Back in August of 2021, I got a text from my dear friend Laura Cathcart Robbins:

“Sara, I know this is crazy, but I’m going on the Dr. Phil show on Wednesday to talk about CRT and they’ve just asked me if I know of any white moms who might be willing to speak as an ally and I thought of you. Would this be something you would consider?”

I thought for a solid 30 seconds, felt like I might vomit, and then said YES.  

The next day, I flew to LA to record the show.  

It was a whirlwind event around a huge topic: Should Critical Race Theory be Taught in Schools? 

This week, I asked Laura if she would come on the SMA (for the 3rd time - WHOOP!) to have a conversation around our experience and around Critical Race Theory in America.   

If you’re not familiar with Laura, she is the host of the popular podcast, The Only One In The Room (you must subscribe!), and author of the forthcoming Atria/Simon& Schuster memoir, STASH (due out in spring of 2023). She has been active for many years as a speaker and school trustee and is credited for creating The Buckley School’s nationally recognized committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. Her recent articles in Huffpo and The Temper on the subjects of race, recovery, and divorce have garnered her worldwide acclaim. She is a LA Moth StorySlam winner and currently sits on the advisory boards of the San Diego Writer’s Festival and the Outliers HQ podcast Festival.

In this conversation, Laura and I dig into:

Why each of us said YES to appearing on Dr. Phil

Some of the behind the scenes surprises while taping the show

What Critical Race Theory actually is

Our takeaways from the conversation we had with 6 other guests on the show - all of whom had strong opinions and some very opposed to ours

What the media is actually talking about when they talk about “Critical Race Theory in schools”

Steve Bannon’s involvement in creating an intentionally divisive conversation for Conservatives to more easily pave the road to the White House

What is actually being taught in schools that is being misrepresented as Critical Race Theory

Why age appropriate race education is crucial in schools


Links mentioned:

Join me in Jen Lumanlan’s 10 week Taming Your Triggers workshop: shamelessmom.com/taming


Connect with Laura: theonlyonepod.com/


Podcast: The Only One In The Room


Laura on YouTube


Laura on IG


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