Leaning into Leadership

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, I’m pulling back the curtain on my new course, Take Control of Your Leadership. This transformative course is designed to help school leaders overcome overwhelm, focus on what matters most, and lead with clarity and purpose.Go to https://www.theprincipalacademy.com to learn more and to enroll in the course today. Use the code TCYL24 at checkout to save $150. (offer expires 11/24/2024)Join me as I share personal stories and practical tips from each of the six modules:Gaining Clarity and Examining Systems: Define your leadership values and focus on what truly matters.Time Management: Take back your time with strategies to stay organized and intentional.Building and Maintaining Positive School Culture: Cultivate a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.Focusing on Teaching and Learning: Become the instructional leader your school needs.Building and Leveraging Leadership Teams: Work collaboratively to amplify your impact.Staying Focused on Your Vision: Align your daily actions with your long-term goals.Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead with confidence and clarity.Again, go to https://www.theprincipalacademy.com to learn more and to enroll in the course today. Use the code TCYL24 at checkout to save $150. (offer expires 11/24/2024)Want the School Leader's Weekly Planner for free?? Click hereDon’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow leader who could use a little clarity in their work!

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's launching soon!!!Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.And now...about our guest on this week's episode:Bentli Lewis serves as the principal of Oakbrook Middle School in Ladson, South Carolina, a community nestled just outside of Charleston in the LowCountry. She began her career in education in 2012 as a high school English teacher and varsity tennis and softball coach. After five years in the classroom, she transitioned into a role as a Graduation Specialist, where she served for one year before moving to her current school district.In her new district, Lewis stepped into the position of Assistant Principal at Summerville High School, a role she held for four years, gaining valuable experience and honing her skills as a building leader. Her dedication and leadership led to her appointment as the principal of Oakbrook Middle School, where she recently completed her second full year in the role. Lewis is passionate about the incredible work happening at Oakbrook Middle and is excited about the school’s ongoing successes and bright future.You can find Bentli on social media:Instagram - @bentlijlewFacebook - Bentli Jones LewisX (Twitter) - @bentlij

On this solo episode of the podcast, we explore a vital topic for school leaders: maintaining resilience and avoiding burnout. I discuss five practical strategies to help you stay grounded, energized, and focused, even amidst the demands of leadership. From setting boundaries and effective delegation to building a support network and prioritizing self-care, these tips are designed to help you thrive in your role. Tune in to learn how to protect your energy, enhance your impact, and lead with clarity and purpose.Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, we explore why instructional leadership is crucial for student success and how it often gets deprioritized. Learn five actionable steps to reclaim your focus on instruction and make a meaningful impact. Ready to lead with purpose? Tune in now, and don’t forget to sign up at roadtoawesome.net for exclusive offers and updates on my new digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.And now...about our guest on this week's episode:Tammy Klotz is a vibrant and accomplished executive and best-selling author with over three decades of diverse experience in the manufacturing industry, specializing in cybersecurity and transformational leadership. She offers keen expertise in navigating mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures within both publicly-traded and privately-held companies and is seasoned in security, risk, and compliance leadership. Tammy brings a dynamic and positive approach to problem solving, excelling in simplifying intricate IT and cybersecurity concepts and facilitating pragmatic, non-technical dialogues that resonate with business executives. She is recognized as a strong, knowledgeable, thoughtful security executive who excels in public speaking and thought leadership, striving to empower others through knowledge sharing.Grab Tammy's book here: Leading with Empathy and GraceConnect with Tammy on LinkedIn

Welcome to a special mid-week edition of Leaning into Leadership. This week I am sitting down with my once per month guests, my friends and fellow principals Todd Bloomer and Dominic Armano. We play rapid fire this time around with questions leaders have but aren't always willing to ask.Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, we explore why instructional leadership is crucial for student success and how it often gets deprioritized. Learn five actionable steps to reclaim your focus on instruction and make a meaningful impact. Ready to lead with purpose? Tune in now, and don’t forget to sign up at roadtoawesome.net for exclusive offers and updates on my new digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership.Smore - Ever feel like you're the only one reading your school newsletters? Smore is here to change that! Built for educators, Smore gives you hundreds of easy-to-use templates to craft newsletters your community will love...and actually read. You can add videos, images, polls, and more. Stop guessing about what content your community wants to read. Use Smore's analytics to see who opens your emails and which links get clicked. And did I mention that Smore lets you translate your newsletters into more than 100 languages? I'm telling you, this is the platform you want to use.Sign up now and take $50 off your first year of your Smore plan. Make your newsletters easier and more engaging at smore.com/teachbetter. Again that’s smore.com/teachbetter

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.Smore - Ever feel like you're the only one reading your school newsletters? Smore is here to change that! Built for educators, Smore gives you hundreds of easy-to-use templates to craft newsletters your community will love...and actually read. You can add videos, images, polls, and more. Stop guessing about what content your community wants to read. Use Smore's analytics to see who opens your emails and which links get clicked. And did I mention that Smore lets you translate your newsletters into more than 100 languages? I'm telling you, this is the platform you want to use.Sign up now and take $50 off your first year of your Smore plan. Make your newsletters easier and more engaging at smore.com/teachbetter. Again that’s smore.com/teachbetterAnd now...about our guest on this week's episode:Nicholas Bradford is a lifelong educator with extensive experience with challenging students inside and outside the classroom. In 2009 Nicholas Bradford started his Restorative Justice education in VT. Working in therapeutic settings, schools, afterschool programs, and justice settings  have shaped a skill set that delivers a comprehensive Restorative Justice framework.Having worked with many schools and districts he has built a robust program that gives schools, educators, and students the skills and structures they need to create a culture of belonging and success in spite of conflict.He recently co-authored “A Real-World Guide to Restorative Justice for Schools.”Connect with Nicholas: LinkedIn & FacebookEmail/contact info: [email protected]

