Aug. 3, 2025
343. Leadership Starts with Clarity: A Joint Episode with Darrin Peppard

In this special joint episode of Leaning Into Leadership and Aspire to Lead, Darrin Peppard and Joshua Stamper team up once again for their annual back-to-school leadership conversation. As educators and leaders gear up for a new year, Darrin and Joshua dive deep into:
- What clarity looks like at the start of the school year
- How new leaders can define success before the chaos begins
- Building relationships and trust before pushing new initiatives
- The power of clearly modeling expectations
- Making feedback, coaching, and support part of your leadership culture
- Practical ways to sustain clarity, energy, and intentionality all year long
Whether you're just stepping into leadership or returning for your 20th year, this episode offers real-world strategies to help you start strong and stay focused on what matters most. 👉 Related blog post: Clarity for School Leaders – What to Do Now to Set Your Team Up for Success
About Darrin Peppard:
Darrin Peppard is a keynote speaker, author, publisher and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. Darrin is an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is known for his keen insight, culture-first leadership style, and dynamic personality. In 2016, Darrin was named Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year by WASSP/NASSP and was the 2015 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year. In 2017, Darrin earned his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming. In the summer of 2019, Darrin was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame. Darrin shares his experiences from over 25 years in education, specifically those learned as an education leader during the past 13 years. As a ‘recovering’ high school principal, Darrin talks about lessons learned and effective strategies to help leaders of all experience levels become more effective at their craft.Follow Darrin Peppard
- Website: www.darrinmpeppard.com & www.roadtoawesome.net
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarrinMPeppard (@DarrinMPeppard)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrinmpeppard/?hl=en (@darrinmpeppard)
- Facebook: Darrin M Peppard & Road to Awesome, LLC (page)
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrin-m-peppard-ed-d-29a7a147/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6WkYpIkcDAAItdZdM02wRg
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If you are a long time listener, an ASPIRE Leader, You know I only work with brands that I believe in myself and I integrate in my everyday life, so I’m super happy to talk to you guys about Magic Mind! I started drinking Magic Mind a while back as I was looking for several things, specifically in the afternoon.- A boost of energy
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- Easy to drink throughout the day
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