Best Frederick Buskey Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 221: The Power of Belief - Miguel Salazar’s Journey to Transformative Leadership (NASSP MS POY finalist) 37:39

5d ago37:39

37:39

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 deeply personal story—from growing up in poverty and facing multiple challenges as a youth to becoming a leader determined to give every student a chance at…

1
The Listening Muscle with Elena Aguilar 24:56

5d ago24:56

24:56

Power Quote: “How do you want me to listen?” Description: Today’s guest is someone I consider to be a master at the art of coaching, which is appropriate as she wrote the best-selling book titled The Art of Coaching. I Had Elena Aguilar on the show a little over a year ago and we split the interview into two parts, episodes 204 and 205 (link in the…

1
Episode 220: Bridges, Belonging, and Buy-In with Joe LaTorre 38:49

7d ago38:49

38:49

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 looping, relationship-building, and culturally responsive practices help him build classroom communities rooted in trust and student empowerment. They…

1
Episode 219: Leading with Intention and Heart: A Conversation with Terita Walker (NASSP HS POY Finalist) 34:54

10d ago34:54

34:54

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 National High School Principal of the Year award. Walker has transformed East into a school where inclusivity, student empowerment, and academic excellenc…

1
Episode 218: What’s in Your Can? Leadership Lessons from Alaska with Sherilynn Boehlert (NASSP MS POY Finalist) 41:37

12d ago41:37

41:37

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 shares her inspiring leadership journey—from growing up in a family of educators to leading a Blue Ribbon elementary school and now impacting lives at the…

1
The Pillar of Empathy with Jim Carlough 54:27

12d ago54:27

54:27

Link to post on LinkedIn for book giveaway Description: Today’s interview will be a bit different as my guest is coming from four decades of leadership experience in the corporate arena. Despite the different setting, the leadership lessons will sound familiar to you. I think this discussion with someone coming from a different place invites us to …

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Episode 217: Trust Based Observations with Craig Randall 42:36

14d ago42:36

42:36

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, the developer and author of Trust-Based Observations, to reimagine what teacher observation can and should look like. Craig shares how shifting the fo…

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Episode 216: Culture, Collaboration, and Buffalo Chicken Dip: A Conversation with Tony Cattani (NASSP HS POY Finalist) 39:39

17d ago39:39

39:39

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 Year. For 18 years, Tony has led Lenape High School in Medford, NJ, where he's created a thriving school culture grounded in trust, reflection, and in…

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Episode 215: So What, Now What – A Conversation with Dr. Damon Lewis (NASSP MS POY Finalist) 59:02

19d ago59:02

59:02

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 transformational middle school principal. Under his leadership, chronic absenteeism dropped from 31% to 8%, equity-driven initiatives expanded access t…

1
Uncovering Rocks with Will Lepech 1:09:59

19d ago1:09:59

1:09:59

Power Quote: “Uncover the rock” Description: If you haven’t begun reflecting on the year yet, today’s episode will get you in the mood. I encourage you to pause today’s show frequently – there are a number of moments that deserve some contemplation and pausing to think about what something looks or feels like in your context could be very beneficia…

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Episode 214: The Science of Kindness with Dr. Chris Culver 37:59

21d ago37:59

37:59

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 and cabinet-level administrator, Chris now leads Orange Sparrow, a consulting practice built on the Science of Kindness and a deep understanding of gen…

1
Teacher-centric PD with Cathy Lacey 52:12

26d ago52:12

52:12

Power Quote: “If we want better outcomes for students, we have to create better outcomes for teachers.” Description: I hope this doesn’t sound too egotistical but I LOVE it when a guest echoes my own preaching, especially when that guest is a current school leader. This episode is full of foundational ideas as well as some simple actionable strateg…

1
Episode 213: Culture Starts with Who You Hire: Insights from Todd Nesloney 47:32

28d ago47:32

47:32

In this episode, Darrin sits down with longtime education leader and author Todd Nesloney for a powerful conversation on leadership, culture, and hiring. Todd shares his journey from instructional aide to principal, and now as the Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership for TEPSA. They discuss actionable insights into how schools can improve h…

1
Episode 212: Strategic Planning with Dr. Frederick Buskey 1:04:13

1M ago1:04:13

1:04:13

In this special joint episode of Leaning Into Leadership and The Assistant Principal Podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard teams up with Dr. Frederick Buskey to explore how school leaders can take a more strategic, sustainable approach to planning for the year ahead. Together, they walk through a four-phase leadership cycle — Prepare, Perform, Refine, and Re…

