Empowering the Next Generation Podcast

Joshua Stamper is an educator, speaker, and creator of the Aspire to Lead podcast. A former middle school administrator and author of The Language of Behavior, he equips educators with trauma-responsive strategies to create supportive learning environments and drive student success throughempathetic leadership. What healthy habits have you found to be most essential for helping leaders stay ground...

Shawn Hurt is an educational consultant and School Turnaround Principal, and Aerica Hurt is a registered nursing consultant who owns and operates her own adult respite‑care business. They have been married for 20 years and are the proud parents of two children. Together, Shawn and Aerica arethe co‑authors of the book  Every Parent Must Read This! Parent + School = Student Success . We talk about W...

Cedrick LaFleur is a 12X visionary author, business leader, and speaker with over 37 years of experience in healthcare sales and leadership. As Chief Executive of the LaFleur Leadership Institute, he develops leaders through coaching,speaking, and organizational training. His work focuses on helping people recognize what’s real, require what matters, and move with clarity, discipline, and alignmen...

Kurtis Hewson is an award-winning former administrator and teacher, as well as teachingfaculty at the post-secondary level.  He is the co-founder of Jigsaw Learning, a co-author of the text Collaborative Response: Three Foundational Components That Transform How We Respond to the Needs of Learners (Corwin,2022), and currently works with We Respond to the Needs of Learners districts and schools nat...

Dr. Chris Jochum is the founder and CEO of CJ Leadership Solutions, where he serves as an author, speaker, trainer and podcast host, primarily working with K12 districts, higher education and private industry. As a former K12 teacher and current university professor and administrator, Chris is passionate about improving organizations and the lives of those within them through leadership developmen...

Dr. Nakia Avery is an education consultant and strategist with 17 years of experience as a teacher, counselor, administrator, and consultant. She specializes in strengthening school systems, improving student outcomes, and advancing specialeducation leadership, compliance, and literacy initiatives. This work leads to identifying sustainable solutions, unlocking funding opportunities, and building...

Charle Peck, LCSW, M.Ed., is a keynote speaker and author who equips professionals in high-pressure roles with tools to thrive under stress. Her keynote, Thriving Under Pressure , along with her leadership toolkit, helps individuals and teams perform at their best and create lasting impact across education, mental health, and helping professions. She consults with education leaders on how to lead...

Todd Bloomer Originally from New York, Todd has served schools & communities for the past three decades. A former coach, principal and author, After 29 years in public education (18 as an administrator) Todd now serves principals and supports schools in the Archdiocese of San Antonio as the Director of School Leadership!  He also wrote a book - The Blueprint ! He is passionate about self care...

Dr. Darrin Peppard is a nationally recognized leadership expert, keynote speaker, and author. A former high school principal and superintendent, Darrin brings nearly three decades of experience in education to his work as a leadership coach and consultant. He is the author of  Road to Awesome  and  Culture First Classrooms , and the host of the  Leaning Into Leadership  podcast. Through coaching,...

Dr. Chad Dumas is an international consultant, presenter, and award-winning researcher whose leadership training and coaching focuses on building capacity for self, team, and system improvement.   The power of collaboration, and the role that any one person plays in making that collaboration impactful. Questions * What prompts you to write and consult? * Why is it important to clarify who you are...

Kathleen Eckert is the author of  School Transformation Through Teacher Appreciation  and a principal dedicated to building cultures where teachers feel valued and supported. Currently leading Central High School in Keller ISD, she balances high expectations with connection and belonging, bringing practical, proven strategies to inspire and equip school leaders.   Your book centers on teacher app...

Chris Mukiibi is a high school educator of 10years, educational consultant, and founder of BrightStar Education. His work helps teachers and schools reduce burnout and improve behavior by focusing onsystems, neuroscience, and psychological safety. Drawing from classroom experience and educator research, Chris helps schools build calmer, more sustainable learning environments that support both stud...

Shaquana “Shaq” Miller is an Assistant Athletic Director for Student Support and founder of Next Play Athletics Consulting. With a background in NCAA compliance, academic support, and coaching, she helps student-athletes and families navigate eligibility, recruiting, and college readiness. Shaq is completing a doctorate in Sport and Athletic Leadership focused on equity in collegiate athletics. 1....

