Episodes

What would be possible for your school if failure wasn’t feared—but welcomed as part of the process? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Jeff Linden, high school principal and host of the Educational Leadership with Principal JL podcast, to explore what it actually looks like to create a school culture where people aren’t afraid to take risks. Jeff shares how his leadership team collaborates around real needs, builds solution-oriented mindsets, and shifts fear into fuel for growth. With lesso...

Lead with H.O.P.E.—Building a System of Self Efficacy with Brandi Kelly "Self-efficacy isn’t a buzzword—it’s the foundation of sustainable leadership." In this episode, I’ll sit down with Superintendent, coach, and author Dr. Brandi Kelly to talk about how leaders can build systems that spark hope and support growth at every level of an organization. Dr. Kelly shares her H.O.P.E. Framework and unpacks how character work, collaboration, and clarity fuel a thriving team culture. Grab Hope's book f...

What you allow, model, and reinforce every day is your culture.In this episode, I’m catching up with school leadership expert and systems strategist Michael Meechin to explore how consistency builds the trust, clarity, and alignment needed for a strong school culture. From daily expectations to leadership modeling, we’ll talk about what it takes to lead a team that doesn’t just know the vision—but lives it.If you're trying to rebuild momentum, reset expectations, or lead with clarity, this one’s...

Have you ever found yourself venting about someone on your team, only to realize... you’ve never actually talked to them about it? In this episode of The Catching Up with Casey Show, I’ll sit down with Zoë Beckham from Pivot School Improvement Leaders who’s seeing the same trend in school after school: frustrated leaders avoiding direct conversations. We’ll talk about why it happens, how it’s holding teams back, and what it actually takes to face the issue head-on without the drama or dread. If ...

AI is transforming education, but the skills that make us uniquely human—problem-solving, creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—are more important than ever. In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Ament, co-founder of the Human Intelligence Movement, to talk about why human intelligence must be prioritized in schools and organizations. We’ll explore practical ways to build these skills in educators and students, how leaders can foster collaboration and leadership growth, and wh...

Ever hear a team member say, “These students just can’t”? That mindset spreads fast—and it holds everyone back. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down how to stop the ‘They Can’t’ cycle before it takes root. I’ll share three strategies to shift thinking in the moment and proactively reshape conversations: phrases to avoid and mindsets to employ, perception checking, and my go-to PAUSE method for reframing limiting beliefs. If you’re leading a team and want to move from doubt to possibility, thi...

Ever felt stuck in the trenches of education? My guest, Dr. Dana Goodier, knows all about turning struggles into strength. As the author of Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators and host of the Out of the Trenches podcast, Dana shares powerful stories of educators who’ve faced challenges and come out stronger.In this episode, we’ll talk about resilience, reflection, and how tough seasons can lead to growth. Dr. Dana Goodier has 25 years of experience in education. She has taught W...

Another shiny new program, another big promise. But will this one actually work?Before your district swipes the card on yet another curriculum, intervention, or fancy AI-powered tool, let’s pause for a second. In this episode, I’m breaking down two common scenarios schools face when deciding whether to invest in new materials—and how to get real results whether you buy or not.If you’re ready to stop the cycle of over-purchasing and start seeing real change, grab my free 30-minute training + reso...

A team is only as strong as the people in it—and when teachers are running on empty, the whole system suffers. In this episode, I sit down with Rae Hughart, founder of Teachers Deserve It, to talk about real strategies for making teaching more sustainable so educators—and the teams they’re part of—can thrive.We’ll dive into how leaders can support teachers, why efficiency matters for collaboration, and what it takes to build a system where educators feel valued, balanced, and ready to give their...

Too often, data meetings feel like a numbers game—one that creates fear, skepticism, or even resistance among educators. But what if data wasn’t something to fear, but rather a tool to empower? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Jessica Lane, founder of Data-Informed Impact, to talk about how schools can build trust in data teams and meetings. We’ll explore how to shift from compliance to collaboration, ensuring that data guides, but never decides, the next steps for students. If your teache...

Another day, another big-box curriculum company trying to sell schools more stuff—more products, more programs, more AI-driven interventions. But here’s the problem: More doesn’t mean better. In this short but spicy episode, I share a rant to a friend after sitting through yet another sales pitch filled with promises that never seem to pan out. If you’ve ever wondered why teachers keep asking for more—more resources, more support, more solutions—but your campus still isn’t seeing results, this e...

Leadership isn't just about strategy—it’s about character. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Julianne Lang, school leader at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School and author of Cup of Courage: The Key to Leading with Grace and Grit. We’re diving into The Grit Factor—how resilience, strong character, and a courageous mindset fuel leadership success. Julianne will share insights from her book, real-life leadership lessons, and practical strategies for leading with both grace and grit. Whether ...

