When parents storm into your office demanding that you eliminate all conflict from their child's school experience, they're operating from a place of fierce love and limited perspective. They see their kindergartener struggling with a classmate or their fifth grader being harassed, and their protective instincts kick into overdrive. Suddenly you're being asked to create an impossible reality where children never experience discomfort, rejection, or disagreement. These situations reveal a fundame...
Jul 01, 2025•22 min•Ep. 392
Disclaimer: Please be advised that this episode contains content related to crisis situations. If these topics are challenging for you, you may wish to skip this episode or seek support. When students are struggling with everything from friendship drama to thoughts of self-harm, the gap between needing help and getting it can feel insurmountable. And school leaders carry the weight of hundreds or thousands of students' well-being on their shoulders, knowing they can't possibly reach every child ...
Jun 24, 2025•55 min•Ep. 391
Leadership requires processing both professional and personal experiences, particularly when faced with injustice. As school leaders, we encounter unfairness in various forms - from promotion decisions to resource allocation to systemic inequities affecting our students and families. I've found that managing these experiences requires understanding how our minds and bodies respond to perceived injustice. In this episode, I share practical insights for acknowledging and safely expressing these di...
Jun 17, 2025•26 min•Ep. 390
Test scores rolling in can trigger intense emotions and identity crises for school leaders. As principals, we intellectually understand that standardized tests are just one measure of student growth and school success. Yet when scores arrive, we can't help but attach deep meaning to these numbers and worry about how they'll be interpreted by staff, families, and district leadership. Through sports analogies and real-world examples, I explore why we shouldn't let a single data point define our id...
Jun 10, 2025•23 min•Ep. 389
Finding balance between fun and structure after end-of-year testing can be a real challenge. As school leaders, we often notice a clear shift in energy, behaviors, and routines once testing concludes, leaving many of us struggling to maintain consistency while still allowing for meaningful closure and celebration. In this episode, I share ways to help teachers plan activities that build life skills, encourage reflection, and maintain clear expectations, all while embracing the celebratory spirit...
Jun 03, 2025•18 min•Ep. 388
As we reach the end of another school year, I'm focusing on an essential leadership practice that many principals overlook - creating meaningful closure. This process isn't just about completing tasks and checking boxes, it's about intentionally reflecting on our accomplishments and growth throughout the year. Tune in this week as I explore why many school leaders resist celebrating their accomplishments, and how this resistance impacts our ability to model self-reflection for our staff and stud...
May 27, 2025•33 min•Ep. 387
In this episode, I sit down with Steven Puri, a fascinating guest who had an extremely successful career in Hollywood, but has traded that in to help remote workers master flow, productivity, and efficiency. Though not my typical education-focused guest, Steven brings fresh perspectives on productivity, focus, and creative problem-solving that directly apply to school leadership. Tune in this week as Steven Puri shares powerful insights about flow states, mono-tasking, and creating dedicated spa...
May 20, 2025•44 min•Ep. 386
Have you ever faced backlash from parents when announcing teacher changes or reassignments? This is a fascinating dynamic in education that doesn't exist in most other industries - the intense attachment parents develop to specific teachers rather than to the educational experience itself. How do you deal with the unnecessary tension this teacher-attachment cycle creates between school leaders and families who feel entitled to specific teaching personnel? Tune in this week for a leadership appro...
May 13, 2025•33 min•Ep. 385
Have you ever wondered why so many school leaders gain weight after transitioning from teaching to administration? This week, I sit down with my dear friend and certified life coach Jena Damiani to unpack what we jokingly call the "admin 30" – those unwanted pounds that seem to appear overnight when you step into a leadership role. As both a school leader and a weight loss coach, she brings a unique perspective to this common but rarely discussed challenge. Join us on this episode as we dive int...
May 06, 2025•57 min•Ep. 384
Are you stepping into your first year as a school principal? The excitement of landing that leadership position can quickly collide with the overwhelming reality of what the job actually entails. As a new leader, you're not just taking on a new role – you're embarking on a personal development journey that will stretch your mental, emotional, and physical capacity in ways you never imagined. Join me for some real talk this week about what you need to know as you transition into school leadership...
