Episodes

What happens when discipline shifts from punishment to teaching? In this important conversation, Joshua Stamper and Nathan Maynard unpack the ideas behind Nathan’s new book The Science of Discipline, exploring how schools can move from compliance-driven systems to accountable, trauma-informed practices that actually change behavior. Nathan shares what he has learned working with struggling schools in all 50 states, why generic consequences fail, and how to design clear, sustainable discipline f...

How can schools ensure every student benefits from collective expertise without overwhelming teachers with endless meetings? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper talks with Kurtis Hewson, co author of Collaborative Response and co founder of Jigsaw Learning, about a school wide model that replaces fragmented teams with purposeful, layered collaborative structures centered on data, evidence, and a clear continuum of supports.​ Kurtis explains how to shift from “tiering students” to ...

What happens when we decide to be present, patient, and kind in the middle of one of the hardest stretches of the school year? In this week's episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper welcomes back Dr. Christopher Culver to explore the science of kindness and belonging, the impact of chronic stress on educators, and why self compassion must come before we can sustain compassion for others.​ Dr. Culver shares vulnerable pieces of his own story, including seasons of deep darkness and imposter synd...

This bonus Aspire to Lead episode brings you a featured segment from the Thriving Educators Summit, where Mitch Weathers facilitates a fast paced conversation with TJ Vari and Joshua Stamper about what it truly means to lead well in today’s schools, whether you are an aspiring leader, assistant principal, principal, or district administrator. The trio digs into mindset shifts from classroom to leadership, why every leader deserves a coach, how to build influence before you have a title, and why ...

What if students’ “attention problems” were really a mismatch between how the brain works and how we structure learning? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper talks with first grade teacher, cognitive science scholar, and author Sarah Oberle about what executive functions actually are, core and higher order cognitive processes like working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility, and why they are so often misunderstood as behaviors in schools.​ Sarah describes how explosive d...

What if the strongest leaders in your school are already in classrooms, waiting for permission to step up? In this week's episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper reconnects with longtime friend and former Teach Better teammate Brad Hughes, elementary principal in Ontario, Canada, to explore how aspiring leaders can build confidence, prepare for interviews, and maintain personal and professional balance without rushing into formal roles.​ Brad shares stories from his 30+ year journey, from clas...

In this special conversation on Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper, Kim Gameroz, and Mitch Weathers share everything you need to know about the Thriving Educators Summit 2026 and how it was born from a desire to help teachers move from surviving to truly thriving after years of running hard and lean in schools. Listeners will hear the story behind the free virtual summit, what makes its fast paced, highly practical sessions different from typical PD, and how districts are using past summit recording...

How do you lead staff who seem stuck in their ways, resist new ideas, and quietly shut out new colleagues? In this New Year episode of the Aspire Mailbag, Joshua Stamper and longtime co-host Jeff Gargas dig into anonymous listener questions from the Aspire Voxer community about culture, communication, and accountability.​ Josh and Jeff unpack practical strategies for having hard one-on-one conversations, rebuilding trust after past leadership missteps, and balancing empathy with firm expectation...

What if social-emotional learning, culture, and instruction could move in rhythm with the real seasons of a school year instead of feeling like “one more thing” on everyone’s plate? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Walter McKenzie, Heather Lageman, and Leigh Alley introduce their book School Seasons xSELeratED and the xSELeratED Schools Framework, a month-by-month roadmap that helps educators care for the whole child and the whole educator with small, doable practices that fit into the flow of...

What if you could actually see the hidden influencers on your campus and use those connections to move culture forward instead of fighting it?​ In this energizing Aspire to Lead episode, Joshua Stamper sits down with Dr. Ben Johnson, assistant superintendent and executive coach, and award-winning principal Bobby Dodd to unpack their new book, Intentional Influence, Harnessing Cultural Mapping to Build Commitment. Together, they introduce cultural mapping as a practical way to “make the invisibl...

What if the strongest leaders in your school are already in the classroom and do not need a new title to make a bigger impact? In this inspiring episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with educator, author, and department chair Dr. Chris Jochum to unpack his book You Don’t Have to Leave to Lead, that reframes teachers as highly skilled influencers, not “just” a teacher.​ Dr. Jochum shares how his journey from ESL and Spanish teacher to leading a large teacher education department sh...

What if the difference between surviving the principalship and loving it again came down to how you spend 90 minutes of your day? In this energizing episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with longtime collaborators Dr. Joseph Jones and Dr. T.J. Vari from The Schoolhouse 302 to explore how their new book, Time, Tools and Tactics of Instructional Leadership, A Principal’s Guide to Leading Learning, helps leaders escape operational overload and step fully into the role of instructiona...

