Lead with Empower Podcast

Maggie Winiarski, Megan Dowling, Ashley Wooten, and Lindsey Smida from New Britain Parks and Recreation "Out of School" Programming Lead with Empower! I've collaborated with New Britain Parks and Recreation for the past 8 years, delivering Leadership Development Summer Adventures for their "Leaders in Training" camp, Staff Training and Team Building Workshops for their Summer, After-School, and Aq...

Joining Dan for this week's episode of the Lead with Empower Podcast is Annie Drewry - Dean of Students at Mercy High School. Annie, a graduate of Mercy High School and Sienna College, is finishing up her second year as Mercy's Dean of Students after spending the previous 17 years as a teacher in the English Department. Annie provides a Mercy High School "distance-learning" update while sharing gr...

Fresh off of her unexpected early return from her Peace Corps Guatemala trip is Natalie Nyerick from Southington, CT. Natalie, a University of Connecticut graduate, was a team building facilitator and zip line guide at Empower in Connecticut (2018) prior to her service trip to Guatemala. Natalie shares great stories from her time with the Peace Corps and insight into her next adventure in life! Le...

Angela (Head Coach, UMASS Women's Lacrosse) and Justin (Head Coach, Amherst College Men's Soccer) Serpone Lead with Empower! With 22 combined years coaching at the college level and with a staggering 357 wins between the two of them, the Serpone's know what it takes to lead a successful program both on and off the field. Angela and Justin share stories about their coaching journey, their keys to l...

Today's guest on the Lead with Empower Podcast is one of the first few people I met at Springfield College back in late August of 1998 - my New Student Orientation Leader and tremendous friend, Jim Warnock. Jim, a physical education and health teacher at South Windsor High School, shares personal stories and insight into his journey from college All-American lacrosse player and college lacrosse co...

This week's guest is none other than Sarah Cody from News 8 here in Connecticut. For the past 20 years, Sarah has shared stories about interesting places and family topics all while inspiring people throughout Connecticut. Sarah is a 3 x Emmy Award Winner and is extremely dedicated to, both on and off air, important family issues; including involvement Food Allergy and Mental Health initiatives, m...

Today's guest is Jeff Pugliese, a Vice President of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. I've known Jeff for about 10 years through Empower's involvement with "The Chamber" and he is an excellent example of what it means to lead in service to others. As a Chamber VP, Jeff wears many hats, all in support of the local businesses here in Middlesex County. Jeff and I had a great conversation abou...

Today's guest on the Lead with Empower Podcast is a long-time friend, fellow Springfield College graduate, and current Principal of Newtown High School, Kim Longobucco. Kim shares stories and personal insight about her leadership journey from high school and college student-athlete to physical education/health teacher and coach to her current role at Newtown High School. The "Spirit, Mind, Body" S...

Today's guest on the Lead with Empower Podcast is Number 8 with the Green Bay Packers, Tim Boyle. Tim shares stories and insight about his journey from Durham, Connecticut to the NFL - including lessons learned during his very successful high school career at Xavier High School, challenges faced and conquered at the college level, and what it is like living out his dream of being an NFL Quarterbac...

Today's guest on the Lead with Empower Podcast Sam Rector, student-athlete from Xavier High School in Middletown, CT. Sam is currently as sophomore at The X (Class of 2022) and is heavily involved in the Xavier Community through his participation in competitive extra-curricular activities (Basketball, Math Team, and Ultimate Frisbee) and community extra-curricular activities (The Kestral School Bl...

Today's guest is the Assistant Athletic Director at Xavier high School - Dan DeConti. Dan is a great friend who has a great family, wife Nicole and children Jack and Grace, and who has been a part of Xavier High School as a coach, teacher, and administrator since he was 22 years old. Dan and I have a great conversation about his development as a leader and his personal leadership goals moving forw...

Part II (Part I published on April 14th, 2020) of my conversation with the Head Coach of the University of New Haven Women's Soccer Team, Laura Duncan. In this episode, Laura talks about "plus" and "minus" elements to the current landscape of youth soccer, what she looks for from her recruits and her athletes, the people who have impacted Laura as a coach and leader, and Laura's plan of attack in...

Today's guest is the Head Coach of Women's Soccer at the University of New Haven, Laura Duncan. Laura is a great friend who has coached at the college level for 15 years. She is has been the Head Coach at the University of New Haven for 10 years. In this episode, Laura and I talk about a couple of her unique hobbies and skills, her transition to the United States to become a college soccer player...

Episode Notes Today's guest is a teacher, coach, and great friend from Xavier High School in Middletown, CT - Mike Cunningham. Mike is coming off of a State and State Open Championship Season as the Head Coach of the Xavier Wrestling Team and is currently teaching from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine. Mike and I discuss his development as a leader and coach, some of the challenges...

Episode Notes Part II (Part I published on March 31st, 2020) of my conversation with Greg Jaskot, the Associate Director of Advancement and Offensive Coordinator of the Football Team at Xavier High School in Middletown, CT. In this episode, Greg and I discuss some of the challenges he faces in teaching and coaching leadership and how he overcomes those challenges. In addition, Greg discusses his a...

Episode Notes Today's guest is Greg Jaskot from Middletown, CT. Greg is the Associate Director of Advancement and the Offensive Coordinator of the Football Team at Xavier High School in Middletown, CT. In this episode, Greg and I discuss the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on his day to day routines, what he's done during quarantine time, and we learn about who Greg leads, his leadership styl...