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.Smore - Ever feel like you're the only one reading your school newsletters? Smore is here to change that! Built for educators, Smore gives you hundreds of easy-to-use templates to craft newsletters your community will love...and actually read. You can add videos, images, polls, and more. Stop guessing about what content your community wants to read. Use Smore's analytics to see who opens your emails and which links get clicked. And did I mention that Smore lets you translate your newsletters into more than 100 languages? I'm telling you, this is the platform you want to use.Sign up now and take $50 off your first year of your Smore plan. Make your newsletters easier and more engaging at smore.com/teachbetter. Again that’s smore.com/teachbetterAnd now...about our guest on this week's episode:Luis Báez is a Revenue Enablement Strategist + Sales Coach dedicated to serving executives and sales leaders at businesses. In 2017, after years of working in some of the biggest Silicon Valley startups (think LinkedIn, Google, Uber, Tesla, and more), Luis began to teach impassioned business owners how to scale their revenues and impact by creating and selling high-end offers. During that time, he was also invited to speak about leadership and personal branding at business schools across the country including Stanford, UC Berkeley and Bard. Today Luis is a published author through the internationally-recognized Madecraft organization, which includes an incredibly popular LinkedIn Learning course on personalized sales that has been taken by over 20K people to date. When it comes to podcasts, Luis has absolutely brought the beard & baritone to popular podcasts including ¿Quién Tú Eres?, The Online Business Show with Tyler McCall, Brand Master Flash and The Heather Sager Show among others. Connect with Luis: Website: Luisbaez.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baezluisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsluisbaezCheck out the course:  https://www.luisbaez.com/train

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, we explore why instructional leadership is crucial for student success and how it often gets deprioritized. Learn five actionable steps to reclaim your focus on instruction and make a meaningful impact. Ready to lead with purpose? Tune in now, and don’t forget to sign up at roadtoawesome.net for exclusive offers and updates on my new digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership.Smore - Ever feel like you're the only one reading your school newsletters? Smore is here to change that! Built for educators, Smore gives you hundreds of easy-to-use templates to craft newsletters your community will love...and actually read. You can add videos, images, polls, and more. Stop guessing about what content your community wants to read. Use Smore's analytics to see who opens your emails and which links get clicked. And did I mention that Smore lets you translate your newsletters into more than 100 languages? I'm telling you, this is the platform you want to use.Sign up now and take $50 off your first year of your Smore plan. Make your newsletters easier and more engaging at smore.com/teachbetter. Again that’s smore.com/teachbetter

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.Smore - Ever feel like you're the only one reading your school newsletters? Smore is here to change that! Built for educators, Smore gives you hundreds of easy-to-use templates to craft newsletters your community will love...and actually read. You can add videos, images, polls, and more. Stop guessing about what content your community wants to read. Use Smore's analytics to see who opens your emails and which links get clicked. And did I mention that Smore lets you translate your newsletters into more than 100 languages? I'm telling you, this is the platform you want to use.Sign up now and take $50 off your first year of your Smore plan. Make your newsletters easier and more engaging at smore.com/teachbetter. Again that’s smore.com/teachbetterEnjoy today's Peptalk? Click here to check out Darrin's blog on the topic.And now...about our guest on this week's episode:Dr. Matthew B. Courtney is a passionate advocate for education and a specialist in evidence-informed school improvement. He began his career as a music educator before moving on to leadership roles within the nonprofit, higher education, and state government sectors. Dr. Courtney is a published researcher whose work focuses on school improvement. As the founder of Courtney Consulting LLC, he’s advised schools on leveraging evidence-based decision-making to accelerate student achievement. His impact extends beyond students and schools, influencing state-wide educational policies. Dr. Courtney's expertise and dedication continue to bridge gaps in education, fostering progress and development in diverse communities.Find Dr. Courtney on Social Media:https://www.matthewbcourtney.com/https://twitter.com/mbcourtneyeddhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mbcourtneyedd/https://www.youtube.com/@mbcourtneyeddhttps://www.facebook.com/mbcourtneyeddEmail/contact info: [email protected]

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.In this episode, we dive into why clarity is essential for school leaders. I share my personal story of struggling to find clarity as a new principal and offer practical steps to help you define your values and priorities. Ready to lead with purpose? Tune in now, and don’t forget to sign up at roadtoawesome.net for exclusive offers and updates on my new digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.And now...about our guest on this week's episode:Laura Mixon Camacho, PhD, is an executive communication strategist and culture fixer. From her deep dive research into luxury brand messaging, winning political campaigns, and neuroscience, she takes a bespoke approach to teaching highly intelligent high-performers how to connect, engage and inspire people to improve business outcomes and build culture.Her articles on influence and culture have been regularly featured in several publications, including Forbes, The Southern C, Lionesses of Africa and Training Industry.She is also author of the Cultured Communication Workbook and The Practical Guide to Effective Communication. Her podcast, Speak Up with Laura Camacho, is ranked #2 in the world for communication skills podcasts and lists in the top 2.5% of all podcasts in the world.Laura’s recent clients include ABI, Bosch, Charleston County, Charleston Water Systems, Comcast, Catch Talent, Google, King Bean Coffee, Mayne Pharma, Medtronic, Nestlé, SCRA, Society of Women Engineers, among others.She lives in Mt. Pleasant with husband, Ruben. When not working she can be found daydreaming at the beach on Sullivan’s Island.Connect with Laura:Contact: [email protected]: Speak Up With LauraX/Twitter: Speak Up With Laura Linkedin: Laura Mixon Camacho, PhDWebsite: www.speakupwithlaura.comPodcast: Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, I uncover the "time bandits" that steal valuable time from school leaders, including managing budgets, student behavior, and angry parents. Discover strategies to take back your time and focus on what matters most.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and struggling to prioritize your time as a school leader? In this episode, I share some exciting news about my upcoming digital course, Take Control of Your Leadership: A Road to Awesome Map for Early Career Leaders. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity.Sign up for our mailing list at roadtoawesome.net to get early access, special pricing, and exclusive bonuses! And stay tuned for information on this exciting new course.David K Richards is a visionary leader who helps changemakers usher in new paradigms for learning and leadership. He is the current Founder & CEO of Changemaker Schools, a network of microschools, and Pathfinder, a program to help others open schools. David is also a speaker and leadership coach and leads a mastermind program, the Wise Warrior and has a podcast named Changemaker ED“U”. He has worked in education reform for over 25 years as a teacher, principal, and founder of several innovative charter schools with nationally recognized Summit Public Schools and the school he started, Growth Public School. David has dedicated his life to helping people of all ages connect with the powerful leader within themselves. David lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife Julie, and his two children, Kyle and Ella. He holds a BA from UC Berkeley and an MA from Stanford University.Social Media:https://www.instagram.com/davidk.richards/https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-k-richards-a1b43753/Websites:https://www.davidkrichards.com/https://pathfinder-ed.com/https://www.growthps.org/

