Episodes

Remember your first business card? Carley Crose handed hers to everyone, including the waiter at Chili's. Years of chasing titles and promotions later, a job where she could name her own title led to a revelation: all of this is made up. In this episode, Casey sits down with Carley, a program manager at an incentive meeting planning agency (and Casey's cousin), to talk about why so many of us tie our worth to a title and what opens up when we let that go. Listen for: - What Carley did when she...

When Casey showed the women she interviewed for her upcoming book its table of contents, almost every one of them said, "I would open up to the chapter Interrupting Contagious Narratives." In this solo episode, Casey shares why negative narratives spread so much faster than positive ones, and how to keep from catching them. Two types of contagious narratives: 1. Projections: borrowed beliefs about who we are or how things have to be, passed on by others and carried as if they were our own 2. E...

When things get messy, do you tighten your grip? Karla Reinhardt, principal and author of From Control to Connection, knows that instinct well. Early in her leadership she planned every meeting, printed every step, and answered every question, until she noticed her team had stopped bringing ideas to the table. In this episode, Casey and Karla talk about what control costs us at work and at home, and the three-step Triage Leadership Model Karla uses to slow down before she decides: 1. Stabilize...

What happens when you hand a dozen women a microphone and one unfinished sentence? In this special episode, Casey sits down with women at a recent conference for quick micro conversations, each built around a single prompt: “Let me be clear...” You’ll hear from a business owner, an ER nurse, a three-time CEO and breast cancer thriver, a widow leading her family forward, a high school sophomore, and more. Listen for: The burnout line you’ll be quoting to your friends (hint: KFC) Why so many wo...

I'm sharing the honest story behind the rebrand — what the old name got right, what it missed, and why my audience is the reason everything is changing. Same mission. Bigger clarity. 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.catchingupwithcasey.com/claritycycleframework Ready to build the habits of a clarity-driven leader? Get ⁠The Craft of Clarity⁠ book! Bring Casey to your ne...

You can feel the moment slipping. The room is distracted, disengaged, and nobody's saying why. In this episode, Casey shares the real story of the day she stopped her own training — and what happened when she said out loud what everyone was already thinking. What are you waiting for permission to say? 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.catchingupwithcasey.com/claritycycl...

Sometimes we wait on permission to do something, say something, or BE something. The myth is that this permission comes from a title, certification, or degree. And this is where we're beginning as we dive into this first of two episodes! It's time for us to challenge the permission myth! Bring Casey to your next event to speak! www.catchingupwithcasey.com/speaking Subscribe to my newsletter to get the resources mentioned in podcast episodes! www.catchingupwithcasey.com/newsletter

Are your team meetings driving real change, or just checking a box? Kurtis Hewson, co-founder of Jigsaw Learning dives into the strategies from his new book on Collaborative Team Meetings. Learn how to navigate the shift from traditional PLC and MTSS models to a more cohesive Collaborative Response that ensures every student succeeds. Connect with Kurtis! Kurtis Hewson is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, author and professional learning facilitator. In addition to being an award-winning t...

Misconceptions about Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) are preventing its true, transformative power from taking hold in schools. Join Krista Leh, founder of Resonance Education, as she brings clarity to the four most common SEL myths. Discover how an intentional, explicit, and co-created approach to SEL integration can lead to routine value in your school community. Implement strategies for daily SEL integration that are clear, valuable, and sustainable. Connect with Krista! Website: www.Resonan...

If you're waiting for high-stakes test scores to measure success, you’ve already lost momentum. We discuss tracking leading indicators of implementation to maintain staff stamina long after the initial excitement wears off. 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.catchingupwithcasey.com/claritycycleframework Download the Clarity Cycle Framework Rubric ⁠⁠https://www.catching...

Move past generic or deficit-focused feedback. This third part of the Leading Instructional Change series will be all about how to provide specific, positive, and growth-oriented feedback that immediately improves instructional practices related to the area of focus without burning out your best teachers. 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.catchingupwithcasey.com/clari...

Stop fighting the 20% staff resistance. In this episode, we'll break down practical strategies like "Listening Tours" and the "Skill/Will matrix" to shift initiatives from leadership's project to the teachers' mission. 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.catchingupwithcasey.com/claritycycleframework⁠ Download the Clarity Cycle Framework Rubric ⁠https://www.catchingupwith...

This is the first episode of the "Leading Instructional Change" series! In this first episode, we're gaining clarity on how to bridge the "knowing-doing" gap. The challenge is not knowing the focus. Chances are, you know exactly what should be the focus for the campus. But knowing ABOUT the focus is different than ensuring you have enough clarity to communicate this focus to staff (so they get past just "buy in" and commit). Your teams are itching for CLARITY! That can be a complex thing to pro...

