Episodes
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...
Feb. 23, 2025
The Golden Rule for Leaders: Featuring Dr. Christopher Culver
Get ready for a conversation that flips the script on leadership, motivation, and what it truly means to connect with today’s students. Dr. Christopher Culver, an experienced educator, consultant, and professor, joins me to u...
Feb. 15, 2025
When to Coach Your Staff Up or Coach Out
In this Aspire Mailbag episode, Jeff Gargas and I tackle two critical leadership questions submitted by our listeners: How do you know when it's time to coach someone out instead of coaching them up? How do we coach teachers ...
Feb. 9, 2025
Graceful Leadership Through Every Season: Featuring Julia Bialenski
Leadership isn’t just a role—it’s a journey that evolves over time. In this powerful episode, I sit down with educational leader and author Julia Bialenski to explore what it means to lead with grace at every stage of the lea...
Feb. 5, 2025
Bonus: The Introduction of The Language of Behavior
In this special BONUS episode, Joshua Stamper reads the introduction to The Language of Behavior: A Framework to Elevate Student Success . Dive into the heart of the book as Joshua explores key sections like Are We Failing? ,...
Feb. 1, 2025
322. Leading With Intention: Featuring Michael D. Nelson & Peter DeWitt
What does it truly mean to lead with intention in today’s fast-paced educational landscape? In this powerful episode of Aspire to Lead , I’m joined by Michael D. Nelson and Peter DeWitt, authors of Leading With Intention: How...
Jan. 26, 2025
Emerge Through The Most Common Challenges: Featuring Gavin Gift
What does it truly mean to emerge as a middle leader? In this episode of Aspire to Lead , Gavin Grift, author of Emerge: Overcoming Common Challenges Associated with Middle Leadership , joins us to reimagine leadership in tod...
Jan. 19, 2025
320. Empowering Confidence and Elevating Leadership: Featuring LaVonna Roth
What does it take to truly lead with confidence and inspire others to do the same? In this thought-provoking conversation with LaVonna Roth, renowned author, speaker, and creator of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.®, we explore the tra...