Unlocking Unlimited Potential Stories

Recorded live at the #DLNY26 (Deeper Learning NY) Conference in Kingston, NY, hosted by Ulster BOCES, this special episode brings together the voices of ten remarkable leaders who are shaping the future of education. From principals and professors to consultants, environmental educators, children's book authors, and even a high school student creating unique learning experiences by bringing chickens into schools, each guest shares the experiences that have influenced their path and purpose. The

In Episode 148, Brandon sits down with Derek Cantrell, principal at Alleghany High School in Virginia. He is a 2026 Virginia Principal of the Year named by the VASSP and has over 20 years experience as a teacher and principal. Derek is also the author of Better Together: Building One School, One Culture, From Two Routes, the inspiring story of successfully merging two longtime rival high schools into one thriving school community. In this episode, Derek shares the remarkable journey of bringing

In Episode 147, I sit down with Hunter Price, a former educator and high school basketball coach whose passion for relationships, leadership, and faith has inspired countless students, athletes, coaches, and educators. Hunter is the author of the book Care to Compete: A Coach's Guide to Connection that Wins the Margins and the host of the Share Your Story Podcast. Throughout his coaching career, Hunter earned numerous accolades, including the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Achievement

In Episode 126, Brandon Beck sits down with inspirational educator and speaker Justin Pickens to discuss his powerful journey through education, personal growth, and leadership. Justin shares how he began his career in education, stepped away to pursue a different path, and ultimately found his way back as a physical education teacher with a renewed sense of purpose. Through the highs and lows of his journey, Justin opens up about the internal battles many educators face, including self-doubt,

In Episode 145 of the #UUPotential Stories Show, Brandon sits down with speaker and coach Casey Watts (@catchupwithcasey): “The Craft of Clarity" Casey—former educator, professor, and now speaker and coach—dives deep into something every leader is chasing: clarity. In this episode, she breaks down her Clarity Cycle Framework, built from the powerful habits that leadership teams develop to move from confusion to alignment. But this isn’t just theory…she brings real, practical strategies you can

Leadership drives culture—and culture drives everything. In this episode, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with John Woods, an incredibly passionate and award-winning Athletic Director at Libertyville High School in Illinois. His journey is powerful. A former three-sport athlete, John’s path shifted after a college football injury changed the trajectory of his life. But what followed is where the story gets special. Inspired by a Special Olympics event, John returned to school and found his calling

Episode 143 of the #UUPotential Stories Show features an incredibly powerful and inspiring conversation with passionate physical education teacher, Kristen Santos (@yogainphysed). After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, Kristen found herself in an unexpected place...an oncologist’s office that would ultimately introduce her to yoga. What began as a moment of uncertainty turned into a life-changing discovery: "Yoga in PE" In this episode, Kristen shares how yoga not only supported her healin

In this episode, Dr. Brandon Beck welcomes special guest Mark Brown (@heyMarkBrown) — high school principal, author, and speaker who serves as the principal of Newberg High School in Oregon. Mark shares his leadership journey from answering the calling to become a teacher and coach to expanding his impact as a school leader. Throughout the conversation, Mark reflects on the lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy, including the belief that hope is a choice and that some of our greatest gr

#UUPotential Stories Show Episode 141 with Cale Birk: "The Power of Observable Impact" Episode 141 of the #UUPotential Stories Show features an inspiring and reflective conversation with Cale Birk (@BirkLearns) Cale is the author of five books, former teacher, principal, and director of innovation from British Columbia, Canada, who boldly stepped away from the traditional education system to pursue his calling as a leadership coach and consultant serving schools across the globe. In this power

#UUPotential Stories Show Episode 140 with Casey Cittadino: "The Athletic Mindset" In this episode, Brandon sits down with former professional lacrosse player Casey Cittadino. From being an unrecruited college athlete to competing on the international stage, Casey’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact mental performance has on success. Casey shares how mindset influences leadership, performance, and growth, and discusses the app he has developed to help athletes and coaches better unde

