Leaning into Leadership
A podcast dedicated to cultivating leadership by elevating the voices of leaders and promoting positivity. Host Dr. Darrin Peppard, a lifelong educator and best-selling author, shares solo episodes and interviews with leaders who are living and excelling at leadership. Listeners get inspiration, insight, and great leadership stories to help them succeed personally and professionally. The show emphasizes leaning into leadership during challenging times.
Episodes
Episode 295: Who Takes Care of the Leader? with Melissa Doman
Leadership comes with expectations. Be steady. Be available. Support your people. Make the difficult decisions. Carry the pressure.But what happens when the person everyone looks to for support needs support too?In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin sits down with organizational psychologist, former therapist, and author Melissa Doman for an honest and practical conversation about lea
Episode 294: 5 Leadership Traps to Avoid as the School Year Begins
The beginning of a school year brings an energy that is hard to match. The building is ready, staff members are reconnecting, priorities have been established, and leaders walk into the year determined to lead with clarity and intentionality.Then the students arrive.Suddenly the emails pile up, meetings fill the calendar, parent concerns emerge, staffing challenges demand attention, and the urgent
Episode 293: The Human Side of Leadership with Stacy Nation
Episode 293 of Leaning Into Leadership is a conversation about something every leader needs to understand: we lead humans, and humans bring their experiences, emotions, stress, and trauma with them to work.Darrin sits down with licensed clinical social worker, speaker, author, and military leader Stacy Nation to explore what trauma-informed—and ultimately trauma-restorative—leadership can look lik
Episode 292: Why Not? A Leadership Mindset That Changes Everything
Sometimes the biggest opportunities in life begin with the smallest moments.For Bradlee Skinner, it started with a selfie at a Savannah Bananas game. That one interaction eventually led him from the classroom to becoming a plaza DJ for the Savannah Bananas and Texas Tailgators. But this conversation isn't really about baseball—it's about leadership, courage, relationships, and choosing to say "Why
Episode 291: Live Your Passion Out Loud
As leaders prepare to welcome staff back for a new school year, many spend hours refining presentations, updating strategic plans, and perfecting opening-day messages. But what if the most powerful thing your staff needs isn't a polished speech—it's your passion?In this personal birthday episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard shares how a day spent Jeeping through Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake, an
Episode 290: Before Staff Returns
As another school year begins, principals across the country are busy preparing classrooms, finalizing schedules, reviewing procedures, and checking countless items off their opening-week to-do lists.But what if the most important preparation has nothing to do with the building?In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard challenges school leaders to stop asking, "Is the school ready?" and begin askin
Episode 289: The Blind Spots Holding Leaders Back
Leadership growth isn't always about discovering a new strategy. More often, it's about becoming aware of something that has been true all along.In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard shares two defining leadership stories that changed the way he thinks about coaching, feedback, and personal growth. From a simple conversation with a superintendent that forever changed his communication style to
Episode 288: Building Belonging Through Microinclusions with Tom Walls
Relationships don't happen by accident. The strongest classrooms, teams, and organizations are built through intentional habits that communicate one simple message: You matter here.In Episode 288 of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin sits down with veteran educator, football coach, and leadership speaker Tom Walls to discuss the power of what he calls microinclusions—small, repeatable actions that cr
Episode 287: Becoming the BISON - Leading Classrooms with Intention with Kim Gameroz
What if one of the most powerful leadership lessons isn't found in the principal's office—but inside a classroom?In this episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with educator, author, and Teaching Inside Out founder Kim Gameroz to discuss why intentionality—not simply strategy—is what transforms classrooms, educators, and school culture.Kim shares the inspiration behind her book Becoming the BISON,
Episode 286: Building the Bench - Growing the Next Generation of Leaders with Joshua Stamper
Leadership isn’t just about the impact you create today. It’s about the leaders you prepare for tomorrow.In this annual shared episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with fellow leadership coach, author, and podcast host Joshua Stamper for a powerful conversation about one of the most important responsibilities of leadership: developing the next generation of leaders.Darrin and Joshua begin by refl
