Podcast
Square Pizza
Hosted by SchermCo · EN
The Square Pizza podcast focuses on the intersection of education, innovation, and diversity. We host and interview leaders doing incredible work around the country to ensure all students have access to an equitable education. The Square Pizza podcast is hosted by SchermCo, a social-impact implementation firm that offers strategic implementation and project management services to schools and education-focused organizations across the country.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Erica Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer - United Way of Greater Nashville
Nov 2100:38:06Tap to summarizeGIVEAWAY - send us a message and let us know your favorite thing about the Square Pizza Pod. We are giving away SchermCo swag to the first three people that send us a note!In this episode of the Square Pizza Pod, Greg welcomes Erica Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Greater Nashville, for a candid conversation about leading regional change at the intersection of poverty, philanthropy, and community power.From what was supposed to be a two-year stop at United Way to more than fifteen years of growing responsibility, Erica reflects on how the work has evolved as Nashville has exploded in size and complexity. She shares how her team is moving beyond traditional workplace giving to focus on workforce pathways, neighborhood-based partnerships, and efforts like the Fifth Third Neighborhood Initiative in North Nashville that are designed with, not just for, community members.In this episode, you will hear:How a short-term role at United Way became a long-term calling to serve the regionWhat it really takes to prevent and alleviate poverty in a fast-growing cityLessons from navigating multiple nonprofit mergers—and what leaders often underestimateHow the merger with Hands On Nashville is reshaping volunteer engagement and community responseWhy affordable child care sits at the center of economic mobility for familiesHow Erica approaches leading a one-hundred-person team and a forty-plus-member boardWhy she is cautiously optimistic about artificial intelligence and what questions leaders should be asking nowIf you care about community, equity, or building stronger cities through real partnership, this is an episode you will not want to miss.Support the show
Transcribe →Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow, American Federation for Children
Nov 700:41:52Tap to summarizeGIVEAWAY - send us a message and let us know your favorite thing about the Square Pizza Pod. We are giving away SchermCo swag to the first three people that send us a note!In this episode of the Square Pizza Pod, Greg welcomes Shaka Mitchell, educator, policy leader, and advocate for school choice, for an engaging and candid conversation about education, leadership, and civic engagement.From his early days in Nashville to his current work shaping education policy across Tennessee, Shaka reflects on what’s changed—and what hasn’t—about how we prepare students for the future. Along the way, he shares sharp insights on the role of local leadership, the real stories behind school choice debates, and how families and communities can stay engaged in creating better systems for kids.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why Shaka believes “parents are the most important education reformers”How Tennessee’s education landscape is shifting post-pandemicLessons from the charter sector and what traditional districts can learnHis advice for building civic trust and bridging ideological dividesHow he uses music as a common ground to spark conversation and bridge differencesA few Nashville stories (and laughs) along the wayIf you care about schools, leadership, or the future of public education, this is one you don’t want to miss.Support the show
Transcribe →Square Pizza Podcast #132 - Rod Banks, Senior Vice President, Lead Community Relations Consultant, Wells Fargo
Sep 1900:34:35Tap to summarizeGIVEAWAY - send us a message and let us know your favorite thing about the Square Pizza Pod. We are giving away SchermCo swag to the first three people that send us a note!In this episode of the Square Pizza Podcast, host Greg Schermbeck sits down with Rod Banks, long-time community development and philanthropy leader, for a candid conversation on leadership, career growth, and the evolving landscape of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Rod reflects on his journey from economic development in Spartanburg to nearly two decades with Wachovia and Wells Fargo, where he has shaped philanthropic investments across housing, small business growth, and financial health. Along the way, he discusses how his calm leadership style—something inherited from his father—has influenced both his personal and professional life, and why open dialogue with nonprofits is critical for long-term community impact. In this episode, you’ll hear: Rod’s reflections on family influences, staying grounded, and even his passionate side as a Steelers fanThe scale of investments in Charlotte and western North Carolina, with a focus on housing, small businesses, and financial mobilityLessons from partnering with both established organizations like Gardhouse & Freedom Fighting MissionariesWhy nonprofit leaders should lean into authenticity and open conversations with funders—even when it means discussing vulnerabilitiesInsights on the growing conversation around nonprofit mergers and acquisitions, and why sustainability must be central to strategic planningHis hope for Charlotte’s CSR ecosystem: continued collaboration among funders to meet community needs with both rigor and trustThis episode is for nonprofit leaders, funders, and anyone invested in community change. Rod’s steady leadership, deep experience, and practical wisdom offer a grounded perspective on how philanthropy can adapt and thrive in uncertain times.Support the show
Transcribe →#131 - Jason Terrell, President at R. Howard Dobbs Jr. Foundation
