In this episode of the Innovating Education Podcast, Dr. Riley Williams sits down with Dr. Jason Williamson—leadership expert, author, and founder of the Second Mile Initiative—for a powerful conversation on what it means to lead with purpose, accountability, and heart.

From his roots in a town of 81 people to roles as principal, military officer, and leadership consultant, Dr. Williamson shares transformative insights on how school and system leaders can move beyond obligation into choice—and cultivate cultures where excellence is not just expected, but chosen.

Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies from Dr. Williamson’s P.A.C.E. Framework, real-world examples of leadership under pressure, and a renewed vision for what servant leadership looks like in education today.

Topics Include:

The origins of the Second Mile Mentality

How to build collective commitments and sustain team culture

Balancing excellence with empathy in times of uncertainty

Why public schools aren’t broken—but often broken-hearted

More About Dr. Williamson

Website: iamjasonwilliamson.com

Connect on social: @IAmJasonWilliamson

Purchase the Second Mile: Encouragement on Amazon