Episodes

Building a Better Now: Featuring Greg Bennick
Jan. 4, 2025

Building a Better Now: Featuring Greg Bennick

In this captivating episode of Aspire to Lead , Greg Bennick, author of Reclaim the Moment: 7 Strategies to Build a Better Now , shares profound insights on leadership, focus, and creating a thriving work culture. Together, w...
317. Cultivating Teacher Leadership: Featuring Dr. Jasmine Kullar
Dec. 29, 2024

317. Cultivating Teacher Leadership: Featuring Dr. Jasmine Kullar

To conclude this year's episodes, I sit down with Dr. Jasmine Kullar, chief school leadership officer and author of Training Teacher Leaders in a PLC at Work: A Guide to Cultivating Shared Leadership , to uncover the power of...
Aspire Mailbag: Tackling Workplace Disagreements
Dec. 21, 2024

Aspire Mailbag: Tackling Workplace Disagreements

In this thought-provoking Aspire Mailbag episode, Jeff Gargas and I unpack some of the trickiest challenges leaders face in education and beyond. Ever had to deal with someone who says one thing to your face but something com...
Executive Functioning for Educators: Featuring Mitch Weathers
Dec. 19, 2024

Executive Functioning for Educators: Featuring Mitch Weathers

What if the key to thriving as an educator lies in the same skills we often teach our students? In this inspiring episode of Aspire to Lead, Mitch Weathers, author and creator of Organized Binder, takes us on a deep dive into...
The Connection Driven Classroom: Featuring Kevin Curtis
Dec. 15, 2024

The Connection Driven Classroom: Featuring Kevin Curtis

What if our so-called "discipline problems" were really just connection problems in disguise? In this engaging episode of Aspire to Lead, we sit down with the visionary founder of Differentiated Discipline, author of The Conn...
Strength-Based Leadership and the Power of Play: Featuring Dr. Jeff Springer
Dec. 8, 2024

Strength-Based Leadership and the Power of Play: Featuring Dr. Jeff Springer

What if leadership were less about control and more about connection? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Jeff Springer challenges us to rethink how we lead by focusing on building authentic relationships, cultivating a vi...
Building Student Regulation with Executive Functioning: Featuring Mitch Weathers
Dec. 1, 2024

Building Student Regulation with Executive Functioning: Featuring Mitch Weathers

What if the secret to unlocking student success lies in their ability to self-regulate? In this energizing episode of Aspire to Lead , we welcome back Mitch Weathers, the brilliant author and CEO of Organized Binder, to uncov...
314. Common AI Mistakes and Practical Solutions for Schools: Featuring William Grube
Nov. 23, 2024

314. Common AI Mistakes and Practical Solutions for Schools: Featuring William Grube

In this episode of Aspire to Lead , we’re joined by AI expert William Grube, founder of Gruvy Education, to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of education. William shares practical strategies for adopt...
313. You're A Teacher Now! What's Next?: Featuring Alex Kajitani and Tom Hierck
Nov. 16, 2024

313. You're A Teacher Now! What's Next?: Featuring Alex Kajitani and Tom Hierck

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Alex Kajitani and Tom Hierck, authors of the insightful book You're A Teacher Now! What's Next? . Together, we tackle essential topics for educators at any stage of their career, includ...
Aspire Mailbag: Career Aspirations and Leadership Opportunities
Nov. 9, 2024

Aspire Mailbag: Career Aspirations and Leadership Opportunities

In this Aspire Mailbag episode, Jeff Gargas and Joshua Stamper dive into listener questions about school leadership, connecting with students and staff, building future leaders, and navigating career aspirations. Topics inclu...
Forgiveness, Mindfulness, and Positive Behavior Tools: Featuring Nathan Maynard
Nov. 2, 2024

Forgiveness, Mindfulness, and Positive Behavior Tools: Featuring Nathan Maynard

In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Nathan Maynard to explore restorative practices that truly change the way we approach student behavior. Nathan dives into the importance of restoration within the behavior pr...
311. Next Level Listening: Featuring Bradley James Davies
Oct. 26, 2024

311. Next Level Listening: Featuring Bradley James Davies

Have you ever had a conversation and you start to think about what you are about to say instead of listening to the other person? In this week’s episode, Bradley James Davies, author of Next Level Listening: How to Listen Lik...
Rethinking Goal Setting with Mitch Weathers
Oct. 24, 2024