Aug 1600:46:36Tap to summarizeGIVEAWAY - send us a message and let us know your favorite thing about the Square Pizza Pod. We are giving away SchermCo swag to the first three people that send us a note!In this full-circle episode of the Square Pizza Podcast, host Greg Schermbeck reconnects with Jason Terrell, President of the R. Howard Dobbs Jr. Foundation, for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation on fatherhood, leadership, and the evolving world of philanthropy.Jason reflects on how his personal and professional journey has shifted since his last appearance in 2020—moving from nonprofit founder to a philanthropic leader with a statewide platform. Along the way, he shares what it means to lead with trust, how his thinking has evolved, and why the future of meaningful giving lies in deeper collaboration and intersectionality.In this episode, you’ll hear:Jason’s reflections on parenting and how teaching and leadership tools show up at homeHis career shift from Profound Gentlemen to leading a $65M foundation with a two-person teamWhy philanthropy is more fragile than it appears—and what nonprofit leaders need to understandThe Dobbs Foundation’s approach to funding education, health, and the environment, and how Jason applies a “multi-solving” lens to support holistic changeThe growing role of AI in philanthropy, from data transparency to democratizing access to informationA call for funders to serve as learning engines, not just check writers, and to prioritize trust and flexibility alongside accountabilityThis episode is for nonprofit leaders, funders, and anyone navigating the intersections of community work, equity, and innovation. Jason’s honesty and strategic clarity offer a blueprint for how philanthropy can evolve without losing its heart.Support the show
Transcribe →Square Pizza Podcast #130 - Aaron Randolph, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Carolina Youth Coalition
Jul 9, 202500:48:26Tap to summarizeGIVEAWAY - send us a message and let us know your favorite thing about the Square Pizza Pod. We are giving away SchermCo swag to the first three people that send us a note!In this episode of the Square Pizza Podcast, Greg sits down with Aaron Randolph, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Carolina Youth Coalition (CYC)—an organization supporting over 500 high-achieving, under-resourced students across Charlotte. With warmth and wisdom, Aaron shares how his upbringing in a small Florida town, passion for football, and early exposure to AmeriCorps shaped his path into educational equity.Key Highlights:From Lake City to Leadership: How growing up in rural Florida and attending Cornell shaped Aaron’s core values and his community-first approach to leadership.The Power of Athletics: Lessons from the football field that translate into resilience, teamwork, and accountability—essential for building thriving organizations.Carolina Youth Coalition’s High-Touch Model: A deep dive into CYC’s mission, growth, and what sets it apart in the college access space—including mentorship, career readiness, and a second campus powered by CPI Security.Juggling (Literally & Figuratively): Why Aaron became a “master juggler” in third grade and what the skill teaches him about focus, presence, and leadership.AI & The Future of Work: Aaron’s insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping workforce development—and what that means for the students and families CYC serves.Academic Cool Factor: How CYC intentionally makes college and academic success aspirational, especially for first-gen students.Whether you're a leader, educator, or just curious about what it takes to build pathways for student success in the 21st century, this episode offers fresh perspective, honest storytelling, and practical leadership takeaways.Support the show
Transcribe →#129 - Christine Edwards Pitkin, Founder & CEO, Civility Localized & Civic Impact Academy
Apr 18, 202500:42:27Tap to summarizeGIVEAWAY - send us a message and let us know your favorite thing about the Square Pizza Pod. We are giving away SchermCo swag to the first three people that send us a note!Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Christine Edwards Pitkin, Founder & CEO of Civility Localized & Civic Impact Academy. Civility Localized is a minority and woman-owned Community Engagement Consulting Firm with headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.In this episode: Civility LocalizedMinority and woman-owned consulting firm and its mission to help communities grow with dignity through inclusive strategies for local and state government initiativesCommunity outreach and engagementCivic Impact AcademyAn educational experience that brings local community leaders and government leaders into the same roomsStarted in 2024Launching a new cohort in September and applications open in JulyBoard Member ExperienceGenerationNation, Humane Society, and QC Family Tree Best practices of high-performing boards?What aspiring board members knowBe ready and willing to give of yourself - your time, your money, your contactsSupport the show
Transcribe →#127 - Quarterly Convening: Spring Break + Family Learning Time
Apr 4, 202500:38:45Tap to summarizeGIVEAWAY - send us a message and let us know your favorite thing about the Square Pizza Pod. We are giving away SchermCo swag to the first three people that send us a note!Square Pizza Audience, we have a special episode from our family empowerment work. We host quarterly convenings for leaders and key players from our family empowerment cohort to gather and share insights and best practices related to family engagement and empowerment at the school level. This round was focused on Spring Break and Family Learning Time. Jia Lin-Bothe, our Director of Family Empowerment, had a fantastic discussion with our community partners on how to maximize Spring Break for family learning! Guests (panelists) include Stephanie Cales (North Carolina Council on Economic Education), Kaiwen Cheng (Queen City Robotics Alliance), and Patrina Garza (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library); they shared valuable insights on:Unique learning experiences available for students during Spring BreakHow programs support academic growth, social-emotional development, and career explorationWays families can create low-cost, meaningful learning experiences at home or in the communityResources available to ensure accessibility for all familiesMrs. Cherie Graham (Chief of Instructional Support and Family Engagement at Sugar Creek Charter School) also shared the Spring Break BINGO Activity that the Family Engagement Council came up with a few years back. We hope you enjoy this episode on creating meaningful and accessible learning experiences for families during Spring Break!Resources: Link to the slide deckResources list shared by our panelistsSupport the show
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