Clear is the NEW Confident with Casey Watts

Schools don’t fail because people don’t care—they struggle because the system isn’t clear. In this episode, I’ll talk with Doug Stilwell about how the System of Profound Knowledge connects with the Clarity Cycle to help leaders move from compliance-driven change to true continuous improvement. Doug Stilwell is a retired superintendent, university professor, and longtime advocate for continuous imp...

Stress and burnout don’t have to define your leadership. In this episode, I’ll talk with Dr. Chris Culver about how clarity of identity and the practice of kindness can shift the way we lead ourselves and our teams. Dr. Christopher Culver is a highly sought-after, dynamic, and engaging speaker. He is a proud product of Oklahoma public education. Raised in a divorced family, he split his time betwe...

I’m in the car and on a soapbox—because if we keep throwing around words like fidelity without defining them, we’re setting teachers up for confusion and frustration. In this quick-hit episode, I break down why jargon like this kills clarity, how it shows up in PLCs, and what leaders need to do instead: get specific, map it out, and make sure everyone’s speaking the same language. Your teams are i...

Everyone can multitask, but no one can multifocus—and that truth shows up loud and clear in team meetings. In this episode, I’ll bring clarity to why meetings often feel pointless and what leaders can do to change it. Check out Linda Rhyne’s newsletter on Maximizing Instructional Time (HINT:  It’s NOT by multifocusing!) Your teams are itching for CLARITY!  That can be a complex thing to provide. ...

What if your leadership team wasn't just a group of people, but a true catalyst for change? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Darrin Peppard, a best-selling author and leadership coach , who is here to help leaders gain clarity, build a strong culture, and lead with purpose. Dr. Peppard shares his "AWESOME" framework to help you foster effective collaboration and create a team t...

We’ve all been there — the season where everything piles on and “overwhelmed” feels like the only word that fits. In this episode, I’ll share a simple but powerful reframing strategy I learned from a speaking coach, Gina Rapaport, that helps me get unstuck when the noise feels too loud. I’ll model how I use it in my own life and show you how it can help you name what’s happening, untangle your tho...

What if your first data conversation of the year could build confidence instead of confusion? In this episode, I’ll break down three simple but powerful moves every data leader should make before launching into data analysis or goals. Whether you’re leading from the front of the room or supporting behind the scenes, I’ll help you prep with purpose so your meetings actually move people—and your tea...

“Collaboration will take you places competition can’t.” In this episode, I’ll sit down with Walter Cullin Jr.—higher ed leader, motivational speaker, and host of the What’s Your Motive? podcast—to explore what it really takes to build character-driven teams and inclusive school cultures. We’ll unpack how educators can foster collaboration without ego, lead with purpose, and help both students and...

In this episode, Casey sits down with Hunter Flesch—Associate Principal and founder of Ed Essentials—to unpack what it really takes to build a Tier 2 system that isn’t just reactive, but resilient. Drawing from his experience as a teacher-turned-administrator, Hunter shares how assistant principals can shift from constantly putting out fires to putting solid frameworks in place that foster sustain...

In this episode, Casey sits down with TEDx speaker and leadership coach Rick Kutcher to unpack what it really takes to lead with clarity—from building a data-informed school culture to communicating with confidence. Drawing from his work at Region 13 and his own consulting practice, Rick shares how data, when used well, becomes a powerful tool for decision-making, alignment, and impact. Whether yo...

What if every educator led with the mindset of a business of one? In this episode, Casey is joined by Dr. Will Deyamport—edupreneur, author of The Edupreneur , and host of The Dr. Will Show —to explore how personal clarity around identity, value, and purpose transforms how leaders show up in their schools and beyond them. If you’ve ever wondered how to align your impact with your income, or how to...

Ever feel like you're the only one holding the team together? I’ve been there—and so has my guest, Nancy Lhoest-Squicciarini. With over 30 years of international leadership experience, Nancy brings a powerful perspective on what it really takes to create clarity and unlock a team’s true genius. In this episode, we dig into what makes teams thrive, why middle leadership matters, and how you can...

