In this episode, Jeff speaks with Gustavo Balderas, the superintendent of Beaverton School District in Oregon. Jeff and Gustavo discuss leadership, education's evolving landscape, and creating impactful systems for student success. Gustavo shares his inspiring journey from a migrant background to becoming a nationally recognized educational leader. Fun twist . . . Jeff was the superintendent in Beaverton, which added a delightful twist to their discussion. Learn about the challenges and strategies in modern educational leadership, the importance of equity, and the significance of building strong professional communities. Don't miss this insightful episode filled with practical advice and heartwarming stories about the power of education.

In this episode, Jeff dives into a dynamic conversation with Susanna Córdova, Colorado's first Latina Education Commissioner, and Allen Smith, Cognia's VP of Leadership Development. They discuss leadership, the significant changes in education post-COVID, the critical role of AI, and strategies to close educational inequities. Susana shares her inspiring career journey, her vision for the future of education, and actionable advice for leaders. Don't miss this insightful look into leading through change and making a lasting impact in education.

In this week's episode, the incredible Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer talks with Jeff about the complexities of educational leadership, gender and racial disparities, and leveraging AI in education. Learn from her experiences and insights on sustaining effective leadership and creating impactful policy changes.

In this episode, Dr. Christina Grant, the new Executive Director at Harvard's CEPR, speaks with Jeff about bridging research and practice in education. Jeff and Christina discuss the complexities of modern educational leadership, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and the role of politics in education. You will gain insights into Dr. Grant's journey and her vision for using research to advance equity and academic progress. This episode offers valuable perspectives for educational leaders navigating today's challenging landscape.

In this week's episode, Jeff and Leader Chat producer Kris Richard discuss Cognia's upcoming Leadership Circle Summit in January 2025.

In this engaging episode of Leader Chat, Jeff speaks with teacher educator and author of Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain, Zaretta Hammond. Jeff and Zaretta delve into the importance of culturally responsive teaching, productive struggle, and building strong teacher-student learning partnerships. Zaretta also discusses the integration of neuroscience with teaching practices and provides practical leadership strategies to support instructional equity. 

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Alicia Hughes, a seasoned virtual leader with over 14 years of experience. Jeff and Alicia explore the importance of setting norms and expectations for virtual learning, share strategies for engaging both students and adults online, and discuss the evolving landscape of virtual education post-COVID. Alicia provides practical advice for leaders to enhance virtual engagement and build strong, collaborative cultures in online spaces.

In this episode, Jeff is joined by the New York Times' bestselling author, Amanda Ripley. They discuss strategies for managing conflict in educational leadership, especially during politically chaotic times. Jeff learns about Amanda's journey, her valuable insights on handling conflict, and how leaders can adapt to changing dynamics. This episode is perfect for educators, school leaders, and anyone looking to foster meaningful conflict resolution.

In this episode, Jeff speaks with John Hope Bryant, a renowned entrepreneur and advocate for economic empowerment and CEO of Operation HOPE. They discuss John's mission to instill financial literacy and economic infrastructure in underserved communities. John describes the inspirational journey behind his recent book 'Financial Literacy for All' as well as the critical need to integrate financial education in schools for lasting impact. John makes a strong case for educators to make financial literacy a priority.

In this milestone 100th episode of Leader Chat, Jeff speaks to Arthur C. Brooks discusses his latest book, "Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier." Arthur is a Harvard professor, columnist for The Atlantic, and an accomplished author of 13 books. Jeff and Arthur discuss and explore the evolution of happiness studies, the transition from fluid to crystallized intelligence, and the importance of compassionate and metacognitive leadership. Arthur also shares insights from his diverse career, his collaboration with Oprah Winfrey, and practical advice for leaders on fostering well-being and managing emotions. Enjoy!