Resistance Isn't the Enemy — Here's How to Work With It, Not Against It

New staff. New initiatives. New curriculum. And right alongside all of it: resistance. Every school leader hits it heading into a new year — the question is what you do with it.

In this episode, I sit down with Becca Silver, author of The Resistance Solution, who drops a line that reframes the whole conversation: "Resistance is a human experience and not something to be demonized." We dig into why resistance shows up when change lands, how to stop treating it as a problem to eliminate, and what it actually takes to lead people through it instead of around it.

If you're planning your goals and initiatives for the year ahead, this episode will change how you think about the pushback before it even happens.

In This Episode:

• Why resistance shows up every time change enters a school — new staff, new initiatives, new curriculum
• Becca Silver's reframe: resistance as a human experience, not something to fix or fight
• What changes when you stop treating pushback as a problem to eliminate
• Practical ways to lead people through resistance instead of steamrolling past it
• How this mindset shift sets you up for a stronger year ahead

Links Mentioned:

• The Resistance Solution by Becca Silver
• The Whole Educator Podcast with Becca Silver
• Learn about The Clarity Cycle Framework for Schools

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This week, you'll hear what reframing negative feedback actually looks like. I share a snippet from a real coaching call with a seasoned English teacher who's carried one critical note from a previous principal for ten years. Listen for the questions, the reflective stems, and the pauses — that silence is the reflection doing its work.

New here? Start with last week's episode, "You Got One Bad Note — Now Why Can't You Let It Go?"

Read the article, Personifying the Red Mark.

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One critical comment. That's all it takes to overshadow everything else that went right. In this episode, we explore why negative feedback carries so much more weight than it deserves, what that habit costs us, and how to stop giving a single red mark so much power over how we see ourselves and our work. Based on the article Personifying the Red Mark, this conversation gets honest about what it means to turn criticism into something bigger than it is — and what it looks like to finally put it in its place.

Read the article, Personifying the Red Mark.

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Do you struggle to make your message heard or gaining the confidence to state your message boldly? Former Hollywood actor and RADA teacher Dominic Colenso joins us to share the core ingredients of "cut-through," helping leaders and sales teams perform when it matters most. He reveals simple ways to distill your thinking and bring immediate clarity to your message, ensuring your leadership stands out from the crowd.

By the time he was 26, Dominic Colenso had flown a spaceship, lost a million dollars, and been fired by Simon Cowell. A former Hollywood actor and RADA teacher, he now helps leaders and sales teams cut through the noise and perform when it matters most.

Connect with Dominic here:

https://www.youtube.com/@Dominiccolenso 

Cut Through: The Pitch and Presentation Playbook

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Do you have a clear roadmap for your leadership journey? Julia Bialeski and I explore why every woman needs a personal career mission and vision to navigate the complexities of leadership. Join us to have a candid and clear conversation!

Connect with Julia here:

Julia Bialeski is a leadership practitioner, author, and speaker with more than 20 years of experience leading people and organizations through change, growth, and complexity. Her career spans roles as a teacher, school principal, professional development facilitator, and systems-level leader, giving her a deep understanding of the human side of leadership at every stage.

Recognized for excellence in leadership and innovation, Julia was named the 2025 recipient of the University of Maryland College of Education’s Outstanding Alumni Award. She is the author of Leading with Grace: Cultivating Hope, Authenticity, and a Focus on People Throughout the Leadership Lifespan, a widely used resource for aspiring, new, and experienced leaders seeking to lead with clarity, courage, and heart.

Julia is known for connecting with audiences through compelling personal stories and practical insights. She is deeply passionate about personal and professional development, mentorship, and helping leaders—especially women—integrate their work and personal lives through intentional, strategic, and sustainable approaches. Her work is grounded in her guiding mantra: Be brave, and care about people.

Website: juliabialeski.com 

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/julia-bialeski-7a4a122a9 

Instagram: julia.bialeski

YouTube: JuliaBialeski

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Are you avoiding the high-stakes discussions that your school community needs most? Join Tiffany Burns and Erika Bare as they share about their practical playbook for navigating tough conversations, de-escalating tension, and ensuring every interaction leads to a successful resolution. Gain the tools you need to overcome communication barriers and lead your team with greater confidence.

Connect with Erika and Tiffany:  http://www.connectingthroughconversation.com 

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In this episode, Casey sits down with Kim Gameros — educator, author, and founder of SELebrate Good Times and Teaching Inside Out — to talk about reimagining how teachers grow, connect, and thrive.

In this episode:

• How Kim's VIBEDU conference (Educators Defining Unity) throws out the slide decks and creates real, collaborative connection
• Why inclusion means making space for every voice — including neurodivergent speakers like former student Lucy
• The 3 AM moment that finally brought Kim's book Becoming the Bison to life after 3.5 years of writing
• Kim's vision for PD that feels like "a deep exhale" — not more work on your plate

If you're an educator craving community over competition, this one's for you.

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I used to second-guess everything. Not just menial decisions like what to wear, but big, life-changing things—my ability to lead a workshop, write a book, or even be a good friend or mom. If you’ve ever found yourself questioning if you're experienced, qualified, or worthy of a new opportunity, you know how exhausting that self-doubt is.

In this episode, I'm sharing the three powerful truths I learned about second-guessing. We’ll dive into how this natural brain response is secretly costing you more than just time! If you're ready to become your own 'thought-interruptor' and gain the clarity it takes to finally end the significant cost of second-guessing, tune in!

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I'm sharing the honest story behind the rebrand — what the old name got right, what it missed, and why my audience is the reason everything is changing. Same mission. Bigger clarity.

Your teams are itching for CLARITY!  That can be a complex thing to provide.  But I have a framework that guides you to do just that– gain and create clarity!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/claritycycleframework 

Ready to build the habits of a clarity-driven leader? Get ⁠The Craft of Clarity⁠ book!

Bring Casey to your next event to speak!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/speaking 

Subscribe to my newsletter to get the resources mentioned in podcast episodes!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/newsletter 

You can feel the moment slipping. The room is distracted, disengaged, and nobody's saying why. In this episode, Casey shares the real story of the day she stopped her own training — and what happened when she said out loud what everyone was already thinking. What are you waiting for permission to say?

Read about this episode here on Substack!

Your teams are itching for CLARITY!  That can be a complex thing to provide.  But I have a framework that guides you to do just that– gain and create clarity!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/claritycycleframework 

Ready to build the habits of a clarity-driven leader? Get ⁠The Craft of Clarity⁠ book!

Bring Casey to your next event to speak!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/speaking 

Subscribe to my newsletter to get the resources mentioned in podcast episodes!  www.catchingupwithcasey.com/newsletter