Rethinking Goal Setting with Mitch Weathers

In this special bonus episode, Susan and Tessa are joined by Mitch Weathers, author and creator of Organized Binder, to rethink traditional goal setting. Together, they dive into why the old methods of setting goals often fal...
Living with Purpose, Empathy, and Kindness: Featuring Gail Boe
Oct. 21, 2024

Living with Purpose, Empathy, and Kindness: Featuring Gail Boe

In this heartfelt episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with children's book author Gail Boe for an inspiring conversation about living with authenticity, kindness, and purpose. Gail delves into the importance o...
School Behavior Solutions Summit Recap with Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper
Oct. 16, 2024

School Behavior Solutions Summit Recap with Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper

Join us for a recap of the School Behavior Solutions Summit! In this episode, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper discuss the incredible speakers, valuable resources, and free recap videos available on YouTube. Plus, they dive int...
309. Making an Impact Outside of the Classroom: Featuring Starr Sackstein
Oct. 12, 2024

309. Making an Impact Outside of the Classroom: Featuring Starr Sackstein

Tired of the traditional classroom setting but still passionate about education? Join us as we chat with bestselling author Starr Sackstein about her new book, "Making an Impact Outside of the Classroom." Discover a world of ...
308. Finding Fulfillment in Leadership: Featuring Walter McKenzie
Oct. 5, 2024

308. Finding Fulfillment in Leadership: Featuring Walter McKenzie

In this engaging episode of Aspire to Lead , we sit down with Walter McKenzie, author, ASCD leader, and co-creator of The Worthy Educator , to explore the complexities of leadership in education. Walter shares his thoughts on...
307. Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together: Featuring Ari Gerzon-Kessler
Sept. 28, 2024

307. Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together: Featuring Ari Gerzon-Kessler

In this impactful episode, award-winning author and family partnerships expert, Ari Gerzon-Kessler, explores the crucial topic of building authentic connections between educators and underrepresented families. Ari shares his ...
Working Memory and Beginning Routines with Mitch Weathers
Sept. 25, 2024

Working Memory and Beginning Routines with Mitch Weathers

In this Bonus episode of Aspire to Lead , we dive into an insightful conversation with Mitch Weathers, author of Executive Functions for Every Classroom . Together, we explore the critical role of working memory in student su...
306. The Leader Inside: Featuring Lauren Kaufman
Sept. 21, 2024

306. The Leader Inside: Featuring Lauren Kaufman

In this episode of Aspire to Lead , we sit down with Lauren Kaufman, author of "The Leader Inside," to explore the untapped greatness that lies within each of us. Lauren shares her journey and insights on why mentorship plays...
305. Blueprint of Leading Through Change: Featuring Todd Bloomer
Sept. 14, 2024

305. Blueprint of Leading Through Change: Featuring Todd Bloomer

In this engaging episode , we sit down with Todd Bloomer to explore critical topics in educational leadership. Todd shares his experiences and strategies for effectively leading a large campus in the wake of COVID, addressing...
304. Building Resilience in Education: Featuring Alison Smith
Sept. 7, 2024

304. Building Resilience in Education: Featuring Alison Smith

In this thought-provoking episode, Alison Smith discusses the pressing challenges facing both educators and educational leaders, including burnout, compassion fatigue, emotional dissonance, and a lowered sense of mattering. A...
303. Learning-Focused Supervision: A Conversation with Lauren Lipton
Aug. 31, 2024

303. Learning-Focused Supervision: A Conversation with Lauren Lipton

In this insightful episode of Aspire to Lead , we're joined by Lauren Lipton, co-author of Learning-Focused Supervision , to explore the transformative role of leaders in education. Lauren dives into the concept of leaders as...
302. Personalize: Meeting the Needs of All Learners with Eric Sheninger and Nicki Slaugh
Aug. 25, 2024

302. Personalize: Meeting the Needs of All Learners with Eric Sheninger and Nicki Slaugh

In this episode, we dive deep into the newly released book "Personalize: Meeting the Needs of All Learners" by Eric Sheninger and Nicki Slaugh. Join us as we explore how personalized learning is set to revolutionize education...