1
Two for the Price of One (!) with Frederick and Darrin 1:08:35

1M ago1:08:35

1:08:35

Two for the Price of One (!) with Frederick and Darrin Link to the NCMLE Leadership Excellence Network: https://ncmle.org/cohort-home Description: Today’s show is actually two shows in one. I recorded it with my good friend Darrin Peppard at Road to Awesome and we are releasing this episode on his show, Lean Into Leadership, in addition to releasin…

1
Episode 211: Cracking the Code on Educator Retention with Nate Eklund 50:44

1M ago50:44

50:44

What if the real cause of educator burnout isn’t a lack of resilience or self-care—but the workplace itself? In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Darrin is joined by longtime friend and national thought leader Nathan Eklund, founder of Vital Network, to explore how schools can reimagine themselves as vibrant, sustainable workplaces for e…

1
SAM I Am with Mark Shellinger 54:02

1M ago54:02

54:02

Description: “Sam I am, I do not like green eggs and ham!” Our guest today is not Dr. Seuss, but he does talk a lot about SAM, not the peddler of a strange breakfast, but rather a process for helping instructional leaders reclaim their purpose. Sponsor Spot 1:As a loyal listener to this show, you know I am a big advocate for short, targeted observa…

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Episode 210: Schools That Give an F: Clarity, Culture, and Contribution with Rob MacLeod 47:18

1M ago47:18

47:18

Episode 210 – Schools That Give an F: Clarity, Culture, and Contribution with Rob McLeod In this episode, Darrin is joined by international educator and podcast host Rob McLeod to explore a critical leadership conversation: school alignment. Drawing from his own career across three countries and multiple school systems, Rob shares how he rediscover…

1
Episode 209: Strategic PD Planning with Chad Ostrowski 55:27

2M ago55:27

55:27

In this special midweek crossover episode with the Teach Better Podcast, Darrin sits down with Teach Better CEO and Co-founder Chad Ostrowski to dive deep into one of the most important leadership tasks schools face: planning professional development that actually moves the needle. Darrin and Chad unpack the mistakes too many schools make—like trea…

1
SWOT! 27:18

2M ago27:18

27:18

SWOT ***Free SWOT and STCC tools available for download here: https://adept-experimenter-3588.kit.com/0cd1576fe5 Teaser: We are half-way through May and hopefully you have begun thinking about next year. A couple weeks ago I took several district leadership teams through a simple process to facilitate conversations around next year. We did two acti…

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Episode 208: Helping Teens Make Better Choices with Kevin Mecchella 38:41

2M ago38:41

38:41

What if your biggest mistakes became the very stories that helped others succeed? In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Kevin Mecchella — former class clown turned classical musician, educator, and nationally recognized student speaker — to talk about the power of decision-making and how schools can equip stu…

1
Just Say “No!” with Charles Williams 1:04:31

2M ago1:04:31

1:04:31

Power Quote: “Somebody has to be able to say “pause!” Description: Have you ever listened to one of those podcasts where the host asks a question, the guest gives an answer and it goes back and forth in a way that feels more like a school lecture than a discussion? This Is not that episode! It’s almost the opposite. It took me 10 minutes to get to …

1
Episode 207: Elevating School Leadership: A Conversation with NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe 39:54

2M ago39:54

39:54

In this inspiring episode, Darrin sits down with Ronn Nozoe, lifelong educator and Chief Executive Officer of NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals). Together, they explore the current landscape of school leadership, the importance of supporting new leaders, and how educators can take ownership of their professional growth. Ron…

1
National High School AP of the Year Saani Perry 56:30

2M ago56:30

56:30

Power Quote: “If I make them better, that makes me better” Description: Today’s guest is the 2025 NASSP National High School Assistant Principal of the year – how cool is that! This was such a fun interview. You are going to hear Saani talk about a number of things he’s done as an AP and I want you to pay attention to how each thing is interconnect…

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Episode 206: Lead with HOPE - A Conversation with Dr. Brandi Kelly 28:13

2M ago28:13

28:13

In this powerful episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Dr. Brandi Kelly—author, speaker, coach, and founder of Spark Hope EDU—to explore what it truly means to Lead with Hope. Dr. Kelly shares her deeply personal story that led her to develop the HOPE framework: Habits, Optimistic Outlook, Purpose, and Excellence. Through her new book and nati…

1
On Trust and Kindness with Dr. Chris Culver 42:48

2M ago42:48

42:48

Power Quote: We are wired to belong Description: You’ll hear me compliment today’s guest on his affirmative presence. He’s the kind of person you want to be around. It was only at the end of the show that I was able to pinpoint why and it is this: he makes me feel seen, valued, and heard. Stay tuned and you’ll find out why this was an “aha” for me.…

