Episodes

As leaders, we are constantly shaping the environment around us, and the energy and mindset we bring play a powerful role in the impact we have. In this episode, I explore what it really means to lead from the inside out. From the concept of leadership energetics to the realities of stepping into new levels of responsibility, I share how your thoughts, emotions, and self-concept influence your decisions, your confidence, and your overall leadership experience. Find the full episode show notes ...

Burnout in schools is a real and growing concern, and as leaders, it’s important to not only recognize the signs but also to prevent it from taking hold. In this episode, I’m joined by Jasmin Dennis, a burnout expert who shares her insights on identifying, preventing, and addressing burnout in schools. Together, we explore how burnout manifests for school leaders, how it affects the school environment, and why it’s essential to take proactive steps toward prevention before it’s too late. Find ...

Have you ever found yourself stuck in childlike energy, acting from a place of immaturity instead of mature empowerment, when starting something new? As aspiring or new school leaders, we can experience moments when we feel like we’re operating from a place of fear, insecurity, or emotional reactivity rather than from true, aligned power. In this episode, I break down what childlike energy is and why it can feel so hard to break free from. This episode will guide you back to alignment, helping ...

What if the way we’ve been thinking about student behavior, engagement, and learning is missing a critical piece: the brain itself? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lisa Riegel, a former educator and expert in brain science, to explore how understanding neuroscience can completely shift the way you lead your school, support your teachers, and respond to your students. We dive into her work around the “8 C’s” and how school leaders can create the conditions for meaningful, lasting change. J...

What if preparing students for life after high school felt less overwhelming for both families and school leaders? In this episode, I sit down with Warren Buck, founder of Future Finders, to explore how we can better support students and families through the college admissions process. Warren brings a unique perspective as a former teacher and principal who now works directly with families to help students navigate their options after high school. Join us this week as we explore how the colleg...

Have you ever wondered how to stay in your power when everything around you feels uncertain or out of your control? As leaders, we talk about empowerment all the time, but the truth is, we naturally move in and out of it. Whether it’s a difficult conversation, a challenging staff situation, or something happening outside your school, it’s easy to feel thrown off and pulled into fear. In this episode, I break down what it really means to stay in your power and why it can feel so hard in the mome...

What happens when staff movement brings up both excitement and disappointment at the same time? In the spring season of school leadership, the movement of staff members becomes part of the HR landscape. Retirements, leaves, resignations, internal transfers, and district reassignments can all create a ripple effect across your campus, and those changes can bring up a mix of emotions that leaders do not always expect. Tune in this week to discover what it means to lead yourself through employee ...

What makes holding some staff members accountable feel easy while others make your stomach turn? As leaders, we often notice that accountability conversations feel very different depending on the person involved. Some staff naturally hold themselves accountable and welcome feedback. Others are eager to grow and see accountability as a collaborative process. And then there are the situations that feel much harder, where discomfort, fear, or uncertainty start to creep in. Join me this week as I ...

Dual language education is one of the most powerful ways schools can honor students’ identities while strengthening academic outcomes, and this week’s conversation makes that crystal clear. I’m joined by Instructional Superintendent at District of Columbia Public Schools Eric Bethel and Executive Director of The Sullivan Family Charitable Foundation Dr. Maggie Marcus for a rich discussion on bilingualism, multilingualism, and what it really looks like to teach content through two languages in a...

Have you ever reached the end of a season and realized you’re busy, productive… and completely out of rhythm? As winter wraps up and spring begins in the school year, it’s easy to slip from proactive leadership into reactive mode. Evaluations, HR decisions, IEP meetings, staffing conversations, and mounting expectations can create a snowball effect that leaves you feeling overwhelmed, even if you’re technically “getting it all done.” Tune in this week as I explore what happens when you move fr...

As a school leader, how do you navigate the constant pressure and stress of the job without losing sight of your own well-being? Leadership can often feel like an emotional balancing act: trying to manage expectations, navigate difficult situations, and balance your professional and personal life. And in this episode, we’ll explore how to handle the pressure, stress, and emotional turbulence that comes with school leadership, while also striving for satisfaction and fulfillment. Tune in this w...

As a school leader, you don’t stop being human just because you carry a title, yet many leaders feel pressure to compartmentalize their emotions in order to keep going. When the events happening in our communities and across the nation feel overwhelming, it can become harder to lead with clarity, presence, and compassion. In this episode, I’m speaking directly to the humanity of education and the emotional reality school leaders, teachers, students, and families are experiencing right now. This...