Full disclosure, I checked out Notebook LM after hearing about it on social media. I was immediately fascinated by the potential it has. So, I uploaded my dissertation, linked here, to see what the fuss was all about. I am stunned at how cool this tool really is. It's a concise summary in a fun, easy to listen to podcast. In this week's special episode, I will share my thoughts, as well as the actual audio created by Notebook LM. Check it out!Are you ready to take your leadership and your team to the next level? As a leadership coach and speaker, I’m passionate about helping school leaders and leadership teams like yours gain the clarity you need to walk confidently in your purpose. I believe that when leaders are clear about their purpose, they can lead with more authenticity and create a ripple effect that impacts every level of their organization. If you’re ready to inspire your team, foster deeper connections, and drive meaningful change, I’d love to work with you. Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

Are you ready to take your leadership and your team to the next level? As a leadership coach and speaker, I’m passionate about helping school leaders and leadership teams like yours gain the clarity you need to walk confidently in your purpose. I believe that when leaders are clear about their purpose, they can lead with more authenticity and create a ripple effect that impacts every level of their organization. If you’re ready to inspire your team, foster deeper connections, and drive meaningful change, I’d love to work with you. Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Dr. Ryan Donlan, Professor in the Indiana State University and Bayh College of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership, served for 20 years in K–12 education, most of that time as a Superintendent, as well as a school building leader. He has served in both traditional and charter schools and school districts. Dr. Donlan has taught for years at the college and university level and provides educational program reviews, speeches, presentations, and trainings for educators. Currently, he is a Board Trustee for the Mensa Foundation and Chair of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Mensa Research Journal. He has served prior as Acting Associate Dean of the Bayh College of Education and Chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning. Once a frequent skydiver, Dr. Donlan today enjoys more conservative, contemporary pursuits, such as cooking, reading, and walking. He has written/co-written numerous articles and books, including Gamesmanship for Teachers: Uncommon Sense is Half the Work; The Secret Solution: How One Principal Discovered the Path to Success; Minds Unleashed: How Principals Can Lead the Right Brained Way; The Hero Maker: How Superintendents Can Get Their Boards to Do the Right Thing; The School Board Member’s Guidebook: Becoming a Difference Maker in Your District; All Other Duties as Assigned: The Assistant Principal’s Critical Role in Supporting Schools Inside and Out, Ensuring Teacher Matter: Where to Focus First So Students Matter Most, and Uncommon Sense for New Teachers: A Good Beginning is Half the Work. You can follow Dr. Donlan on X, or visit him at www.ryandonlan.com and www.mindsunleashed.net

Welcome to a special, mid-week release of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. In this episode, I want to challenge leaders to think about their day to day work and how they might benefit from some time on the balcony, re-evaluating their priorities and when they spend their time.Are you ready to take your leadership and your team to the next level? As a leadership coach and speaker, I’m passionate about helping school leaders and leadership teams like yours gain the clarity you need to walk confidently in your purpose. I believe that when leaders are clear about their purpose, they can lead with more authenticity and create a ripple effect that impacts every level of their organization. If you’re ready to inspire your team, foster deeper connections, and drive meaningful change, I’d love to work with you. Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

Are you ready to take your leadership and your team to the next level? As a leadership coach and speaker, I’m passionate about helping school leaders and leadership teams like yours gain the clarity you need to walk confidently in your purpose. I believe that when leaders are clear about their purpose, they can lead with more authenticity and create a ripple effect that impacts every level of their organization. If you’re ready to inspire your team, foster deeper connections, and drive meaningful change, I’d love to work with you. Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Lauren Kaufman is an educator whose passion lies in empowering fellow educators to lead, share their gifts with others, and foster lifelong literacy practices in all learners. With nearly two decades of experience in education, she has held various roles, including elementary classroom teacher, elementary and middle school literacy specialist, instructional coach, mentor coordinator K–12, and assistant principal. Currently, she serves as a district leader and holds the position of director of literacy K–12 in Long Island, New York. Lauren has spearheaded numerous projects, including the development of seventy-three Units of Study in reading and writing for K–5, and has implemented a comprehensive approach to literacy. She is dedicated to providing educators with job-embedded professional learning opportunities and supporting new teachers in acclimating to the school system’s culture and climate. Lauren values collaboration and is committed to sharing best instructional practices with colleagues, fostering powerful professional learning communities and networks that cultivate meaningful, relevant learning and growth.Lauren consistently shares her passion for learning by speaking at national and local conferences, blogging on her own platform, and participating in podcasts; she also contributed to Because of a Teacher by George Couros and Evolving with Gratitude by Lainie Rowell. She has authored chapters in educational journals, and her writing has been highlighted in Edutopia, Education Week, Defined Learning, and Future Ready Schools.Connect with Lauren: Instagram, X,  LinkedInBuy Lauren's book: The Leader Inside: Stories of Mentorship to Inspire the Leader WithinCheck out all things Lauren, including her amazing blog: https://laurenmkaufman.com/

