In this powerful and deeply human conversation, I sit down with Jacqueline A. Diaz-Fontana, founder of the Erick A. Garcia You Are Enough Foundation, to explore how personal tragedy can transform into purpose that impacts entire communities and save lives.

After losing her son Eric to suicide, Jacqueline made the courageous decision to share her story—not only to heal, but to help other families recognize the importance of mental health, connection, and conversation.

Together, we discuss what young people are silently carrying, what parents and educators often miss, and how we can create environments where students feel safe enough to say, “I’m not okay.” This episode is both a wake-up call and a guide—filled with practical advice, hope, and a reminder that every child needs to know: they are enough.

Episode Takeaways

• Jacqueline shares how the loss of her son led her to create the You Are Enough Foundation to save lives
• Parents must look beyond behavior and start deeper conversations with their children
• Listening without judgment is one of the most powerful tools adults have
• Mental health support should be viewed as prevention, not just crisis response
• Students today are carrying anxiety, pressure, and uncertainty about their future
• Educators must lead with empathy and avoid labeling students
• Community partnerships with nonprofits can provide critical support for schools
• Starting a nonprofit requires heart, consistency, and the courage to “do it afraid”
• One conversation can change—and even save—a life
• 
  

If you are a school leader, educator, or community partner looking to bring this work to your students—this is an organization to connect with.

🚨 Resources Mentioned

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or text 988)
• Local Department of Mental Health services

🚌 About the Podcast

So here we are. On the School Bus with Dr. Spates — a vehicle (a metaphorical school bus) for learning, growing, laughing, stretching our thinking, and being inspired together. This podcast is exclusively for two groups of people: the passionate school leaders who show up every day determined to improve student outcomes and transform TK–12 education, and the once-passionate leaders who just need a spark to find their way back.

As the culture says: #WeAreNotForEverybody — and that’s perfectly fine with me.

📬 Connect with Dr. Krishna Darlene Spates

Website: ontheschoolbuswithdrspates.com

Website: KrishnaSpates.com

Email: hello@OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates.com

Instagram • YouTube • TikTok • Facebook: @OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates

LinkedIn: Krishna Spates, Ed.D.

📬 Connect with Jacqueline Diaz-Fontana & The Foundation

Website: https://youareenoughfoundation.org

Email: info@youareenoughfoundation.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youareenoughfoundation

📸 Production Studio

Recorded at 661 Creators Space

Website: 661CreatorsSpace.com

Instagram: @661CreatorsSpace

Email: 661creatorsspace@gmail.com

🎼 Music

Theme Song: “Call of Duty” — Mutanix

Instagram: @mutanixs

Email: mutanixmedia@gmail.com

Used with permission.

💛 Support the Work

If this episode inspired you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share with another school leader. Watch the playlist on YouTube while you're multi-tasking: Listen here. Our students, families, and communities are counting on us.

In this powerful episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, Dr. Spates sits down with Todd Davis Sr.—father of a Super Bowl champion and a dynamic motivational speaker—to explore what it truly means to raise resilient, purpose-driven children.

Todd shares deeply personal insights about raising two children with different paths—his son, Todd Davis, and his daughter, whom he calls his “princessy”—while ensuring both felt equally valued, seen, and supported.

The conversation dives into transparent parenting, avoiding comparison, and the importance of affirming children for who they are—not just what they achieve. Todd also challenges parents and educators to rethink how they support young people, especially those not “shining the brightest.”

With powerful metaphors—from chandeliers to slinkies to setbacks—Todd delivers a message rooted in purpose: we are not raising children, we are raising future adults.

This episode is a must-listen for educators, caregivers, and anyone committed to helping every child find their light.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Every child must be raised as an individual, not in comparison to others
• Affirm children for who they are, not just what they achieve
• Avoid projecting your own dreams onto your child’s journey
• Setbacks are opportunities to assess, adjust, and advance
• Parents must balance protection with preparation for independence
• Student-athletes should prioritize academics and life skills beyond sports
• Educators must focus on all students—not just the ones who shine the brightest
• True success is about becoming a whole, grounded human being

🚌 About the Podcast

So here we are. On the School Bus with Dr. Spates — a vehicle (a metaphorical school bus) for learning, growing, laughing, stretching our thinking, and being inspired together. This podcast is exclusively for two groups of people: the passionate school leaders who show up every day determined to improve student outcomes and transform TK–12 education, and the once-passionate leaders who just need a spark to find their way back.

As the culture says: #WeAreNotForEverybody — and that’s perfectly fine with me.

