The Unleash Learning Podcast

Early career leaders are often asked to carry more than ever — without losing sight of learning. Leadership in today’s schools and organisations can feel scattered and relentless, particularly for those early in their leadership journey. Competing priorities, rising expectations, and limited support can make it hard to stay focused on what matters most. In this final episode of the four-part serie...

Early career leadership was never meant to be a solo act. Many new leaders believe that strong leadership means coping quietly, solving problems alone, and not needing support. While rarely spoken aloud, this belief can increase stress, isolation, and burnout — even for highly capable leaders. In Episode 3 of this four-part series, Dr William DeJean and Steven Trotter explore why success teams are...

“I feel like a fraud.” Many early career leaders have thought it — even if they’ve never said it out loud. Stepping into leadership for the first time can feel heavier than expected. The responsibility increases. The visibility increases. The expectations increase. And quietly, self-doubt can increase too. In Episode 2 of this special four-part series, Dr William DeJean is joined by Steven Trotter...

If you’re in your first few years of leadership, you already know the pressure can build quickly. You’re expected to lead with confidence, make sound decisions, and support others, all while still finding your own feet. It can feel like you’re stretched in every direction, quietly questioning whether you’re doing enough or doing it right. You’re not alone. And you’re not failing. You’re leading in...

If you’re working to build more inclusive leadership across your school, organisation, or network, you know how challenging it can be. In a time when language keeps evolving, expectations are shifting, and everyone’s trying to “get it right,” it’s easy to feel unsure about what true inclusion looks like — or how to lead it with confidence. In this episode, William talks with Bronwyn William , Acti...

If you’re working to lead change across your school, network, or state, you know how tough it can be. In the era of overwhelm, with constant initiatives and competing priorities, creating lasting change can feel out of reach. That’s why this episode of our Leadership in the Era of Overwhelm series is one you won’t want to miss. In this episode, William talks with Steven Trotter - a school leader w...

Episode #5 is here 👉🏾 How to Take on New Information with Ease. If you’re leading learning across your school, network, or state, you know the challenge: new information comes at you fast, and in the era of overwhelm, it can feel impossible for staff to take it in. With constant change and already-full mental loads, professional learning risks becoming just another stress point. That’s why this...

If you’re leading learning across your school, network or state, the era of overwhelm can leave you feeling stretched, reactive, and unsure of where to focus. That’s why we’re sharing this 5-part podcast series on Leadership in the Era of Overwhelm. Episode #4 is here 👉🏾 Why a Teaching & Learning Mission Matters in the Era of Overwhelm. Why is this an important topic? Because without a clear...

If you’re leading learning across your school, network or state, in the era of overwhelm it can be tough to know where to focus to make this happen. That’s why we’re share a 5-part podcast series on Leadership in the Era of Overwhelm. Episode #3 is here to share 👉🏾 Why student engagement is Key in the era of overwhelm. Why is this an important topic? Because engagement is Key to making learning...

Are you hearing things like: Teaching for impact High impact… Evidence-based… Explicit… Or seeing new: Books and research State frameworks “Must use” teaching strategies? If you’re leading learning across your school, network or state, in the era of overwhelm it can be tough to know where to focus. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and also the host of Un...

Feel like you can’t keep up anymore? It’s not you. It’s the era we’re now in – I call it the era of overwhelm . We can try working harder, keep chasing the latest thing, or work longer hours – but the truth is, it’s not possible for us to keep up anymore. And if you’re leading learning across your school, network or state, this new era calls for a new way forward. In response to questions about ho...

Are you leading learning? If so, the learning location is a secret tool for your success. And in the era of overwhelm, that location might be your leadership superpower. When you know the secret for setting it up well, it can: Lower your stress * Boost learner engagement Increase inclusion Lessen learner distractions And help make learning stick for everyone. The location is so important for your...

The truck that hit Janine changed the direction of her life. Janine Shepherd was training to be on the Australian Olympic team when the accident happened. Doctors didn’t think she would live. And when she did, they questioned if she’d walk again. But she did. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and also the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. William has...

