Leaning into Leadership

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 share…

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, a…

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 explor…

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, servin…

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 kee…

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…

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 …

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…

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 Innovati…

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.…

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. Shaun…

In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Darrin sits down with fellow high school principal and podcast host Jeff Linden, Principal of Hastings High School in Nebraska. With a shared p…

In this powerful episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Miguel Salazar, principal of Sundown Middle School and NASSP National Middle School Principal of the Year finalist. Miguel shares his deepl…

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin sits down with Joe LaTorre, a middle school English teacher, team coordinator, and founder of the Bridges program in Long Island, NY. Joe shares how…

In this fourth installment of our special NASSP Principal of the Year series, Darrin sits down with Terita Walker, principal of Denver East High School and one of three finalists for NASSP’s 2025 Nat…

In this third episode of our NASSP National Principal of the Year Finalist series, we head to Ketchikan, Alaska, where Sherilynn Boehlert serves as the principal of Schoenbar Middle School. Sheri sha…

Episode Summary:

Teacher evaluation has long been a source of frustration—for both educators and administrators. In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, I sit down with Craig Randall, …

In this inspiring episode of Leaning Into Leadership, we continue our NASSP National Principal of the Year series with Tony Cattani, a finalist for the 2025–2026 National High School Principal of the…

In this powerful kickoff to our NASSP Principal of the Year finalist series, Dr. Damon Lewis of Ponus Ridge STEAM Academy in Norwalk, CT shares his incredible leadership journey—from paraeducator to …

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Chris Culver brings the energy, insight, and authenticity that’s made him a rising national voice in school leadership and culture. A former principal …