📬 Connect with Dr. Krishna Darlene Spates

Website: ontheschoolbuswithdrspates.com

Website: KrishnaSpates.com

Email: hello@OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates.com

Instagram • YouTube • TikTok • Facebook: @OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates

LinkedIn: Krishna Spates, Ed.D.

📬 Connect with Todd Davis Senior

Email: thisiscoachtodd@gmail.com

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thisiscoachtodd

📸 Production Studio

Recorded at 661 Creators Space

Website: 661CreatorsSpace.com

Instagram: @661CreatorsSpace

Email: 661creatorsspace@gmail.com

🎼 Music

Theme Song: “Call of Duty” — Mutanix

Instagram: @mutanixs

Email: mutanixmedia@gmail.com

Used with permission.

💛 Support the Work

If this episode inspired you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share with another school leader. Watch the playlist on YouTube while you're multi-tasking: Listen here. Our students, families, and communities are counting on us.

In this powerful episode of On the School Bus with Dr. Spates, I sit down with Dr. Luke Wood, President of California State University Sacramento, for a deeply personal and purpose-driven conversation about leadership, equity, and systems transformation.

Dr. Wood takes us on a journey through his lived experiences—from navigating foster care and systemic barriers to becoming a national voice in higher education leadership. He shares how those experiences shaped his unwavering commitment to ensuring students are not blamed for inequitable outcomes—and why leaders must instead redesign the systems that serve them.

We explore the bold work happening at Sacramento State, including initiatives like the Black Honors College, culturally responsive supports for students, and a strong focus on meeting students’ basic needs. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Wood reminds us that leadership rooted in love and accountability is not soft—it is strategic, courageous, and necessary.

This episode is a call to action for leaders to stay focused, lead with purpose, and build systems where every student has the opportunity to thrive.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How Dr. Luke Wood’s personal journey informs his leadership and commitment to equity

• Why systems—not students—must be the focus of change in education

• The vision and purpose behind Sacramento State’s Black Honors College

• How addressing students’ basic needs directly impacts academic success

• What it means to lead with both love and accountability in high-stakes environments

• Strategies for creating cultures of belonging at scale

• How leaders can remain grounded, focused, and resilient in challenging times

🎧 Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and welcome

01:14 – Early life experiences and commitment to equity

02:40 – Navigating foster care and systemic barriers

05:32 – The vision behind the Black Honors College

08:40 – Supporting Black students and Native communities

10:27 – Addressing student needs through basic support systems

12:14 – Leading through political and social challenges

14:36 – Shifting from fixing students to fixing systems

19:33 – Creating belonging and student-centered environments

23:24 – Leadership lessons rooted in purpose and focus

26:53 – Self-care, sustainability, and resilience

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Black Minds Matter Initiativehttps://blackmindsmatter.net/
• California State University Sacramento – Black Honors College: https://www.csus.edu/student-affairs/black-honors-college/
• California State University Sacramento – Basic Needs Center: https://www.csus.edu/student-life/health-counseling/basic-needs-resource-center/

🚌 About the Podcast

So here we are. On the School Bus with Dr. Spates — a vehicle (a metaphorical school bus) for learning, growing, laughing, stretching our thinking, and being inspired together. This podcast is exclusively for two groups of people: the passionate school leaders who show up every day determined to improve student outcomes and transform TK–12 education, and the once-passionate leaders who just need a spark to find their way back.

As the culture says: #WeAreNotForEverybody — and that’s perfectly fine with me.

📬 Connect with Dr. Krishna Darlene Spates

Website: ontheschoolbuswithdrspates.com

Website: KrishnaSpates.com

Email: hello@OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates.com

Instagram • YouTube • TikTok • Facebook: @OnTheSchoolBusWithDrSpates

LinkedIn: Krishna Spates, Ed.D.

📬 Connect with Dr. Luke Wood

Website: https://www.csus.edu/president/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drlukewood

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukewood/

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DrLukeWood

Research: https://blackmindsmatter.net/

📸 Production Studio

Recorded at 661 Creators Space

Website: 661CreatorsSpace.com

Instagram: @661CreatorsSpace

Email: 661creatorsspace@gmail.com

🎼 Music

Theme Song: “Call of Duty” — Mutanix

Instagram: @mutanixs

Email: mutanixmedia@gmail.com

Used with permission.

💛 Support the Work

If this episode inspired you, please like, comment, subscribe, and share with another school leader. Watch the playlist on YouTube while you're multi-tasking: Listen here. Our students, families, and communities are counting on us.