“Mid-level leaders are the linchpins of organizational success.” That’s what Harvard Business Review found when studying the role of leaders who sit between top decision-makers and front-line staff. And in schools, that couldn’t be more true. In this episode, I’ll be joined by Dr. Kristy Love , an assistant principal in the Houston area who has made it her mission to grow the leadership capacity o...

Ever wonder what really makes a principal shine? Join us as we chat with Michelle Sloan, a principal coach with 25 years of experience as an elementary teacher and principal. Michelle is passionate about mentoring and coaching educational leaders and is a catalyst for change, guiding school leaders toward operational excellence, enhanced productivity, and increased unity within schools. We're...

In this episode of The Catching Up with Casey Show, we dive into the heart of effective leadership with Samantha Hamilton, award-winning principal, national education consultant, and author of "Brave on Purpose." With over two decades of experience, Samantha shares her insights on creating clarity as a leader—whether you're an administrator, instructional coach, teacher leader, or te...

“Growth mindset alone won’t get you there.” In this episode, I’m sitting down with Becca Silver from The Whole Educator to talk about why so many teams stay stuck, even when they’re doing “all the right things.” Becca introduces us to the Catalyst Mindsets™—five powerful belief shifts that create the foundation for real, lasting change in schools. You’ll hear why behavior change isn’t enough and h...

What would be possible for your school if failure wasn’t feared—but welcomed as part of the process? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Jeff Linden, high school principal and host of the Educational Leadership with Principal JL podcast, to explore what it actually looks like to create a school culture where people aren’t afraid to take risks. Jeff shares how his leadership team collaborates ar...

Lead with H.O.P.E.—Building a System of Self Efficacy with Brandi Kelly "Self-efficacy isn’t a buzzword—it’s the foundation of sustainable leadership." In this episode, I’ll sit down with Superintendent, coach, and author Dr. Brandi Kelly to talk about how leaders can build systems that spark hope and support growth at every level of an organization. Dr. Kelly shares her H.O.P.E. Framewo...

What you allow, model, and reinforce every day is your culture. In this episode, I’m catching up with school leadership expert and systems strategist Michael Meechin to explore how consistency builds the trust, clarity, and alignment needed for a strong school culture. From daily expectations to leadership modeling, we’ll talk about what it takes to lead a team that doesn’t just know the vision—bu...

Have you ever found yourself venting about someone on your team, only to realize... you’ve never actually talked to them about it? In this episode of The Catching Up with Casey Show, I’ll sit down with Zoë Beckham from Pivot School Improvement Leaders who’s seeing the same trend in school after school: frustrated leaders avoiding direct conversations. We’ll talk about why it happens, how it’s hold...

AI is transforming education, but the skills that make us uniquely human—problem-solving, creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—are more important than ever. In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Ament , co-founder of the Human Intelligence Movement, to talk about why human intelligence must be prioritized in schools and organizations. We’ll explore practical ways to build these...

Ever hear a team member say, “These students just can’t”? That mindset spreads fast—and it holds everyone back. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down how to stop the ‘They Can’t’ cycle before it takes root. I’ll share three strategies to shift thinking in the moment and proactively reshape conversations: phrases to avoid and mindsets to employ, perception checking, and my go-to PAUSE method for...

Ever felt stuck in the trenches of education? My guest, Dr. Dana Goodier, knows all about turning struggles into strength. As the author of Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators and host of the Out of the Trenches podcast, Dana shares powerful stories of educators who’ve faced challenges and come out stronger. In this episode, we’ll talk about resilience, reflection, and how tough se...

Another shiny new program, another big promise. But will this one actually work? Before your district swipes the card on yet another curriculum, intervention, or fancy AI-powered tool, let’s pause for a second. In this episode, I’m breaking down two common scenarios schools face when deciding whether to invest in new materials—and how to get real results whether you buy or not. If you’re ready to...

A team is only as strong as the people in it—and when teachers are running on empty, the whole system suffers. In this episode, I sit down with Rae Hughart , founder of Teachers Deserve It , to talk about real strategies for making teaching more sustainable so educators—and the teams they’re part of—can thrive. We’ll dive into how leaders can support teachers , why efficiency matters for collabora...