Balance with Books

How I Built My Multi-Hyphenate Career

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Rochelle Smarr shares the real story of how she built her multi-hyphenate career—not the polished LinkedIn version, but the one with detours, pivots, moments of doubt, and a whole lot of grit. From organizing the Student Homeless Alliance as an undergraduate at San Jose State to cofounding the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project after Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Smarr traces her journey from organizer to scholar to director to advocate. This episode explores the power of the pivot, the necessity of grit, the beauty of grace, and what it means to build a career that refuses linear definitions. If you're navigating multiple identities and wondering if your path makes sense, this is your reminder: your career doesn't have to follow someone else's blueprint. Trust the pivot and let your hyphens strengthen—not scatter—your path. As always, listen to prior episodes on the Substack [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/]: like, subscribe, and comment to support the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast. HyphenatEdD Leader is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to HyphenatEdD Leader at hyphenateddleader.substack.com/subscribe [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Underestimated No More: Leading with Discernment, Disruption, and Deep Purpose

In this episode, Dr. Rochelle Smarr sits down with Dr. Nadia Bennett — educator, advocate, disrupter, and founder of When Brown Girls Lead — for a powerful conversation on leading from the margins with discernment, disruption, and deep purpose. From being underestimated in school leadership spaces to walking away from public disrespect with nothing lined up next, Dr. Bennett shares how trusting herself, listening to the “tap” toward change, and leaning into authentic community transformed both her leadership and her life. Together, they discuss racism and sexism in educational leadership, reclaiming joy through coaching, the importance of purpose-driven work, and why community with people who truly understand your work is essential for survival and growth. ✨ “They keep sleeping on me — and that’s exactly my superpower.” This episode is for educators, advocates, and leaders committed to leading boldly, authentically, and unapologetically. 🎧 Listen now on the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/s/podcast-episodes] ▶️ Watch the interview now on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@rochellesmarrheddl?si=-PvQ9CqDqFGZM4vt]🔗 Learn more at the HyphenatEdD Leader [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/] #HyphenatEdDLeader #VoicesFromTheHuddle #LeadingFromTheMargins #WhenBrownGirlsLead #BlackWomenLead #LeadWithPurpose Get full access to HyphenatEdD Leader at hyphenateddleader.substack.com/subscribe [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Leading with Community, Credential, and Care

This week on Voices from the Huddle, Dr. Sinai Cota shares what it really looks like to navigate higher education while staying grounded in authenticity, mentorship, and community. 💭 From ageism in higher ed…💭 To the power attached to “Dr.”…💭 To learning how to protect your peace… This episode is a reminder that leadership doesn’t always arrive loudly.Learn more at the HypheantEdD Leader Substack [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/] Get full access to HyphenatEdD Leader at hyphenateddleader.substack.com/subscribe [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Balance with Books

How are you pouring into your HyphenatEdD leader self beyond what's expected of you? In this episode, Dr. Smarr explores what it means to center joy and creativity in a life filled with multiple roles: mentor, advocate, scholar, director, parent, researcher, and yes, reader. This conversation is about moving joy from the margins to the center of your life and recognizing that leadership isn't just about what you produce—it's also about what replenishes you. Dr. Smarr shares why the most radical thing you can do as a leader is give yourself permission to rest, dream, and play. If you're navigating the beautiful chaos of being multi-hyphenated, this episode is your reminder to make room for what sustains you. Get full access to HyphenatEdD Leader at hyphenateddleader.substack.com/subscribe [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Leading with Grit, Grace, and Unwavering Purpose

In this week’s Voices from the Huddle [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/s/voices-from-the-huddle-guest-conversations?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=menu] interview of the HyphenatEdD Leader [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/s/podcast-episodes] podcast, Dr. Rochelle Smarr connects with fellow BWEL author, Dr. Monisha Rosby. In this moving conversation, Dr. Rosby shares her transformative journey from single mother to wife to Ed.D. graduate to Associate Principal. All while building a mentorship empire and small business. She opens up about navigating spaces not originally designed for women of color in leadership, dismantling the superwoman mentality, and leading from the heart in K-12 and higher education. From obtaining her Ed.D. online at St. Thomas University to her work with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dr. Rosby reveals how she’s creating pipelines for the next generation of leaders while maintaining hard boundaries and bringing her whole self to every room. This episode is a masterclass in humble leadership, strategic mentorship, and remembering to breathe when the margins try to box you in. Learn more about Dr. Monisha Rosby and the resources she shared during her conversation in her Voices from the Huddle [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/s/voices-from-the-huddle-guest-conversations] profile. As always, listen to prior episodes on the Substack [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/]: like, subscribe, and comment to support the HyphenatEdD Leader podcast. Thanks for reading HyphenatEdD Leader! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to HyphenatEdD Leader at hyphenateddleader.substack.com/subscribe [https://hyphenateddleader.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]