Are you ready to take your leadership and your team to the next level? As a leadership coach and speaker, I’m passionate about helping school leaders and leadership teams like yours gain the clarity you need to walk confidently in your purpose. I believe that when leaders are clear about their purpose, they can lead with more authenticity and create a ripple effect that impacts every level of their organization. If you’re ready to inspire your team, foster deeper connections, and drive meaningful change, I’d love to work with you. Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereHere is the blogpost I referenced in the PepTalk - Life in the Dropoff LaneAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Greg Bennick is a world-class speaker, organizational consultant, and global event host whose ideas have inspired tens of thousands of people to take new approaches to productivity, focus, inspiration and personal development. He engages with audiences in conversations that span borders, appearing on stages in 27 countries (and counting). He is the founder and executive director of an international nonprofit in Haiti (onehundredforhaiti.org), which since 2010 has listened to Haitian people to help transform an entire region’s relationship with water, education, food, and housing. You can find out more about Greg at: gregbennick.comGrab a copy of Greg's new book on AmazonFollow Greg on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Jason Yarusi is a charismatic communicator who electrifies every stage he graces. Jason is a Private fund manager of over $300 million dollars in commercial real estate. Since 2017 his company Yarusi Holdings has amassed over 3000 apartment and commercial real estate units. Jason has built and exited multiple companies: construction, restaurants, a brewery and multiple large apartment communities. He is an avid ultra runner and workout enthusiast. Jason is the host of LIVE100 and The Multifamily Live Podcast, runs 7 Figure Multifamily Mastermind and coaches clients on the Live 100 Principles. And most importantly a husband and a father to three amazing kids, a bulldog named Jill and fifteen chickens.Jason brings all of his hands-on experience to you. His personal story and extensive work has made him an inspirational force, captivating audiences as a dynamic motivational speaker. With an innate ability to ignite positive transformations, Jason empowers individuals to conquer challenges and embrace change with unwavering resilience. His electrifying talks instill a renewed sense of purpose, propelling audiences to reach new heights in both personal and professional spheres.Connect with Jason: Website: https://www.jasonyarusi.com/ Email: [email protected] Media: Instagram, X, Facebook, LInkedIn

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Training scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your PurposeCheck out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Colleen Bashar is an Enterprise Software Operations and Sales Executive with a successful record of building business units and teams from the ground up, opening new markets, and delivering consistent, YoY 20% revenue growth at Guidewire (GWRE), a multibillion-dollar public company where she serves as SVP of Enterprise Business Operations and Chief of Staff to the CEO.Connect with Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenscott/Website: https://www.basharleadership.com/Email/contact info: [email protected]

Let's get your School Leadership training scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:This special mid-week episode is the eighth edition of a series with Dominic Armano, Todd Bloomer, and Darrin teaming up to talk about the hot topics in educational leadership today. On this episode, we are talking about the ever-evolving role of the building principal.Connect with Darrin: https://x.com/DarrinMPeppardConnect with Dom: https://x.com/DominicArmanoConnect with Todd: https://x.com/bloomer_saGet The Blueprint on Amazon or on Todd Bloomer's website

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Training scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Jonathan Alsheimer is the unorthodox, energetic, and entertaining teacher who refuses to live a life of limitations and works with UFC Fighters, Celebrities, and Clothing Brands. In addition to being a passionate educator, Jonathan is an international keynote speaker and the best-selling author of "NEXT LEVEL TEACHING.”Jonathan, taught at the world-renowned Fred Lynn Middle School, which was featured in two documentaries "Relentless" and "Relentless: Chasing Accreditation,” as the teacher who forged a partnership with UFC Fighter and light-weight contender Paul Felder to bring a message of never giving up, fighting for their education, and empowering the students to believe in themselves, all principles that Jonathan promotes in his classroom.  Jonathan Alsheimer also partnered with Fear the Fighter, MMA clothing brand to establish a stop-bullying campaign. Jonathan Alsheimer didn't stop there and established a relationship with "Drama,” MTV reality star and CEO of Young and Reckless to promote and build student leaders in his school.Jonathan, an educator in northern Virginia, has been featured on USA Channel 9 and NBC News for establishing a national give-back movement called “A Rae of Hope,” started in his classroom to help pediatric patients in hospitals, which has now grown and been implemented in schools and classrooms across the nation. As Jonathan always says, "Game-changing is not a cliche motto; it is a way of life... some talk about it while others live by it!Connect with Jonathan:Website: https://www.jonathanalsheimer.com/Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, YouTubeSchool of Engagement on AmazonCatch Jonathan's first time on Leaning into Leadership here

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Training scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Jeff Gargas is a 4-time college dropout who started an education consulting business with a buddy he met in the music industry. After building a profitable, 7-figure business in an industry he knew nothing about, he strives to share his 20+ years of experience starting and growing companies in a variety of industries. Jeff is currently the COO and Co-founder of the Teach Better Team (Creators of www.teachbetter.com, The Grid Method, and Teach Further) and co-author of the book, “Teach Better.” He and his team work with schools and school districts to increase student engagement and improve student success. Jeff leads Teach Better’s EDUcreator Club+ Community, built for educators who create things outside of their classroom or school. Through his 1-on-1 coaching and masterminds, Jeff has now helped dozens of EDUpreneurs grow to 6-figure businesses. Prior to co-founding Teach Better, Jeff was the owner of ENI Multimedia, an online marketing firm, where he worked with entrepreneurs and small businesses, assisting them with web design, social media, content marketing, and brand awareness. Prior to all of this, Jeff was an adjunctive professor at Kent State University and spent 10+ years in the music industry. He has spoken at conferences around the country, and has successfully promoted more than 500 events and launched 7 businesses in a variety of industries.Jeff is passionate about music, and enjoys spending time with his family as often as possible.Social Media Handles:Twitter: @JeffGargasTikTok: @JeffGargasInstagram: @_JeffGargasLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgargas/Teach Better Website:  www.teachbetter.comEmail/contact info: [email protected]

