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.

You’ve written your 100% Vision, embraced the language of Buildership, and maybe even started using some of the tools, but if you’re still making decisions, managing your team, and approaching your work like a leader, you’re going to stay stuck. In this episode, we’re unpacking the subtle ways leadership habits sneak back in, even when you believe in the vision, and why you can’t build a 100% school using the same strategies you used when you were chasing 5% gains. It’s not about working harder. It’s about working differently #LikeABuilder

Everyone focuses on getting teachers to stay. Almost no one asks what we can learn when they leave. That’s why this week, we’re doing a replay of one of our most talked-about episodes. You’ll discover a deceptively simple but deeply powerful strategy that most school leaders overlook, and why skipping it could be costing you insight, trust, and long-term alignment. Even if you’ve heard it before, listen again with fresh ears. There’s a good chance what you missed last year is exactly what you need to hear now to build a stronger school culture this year #LikeABuilder.

It’s that time of year when everyone’s quietly tapping out. Teachers, students, even your best systems seem to be running on fumes. But what if the real problem isn’t burnout… it’s cultural drift? In this episode, we're digging into why the usual end-of-year leadership advice falls flat and what Builders do differently to keep staff meaningfully engaged in May. If you’re ready to finish the year with purpose and set the stage for a stronger year next year, this episode will show you how to do it #LikeABuilder.

Next week, schools everywhere are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. But, what if we’re celebrating the wrong things? In this episode, we explore how appreciation can unintentionally reinforce exhaustion, compliance, or martyrdom, and how Builders do it differently. You’ll learn how to use Teacher Appreciation Week as a strategic moment to reinforce your school’s vision, elevate your culture, and align your team for what comes next. From the Builder’s Appreciation Formula to powerful WOW moments like the Block of Impact and the Builder Tunnel, this episode will help you celebrate with clarity and purpose so what gets celebrated now becomes what gets repeated all year long #LikeABuilder.

What if one 15-minute conversation could give you more insight than a walkthrough, a post-observation conference, or a data meeting ever could? In this episode, I’m sharing how quarterly one-on-ones helped me build deeper alignment, spark authentic reflection, and finally understand what was really happening in classrooms. You’ll hear how I used them, what shifted, and why they’re the most powerful system most school administrators aren’t using (yet). If you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing accountability, clarity, or follow-through…this might be the missing piece.

When everything feels like it’s falling apart—mandates shift, morale dips, and chaos creeps into the day-to-day—most principals scramble to hold things together. But Builders do something different. Instead of reacting, they anchor. In this episode, Discover how the Buildership Model isn’t something you abandon in hard times—it’s what carries you through them. In fact, when time's get tough, Builders double down on purpose, people, and process because doing so isn’t idealistic, it’s strategic. If you’re tempted to hustle harder or power through, this episode is your reminder: there’s a better way. Stay grounded in your purpose, lean on your people, and trust your processes (even when the pressure’s on) #LikeABuilder.