In this episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard is joined by Dr. Kacy Shahid and Dr. Kevin Lein, members of NASSP’s Principal Recovery Network. They share their personal journeys through tragedy, the lessons they’ve learned, and the hope they bring to school leaders everywhere.

• Leading through crisis and recovery
• The role of empathy, vulnerability, and preparation
• How the Principal Recovery Network supports school leaders
• The Principal Recovery Network Guide and how it helps communities heal
• Why “heartening schools” is as important as hardening them
• Practical advice for leaders on rest, trust, and courage

Dr. Kacy Shahid transitioned from substitute teacher to principal in six years, eventually leading her alma mater, Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis. After experiencing the tragedy of a school shooting in 2022, she found renewed purpose in advocacy and healing. She is the author of Know Your Place, Run Your Race and the 90-day journal HEARTWORK. She currently serves as a Strategic Advisor and Community Engagement Lead in Higher Education.

📌 Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram/Twitter: @DrKacyShahid | Facebook: Kacy Shahid

Dr. Kevin Lein is an assistant professor at Wayne State College (NE) with over 35 years of experience in education as a teacher, coach, principal, and higher education leader. A survivor of a school shooting, Dr. Lein has become a leading advocate for personalized learning, system reform, and safe schools. He is a founding member of the Principal Recovery Network and a national voice for heart-centered leadership.

In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard dives into the leadership buzzwords we all hear — and probably use — without stopping to define. Words like collaboration, accountability, engagement, data-driven, and professional development can either sharpen our work or blur it entirely, depending on how leaders frame them.

Darrin shares Webster’s definitions of 10 powerful words, explores how they’re often misused in both education and corporate spaces, and provides leadership takeaways for creating clarity.

If you’ve ever told your team you want more “collaboration” or asked for “rigor” without explaining what that means, this episode is for you.

Takeaways:

• Why words lose their power when they’re left undefined
• 10 common buzzwords and what they should mean
• How clarity in language creates clarity in action

Words are powerful — but only when leaders define them clearly.

• 00:00–02:25 | Introduction, inspiration for the episode, why words matter
• 02:25–04:45 | The danger of buzzwords without definition
• 04:48–07:12 | Word #1: Collaboration
• 07:12–09:34 | Word #2: Accountability
• 09:34–12:02 | Word #3: Engagement
• 12:02–15:41 | Word #4: Curriculum
• 15:41–17:32 | Word #5: Rigor
• 17:32–20:47 | Word #6: Fidelity
• 20:47–23:19 | Word #7: Best Practices
• 23:19–24:54 | Word #8: Data-Driven
• 24:54–26:38 | Word #9: Expectations
• 26:38–30:17 | Word #10: Professional Development
• 30:17–End | Wrap-up, leadership challenge, and call to action

Connect with Darrin on social media @DarrinMPeppard on all platforms

Website: www.roadtoawesome.net

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Dr. Jason Williamson—speaker, author, and creator of the Second Mile Mentality—to explore how leaders move beyond minimum expectations and build cultures where presence becomes proof. From a tiny Arkansas town to college athletics and the principal’s office, Jason’s journey shaped a practical framework for resilience, excellence, and intentional service.

He unpacks the Second Mile philosophy (go above the job description), the PACE model (Purpose • Affirmation • Collaboration/Control • Engagement), and concrete strategies for modeling, celebrating growth, and handling resistance without taking it personally. If you’re an early-career AP/Principal or a veteran leader sharpening your edge, this episode delivers playbook-ready tactics.

In this episode:

• Tech hiccups, persistence, and the leadership lesson of “find a way”
• From Ozan, AR (pop. 81) to college athletics: foundations of service-first leadership
• Second Mile leadership: presence → proof; kindness, eye contact, enthusiasm
• Turning customer-service training into school culture (the “my pleasure” mindset)
• Modeling what matters: visibility in halls, classrooms, and duty posts
• PACE core values in action:
• Put students first
• Focus on learning
• Support each other
• Commit to growth
• Engage in the process
• Dealing with disengagement and tough feedback without getting defensive
• Preparing assistant principals for the leap to the principal’s chair

Connect with Dr. Jason Williamson

Website & socials: IAmJasonWilliamson.com and @IAmJasonWilliamson

LinkedIn: JasonWilliamsonEDD

Linktr.ee - Jason Williamson

In Episode 233 of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard welcomes Brad Waid — award-winning Emerging Technology Leader, international keynote speaker, and global futurist. Brad shares insights from his forthcoming book Racing the Future: How Industry 4.0 Is Shaping the World of Work, Business, and Education.