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Training scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:This week on the show I am teaming up with Joshua Stamper from the Aspire to Lead podcast. Joshua is the Director of Innovation with the Teach Better Team and is a former assistant principal. We are joining forces for this episode with an eye on helping you stay out of firefighter mode and live in the leadership world for the coming school year.Follow Joshua on all social media at joshua__stamperCheck out the Aspire to Lead podcast for more from Josh.

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Training scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Rich Horwath is the founder and CEO of the Strategic Thinking Institute where he is a strategy facilitator and coach to executive leadership teams. He is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of eight books on strategic thinking, including his most recent work, STRATEGIC: The Skill to Set Direction, Create Advantage, and Achieve Executive Excellence which was selected by Inc. Magazine as a top 4 “must-read book for 2024.” Rich has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX TV to provide expert commentary on business strategy and his work has been published in Fast Company, Forbes, and the Harvard Business Review. He is a former Chief Strategy Officer and professor of strategy at the graduate level. Rich has helped more than a quarter million leaders develop their strategic thinking and planning capabilities over the past two decades in pursuit of his vision to teach the world to be strategic. Business name: Strategic Thinking InstituteWebsite: http://www.strategyskills.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richhorwath/E-Book for STRATEGIC: The Skill to Set Direction, Create Advantage, and Achieve Executive Excellence: http://www.strategic-book.com/Book on Amazon, STRATEGIC: The Skill to Set Direction, Create Advantage, and Achieve Executive Excellence

Let's get your School Leadership training scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Blessed with over twenty six years of relentless dedication to high school football (coaching across the nation's diverse landscapes), Coach Kurt HInes has come to an unshakable belief that coaching transcends mere tactics – it's about blessing, serving, and empowering every soul he comes into contact with. His passion ignites in sculpting triumph-forged cultures, propelling individuals, teams, and enterprises to unparalleled heights of achievement. Beyond the gridiron, Coach is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, striving daily to use his influence to shape lives for the better. From the trenches of the field, to the boundless reach of social media, his mission remains unwavering: to change the lives of as many people as he can.Connect with Coach Hines: Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, FacebookWebsite: https://www.coachkurthines.com/Order his new book on Amazon: Called to Empower

Let's get your School Leadership training scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:This special mid-week episode is the seventh edition of a series with Dominic Armano, Todd Bloomer, and Darrin teaming up to talk about the hot topics in educational leadership today. On this episode, we are talking about Todd's upcoming book The Blueprint and celebrating 150 episodes of Leaning into Leadership

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Training scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Sean Gaillard, author of The Pepper Effect: Tap Into the Magic of Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation, is an accomplished educator with over thirty years of experience as a teacher and school administrator. Sean has held various principal positions on every level of K-12 at various schools in Winston-Salem and Lexington, North Carolina, earning accolades such as Lexington City Schools Principal of the Year and Wells Fargo Piedmont-Triad Region Principal of the Year. Gaillard was also a finalist for North Carolina Principal of the Year. He holds degrees from The Catholic University of America, Trinity University, and the University of North Carolina A&T University. Sean has contributed writings to Education Week, PBS NewsHour Extra, and Culture Sonar, and co-authored Education Write Now, Volume 2. His blog and podcast, “The Principal Liner Notes,” reflect his passion for school culture, innovation, and music. Founder of the #CelebrateMonday movement, Sean has presented and served as a keynote speaker at numerous conferences.  He lives in Clemmons, NC with his wife and they enjoy watching the journey of their three daughters into adulthood. Connect with Sean: Blog Site: “Principal Liner Notes”-https://principallinernotes.wordpress.com/X: @smgaillard-https://x.com/smgaillardInstagram: @smgaillard-https://www.instagram.com/smgaillard/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-gaillard-12527644/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.gaillardPodcast: “The Principal Liner Notes Podcast”-https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sean-gaillardGet Sean's book: The Pepper Effect

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Andrea Bitner is an educator, author, and speaker.  She lives in Philadelphia, PA. She has worked with students in grades K-12 throughout her twenty-two years in public education from all around the world.   Her first book, “Take Me Home,” was published by Austin Macauley in July of 2021. "Take Me Home" is the true story of 11 of her former EL students who give a first-hand account of what it's really like to become bilingual in America.  She is also a co-author of Chip Baker’s “The Impact of Influence-Volume 3" and Dr. Rick Jetter’s "100 No-Nonsense Things ALL School Leaders Should STOP Doing.” She teaches EL’s daily, and travels the country speaking and teaching educators how to teach and reach EL students, and effectively communicate with EL families!  Connect with Andrea at www.andreabitnerbooks.com Find her on social media: Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show: Pam Marcheski is the visionary force behind Intentions to Actions Leadership, a dynamic company revolutionizing the landscape of leadership. Rooted in mindfulness, her approach empowers individuals and organizations to crystallize their leadership aspirations, both personally and professionally. By merging traditional leadership models with the transformative power of mindfulness, Pam crafts a bespoke roadmap, igniting actions that harmonize with these intentions. With a distinguished career spanning 25 years as a senior-level executive in Fortune 500 companies, Pam brings unparalleled expertise to her coaching practice. Having led teams of over 1,000 employees and managed P&L responsibilities totaling billions, she now channels her insights to guide and support all areas of her coaching and consulting business.Pam's coaching methodology is enriched by her extensive training, including certification in mPEAK (Mindfulness, Performance, Enhancement, Knowledge) from the University of California San Diego, and expertise in Marshall Goldsmith’s Stakeholder Centered Coaching and Strength-Based Coaching. Grounded in practical wisdom, she meets clients at their point of need, bridging the gap between intention and action through personalized coaching engagements.An esteemed member of the Harvard Medical School-affiliated Institute of Coaching, SHRM, and Women’s Leadership Institute, Pam actively contributes to shaping the discourse on leadership and organizational dynamics. She continues to mentor and collaborate with high-level executives, volunteering her time to speak and engage with emerging leaders.Pam's commitment to advancing female leadership is evident in her involvement with prestigious programs like the Executive Leadership Institute and Leadership California. As an alumna, she champions the next generation of female executives, supporting their journey to success.Residing in the vibrant community of San Diego, Pam finds fulfillment in both her professional endeavors and personal life. With her unwavering dedication, Pam Marcheski inspires individuals and organizations alike to realize their fullest potential and thrive in today's dynamic landscape of leadership.Connect with Pam: Website www.intentact.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pammarcheski/  10% Happier by Dan Harris (as mentioned in the show)

