Episodes

July 26, 2025

BONUS: VIBE Edu – Why Most PD Falls Flat and What Educators Actually Need

Welcome to a special bonus episode of the VIBE Edu Podcast! In the very first episode of the VIBE Edu Podcast, Kim Gameroz, TJ Vari, Mitch Weathers, and myself, Joshua Stamper, sit down for a raw, honest roundtable discussion...
July 19, 2025

Improving Memory and Retrieval Processes: Featuring Mitch Weathers

In this powerful new installment of our monthly series, Mitch Weathers, creator of Organized Binder and author of Executive Functions for Every Classroom , returns to the mic for an energizing conversation that’s all about op...
July 12, 2025

342. From Survival Mode to Systemic Change: Featuring Dr. Casey Jakubowski

What if the answer to burnout wasn’t escape, but empowerment? In this transformative episode, Dr. Casey Jakubowski—educator, consultant, and founder of OK to Outstanding —joins me to unpack the real challenges and untapped po...
July 5, 2025

341. The Truth Behind Leadership Clarity and Collaboration: Featuring Casey Watts

What if the leadership phrases we rely on—like “clear is kind”—are actually holding us back? In this thought-provoking episode, Casey Watts, educational consultant and creator of the Clarity Cycle Framework, challenges conven...
June 30, 2025

Bonus: The Ruler Shortcut and the Cost of Convenience

In this short solo episode of Aspire to Lead, I share a lesson from the art room that turned into a leadership metaphor I never forgot. Every year, students tried to "hack" an art project using the width of a ruler instead of...
June 28, 2025

Tackling Cognitive Overload and Working Memory: Featuring Mitch Weathers

What if the key to classroom behavior isn’t discipline—but cognitive clarity? In this mind-shifting episode of Aspire to Lead , Mitch Weathers, author of Executive Functions for Every Classroom and creator of Organized Binder...
June 21, 2025

Leading Like a BISON: Featuring Kim Gameroz

What does it mean to lead like a BISON? In this energizing episode, Kim Gameroz joins me to talk about her new book Becoming the Bison , her powerful new podcast Unleashing the Bison , and the highly anticipated VIBE Edu even...
June 14, 2025

339. Reigniting Purpose and Passion in Education: Featuring CJ Reynolds

In this milestone episode of Aspire to Lead, we’re celebrating eight years of the podcast alongside the incredible CJ Reynolds, educator, speaker, and creator of Real Rap with Reynolds. As both of our platforms mark eight imp...
June 7, 2025

Aspire Mailbag: Leading with Intention and Impact to Celebrate and Strategize

In this end of the school year Aspire Mailbag episode, I’m joined by Jeff Gargas, COO of the Teach Better Team, as we answer listener-submitted questions on two key areas of school leadership—celebrating staff and building sy...
June 1, 2025

338. Constructing Culture That Connects: Featuring Josh Tovar

What if the key to transforming your school culture is as simple as celebration and storytelling? In this energetic episode of Aspire to Lead , Josh Tovar, veteran principal and host of the Para #Ganas Podcast , joins me to s...
May 25, 2025

Creating a Culture First Classroom: Featuring Katie Kinder and Darrin Peppard

What happens when educators put classroom culture at the center of everything they do? In this engaging episode, I sit down with authors Katie Kinder and Darrin Peppard to explore their bold new book, Culture First Classroom ...
May 17, 2025

Revolutionizing Collaboration in Schools Through Inclusion: Featuring Dr. Matthew Rhoads

In this forward-thinking episode of Aspire to Lead , Dr. Matthew Rhoads, author of Co-Teaching Evolved and Crush it from the Start , joins me to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping instructional coaching, co-teac...
May 11, 2025

The Power of Mattering and Meaningful Leadership with Angela Maiers

In this heart-centered episode of Aspire to Lead , I’m joined by globally recognized speaker, educator, and author Angela Maiers to explore the movement that changed everything—#YouMatter. Angela shares the powerful story beh...
May 4, 2025

Navigating Education Policy and Global Leadership with Kyle Morin

In this week’s episode, Kyle Morin shares the journey that took him from substitute teaching in Colorado to leading a charter school through the pandemic and now shaping education policy with a practitioner’s lens. Kyle refle...
April 28, 2025

333. Building Inclusive Classrooms for All Learners: Featuring Toby Karten

In this inspiring episode of Aspire to Lead, I’m joined by renowned inclusion expert Toby Karten to explore the heart of inclusive education through her ADMIRE Inclusion Framework. Together, we dismantle common misconceptions...
April 20, 2025

332. Reigniting Learning with Competency-Based Education: Featuring Richard DeLorenzo, Roxy Mourant & Jessica Enderson

What if the traditional education system isn’t broken—but outdated? In this compelling episode of Aspire to Lead , I’m joined by Richard DeLorenzo, founder of the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition, Roxy Mourant, CEO of CBE Ignit...
April 13, 2025

331. The Teacher Team Leader Handbook: Featuring Chad Dumas

In this energizing episode of Aspire to Lead , Chad Dumas, award-winning researcher and author of The Teacher Team Leader Handbook, joins the conversation to break down what it truly means to lead within a professional learni...
April 6, 2025

330. Elevating EdTech, AI, and Servant Leadership: Featuring Vicki Davis

In this inspiring episode, Vicki Davis, veteran educator, edtech expert, and edublogger, joins me to explore the evolving world of educational technology and artificial intelligence in the classroom. Vicki shares how she teac...
March 30, 2025

6 Steps to a Strong School Culture: Featuring Dr. Samuel Nix

Leadership isn’t about staying busy—it’s about making an impact. In this episode, Dr. Samuel Nix, author of 6 Steps to a Strong School Culture , shares how school leaders can shift their focus from activity to meaningful resu...
March 22, 2025

328. Creating Magic with School Culture: Featuring David Rische

What if building a positive school culture didn’t have to be so traditional? In this week’s episode of Aspire to Lead , the amazing educator, speaker, consultant, and magician, Dr. David Rishe, shares his innovative strategie...
March 16, 2025

327. Forecasting the Future of Education: Featuring Dr. Richard Bernato

How can school leaders prepare for the challenges of tomorrow while making informed decisions today? In this episode of Aspire to Lead , Dr. Richard Bernato, author of Co-Creating the Future , shares groundbreaking insights o...
March 9, 2025

Shaping a Student-Centered School Ecosystem: Featuring Dr. Layne Dillard

What if the key to student success lies in the environment we create? In this episode of Aspire to Lead , Dr. Layne Dillard shares how building a strong, student-centered learning environment is essential for growth. She intr...
March 2, 2025

Respecting Tradition While Driving Change: Featuring Adriano Di Prato

Society is evolving at an unprecedented pace, but are our schools keeping up? In this compelling conversation, Adriano Di Prato, co-author of Game Changers: Leading Today’s Learning for Tomorrow’s World , explores the balance...
Feb. 27, 2025

Bonus: Behind The Language of Behavior with Charle Peck & Jeff Gargas

In this special bonus episode, Charle Peck and I join Jeff Gargas from the Teach Better Team to celebrate the release of our new book, The Language of Behavior ! We dive into the framework, share key strategies for supporting...