Episodes

When educators know someone truly has their back, burnout doesn’t stand a chance. Real clarity comes from aligning systems and people so everyone is equipped, empowered, and moving in the same direction. Together with Kim Gameroz of TEACHING INSIDE OUT and SELebrate Good Times, we’ll explore how intentional support, clear strategies, and common language can shift schools from overwhelm to empowerment—keeping teachers focused on what matters most: supporting students. Teachinginsideout.com @teac...

“The problem isn’t us, it’s them.” Sound familiar? Teams often slip into what Peter Senge calls “The Enemy is Out There”—that sneaky mindset where blame gets pushed outward instead of clarity being built inward. In this episode, I’ll call out the phrases that signal when a team is falling into this trap, why it happens more often than we’d like to admit, and how leaders can respond in ways that shift the conversation back to ownership, clarity, and growth. I provide even more tools and strategi...

“I’m dreading this data meeting…” If you’ve ever thought that—or heard it from your team—you’re not alone. In this episode, I’ll bring clarity to the simple moves that turn data meetings from dreaded time-suckers into purposeful spaces where people actually want to engage. And here’s the best part: this episode kicks off the launch of my new course, Better Data Meetings Tomorrow, where I’ll walk you step by step through how to create meetings that build clarity, ownership, and momentum instead o...

Schools don’t fail because people don’t care—they struggle because the system isn’t clear. In this episode, I’ll talk with Doug Stilwell about how the System of Profound Knowledge connects with the Clarity Cycle to help leaders move from compliance-driven change to true continuous improvement. Doug Stilwell is a retired superintendent, university professor, and longtime advocate for continuous improvement in education. With over four decades of experience in teaching and leadership, he brings a...

Stress and burnout don’t have to define your leadership. In this episode, I’ll talk with Dr. Chris Culver about how clarity of identity and the practice of kindness can shift the way we lead ourselves and our teams. Dr. Christopher Culver is a highly sought-after, dynamic, and engaging speaker. He is a proud product of Oklahoma public education. Raised in a divorced family, he split his time between Tulsa during the week, a 300-acre farm in Wyandotte, OK, and several times throughout the year i...

I’m in the car and on a soapbox—because if we keep throwing around words like fidelity without defining them, we’re setting teachers up for confusion and frustration. In this quick-hit episode, I break down why jargon like this kills clarity, how it shows up in PLCs, and what leaders need to do instead: get specific, map it out, and make sure everyone’s speaking the same language. Your teams are itching for CLARITY! That can be a complex thing to provide. But I have a framework that guides you ...

Everyone can multitask, but no one can multifocus—and that truth shows up loud and clear in team meetings. In this episode, I’ll bring clarity to why meetings often feel pointless and what leaders can do to change it. Check out Linda Rhyne’s newsletter on Maximizing Instructional Time (HINT: It’s NOT by multifocusing!) Your teams are itching for CLARITY! That can be a complex thing to provide. But I have a framework that guides you to do just that– gain and create clarity! www.catchingupwithcas...

What if your leadership team wasn't just a group of people, but a true catalyst for change? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Darrin Peppard, a best-selling author and leadership coach , who is here to help leaders gain clarity, build a strong culture, and lead with purpose. Dr. Peppard shares his "AWESOME" framework to help you foster effective collaboration and create a team that's truly on the road to awesome. Get ready to shift your mindset and learn how to move your team from good to great...

We’ve all been there — the season where everything piles on and “overwhelmed” feels like the only word that fits. In this episode, I’ll share a simple but powerful reframing strategy I learned from a speaking coach, Gina Rapaport, that helps me get unstuck when the noise feels too loud. I’ll model how I use it in my own life and show you how it can help you name what’s happening, untangle your thoughts, and reframe your way back to clarity. Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to manage ...

What if your first data conversation of the year could build confidence instead of confusion? In this episode, I’ll break down three simple but powerful moves every data leader should make before launching into data analysis or goals. Whether you’re leading from the front of the room or supporting behind the scenes, I’ll help you prep with purpose so your meetings actually move people—and your teams leave feeling clear, not crushed. Schedule a call and let's train your instructional leadership ...

“Collaboration will take you places competition can’t.” In this episode, I’ll sit down with Walter Cullin Jr.—higher ed leader, motivational speaker, and host of the What’s Your Motive? podcast—to explore what it really takes to build character-driven teams and inclusive school cultures. We’ll unpack how educators can foster collaboration without ego, lead with purpose, and help both students and staff stay intrinsically motivated—no excuses. You’ll leave this one fired up to move from silos to ...

In this episode, Casey sits down with Hunter Flesch—Associate Principal and founder of Ed Essentials—to unpack what it really takes to build a Tier 2 system that isn’t just reactive, but resilient. Drawing from his experience as a teacher-turned-administrator, Hunter shares how assistant principals can shift from constantly putting out fires to putting solid frameworks in place that foster sustainable collaboration and student support. Whether you're a campus leader or aspiring one, this episode...

