Episodes

Ever left a leadership team meeting feeling like it was so productive—then realized a week later nothing really changed? In this solo episode, Darrin unpacks why that gap between effort and impact is rarely about commitment—and almost always about clarity. Building on his “Cycle of Chaos” episode, he shares the ALIGN Framework, a practical system for strengthening team dynamics and keeping teams focused on what matters most. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why strong teams drift into reactivit...

Weston Kieschnick has been in the work for a long time—as a classroom teacher, coach, author, and speaker—and this conversation feels like two colleagues reconnecting around what actually drives performance. We dig into Weston’s newest work and the idea that the gap between high performers and underachievers usually isn’t talent. It’s behavior—especially in the moments when adversity hits. In this episode, we explore: Why “hidden work” is the difference-maker when no one is watching The four...

Leadership doesn’t fall apart overnight. More often, it slowly drifts into a pattern that feels overwhelming, exhausting, and reactive. In this solo episode, Darrin introduces The Cycle of Chaos—a framework that helps leaders name what they’re experiencing and begin interrupting the patterns that keep them stuck in survival mode. Rather than offering quick fixes or productivity hacks, this episode invites reflection, clarity, and intentional leadership. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Wh...

School leaders everywhere are wrestling with the same challenge: How do we support students who are behind — without overwhelming teachers or relying on systems that don’t deliver results? In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin Peppard sits down with Jennifer Sheffield, CEO of HeyTutor, for a grounded, practical conversation about what effective tutoring and intervention really look like in today’s schools. Jennifer brings a unique leadership lens — blending her background in law,...

In this special shared episode, Darrin Peppard and Dr. Frederick Buskey—host of The Assistant Principal Podcast—tackle a challenge leaders are facing more and more often: angry, escalated parent interactions. This conversation was sparked by a real question from the field—a leader Frederick supports reached out looking for guidance on how to handle parents when emotions are high. Together, Darrin and Frederick unpack a practical, grounded framework for what to do before, during, and after confl...

What does it mean to be a dealer in hope — not as the source of hope, but as someone who helps others discover it for themselves? In this first episode of 2026, Darrin sits down with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Mark Brown for a powerful conversation about leadership, hope, and intentional presence. Mark shares the story behind his “Hope Dealer” philosophy, why hope is for everyone (not just those in crisis), and how leaders can create cultures where people feel seen, supported, and empowe...

As 2025 comes to a close, Dr. Darrin Peppard reflects on the year that was and what the work of leadership is asking of us as we head into 2026. In this year-end solo episode, Darrin invites both individual leaders and leadership teams to pause, reflect, and resist the urge to rush into the new year without clarity. Drawing from his work with leadership teams across the country, Darrin shares the key trends he’s seeing shape leadership in the year ahead—including the growing need for clarity, t...

This episode is sponsored by DigiCoach. Make walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing. In Episode 252 of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin Peppard sits down with Scott Borba, superintendent–principal in California’s Central Valley and author of The Leader You’re Not. Together, they explore leadership identity, the cost of perfectionism, imposter syndrome, delegation, boundaries, and why sustainable leadership begin...

This episode is sponsored by DigiCoach. Make walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing. In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Darrin sits down with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Danny Steele to explore what it truly means to lead with heart, clarity, and purpose. Danny reflects on his 31-year career in education, the mentors who shaped him, the mistakes that taught him, and the passion that contin...

This episode is sponsored by DigiCoach Make walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing. For this milestone episode, the script gets flipped. Longtime friends and frequent guests Todd Bloomer and Dominic Armano take over the show and interview host Dr. Darrin Peppard about the lessons he’s learned from 250 episodes and a lifetime in school leadership. They dig into leadership clarity, time management, burnout, sup...

This episode is sponsored by DigiCoach Make walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing. If you’ve followed high-level high school athletics—especially in Colorado—you’ve probably heard of Valor Christian High School. From state titles to nationally ranked teams, Valor has built a reputation for excellence. But what most people don’t see is the intentional culture, systems, and faith-driven leadership behind the wi...

This episode is sponsored by DigiCoach Make walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing. In this inspiring episode, NAESP President April D. Knight joins Darrin to explore what leadership looks like when it stays grounded in relationships, service, and intentional support for school leaders. April shares the story of her 34-year career, her leadership journey through Columbus City Schools, and how her deep commitmen...