Feeling shame as a leader is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. Whether you’re grappling with a moment of emotional reaction or procrastination, it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling inadequate or disconnected from your true leadership potential. But what if I told you that shame could actually be a powerful tool to redirect you towards greater alignment and personal growth? Join me on this episode as I dive into the uncomfortable feeling of shame, especially in th...

Do you ever feel guilty about wanting nicer things for your school? Maybe it's fresh carpet in the office, a wellness room, or simply air fresheners to combat that musty smell. But then that voice creeps in: “Who am I to want this? We should be grateful for what we have.” Here's what I've learned after years of coaching school leaders: When you resist luxury, you're not just denying yourself - you're denying your entire school community. If you find yourself struggling to embrace luxury as a s...

Have you ever felt guilty for wanting things to be easier at your school... and then immediately felt selfish for wanting these things? What does it truly mean to experience luxury as a school leader? In part two of the Leadership Luxury Series, I explore the idea that luxury isn't about having all the things at your fingertips. It's about the energetic experience you have as a human walking on your campus, feeling proud of who you are, what you stand for, and the commitment of your teachers an...

What if luxury isn't about wealth, exclusivity, or expensive experiences at all? In this episode, the first of a three-part series, I explore the energetics of leadership and the empowerment we want to embody as school leaders. This isn't another "how-to" leadership training. This is an exploration of who you're being versus what you're doing. Join me today to hear how education itself is both essential and a luxury, and why the privilege of being in the field of education is something worth c...

As we step into 2026, I want you to imagine something powerful… What if you woke up every morning knowing that your leadership energy has the power to transform the educational experience for everyone in your school community? Not just hoping. Not just wishing. But knowing it in your soul. This week, I’m talking about what tapping into leadership energetics is about, and why it has the power to transform the educational experience for students, staff, families, and your entire community. If yo...

As we wrap up 2025 and settle into the holiday season, I have a special gift for you. Instead of adding to your already full plate, I've curated the most powerful moments, insights, and conversations from the past year of The Empowered Principal® Podcast. Think of it as your personal highlight reel, wrapped up with a bow. This best-of collection brings together transformative concepts that have resonated most deeply with my community: from understanding leadership as personal development to re...

Do you find yourself dreading the holidays instead of enjoying them? Maybe it's the pressure of sending hundreds of greeting cards, hosting the perfect party, or dealing with difficult family conversations. The truth is, most of us are trying so hard to meet everyone else's expectations that we forget to ask ourselves what we actually want. And once you fall into this pattern, the holidays become more about obligation than celebration. Join me this week as I dive into how to embrace your perso...

Have you noticed an uptick in complaining at your school lately? Maybe it's the constant venting about broken technology, construction delays, or just the general "heaviness" of the year. We've all been there, nodding along as someone vents, secretly agreeing with their frustrations. But when we jump in the pool with complainers, nobody's left on the sidelines to throw a life preserver. Tune in this week to discover a powerful approach to transform the culture of complaining into empowerment. ...

Have you ever noticed how kids approach new experiences? My 10-year-old niece came over the other night to bake brownies. When I asked if she'd found the recipe online, she said, "No, I just created it. I made it up and I want to try it.” Her confidence in her creative ability stopped me in my tracks. Because here's what I realized: We're all born creators, but somewhere along the way, we forget. Join me this week as I explore how we've all used this creative ability before. You’ll hear why ev...

Have you ever been in a relationship where you know something's wrong, but you're too afraid to talk about it because you don't want it to end? That's exactly what's happening in education right now. We're clinging to the old paradigm where we're the authority figures, students comply without question, and everyone understands the value of school. Deep down, we school leaders know that world doesn't exist anymore. We're struggling to articulate the value of what we offer, grappling with the ver...

Have you noticed how the value of education is being questioned by everyone - students, parents, even some of your staff? Since the pandemic, there's been an explosion of change in how people view school. Students question why they need to attend. Parents wonder if the curriculum still matters. And you're caught in the middle, trying to uphold standards while the ground shifts beneath your feet. The truth is, we're experiencing a massive disconnect between what educators believe school should b...

Have you ever felt so exhausted that even a full night's sleep doesn't help? Maybe you're dragging yourself to school each morning, fighting back tears in the parking lot. Or sitting in your car for an hour after work because you just can't face going inside yet. I get it. As educators, we give everything to our students… often at the expense of our own wellbeing. This week, I’m joined by Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh to explore her journey from burnout to balance, and how she discovered that teach...