349. Creating a Drug-Free Future for Students: Featuring Jake White
What if drug prevention could be exciting, empowering, and led by students themselves? In this episode, Jake White, co-founder of Vive 18, shares his innovative approach to youth drug prevention and mental health awareness. From hosting unforgettable drug-free events to helping students launch their own prevention clubs, Jake has reached thousands of young people with…
348. Instructional Leadership That Transforms Learning: Featuring Valerie Arechiga
As a leader, what does instructional leadership look like in action? In this inspiring episode of Aspire to Lead, Valerie Arechiga shares her journey as an aspiring leader and her powerful insights on what instructional leadership must look like in today’s classrooms. We explore her work with Thinking Nation and how its services are reshaping…
347. The Guide to Creating a School Kids Deserve: Featuring Todd Nesloney
In this inspiring episode of Aspire to Lead, Todd Nesloney shares insights from his new online course, Culture Unleashed: Your Guide to Creating a School Kids Deserve. Together, we explore how school culture isn’t accidental—it’s intentionally built through vision, relationships, and purposeful action. Todd unpacks strategies for creating classrooms and campuses where joy, connection, and…
345. Nurturing the Emerging Teacher Leader: Featuring Dr. Kathy Perez and Dr. Margaret Coughlan
In this inspiring episode of Aspire to Lead, I’m joined by Dr. Kathy Perez and Margaret Coughlan, co-authors of The Emerging Teacher Leader: 6 Dynamic Practices to Nurture Professional Growth. Together, we explore the true value of teacher leadership and how it shapes not only school culture but also student learning. Kathy and Margaret share…
344. Stressed Leader Strategies to Stay in the Game: Featuring Dr. Dan Stecken
Superintendent and author Dr. Dan Stecken joins me to share his personal journey through burnout and the inspiration behind his book Stressed Leaders: Stay in the Game. In this candid conversation, we discuss why leaders aren’t broken—they’re burned out—and how that critical distinction can reshape how we approach leadership, recovery, and sustainability. Dr. Stecken reveals…