Episode 285: The Future of School Leadership with Debra Wilson
What does effective school leadership look like in a rapidly changing world?In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin Peppard sits down with Debra Wilson, President of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, organizational alignment, AI, demographic shifts, and the future of education.Drawing on more than two decades of exper
Episode 284: Great Schools Start with Great Leadership Teams
What does it take to build a leadership team that truly works?In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Marlene Rombach, Rocio Rhoads, and Christina Shires—the leadership team at Locust Grove Middle School in Locust Grove, Virginia—to reflect on their first year leading together.With a first-year principal, a first-year assistant principal, and an assistant prin
Episode 283: Leadership Is the Intentional Creation of Conditions
What if leadership isn't about carrying more?What if the true responsibility of a leader isn't solving every problem but intentionally creating the conditions where other people can do their best work?In this special solo episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard reflects on a week of leadership coaching, keynote speaking, and executive development that led him to articulate a philoso
Episode 282: The New School Leader's Playbook with Erika Bare & Tiffany Burns
Landing your first leadership position is exciting...until reality sets in.The meetings, the emails, the difficult conversations, the angry parents, and the constant interruptions can quickly pull new administrators away from the work they were most excited to do: leading people and supporting learning.In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard is joined by Erika Bare and Tiffa
Episode 281: Be the Light with Dr. Chris Culver
Dr. Chris Culver returns to Leaning Into Leadership for a powerful follow-up conversation centered around his new book, Be the Light: The Science of Kindness and the Power of Belonging.If you enjoyed Chris's first appearance on Episode 214: The Science of Kindness, you're going to love where this conversation goes next. While Episode 214 explored the research behind kindness, this discussion takes
Episode 280: Leadership in the Age of AI with Molly Rosen
What does leadership look like when the world is changing faster than ever before?In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Molly Rosen, Co-CEO of ProjectNext Leadership, for a powerful conversation about leadership transitions, succession development, organizational agility, and the growing impact of AI on leadership and workplace culture.Molly work
Episode 279: Burn the Script with Jo Lein
In this episode, Darrin sits down with leadership coach and new author Jo Lein to explore what really drives change in people and organizations—and why most coaching efforts fall short when they focus only on skills.Jo introduces the concept of Disruptive Mindset Coaching, challenging leaders to move beyond surface-level fixes and address the beliefs that shape behavior.Topics Covered:The differen
Episode 278: Compliance Can Control a Team. Alignment Can Transform One.
What happens when strong leaders slowly stop speaking?In this reflective solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard explores the hidden cost of compliance-based leadership cultures and the long-term impact they can have on trust, alignment, and organizational health.Drawing from personal leadership experiences, conversations with leaders around the country, and John Maxwell’s “Law of the Lid,” Darrin unpack
Episode 277: Redefining Educator Professionalism with Dr. Nason Lollar
In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin sits down with Dr. Nason Lollar to explore a topic often overlooked in leadership conversations—educator professionalism.Drawing from his book The Five Principles of Educator Professionalism, Nason introduces the TRUST framework, a practical approach to connecting individual behaviors with school culture.The conversation dives into
Episode 276: The Leadership TAP with Dr. Joy Karavedas
In this episode, Darrin sits down with Dr. Joy Karavedas to explore what it really means to develop leaders intentionally—and why that “tap on the shoulder” can be life-changing.Joy shares her journey into leadership and how her research revealed a powerful pattern: nearly every leader can point to a moment when someone saw their potential before they did.The conversation dives into:The importance
Episode 275: From Compliance to Connection — Rethinking Classroom Engagement with Megan Diede
In this episode, Darrin sits down with Megan Diede to unpack one of the most pressing challenges in schools today: authentic student engagement.The conversation begins with a familiar frustration—classrooms full of students disengaged on devices—and quickly reframes the issue. It’s not about abandoning technology. It’s about being intentional and purposeful with instruction.Megan introduces a powe
Episode 274: If Everyone Was Pulling the Same Direction...
