The FutureCurrent Podcast with Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools

The FutureCurrent Podcast with Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools showcases the people and programs making a difference across Orange County. Through authentic stories, the series will highlight how educators, families, and community partners are creating opportunities and building brighter futures for all learners.

The FutureCurrent Podcast with Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools is a education podcast hosted by FutureCurrent, with 16 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

FutureCurrent hosts The FutureCurrent Podcast with Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools, a education show with 16 episodes published.

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  Episode #15

  Ep. 15 | The Myth of Probation with Jessica Johnson

  Aug 4, 202634 minS1

  Some of the most meaningful work with young people is happening in places people rarely see. Jessica Johnson, Chief Deputy Probation Officer for the Orange County Probation Department, joins FutureCurrent to share what really happens inside the system, and what it looks like when the goal is possibility. From the surprising story behind a cribbage game to a 95% success rate that changed how a whole county thinks about diversion, this conversation invites us to rethink what probation can be, and what young people can become when someone bets on them. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Orange County Probation Department: https://ocprobation.ocgov.com/ Volunteers In Probation: https://ocprobation.ocgov.com/employment-volunteer/volunteer About Our Guest: Jessica Johnson has been employed with the Orange County Probation Department for 29 years and currently oversees the Juvenile Operations Bureau, which includes juvenile facilities, juvenile field supervision, and juvenile court. She has worked a variety of assignments throughout her career, including Juvenile Facilities, Juvenile Field Supervision, AB 109, Training, Juvenile Court, and Special Supervision. She is a strong collaborator and enjoys partnering with others within the community and justice partners to identify and improve processes and services for those within the justice system, particularly related to education, vocational training, housing, and other re-entry services.

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  Episode #14

  Ep. 14 | Driven by Need with Marvin Smith

  Jul 21, 202635 minS1

  When leadership is shaped by need, the work becomes something bigger than a career.Marvin Smith joins FutureCurrent for a conversation about how prevention, access, and opportunity change what is possible for young people. Drawing on decades of work with at-risk teens across the country, Marvin explores what it takes to reach kids at the root cause, remove the barriers around them, and help them discover the gifts already inside them.The conversation moves through the philosophy behind brain-based learning, why prevention changes trajectories in ways intervention alone cannot, and Marvin's approach to succession leadership and what it looks like to step back so young people can step up. A former NFL linebacker, ordained minister, and community leader, Marvin brings decades of insight to the question of how communities can better support the youth in them.Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.Connect with Marvin Smith:1xtremebrain@gmail.comAbout Our Guest:Marvin is a former NFL player who actively participates in the leadership of the NFL Former Player Association. He is an ordained minister, teacher, and community leader. His initiatives focus on community and social justice advocacy, education reform, and, most importantly, youth empowerment and mental health support. Marvin works with at-risk teens, providing programs that promote leadership, academic growth, and advancements in technology. He also offers counseling and crisis intervention services with teens across the country who are in urgent need of support.His passion for educational equity led him and his wife, Karla, to establish a model state-authorized public charter school in 2005 to support disenfranchised students. This innovative educational model is rooted in neuroscience - "Brain-Based Learning," which significantly impacted all the students compared to the traditional K-12 public educational system, and has yielded a core of socially, emotionally and intellectually productive citizens.

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  Episode #13

  Ep. 13 | Arts for All with Marleena Barber and Joshua Roy

  Jul 7, 202636 minS1

  Perception is often the first barrier to inclusion in the arts. It can also be the first thing that changes. Marleena Barber, Executive Director of Orange County Arts and Disability, joins FutureCurrent to share how the arts open doors to expression, belonging, and possibility for people of all abilities. Drawing from her own experience as a person with a disability and years of advocacy work, Marleena discusses what accessibility looks like across physical spaces, communication, digital environments, and policy, and why the arts are uniquely suited to true inclusion. The episode also features Joshua Roy, an accomplished artist and founder of Able Artist, joined by his mom, Connie. Joshua shares his creative process, his love of drawing, and what art means to him. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Connect with Marleena Barber: Orange County Arts and Disability on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocartsanddisability Orange County Arts and Disability on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orangecountyartsanddisability Connect with Joshua Roy: Joshua Roy Art: https://joshuaroy.art About Our Guests: Marleena Barber Legally blind from a generic condition called albinism, Marleena Barber is an educator, vocalist, and disability advocate. She is an arts and disability consultant at the Orange County Department of Education, and is also the Executive Director of Orange County Arts and Disability, a nonprofit organization. Prior to her work with OCDE, she was the children’s choir director at Braille Institute for 12 years where she developed music and theater arts programs for K-12 blind and low vision students. She currently serves on the board for Arts Orange County and Californians for the Arts. Joshua Roy Artist Joshua Roy has been developing his talent since he was a young child. He started drawing sketches on graph paper and quickly showed an interest in coloring and painting. He loves putting detail into his landscapes and still life pieces. Joshua is happy to share his artwork collections in cards and prints, and is also available for commissions! With his mom, Connie, Joshua attends many local boutiques and craft sales in the Southern California area, selling an array of home decor, cards, and prints. Follow him on social media to see where he'll be next!​ By the way, Joshua was born with Down Syndrome!

