Episodes
Sept. 1, 2025
Episode 42: Seen, Heard, Valued: The Leadership Journey of Jayme Braida, Iowa’s 2025 Elementary Principal of the Year
Send us a text What if the most powerful leadership quality isn't perfection, but authentic vulnerability? Jayme Braida, Iowa's Elementary Principal of the Year and National Distinguished Principal, demonstrates how embracing imperfection revolutionized her approach to educational leadership. Jayme…
Aug. 25, 2025
Episode 41: Creating Bull Elephants with 2025 Nebraska High School Principal of the Year: Jerry Mack
Send us a text When a rural Nebraska principal discovered a behavioral problem with freshmen students, he turned to an unlikely source of inspiration: African bull elephants. Jerry Mack, the 2025 Nebraska State High School Principal of the Year, shares how this wildlife management concept transform…
Aug. 18, 2025
Episode 40: From School Psychologist to Assistant Principal: Erin Jones’s Leadership Journey
Send us a text What does it take to truly connect with students who struggle? For Erin Jones, Assistant Principal at Sunrise Middle School, the answer lies in her own past. "I wasn't your picture-perfect student," she reveals, explaining how her personal challenges help her relate to behaviorally s…
Aug. 11, 2025
Episode 39: Out of the Trenches: Dr. Dana Goodier's Leadership Journey!
Send us a text What happens when a Norwegian tour guide discovers her passion for educational leadership? In this revealing conversation, Dr. Dana Goodier shares her remarkable 25-year journey through the educational landscape, from teaching world languages to navigating the complex terrain of scho…
Aug. 4, 2025
Episode 38: Be Curious, Not Judgmental: Climbing the Next Mountain in School Leadership!
Send us a text That moment when you've built a solid foundation, but find yourself staring at the ceiling wondering, "What's next?" This summer, after three years of transformative work as building principal at Hastings High, I hit that wall. We'd successfully tackled culture, transforming our scho…
July 21, 2025
Episode 37: The Street Cred Principal: Josh Tovar’s No-Excuses Approach to School Leadership!
Send us a text What does it take to transform a struggling school? Josh Tovar knows firsthand. Born in Juarez, Mexico, and growing up with learning disabilities and family challenges, Josh's journey from troubled teen to transformational principal offers powerful lessons for any educational leader.…
July 14, 2025
Episode 36: Leading with Clarity: Casey Watts’ Educational Leadership Journey!
Send us a text What happens when talented, dedicated educators feel stuck despite their best efforts? According to Casey Watts, the answer isn't about working harder—it's about seeing clearer. After two decades in education as a teacher, coach, and district leader, Casey discovered that the persist…
July 7, 2025
Episode 35: The Blueprint: Todd Bloomer’s Educational Leadership Journey on Balancing Family, Leadership, and School Culture!
Send us a text What makes a school leader decide to step away when they still love what they do? Former high school principal Todd Bloomer opens up about his nearly three-decade journey through education and the wisdom he gained along the way. Todd's story begins as a New Yorker who packed everythi…
June 30, 2025
Episode 34:Transitioning from Teacher to Administrator: Josh Rowan's Insights as a First-Year Assistant Principal
Have you ever wondered what happens when a teacher steps into the administrator's office for the first time? Josh Rowan, Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Schuyler Middle School, pulls back the curtain on his journey from broadcaster to classroom teacher to educational leader in this r…
June 23, 2025
Episode 33: Get Organized: Dr. Frank Buck’s Journey and Blueprint for Productive Educational Leadership!
What separates exceptional educational leaders from the merely competent? According to Dr. Frank Buck, it might be as simple and as challenging as reliable organization systems. His journey from band director to productivity ...
June 9, 2025
Episode 32: Emotional Schools: Leroy Slanzi's Leadership Journey on Building Student Resilience Through Emotional Intelligence!
Fan Mail! Imagine walking into a school where a principal tells a fart joke, and within seconds, students take deep breaths and self-regulate back to attention. Sound impossible? For Leroy Slanzi, this is everyday reality in schools that have embraced his emotional intelligence framework. With over…
June 2, 2025
Episode 31: The Road to Awesome: Dr. Darrin Peppard's Journey on Purposeful Leadership, Culture, and What Truly Matters!
