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What if one of the most powerful leadership lessons isn't found in the principal's office—but inside a classroom?In this episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with educator, author, and Teaching Ins…

What if one of the m…

What if one of the most powerful leadership lessons isn't found in the principal's office—but inside a classroom?In this episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with educator, author, and Teaching Inside Out founder Kim Gameroz to discuss why intentionality—not simply strategy—is what transforms classrooms, educators, and school culture.Kim shares the inspiration behind her book Becoming the BISON, explains why bison run into storms instead of away from them, and introduces her powerful framework:Be Intentional So Others Notice.Together, Darrin and Kim explore how predictable systems, emot…

Leadership isn’t just about the impact you create today. It’s about the leaders you prepare for tomorrow.In this annual shared episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with fellow leadership coach, a…

Leadership isn’t j…

Leadership isn’t just about the impact you create today. It’s about the leaders you prepare for tomorrow.In this annual shared episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with fellow leadership coach, author, and podcast host Joshua Stamper for a powerful conversation about one of the most important responsibilities of leadership: developing the next generation of leaders.Darrin and Joshua begin by reflecting on transitions, Stress, and the reality every leader faces — even the best plans encounter challenges. The difference is whether leaders have the clarity and intentionality to stay focuse…

What does effective school leadership look like in a rapidly changing world?In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin Peppard sits down with Debra Wilson, President of the National Associatio…

What does effective …

What does effective school leadership look like in a rapidly changing world?In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin Peppard sits down with Debra Wilson, President of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, organizational alignment, AI, demographic shifts, and the future of education.Drawing on more than two decades of experience supporting school leaders, Debra shares why today's educational challenges require leaders to move beyond the traditional "hero leader" model and embrace the power of strong leadership teams.Tog…

What does it take to build a leadership team that truly works?In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Marlene Rombach, Rocio Rhoads, and Christina Shires—the le…

What does it take to…

What does it take to build a leadership team that truly works?In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Marlene Rombach, Rocio Rhoads, and Christina Shires—the leadership team at Locust Grove Middle School in Locust Grove, Virginia—to reflect on their first year leading together.With a first-year principal, a first-year assistant principal, and an assistant principal stepping into a significantly expanded role, this team faced enormous challenges from day one. Yet through intentional communication, trust, coaching, and a commitment to shared leadership, …

What if leadership isn't about carrying more?What if the true responsibility of a leader isn't solving every problem but intentionally creating the conditions where other people can do their best work…

What if leadership i…

What if leadership isn't about carrying more?What if the true responsibility of a leader isn't solving every problem but intentionally creating the conditions where other people can do their best work?In this special solo episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard reflects on a week of leadership coaching, keynote speaking, and executive development that led him to articulate a philosophy that has quietly guided his work for years.Building on the response to his recent blog, I Thought I Was Helping - A Perspective on Servant Leadership, Darrin challenges traditional assumptions abo…

Landing your first leadership position is exciting...until reality sets in.The meetings, the emails, the difficult conversations, the angry parents, and the constant interruptions can quickly pull new…

Landing your first l…

Landing your first leadership position is exciting...until reality sets in.The meetings, the emails, the difficult conversations, the angry parents, and the constant interruptions can quickly pull new administrators away from the work they were most excited to do: leading people and supporting learning.In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard is joined by Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns, experienced school leaders and co-authors, for a practical conversation about surviving—and thriving—in your first years of school leadership.Together they share strategies for preparing…

Dr. Chris Culver returns to Leaning Into Leadership for a powerful follow-up conversation centered around his new book, Be the Light: The Science of Kindness and the Power of Belonging.If you enjoyed …

Dr. Chris Culver ret…

Dr. Chris Culver returns to Leaning Into Leadership for a powerful follow-up conversation centered around his new book, Be the Light: The Science of Kindness and the Power of Belonging.If you enjoyed Chris's first appearance on Episode 214: The Science of Kindness, you're going to Love where this conversation goes next. While Episode 214 explored the research behind kindness, this discussion takes a deeper look at how belonging, empathy, neuroscience, and intentional leadership can transform the cultures we create and the lives we touch.In this episode, Darrin and Chris explore:Why every perso…