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  Episode #12

  Ep. 12 | The Arts as a Lifeline with Debora Wondercheck

  Jun 23, 202631 minS1

  For some children, the arts are more than enrichment. They are a way to feel safe, seen, and connected. Debora Wondercheck, Founder and CEO of Arts & Learning Conservatory, joins FutureCurrent for a moving conversation about the role of the arts in the lives of young people. Drawing from her own family's story and more than two decades of work serving students across Orange County, Debora reflects on how access to high-quality arts experiences can change the trajectory of a child's life. The conversation explores why representation matters in arts education, how Arts & Learning Conservatory brings world-class productions into schools regardless of zip code, and the moments when a young person finds their voice, their courage, and a sense of belonging through music, theater, and creative expression. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Connect with Debora Wondercheck:Arts & Learning Conservatory: https://www.artsandlearning.org About Our Guest:Debora Wondercheck exemplifies impactful leadership and a commitment to social equity, drawing from nearly three decades in education and arts advocacy. As the founder and CEO of the Arts & Learning Conservatory, she has significantly advanced culturally inclusive artistic training for thousands of children in Southern California, believing strongly in the transformative power of the arts for youth and marginalized communities.​In addition to her leadership role, Debora is a professor of string pedagogy, a skilled cellist, and an accomplished conductor, contributing to projects like "Gospel Voices of OC" that celebrate African American heritage. Her influence extends through numerous accolades, including being named the Arts Commissioner and Board Chair for Costa Mesa in 2024 and recognized as a Woman of Distinction by She Leads California. Debora's contributions have earned her spots among the most influential individuals in Orange County and recognition from prestigious outlets like the LA Times and Forbes Magazine. She actively supports various organizations, serving on multiple boards, and has received awards, including Woman of the Year for Costa Mesa. Under her leadership, the Arts & Learning Conservatory has won several honors, including Outstanding Arts Organization of the Year. Through her dedication, Debora Wondercheck inspires a commitment to inclusivity and equity, fostering a vibrant community for all.

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  Episode #11

  Ep. 11 | The Path to Bright Futures for All with David Blair

  Jun 10, 202631 minS1

  Innovation in education often begins when someone is willing to do things differently. David Blair, Executive Director of Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation, joins FutureCurrent to share how a foundation built to serve all 28 school districts in Orange County is acting as a catalyst for change. From the new Future Innovators Initiative with Hyundai to the creative classroom solutions that deserve to be spotlighted, the conversation explores what becomes possible when private philanthropy, public education, and community partners are aligned around the same vision. David also reflects on his own path from professional opera singer to nonprofit leader, why he believes the answer should always come after the question, and how the foundation works alongside districts, schools, and local foundations rather than in place of them. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Connect with David Blair Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation: ⁠ocschoolsbff.org⁠ About Our Guest: David Blair serves as the inaugural Executive Director of the Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation. A product of Orange County’s public schools and now a parent raising the next generation in the same community, David brings a deeply personal connection to the Foundation’s mission, and more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience to carry it forward. Before joining the Foundation, David spent over a decade serving youth across Orange County, building and strengthening partnerships with donors, educators, corporate sponsors, and civic leaders to expand college access, career readiness, and youth engagement programs reaching thousands of young people across multiple cities. David’s commitment to community extends well beyond his professional roles. He is actively engaged in community and civic leadership through local chambers of commerce and serves on the boards of multiple organizations dedicated to bettering Orange County. He has completed both the Philanthropy Leadership Institute and the Developing Annual Sustainability program through Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. A classically trained vocalist and former opera singer, David brings the same creative energy and ability to connect with an audience to his work in philanthropy, whether he’s on a stage, in a boardroom, or standing beside the students and educators this Foundation was built to serve.

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