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Episode 205: The Leadership Journey with Jimmy Casas 47:42

2M ago47:42

47:42

In this episode, I’m joined by Jimmy Casas—best-selling author, leadership coach, and former award-winning principal. Jimmy and I dive into his incredible journey from bar manager to one of the most recognized school leaders in the country. We unpack the power of origin stories, the traps of superhero leadership, and why leaders must know who they …

1
They Want to be Heard with Principal Todd Shadley 53:19

2M ago53:19

53:19

Power Quote: “I’m still learning, but we will figure it out together.” Description: You are going to LOVE today’s show! As with last week, you may want to take notes. Today’s guest, a practicing principal, shared with me that he has been a listener of the show for several years, and you will hear how many of this show’s core themes he echoes and ha…

1
Episode 204: Principal Matters with William D. Parker 44:07

3M ago44:07

44:07

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with the brilliant William D. Parker—an award-winning former principal, author, speaker, and executive coach. Will is the founder of Principal Matters, LLC and the host of Principal Matters: The School Leader’s Podcast, with over 1.5 million downloads. Through his coaching, bo…

1
Episode 203: So You Want to Be a Principal with Dominic, Todd, & Darrin 53:29

3M ago53:29

53:29

Mid-Month Edition with Todd Bloomer & Dominic Armano This month, the Three Amigos—Darrin Peppard, Todd Bloomer, and Dominic Armano—are back with an episode that dives headfirst into one of the most common questions they get: “How do I land that principal job?” From the nerves of the interview to that surreal moment when you finally kick your feet u…

1
A Culture of Connection with Erika and Tiffany 1:03:54

3M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Power Quote: You are who you eat lunch with Description: Today’s show is so packed with gold nuggets, you might want to take notes or listen twice. You will hear many of my core themes filtered through a slightly different lens. Our guests are accessible and real, so perk up and hold on! (and ignore the leaf blowers outside my window) Show Intro Sp…

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Episode 202: Fired Up Leadership with Dr. Frank Rudnesky 38:35

3M ago38:35

38:35

Dr. Frank Rudnesky is a professional speaker, author, and educational leader known for his contagious energy and passion for leadership. He has penned several books, including Fired Up Leadership, Fired Up Student Leadership, and 50 Great Things Leaders Do: Let’s Get Fired Up. Dr. Rudnesky draws on his extensive experience as a teacher and award-wi…

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Is Your Best Good Enough? With Leigh Ann Alford-Keith 56:56

3M ago56:56

56:56

Description: How are you? I confess to having mixed emotions about how to respond to this question. On the one hand, I’m having fun in my business and everyone around me is healthy. On the other hand, I have a lot of friends worried about losing their jobs to anti-DEI policies, my favorite national forests are less safe because of ranger firings, a…

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Episode 201: From Crisis to Proactive Leadership with Chris Dormer 45:56

3M ago45:56

45:56

On this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin welcomes Chris Dormer, Superintendent of Norristown Area School District in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Chris brings nearly three decades of educational experience from diverse settings, including roles as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. Chris shares powerful insights into shi…

1
The Motivation Equation 35:35

3M ago35:35

35:35

Show title and release date: The Motivation Equation Note on Sponsorships: Help cover the cost of producing the podcast Motivate me to produce a better product Give you access to some beneficial services I will work to keep sponsorship ads under 3 minutes total If you are interested, using the affiliate links in the show notes helps the show Teaser…

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Episode 200: The Power of Commitment 31:12

3M ago31:12

31:12

In this milestone 200th episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, host Dr. Darrin Peppard reflects deeply on the theme of commitment. Darrin shares personal insights and impactful stories highlighting how his commitment to delivering weekly episodes since January 2022 has shaped the podcast and his journey as a leadership speaker, coach, and …

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(Teacher) Team Leadership with Dr. Chad Dumas 51:05

3M ago51:05

51:05

(Teacher) Team Leadership with Dr. Chad Dumas Description: If you’ve been listening to me or following my daily email, you’ve heard me talk about 5-minute coaching, the series of three questions we can ask teachers to help them become more reflective practitioners. The value leaders provide during the process is I creating space by NOT talking. Tod…

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Episode 199: Teachers Deserve It with Rae Hughart 36:07