Sponsor Spotlight: digiCOACH Support for today’s episode comes from digiCOACH — the walkthrough and coaching platform designed to simplify data collection, strengthen feedback, and improve instructional clarity. Visit digiCOACH.com, mention Darrin sent you, and ask about special partner pricing. In Episode 247 of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Darrin welcomes back repeat guest Dr. Christopher J. Jochum, founder and CEO of CJ Leadership Solutions, LLC, Professor and Chair of Teacher Educat...

Sponsor Spotlight: digiCOACH Support for today’s episode comes from digiCOACH — the walkthrough and coaching platform designed to simplify data collection, strengthen feedback, and improve instructional clarity. Visit digiCOACH.com, mention Darrin sent you, and ask about special partner pricing. In this solo episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard takes leaders deep into one of the most important—and most avoided—responsibilities of leadership: crucial conversations. ...

Partner Spotlight: Let’s face it — leadership is complex. That’s why Darrin is proud to partner with digiCOACH, a walkthrough and coaching platform that simplifies observation and feedback so leaders can focus on what really matters — students and instruction. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention that Darrin sent you for special partner pricing. In Episode 245 of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Jayme Braida, Principal of Columbus Elementary in Chariton, Iowa,...

Partner Spotlight: Let’s face it — leadership is complex. That’s why Darrin is proud to partner with digiCOACH, a walkthrough and coaching platform that simplifies observation and feedback so leaders can focus on what really matters — students and instruction. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention that Darrin sent you for special partner pricing. Have you ever felt like you’re just running from one issue to the next — solving problems, answering questions, and checking boxes — only to end the day re...

Clarity in leadership starts with visibility—and that’s exactly what DigiCoach delivers. Designed to simplify walkthroughs and feedback, DigiCoach helps school leaders build a culture of coaching rooted in trust, consistency, and growth. Collect data, identify trends, and turn every classroom visit into an opportunity for meaningful support and improvement. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention that Darrin sent you for special partner pricing. What happens when the person leading your organization l...

In this special on-location episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Daniel Hornick, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools in Virginia. Together, they unpack what it truly takes to grow future leaders in education, the realities of superintendent leadership today, and the balance between leading your board, your organization, and yourself. Dr. Hornick shares insights on: Building a leadership pipeline through intentional c...

Episode summary To celebrate the launch of darrinpeppard.com, Darrin shares six quotes that have shaped his leadership—and how each one connects to clarity, systems, purpose, relationships, and the courage to take the road less traveled. Along the way, he shares pivotal stories: moving from “Captain Chaos” to intentional leader, the coaching that changed everything, trusting relationships over titles, and choosing the Road to Awesome. The six quotes & themes “Clear is kind.” — Brené Brown → Cla...

In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard dives deep into one of the hardest challenges leaders face — guiding their teams through circumstances completely outside their control. From district-wide budget cuts to post-COVID uncertainty, Darrin explores how leaders can help their teams release what they can’t control and regain focus, trust, and agency around what they can. Drawing on a real coaching conversation and a personal story from his time as a superintendent, Darrin outlines how acknowle...

Leadership starts with self-awareness—but most assessments only tell part of the story. In this episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp, to explore the conative side of the human mind—the part that drives how we take action. David explains the difference between thinking, feeling, and doing, and how the Kolbe A™ Index reveals your natural patterns for solving problems and taking initiative. Together, Darrin and David discuss: The four Action Modes—Fact Finder,...

In this episode, I sit down with Casey Watts—speaker, author, thought leader, and creator of the Clarity Cycle Framework. With over 20 years in education and a decade of coaching experience, Casey has helped countless leaders bridge gaps, foster commitment, and build sustainable alignment in their teams. We dig into the missing piece that derails so many leaders: clarity. From the dangers of jargon like “fidelity” and “rigor” to building shared ownership of definitions, Casey unpacks how leader...

In this week’s episode of Leaning Into Leadership, I sit down with Dr. Zac Bauermaster, an elementary principal in Lancaster County, PA, whose fist-bump videos with students recently went viral — one reaching over 382 million views on Instagram. But behind the headlines is a leader who has learned through personal challenges, family priorities, and a deep commitment to faith what it truly means to lead with people first. Zac shares openly about his journey through teaching, administration, and ...

In this episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard is joined by Dr. Kacy Shahid and Dr. Kevin Lein, members of NASSP’s Principal Recovery Network. They share their personal journeys through tragedy, the lessons they’ve learned, and the hope they bring to school leaders everywhere. Key Themes Leading through crisis and recovery The role of empathy, vulnerability, and preparation How the Principal Recovery Network supports school leaders The Principal Recovery Network Guide and how it helps communities heal...