Throwback Thursday! Is Financial Literacy Working?

Originally Released On: 7-15-2022

This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:

✅ Dr. Thomas shares how we should conceptualize financial literacy.

✅ Dr. Thomas discusses barriers students and families routinely encounter when learning about financial literacy.

Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 

Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Episode #124 is up!  Check it out!!!

Special Guest Rae Hughart, CEO and Founder of Teachers Deserve It, joins Dr. Woods on episode #124 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss her book Teachers Deserve It!, co-authored with Adam Welcome. In this episode, they explore the inspiration behind the book, the “why” that drives educators to teach, and how these powerful motivations often go unnoticed. Together, they highlight the importance of celebrating and uplifting the teaching profession.

Throwback Thursday! The Throwaway Kids: Combating the Stereotype

Originally Released On: 4-9-2021

This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:

✅ Mirko discusses the obstacles that stand in the way of making sure that every student succeeds.
✅ Mirko shares what can be done to ensure that students who had experiences similar to his are able to be seen, heard and succeed.

Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.

🎧👉 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform or at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-out-the-woods/id1507447161

🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Throwback Thursday! Inside the Schoolhouse: What Great Principals Know and Do featuring Dr. John Gratto

Originally Released On: 8-13-2021

This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:

✅ Dr. Gratto shares an overview of his book, “Inside the Schoolhouse: What Great Principals Know and Do.”
✅ Dr. Gratto discusses the key concepts that assistant principals and principals can take away from the book.

Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 

🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

In this episode, Dr. Woods highlights a powerful shift for school leaders: learning to recognize and celebrate the small wins that fuel long-term success. Big transformations rarely happen overnight—but small, consistent victories build the momentum that drives lasting change. From a student reaching a behavior goal, to smoother transitions, to a teacher trying a new strategy, these wins create energy, trust, and morale across a school.

Episode #123 is up!  Check it out!!!

Invisible No More: The Truth About Rural Education

Special Guest Dr. Jamon Flowers, Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia, joins Dr. Woods on episode #123 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss Invisible No More: The Truth About Rural Education. In this episode, they unpack the unique challenges and opportunities within rural schools, highlighting the importance of access and advocacy to ensure rural students and communities are no longer overlooked.

Throwback Thursday! Augmenting the Reality of Education Through Immersive Experiences featuring Dr. Alfonso Mendoza

Originally Released On: 2-25-2022

This week, we’re revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:
✅ Dr. Mendoza shares why ARVR in Education helps increase student engagement and instruction.
✅ Dr. Mendoza discusses where he sees the future of education headed with this technology.

Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today. 🎧👉 

🕰️ Don’t forget to check back every Thursday for more Throwback episodes!

Summer Leadership Recharge

In this episode of Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition, Dr. Woods sits down with Dr. Alex Carter, Vice President of Field Implementation at the Colorado Education Initiative, for an insightful conversation on the concept of the “Warm Demander.” Together, they unpack how school leaders can balance high expectations with genuine care, creating an environment where students and staff are both challenged and supported. Designed for current and aspiring principals, this episode offers practical approaches to strengthen relationships, build trust, and inspire success in the year ahead.

Anchor Chat #21: The ‘Why’ Behind the Rules

In this episode, Dr. Woods explores an essential yet often overlooked question in schools: Do students (and staff) truly understand the "why" behind the rules? Rules without context can feel restrictive—but when we explain the purpose behind them, we build trust, consistency, and a stronger school culture. Dr. Woods shares insights on how intentional communication and clarity around expectations can shift behavior and promote a more respectful learning environment.

Summer Leadership Recharge

In this episode of Summer Leadership Recharge: Principal Edition, Dr. Woods is joined by Dr. Shameka Gerald, Managing Director - 2Revolutions, to discuss "Leading Through Change: Managing Transitions & Challenges." This episode offers actionable strategies and reflective prompts to building principals to lead their teams through periods of uncertainty or change, while avoiding burnout and building a culture of collective resilience.