Episode 139 –Weston Kieschnick – The Hidden Work What if the difference between top performers and underachievers has very little to do with talent, motivation, or luck and everything to do with the work no one sees? In episode 139 of the #UUPotential Stories Show, Brandon sits down with Weston Kieschnick, author, speaker, leadership coach, and consultant whose work spans schools, athletics, and the corporate world. Weston has dedicated his career to studying what truly drives engagement and su

One creative moment in a gym changed everything. What began as a simple classroom activity turned into a viral video that sparked a movement, connecting thousands of educators, coaches, and students around the country. At the center of it all is Cait Davis (@PhysEdGirls), a Physical Education teacher from the Catskills of New York whose passion for helping young people discover their potential has ignited a national community. In this episode, Cait shares the deeply personal story behind her j

Episode 137 | Gian Paul Gonzalez – All In: Faith, Grit, and the Power of Belief What happens when faith meets action? In this powerful episode of the #UUPotential Stories Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Gian Paul Gonzalez, Chaplain for the New York Giants. Gian Paul shares his journey from being a 9th-grade teacher to becoming a national speaker—and ultimately being hired by the New York Giants. He is also the founder of the Hope + Future movement, which supports students in discovering w

In this special episode, we went live from the #NYSAHPERD (New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance) Conference in Verona, NY. Brandon takes you inside NYSAHPERD25 as he invites a group of passionate educators and leaders to step up to the mic and share their journeys. What followed were powerful conversations with professionals from elementary, secondary, and higher education—each opening up about their purpose, their passion, and the impact this conferen

In this inspiring episode of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Dr. Adeline Tatum, an Instructional Technologist and AVIT Training Coordinator at UCLA. Dr. Tatum shares her incredible journey from growing up in Honduras to becoming a leader in instructional technology at one of the nation’s top universities. Her story is one of perseverance, innovation, and a deep commitment to helping others harness technology to create meaningful learning experienc

In this inspiring episode of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Jay Gross (@jgross811), a 36-year veteran educator whose journey into teaching is anything but ordinary. Jay’s story begins with a devastating motorcycle accident...an event that could have ended his life but instead became the defining moment that gave him a renewed purpose. Through his recovery, he discovered his calling to teach, inspire, and uplift others. In a full-circle twist, he

In episode 133 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Barbara Gruener, a 40-year educator and award-winning children’s book author. Barbara’s journey began on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, where she was inspired by her Great Aunt Norma, a dedicated teacher for 50 years. She started her career as a Spanish teacher before finding her true calling in school counseling. Throughout her career, Barbara has empowered others to discover the leader within themsel

In this inspiring episode of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Dr. Naomi Hall (@therecoveringeducator). Naomi, an educational consultant with 18 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, calls herself the Recovering Educator. Today, she works as a leadership consultant, coaching schools and educators to stay inspired, connected, and fueled by their leadership fire. In this conversation, Dr. Hall shares powerful, field-tested tips for educ

In this special episode, we went live from the #DLNY25 (Deeper Learning NY) Conference in Kingston, NY (presented by Ulster BOCES) to capture the voices and stories of seven inspiring educators who are making a lasting impact in their schools, communities, and beyond. This episode highlights a powerful mix of leaders—principals, consultants, professors, an ENL director, environmental educators, and even a children’s book author—each sharing the personal journey that fuels their purpose in educa

In this inspiring episode of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Sam Demma (@sam_Demma) — international keynote speaker, best-selling author of Empty Your Backpack, and picture book author of Be Someone’s Taco. Sam has shared the stage with icons like Kardinal Offishall and Sarah Blackwood, partnered with brands like Taco Bell, delivered two TEDx talks, and toured his empowering message across Canada, the United States, and Kenya. His work has been fe

In episode 129 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck is joined by Jacki Mjoen (@mjoenmiddle), a passionate educator, author, and brain cancer survivor, who shares her incredible story of resilience, healing, and purpose. Jacki teaches in the same school she once attended as a student and has returned to the classroom with a renewed vision and deeper clarity for her work. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, undergoing surgery, and walking through the long road