In this episode, I’m talking about the double isolation that so many principals silently carry: First, the weight of being the only one in their building who can’t show weakness, who’s expected to solve everything, and who rarely gets support in return. And second, the loneliness of being a Builder in a district full of status-quo thinking where no one else seems to believe that 100% student success is even possible. If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one who wants more for your school, this episode is for you. I’ll share what’s really behind that isolation, why it’s not your fault, and what can happen when you stop trying to do this work on your own.

It’s go-time. The halls are getting decorated, the PD agendas are set, and you’re knee-deep in first-day prep. But here’s the hard truth: all that effort? It won’t build alignment. And if you’re not intentionally building alignment from Day 1, the best you can hope for is short-term compliance—and even that fades by fall.

In this episode, I’ll unpack:

• Why alignment feels impossible during the back-to-school scramble (and why it’s not your fault)
• The hidden trap even good principals fall into this time of year
• 3 simple shifts that can turn your staff from compliant to committed—even before school starts

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working harder than ever and still not getting the traction you want, this episode will show you what to do instead #LikeABuilder.

Preservice week comes with a lot of pressure. You’re expected to set the tone, cast the vision, get everyone excited—and somehow make it all stick. But if you’ve ever walked into the year full of energy only to feel it unravel by October, this episode will show you why.

I’m breaking down the three subtle mistakes that quietly sabotage alignment before the school year even begins, and how to avoid them. These aren’t about working harder or delivering the perfect motivational message. They’re about making small but powerful shifts that take the weight off your shoulders and set your staff up to stay aligned long after the first week hype fades.

If you want to start the year with more clarity and less pressure, this episode will help you prepare like a Builder.

For years, I believed that staff buy-in was the key to real school transformation. I thought that if I could just get everyone excited, inspired, and on board, the work would take care of itself.

But I was wrong.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why buy-in isn’t just ineffective, it’s actually a trap. Because if someone can buy in, they can also sell out. And that’s exactly what’s happening in schools everywhere. One minute your team’s nodding along, and the next they’re doing the opposite of what you agreed to.

You’re not crazy. You’re not doing it wrong. You’ve just been chasing the wrong goal.

I’ll show you what to aim for instead and why it’s the only path to a staff that moves with you, not against you.

If you’re tired of begging people to care and ready to lead with clarity, this episode will show you how.

Let’s stop selling the vision and start building it #LikeABuilder

We tend to treat people problems as if they are all different and require different solutions for each situation. But in today's episode, I’m going to make the case that every people problem you face -- whether it’s a resistant teacher, a toxic culture, or a broken relationship with your team -- are all different versions of the exact same problem: A lack of Alignment. And, I’m also going to show you how the solutions we’ve been taught to apply -- writing people up, having tough conversations, working on the relationship, etc. -- won’t solve these problems.

However, there is a solution and I’m going to break it down in today's episode.

By the time you’re done listening, you’ll know how to stop wasting time dealing with these type of challenges one-by-one and apply the ONE solution that will solve them all #LikeABuilder.

At their best, PLCs are a space where teachers solve real instructional problems, grow together, and make a measurable difference for students. But for too many schools, PLCs have become rigid, compliance-driven meetings that leave teachers disengaged and frustrated. In this episode, we unpack why most PLCs have lost their way—and what it takes to bring them back to life. You’ll discover the one thing every successful PLC does differently, the hidden reason your teams may be going through the motions, and a smarter way to reboot your PLCs so they actually improve instruction. If your teams are stuck in checklist mode or you’re tired of pretending your PLCs are working when they’re not, this episode is your wake-up call. If your PLCs feel like busywork instead of a powerful engine for student success, this episode will challenge you to see them in a whole new way—#LikeABuilder.

It’s here! Our annual Summer Reading List episode, and it’s one of our most popular for a reason. This year, I’m sharing five non-education books every educator should read -- smart, practical, thought-provoking titles that weren’t written for school administrators but offer powerful insights every Builder can use. From rethinking professional development to designing systems that actually work, this year’s picks will help you design smarter systems, and create the kind of school culture where success becomes predictable. If you’re ready for fresh ideas, bold thinking, and a few game-changing “aha” moments, you’ll want to grab these titles and then put them into action #LikeABuilder

You’ve got the vision. You’ve listened to the podcast. You’ve even started trying some Buildership moves in your school. But if you’re still piecing things together without a real plan or support, you’re not building—you’re borrowing. And borrowing might be the very thing holding you back. In this episode, we’re getting honest about what it really takes to go from “inspired” to in motion—and why dabbling in Buildership can’t deliver 100% success. This isn’t about pressure. It’s about possibility. Let’s talk about what shifts when you stop collecting strategies and start owning the work #LikeABuilder.

If you’re always the one carrying the plan—chasing the deadlines, keeping the vision alive, and pushing things forward while your team drifts—this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m sharing the moment I realized traditional summer planning was setting school leaders up to fail. I’ll tell you the story that changed everything for me, why most SIPs fall apart by October, and how you can shift from compliance-based plans to ones your team actually owns. If you’re already thinking about next year, this is the episode you need before you start planning so you can plan this summer #LikeABuilder.

You’re probably wrapping up the school year and already planning for next year, believing better plans mean better results. But what if that belief is fundamentally flawed? In this episode, discover why even your best plans fall apart without a compelling vision. Learn why Builders spend their summers differently—crafting visions that truly align and energize their teams. Stop wasting time on tactics that won't stick and make this the summer you build something truly transformative #LikeABuilder.