They explore the intersection of AI, Industry 4.0, and education — from classroom adoption and teacher hesitancy to corporate applications and future workforce demands. Brad explains how technology can enhance, not replace, our humanity, why soft skills remain critical, and how industries like automotive are re-skilling workers as automation grows.

Listeners will learn about the five-step process Brad uses to help schools and organizations embrace AI responsibly, the misconceptions around jobs being replaced, and how leaders in any sector can stay ahead by building awareness and focusing on people.

Brad also shares his personal journey from third-grade teacher to global futurist, the story behind the title Racing the Future, and his current passion for mentoring and coaching others to elevate their leadership.

Pre-order Racing the Future now on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and connect with Brad at bradwaid.com or newhorizonsglobal.net.

In this solo episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard dives into the heartbeat of every great school: its culture. Drawing from personal experiences as a principal and superintendent, as well as insights from his writing and coaching, Darrin unpacks six essential elements of school culture and how leaders can directly influence each one.

From clarity of vision to the importance of celebration, he explores how daily actions and leadership choices either strengthen or weaken the culture we want for our schools. You’ll hear stories from his own leadership journey—including lessons from coaching, team retreats, and learning to stop being “Captain Chaos”—and walk away with strategies you can put into practice immediately.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why clarity of purpose and vision is the anchor for culture
• How trust and psychological safety empower staff and students to take risks
• The role of relationships and belonging in creating connected schools
• Ways to reinforce culture through celebration and recognition
• Why consistency and accountability protect trust and fairness
• How leaders shape culture through modeling and intentionality

Culture isn’t a poster or program—it’s the lived reality in your classrooms, hallways, and community. As leaders, you are the culture carriers.

Grab my free School Leaders Planner here to help you prioritize what matters most, block time with intention, and stay focused on the work only you can do.

Grab an autographed copy of Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader

This week on the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jen Schwanke, a seasoned educator, author, and deputy superintendent with nearly three decades of experience. Together, we explore the history of public education and why times of societal unrest so often result in schools being placed under the spotlight.

Dr. Schwanke shares insights from her doctoral research, her leadership journey, and her brand-new book, Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools. We dig into:

• Why schools feel under attack during turbulent times—and why this isn’t new.
• How leaders can avoid the traps of denial, defensiveness, or despair when criticism comes.
• The importance of being trust willing as well as trustworthy.
• Why strong systems are essential for good people to thrive.
• Practical advice for new principals handed the master keys for the first time.
• Strategies for instructional leadership when you don’t feel like an expert in every content area.
• How to build authentic trust with staff, parents, and students—and why curiosity beats judgment every time.

Whether you’re stepping into school leadership for the first time or looking to sharpen your ability to lead with trust and positivity, Dr. Schwanke’s wisdom will help you show up with courage, clarity, and relentless optimism.

📚 Learn more about Dr. Schwanke’s work and books: JenSchwanke.com

✉️ Sign up for her newsletter: Principal Problems with Dr. Jen

🎧 Listen to her on the Principal Matters podcast

What if your approach to leadership could be defined by just six words: Be brave, and care about people?

Julia Bialeski has lived those words throughout her 20+ year career in public education, serving as a teacher, instructional specialist, assistant principal, elementary principal, and now Coordinator of Recruitment and Hiring for the Howard County Public School System in Maryland. She’s also the author of Leading with Grace: Cultivating Hope, Authenticity, and a Focus on People Throughout the Leadership Lifespan.

In this episode, Julia and I explore:

• Her framework for the leadership lifespan — what it is and why it matters for leaders at every stage.
• How to enter a new leadership role with purpose, clarity, and strong relationships.
• The essential connection between recruitment, hiring, and retention — and why listening is your best strategy.
• The systems and boundaries leaders need to protect wellbeing and model it for others.
• How to build long-term pipelines for talent in schools and districts.

