Leaning into Leadership
We all want to see successes in both our personal and professional lives. Often, that requires strong leadership. In a time when leadership can be more challenging than ever, this podcast is dedicated to cultivating leaders by elevating the voices of leaders and promoting positivity. Join Dr. Darrin Peppard, lifelong educator and best-selling author, for this mixed platform podcast (some solo, some guest interview) for inspiration and insight, and some great leadership stories from those are living it, excelling at it, and celebrating it. Together, let's lean into leadership.
Recent Episodes
June 8, 2025
Episode 213: Culture Starts with Who You Hire: Insights from Todd Nesloney
In this episode, Darrin sits down with longtime education leader and author Todd Nesloney for a powerful conversation on leadership, culture, and hiring. Todd shares his journey from instructional aide to principal, and now a...
June 3, 2025
Episode 212: Strategic Planning with Dr. Frederick Buskey
In this special joint episode of Leaning Into Leadership and The Assistant Principal Podcast , Dr. Darrin Peppard teams up with Dr. Frederick Buskey to explore how school leaders can take a more strategic, sustainable approac...
June 1, 2025
Episode 211: Cracking the Code on Educator Retention with Nate Eklund
What if the real cause of educator burnout isn’t a lack of resilience or self-care—but the workplace itself? In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Darrin is joined by longtime friend and national thought leader Nath...
May 25, 2025
Episode 210: Schools That Give an F: Clarity, Culture, and Contribution with Rob McLeod
Episode 210 – Schools That Give an F: Clarity, Culture, and Contribution with Rob McLeod In this episode, Darrin is joined by international educator and podcast host Rob McLeod to explore a critical leadership conversation: s...
May 21, 2025
Episode 209: Strategic PD Planning with Chad Ostrowski
In this special midweek crossover episode with the Teach Better Podcast, Darrin sits down with Teach Better CEO and Co-founder Chad Ostrowski to dive deep into one of the most important leadership tasks schools face: planning...
May 18, 2025
Episode 208: Helping Teens Make Better Choices with Kevin Mecchella
What if your biggest mistakes became the very stories that helped others succeed? In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership , Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Kevin Mecchella — former class clown turned classical musician, ...
May 11, 2025
Episode 207: Elevating School Leadership: A Conversation with NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe
In this inspiring episode, Darrin sits down with Ronn Nozoe, lifelong educator and Chief Executive Officer of NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals). Together, they explore the current landscape of school...
May 4, 2025
Episode 206: Lead with HOPE - A Conversation with Dr. Brandi Kelly
In this powerful episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Dr. Brandi Kelly—author, speaker, coach, and founder of Spark Hope EDU —to explore what it truly means to Lead with Hope . Dr. Kelly shares her deeply personal story...
April 27, 2025
Episode 205: The Leadership Journey with Jimmy Casas
In this episode, I’m joined by Jimmy Casas —best-selling author, leadership coach, and former award-winning principal. Jimmy and I dive into his incredible journey from bar manager to one of the most recognized school leaders...
April 20, 2025
Episode 204: Principal Matters with William D. Parker
In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership , Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with the brilliant William D. Parker—an award-winning former principal, author, speaker, and executive coach. Will is the founder of Principal Matters,...
April 17, 2025
Episode 203: So You Want to Be a Principal with Dominic, Todd, & Darrin
Mid-Month Edition with Todd Bloomer & Dominic Armano This month, the Three Amigos—Darrin Peppard, Todd Bloomer, and Dominic Armano—are back with an episode that dives headfirst into one of the most common questions they get: ...
April 13, 2025
Episode 202: Fired Up Leadership with Dr. Frank Rudnesky
Dr. Frank Rudnesky is a professional speaker, author, and educational leader known for his contagious energy and passion for leadership. He has penned several books, including Fired Up Leadership , Fired Up Student Leadership...
April 6, 2025
Episode 201: From Crisis to Proactive Leadership with Chris Dormer
On this episode of Leaning Into Leadership , Darrin welcomes Chris Dormer , Superintendent of Norristown Area School District in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Chris brings nearly three decades of educational experience fro...
March 30, 2025
Episode 200: The Power of Commitment
In this milestone 200th episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, host Dr. Darrin Peppard reflects deeply on the theme of commitment. Darrin shares personal insights and impactful stories highlighting how his commitment...
March 23, 2025
Episode 199: Teachers Deserve It with Rae Hughart
Grab your copy of Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools from your favorite vendor: Amazon or Barnes & Noble or get your autographed copy here . In this episode, Darrin Peppa...
March 19, 2025
Episode 198: Encore Presentation of Untold Teaching Truths with Katie Kinder
In this special encore presentation, we revisit one of our most inspiring conversations with educator and author Katie Kinder . Katie is the celebrated author of Untold Teaching Truths, Hallway Leadership , and now co-author ...
March 16, 2025
Episode 197: AI, Education, and the Classroom Revolution with William Grube
Get Your Copy of Culture First Classrooms! Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools launches tomorrow, March 17! This book is packed with insights from educators across the cou...
March 9, 2025
Episode 196: Teacher Leadership That Transforms: A Conversation with David James
In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership , host Darrin Peppard welcomes back David James, a 7th-grade social studies teacher at Harold E. Winkler Middle School in Concord, North Carolina. Known for his leadership both in th...
March 2, 2025
Episode 195: Can I go to the bathroom and other asinine questions with Bobby Canosa-Carr
In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership , Darrin sits down with Bobby Canosa-Carr , a leadership coach, former principal, mindfulness teacher, and author of Can I Go to the Bathroom? and Other Asinine Questions We Ask in S...
Feb. 23, 2025
Episode 194: Leading Through Failure with Bradlee W. Skinner
In this powerful episode of Leaning Into Leadership , Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with longtime friend and educational thought leader Bradlee W. Skinner to discuss the journey through failure, teacher retention, and the impo...
Feb. 19, 2025
Episode 193: Co-Authoring Culture First Classrooms, A Behind the Scenes Look with Katie Kinder
In this episode, returning guest Katie Kinder joins Dr. Darrin Peppard for a behind-the-scenes look at their upcoming book, Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools . They dive...
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