Fan Mail! Dr. Darrin Peppard's educational leadership journey began when his college roommate asked for help coaching fifth-grade basketball. That simple moment sparked a passion that would guide him from classroom teacher to award-winning principal, superintendent, and eventually to becoming one o…
May 27, 2025
Episode 30: When Tragedy Strikes: A Principal's Guide to Navigating Student Death and School-Wide Grief
Fan Mail! Death is something no school leader wants to face, yet crisis management becomes an unavoidable reality when tragedy strikes. Drawing from the painful experience of navigating four student deaths in just three years, this deeply personal episode explores the profound challenges of leading…
May 5, 2025
Episode 29: The Principal’s Journey with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket: Leading with Joy, Purpose, and Balance!
Fan Mail! Ever wonder what transforms a passionate educator into an exceptional leader? Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket's journey from kindergarten teacher to Blue Ribbon School principal offers powerful insights for anyone navigating educational leadership. Growing up surrounded by educators—with a grandmot…
April 28, 2025
Episode 28: Navigating School Leadership: Identity, Culture, and Lessons from Dr. Cynthia Rapaido
Fan Mail! From reluctant administrator to award-winning principal, Dr. Cynthia Rapaido's remarkable 30-year journey through educational leadership offers powerful insights for anyone considering school administration. What began as an academic exercise to move up the salary scale unexpectedly bloss…
April 21, 2025
Episode 27: Leadership Found Me: My Journey from Classroom Teacher to Building Principal!
Fan Mail! Becoming a principal wasn't on my radar when I was happily teaching math and coaching sports. Someone else spotted my leadership potential before I did—a pivotal moment that set me on an unexpected path to school administration. My journey from classroom teacher to high school principal w…
April 14, 2025
Episode 26: Leading with Purpose — Dr. Josh Wilken’s Journey from Classroom to Central Office!
Fan Mail! From a small-town graduate with a class of 32 students to leading innovative educational programs across multiple school districts, Dr. Josh Wilken's journey reveals how diverse experiences shape exceptional educational leaders. Dr. Wilken takes us through his remarkable evolution from te…
April 7, 2025
Episode 25: From Stranger to Team Captain — A First-Year Principal’s Culture-Building Playbook!
Fan Mail! What happens when a school truly embraces "we're all on the same team" as more than just a catchy phrase? The transformation can be remarkable. At Hastings High School, my journey as principal began with a fundamental belief that everyone—from teachers to custodians to students—plays an e…
March 31, 2025
Episode 24: Hiring & Retaining Teachers in 2025: Strategies for a Shortage Era!
Fan Mail! The teacher shortage crisis demands innovative solutions from today's educational leaders. Principal JL dives deep into practical strategies for attracting and retaining quality educators in an increasingly competitive landscape. Discover how forward-thinking schools are building their ow…
March 24, 2025
Episode 23: Leading the Transformation: Coach Tony Kimble's Educational Journey
Fan Mail! Coach Tony Kimble's remarkable journey from the football field to educational innovation stands as a powerful testament to how leadership skills transcend specific domains. What began as a young math teacher's desire to coach football evolved into a transformative career spanning over two…
March 17, 2025
Episode 22: Collaborative Response: Insights from Kurtis Hewson on Transforming Schools Through Teamwork!
Fan Mail! Kurtis Hewson's journey from classroom teacher to international education consultant reveals a startling truth about our schools: the isolation educators experience despite being surrounded by colleagues. As co-founder of Jigsaw Learning and co-author of "Collaborative Response," Kurtis s…
March 10, 2025
Episode 21: "Lead from Where You Are" – Insights from Dr. Joe Sanfelippo's Leadership Journey!
Fan Mail! Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, a retired school superintendent whose experiences and insights are transforming the educational landscape. In this episode, we explore his journey from classroom to leadership, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and…
March 3, 2025
Episode 20: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series Finale: Leading for the Long Haul: Strategies for Sustainable Leadership
Fan Mail! Are you struggling to maintain your passion in a leadership role? Join us as we explore the secrets to sustaining your leadership journey while avoiding burnout. This episode dives into practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries, ensuring you remain energized and effective in you…
Feb. 24, 2025
Episode 19: Coach'EM Up Leadership Series: Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement!
Fan Mail! This episode explores the journey from good to great in education by fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Key topics include adopting a growth mindset, the value of professional development, recognition of staff, effective communication, and collaboration for better student outc…