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Am I Brave Enough?

Picture of Craig Aarons-Martin
Am I Brave Enough?
2:23

Six foot three Black Man with salt and pepper beard stocky build young wearing a cape that says Am I Brave Enough

In this opening episode of Brave Voices in Education, I don’t interview anyone. I sit with myself. And maybe with you too. I ask the question I’ve been circling for months:

What does it really mean to be brave, especially when no one’s watching?

This isn’t the kind of bravery that shows up on a stage or in a protest photo. It’s the kind of courage it takes to set a boundary, step back, and admit you’re tired. The kind that whispers, “You’re worthy—without the grind.”

I reflect on:

  • Growing up with parents who gave everything with grace and grit.

  • Carrying that legacy as a queer Black educator and leader.

  • The trauma I’ve lived through, the healing I’m still choosing.

  • And what my therapist (aka “Magic”) told me that stopped me in my tracks.

It’s not about being fearless. It’s about being honest with yourself.

Your #CupOfCourage (Takeaways to Reflect On)

What does brave look like when nobody’s clapping?
Being bold in public is one thing. But what about being brave in your body, in your home, in your silence?

How do you hold space for others while staying connected to yourself?
If you’re running on empty, you can’t build thriving conditions for your team—or yourself.

Are you honoring your own enoughness?
Viola Davis said, “The journey back to yourself is the hardest. That’s the bravery.” Let’s walk that road.

What if rest isn’t weakness, but radical wisdom?

Rest is reparations. Rest is resistance. Rest is brave.

Your Turn: What Will You Choose Today?

If you’re reading this before you walk into your school, office, or Zoom room, pause. Take a deep breath.

This is your #CupOfCourage:

What’s one brave act of tenderness you can offer yourself today?

Is it skipping the unnecessary meeting? Saying “no” without guilt? Turning off Slack and walking outside?

Bravery isn’t always fire. Sometimes, it’s the exhale.

Listen to the Full Episode:

Am I Brave Enough? – Brave Voices in Education

More Resources:

Stay Brave. Stay Rooted. Stay Human.

If this podcast made you pause, share it. Let someone else know that bravery isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s soft. And holy. And healing.

Drop me a message with your #CupOfCourage takeaway or tag #BraveVoicesPod. Let’s build this movement together.
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