In this powerful episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with longtime friend and educational thought leader Bradlee W. Skinner to discuss the journey through failure, teacher retention, and the importance of empowering educators. Bradlee opens up about his personal struggles with burnout, stepping away from education, and the pivotal moments that brought him back—stronger and more purpose-driven than ever.

Together, Darrin and Bradlee explore the role of teacher leadership, the dangers of the "just a teacher" mindset, and how school leaders can create environments that encourage collaboration, trust, and professional growth. They also discuss Bradlee’s impactful contribution to the upcoming book Culture First Classrooms, where he challenges the concept of classroom management in favor of classroom leadership.

If you've ever felt the weight of burnout or questioned your path in education, this episode will leave you inspired to own your story, embrace failure as a stepping stone, and create a culture where teachers and students thrive.

✅ Teacher burnout vs. teacher beatdown – Understanding the emotional toll of teaching and what really drives educators to leave the profession.

✅ The power of second chances – Bradlee shares how mentorship, self-reflection, and leadership opportunities helped him rediscover his purpose.

✅ Shifting from classroom management to classroom leadership – Why building relationships and empowering students is more effective than simply managing behavior.

✅ Teacher leadership matters – Practical ways teachers can lead without leaving the classroom, and how administrators can create space for leadership to flourish.

✅ Culture and climate in schools – How small actions from school leaders, such as eliminating the "just a teacher" mentality, can transform staff engagement.

✅ Failing forward – Why embracing failure is crucial for student growth, teacher development, and leadership success.

📲 Follow Bradlee on social media: @BradleeWSkinner on Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, and Facebook.

📩 Reach out to Bradlee for speaking, coaching, or leadership support.

📖 Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools (Coming Soon!)

🎙 Listen to past episodes of Leaning Into Leadership at RoadToAwesome.net

In this episode, returning guest Katie Kinder joins Dr. Darrin Peppard for a behind-the-scenes look at their upcoming book, Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools. They dive into the journey of co-authoring a book, the power of classroom culture, and how fostering strong relationships transformsschools.

Katie and Darrin share personal stories about their paths as educators, what led them to co-write this book, and how they selected 21 amazing contributors to share their insights. They also explore why great teaching is an art, not a formula, and how school leaders can support teachers in building a culture-first approach to education.

✅ Culture comes first—without strong relationships and a supportive environment, no initiative will thrive.

✅ Teaching is artistry—there’s no single way to be effective, and great educators bring energy, fun, and connection to their work.

✅ Leadership impacts everything—when educators feel empowered and valued, they take more risks and push students to succeed.

✅ This book is a lifeline—it’s filled with real, actionable insights from educators leading the way in post-pandemic classrooms.

Katie Kinder, author of Untold Teaching Truths and Hallway Leadership, is a passionate professional learning facilitator and education advocate. With nearly two decades in education, she inspires and equips teachers with real strategies to hook students from day one. A former Teacher of the Year and Top Five District Finalist, Katie brings energy, authenticity, and a deep love for educators everywhere.

🌐 Website | 📌 Twitter/X | 📷 Instagram | 🔗 LinkedIn

📖 Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools—Coming March 2025! Stay tuned for launch details and exclusive pre-order bonuses.

Darrin and Katie are developing Culture First Coaching & Consulting, bringing hands-on leadership and instructional coaching to schools nationwide. If you’re interested in bringing Culture First to your school, reach out to learn how they can support your educators.

📩 Contact Darrin and Katie to bring Culture First Coaching to your school!

In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the journey of writing Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools, my upcoming book co-authored with Katie Kinder!

We dive into:

✅ The writing process—what it’s like to co-author a book and how it differs from writing solo

✅ How we identified the 21 incredible educators who contributed their insights

✅ The highs, lows, and unexpected moments in bringing this book to life

✅ What Culture First Classrooms truly means and why this book is so important for educators

This is an episode for anyone curious about the book-writing process, thinking about writing their own, or simply wanting a deeper look into what’s coming in March! Plus, I share a few sneak peeks from some of the powerful stories inside the book.

