Episodes

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 ...

“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...

Ever hear a team member say, “These students just can’t”? That mindset spreads fast—and it holds everyone back. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down how to stop the ‘They Can’t’ cycle before it takes root. I’ll share three strategies to shift thinking in the moment and proactively reshape conversations: phrases to avoid and mindsets to employ, perception checking, and my go-to PAUSE method for reframing limiting beliefs. If you’re leading a team and want to move from doubt to possibility, thi...

Ever felt stuck in the trenches of education? My guest, Dr. Dana Goodier, knows all about turning struggles into strength. As the author of Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators and host of the Out of the Trenches podcast, Dana shares powerful stories of educators who’ve faced challenges and come out stronger.In this episode, we’ll talk about resilience, reflection, and how tough seasons can lead to growth. Dr. Dana Goodier has 25 years of experience in education. She has taught W...

Another shiny new program, another big promise. But will this one actually work?Before your district swipes the card on yet another curriculum, intervention, or fancy AI-powered tool, let’s pause for a second. In this episode, I’m breaking down two common scenarios schools face when deciding whether to invest in new materials—and how to get real results whether you buy or not.If you’re ready to stop the cycle of over-purchasing and start seeing real change, grab my free 30-minute training + reso...

A team is only as strong as the people in it—and when teachers are running on empty, the whole system suffers. In this episode, I sit down with Rae Hughart, founder of Teachers Deserve It, to talk about real strategies for making teaching more sustainable so educators—and the teams they’re part of—can thrive.We’ll dive into how leaders can support teachers, why efficiency matters for collaboration, and what it takes to build a system where educators feel valued, balanced, and ready to give their...

Too often, data meetings feel like a numbers game—one that creates fear, skepticism, or even resistance among educators. But what if data wasn’t something to fear, but rather a tool to empower? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Jessica Lane, founder of Data-Informed Impact, to talk about how schools can build trust in data teams and meetings. We’ll explore how to shift from compliance to collaboration, ensuring that data guides, but never decides, the next steps for students. If your teache...

Another day, another big-box curriculum company trying to sell schools more stuff—more products, more programs, more AI-driven interventions. But here’s the problem: More doesn’t mean better. In this short but spicy episode, I share a rant to a friend after sitting through yet another sales pitch filled with promises that never seem to pan out. If you’ve ever wondered why teachers keep asking for more—more resources, more support, more solutions—but your campus still isn’t seeing results, this e...

Leadership isn't just about strategy—it’s about character. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Julianne Lang, school leader at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School and author of Cup of Courage: The Key to Leading with Grace and Grit. We’re diving into The Grit Factor—how resilience, strong character, and a courageous mindset fuel leadership success. Julianne will share insights from her book, real-life leadership lessons, and practical strategies for leading with both grace and grit. Whether ...

One teacher alone can’t meet the vast and varied needs of every student—but what if they didn’t have to? In this episode, I’ll sit down with Kurtis Hewson, co-author of Collaborative Response: Three Foundational Components That Transform How We Respond to the Needs of Learners, to explore how schools can create a system where every child has a team supporting their success. We’ll break down the three foundational components of Collaborative Response—collaborative structures, data-driven decision...

In this milestone 100th episode, I’m challenging the popular phrase, "Clear is kind." While there’s truth in it, too often it becomes an excuse for unnecessary harshness or stops short of the real work of leadership. Clarity isn’t just about delivering hard truths—it’s a habit we build daily to align people, cut through noise, and turn potential into progress. Let’s explore what it really means to create clarity, why it matters more than quick soundbites, and how it shapes the capacity of teams ...