The Citizen Stewart Show
“The Citizen Stewart Show” is an independent, pull-no-punches podcast from The Branch about the perils and promise of education and democracy. Hosted by Chris “Citizen” Stewart, CEO of Brightbeam, a nonprofit national network of activists fighting for educational opportunity and justice for every child. And co-hosted by Kate Malekoff, president of The Branch. “The Citizen Stewart Show” shines light on the dark forces keeping our students, schools, and democracy mired in counterproductive politics. No headline or issue is off limits, because education is at the heart of everything in America.
Episodes
September 2, 2025 • 39 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Kate discussed the Citizen Stewart Show coming to an end…for now.
Follow Chris at Citizen.subtsack to see what happens next!
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August 26, 2025 • 45 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Kate discussed the current crises facing education in America.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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August 19, 2025 • 56 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Kate discussed whether education commentary can survive in today’s Attention Economy.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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August 12, 2025 • 56 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Ravi discussed Where the Schools Went - a brand new podcast from The Branch Media!
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Where the Schools Went: The most radical education experiment in American history, told by the people who lived it.
August 2025 marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina altered New Orleans forever. Much has been written about the storm’s destruction and the city’s long road to recovery. But tuck...
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July 29, 2025 • 35 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Kate discussed…
A Pandemic of Stupid (Verbatim, 7/17/25)
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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July 22, 2025 • 45 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Kate discussed…
Support for Testing and Accountability Is Waning. Is Politics to Blame? (The 74, 7/21/25)
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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July 15, 2025 • 49 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Kate explore whether, in the era of AI, the critical thinking and adaptability fostered by a liberal arts education could become a surprising advantage.
The Rise of AI Will Make Liberal Arts Degrees Popular Again. (Inc., 7/14/25)
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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July 8, 2025 • 63 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris is joined by Dr. Charles Cole for a discussion about the importance of Black men in education.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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July 3, 2025 • 35 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris discusses the ways ed reform democrats could better serve students in these turbulent times.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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June 27, 2025 • 50 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Kate discuss the unique job market recent graduates are entering into. From the forces AI and beyond, they explore what makes this moment in the workforce both precarious and full of possibility.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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June 17, 2025 • 55 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Kate dive into the complex challenge teachers face in maintaining political neutrality amid today's highly polarized climate. How do educators stay balanced when everything feels like a political statement?
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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June 10, 2025 • 58 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris sat down with Nicholas Bradford for a conversation about restorative justice.
Nicholas is the founder and executive director of the National Center for Restorative Justice and the author of A Real-World Guide to Restorative Justice in Schools: Practical Philosophy, Useful Tools, and True Stories.
The Restorative Schools Conference is June 26th and 27th in Portland, Oregon.
We’d love...
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June 6, 2025 • 56 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris sits down with Dr. Tommy Chang, CEO of the New Teacher Center for a conversation about how we can keep pushing student achievement forward in these turbulent times.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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June 2, 2025 • 61 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris sits down with Dominic Lawson for a conversation about how we can rewrite the impact of racial trauma.
Dominic Lawson is an award-winning producer who has made his mark in the mental health space. Dominic’s work has been recognized with numerous accolades. His podcast Black is America won a Webby Award in 2023.
*Note: this episode contains discussion about mental health issues, inc...
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May 26, 2025 • 56 mins
his week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Kate discussed the nuances of merit pay for teachers.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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May 13, 2025 • 49 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris and Kate discussed the rising resistance to the President’s crusade against diversity in education.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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May 6, 2025 • 55 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris sits down with Conor Williams for a conversation about why dual language programs are working for ESL families, and why they are under political pressure.
Conor Williams is a senior fellow at The Century Foundation, and an expert on urban education reform, English learner students, children of immigrants, early education programs, and school choice systems. He is also a founding partne...
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April 29, 2025 • 57 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris sits down with Emory Edwards to discuss possible pathways to solving education for America’s black children.
Emory Edwards is the Vice President of Outreach at Ed Choice.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
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April 22, 2025 • 53 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris sits down with Michael Strambler for a conversation about Social and Emotional Learning.
Dr. Michael Strambler is a clinical psychologist and directs Child Wellbeing and Education Research at The Consultation Center at Yale.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
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April 16, 2025 • 56 mins
This week on The Citizen Stewart Show, Chris sits down with Shaka Mitchell for a conversation about possible pathways to a special educational status for black students.
Shaka Mitchell serves as a Senior Fellow for the American Federation for Children.
We’d love to hear from you!
Leave us a voicemail at (321) 213-9171
Or send us an email at citizenstewartshow@thebranchmedia.org
Mark as Played
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