💌 Join the Email List: Want updates on the book release, exclusive pre-order bonuses, and behind-the-scenes insights? Sign up here: roadtoawesome.net

📢 Connect with Dr. Darrin Peppard:

Looking for leadership coaching, professional development, or support for your leadership team? Let’s connect! Reach out via my website at roadtoawesome.net or connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, or Facebook. I’d love to support you on your leadership journey!

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Dr. Kelly Hastings, founder of Enlightening Leadership, a seasoned principal, leadership coach, and expert in implementation science.

Dr. Hastings shares her journey from teacher to principal, how leadership coaching transformed her leadership approach, and why building leadership capacity in schools is a moral imperative. She also dives into implementation science, an approach that helps schools sustain meaningful change, and discusses how leaders can grow and support aspiring leaders in their buildings.

If you've ever struggled with implementing new initiatives or wondered how to cultivate leadership in your school, this episode is packed with actionable strategies.

🎧 Key Takeaways:

✅ The role of mentorship and coaching in leadership growth

✅ How implementation science helps schools sustain change

✅ Strategies for growing and identifying aspiring leaders

✅ The importance of listening as a leader and empowering teams

✅ Unique challenges and strategies for middle school leadership

📌 Resources & Links:

🔹 Connect with Dr. Kelly Hastings: LinkedIn | Email: kelly@enlighteningleadership.com

🔹 Learn more about Implementation Science: Implement with Impact by Janice Pizzuto

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Dr. Joe Famularo, a veteran educator and superintendent, to explore his IOU Leadership framework. Dr. Famularo shares his journey from classroom teacher to district leader, the principles that guide his leadership, and how the IOU model—Inward, Outward, and Upward Leadership—helps leaders build a thriving culture rooted in trust and continuous improvement.

✅ The IOU Leadership Framework: What it means to lead inward, outward, and upward.

✅ The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership: Why knowing yourself is the foundation for effective leadership.

✅ Building a Culture of Trust: The impact of relationships and shared leadership in schools.

✅ Living with Intention vs. Living by Default: How to shift from reactive to proactive leadership.

✅ PH2E Life Propeller Assessment: A tool to evaluate personal and professional growth.

✅ The Importance of Clear Vision and Common Language: How defining values and mission creates sustainable success in schools.

✅ Leader in Me & The 7 Habits: How Covey’s principles influenced his district’s transformation.

Dr. Joe Famularo is a lifelong educator with over 34 years in the same district, including 18 as superintendent. Passionate about leadership and continuous improvement, he developed the IOU Leadership framework to help individuals and organizations create cultures of trust, purpose, and excellence. He is the author of IOU Life Leadershipand the upcoming book IOU School Leadership.

🔗 Explore IOU Leadership & Take the PH2E Assessment: IOULiving.com

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

🔹 Apple Podcasts | 🔹 Spotify | 🔹 YouTube | 🔹 Your favorite podcast platform

💡 What’s Your Biggest Leadership Takeaway? Share your thoughts with us on social media using #LeaningIntoLeadership!

In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard is joined by Barb Flowers, Principal of the U.S. Elementary Division at Eastwood Global and a certified life coach specializing in leadership development for principals. Barb shares her journey from being a brick-and-mortar school leader to helping launch an innovative online school and homeschooling program while coaching principals to lead with clarity and confidence.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Barb’s unique leadership role at Eastwood Global, combining International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum with the science of reading.
• The parallels and contrasts between traditional school leadership and leading in a virtual environment.
• Proven strategies for managing time, reducing stress, and setting boundaries as a school leader.
• The importance of saying “no” to unnecessary initiatives and focusing on what truly matters.
• How principals can develop self-belief and avoid the trap of comparison.
• Barb’s insights into the power of thought work and using affirmations to foster confidence and intentionality in leadership.
• Practical routines and habits for maintaining focus and avoiding overwhelm.

Key Takeaways for Listeners:

• Why removing email from your phone is a game changer for work-life balance.
• How to set boundaries that protect your time and energy while modeling the same for your staff.
• The transformative impact of focusing on thought work to create more positive emotions and actions.
• Why limiting initiatives and prioritizing depth over breadth benefits your entire school community.
• Actionable steps to create routines that align with your leadership vision and values.

