In this episode of Leading Out Loud, I sit down with my brilliant friend Monica Watts, Senior Director of Community Programs at 1EdTech, to unpack the world of data standards in education.

If that sounds technical, don’t worry; we make it practical. Because this episode is about demystifying the acronyms and architecture and leaning into the strategy and soul of the way these standards impact the classroom.

We explore how interoperability and open standards like CASE, OneRoster, and LTI create the foundation for aligned instruction, scalable ecosystems, and better learning experiences for students. Monica brings her signature clarity and warmth as we talk about why this moment matters for districts, for teachers, and for learners.

Whether you're just beginning your interoperability journey or knee-deep in system integrations, this conversation bridges the tech and the human and will leave you rethinking what your systems are really built for.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why interoperability is a people-first strategy

• What the Google x CASE integration actually unlocks

• How open standards power instructional alignment

• Where to start if your district is ready to take the next step

When tech doesn’t work, it’s not just frustrating; it’s disruptive. In this episode, I sit down with HubbleIQ founders Keyvan Berenjian and Belinda Batdorf to explore the human story behind their company. We’ll talk about the moment they realized the support experience was broken, why they felt called to fix it, and how their mission is rooted in making technology support faster, easier, and more human.

This isn’t a product demo. It’s a founder’s journey of vision, grit, and purpose. And of course, we’ll wrap with a laugh-and-learn moment that proves even in tech, humor is part of the process.

What if the most important part of AI in education… isn’t the AI?

In this episode of Leading Out Loud, Chantell Manahan sits down with Allison Reid, a visionary leader from Wake County Public Schools, to explore what it really means to lead human-centered AI work in K–12 education. From managing change at scale to building trust with school and district leaders, Allison shares her powerful approach to introducing innovation without losing sight of the people behind the systems.

You’ll hear:
– What human-centered AI looks like in real school settings
– How to lead innovation that sticks (and doesn’t burn people out)
– Why relationships, mindset, and yes, even humor, matter more than tech

Whether you're a district leader, principal, teacher, or edtech partner, this episode will leave you thinking differently about how we bring AI into our schools and why it must start with people.

What happens when a passionate data leader refuses to let essential work stay invisible?

In this episode of Leading Out Loud, I’m joined by Stacy Cunningham, Executive Director of the Indiana Education Data Alliance and a driving force behind elevating the role of data practitioners in schools. Stacy shares how a spark of conversation at the Ed-Fi Tech Congress turned into a full-fledged statewide movement in just six weeks, uniting state reporters and data leads from across Indiana.

We dive into:

• Why education data work is so much more than spreadsheets and state reports

• How Stacy’s mentorship experience with Project Unicorn is shaping mentorship for the next generation of data leaders in Indiana

• Why data governance isn’t just for tech teams and how every district can start operationalizing it

If you've ever overlooked the quiet heroes behind your district’s numbers, this conversation is your invitation to listen closer and lead louder.

Tune in and discover how turning rows and reports into relationships and results can transform the way we lead with data.

What happens when someone who’s led edtech in the trenches steps into the role of building it?

In this episode of Leading Out Loud, Chantell sits down with Barbara Nesbitt, a former district CTO turned Vice President of Product, to explore what it really takes to bridge the gap between schools and edtech companies. Barbara shares the surprises and similarities she’s discovered on both sides of the table, and why empathy, experience, and mission alignment matter more than ever in today’s education landscape.

From building better partnerships to amplifying educator voice in product design, Barbara’s insights are both practical and powerful. If you’ve ever felt the tension between classroom needs and vendor solutions, or wondered what authentic collaboration really looks like, this episode is for you.

Cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and phishing filters; it’s about people. In this inaugural episode of Leading Out Loud, Chantell Manahan sits down with Bill Stein, district CTO and creator of the brilliant “Cyber Shorts” series, to explore why storytelling might be the secret weapon education leaders have been missing in their cybersecurity playbook.

From hilarious cautionary tales to practical strategies that actually stick with staff, Bill shares how he’s helping educators move beyond compliance to true cyber confidence. Together, we dig into the mindset shifts, leadership visibility, and human-centered strategies that make cybersecurity a shared responsibility, not just an IT issue.

Whether you’re a tech leader, school principal, or someone who’s ever clicked the wrong link, this conversation is full of insight, empathy, and a few laughs along the way.

What does it really take to lead with creativity and courage in a system built on tradition? In this episode, Chantell sits down with educator, author, and edtech trailblazer Matt Miller to explore the mindset behind meaningful disruption, from his decision to ditch the textbook to his current work helping teachers navigate the promise and pressure of AI.

Together, they talk about what it means to lead out loud in today’s classrooms and districts, how small shifts can unlock big change, and why visibility, risk-taking, and heart still matter in a tech-driven world.

Whether you’re a teacher ready to shake things up or a district leader looking for fresh perspective, this conversation will leave you inspired to rethink what’s possible.

In this premiere episode, education leader and K–12 CTO Dr. Chantell Manahan shares the story behind the mic, from teaching French in a rural school district to becoming a voice for transformational leadership in education. You’ll hear how technology sparked her passion, what inspired her to move into school and district leadership, and why this podcast, Leading Out Loud, is built for today’s most dedicated and innovative educators.

From teacher support and edtech integration to district leadership, school communication, and authentic professional development, this episode sets the stage for what’s to come.

Whether you're a school technology director, instructional coach, superintendent, or someone who just believes in doing the right thing for students, Leading Out Loud is your space to amplify what matters most in education: real stories, bold ideas, and human-centered leadership.