Unfiltered Education

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Why are schools struggling to keep great educators and attract the next generation of talent? Brian sits down with Danny Bauer, author, school leadership coach, and host of the Better Leaders, Better Schools podcast, to unpack what’s driving talented educators away. Danny challenges traditional K–12 hiring and retention strategies and shares what leaders can do differently to create a culture where great people want to join, stay, and thrive.

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Smart professionals often fall into the trap of telling people what they want to hear to avoid immediate conflict. It's a natural response that prioritizes short term comfort over long term success. But choosing surface level politeness instead of honest communication ultimately erodes credibility, weakens relationships, and destroys trust over time. The most respected leaders are not the ones who avoid difficult conversations. They are the ones who communicate honestly, even when the truth is uncomfortable.

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Public schools are competing for families, but the bigger battle may be trust. Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth, Superintendent of Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD, joins Brian to challenge the national narrative around public education and unpack school choice, accountability, and what it takes to earn families’ confidence. Plus, he shares how EMS ISD is turning strategy into action with its Balanced Scorecard and “EMS 11.”

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Teachers are already doing what entrepreneurs do every day: managing people, solving problems, adapting on the fly, and making something work with limited resources. Former teacher and WIT founder Sarah Hernholm joins Brian to explain why educators should start thinking like entrepreneurs and give students more ownership, too. Sarah challenges the traditional school model and asks what it really takes to prepare kids for the real world.

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This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes at Caissa K12 for a real professional development session with our team. No polished presentation, just an unfiltered conversation about the communication habits that create friction, waste time, and hold teams back. From speaker’s amnesia and emotional overload to multitasking and the power of saying no, Brian breaks down what it actually takes to communicate clearly, think about your audience, and make sure your message lands.

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Bad data doesn’t always look bad. It can come wrapped in convincing numbers, polished headlines, and surveys designed to get a certain answer. This episode exposes the tricks behind misleading polls, manipulated questions, and questionable numbers, so you can spot bad data before it plays you.

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Brian Stephens breaks down a new federal school choice program taking effect in 2027 and what it could mean for public schools. He explains how the new tax-credit system works, where the money can go, and the differences in accountability between public schools and private education providers receiving public funds.

His message to district leaders: understand the new funding system, find out what resources your students may be eligible for, and be willing to compete for families.

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In this episode, Brian sits down with Amity Schuyler, President & CEO of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, to explore how education foundations can connect public schools with funding, businesses, and community partners to create more opportunities for students.

Amity breaks down Florida’s unique education foundation model, including how private dollars unlock state matching funds, and shares why strong relationships with families and communities matter as public schools navigate school choice, declining enrollment, and chronic absenteeism.  

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As districts welcome students back for a new school year, one question matters more than ever: How do you protect enrollment in an era of increasing school choice? In this special back-to-school episode, Brian shares practical strategies districts can implement immediately, from recovering no-show students and reducing chronic absenteeism to strengthening enrollment before funding is impacted. Don't miss the three strategies every district should implement this school year to protect enrollment and position students for success.

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Brian challenges the common claim that public schools have "had their chance" and failed by putting today's debate into historical context. He explains that for most of human history, education was reserved for a privileged few, and truly universal public education in the United States is a relatively recent achievement. Rather than viewing public education as a failed experiment, Brian argues it should be recognized as an unfinished promise that remains essential to the future of our communities and our country.