About Barb Flowers:

Barb brings 14 years of public education experience, including six years as a principal, to her role as a leadership coach and educational leader. She helps principals overcome stress, manage their time effectively, and lead with purpose, all while balancing the demands of professional and personal life.

Connect with Barb Flowers:

• Podcast: The Principal's Handbook
• Website: barbflowerscoaching.com
• LinkedIn: Barb Flowers, PhD
• Instagram: @DrBarbFlowers

Welcome to episode 188 of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast! In this mid-month episode, Darrin is joined once again by his recurring guests, Todd Bloomer, a high school principal from San Antonio, TX, and Dominic Armano, an elementary principal from Long Island, NY. Together, they dive into the human side of leadership, sharing stories, challenges, and practical insights for leaders at every level.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Weathering the Storm (Literally and Figuratively): From snow days to unexpected challenges, the trio shares how school leaders navigate the unpredictability of their work while keeping students' needs at the forefront.
• Making Tough Decisions: Darrin reflects on a recent blog post about the emotional and professional toll of making hard leadership calls. Todd and Dominic add their insights on balancing what's right for kids and the community while managing personal resilience.
• Telling Your Story: Dominic leads a discussion on the importance of branding and public relations in education. Todd and Darrin share strategies to effectively showcase your school’s values and successes without fear of being seen as "flashy."
• Learning from Other Leaders: Todd challenges Darrin and Dominic to share inspiring practices they've seen in schools recently, highlighting leadership newsletters and a deeply integrated SEL curriculum.
• Focus for 2025: The group wraps up by sharing their personal resolutions and goals for the year, including self-care, leadership clarity, and embracing challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership decisions are rarely black-and-white; staying focused on what's best for kids can guide tough choices.
• Strong relationships and clear communication are essential for building trust and minimizing pushback.
• Social media and storytelling are critical tools for creating a positive narrative about your school and its values.
• Self-care isn't selfish—it's necessary for showing up as your best self in leadership roles.
• Innovative ideas from peers and colleagues can inspire and improve your leadership practice.

Resources Mentioned:

• Darrin’s blog post on leadership decisions
• Fired Up Leadership by Dr. Frank Rudnesky

Connect with Us:

• Darrin Peppard: Website | Twitter
• Todd Bloomer: Twitter
• Dominic Armano: Twitter

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us bring more leadership insights to educators like you!

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:. This course is designed to help you overcome overwhelm, focus on what truly matters, and lead with clarity, and it's LIVE - go to theprincipalacademy.com and check out Take Control of Your Leadership.

Anders Indset—known as "The Business Philosopher"—is a Norwegian-born writer and deep-tech investor. He is a four-time Spiegel best-selling author and has been recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the most influential thinkers in technology and leadership for the years to come.

With two decades of experience working with multinational companies, he is a trusted sparring partner for international CEOs and political leaders, and a guest lecturer at leading international business schools. Anders is the founder of the Njordis Group and the Global Institute of Leadership & Technology (GILT), as well as the initiator of numerous projects like the Quantum Economy Alliance.

Anders is a bridge-builder between humanity and technology, shaping the economy of tomorrow with his practical philosophy. With his deep understanding of the impact of exponential technologies, Anders demonstrates how and why leadership and its relationship to philosophy are more relevant than ever. He firmly believes that in a world with nearly unlimited access to knowledge, a deeper understanding and the ability to anticipate future scenarios, combined with the development of interpersonal skills, will be the most sought-after qualities for leaders.

His works have been translated into over 10 languages, and his new book, ‘The Viking Code – The Art & Science of Norwegian Success’, was released on October 8. His forthcoming ‘Singularity Paradox – Bridging the Gap Between Humanity & AI’ (www.singularityparadox.com) has been scheduled for Q1 2025, a book co-authored with renowned Quantum Physicist Dr. Florian Neukart.

Social Media:

https://de.linkedin.com/in/andersindset

https://www.instagram.com/andersindset

http://twitter.com/andersindset

http://facebook.com/anders.indset

https://www.youtube.com/andersindset

Website: https://andersindset.com/

Email/contact info:

engagement@andersindset.com