Episodes

Today, I share my journey from feeling completely powerless in my early years as a principal to founding a program that helps school leaders reconnect with their personal power. The truth is, the current education system leaves most principals feeling...

Planning is an essential element of leadership, but too often, we develop a negative relationship with the process. We set goals that feel constrictive, scary, or disconnected from what we truly want to create. But what if instead of planning from a...

As a school leader, it's easy to get caught up in what others are doing and feel like you're not measuring up. But the truth is, their path is different from yours, and it's important to focus on your own journey. If you’re struggling with compare...

Your identity is simply what you believe about yourself and what you're capable of learning, doing, experiencing, handling, creating, and having. You can hold firm to your identity if it’s currently serving you well, but if you feel restless or...

In this episode, I share my insights on radical empowerment - what it means, why it matters, and how to embody it as a school leader. Get ready for a perspective shift that will transform how you lead.   Discover how to balance being the boss...

The school leader’s job description often requires being an expert in it all while doing everything at once. Whether you’re making the shift from good to great or great to exceptional, you are not alone if you feel like you don’t know what...

In this episode, I’m diving deep into how you can define what truly matters to you as a leader… but it doesn’t stop there. Consistently acting in accordance with the values you set out is the other half of the equation, and I’m showing you how...

Whether your PD day happens at the end of July, August, or even in September, I encourage you to start thinking about it right now. Many of you are expected to facilitate PD days for your teachers, but it can often feel like you’re being told what...

In this Back to Basics episode, you’re hearing an interview with one of my clients that is so well-loved by The Empowered Principal podcast audience. Wendy Cohen has coached with me for several years, and in this conversation, you’re hearing her...

Today, I'm joined by two special guests with an important message to share. Shelly Wilfong and Ryan Donlan coauthored a powerful book, bringing hope and inspiration to school leaders everywhere. The book is called Ensuring Teachers Matter: Where to...

There’s no school leader on the planet who doesn’t ever get it wrong, misspeak, or make a decision they later regret. We’re all human, and spinning in guilt, avoiding your negative thoughts and feelings, or criticizing yourself endlessly...

The reality of school leadership is that there’s always too much to do and never enough time to do it. With countless projects, events, and instructional coaching sessions vying for attention, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos. Instead of simply...

The Summer of Fun 2024 is kicking off in the  right now! If you want to have fun at work and enjoy your life outside of it, but having fun feels unsafe, irresponsible, or unacceptable, this is a must-listen episode.   Learn what happens when...

I love when my clients come to me with an energy of deep desire and compelling urgency around their goals. While this lights me up, there’s a dark side to our urge to rush, and it’s causing you unnecessary pain and suffering.   Learn why we...

In most cases, you’re in meetings where everyone will likely have different opinions. There might be people who are for a decision while some are against it, and maybe there are lots of options or theories presented at the table. Your job, as a...

One of the ways you might want to create expansion as a school leader is by embracing exceptionalism. Becoming exceptional is a topic I coach on with all of my clients because it’s what will help you enjoy your life to the fullest and lead your...

For today’s episode, I interviewed my friend and fellow coach, Jess Johnson. Jess has been working with me to help me regulate my nervous system. When we go into freak-out mode, we don’t have to stay there. There are tools and strategies we can...

John Camp has spent 29 years in education and is currently the Head of Teaching and Learning at New England Innovation Academy. He has an innovative approach to grades where he’s shifting away from more traditional grading and assessment formats in...

While you might derive a lot of pleasure from your work, it is critical that your sense of fun and play come from other sources as well. Being able to check tasks off your to-do list, help a student, or mentor a teacher all feel amazing, but they...

How you think about yourself is changeable, and the stories you tell about your self-identity will either hold you back or propel you forward. Your job as a school leader requires you to re-evaluate and make new decisions about your identity, and...

As a coach, I help site and district leaders build the skills necessary to lead their schools and navigate the mental and emotional challenges that come with the job. I am not here to offer legal advice; however, I can speak to the experience of...

Do you know your boundaries? Are you able to clearly articulate them? Why do you feel unsure of yourself in setting and upholding your boundaries? And how can you do so effectively?    In a world where you’ve been led by what other people...

I coach school leaders all day long on how hard this job is. And from personal experience, I can relate. School leadership is hard. However, as I listen to my principals share the difficulties they’re facing in their day-to-day, I had a revelation...

Daman Harris, Ph.D., is a trailblazing expert in educator retention and antiracist leadership. Dr. Harris is an experienced teacher, coach, principal, district administrator, adjunct professor, speaker, writer, and consultant. His first book, ,...