What’s standing in the way of teacher efficacy in your school? In this episode, I’m joined by Jenni Donohoo and Glenn Forbes, authors of Collective Impact: Overcoming the Twelve Enemies of Teacher Efficacy, to explore the biggest barriers that keep teams from thriving. We’ll break down practical strategies to shift from blame to feedback, isolation to interdependence, and compliance to real commitment. Glenn Forbes is a school principal and school improvement coach in Brisbane, Queensland, Aust...

One teacher alone can’t meet the vast and varied needs of every student—but what if they didn’t have to? In this episode, I’ll sit down with Kurtis Hewson, co-author of Collaborative Response: Three Foundational Components That Transform How We Respond to the Needs of Learners, to explore how schools can create a system where every child has a team supporting their success. We’ll break down the three foundational components of Collaborative Response—collaborative structures, data-driven decision...

As AI continues to evolve, how can school leaders, instructional coaches, and teacher leadersleverage it to create clarity and drive change in education? In this episode, I’m joined byCatlin Tucker to explore her new book,Elevating Educational Design with AI, co-authored withKatie Novak. We discuss how AI can be athought partner for educators, helping leadersstreamline workflows, prioritize what truly matters, and personalize learning without losing the human connection. Whether you’re adistric...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to move from dreaming about leadership to stepping boldly into it? In this episode of the Catching Up with Casey, Dr. Alfreda Howard will join us to crack open the realities of accessing leadership, especially for female educators. As the author of Apply Your Makeup: A Guide for Female Educators Aspiring to Executive Leadership, Dr. Howard will bring insight, experience, and a no-nonsense approach to navigating leadership pathways.We’ll dive into what it mean...

In this milestone 100th episode, I’m challenging the popular phrase, "Clear is kind." While there’s truth in it, too often it becomes an excuse for unnecessary harshness or stops short of the real work of leadership. Clarity isn’t just about delivering hard truths—it’s a habit we build daily to align people, cut through noise, and turn potential into progress. Let’s explore what it really means to create clarity, why it matters more than quick soundbites, and how it shapes the capacity of teams ...

In this episode, I’m reconnecting with Joey Sanchez, an assistant principal who brings a fresh perspective on navigating and avoiding educator burnout. Together, we’ll explore strategies for prioritizing time more effectively to maximize results while maintaining balance. If you’re an instructional leader or educator looking to reclaim your time and find clarity amidst the chaos, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead with purpose and prevent burnout. Order Casey's new...

What does it take to move a team from chaos to alignment? In this episode, I’ll share the story behind The Craft of Clarity—how a single question from a curious aspiring leader sparked a framework now helping campuses and districts achieve sustainable alignment. You’ll hear about the real-world challenges, small wins, and the lessons learned along the way. Plus, I’ll read the book’s introduction to give you a taste of how clarity can transform leadership and collaboration. This is more than a bo...

Does your school feel weighed down by too many initiatives and competing priorities? In this episode, I’m joined by Becca Silver from The Whole Educator and Christi Roberts and Chad Ransom, Co-Founders of Compass Edvantage, to share a powerful exercise they use with coaches and leaders to align initiatives and priorities in schools undergoing turnaround efforts. Together, we explore how creating clarity and focus can transform a school’s culture, boost collaboration, and drive meaningful change....

What if the secret to stronger teams and relationships isn’t just better communication but better curiosity? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez to dive into the concept of "Leading with Curiosity." Drawing on insights from her recent blog, we’ll explore how asking intentional questions and actively learning from others can transform personal and professional relationships. Whether you’re a leader seeking to build cohesive, vision-driven teams or someone looking to enhance your ...

Teacher shortages are threatening to undermine the quality of education for students across the nation. But what if the solution lies in creating model classrooms—spaces that set the standard for excellence and provide a blueprint for teacher success? In this episode, Ashlee Boothe, author of The Model Classroom Approach, joins me to discuss how model classrooms can help recruit and retain high-quality teachers while fostering a collaborative, visionary culture on campus. If you're an instructio...

Do your teachers feel overwhelmed by too many strategies and too little time? In this episode, I’m joined by Sherry St. Clair, author of Intentional Instructional Moves, to discuss her practical, research-backed approach to streamlining classroom strategies for maximum impact. Sherry shares how her book and its Companion Guide help educators move efficiently from theory to practice by focusing on the most effective, time-saving techniques. Whether you're a teacher or instructional leader, tune i...

Are your teachers tackling lesson planning alone and wondering why it feels so overwhelming? In this “From the Field” episode, I’m joined by Hannah Lawler and Christy Bostic, Inclusion Teachers and Site Coordinators at Ocean Springs Upper Elementary, to dive into the strategies that make collaborative lesson planning work. They’ll share insights on building a collaborative culture, meeting diverse student needs, and what instructional leaders can do to support this process. Whether you're an ins...