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
July 27, 2025
Episode 226: Stressed Leaders Stay in the Game with Dan Stecken
Too many school leaders wear burnout like a badge of honor. Dan Stecken was one of them—until he hit a wall. In this episode, Dan, the Superintendent of Seneca Township High School in Illinois, joins Darrin to share his power...
July 20, 2025
Episode 225: Creating High Performing Leadership Teams with the AWESOME Framework
In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard shares the framework and mindset behind truly effective leadership teams. Drawing on his work from coast to coast, including a recent workshop at the Innovative Schools Summit in Nashv...
July 13, 2025
Episode 224: The Liminal Space with Dr. Chris Fuzie
In Episode 224 , Dr. Chris Fuzie joins Darrin for a fascinating conversation on behavior-based leadership and the concept of “liminal space”—the space where individuals lead and follow simultaneously. Drawing from his 28 year...
July 8, 2025
Episode 223 NASSP POY Series Finale: Shauna Haney and the Power of Purposeful Leadership
In episode 223, Darrin wraps up the special six-part NASSP Principal of the Year finalist series with an inspiring conversation with Shauna Haney , Principal of Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah. Shauna shares her journey from...
July 6, 2025
Episode 222: Culture, Systems, and the Power of Listening with Jeff Linden
In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Darrin sits down with fellow high school principal and podcast host Jeff Linden , Principal of Hastings High School in Nebraska. With a shared passion for culture and le...
July 1, 2025
Episode 221: The Power of Belief - Miguel Salazar’s Journey to Transformative Leadership (NASSP MS POY finalist)
In this powerful episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Miguel Salazar , principal of Sundown Middle School and NASSP National Middle School Principal of the Year finalist. Miguel shares his deeply personal story—from gro...
June 29, 2025
Episode 220: Bridges, Belonging, and Buy-In with Joe LaTorre
In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership , Darrin sits down with Joe LaTorre, a middle school English teacher, team coordinator, and founder of the Bridges program in Long Island, NY. Joe shares how looping, relationship-bu...
June 26, 2025
Episode 219: Leading with Intention and Heart: A Conversation with Terita Walker (NASSP HS POY Finalist)
In this fourth installment of our special NASSP Principal of the Year series, Darrin sits down with Terita Walker , principal of Denver East High School and one of three finalists for NASSP’s 2025 National High School Princip...
June 24, 2025
Episode 218: What’s in Your Can? Leadership Lessons from Alaska with Sherilynn Boehlert (NASSP MS POY Finalist)
In this third episode of our NASSP National Principal of the Year Finalist series, we head to Ketchikan, Alaska, where Sherilynn Boehlert serves as the principal of Schoenbar Middle School. Sheri shares her inspiring leadersh...
June 22, 2025
Episode 217: Trust Based Observations with Craig Randall
Episode Summary: Teacher evaluation has long been a source of frustration—for both educators and administrators. In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, I sit down with Craig Randall , the developer and author...
June 19, 2025
Episode 216: Culture, Collaboration, and Buffalo Chicken Dip: A Conversation with Tony Cattani (NASSP HS POY Finalist)
In this inspiring episode of Leaning Into Leadership , we continue our NASSP National Principal of the Year series with Tony Cattani, a finalist for the 2025–2026 National High School Principal of the Year. For 18 years, Tony...
June 17, 2025
Episode 215: So What, Now What – A Conversation with Dr. Damon Lewis (NASSP MS POY Finalist)
In this powerful kickoff to our NASSP Principal of the Year finalist series, Dr. Damon Lewis of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Norwalk, CT shares his incredible leadership journey—from paraeducator to transformational middle sc...
June 15, 2025
Episode 214: The Science of Kindness with Dr. Chris Culver
In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership , Dr. Chris Culver brings the energy, insight, and authenticity that’s made him a rising national voice in school leadership and culture. A former principal and cabinet-level adminis...
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...
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