Oct. 17, 2026
Celebrating 400 Episodes: Leadership Lessons with Todd Nesloney and Dr. Sarah Johnson
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RSS Feed Four hundred episodes. Countless connections. And plenty of lessons that never made it into principal school.
In this special 400th episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper welcomes back two friends who have helped shape the podcast’s journey: Todd Nesloney and Sarah Johnson. From Todd’s encouragement to launch the show, and his appearance as the very first guest, to Sarah’s collaboration on Aspire to Rise, this celebration brings together the friendships, laughter, and shared learning behind the microphone.
Together, they look back on their early days as campus administrators and share what they wish they had known before stepping into leadership. The conversation explores letting go of the pressure to fix every problem, navigating imposter syndrome, protecting mental health, clarifying core values, and learning to share leadership. Todd and Sarah also reflect on the quiet moments with students, staff, and families that make the hard days worth it.
Plus, Todd offers a preview of his upcoming book, More Than Enough: Breaking Free from the Lies That Tell You Otherwise. Join us for a heartfelt celebration of the people who open doors for others—and a reminder that your impact matters, regardless of your title.
About Sarah Johnson Sarah Johnson is a former teacher and school principal, turned author, speaker, and podcaster. She is passionate about assisting others in seeking greater satisfaction in all areas of their full lives by helping them go beyond work-life balance as well as develop strong leadership foundations. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, Master of Science in Educational Administration, and a Certificate for Women in Leadership from Cornell University. She hosts the weekly In AWE Podcast where she is proud to amplify women’s stories every week. Sarah is co-author of Balance Like a Pirate: Going Beyond Work-Life Balance to Ignite Passion and Thrive as an Educator and author of Lead with Faith: Firm Foundations of Leadership to Empower You to Slay Fear and Lead with Courage. Sarah lives the balance message in her life by pursuing passions such as running, writing, focusing on family with her two daughters and teacher husband, while also honing her leadership skills through networking, teaching, and learning. Follow Sarah Johnson- Sarah's Website
- Sarah on Twitter
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- Sarah on LinkedIn
- Sarah on Facebook
- Podcast Website
- Subscribe to the In AWE Podcast
- Join Sarah’s FREE Five Day Going Beyond Balance Challenge:
About Todd Nesloney Todd Nesloney is the Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). He was previously a Principal/Lead Learner at a PreK-5 school in Texas. He is an award winning author for his work in co-authoring Kids Deserve It! and Sparks in the Dark. He has also written the book Stories from Webb and published a children’s book, Spruce & Lucy. Todd has been recognized by John C. Maxwell as a Top 10 Finalist for the 2018 Transformational Leadership Award, by the White House as a Connected Educator “Champion of Change”, the National School Board Association as one of the “20 to Watch” in Education, the Center for Digital Education as one of their “Top 40 Innovators in Education”, the BAMMYs as the “National Elementary Principal of the Year” and the “National Elementary Teacher of the Year”, and the Texas Computer Education Association as their “Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year”. Follow Todd Nesloney
- Website:https://www.toddnesloney.com/
- Twitter (x):https://twitter.com/TechNinjaTodd
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ToddNesloney/
The Language of Behavior: Move Beyond Discipline to Connection
What if challenging behavior became an opportunity to understand, connect, and lead differently? In The Language of Behavior, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper offer a practical, trauma-informed approach to student behavior—one that pairs empathy with accountability and helps educators respond with purpose rather than react out of frustration. Built around three core tenets—Consider the Environment, Explore the Root Causes of Behavior, and Respond with Intentionality—the book provides real-world examples and actionable strategies for strengthening relationships, re-engaging students and staff, and creating a more supportive school culture. Start a new conversation about behavior on your campus. Get your copy of The Language of Behavior Explore bulk orders for your school or districtBring Joshua Stamper to Your Next Event
Looking for a keynote speaker or professional learning experience that connects with educators and moves learning into action? Joshua partners with schools, districts, and conference teams to explore:- Understanding student behavior and responding with intentionality
- Supporting mental health across the school community
- Building healthy habits that sustain educators and their impact
To discuss availability and booking, contact Brad Waid.