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Tom Willis is an Organizational Culture Expert. He believes we are all born with unlimited potential. As a former classroom teacher, he also believes in the power of lifelong learning. These beliefs have shaped his primary goal in life: helping others uncover their talents so they can reach their potential. Prior to joining Phoenix, he had the great honor of serving as CEO for Cornerstone; a consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers; and an engineer with the Intel Corporation. Along the way, he was fortunate to earn degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Notre Dame (MBA). He thanks God every day for his amazing wife and three wonderful children.Check out the free life engagement Tom mentioned in the show: https://www.phoenixperform.com/leaningintoleadershipWebsite:  http://phoenixperform.comSocial Media Links:LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasawillis/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@phoenixperformancepartnersGrab a copy of Tom's new book: https://www.phoenixperform.com/bookGuest provided by: www.expertbookers.com 

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads out there, including my dad Dennis and my father in law Dean. This week is a very special interview, as my daughter Liz sits down with me and flips the script. Yes, that's right, I am the guest this week with Liz diving in to some leadership questions that are on her mind. Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:This special mid-week episode is the sixth edition of a series with Dominic Armano, Todd Bloomer, and Darrin teaming up to talk about the hot topics in educational leadership today.

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Dr. Nick Davies is an associate principal for Vancouver Public Schools and an adjunct Faculty Member at Pacific University. He has been a school administrator for 5 years at both the primary and secondary levels. He has a Ph.D. in Education and Leadership and wrote his dissertation on curriculum implementation. Dr. Davies is a National Outstanding Assistant Principal and was named the 2024 Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year for the state of Washington. He is a former high school math teacher and head track and field coach. He was a two-time state coach of the year in Oregon. Dr. Davies has had 7 published articles and presented nationwide on school leadership. Dr. Davies also served as a reservist in the U.S. Coast Guard. Connect with Nick:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-davies-education/ [email protected] https://www.drnickdavies.com/

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Paul Gencarella Jr. is a captivating speaker, a self-image consultant and is very passionate about his craft. Paul was an insurance agent for 25 years and has transitioned to a virtual-based enterprise consisting of consulting, mentoring, coaching and professional speaking. He has worked with several individuals and local organizations. Paul attributes his success to a variety of mentors, but specifically Bob Proctor, Jim Rohn and Tony Robbins have made the most impact on his life.Paul has embraced the thinking that when you change your mindset, you change your life. Success in life is a matter of following a system and when you do, you will be in harmony with anything you desire in life. Whether it be turning your annual income into your monthly income, fostering and nurturing relationships or becoming the best version of yourself, Paul will provide the solution that is already rooted within you.This scientific philosophy did not come easy for Paul. He spent time in a psychiatric hospital two years in a row, lost the only job he knew and was on the verge of suicide. That all changed for the better when Paul took control of his thinking and decided how he wanted to live. Allowing outside circumstances to dictate his thoughts, feelings and actions no longer has control over his life. It is a refreshing concept and we all have the potential to live the life we dream of living.Connect with Paul: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTubeEmail/contact info: [email protected] him at (401) 741-0162

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Dr. Andrea Gilbert is a leader, learner, educator, and blogger.  She is passionate about growing life-long learning within her education corral.Andrea has been awarded several honors, including the Wyoming Sallie Mae Teacher of the Year and the Wyoming Curriculum Director of the Year. She was also a member of two National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association national champion teams for the University of Wyoming.She believes that education is a life-long experience we foster in each individual within our sphere of influence, that a collaboration of learners can change a system, and that we cultivate learners when we actively engage them in learning. Connect with Dr. Gilbert: Website: http://educationcorral.comTwitter/X, Facebook, Instagram = @educationcorralEmail/contact info:  [email protected]

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Sofia Gonzalez is a proud Latina who's a nationally recognized educator of the year, nonprofit leader with Project 214, podcast host, and education activist from the Chicago area. She is a sought-after public speaker regarding the state of education who is known for her cutting-edge presentations and dynamic illustrations with a passion that’s infectious. A High School teacher, 15-year veteran, disruptor, and alum in a variety of spaces like Fulbright, Latinos for Education, Urban Leaders Fellowship, and currently School Ambassador Fellow with the US Department of Education, Sofia's passion and energy towards education equity, racial justice, and trauma-informed practices remains a leading voice for the 21st-century classroom and beyond.Connect with Sofia:Social Media: Twitter/X & InstagramEmail: [email protected]: www.sofiaspeaks.com

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:This special mid-week episode is the fifth edition of a series with Dominic Armano, Todd Bloomer, and Darrin teaming up to talk about the hot topics in educational leadership today.

