The Leadership Educator Podcast

In this episode, Dan and Lauren are joined by Dr. Kathy Guthrie , Professor of Higher Education and Leadership at Florida State University, and Dr. Gayle Spencer , Senior Director of the Illinois Leadership Center at the University of Illinois. Together, Guthrie and Spencer co-edited New Directions for Student Leadership Issue #187: General Principles for Advancing Leadership Programs (Fall 2025)...

In this episode, Dan and Lauren are joined by Dr. Cris Wildermuth , Professor of Leadership and Program Director for the Master of Science in Leadership and Innovation and the B.S. in Organizational Leadership at Barry University. Cris is also a member of the ILA Leadership Education Academy facilitation team and brings more than two decades of experience as a leadership educator, researcher, and...

In this episode, Dan and Lauren are joined by Dr. Jason Headrick , Associate Professor of Leadership and Community Development at Texas Tech University. Jason's work sits at the intersection of leadership education, rural community development, and inclusive leadership practices. He also serves as director of the Civic Leadership Academy at Texas Tech's Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and N...

In this episode of The Leadership Educator Podcast, Lauren and Dan talk with Dr. Kat Callahan and Dr. Sean Connable about New Directions for Student Leadership Issue 185, Pop Culture’s Contributions to Leadership Development. The conversation explores how leadership educators can use pop culture as more than an attention-getter and instead treat it as a serious tool for examining storytelling, cul...

In this episode,  Dan and Lauren are back for Season 12 of The Leadership Educator Podcast. Before diving into the season, they catch listeners up on where they have been since May 2025 — what they have been working on, what they have published, and what is ahead. This season focuses on specific instructional strategies leadership educators use to facilitate learning across curricular and co-curri...

In this episode of The Leadership Educator Podcast, Dan  and  Lauren wrap up Season 11 by reflecting on the innovative tools and themes explored throughout the series. They explore how reflection, healthy competition, storytelling, gamification, and online simulations are transforming leadership education. Guests from the season share insights on designing meaningful learning experiences, using di...

In this episode, Dan  and  Lauren go behind the scenes of the 2025 International Leadership Association’s Leadership Education Academy with co-founder and co-chair Dr. Corey Seemiller and co-chair Dr. Nathan Eva . They talk about what’s new in the evolving curriculum, the energy and fun that make the experience unforgettable, and how LEA continues to foster a strong, inclusive community of leaders...

In this episode, hosts Dan  and  Lauren speak with Gary Lloyd , founder of The Leadership Skills Lab and author of Gardeners Not Mechanics: How to Cultivate Change at Work . With decades of experience leading change in financial markets and banking, Gary shares how his interactive, web-based platform leverages coaching, role play, and AI to support leadership growth. He challenges traditional appr...

In this episode, Dan  and  Lauren speak with the co-editors of New Directions for Student Leadership #184 , Drs. Jonathan R. Kroll , Cameron C. Beatty , and Amber Manning-Ouellette . They explore Facilitating Leadership Development in Training Contexts, released in Winter 2024. This special issue centers on student leadership training and emphasizes the need for leadership educators to both unders...

In this episode of The Leadership Educator Podcast, hosts Dan  and  Lauren connect with Drs. Lisa Kuron and Kris Gerhardt from Wilfrid Laurier University, where they teach in the Leadership Program within the Department of Human & Social Sciences. Active in ILA, ALE, and MOBTS, both are closely involved with the Collegiate Leadership Competition (CLC), a global initiative that turns leadership...

In this episode of The Leadership Educator Podcast, hosts  Dan  and  Lauren sit down with Dr. Lacey Grey Hunter and Lori Throupe from Christopher Newport University. Lacey serves as Director of the President’s Leadership Program and adjunct faculty, while Lori is the Faculty Director of Academic Success and a leadership faculty member. Together, they explore the concepts of team building and team...

In this episode, Dan  and  Lauren discuss the latest issue of New Directions for Student Leadership with special issue co-editors Drs. Brittany Devies and Ana C. Maia . They explore  NDSL #183: Applying the Leadership Learning Framework in Practice , released in Fall 2024. Brittany and Ana share insights on how the Leadership Learning Framework can be applied to enhance student leadership developm...