In this dynamic Aspire to Lead conversation, Charle Peck joins Joshua Stamper to reveal how a new cohort model is reshaping the way educators care for their mental health and support one another. Charle shares how districts are forming dedicated teams of teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators who come together to learn nine essential skills rooted in self awareness, relational understanding, and collaborative growth. Listeners will hear stories from real cohorts as Charle and ...

What if the real secret to long term leadership is not endurance at all, but learning how not to lose yourself along the way? In this standout episode of Aspire to Lead, Principal Evan Robb returns with a candid and deeply human look at what it truly means to lead for the long game. From becoming a principal at thirty two and opening a school of more than one thousand three hundred students to spending over two decades in the role, Evan shares the honest lessons that titles never teach such as o...

In this transformative episode of Aspire to Lead, Dr. Sarah Johnson rejoins host Joshua Stamper for a masterclass in authentic leadership and personal growth. Together, they share candid stories about why every educator, no matter their role or experience, needs to clarify their core values to build trust, weather challenges, and find joy in their journey. Dr. Johnson reveals lessons from her recent doctoral research on resilience, burnout, and spiritual self-care for school leaders, explaining ...

Leadership isn’t scripted...and neither is this conversation. In Episode 35 of Aspire Mailbag, Josh Stamper and Jeff Gargas tackle two listener questions that every leader has wrestled with (even if they won’t admit it): 💬 How do you respond when you’re told to do something you’re already doing—without sounding defensive? 💬 And how can leaders recognize when their own need for control is actually blocking trust and innovation? With their trademark mix of honesty, humor, and hard-earned insight...

What if behavior support wasn’t a system to manage but a promise to keep? In this inspiring episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper and guest Tim Grivois explore how leaders can transform traditional approaches to behavior into authentic commitments to student well-being and inclusion. Drawing from his experiences as a teacher, principal, and consultant, Tim challenges the norms of PBIS and “Check-In/Check-Out” systems, offering strategies that center relationships, trust, and belonging. Toget...

What happens when two longtime collaborators reunite to reimagine how we grow as leaders? In this uplifting episode of Aspire to Lead, Jeff Gargas joins Joshua Stamper to celebrate the return of authentic connection, collaboration, and purpose in leadership development. Together, they reflect on their early podcasting days, explore the challenges today’s leaders face, and unveil Joshua’s newest project—the Aspire to Lead Cohort, a transformational experience built for educators who crave meanin...

What if the secret to great leadership was hidden in the elements that shape our world? Educator and author Tyler Comeau believes it is. From the frozen courts of the Northwest Territories to international stages, Tyler’s journey has been one of discovery—of purpose, resilience, and the fire that fuels authentic leadership. In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper and Tyler unpack The Elemental Leader—a framework where Earth grounds your values, Air strengthens your perseverance, Water...

What keeps great leaders and teachers going when the work feels heavy and the energy starts to fade? In this heart-centered conversation, my amazing guest, Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson, explores what it truly means to sustain passion in education, long after the initial excitement wears off. Together, we unpack the practices that fuel resilience, the power of self-compassion in leadership, and the small moments of joy that remind us why we chose this work in the first place. If you’ve ever felt your...

In this special episode, Joshua Stamper welcomes Kim Gameroz to announce the launch of the Aspire to Lead Cohort. Discover how this exclusive program was designed to address the real challenges aspiring leaders face, and learn about the community, mentorship, and practical strategies that make this cohort the answer for educators seeking to advance their leadership careers. Hear personal stories, program highlights, and exciting opportunities for listeners to join this transformative journey. F...

In this inspiring episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper is joined by Jill and Mary, the powerhouse co-founders of Girls Mentorship, an Arizona-based organization helping tween and teen girls unlock their confidence, build emotional intelligence, and navigate life’s challenges with strength and self-awareness. Together, they dive into the importance of teaching personal development skills early, the role of mentorship in shaping young leaders, and how their POWER Framework—Perspective, Owner...

In this powerful episode of Aspire to Lead, Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket, co-author of Relational Intelligence, joins me to explore how trust, empathy, and authentic connection transform school leadership. Together, we discuss how leaders can shift from transactional to transformational practices, especially during times of crisis and change. Dr. Edoho-Eket introduces the HOPE framework—Hope, Opportunity, Praise, and Encouragement—as a practical tool for cultivating cultures where teachers feel valued...

In this inspiring episode of Aspire to Lead, I sit down with Danny Steele, veteran principal and author of The Instructional Leader in You. Together, we dive into what it truly takes to build a thriving school culture, stay inspired as an educator, and sustain longevity in leadership without burning out. Danny shares his insights from over 12 years as a principal and offers a fresh perspective on how to redefine the role of school leaders in ways that prioritize both staff and student success. W...