Schurtz and Ties: A podcast about education and culture
Inspired by the classroom, Kasey Schurtz and Brian T. Miller wrestle with how to become better teachers, leaders, and people.
Schurtz and Ties is sponsored by PeerDrivePD.com and is a proud member of the TeachBetter Podcast Network.
Recent Episodes
Oct. 22, 2025
Ep. 118: Closing the Divide — Building Bridges Between Admin and Staff
Why does it sometimes feel like teachers and administrators are on opposite sides of the same mission? Why is there friction when we all want the same thing? To do what's best for kids - for people - and to do it well! Becaus...
Oct. 15, 2025
Ep. 117: Education is complicated. Keep it simple.
Education, like the NFL Combine, is flooded with data. Numbers, charts, metrics, and measures. And too often, we focus on the wrong ones. Somewhere along the way, our obsession with data turned into overcomplication—wasted ti...
Oct. 8, 2025
Ep. 116: Unintentional Culture Killers, with Darron Pepperd
Sometimes, it’s not the big decisions that break a school’s culture — it’s the quiet ones. The rolled eyes in the hallway. The half-hearted “sure” in a staff meeting. The slow erosion that happens when we stop believing the b...
Sept. 29, 2025
Ep. 115: "Yes, And…" Lessons from Improv expert Bob Kulhan
What can the rules of improv teach us about life and education? Tons. In this conversation with Bob Kulhan—improv veteran, executive educator, and founder of Business Improv —we take “Yes, and…” off the stage and into real li...
Sept. 18, 2025
Ep. 114: Surviving the Evergreen Shooting: One story, many warnings - a conversation with a mom and son
On April 20, 1999, Columbine shattered America’s sense of safety in schools. Since then, more than 400 school shootings have followed — each new number added to a grim tally, each headline fading too quickly. But behind every...
Sept. 15, 2025
Ep. 113: Traits of Cool, characteristics of a bully, and the thin line between.
Bullies get things done—but do they create lasting value? Most often, no. So why do they still attract followers? Because they often embody the Six Traits of Being Cool : extraverted, hedonistic, powerful, adventurous, open, ...
Sept. 8, 2025
Ep. 112: Culture by Design—the Upper Arrow with Sydne Jacques
Today, we're honored to host a distinguished guest—someone who navigates the crossroads of leadership, culture, and transformation with both strategy and soul. Please welcome Sydney Jacques , a Next Level Leadership Strategis...
Sept. 1, 2025
Ep. 111 : The Lost Key to Life and Leadership: A Conversation with John Dickson
Bullies can get things done. But humble leaders? They’re the ones who inspire lasting change—and the ones we actually remember. In this conversation, John Dickson pulls us back to the heartbeat of life and leadership: humilit...
Aug. 25, 2025
Welcome to season 4!
Welcome to Season 4 of Schurtz and Ties ! Each season, we’ve tried to dig a little deeper into the stories, voices, and questions that shape education, leadership, and life. And we are thrilled to get back after it again! Whe...
June 16, 2025
Ep. 109: Season 3 Takeaways!
As Season 3 of Schurtz and Ties comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the powerful conversations, unexpected insights, and inspiring guests that have shaped this season. From bold truths about leadership to he...
May 22, 2025
Ep. 108: Ignoring principals and building culture, with Jimmy Casas
If you want to talk about education and culture, the conversation must include Jimmy Casas. Mr Casas served twenty-two years as a school leader, is a best-selling author, speaker, leadership coach, and a state and national aw...
May 6, 2025
Ep. 107: Get Outside, with Court Rustmeyer
Spring is (mostly) here! Which means students and teachers need to get outside. This week, we head to Alberta, Canada to talk with outdoor enthusiast Court Rustemeyer about something every educator should hear: how just five ...
May 2, 2025
Ep. 106: Responsibility Monkeys, with Todd Whitaker
Mr. Whitaker is a familiar voice in education. The author of bestsellers such as What Great Teachers Do Differently , What Great Principals Do Differently , and, most recently, How to Get All Teachers to Become Like the Best ...
April 28, 2025
Ep. 105: How to "do Culture," change Culture, with Josh Tovar
When Josh Tovar prepares for the day, most everyone is still asleep. When he pulls into the parking lot, he enters a school packed full of cultures, differences, and diverse learning needs. He also has a school full of simila...
April 15, 2025
Ep. 104: April Engagement Madness with Jedd Hefer
March Madness may be over, but on the Schurtz and Ties show, the chaos continues! In this episode, Brian and Kasey invite Mr. Jedd Hefer back on to help them work through what impacts our classrooms and student behaviors the ...
April 10, 2025
Ep. 103: Stop Cancelling PD!
Time alone does not build culture. Cancelling PD does not support teachers. It may make teachers happy, but in the long run, canceling PD does not encourage teachers or ensure student success. In this episode, Brian and Kasey...
April 3, 2025
Ep. 102: Successfully navigating hard conversations, with Jennifer Abrams
Jennifer Abrams is an "international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities and non-profits," and in this episode, she brings profound wisdom, tangible strategies, and deep ...
March 19, 2025
Ep. 101: Instructional Leadership with Principal Kafele
There are few educational leaders like Principal Kafele. His wisdom, experience, insight, and strength are unmatched, and his message is on point. He recently published his new book, What Is My Value Instructionally to the Te...
March 13, 2025
Ep. 100: The boxes we carry
We've been together now for just under three years, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone with you! In this episode, Brian and Kasey spend a short time celebrating the moment but then spend the hour chatting about te...
March 7, 2025
Ep. 99: Design Thinking and "Feeling the toe pinch" with Julie Schell
Get your mind and pen ready! In this episode, Julie Schell takes us on a journey full of depth, purpose, and insight—walking us through how we think, encouraging us to feel the pinch of empathy, and clarifying the powers of p...
Feb. 25, 2025
Ep. 98: Teachers Deserve It, with Rae Hughart.
Educators are burning out. Quickly. But we don't have to! Nor do we have to overhaul our entire teaching practice. In fact, with a few minor changes, we can thrive! And so can our students. In this episode, Rae Hughart pulls ...
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