3M ago36:07

36:07

Grab your copy of Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools from your favorite vendor: Amazon or Barnes & Noble or get your autographed copy here. In this episode, Darrin Peppard sits down with Rae Hughart, educator, TEDx speaker, and founder of the Teachers Deserve It (TDI) movement. Rae is passionat…

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Episode 198: Encore Presentation of Untold Teaching Truths with Katie Kinder 36:12

4M ago36:12

36:12

In this special encore presentation, we revisit one of our most inspiring conversations with educator and author Katie Kinder. Katie is the celebrated author of Untold Teaching Truths, Hallway Leadership, and now co-author of Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools. She is an award-winning educator,…

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Follow up Questions for From Fires to Fulfillment 26:29

4M ago26:29

26:29

Today I’m digging into some questions I received from participants in my recent GAMSP training on moving from Fires to Fulfillment. Podcast episode 242, released two weeks ago, is an edited audio of the presentation and you can find the full presentation on a hidden website page at frederickbuskey.com/gamsp25. The themes I address in today’s show s…

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Episode 197: AI, Education, and the Classroom Revolution with William Grube 32:43

4M ago32:43

32:43

Get Your Copy of Culture First Classrooms! Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools launches tomorrow, March 17! This book is packed with insights from educators across the country on how to build a thriving school culture. Don’t miss out! Get it NOW on Amazon or Barnes & Noble or get an autographed …

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The First Step to Great Relationships with Joe Pettit 47:03

4M ago47:03

47:03

Today’s show is high energy with lots of thoughts and concepts that will grab your attention and your intention. My guest and I talk a lot about the power you have as a leader to transform your reality, and I want to be clear – it’s tough out there right now, some of us are working in more challenging situations than others, and some of us have few…

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Episode 196: Teacher Leadership That Transforms: A Conversation with David James 35:00

4M ago35:00

35:00

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, host Darrin Peppard welcomes back David James, a 7th-grade social studies teacher at Harold E. Winkler Middle School in Concord, North Carolina. Known for his leadership both in the classroom and through his work with the North Carolina Association for Middle Level Education (NCMLE), David shares powerful…

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Final Questions First with Joe Pettit 6:47

4M ago6:47

6:47

#243: Final Questions First with Joe Pettit Description: This is just a short tease for the full interview coming out on March 11th, 2025. I had forgotten to ask Joe the four closing questions, and when I shared that with him, he was kind enough to answer the questions and send me an audio file. I found it so inspiring, I decided to make it a stand…

1
From Fires to Fulfillment 46:17

4M ago46:17

46:17

If you read my daily email, you likely know that my big goal for 2025 is to give 25 keynotes and presentations. On Monday, February 24, I gave my first ever keynote at the Georgia Middle School Principals’ conference – big shoutout to Cheryl Riddle who organized the conference and was so wonderful to work with. I organized this as more of a working…

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Episode 195: Can I go to the bathroom and other asinine questions with Bobby Canosa-Carr 41:39

4M ago41:39

41:39

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin sits down with Bobby Canosa-Carr, a leadership coach, former principal, mindfulness teacher, and author of Can I Go to the Bathroom? and Other Asinine Questions We Ask in School. They dive deep into how disempowerment impacts school leaders, teachers, and students—and what we can do about it. Bobby…

1
8 Actions to Lift People Up 42:51

4M ago42:51

42:51

Today’s episode is inspired by a book study I did last week with 25 building and district school leaders. The focus of the book study was stage 5 of A School Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose, which is all about 5-minute coaching. We began with celebration We did 5-minute coaching We reflected in small groups We recapped in a large group We took…

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Episode 194: Leading Through Failure with Bradlee W. Skinner 52:57

4M ago52:57

52:57

In this powerful episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with longtime friend and educational thought leader Bradlee W. Skinner to discuss the journey through failure, teacher retention, and the importance of empowering educators. Bradlee opens up about his personal struggles with burnout, stepping away from education, and …

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Episode 193: Co-Authoring Culture First Classrooms, A Behind the Scenes Look with Katie Kinder 41:55

5M ago41:55

41:55

In this episode, returning guest Katie Kinder joins Dr. Darrin Peppard for a behind-the-scenes look at their upcoming book, Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform Schools. They dive into the journey of co-authoring a book, the power of classroom culture, and how fostering strong relationships transformssch…

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Turbulence 18:40

5M ago18:40

18:40

We are in a moment of significant change. There’s a lot of instability and unpredictability and people don’t know what’s going to happen – good, bad, or indifferent. We don’t know what all of the announced or teased policy changes mean or if they are going to take effect. This environment creates a situation where we have lots of turbulence in scho…

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Frederick Buskey Podcasts

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