Mindful School Marketing

Tara Claeys & Aubrey Bursch•mindfulschoolmarketing.com

The Mindful School Marketing podcast discusses topics relevant to independent school administrators and marketers for K-12 independent private schools and camps. The podcast offers a mix of discussions and interviews with professionals both within and outside of the independent school community. We will cover the connection between mindfulness and success at work and at home, and how mindfulness applies to effective independent school marketing and administration. Co-hosts Aubrey Bursch and Tara Claeys conduct casual and meaningful conversations to help their listeners discover new strategies, tactics, ideas and tools for improving their school enrollment and retention, productivity, and overall happiness.

Last refreshed: July 2nd, 2025 at 12:21 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

111: The State of School MarCom: Brendan Schneider on Trends, Talent, and AI Tools

Brendan Schneider is back to talk about the real-world impact of his annual MarCom Society Salary Survey. As the founder and CEO of SchneiderB Media, Brendan helps schools grow enrollment through his Fractional Digital Marketing program, SchoolMarketingCRM, and as a leading voice in inbound marketing and the use of AI in schools. In this episode, Brendan breaks down what the survey revealed and what school leaders need to know about resourcing, retention, and the reality of today’s marketing rol...

Jul 02, 2025•40 min•Ep. 111

110: Outsourcing School Success and Navigating Partnerships with Chris Pryor

Today we’re joined by Chris Pryor, Founder and Principal of LeadTeam Partners. With over 20 years of experience in independent schools, Chris now supports school leaders through School Partner Connect, a community designed to help schools navigate partner and consultant searches with confidence. His work helps leaders stay focused on day-to-day operations while delegating with clarity. In this episode, we explore:• What to outsource and what to keep in-house• How to avoid common pitfalls in cons...

Jun 18, 2025•29 min•Ep. 110

109: Overcoming Overwhelm: Mindful Techniques for School Leaders

Today we’re joined by Cheryl Fischer, a certified Life and Mindset Coach and host of the Mind Your Midlife podcast. Cheryl spent over a decade as a secondary school teacher and now works with educators and professionals to help them shift the stories they tell themselves—from stuck and overwhelmed to capable, confident, and clear. This conversation is full of honest reflections and practical strategies for anyone navigating the pressures of school leadership, team dynamics, or personal change. C...

Jun 04, 2025•36 min•Ep. 109

108: VAIS Panel Discussion: Independent & Private School Marketing Today and Tomorrow

This special episode was recorded live at the VAIS Advancement Institute, where we hosted a panel conversation with three marketing and enrollment leaders from very different school environments. From large boarding schools to small community-focused campuses, each panelist brought a unique lens to what’s working in school marketing—and what’s changing fast. We covered everything from navigating leadership and board expectations to making the most of limited resources. The conversation surfaced ...

May 21, 2025•48 min•Ep. 108

107. Marketing for Resilience: Navigating Change and Building Sustainable School Systems with Peter Baron

Today, we’re welcoming back Peter Baron, founder of Moonshot OS and a Certified Top Coach. Peter has spent years working closely with independent school leaders, and in this episode, he shares fresh insights on the evolving challenges schools face and how marketing, leadership, and operational systems all play a critical role in building resilience. We dive into: The surprising results of Peter’s pulse survey on business competencies for school leaders Why marketing strategy ranked lower than ex...

May 07, 2025•38 min•Ep. 107

106. Creating True Belonging for Students of Color in Independent Schools with Jonathan Lee

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, we’re joined by Jonathan Lee—coach, educator, mentor, and former independent school student and administrator—who shares his lived experience and offers a deeply insightful look at what true belonging looks like for students of color in independent schools. Jonathan doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, and we’re grateful for his honesty as he reflects on the past, challenges the present, and inspires hope for the future. From the admissions funnel t...

Apr 23, 2025•32 min•Ep. 106

105. Differentiation Strategies for Independent Schools with Chuck English

In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant and always insightful Chuck English of English Marketing Works. Chuck has partnered with dozens of independent schools across the U.S. and Canada, helping them clarify their messaging, sharpen their marketing, and truly stand out in crowded markets. We loved this conversation because Chuck doesn’t just talk theory—he shares practical, real-world strategies schools can use to define what makes them unique and connect with families who value exactly w...

Apr 09, 2025•42 min•Ep. 105

104. Best of Series Replay: How Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Can Boost Your Giving Days with Devin Donaldson

We’re bringing back one of our most insightful conversations with Devin Donaldson, a nonprofit development expert who has led record-breaking fundraising campaigns. This episode is packed with strategies to help schools and nonprofits maximize fundraising through peer-to-peer giving and giving days. Join us as we explore: How peer-to-peer fundraising can expand your donor base and increase engagement. The biggest mistakes organizations make with giving days—and how to avoid them. Why donor commu...

Mar 26, 2025•26 min•Ep. 104

103. Best of Series Replay: How Funnels Can Help Your School’s Enrollment Process with Jesse Meadow

We’re bringing back one of our most insightful conversations with Jesse Meadows, co-founder and managing director of Schoolcraft Digital. This episode is a must-listen for schools looking to use data-driven marketing to increase enrollment and engagement. Join us as we dive into: The biggest mistake schools make in their enrollment funnel—and how to fix it. Why first-party data is more important than ever for school marketing. How admissions and communications teams can work together to turn dat...

Mar 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 100

102. Best of Series Replay: Storytelling and a Brand Vision Process for Schools with Michelle Mercurio

In this episode, we are joined by Michelle Mercurio, a brand catalyst and authenticist who empowers big-picture thinkers to be true to themselves, find their unique brands, and execute their goals in a way that aligns with their vision. Showing her clients how to showcase their unique stories to build connections, Michelle shares with us the power of storytelling and how schools can benefit from this meaningful and effective approach.

Feb 26, 2025•29 min•Ep. 102

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