Mindful School Marketing

Today we’re joined by Cheryl Fischer, a certified Life and Mindset Coach and host of the Mind Your Midlife podcast. Cheryl spent over a decade as a secondary school teacher and now works with educators and professionals to help them shift the stories they tell themselves—from stuck and overwhelmed to capable, confident, and clear. This conversation is full of honest reflections and practical strat...

This special episode was recorded live at the VAIS Advancement Institute, where we hosted a panel conversation with three marketing and enrollment leaders from very different school environments. From large boarding schools to small community-focused campuses, each panelist brought a unique lens to what’s working in school marketing—and what’s changing fast. We covered everything from navigating l...

Today, we’re welcoming back Peter Baron, founder of Moonshot OS and a Certified Top Coach. Peter has spent years working closely with independent school leaders, and in this episode, he shares fresh insights on the evolving challenges schools face and how marketing, leadership, and operational systems all play a critical role in building resilience. We dive into: The surprising results of Peter’s...

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, we’re joined by Jonathan Lee—coach, educator, mentor, and former independent school student and administrator—who shares his lived experience and offers a deeply insightful look at what true belonging looks like for students of color in independent schools. Jonathan doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, and we’re grateful for his honesty as he reflects...

In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant and always insightful Chuck English of English Marketing Works. Chuck has partnered with dozens of independent schools across the U.S. and Canada, helping them clarify their messaging, sharpen their marketing, and truly stand out in crowded markets. We loved this conversation because Chuck doesn’t just talk theory—he shares practical, real-world strat...

We’re bringing back one of our most insightful conversations with Devin Donaldson, a nonprofit development expert who has led record-breaking fundraising campaigns. This episode is packed with strategies to help schools and nonprofits maximize fundraising through peer-to-peer giving and giving days. Join us as we explore: How peer-to-peer fundraising can expand your donor base and increase engagem...

We’re bringing back one of our most insightful conversations with Jesse Meadows, co-founder and managing director of Schoolcraft Digital. This episode is a must-listen for schools looking to use data-driven marketing to increase enrollment and engagement. Join us as we dive into: The biggest mistake schools make in their enrollment funnel—and how to fix it. Why first-party data is more important t...

In this Best of Series episode, we’re revisiting one of our most impactful conversations with Michelle Mercurio, a brand catalyst and authenticist who helps visionaries clarify their purpose, voice their big ideas, and navigate marketing hurdles with confidence. Join us as we explore: How visioning is the first step in defining and clarifying your brand. The process of uncovering what makes an org...

In this Best of Series episode, we’re revisiting one of our most insightful conversations with David Willows and Suzette Parlevliet from [YELLOW CAR], a leading training and consultancy firm specializing in helping schools differentiate themselves through powerful experience strategies. Tune in as we dive into: How experience strategy can help independent schools stand out in a competitive landsca...

In this special 100th episode of the Mindful School Marketing podcast, we’re celebrating an incredible milestone and reflecting on the journey that brought us here. Join us as we look back at how this podcast started, the lessons we’ve learned, and the amazing guests we’ve had the privilege to feature. We’ll share behind-the-scenes stories, insights into how marketing and education have evolved si...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing , we talk with Evan J. Harris, founder of Pathos Consulting Group, about the role of AI ethics in independent schools. Evan shares his journey into AI, offering insights on integrating AI tools responsibly to enhance efficiency while addressing key risks like data privacy and bias. He emphasizes the importance of better training for non-classroom staff,...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we are joined by Bob Thomas, Head of School at the Walden School in Pennsylvania. Bob shares his journey through school leadership, emphasizing the impact of diversity, equity, and servant leadership. He recounts an inspiring letter about his father’s achievements as an African American leader and the significance of servant leadership principles...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing , we dive into the world of branding for schools with Madison Carr, a branding expert who specializes in helping schools align their identity and connect with the right audience. Madison shares insights on the critical role of brand strategy in standing out in a competitive educational landscape, the importance of internal alignment before focusing on vi...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing , we sit down with Tesha McCord Poe, founder and CEO of Joy Raising. Tesha shares her inspiring journey from a successful legal career to building her own consultancy, where she blends fundraising with principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). We dive into her unique approach to creating joyful, mission-aligned fundraising strateg...

On this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we welcome Jen Danish, head of Grace Episcopal Day School, who brings over 30 years of experience in independent schools. Jen’s commitment to fostering nurturing and inclusive school communities is at the heart of her work at Grace. In this episode, she introduces us to Grace’s pioneering Community Tuition Model, designed to make independent education m...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we sit down with Nicole McDermott, an independent school leader with over two decades of experience. Nicole shares insights into her work as a facilitator and certified leadership coach trained in Brene Brown’s ‘Dare to Lead’ program. We dive deep into how courage, vulnerability, and clarity play a critical role in educational leadersh...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we sit down with James Riley, a former high school math and statistics teacher of 20 years who now runs Forward Dataworks, a company with a goal to address the growing need for schools to make data-driven decisions. James brings some fascinating insights on how independent and private schools can tap into the power of data for smarter decision-making, e...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we speak with Scott Butterworth, principal of Fine Point Communications, about the importance of strategic messaging for independent schools. Scott draws from his crisis communication experience to advise school leaders on preparing for and navigating crises, stressing transparency, understanding community needs, and student-centered communication. He s...

In this episode of the Mindful School Marketing Podcast, we are joined by Dale Seabury to discuss the critical importance of tuition pages on school websites. Dale shares insights on why this page is highly visited and provides strategies on showcasing the school’s value proposition. The conversation covers effective ways to present tuition information, the role of social proof, and the importance...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we chat with Jenny McKee, an astrologer with Sky Whisperers Astrology and a practicing lawyer for over 30 years. Jenny shares her passion for helping people align with their authentic selves through astrology. Despite astrology’s mixed reputation, Jenny discusses its practical applications, especially in educational settings, and how understanding...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we speak with Rebecca Drobis, a passionate photojournalist specializing in educational photography. Rebecca shares her insights on capturing authentic and impactful images for independent schools and she emphasizes the importance of strategy, composition, diversity, and effective lighting in school photography. Rebecca also offers practical tips for sch...

In this special episode, we share attendee and speaker experiences from the National Small Schools Conference held at the Crefeld School in Philadelphia this past June. This conference, known for its warm and supportive atmosphere, provided attendees with a wealth of knowledge through excellent speakers and engaging topics. We had the pleasure of interviewing 13 individuals to gather their insight...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we’re thrilled to have Steve Bristol with us, a seasoned independent school veteran with over 35 years of experience. From his roots as a boarding school triple threat teacher, coach, and dorm head, to roles in administrative leadership such as Director of Athletics, Assistant Head for External Affairs, and Director of Enrollment Management, Steve...

In this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we welcome Melanie Norton, founder and CEO of a boutique nonprofit fundraising and strategic planning consulting firm in Indianapolis, Indiana. Melanie shares her extensive experience from banking, higher education, and consulting, offering invaluable insights into the art and science of fundraising. The discussion delves into key considerations for sma...

On this episode of Mindful School Marketing, we welcome Laura Tierney, the dynamic founder and CEO of The Social Institute. Dive into our discussion about empowering students to navigate their social world with confidence and positivity, particularly through the lens of social media and technology. Laura, a true digital native, shares her journey from a teenager experiencing the dawn of social med...