In this episode, Casey sits down with TEDx speaker and leadership coach Rick Kutcher to unpack what it really takes to lead with clarity—from building a data-informed school culture to communicating with confidence. Drawing from his work at Region 13 and his own consulting practice, Rick shares how data, when used well, becomes a powerful tool for decision-making, alignment, and impact. Whether you’re leading teams, presenting to stakeholders, or navigating tough conversations, this conversation...

What if every educator led with the mindset of a business of one? In this episode, Casey is joined by Dr. Will Deyamport—edupreneur, author of The Edupreneur , and host of The Dr. Will Show —to explore how personal clarity around identity, value, and purpose transforms how leaders show up in their schools and beyond them. If you’ve ever wondered how to align your impact with your income, or how to lead without losing yourself, this conversation will leave you clearer and more confident in ...

Ever feel like you're the only one holding the team together? I’ve been there—and so has my guest, Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini. With over 30 years of international leadership experience, Nancy brings a powerful perspective on what it really takes to create clarity and unlock a team’s true genius. In this episode, we dig into what makes teams thrive, why middle leadership matters, and how you can shift from carrying the weight alone to building something truly collaborative. Connect with Nancy on ...

“Mid-level leaders are the linchpins of organizational success.” That’s what Harvard Business Review found when studying the role of leaders who sit between top decision-makers and front-line staff. And in schools, that couldn’t be more true. In this episode, I’ll be joined by Dr. Kristy Love , an assistant principal in the Houston area who has made it her mission to grow the leadership capacity of Tier II leaders—those who lead from the middle. Whether you're an administrator, instructional ...

Ever wonder what really makes a principal shine? Join us as we chat with Michelle Sloan, a principal coach with 25 years of experience as an elementary teacher and principal. Michelle is passionate about mentoring and coaching educational leaders and is a catalyst for change, guiding school leaders toward operational excellence, enhanced productivity, and increased unity within schools. We're diving into the "Five Pillars of Principal Leadership" to uncover the key elements that empower effectiv...

In this episode of The Catching Up with Casey Show, we dive into the heart of effective leadership with Samantha Hamilton, award-winning principal, national education consultant, and author of "Brave on Purpose." With over two decades of experience, Samantha shares her insights on creating clarity as a leader—whether you're an administrator, instructional coach, teacher leader, or team facilitator. Join us as we explore how to lead with heart, turn chaos into culture, and build joyful, resilient...

“Growth mindset alone won’t get you there.” In this episode, I’m sitting down with Becca Silver from The Whole Educator to talk about why so many teams stay stuck, even when they’re doing “all the right things.” Becca introduces us to the Catalyst Mindsets™—five powerful belief shifts that create the foundation for real, lasting change in schools. You’ll hear why behavior change isn’t enough and how addressing belief gaps can unlock momentum in your teams. If you're leading change and wondering ...

What would be possible for your school if failure wasn’t feared—but welcomed as part of the process? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Jeff Linden, high school principal and host of the Educational Leadership with Principal JL podcast, to explore what it actually looks like to create a school culture where people aren’t afraid to take risks. Jeff shares how his leadership team collaborates around real needs, builds solution-oriented mindsets, and shifts fear into fuel for growth. With lesso...

Lead with H.O.P.E.—Building a System of Self Efficacy with Brandi Kelly "Self-efficacy isn’t a buzzword—it’s the foundation of sustainable leadership." In this episode, I’ll sit down with Superintendent, coach, and author Dr. Brandi Kelly to talk about how leaders can build systems that spark hope and support growth at every level of an organization. Dr. Kelly shares her H.O.P.E. Framework and unpacks how character work, collaboration, and clarity fuel a thriving team culture. Grab Hope's book f...

What you allow, model, and reinforce every day is your culture.In this episode, I’m catching up with school leadership expert and systems strategist Michael Meechin to explore how consistency builds the trust, clarity, and alignment needed for a strong school culture. From daily expectations to leadership modeling, we’ll talk about what it takes to lead a team that doesn’t just know the vision—but lives it.If you're trying to rebuild momentum, reset expectations, or lead with clarity, this one’s...

Have you ever found yourself venting about someone on your team, only to realize... you’ve never actually talked to them about it? In this episode of The Catching Up with Casey Show, I’ll sit down with Zoë Beckham from Pivot School Improvement Leaders who’s seeing the same trend in school after school: frustrated leaders avoiding direct conversations. We’ll talk about why it happens, how it’s holding teams back, and what it actually takes to face the issue head-on without the drama or dread. If ...

AI is transforming education, but the skills that make us uniquely human—problem-solving, creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—are more important than ever. In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Ament, co-founder of the Human Intelligence Movement, to talk about why human intelligence must be prioritized in schools and organizations. We’ll explore practical ways to build these skills in educators and students, how leaders can foster collaboration and leadership growth, and wh...