Apr 29, 2025•41 min•Ep. 383
Are you overcome with guilt whenever you need to take a sick day? And even then, do you try to brush it off, pretend it isn’t happening, and attempt to push through? This week, I address a profound issue that came up during a recent EPC call with one of my clients. She was dragging herself to work despite being sick for two weeks, feeling guilty about the burden she was placing on her husband at home. This sparked an important conversation about how, particularly as women, we're conditioned to b...
Apr 22, 2025•18 min•Ep. 382
Do you ever feel that pang of anxiety when you realize you've missed an important meeting or weren't included in a crucial conversation? If you’re navigating this tension between wanting to know everything happening in your school and district versus recognizing what information you actually need to fulfill your leadership responsibilities, this episode is for you. This week, we'll explore the fascinating psychology behind our desire to "be in the know" and how this need often stems from deeper ...
Apr 15, 2025•26 min•Ep. 381
Have you ever felt like you're drowning in the demands of school leadership? Like you're constantly choosing between being a good leader and having a life outside of school? You're not alone. In this week's episode, I sit down with Jeff Linden of the Education Leadership with Principal JL podcast to share my journey from feeling completely overwhelmed as a first-year principal to discovering how to lead with intention while maintaining work-life balance. To check out The Aspiring School Leader s...
Apr 08, 2025•50 min•Ep. 380
As we enter April and the final season of this school year, this is the perfect opportunity to examine our intentions and how we're showing up in our lives. Many of us feel stretched too thin—not feeling "good enough" in our various roles as educators, parents, partners, or friends. This overwhelming sensation often stems from trying to do too much without clear intention. When we operate on autopilot, moving robotically through our days, we miss the richness life has to offer. This week, I invi...
Apr 01, 2025•13 min•Ep. 379
Do your teachers ever come to you with perceived problems they want your help solving? It's easy to get caught up in trying to solve every issue that comes your way, but what if some of those "problems" aren't really problems at all? In this episode, I share a powerful coaching conversation I had with a principal who was struggling with a teacher collaboration issue. We uncovered some key insights about how we can sometimes create our own problems by making assumptions and trying to force everyo...
Mar 25, 2025•21 min•Ep. 378
As a leadership coach, I've observed various leadership styles and approaches, and I've noticed that many school leaders are feeling distressed, concerned, and angry about the current state of education. The impact of leadership changes on schools, districts, communities, families, and students can be significant, and it's natural to feel a sense of uncertainty and fear. I explore the reasons why we fear change and offer practical strategies for navigating the challenges of leadership during tim...
Mar 18, 2025•25 min•Ep. 377
I share an excerpt from my Relationship Mastery program that dives into how to identify and approach people who engage in conflict for their own personal gain. Through my own journey with professional and personal relationships, I've gained valuable insights on how to navigate these tricky situations. Join me as we explore ways to create awareness around this behavior and tools to help shut it down. While we can't control how long someone chooses to stay mad, we can control how we approach the s...
Mar 11, 2025•16 min•Ep. 376
I dive into the concept of the two inner voices we all have - the voice of truth and the voice of fear. Understanding the role and purpose of each voice is crucial for school leaders who want to make aligned decisions and build strong relationships. Join me as I explain how to recognize these two voices and share strategies for tuning into your voice of truth more often. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with a powerful framework for navigating your inner world and showing up as a m...
Mar 04, 2025•30 min•Ep. 375
I sit down with Kristi Simons, a former teacher turned life coach who specializes in helping teens develop emotional intelligence and essential life skills. Through her own journey of self-discovery and transformation, Kristi has gained invaluable insights into the power of mindfulness, self-love, and embracing the full spectrum of human emotions. We dive deep into the challenges teens face in today's world and explore practical strategies for cultivating resilience, confidence, and a deep conne...
Feb 25, 2025•53 min•Ep. 374
I dive deep into the psychology behind our to-do lists and shares my insights on how to create a list that truly serves you. Let's explore the emotional relationship we have with our lists and how it impacts our ability to prioritize, delegate, and follow through on our commitments. Get ready to revolutionize your approach to task management and discover how to create a to-do list that empowers you to take control of your time and energy. By the end of this episode, you'll have the tools and min...