We’re in a new era. I call it the era of overwhelm 🤯. The era of overwhelm can mean: - change is constant, - you’re trying to just “keep up” - you feel like you’re chasing the next new thing. Want to advance teaching and learning in this new era? There’s a new way forward. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and also the host of Unleash Learning TV and rad...

Ever experience conflict, uncomfortable situations, or division in your team? In the era of overwhelm, it’s easy for this to happen. But if you’re working to advance teaching & learning across your school, having tools to support your team’s success are essential. That’s why we’ve brought Dr. Nancy Dome back to learn how to use a compassion dialogue approach across your team. ABOUT YOUR HOST D...

Working to advance teaching and learning across your school? Instructional coaches can play an important role. *When Unleash Learning comes to a school, that role starts in Year 3. But there’s stuff to know that supports their school-wide success. To help, we’ve got Stephanie Salazar on today’s show. Stephanie’s an award-winning classroom teacher, Assistant Principal, and internationally certified...

OMG! One more thing to do🤯 ! In the era of overwhelm, this is what it can feel like when wellbeing initiatives come to a school, district or state. Not because folks don’t care. But because people feel overloaded. But with the right system in place (The Unleash Learning System™ 😊), schools can develop teacher and student wellbeing in service of teaching and learning. To share how Dr. Suzy Green...

Working to advance teaching and learning, school-wide? Unleash Learning™ has 6 Leadership Team Questions To Ask About Teaching & Learning Across Your School. Because when your entire leadership team is: On the same page📍 Moving in the same direction 🧭 magic can occur. But in the era of overwhelm 🤯, it can be tough to ensure that’s happening. Learn more at Unleash Learning | https://unleash-...

Ever wonder if the digital age is a blessing or a curse? Brett Salakas is on today’s show to offer you important tips for teaching in the digital age. He’s the author of the international bestselling book - A MAMMOTH Lesson: Teaching in the Digital Age. And just named The Most Influential Educator in Australia by The Educator Magazine. What he shared caused me to do a happy dance 🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽 Lear...

Want to make learning stick for everyone? One way to do this is to build a bridge between your students and the content. And when this is a team focus - you’re leaning into a way to advance teaching and learning, school-wide. #unleashlearningtv #music #advanceteaching #studentengagement Learn more at Unleash Learning | https://unleash-learning.com Subscribe to Unleash Learning 📺 → @unleashlearnin...

Ever struggle with student engagement? Hello👋🏼 I’m Stephanie Salazar - An Instructional Leadership Consultant Coach and a former Assistant Principal. After working with schools across NSW, it’s clear that student engagement in learning is a top concern. That’s why I asked Dr. DeJean if I could take over UL 📺 and interview HIM on the topic. William not only speaks passionately about engagement –...

I got pneumonia during my second year of teaching. I was so overwhelmed, that when a cold started, I still didn’t stop.   That cold turned into pneumonia. I was sooo sick for 10 days. I was trying to “keep up” with everything that was demanded of me and my wellbeing took a backseat. The good news is – today, there’s a teacher wellbeing literacy and a teaching & learning school-wide s...

Want to move good teaching to great teaching across your school? Short-term professional learning has its place. But magic happens when a common system is unleashed throughout a school – we’re on countdown for Unleash Learning 2024! Combine that system with instructional coaches and you can boost that magic. Dr. Jim Knight, a leader in instructional coaching, is on today’s show to show you how. Dr...

Please steal these secrets 🤫. They come from Genevieve Simson, former principal of Victoria University Secondary College in Melbourne. These secrets can help move good teaching to great teaching across your school. And she’s sharing these secrets with you on today’s Unleash Learning TV episode. #Unleashlearningtv #unleashlearing #goodtogreat Learn more at Unleash Learning | https://unleash-learni...

Working to strengthen teaching & learning across your school? In our last UL 📺 episode Principal Mark Brookes shared with you his top instructional leadership tips to make that happen. And data also plays a powerful tool! But it’s got to be the right kind of data. And used in a strategic way. That’s why we’ve got Dr. Nina Potter on today’s Unleash Learning 📺. Nina is from San Diego State Uni...