Episodes

In Episode 99 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Tom Pesce (@TomPesceOfficial) describes how an interest in magic led him to becoming an innovative teacher. Tom describes how both magic and teaching lead to creating a space that is authentic and meaningful for all involved. Tom Pesce is one of the country’s most sought-after speakers, educators, and motivational entertainers. His long client list includes companies such as Morgan Stanley, NASA, Ama...

In Episode 98 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Dr. Chad Dumas (@ChadDumas) discuss his story from teacher to administrator to full time consultant. We dive deep into the shift in professional learning communities that has taken place over the past few years and how educators can use them to unlock unlimited potential. Dr. Chad Dumas is a Solution Tree PLC at Work, Assessment, and Priority Schools associate and international consultant, presenter ...

In Episode 97 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Phil Januszewski (@philjanuszewski) discuss the story behind his work as a youth speaker, teacher, father, and teacher speaker. We dive into positive psychology and he provides a bunch of tips to begin living more positively RIGHT NOW. Phil is a high energy high school chemistry/physics teacher and coach that is obsessed with positive psychology, personal development, and growing with others to make ...

In Episode 96 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Chris Jochum (@jochumcj) discuss the story behind his work with future teachers and leaders at the higher education level. Chris Jochum is the head of Department of Teacher Education at Fort Hayes State University in Kansas. He is also the Author of The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership. Chris works with future teachers designing courses to prepare them for our schools. This...

In 2023 we had some incredibly inspiring educators. In this special NEW YEAR EPISODE, we provide Our Top 5 Most Popular podcasts from 2023. For the first time ever, we created a "Mash Up" from our 5 most popular guests. We included their stories and some inspirational moments from each of their podcasts. Join me in congratulating the Top 5 Guests from 2023! Dave Burgess Nick Edwards April Grace Eric Lillis Larry Dake -------- Tune into this insightful conversation, and tag @BrandonBeckEDU to con...

In Episode 94 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Katie Powell (@Beyond_the_Desk) discuss her journey from graduating High School at 16 to becoming a rock star educator with an innate passion for unleashing joy upon all those she leads. Katie Powell is the Director for Middle Level Programs for The Association of Middle Level Education (@AMLE). Her journey into education was, well...unexpected. However, the trail that she has blazed is quite remarka...

In Episode 93 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, David James (@heroichistory22) discuss the influences of Teacher Leadership and how we need our teachers to continue to find confidence to lead. David James is a History teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina. His experience in education began as a middle school teacher, and then he became an Assistant Principal. Currently, he has returned to the classroom as a middle school teacher. He is also the Con...

In Episode 92 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck reflects on this hot topic: How can we measure our success as a leader when we lose? Three things determine if your leadership is successful: Values, Communication, Trust. These can areas of your leadership will be challenged when you are losing. How you show up in these areas will determine your success as a leader. Tune into and tag @BrandonBeckEDU to continue the conversation and stay connected. Continue to Live wit...

In Episode 91 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck describes the Values Based Approach to Leadership. He discusses the importance of taking values from words written on the wall to actually being utilized to develop positive team culture. An essential component of being a leader is what you value to be true about a successful organization. Taking the time to get to know the values of the others in your organization is an important conversation to facilitate. Brandon sh...

In Episode 90 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck is flying solo to discuss Defining Moments. Do you ever wonder why you do what you do? Sometimes when we revisit the defining moments in our career we can really connect to the fire that burns deep within us all. These stories are so critically important to share because telling them reminds us of our innate passion for growing and achieving consistent success throughout our career. What are some of your defining momen...

In Episode 89 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guests, Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns (@CTCPlaybook) discuss how to use conversations to build connections with students. This is an amazing conversation about conversations! They provide tips, tricks, insight, discuss restorative justice, and most importantly, how to care "out loud." Erika Bare has been an educator for over 20 years. She is currently an assistant superintendent in Ashland, Oregon. Tiffany B...

In Episode 88 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Melody McAllister (@MelodyMcAllist7) discuss her incredible experience building social networks and communities for educators. Melody is an expert content creator and she provides 5 valuable insights to help you build an active community that supports the work you believe in. Melody McAllister is a teacher, content creator, author of I'm Sorry Story, and a mother of 5 from Alaska. She has an incredib...