In this final episode of the 3-part planning series, Darrin Peppard shifts from planning and preparation to something even more important—what happens when your plan meets reality.Through a candid story from his time as a superintendent implementing project-based learning, Darrin shares what worked, what didn’t, and the leadership lessons that emerged when execution didn’t match expectations.Becau
Episode 273: Why Most School Plans Fail (And What to Do Instead)
This month, we’ve been focused on one thing: building plans that don’t just sound good—but actually work.In this episode, Darrin is joined by Kathleen Beckham, Molly Dexter, and Brandon Mawhorter from digiCOACH for a real, unscripted conversation about what it takes to build—and execute—a plan that improves classroom instruction.This isn’t about theory.It’s about what actually moves the needle.Dra
Episode 272: 10 Leadership Moves You Can Make This Week
In this mid-week episode, Darrin steps away from long-range planning to focus on something just as powerful—small, intentional actions leaders can take right now.With only weeks left in the school year, it’s easy to feel stuck in the daily grind. But meaningful leadership doesn’t require a new initiative or a perfect plan. It comes from clear priorities, consistent actions, and intentional choices
Episode 271: Planning Isn’t Enough—Here’s What to Do Before August
What Has to Be True by August?In Part 2 of this 3-part series on planning for the upcoming school year, Darrin shifts the focus from planning to preparation.You already know what you want to accomplish next year—but what are you doing right now to make that success possible?This episode challenges leaders to stop waiting for August and instead take intentional steps today that set the foundation f
Episode 270: If Your Plan Starts in August, You May Already Be Behind
This week kicks off a three-part solo series focused on one critical question:How do we actually plan for success in the coming school year?April is a time when leaders are deep in planning—budgets, staffing, schedules, and resources are all coming together. But too often, we focus on what we’re going to do without fully thinking through how we set our teams up for success.In this episode, Darrin
Episode 269: The Cost of Misalignment—and How to Get Your Team Back on Track
In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard takes on a challenge that quietly impacts even the strongest leadership teams: misalignment.You can have talented, committed leaders who care deeply about their work—and still feel like something is off. Conversations feel unclear. Decisions take longer than they should. Initiatives pile up without traction.That’s misalignm
Episode 268: When Leaders Become the Bottleneck (and How to Get Out of the Way) with Brooke Dukes
In this episode, Darrin sits down with Brooke Dukes to explore a challenge that many leaders face—but often don’t recognize:Becoming the bottleneck.We talk about how this happens unintentionally, why it’s so common among high-performing leaders, and how it ultimately limits both team growth and organizational success.Brooke brings a powerful perspective to this conversation. As the founder of Succ
Episode 267: Listener Question - Managing Parent Communication Without Losing Your Day
One of the most rewarding parts of hosting Leaning Into Leadership is hearing from listeners who are doing the work every day.In this episode, Darrin responds to a question from a first-year principal in upstate New York who asked a challenge many school leaders face:How do you stay responsive to parents while still leading the school effectively?Parent emails, phone calls, and concerns can quickl
Episode 266: Building Resilient Leaders and Teams with Russell Harvey
Leadership today often feels like navigating constant change.Volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity are realities many leaders face daily. But resilience is not about simply pushing through the chaos — it’s about learning how to lead yourself and others through it.In this episode, Darrin sits down with Russell Harvey, The Resilience Coach, to explore how leaders can build resilience in
Episode 265: A Textbook Isn’t a Curriculum with Emily Makelky
One of the most common mistakes schools make is confusing a resource with a curriculum.A textbook gets adopted. A program is purchased. A shiny new initiative is rolled out.And suddenly everyone says, “Great… we have a curriculum.”But that’s not curriculum.In this episode, Darrin sits down with Emily Makelky from the Curriculum Leadership Institute (CLI) to unpack what curriculum actually means an
Episode 264: Leadership Presence (Part 3) - The Interpersonal Work That Makes It Real
This is Part 3 of a three-part series on leadership presence.In Episode 262, we explored the hidden cost of distraction and how trust and psychological safety erode when leaders aren’t fully present.In Episode 263, we discussed how to engineer margin through calendar integrity, decision discipline, and clarity around your top priorities.Now we bring it home.Because presence isn’t performance.Prese
Episode 263: Leadership Presence (Part 2)- Breaking Through the Chaos
In Episode 262, we explored the hidden cost of distraction and how trust, psychological safety, and connection erode when leaders aren’t fully present. This is Part 2 of our three-part series on leadership presence.In this episode, Darrin focuses on why distraction keeps happening — and how to intentionally break through the cycle of overwhelm.Chaos isn’t loud.It’s cumulative.It’s the stacking of