Jonathan Kegler is the founder of No Box Thinking™ and a transformational leader who rebuilds broken systems. From turning around underperforming schools to developingoverlooked talent, he challenges how success is measured and who gets promoted. His work: turn pawns into players, spectators into owners, and systems into springboards for growth. Socials: @coachkegler Instagram

Gretchen Bridgers Author, Speaker, Teacher Coach & Trainer Over the last two decades, Gretchen has passionately taught elementary students, mentored and coached educators, led professional development experiences for school building staff, authored 3 books and presented at district and national conferences as the owner of Always A Lesson. Her impact continues to amplify serving educators world...

Bayka is the founder of BYKE Academy. Through her platform, she advocates for educators, parents, and children from around the world. She also hosts “Global Educators” connecting global educators to come together and voicewhat they stand for. The main pillars of her platform are emotional intelligence, neurodiversity, and mental well-being. Title: Tools To Build An Online Platform As An Educator ·...

Anne Kyle, Founder & CEO ofThe Leadership Beacon, is an Executive Headteacher turned international coach and strategist. With nearly 30 years in education, she’s led school turnarounds, PRUs, and SEMH settings. Through her BEACON™ Framework andpodcast, Anne equips leaders with clarity, confidence, and NLP-informed tools to transform schools and empower teams. Title: Transform Your School WithT...

DJ Dickerson-Alejandrino is a lifelong learner and speakerwho believes education should be liberating, not limiting. Passionate about growth outside the box, DJ explores learning beyond institutional mandates—rooted in curiosity, creativity, and lived experience. From philosophy to parenting, he helps others reclaim learning as a pleasure-driven path to freedom, not a checklist for approval Title:...

Ben Hobbis is a primary schoolteacher and middle leader leading on curriculum, skills, coaching and subject leadership development. He has previously led on humanities, personal development, wellbeing, safeguarding and is a student teacher mentor. Ben is also the founder of the Step Up Network, a network for aspiring and new education leaders; after his own experience of getting into leadership. T...

Gemma Atkins Gemma is a dynamic, award-winning leader with 20 yearsin education, including 17 in leadership across state, international, and independent sectors. She designs bespoke coaching, consultancy, and CPD for business owners, corporate leaders, and senior educators worldwide, empowering individuals and teams to achieve transformative results and lasting impact. Herleadership expertise driv...

Sandra Balogun is a certified leadership speaker, coach, andtrainer, and founder of Beyond Numbers LLC. Recognized as a woman to watch by the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, she empowers professionals and the next generation through leadership, accounting transformation, and financial literacy. She's also the author of Where Did the Money Go?, a financial literacy book for children. Title: Beco...

Andriana Georgieva Andriana Georgieva is a skilful inspirational coach withmore than 20 years of extensive experience in the Human Resource Development area. Her coaching integrates various holistic practices towards self-empowerment and self-realization. In 2024 she lunched the innovative ‘NewAge Leadership Programme’ and the spiritually-based Soulful Life Community helping others to uncover thei...

Rob Mcleod An educator with 16 years of experience across private,public, and international schools. I help schools find alignment between their values, way of organizing and practices with the  3 Types of School  model. He is passionate about practical change and helping educators feel like theirwork contributes meaningfully. Author of a book Schools That Give A F*** to be released August 2025. ...

Viv Grant: Executive Coach, Author andPublic Speaker Viv Grant is known for her deep insightsinto leadership, vulnerability, and resilience. She is the Director of Integrity Coaching, London’s leading provider of coaching services for Headteachers and Senior School Leaders. Over her 30-year career in education. Viv has held a range of influential roles, including becoming one of theyoungest Headte...

Viv Grant: Executive Coach, Author and Public Speaker Viv Grant is known for her deep insights into leadership, vulnerability, and resilience. She is the Director of Integrity Coaching, London’s leading provider of coaching services for Headteachers and Senior School Leaders. Over her 30-year career in education, Viv has held a range of influential roles, including becoming one of the youngest Hea...