**Overlooked.** Why is small-group instruction prioritized in reading but often ignored in math? Join Marcy Bernethy, author of Small Groups Big Impact, as she shares her personal experience with math anxiety and reveals the powerful Guided Math framework. Learn exactly what Guided Math is, the benefits of using it for focused differentiation, and how to overcome the misconceptions that hold teachers back from trying this high-impact approach. Marcy is a veteran teacher with 14 years of experie...

Is your professional learning truly serving your school leaders? Join Al Neppl as he shares how the School Administrators of Iowa designs their Annual Conference to tackle the most critical challenges facing today's principals: from fostering well-being and managing student behavior to leveraging AI ethically. Learn the strategies for structuring professional development that truly matters to those you lead. Connect with Al Neppl! Register for the Conference! Your teams are itching for CLARITY...

Does it feel like there are never enough hours in the day to lead effectively? Barb Flowers, Founder of Barb Flowers Coaching and Consultant, will share practical, system-based strategies for time management. Learn the power of time blocking and weekly planning to move beyond constant crisis and reclaim control of your day. This episode provides the tools you need to create more time, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters. Connect with Barb: barbflowerscoaching.com ____________________...

**Sustain.** Are you struggling to maintain energy and connection in your leadership role? Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket, School Principal and President of MAESP will dive into the vital connection between relational intelligence and long-term educator and leader sustainability. She shares strategies for cultivating meaningful connections and a practical takeaway: the 100-day upward staff feedback survey to build a supportive, thriving school environment. Connect with Dr. Edoho-Eket at http://www.rache...

Do you ever worry about hiring someone who is better at the job than you are? Join Kevin Stewart, VP of Innovative Schools Summits, as he talks about why that feeling needs to stop! He’ll share his best tips on how to build an awesome team by finding people who are smarter than you and letting them shine. Learn the simple secret to becoming a great leader by giving others credit for their wins. Kevin Stewart has spent over 12 years with AccuTrain and more than a decade with the Innovative Schoo...

"Habit stacking"—a simple, powerful technique for building new routines. Come learn with Lindsay Deacon and I as we share our best tips, tricks, and hacks for seamlessly integrating positive habits into your daily life and work to experience consistent, (nearly) effortless success. Connect with Lindsay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaydeacon/ https://educoachsurvivalguide.com/ ____ Your teams are itching for CLARITY! That can be a complex thing to provide. But I have a framework that guides...

Join speaker Kim Strobel to dive into the essential topic of staff wellbeing, exploring the latest research on happiness and how it integrates with models of success in both work and personal life. Kim shares her pathway to understanding happiness and reveals practical habits that educators and leaders can adopt immediately to elevate their happiness levels. Discover how focusing on staff joy can transform your school's culture and performance. Connect with Kim: www.strobeleducation.com/bio F...

Dr. Melinda (Mel) Vandevort shares her framework for empowering new and aspiring school leaders to go the extra M.I.L.E. Discover strategies for stepping into leadership with clarity and confidence, leveraging personal gifts and strengths, and building essential systems that protect instruction and develop staff. This episode offers practical insights on prioritizing systems to avoid burnout and keep instructional mastery at the center of your work. Where can you connect with Dr. Mel Email meli...

Join Danny Bauer to explore how "Ruckus Makers" approach school leadership and education with a mindset of bold innovation. Discover what it means to lead differently, challenge the status quo, and implement non-traditional strategies that serve your stakeholders. Danny shares his insights on transforming school culture and points listeners toward resources for leaders looking to make a difference. Connect with Danny: Website: BLBS Website: https://betterleadersbetterschools.com Newsletters: J...

In this episode, we welcome Mia Pumo, Director at MGT Impact Solutions, to explore the meaning of an "unshakable leader" and how the science of human flourishing applies to educators. Mia, who has 30 years of experience in education, shares how to blend neuroscience and positive psychology with practical coaching tools to build supportive school cultures. We discuss how leaders can create coaching systems that elevate teaching, leadership, and well-being while achieving results. As a bonus, Mia ...

Dr. Chris Jochum, Founder/CEO of CJ Leadership Solutions, joins the show to discuss the vital importance and often-misunderstood value of teacher leadership. He shares insights from his new book, You Don't Have to Leave to Lead: A Practical Guide to Teacher Leadership, explaining why training and supporting teacher leaders is essential for school success. The conversation explores why this crucial aspect of school leadership is frequently overlooked and how it can transform school culture. Liste...