Episode 262: Leadership Presence (Part 1) - The Hidden Cost of Leadership Distraction
This episode kicks off a powerful three-part series on leadership presence.In Part 1, Darrin explores the hidden cost of distraction and how leaders unintentionally erode trust, psychological safety, and emotional connection when they are not fully present.Through personal stories from his time as a high school principal, Darrin shares moments of realization when distraction cost him relational de
Episode 261: Reclaiming Human Connection with Joe Beckman
In Episode 261, I’m coming to you on location from Edmond, Oklahoma, where I had the opportunity to sit down with my friend Joe Beckman at the OASSP conference.Joe has spent more than 20 years traveling the world with one simple mission: reclaim human connection.And if we’re honest, that mission has never been more urgent. Loneliness is at an all-time high. Belonging and self-worth feel fragile. T
Episode 260: Forward Together with George Couros - Leadership, Community, and Learning in Contentious Times
In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, I’m joined by George Couros, one of the most influential voices in education around innovation, culture, and human-centered leadership.George and I dig into his leadership journey — not from a place of “having it all figured out,” but from a place of learning out loud. We talk about how blogging helped him find his voice, not just share it, and why writi
Episode 259: ALIGN - The Antidote to the Cycle of Chaos in Leadership Teams
Ever left a leadership team meeting feeling like it was so productive—then realized a week later nothing really changed?In this solo episode, Darrin unpacks why that gap between effort and impact is rarely about commitment—and almost always about clarity. Building on his “Cycle of Chaos” episode, he shares the ALIGN Framework, a practical system for strengthening team dynamics and keeping teams fo
Episode 258: The Hidden Work - What Separates High Performers from Underachievers with Weston Kieschnick
Weston Kieschnick has been in the work for a long time—as a classroom teacher, coach, author, and speaker—and this conversation feels like two colleagues reconnecting around what actually drives performance.We dig into Weston’s newest work and the idea that the gap between high performers and underachievers usually isn’t talent. It’s behavior—especially in the moments when adversity hits.In this e
Episode 257: Escaping the Cycle of Chaos
Leadership doesn’t fall apart overnight. More often, it slowly drifts into a pattern that feels overwhelming, exhausting, and reactive.In this solo episode, Darrin introduces The Cycle of Chaos—a framework that helps leaders name what they’re experiencing and begin interrupting the patterns that keep them stuck in survival mode.Rather than offering quick fixes or productivity hacks, this episode i
Episode 256: Rethinking Intervention and Tutoring with Jennifer Sheffield
School leaders everywhere are wrestling with the same challenge:How do we support students who are behind — without overwhelming teachers or relying on systems that don’t deliver results?In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin Peppard sits down with Jennifer Sheffield, CEO of HeyTutor, for a grounded, practical conversation about what effective tutoring and intervention really look like
Episode 255: Angry Parents, Calm Leaders - A Framework for School Leaders
In this special shared episode, Darrin Peppard and Dr. Frederick Buskey—host of The Assistant Principal Podcast—tackle a challenge leaders are facing more and more often: angry, escalated parent interactions.This conversation was sparked by a real question from the field—a leader Frederick supports reached out looking for guidance on how to handle parents when emotions are high. Together, Darrin a
Episode 254: Hope Dealer with Dr. Mark Brown
What does it mean to be a dealer in hope — not as the source of hope, but as someone who helps others discover it for themselves?In this first episode of 2026, Darrin sits down with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Mark Brown for a powerful conversation about leadership, hope, and intentional presence. Mark shares the story behind his “Hope Dealer” philosophy, why hope is for everyone (not just t
Episode 253: A Look Back, A Look Forward, and Trends I'm Seeing for 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, Dr. Darrin Peppard reflects on the year that was and what the work of leadership is asking of us as we head into 2026. In this year-end solo episode, Darrin invites both individual leaders and leadership teams to pause, reflect, and resist the urge to rush into the new year without clarity.Drawing from his work with leadership teams across the country, Darrin shares the k
Episode 252: The Leader You're Not with Scott Borba
This episode is sponsored by DigiCoach. Make walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing.In Episode 252 of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin Peppard sits down with Scott Borba, superintendent–principal in California’s Central Valley and author of The Leader You’re Not. Together, they explore leadership identity, the cost
Episode 251: Overcoming Passion Drift - A Conversation with Dr. Danny Steele
This episode is sponsored by DigiCoach. Make walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing.In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Darrin sits down with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Danny Steele to explore what it truly means to lead with heart, clarity, and purpose. Danny reflects on his 31-yea