In Episode 87 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Rachelle Dene Poth (@RDene915) discuss her journey through being a classroom teacher and a speaker/consultant spreading her passion and inspiring educators globally. Rachelle Dene Poth is an ISTE certified educator, consultant, author of SEVEN books, an attorney, and the list goes on. As a teacher, she is a world language teacher (English & Spanish) and a STEAM Emerging Technology teacher. #UUPotenti...

In Episode 86 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Dr. Nathan Lang Raad (@drlangraad) describe the journey from classroom to NASA to speaking and beyond. He encourages using critical thinking to guide your classroom interactions. Dr. Nathan Lang-Raad is the Author of 9 books including his most recent, Never Stop Asking. He is a former teacher, school leader, and education supervisor at NASA. He is currently the Vice President of Savvas Learning. He a...

In Episode 85 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Charle Peck (@CharlePeck) discuss the mental health crisis that our schools are facing. Charle describes numerous ways to improve the mental health of others and provides many helpful tips and tools to help schools thrive under pressure. Charle Peck is a former school social worker who now partners with schools to provide customized professional development focused on improving mental health. She is ...

In Episode 84 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Jason Rich describes how college athletes are turning to a mental health performance coach to improve performance. He describes common challenges college athletes are facing and provides strategies for coaches, teachers, and athletes to use to improve their mental toughness. Jason Rich is a College Sports Mental Performance Consultant and Exercise Science Lecturer at Rochester Institute of Technology...

In Episode 83 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Bradley James Davies (@Bradley.James.Davies) describes how a particular defining moment in his career almost ruined his life. This particular moment made him realize the unlimited potential inside of him and he completely left the school and classroom to pursue a career in Executive Coaching. He provides insight, wisdom, and helpful tips from his story that are practical for anyone who. Bradley James...

In Episode 82 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Fred Ende (@FredEnde) discuss his journey through teaching, regional leadership, and author of two books from ASCD: PD that Sticks and Forces of Influence . We combine the subjects of both of his books in this episode focusing on the importance of designing professional learning experiences that are meaningful and beneficial to adults. Fred Ende is a versatile educator who is currently the Director o...

In Episode 81 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Kip Shubert (@SecretSauceEDU) discuss how your failures in life set you up for your biggest comeback. This episode is raw and vulnerable. We are both in tears within the first 5 minutes and Kip describes his story about overcoming his alcohol addiction, losing everything, visiting rock bottom, and how one moment set him on a path to impactful change. These have become the ingredients to what Kip call...

In Episode 80 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Dr. Holly Blair (@HollyBlairMPA) describes how she uses the stories of incredible educators to empower the schools in Maine. She provides many inspiring positive stories from the schools in Maine and how she connects school districts in order to lead to continued success. In addition, she also provided tips for principals to go beyond putting out fires to developing relationships with teachers and st...

In Episode 79 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Stacey Ross Cohen (@StaceyRossCohen) discuss her story behind becoming a personal branding expert, author, speaker, and blogger for Huffington Post. This episode is loaded with tips for both adults and young adults about how to utilize their social media for success in the digital world. We talk about students entering college, the importance of displaying your super powers, "sharenting", networking,...

In Episode 78 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Matthew J. Bowerman (@MJBowerman) discuss how to actualize Love as a strategic tool with regards to developing relationships and trauma responsive supports for students, families, and staff. Matthew J. Bowerman is a former off Broadway actor turned teacher who evolved into a school principal. As a 26 year educator, Matthew now has a book to share with the world that will completely change the way you...

In Episode 52 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Taylor Armstrong (@TAYLOR_does_IT) discuss the connections of being a leader in the military and how it relates to developing students. Taylor Armstrong was a Staff Sergeant in the Army who completed tours in Iraq. Upon completion of his service he became a bus driver, then coach, teacher, and then a School Leader as an administrator. In this episode, Taylor describes the lessons learned being a lead...

In Episode 77 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Brandon Beck and special guest, Crystal Frommert (@Mrs_frommert) discuss how to develop positive connections with your community in order to develop consistent positive interactions. She provides helpful tips, resources, and strategies to support you in your journey toward creating connections that lead to success with students. Crystal Frommert is a teacher in Houston, Texas. She is the author of "When Calling Parents isn't Your C...