Episodes
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What if the traditional education system isn’t broken—but outdated?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...
Jan. 11, 2025
319. Seasons of Leadership and Self Doubt: Featuring Susan Rosenthal and Tessa Brock
In this insightful episode of Aspire to Lead , I’m joined by the dynamic duo Susan Rosenthal and Tessa Brock to uncover the journey of leadership through its many seasons. Susan shares why she coined the term "Dips of Doubt" ...
Jan. 4, 2025
Building a Better Now: Featuring Greg Bennick
In this captivating episode of Aspire to Lead , Greg Bennick, author of Reclaim the Moment: 7 Strategies to Build a Better Now , shares profound insights on leadership, focus, and creating a thriving work culture. Together, w...
Dec. 29, 2024
317. Cultivating Teacher Leadership: Featuring Dr. Jasmine Kullar
To conclude this year's episodes, I sit down with Dr. Jasmine Kullar, chief school leadership officer and author of Training Teacher Leaders in a PLC at Work: A Guide to Cultivating Shared Leadership , to uncover the power of...
Dec. 21, 2024
Aspire Mailbag: Tackling Workplace Disagreements
In this thought-provoking Aspire Mailbag episode, Jeff Gargas and I unpack some of the trickiest challenges leaders face in education and beyond. Ever had to deal with someone who says one thing to your face but something com...
Dec. 19, 2024
Executive Functioning for Educators: Featuring Mitch Weathers
What if the key to thriving as an educator lies in the same skills we often teach our students? In this inspiring episode of Aspire to Lead, Mitch Weathers, author and creator of Organized Binder, takes us on a deep dive into...
Dec. 15, 2024
The Connection Driven Classroom: Featuring Kevin Curtis
What if our so-called "discipline problems" were really just connection problems in disguise? In this engaging episode of Aspire to Lead, we sit down with the visionary founder of Differentiated Discipline, author of The Conn...
Dec. 8, 2024
Strength-Based Leadership and the Power of Play: Featuring Dr. Jeff Springer
What if leadership were less about control and more about connection? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Jeff Springer challenges us to rethink how we lead by focusing on building authentic relationships, cultivating a vi...