Episode 250: Flipping the Mic - Lessons from 250 Episodes of Leaning Into Leadership
This episode is sponsored by DigiCoachMake walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing.For this milestone episode, the script gets flipped. Longtime friends and frequent guests Todd Bloomer and Dominic Armano take over the show and interview host Dr. Darrin Peppard about the lessons h
Episode 249: From Pioneer to Powerhouse - Building Culture at Valor Christian with Keith Wahl
This episode is sponsored by DigiCoachMake walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing.If you’ve followed high-level high school athletics—especially in Colorado—you’ve probably heard of Valor Christian High School. From state titles to nationally ranked teams, Valor has built a reputation for excellence. But what
Episode 248: People First Leadership - A Conversation with NAESP President April Knight
This episode is sponsored by DigiCoachMake walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing.In this inspiring episode, NAESP President April D. Knight joins Darrin to explore what leadership looks like when it stays grounded in relationships, service, and intentional support for school leaders. April shares t
Episode 247: You Don’t Have to Leave to Lead - A Conversation with Dr. Chris Jochum
Sponsor Spotlight: digiCOACHSupport for today’s episode comes from digiCOACH — the walkthrough and coaching platform designed to simplify data collection, strengthen feedback, and improve instructional clarity. Visit digiCOACH.com, mention Darrin sent you, and ask about special partner pricing.In Episode 247 of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Darrin welcomes back repeat guest&n
Episode 246: The 8-Step Framework Every Leader Needs for Difficult Conversations
Sponsor Spotlight: digiCOACHSupport for today’s episode comes from digiCOACH — the walkthrough and coaching platform designed to simplify data collection, strengthen feedback, and improve instructional clarity. Visit digiCOACH.com, mention Darrin sent you, and ask about special partner pricing.In this solo episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard takes lead
Episode 245: Belonging Begins with Us - Leadership Lessons from Jayme Braida
Partner Spotlight:Let’s face it — leadership is complex. That’s why Darrin is proud to partner with digiCOACH, a walkthrough and coaching platform that simplifies observation and feedback so leaders can focus on what really matters — students and instruction.Visit digiCOACH.com and mention that Darrin sent you for special partner pricing.In Episode 245 of the Leaning Into Leade
Episode 244: Clarity - A Leader’s Secret Weapon
Partner Spotlight:Let’s face it — leadership is complex. That’s why Darrin is proud to partner with digiCOACH, a walkthrough and coaching platform that simplifies observation and feedback so leaders can focus on what really matters — students and instruction.Visit digiCOACH.com and mention that Darrin sent you for special partner pricing.Have you ever felt like you’re just running f
Episode 243: Unbreakable Leadership - Strategies for Surviving Toxic Environments with Kate Lowry
Clarity in leadership starts with visibility—and that’s exactly what DigiCoach delivers. Designed to simplify walkthroughs and feedback, DigiCoach helps school leaders build a culture of coaching rooted in trust, consistency, and growth. Collect data, identify trends, and turn every classroom visit into an opportunity for meaningful support and improvement.Visit digiCOACH.com and mention
Episode 242: Building the Bench - Leadership Growth with Dr. Dan Hornick
In this special on-location episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Daniel Hornick, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools in Virginia. Together, they unpack what it truly takes to grow future leaders in education, the realities of superintendent leadership today, and the balance between leading your board, your orga
Episode 241: Six Quotes That Shaped My Leadership (and the Road to Awesome)
Episode summaryTo celebrate the launch of darrinpeppard.com, Darrin shares six quotes that have shaped his leadership—and how each one connects to clarity, systems, purpose, relationships, and the courage to take the road less traveled. Along the way, he shares pivotal stories: moving from “Captain Chaos” to intentional leader, the coaching that changed everything, trusting relationships over
Episode 240: Leading Through What You Can’t Control
In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard dives deep into one of the hardest challenges leaders face — guiding their teams through circumstances completely outside their control. From district-wide budget cuts to post-COVID uncertainty, Darrin explores how leaders can help their teams release what they can’t control and regain focus, trust, and agency around what they can.Drawing on a real coaching
Episode 239: The Science of Action - Unlocking Your Conative Strengths with David Kolbe
Leadership starts with self-awareness—but most assessments only tell part of the story. In this episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp, to explore the conative side of the human mind—the part that drives how we take action.David explains the difference between thinking, feeling, and doing, and how the Kolbe A™ Index reveals your
