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

Too many school leaders wear burnout like a badge of honor. Dan Stecken was one of them—until he hit a wall. In this episode, Dan, the Superintendent of Seneca Township High School in Illinois, joins Darrin to share his powerful journey from overwhelmed and unhealthy to intentional and empowered.

Dan opens up about the toll leadership took on his health, the fallacy of servant leadership without self-care, and how shifting his mindset—and his habits—changed everything. Together, they discuss the real cost of constantly being “on,” how to stop being the help desk for your team, and the importance of building community and reclaiming purpose.

You’ll also hear about Dan’s book, Stressed Leaders Stay in the Game, and the immersive retreat experience he created to help other leaders shed the weight of burnout and rediscover their why.

In this episode:

• Why servant leadership needs a rewrite
• The myth of inbox zero
• Morning habits that set the tone for better leadership
• Building a leadership community where vulnerability is a superpower
• How Dan is helping leaders stay in the game

👉 Connect with Dan Stecken:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dan-stecken

Website: stressedleaders.com

📘 Grab the book: Stressed Leaders: Stay in the Game (Published by Road to Awesome)

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review to help other leaders find clarity and purpose on their journey.

In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard shares the framework and mindset behind truly effective leadership teams. Drawing on his work from coast to coast, including a recent workshop at the Innovative Schools Summit in Nashville, Darrin explains why high-performing leadership teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built with clarity, trust, and purpose.

Through powerful stories and practical takeaways, Darrin walks you through his AWESOME framework, a leadership model that has helped schools and districts across the country move from dysfunction to alignment. Whether you're leading a building or a district, this episode offers actionable insights to help your team become more aligned, accountable, and impactful.

• What separates great leadership teams from the ones that just get by
• The most common traits of ineffective teams (misalignment, lack of trust, unclear roles)
• How to implement the AWESOME Teams Framework:
• Accept the challenge
• Welcome feedback and support
• Examine your priorities
• Stand on your values
• Operate intentionally
• Model what you expect
• Engage in reflection
• Why team norms and trust are essential for collaboration
• How to align your leadership team around shared instructional goals
• The value of team retreats and neutral-facilitated reflection

• RoadToAwesome.net – Website
• The Principal Academy – Online leadership course
• Blog: Road to Awesome – Weekly leadership insights
• Book: Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader
• Book: Culture First Classrooms

• Instagram/Facebook: Darrin M Peppard
• TikTok/X: @DarrinMPeppard
• LinkedIn: Darrin Peppard
• Leadership Retreats: Contact via Road to Awesome

• Share this episode with your leadership team and start a conversation about how you work together.
• Reflect: What is one step your team will take this week to become more aligned and intentional?
• Looking for a leadership retreat or customized support for your team? Reach out to Darrin to schedule your session.

In Episode 224, Dr. Chris Fuzie joins Darrin for a fascinating conversation on behavior-based leadership and the concept of “liminal space”—the space where individuals lead and follow simultaneously. Drawing from his 28 years in law enforcement and extensive leadership consulting experience, Chris breaks down how leadership is not a position but a behavior, and how great leaders also embrace the role of the follower. This episode explores what gets in the way of effective leadership, why behavior matters more than titles, and how reshaping the leadership-followership dynamic is the next evolution in the field.

Guest Bio: Dr. Chris Fuzie is the owner of CMF Leadership Consulting and currently serves as the Business/HR Manager for a District Attorney’s office in California. A Leaderologist II and President of the National Leaderology Association, Chris holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), M.A., and B.A. in Organizational Leadership, with graduate certificates in Human Resources and Criminal Justice Education.

Since 2010, he has developed and delivered leadership training for public, private, profit, and non-profit organizations. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a former national instructor for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and California P.O.S.T. Courses. Chris is the author of Because Why... Understanding Behavior in Exigencies, S.C.O.R.E. Performance Counseling: Save the Relationship, Change the Behavior, and his latest book, Liminal Space: Reshaping Leadership and Followership.

Chris is honorably retired from the Modesto Police Department after 28 years of service, having led teams including the Homicide Team, Hostage Negotiations Team, Street-Level Drug Team, School Police Officer Team, and the Traffic Motor Unit.

Dr. Fuzie on Social Media: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-chris-fuzie-ed-d-m-a-ol-vl2-37587934/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090255232861

https://www.facebook.com/chris.fuzie/

https://x.com/CMFLeadership

WEBSITE:

https://www.cmfleadership.com/

https://www.scoreperformancecounseling.com/

In episode 223, Darrin wraps up the special six-part NASSP Principal of the Year finalist series with an inspiring conversation with Shauna Haney, Principal of Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah. Shauna shares her journey from teacher and coach to school leader, and how her coaching background helped shape her leadership philosophy.

We dig into the systems she and her team have put in place to support staff, build teacher-led professional development, and align their work around a shared vision rooted in ROAR: Relationships, Opportunity, Accountability, and Rigor. You’ll hear how her team has achieved a 95% staff retention rate and how small, intentional acts—like student-written postcards of appreciation and teacher shoutouts—help fuel a positive culture of gratitude.

Shauna also shares her approach to being present in the building, the importance of hallway zones and rolling desks, and how she's using data, teacher voice, and intentional leadership to make a lasting difference for her students and staff.

About Shauna Haney: Before becoming the principal of Ogden High School, Shauna Haney served as an assistant principal and taught exercise science, health, special education, and physical education. She’s a two-time Teacher of the Year and received a Distinguished Leadership Award in 2014. Known for her forward-thinking leadership, Shauna helped Ogden become one of Utah’s first schools to implement a no cell phone policy. Her focus on building a strong, supportive school culture has led to an impressive 90–95% staff retention rate post-COVID, and under her guidance, the school has made tremendous gains in literacy, graduation, PBIS, and talent development. Shauna credits the school’s success to the powerful synergy between staff, students, and a deeply supportive community.

Email Shauna: [email protected]

Books Mentioned:

The Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself – By Stephen Trzeciak & Anthony Mazzarelli

Rerouting: Resilience Tools and Tactics – By Duncan Kirkwood

Driven by Data: A Practical Guide to Improve Instruction

– By Paul Bambrick-Santoyo