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Dr. Donya Ball is a transformative superintendent in California, a passionate author, and an inspiring national keynote speaker. She excels in leading her staff to inspire and motivate students to pursue their passions, preparing them for life beyond the classroom. Dr. Ball also is a professor of administrative leadership and teacher education, bringing over two decades of experience in mentoring and coaching to her roles.As a seasoned guide for top executives, Dr. Ball navigates the complex storms of leadership. She is the author of two impactful books, Adjusting the Sails: Weathering the Storms of Administrative Leadership (2022) and Against the Wind: Leadership at 36,000 Feet (2023), which delve into the real-world challenges of leadership. Her expertise has not only captivated audiences nationwide but also caught the attention of media outlets like USA Today, showcasing her as a thought leader in educational and executive leadership.Check out the Principal Prodigy Program today!Social Media:Website: www.donyaball.com Twitter (X): @SuptDonya Instagram: dr__d__Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuptDonya/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donya-ball-ed-d-314bb011/Email Donya: [email protected]

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year!Get Josh Korb's new book, Be the Cause: An Educator's Guide to EFFECTive Instruction here Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Kurtis Hewson is an award-winning former administrator and teacher, as well as teaching faculty at the post-secondary level.  He is the co-founder of Jigsaw Learning, a co-author of the text Collaborative Response: Three Foundational Components That Transform How We Respond to the Needs of Learners and currently works with districts and schools nationally and internationally establishing Collaborative Response frameworks and interacting with thousands of educators annually.Connect with Kurtis on Social Media: Twitter & LinkedInEmail/contact info:  [email protected] of Collaborative Response article - https://bit.ly/CR-overviewFree Access to the Introductory chapter for the Collaborative Response book - https://bit.ly/CR-intro

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:When it comes to navigating the ins-and-outs of business, Sonya Shelton has seen it all: From successful startups with brand new ideas to well-established Fortune 500 companies. Sonya Shelton founded Executive Leadership Consulting in 2007 from her passion for partnering with leaders and high achievers to create a clear vision and build work environments where employees are fulfilled and completely committed to their organization’s success. She has captured her leadership tips and success stories in her #1 Amazon bestselling book “You’re an Executive, But Are You a Leader?” Having been an executive as well as an international speaker and consultant, Sonya knows how to tap into lesser-known, hidden practices that drive true leadership. Her philosophy, background and experience add a strategic, pragmatic and multidimensional approach to making strong leaders. Sonya serves on the Forbes Coaches Council and is a certified Master Corporate Executive Coach through the Association of Corporate Executive Coaches.Learn more at: https://executiveleader.com/Connect with Sonya on Social Media:Twitter - twitter.com/sonyashelton Instagram - www.instagram.com/execleadership LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/ceosonyashelton YouTube - www.youtube.com@ExecutiveLeader Email/contact info: [email protected]

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Josh Korb, a dynamic and multifaceted educator, passionately strives to revolutionize the world of education. Beginning his career as a math teacher, Josh's innate drive to innovate led him to become a Director of Technology and Innovation. This role allowed him to merge his love for teaching with his profound experience in instructional technology, in hopes of transforming the educational landscape. His entrepreneurial spirit and software engineering skills gave birth to Master3DU Inc., an EdTech startup with a mission to empower leaders, teachers, and students through mastery-based teaching and learning. This venture has positioned Josh as a pioneer in the edtech space, garnering accolades and inspiration.As a doctoral candidate, Josh further explores the transformative power of technology in education and standards-based learning, honing his skills as a trailblazer in the industry.Throughout his career, Josh Korb has proven to be an unstoppable force for change in education. By empowering others to embrace innovation and harness the power of technology, he continues to ignite the potential of countless leaders, educators, and students.Connect with Josh and get your copy of the book at: https://www.youcanbethecause.com/

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:This special mid-week episode is the fourth edition of a series with Dominic Armano, Todd Bloomer, and Darrin teaming up to talk about the hot topics in educational leadership today.

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Kim Strobel is a renowned motivational speaker and author of Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy, sought after by schools, businesses, and organizations worldwide. With her powerful message about the impact of happiness on well-being and the pursuit of fulfillment, she traverses the globe, sharing her insights. Kim specializes in empowering educators and professionals, equipping them with the necessary tools and strategies to shift their mindsets, reclaim their happiness, reignite their passion, and lead with purpose. Drawing from her extensive background as a teacher and curriculum director, Kim’s ultimate aim is to inspire her audience. Through her engaging talks, she presents captivating research, heartwarming anecdotes, and practical steps for achieving life-altering results.In addition to her professional pursuits, Kim is a devoted animal rescuer, having rescued 187 dogs. She is also an avid runner and has an unwavering love for life.Connect with Kim on Facebook or InstagramEmail Kim: [email protected] Order your copy of Kim's book Teach Happy: Small Steps to BIG JOY

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket is a wife, mother, principal, public speaker, and author. With decades as a teacher and leader in public education, she has earned the reputation as a strong instructional leader, passionate educational advocate, and dedicated mentor. As the Principal of a top ranked school in Maryland, she is a life-long learner who strives for excellence not only for herself, but also for everyone she serves. Dr. Edoho-Eket’s belief in fostering meaningful relationships serves as the foundation for everything she does. During her educational career, she has proudly served as a classroom teacher, instructional team leader, mentor teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Her new book, “The Principal’s Journey: Navigating the Path to School Leadership” provides a helpful and practical blueprint for educators to follow as they transition into new leadership roles. Dr. Edoho-Eket holds a B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Temple University, a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College, and a Doctorate in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University.Connect with Dr. Edoho-Eket: Twitter: @racheledohoeketInstagram: @the_principals_journeyYoutube: @racheledoho-eketLinkedin: Rachel Edoho-EketWebsite: https://bio.site/the_principals_journeyGrab Rachel's book here: The Principal's Journey: Navigating the Path to School Leadership