Episode 238: Leading with Clarity with Casey Watts
In this episode, I sit down with Casey Watts—speaker, author, thought leader, and creator of the Clarity Cycle Framework. With over 20 years in education and a decade of coaching experience, Casey has helped countless leaders bridge gaps, foster commitment, and build sustainable alignment in their teams.We dig into the missing piece that derails so many leaders: clarity. From the dangers of j
Episode 237: Family, Faith, and Fist Bumps with Dr. Zac Bauermaster
In this week’s episode of Leaning Into Leadership, I sit down with Dr. Zac Bauermaster, an elementary principal in Lancaster County, PA, whose fist-bump videos with students recently went viral — one reaching over 382 million views on Instagram. But behind the headlines is a leader who has learned through personal challenges, family priorities, and a deep commitment to faith what it truly mea
Episode 236: Courage, Recovery, and Hope with Dr. Kacy Shahid & Dr. Kevin Lein
In this episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard is joined by Dr. Kacy Shahid and Dr. Kevin Lein, members of NASSP’s Principal Recovery Network. They share their personal journeys through tragedy, the lessons they’ve learned, and the hope they bring to school leaders everywhere.Key ThemesLeading through crisis and recoveryThe role of empathy, vulnerability, and preparationHow the Princ
Episode 235: Cutting Through the Buzzwords and Bringing Clarity to Leadership Language
In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard dives into the leadership buzzwords we all hear — and probably use — without stopping to define. Words like collaboration, accountability, engagement, data-driven, and professional development can either sharpen our work or blur it entirely, depending on how leaders frame them.Darrin shares Webster’s definitions of 10 powerful words, exp
Episode 234: Second Mile Leadership with Dr. Jason Williamson
Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Dr. Jason Williamson—speaker, author, and creator of the Second Mile Mentality—to explore how leaders move beyond minimum expectations and build cultures where presence becomes proof. From a tiny Arkansas town to college athletics and the principal’s office, Jason’s journey shaped a practical framework for resilience, excellence, and intentional service.He un
Episode 233: Racing the Future with Brad Waid - AI, Industry 4.0, and Leadership
In Episode 233 of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard welcomes Brad Waid — award-winning Emerging Technology Leader, international keynote speaker, and global futurist. Brad shares insights from his forthcoming book Racing the Future: How Industry 4.0 Is Shaping the World of Work, Business, and Education.They explore the intersection of AI, Industry 4.0, and educ
Episode 232: Six Essential Elements of School Culture (and How Leaders Shape Them)
In this solo episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard dives into the heartbeat of every great school: its culture. Drawing from personal experiences as a principal and superintendent, as well as insights from his writing and coaching, Darrin unpacks six essential elements of school culture and how leaders can directly influence each one.From clarity of vision to the importance o
Episode 231: Building Trust and Leading with Courage - A Conversation with Dr. Jen Schwanke
This week on the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jen Schwanke, a seasoned educator, author, and deputy superintendent with nearly three decades of experience. Together, we explore the history of public education and why times of societal unrest so often result in schools being placed under the spotlight.Dr. Schwanke shares insights from her doctoral research, her lea
Episode 230: Leading with Grace - Navigating Your Leadership Lifespan with Julia Bialeski
What if your approach to leadership could be defined by just six words: Be brave, and care about people?Julia Bialeski has lived those words throughout her 20+ year career in public education, serving as a teacher, instructional specialist, assistant principal, elementary principal, and now Coordinator of Recruitment and Hiring for the Howard County Public School System in Maryland. She’s als
Episode 229: Start Strong, Stay Strong - 5 Intentional Leadership Moves for the Year
The energy of a new school year is electric — but how do you make sure it lasts past the first bell in August? In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard shares five intentional leadership moves to keep your momentum alive from day one to the final bell. Drawing from his own experience as a principal, superintendent, and leadership coach, Darrin gives practical, actionable strategies you can start u
Episode 228: Strengthening PLCs with Clarity, Trust, and Purpose with Dr. Chad Dumas
In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Dr. Chad Dumas—PLC expert, consultant, and author of the new book The Teacher Team Leader Handbook. Together, they unpack what it takes to build highly effective PLCs in schools, with a strong focus on clarity, trust, and the role of teacher team leaders.🔑 Topics covered:Why PLCs often get stuck—and how to move
Episode 227: Leadership Starts with Clarity: A Joint Episode with Joshua Stamper
In this special joint episode of Leaning Into Leadership and Aspire to Lead, Darrin Peppard and Joshua Stamper team up once again for their annual back-to-school leadership conversation.As educators and leaders gear up for a new year, Darrin and Joshua dive deep into:What clarity looks like at the start of the school yearHow new leaders can define success before the chaos beginsBuil