In this episode of The Leadership Educator Podcast, hosts Dan and Lauren sit down with Dr. Shannon Cleverley-Thompson, President of Cleverly Consulting and Dissertation-in-Practice Chair at Creighton University. With over 15 years of experience teaching in executive leadership programs, Shannon shares how storytelling can be a transformative tool in leadership education. She dives into evidence-ba...

In this episode of The Leadership Educator, hosts Dan  and  Lauren talk with Dr. Paige Haber-Curran about creating engaging teaching activities for leadership education. Drawing from her experiences as both an educator and a parent, she reveals how inspiration for innovative classroom techniques can emerge from everyday life. Dr. Haber-Curran shares insights into the origins of the Great Ideas Tea...

In this episode, Dan  and  Lauren discuss integrating reflection into leadership classes and programs with Dr. Jillian Volpe White . Jillian shares things to consider when adding reflection to your teaching and workshop plans. All share ways they have used it in the classroom or trainings. Resources mentioned in this episode include: ----more---- Journal Keeping: Journal Keeping: How to Use Reflec...

In this episode, Dan  and  Lauren speak with Dr. Joe Lasley , an educator and scholar who integrates gaming into leadership courses and training. Together, they discuss their experiences incorporating games into classrooms and workshops. Joe also shares valuable resources for those looking to get started.

In this episode, Dan speaks with Drs. Corey Seemiller and Jessica Hill about adding improv exercises to leadership courses and workshops.  Resources mentioned include: ----more---- Professors at Play:  https://professorsatplay.org/ Yes, and Higher Education Network:  https://eastsideinstitute.org/yes-and-higher-education-network/ Applied Improvisation Network:  https://www.appliedimprovisationnetw...

In this episode, Dan  and  Lauren preview the theme for this season, focusing on teaching activities within leadership classrooms and programs. They begin with a few professional updates before exploring the topics that will be discussed throughout the season.  Other updates mentioned in this episode include: ----more---- Journal of Leadership Studies Special Symposia on AI & Leadership Call f...

In the final episode of season 10, Dan  and  Lauren   reflect on their experiences from the season. They revisit conversations with faculty members about their innovative courses and explore the diverse approaches to teaching leadership. The duo shares key takeaways and lessons learned from various episodes, discussing classroom strategies and the challenges faced by educators. Some resources from...

In this episode, Dan  and  Lauren dive into a masterclass on teaching followership with Drs. Mark Rennaker and Mike Linville from Indiana Wesleyan University's Division of Leadership & Followership Studies . They explore how followership education enhances leadership development, sharing insights from their undergraduate and graduate courses. The conversation delves into assignments, like char...

In this episode, Dan  and  Lauren dive into a conversation with Dr. Donnette Noble and Jesse New about their approach to teaching a civic leadership course. They discuss how leadership educators can foster civility and constructive debate in a polarized society by integrating critical thinking assignments, impactful texts, and reflective learning. All share practical strategies to help create mean...

Join Lauren  and  Dan as they delve into The Inclusive Organization with Dr. Kimberly Walker , a leader in DEI education. Learn about the course's unique structure, which blends practical assignments like action plans with DEI history and culture explorations. Dr. Walker discusses how she empowers students—ranging from explorers to seasoned leaders—to push boundaries and drive organizational chang...

In this episode,   Lauren  and  Dan welcome Dr. Tony Middlebrooks , Clinical Full Professor of Leadership at the University of Florida, and Matthew Creasy , Associate Director of Leadership Development at the University of Delaware. Together, they explore their experiences teaching LEAD 300: Leadership, Creativity, and Innovation. Listeners will hear insights on how creativity and leadership inter...

In this episode, Dan  and  Lauren explore the critical topic of hazing prevention with experts from StopHazing , Jennifer Desmond , and Dr. Elizabeth Allan . They discuss the " 10 Signs of Healthy and Unhealthy Groups " workshop, designed to help leaders and educators foster safer, more positive group environments. Jenny and Elizabeth explain key concepts like defining hazing, recognizing behavior...

In this episode, Lauren  and  Dan discuss the most recent issue of New Directions for Student Leadership with special issue co-editors Drs. Linnette Werner and John Weng . They discuss the issue released in Spring 2024, titled " NDSL #181: Intentional Emergence: Addressing 21st Century Learner Needs ." ----more---- Resources mentioned in this episode include: Intentional Emergence: Addressing 21st...