In this third episode of Red Pens and Red Flags, host Rictor Riolo sits down with Nancy Gonzalez, an ELD (English Language Development) paraprofessional at the middle school level, for an honest and insightful conversation about the realities of supporting multilingual learners in today’s political climate. Nancy discusses her role in guiding newcomer students, those who have recently arrived in the U.S., through their academic day, helping them navigate not only English but also the cultural shift of a new country. She opens up about the linguistic diversity she sees in the classroom, including students from Micronesia, Mexico, Ukraine, and Indonesia, and how tools like Google Translate, push-in support, and personalized assistance are essential in creating an inclusive environment. Nancy also critiques standardized assessments like the ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessment), questioning whether they accurately reflect a student’s English ability and expressing concern over how long some students, especially U.S.-born kids, remain trapped in the ELD system, limiting their academic growth.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Nancy addresses the political threats to the Department of Education, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, and dual language immersion. She reflects on the potential dismantling of these systems and what that would mean for vulnerable students who still need support, even if the programs disappear. Nancy passionately advocates for inclusive, integrated classrooms where students can see themselves reflected in their teachers and feel emotionally supported amidst growing national anxiety. She shares her own journey as a former ELD student, her aspirations to become a social studies teacher, and her unwavering hope that, even if the policies change, dedicated educators will continue to show up, speak up, and care deeply for every learner. This episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of equitable education.

In this powerful sixth episode of Red Pens and Red Flags, host Rictor Riolo steps into the metaphorical (and literal) principal’s office to tackle the deeply unsettling implications of Project 2025 on America’s most vulnerable students. He’s joined by Jennifer Jones, a district administrator for alternative education, and Kaitlen Green, a high school social worker, who offer raw, unfiltered insights into how marginalized students are already fighting to survive in a system that’s stacked against them. Together, they examine the role of trauma-informed education, the erosion of federal protections, and what happens when discipline policies abandon equity in favor of “common sense” punishment. Spoiler: it’s anything but common or sensible.

The conversation doesn’t just critique, it galvanizes. Jennifer and Kaitlen bring receipts, personal stories, and decades of experience working with students who’ve been pushed out, written off, and underserved. From the gut-punch reality of the school-to-prison pipeline to the glimmers of hope in Oregon’s DEI resistance, this episode dares to imagine a better way forward, even as the walls seem to be closing in. If you care about public education, civil rights, or the survival of empathy in policy, this episode is required listening. Like what Mr. Rogers once said, "In times of disaster, look for the helpers."

In this second episode of Red Pens and Red Flags, host Rictor Riolo sits down with Veronica Spedner, a veteran special education teacher working in one of Oregon's most diverse high schools. Veronica shares how her core values—hard work, preparation, and inclusion—guide her daily work with students who have IEPs. She emphasizes the importance of supporting students not just academically, but socially and emotionally, so they can thrive beyond high school, whether in college, the workforce, or independent living. The conversation takes a powerful turn as Veronica critiques the current political climate, expressing deep concern about efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and roll back DEI policies. She argues that the erosion of federal oversight could severely impact students with disabilities, English learners, and other marginalized groups. Veronica shares her fears that without strong federal protections, we risk returning to an era of segregation and exclusion. Her response to Project 2025 is blunt: “It feels like we’re going backward.” But amid these challenges, Veronica remains hopeful. She believes in the resilience of educators and the power of inclusive classrooms where students with disabilities not only belong but also enrich the learning experience for everyone. Her message to policymakers is clear: spend time in public schools, talk to students, and see the impact of inclusive education firsthand. This episode is a powerful reminder that equity in education isn’t a luxury, it’s a legal and moral imperative.

