within schools but throughout society.
____________
Visit NoRacismInSchools.org (http://noracisminschools.org) to contact Akiko & Jai, make a donation, or volunteer!
Watch the episode on Youtube:
Support the production of "Unraveling Education" at Unravelingeducation.com/sponsor (http://unravelingeducation.com/sponsor)
13 Dec 2023
Diary of a New School Board Trustee [Storytime]
In this episode, I'm going to give you a glimpse of:
My background leading up to my decision to run for the School Board
What it was like as one of 10 candidates in the Primary Election
The difference between the primary election and when it came down to 2 of us for the November general election
What happened in the seven weeks between winning the general election and swearing in as Trustee
& the absolutely Mind-Boggling events that took place over the course of my first 6 months on the Clark County School Board
This is a very robust episode, but everything is relevant: The personal details I share about myself, the seemingly innocent conversations that were had, the people who entered into the school board's orbits. These will all be important to understand as we connect dots through future episodes.
So as you listen, even if you already know where these stories are headed, try your best to put yourself in my shoes. Or just pretend like you're hearing this for the first time. Doing that will ensure that these threads connect effortlessly for you.
Quick and important plug: Unraveling Education relies on donations and sponsorships to exist. Every little bit helps. So if you would like to help support Unraveling Education going forward, you can visit UnravelingEducation.com/Sponsor (http://unravelingeducation.com/sponsor)
Discussion about this episode is happening in the YouTube Comments (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtFWanCqsEU)
30 Nov 2023
Introducing: Unraveling Education with Danielle Ford
Welcome to Unraveling Education, a new podcast from former School Board Trustee Danielle Ford. We'll be investigating the underlying issues harming the public education system, and identifying the key players involved.
The video version of this episode can be found on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5AQH6KaFNynQYaBG-Y7HcA).
Thank you to the Founding Sponsors whose support fueled the launch of Unraveling Education. To contribute to the show's continued production, operation, and growth use the links below:
UnravelingEducation.com/sponsor (http://unravelingeducation.com/sponsor)
PayPal: PayPal.me/FordMediaLLC (http://paypal.me/fordmediallc)
Venmo: Account.venmo.com/u/FordMediaLLC (https://account.venmo.com/u/fordmediallc)
Zelle: UnravelingEducation @gmail.com
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
23,037
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
28 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
53
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
95
Contact Unraveling Education
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Unraveling Education?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