Feb 18, 2025•20 min•Ep. 373
In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, I share a raw and unfiltered message that I recently posted in my public Facebook group for school leaders. I dive deep into the struggles that so many principals and administrators face, especially when they’re new to the role or dealing with particularly challenging situations. If you’re suffering emotionally and feeling like you’re not cut out to be a leader, this episode is for you. I offer validation, support, and practical tips for acknowledg...
Feb 11, 2025•24 min•Ep. 372
In this raw and personal episode, I dive into what it feels like to be wrongly accused and labeled as the "bad guy" in leadership. I share my own experiences of being blamed for other people's feelings, decisions, and actions - and how I learned to navigate those painful situations with grace and empowerment. Join me as we explore the duality of leadership, the importance of emotional regulation, and how to stand confidently in your truth even when others misunderstand or attack you. You'll lear...
Feb 04, 2025•43 min•Ep. 371
In this episode, we'll explore why change is essential and how it can lead to innovation, creativity, and evolution in our schools. I share my own personal journey with change and how I've learned to embrace it rather than resist it. Get ready to shift your mindset and see change in a whole new light. We'll discuss practical strategies for not only accepting change but actually celebrating it. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with the tools and perspective to lead your school throu...
Jan 28, 2025•16 min•Ep. 370
In this episode, I'm diving deep into the root causes of the Sunday Scaries and offering practical strategies to shift your mindset and approach the week ahead with confidence and clarity. As a school leader, your mental and emotional well-being is crucial to your success and the success of your school. It's time to break free from the cycle of worry and embrace a more empowered way of leading. I share insights from my own journey as a principal and a coach, as well as proven techniques to help ...
Jan 21, 2025•24 min•Ep. 369
As a principal, it's easy to swing between being too nice and too strict in an attempt to avoid conflict or prove your authority. But what if there was a better way to respond to criticism and lead with confidence? Join me as we unpack the layers of defensiveness and discover how to communicate more effectively, even in challenging situations. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new perspective on defensiveness and practical strategies for managing your emotions and interactions as a schoo...
Jan 14, 2025•19 min•Ep. 368
The last few years have brought significant shifts in my personal life, and I'm so grateful to have had the support of coaching to navigate the intense emotions and challenges that came with it. Coaching has been an absolute game-changer for me, allowing me to rewrite the script, find joy amidst the pain, and come out stronger on the other side. I dive into the power of shifting our focus from trying to change people to looking at the systems in place. When we take the "shoulds" off the table an...
Jan 07, 2025•22 min•Ep. 367
In this powerful episode, I share the game-changing concept of "The Solution Cycle" - a framework that has transformed the way I approach leadership challenges. By shifting your mindset and focusing on generating solutions rather than dwelling on problems, you can tap into a newfound sense of clarity, confidence, and momentum. Join me this week as I walk you through the steps of The Solution Cycle and reveal how this approach can help you overcome any obstacle, inspire your team, and create last...
Dec 31, 2024•30 min•Ep. 366
In this episode, I share insights from a recent coaching call with one of my amazing clients who is a first-year principal. Through her example, I explore how to create next level results for your school by focusing on enhancing the quality of the experience for everyone within your community, and it goes beyond more than just academics. Learn how to create a vision for your school that goes beyond test scores and metrics, and instead focuses on how people think, feel, and engage with the enviro...
Dec 24, 2024•23 min•Ep. 365
I'm here this week to tell you that there is a way to silence the overwhelm - or at least turn down its volume. My guess is that you’re currently trying to outrun the overwhelm by working harder and faster, but the truth is it’s only leading to even more of it. The key is to stop, take a breath, and listen to what your emotions are trying to tell you, and I guide you through this process in this episode. I share my insights on managing the emotional intensity and fatigue that can come with being...
Dec 17, 2024•18 min•Ep. 364
I sit down with Andra Bostic and Sarah Murphy, the founders of The Principal Exchange, to discuss how their platform is revolutionizing the way principals access support and resources. Andra and Sarah bring a wealth of experience to the table, having worked as classroom teachers, reading specialists, instructional coaches, and administrators in public education. Through their work, they’ve traveled the country, building relationships with principals and gaining a deep understanding of the unique...
Dec 10, 2024•28 min•Ep. 363