Whether you’re a brand-new administrator or a seasoned leader starting a new chapter, Julia’s insights will help you navigate change with authenticity, focus, and grace.

WEBSITE: juliabialeski.com

Link to book: https://a.co/d/9jvD9Nk 

Link to subscribe to my free weekly Strategic Serenity newsletter: http://eepurl.com/jhBD3s 

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

Instagram: @julia.bialeski

The energy of a new school year is electric — but how do you make sure it lasts past the first bell in August? In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard shares five intentional leadership moves to keep your momentum alive from day one to the final bell. Drawing from his own experience as a principal, superintendent, and leadership coach, Darrin gives practical, actionable strategies you can start using right now. From anchoring your year with regular check-ins to guarding your calendar like your culture depends on it, these steps will help you start strong and stay strong through every season of the school year.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why momentum isn’t magic — and how to build it intentionally
• How to schedule “pulse checks” that keep your team aligned
• The difference between empowerment and just delegating tasks
• How to resist “shiny object syndrome” and stay focused on what matters most
• Small celebration and gratitude habits that reinforce your culture
• Why your calendar is one of your most powerful culture tools

If you want to keep your August energy alive in October, January, and beyond — this episode is for you.

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Dr. Chad Dumas—PLC expert, consultant, and author of the new book The Teacher Team Leader Handbook. Together, they unpack what it takes to build highly effective PLCs in schools, with a strong focus on clarity, trust, and the role of teacher team leaders.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Why PLCs often get stuck—and how to move them forward
• The three critical responsibilities of a PLC team leader
• How to create psychological safety and trust on collaborative teams
• Why conflict can be productive (if it’s managed well)
• Strategies for building leadership capacity across your staff
• Why vulnerability isn't weakness—it's the first step to trust
• How to start strong, whether you’re launching a new school or relaunching PLCs
• And yes... Chad shares his current top-ranked BBQ spot 🍖

Whether you're a principal, team leader, or district leader, this episode offers practical strategies and real talk about what it takes to build and sustain thriving teams.

📚 Learn more about Chad’s books:

• Teacher Team Leader Handbook: Simple Habits to Transform Collaboration in a PLC at Work
• Let’s Put the C in PLC: A Practical Guide for School Leaders
• An Action Guide to Put the C in PLC: Reflecting and Doing

📍 Mentioned in this episode:

• Google’s Project Aristotle on effective teams
• Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team
• The concept of "giraffe conversations" and inclusion vs. icebreakers

🎧 Tune in and walk away with tools to support your team, grow leaders from within, and lead with greater clarity.

In this special joint episode of Leaning Into Leadership and Aspire to Lead, Darrin Peppard and Joshua Stamper team up once again for their annual back-to-school leadership conversation.

As educators and leaders gear up for a new year, Darrin and Joshua dive deep into:

• What clarity looks like at the start of the school year
• How new leaders can define success before the chaos begins
• Building relationships and trust before pushing new initiatives
• The power of clearly modeling expectations
• Making feedback, coaching, and support part of your leadership culture
• Practical ways to sustain clarity, energy, and intentionality all year long

Whether you're just stepping into leadership or returning for your 20th year, this episode offers real-world strategies to help you start strong and stay focused on what matters most.

👉 Related blog post: Clarity for School Leaders – What to Do Now to Set Your Team Up for Success

Joshua Stamper initially used his artistic talent and creative thinking as a professional graphic designer before transitioning into public education, where he found his calling in helping students express themselves and thrive. His own struggles as a student inspired his mission to challenge the status quo of education, promote innovative practices, and lead with empathy.

Joshua has served as a middle school Assistant Principal in North Texas for the past eight years, across four campuses and two districts. In addition to his administrative work, he is the author of Aspire to Lead, host of the Aspire to Lead podcast, a leadership coach, and educational presenter.

Joshua and his wife Leslie are the proud parents of five children, three of whom they adopted from foster care. They are both trained in trauma-informed practices, which Joshua incorporates into his leadership style.

Check out Joshua's new book (co-authored with Charle Peck) The Language of Behavior: A Framework to Elevate Student Success

📲 Connect with Joshua:

Website: www.joshstamper.com

Twitter/Instagram: @Joshua__Stamper