In this introductory episode of Red Pens and Red Flags, host Rictor Riolo speaks with Dr. Gina Rogers, a middle school educator, about the emotional and political landscape facing her English Language Development (ELD) students in the United States. As the lead teacher for a newcomer program serving refugee and immigrant students, Dr. Rogers discusses the challenges her students face, from navigating school for the first time in a new country to coping with fears of deportation and housing instability. She describes the heightened stress levels in her classroom after the election and the profound impact of national uncertainty surrounding the Department of Education’s future under Trump’s administration. Drawing from her personal journey as a Romanian immigrant during the Carter era, Dr. Rogers emphasizes the power of safety, stability, and compassion in the classroom. This heartfelt conversation blends policy, pedagogy, and personal experience, showing that in a time of political upheaval, educators like Dr. Rogers are fighting to keep schools a sanctuary for their most vulnerable students.

The podcast begins with Rick and Tim's reaction to the 2024 election results of the first election in US history where an adjudicated rapist, convicted felon, and insurrectionist won a presidential election. Topics include Elon Musk, Luigi Mangione, immigration, and what went wrong with Kamala Harris's election campaign.

What did President Biden accomplish during his historic presidential term? Rick and Tim break it all down, covering the highs, the lows, and the Trump controversies. They explore Biden's 50-year career in politics, touching on everything from the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan to the passing of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill. They also discuss Biden's role in key issues like the DACA program, the 2023 railroad strike, and his attempt at the most comprehensive border bill ever proposed to the Senate—only to see it blocked by MAGA politicians who wanted it for Trump's own political gains. The conversation also delves into Biden's involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the contentious claim of his part in the so-called "genocide" of Palestinians. Tim highlights Biden's achievements with the Inflation Reduction Act, which caps insulin costs and implements regulations to rein in big pharma, alongside efforts to allocate funds for student loan relief. The discussion turns to the fairness of college loans issued by banks and whether they were given with good intentions. Tim argues that insurance is a scam and suggests, "As a community, we should have the capability to take care of ourselves. Insurance exists to serve their interests, not ours." Rick raises the question of whether the Democratic Party and the media were opportunistic in their handling of Biden's poor debate performance. Tim believes Biden was over-prepared and got lost in his talking points, while Rick thinks Biden was set up as a sacrificial lamb. Who was responsible for the missteps—Biden himself or his team? This week's "Let's Trigger Rictor" is about what Donald Trump says about being a dictator on day one. Clips included are from CNN, NBC News, ABC News, C-SPAN, The White House, TikTokkers: charpmedia, civicsdean, empiricaluniversity, and yahoonews.

Trump’s rogue Supreme Court has done something unthinkable and unimaginable. They have given him immunity with king-like powers. How do we save our country from this radical shift toward autocracy? Did Ruth Bader Ginsburg let us down by not retiring sooner? What kind of court reform must be done if the Democrats win the election? What can be done? Do we stack the court? Impeach the biased and compromised judges? Create term limits? Codify Roe vs. Wade into law? Rick and Tim talk about what they think should happen to bring our nation back to normal and they both have different opinions. Who will these radical Christian nationalists target next? This episode is a comprehensive review of the current unprecedented judicial system that will have a lasting impact on our country for 50 years to come. This week’s “Let's Trigger Rictor” segment is about the commercialization of Gay Pride. is it a good thing? This podcast continues the ongoing discussion regarding the evolution of this corrupt and unprecedented Supreme Court in American history. Clips include NBC News, MSNBC, The Washington Post, Al Jazeera English, Black History In Two Minutes Or So, and TikTokkers jordan.thewlis, doingdarciethings, thedemocrats, stormqbreaker, glamourmag, davidpakmanshow, nowthisimpact, matthewcummingsuellar, and bmbempower8.

If you wish to write a letter to the Supreme Court, the address is:

Supreme Court of the United States 1 First Street, NE

Washington, DC 20543

For the premiere episode of season 2, Rick and Tim talk about ghosts. Things have made Rick a believer; whereas Tim is still skeptical. Has Rick's involvement with the Bigfoot world ruined any skeptical integrity he may have? Or is he able to see things from a different perspective? Tim and Rick discover they both have a commonality with their experiences... unexplained phenomena affecting their lights and electrical equipment. This week’s “Let's Trigger Rictor” segment is about the rematch we never asked for: Biden vs. Trump. God help us. Media clips are included from The Sixth Sense, Ghostbusters, Southpark, Poltergeist, Ghost, and The Shining.