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year! Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click hereAnd now...about our guest this week on the show:Frederick Buskey’s purpose is to help school leaders live and lead better. Building on 33 years of k-12 and higher education leadership experience, Frederick provides simple frameworks and tools to improve life and leadership. His new book, A School Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose, helps leaders master the six steps to move from spending time putting out fires to investing time in growing teachers. Frederick hosts The Assistant Principal Podcast, writes a daily leadership email, and develops short powerful courses for teachers and those who serve them.Connect with Frederick on LinkedInLearn more about Frederick on his website at frederickbuskey.com.Order your copy of his new book A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming PurposeContact him via email at: [email protected]

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year!Dr. Melinda Vandevort has been an educator for well over 20 years, dedicating herself to shaping the educational landscape. In 2016, she transitioned into administration driven by her passion for professional learning and a desire to empower fellow teachers. Recognizing the need for guidance in the journey from teacher to leader, Melinda is now a career transition coach.Her commitment to education extends into the digital realm, where she explores the intersection of technology and teaching. In 2019, she launched the Empowered Educator podcast, catering to teachers yearning for professional learning on the go and the desire for transition into leadership. Melinda's insightful discussions cover leadership mindset, career options, and the knowledge needed for a successful transition.Furthering her mission to empower others, Dr. Melinda Vandevort is the driving force behind the Empowered Pathways Network. This network serves as a dynamic platform for fostering growth in two different paths. The Coaching Path designed for individuals aspiring to embark on a purpose-driven career journey. The Consulting Path designed for educational institutions interested in harnessing data to identify and foster growth within their teaching staff. Grab Dr. Vandevort's FREEBIE here Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

In this special collaborative episode, I'm sitting down with Brian Miller from the Schurtz & Ties Podcast. Brian T Miller is a middle school principal, writer, speaker, and podcaster who is dedicated to building and maintaining healthy school cultures and encouraging all to #DoGreatThings! For more on this episode, visit Brian's blog hereInterview season is here! And we’d love to help.Below are a few lessons and tricks we have picked up along the way and share in this episodeTELL YOUR STORY:What word or idea do you want your audience to know/think about you and what stories can you share that embody them? Write them down, rehearse them to the windshield, then confidently share them in the interview. Be intentional. It is what your audience will remember most. BE MORE THAN THE POSITION:No matter the position you are applying for, show yourself as a leader willing to do and be more than that position. Sure, they need you as an English teacher, but how else might you impact or help the building, the district, or the community? Be the go-to person on something other than the position you are applying for. BE FULL-THROTTLE YOU:There are things worse than not getting the job . . . getting a job under pretense. Be who you are, fully and confidently. If they love you they’ll hire YOU! Showing up to work and trying to be someone you’re not sounds miserable. Quality educators are not looking for someone to fit in the box. So be confident. Be you. REMEMBER, IT’S A TWO-WAY STREET:Sure, you’re the one sitting in the hot seat, but they also need the position filled. Take the opportunity to learn about the district, the school, and the leaders. Ask some questions, take notes, and ask yourself if YOU want to hire THEM! Not only does this relieve some pressure, but it can also put a little confidence in your spine. And confidence is always attractive. BE A LLAMA:Nobody has the perfect resume. And although we don’t want to spend too much time speaking to our weaknesses, it is okay to acknowledge them. But also, and more importantly, it is imperative that we highlight our strengths, talents, and abilities. Again, BE CONFIDENT! Just don’t brag. Instead, share how your badassness will help students, staff, and the community. Use who you are to protect and support others.ASK ABOUT THE KIDS:Don’t forget that at the root of all of this are students. They are impacted MOST by your interview for they either get to have you in their building or miss out. So ask about them. Make them the focus. For you, as well as those who are sitting around the table. A Few Pitfalls to Avoid:Don’t talk too long. Remember, those sitting at the table will be there all. day. long. Give them little hooks they can hang your answers on, and maybe select one or two questions where you dive a bit deeper. Otherwise, be prepared, and be concise. Don’t highlight your weaknesses. You can and should address them, but don’t continually remind your audience of them. Don’t speak negatively of previous experiences. Even if they were awful or taught you valuable lessons, you can address them honestly without being destructive. Negative talk about other schools or personnel comes across poorly. Always. Avoid at all costs. Don’t ask about $$$. At least not from the gate. We all need to make money and pay bills, so the question isn’t bad, but it shouldn’t be the first. And, probably, HR or a website will answer this question for you. If you have any questions or would like to chat more, please reach out to Darrin Peppard or Brian T. Miller. We’d love to hear from you and offer whatever guidance we can. Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

Got a question for us? Submit it here or hit us up on social mediaEpisode 128 is a special mid-week collaboration with elementary principal Dominic Armano and high school principal Todd Bloomer. Continuing our special series, Dom, Todd, and I sit down and share our insights on March Madness, not basketball, just simply the craziness that is March in our schools. Listen in as we talk hiring, budget, recruitment and retention, staff support, and more. Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

Meghan Lawson is a thought leader who studies and implements the conditions and systems needed for transformational change. A lover of learning who believes in the goodness of people, Meghan works to cultivate spaces that honor the humanity of all people. She promotes storytelling, the exchange of ideas, and risk-taking. She is passionate about disrupting the status quo and creating kinder, forward-thinking communities of action. Meghan is also intensely curious about how to enhance the customer experience in schools. Meghan began her career in the English Language Arts classroom. So, inevitably, her mantra is “Words matter”. She has worked in all levels of K–12 education as a teacher, school administrator, district administrator, and educational consultant.Connect with Meghan: X: meghan_lawsonInstagram: MeghanLawsonBlog Email/contact info:  [email protected] Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us hereGrab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideasSign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletterHave a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here