Episode 226: Stressed Leaders Stay in the Game with Dan Stecken
Too many school leaders wear burnout like a badge of honor. Dan Stecken was one of them—until he hit a wall. In this episode, Dan, the Superintendent of Seneca Township High School in Illinois, joins Darrin to share his powerful journey from overwhelmed and unhealthy to intentional and empowered.Dan opens up about the toll leadership took on his health, the fallacy of servant leadership without se
Episode 225: Creating High Performing Leadership Teams with the AWESOME Framework
In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard shares the framework and mindset behind truly effective leadership teams. Drawing on his work from coast to coast, including a recent workshop at the Innovative Schools Summit in Nashville, Darrin explains why high-performing leadership teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built with clarity, trust, and purpose.Through powerful stories and practical takea
Episode 224: The Liminal Space with Dr. Chris Fuzie
In Episode 224, Dr. Chris Fuzie joins Darrin for a fascinating conversation on behavior-based leadership and the concept of “liminal space”—the space where individuals lead and follow simultaneously. Drawing from his 28 years in law enforcement and extensive leadership consulting experience, Chris breaks down how leadership is not a position but a behavior, and how great leaders also embrace the r
Episode 223 NASSP POY Series Finale: Shauna Haney and the Power of Purposeful Leadership
In episode 223, Darrin wraps up the special six-part NASSP Principal of the Year finalist series with an inspiring conversation with Shauna Haney, Principal of Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah. Shauna shares her journey from teacher and coach to school leader, and how her coaching background helped shape her leadership philosophy.We dig into the systems she and her team have put in place to s
Episode 222: Culture, Systems, and the Power of Listening with Jeff Linden
In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Darrin sits down with fellow high school principal and podcast host Jeff Linden, Principal of Hastings High School in Nebraska. With a shared passion for culture and leadership, Jeff and Darrin dive into what it really takes to build a thriving school environment—especially for those stepping into leadership roles for the first
Episode 221: The Power of Belief - Miguel Salazar’s Journey to Transformative Leadership (NASSP MS POY finalist)
In this powerful episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Miguel Salazar, principal of Sundown Middle School and NASSP National Middle School Principal of the Year finalist. Miguel shares his deeply personal story—from growing up in poverty and facing multiple challenges as a youth to becoming a leader determined to give every student a chance at success.Miguel explains how a single teacher
Episode 220: Bridges, Belonging, and Buy-In with Joe LaTorre
In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin sits down with Joe LaTorre, a middle school English teacher, team coordinator, and founder of the Bridges program in Long Island, NY. Joe shares how looping, relationship-building, and culturally responsive practices help him build classroom communities rooted in trust and student empowerment. They dive deep into the origin and impact of Brid
Episode 219: Leading with Intention and Heart: A Conversation with Terita Walker (NASSP HS POY Finalist)
In this fourth installment of our special NASSP Principal of the Year series, Darrin sits down with Terita Walker, principal of Denver East High School and one of three finalists for NASSP’s 2025 National High School Principal of the Year award.Walker has transformed East into a school where inclusivity, student empowerment, and academic excellence thrive. With nearly two decades at
Episode 218: What’s in Your Can? Leadership Lessons from Alaska with Sherilynn Boehlert (NASSP MS POY Finalist)
In this third episode of our NASSP National Principal of the Year Finalist series, we head to Ketchikan, Alaska, where Sherilynn Boehlert serves as the principal of Schoenbar Middle School. Sheri shares her inspiring leadership journey—from growing up in a family of educators to leading a Blue Ribbon elementary school and now impacting lives at the middle level.With honesty and humor, Sheri unpack
Episode 217: Trust Based Observations with Craig Randall
Episode Summary:Teacher evaluation has long been a source of frustration—for both educators and administrators. In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, I sit down with Craig Randall, the developer and author of Trust-Based Observations, to reimagine what teacher observation can and should look like.Craig shares how shifting the focus from ratings to relationship
Episode 216: Culture, Collaboration, and Buffalo Chicken Dip: A Conversation with Tony Cattani (NASSP HS POY Finalist)
In this inspiring episode of Leaning Into Leadership, we continue our NASSP National Principal of the Year series with Tony Cattani, a finalist for the 2025–2026 National High School Principal of the Year. For 18 years, Tony has led Lenape High School in Medford, NJ, where he's created a thriving school culture grounded in trust, reflection, and instructional growth.Tony shares how his leader
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