Unsupervised Leadership: A podcast for fun, fab, & fierce females

It's Taylor Swift's wedding day... and yes, we're absolutely here for it. 💍✨ But we're also tackling a question every candidate (and every hiring team) should be thinking about: Should you ask about work-life balance during a job interview? Let's just say... we have a LOT to say. Don't miss this episode!

On this end-of-year episode, we’re wrapping up the final week of school and covering a little bit of everything — from the emotions of graduation season and the speeches that have stayed with us, to what we’ve learned sitting on interview teams and what really matters when hiring great people. We’re also diving into teacher retention data, why culture matters , team environments, and reflecting on...

In this quick-hit episode, we’re back with our favorite co-host-in-crime, DJ Joe Sweeney , as the countdown to summer officially begins. We’re talking end-of-year survival, what’s actually on deck for the summer (spoiler: it’s not all rest), and why this season always brings a mix of excitement and reflection. We also get real about the noise—because as Joe steps into his new role, there are alrea...

We’re not saying we’re superstitious… but we are dropping a bonus pod because something is working. From Final Four energy (and of course some Illini love) to all things Masters week—yes, including Tiger talk—we’re covering it all. Then we've got what really matters: our Summer House update, where Kate has A LOT to say (and none of it is calm). Sports, chaos, hot takes, and Joe's back agai...

Courtney is feeling just superstitious enough that we had to drop an impromptu pod today—because when Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball wins and punches a ticket to the Elite 8, you don’t mess with the vibes. We’ve got special guest (and colleague/podcaster) Joe Sweeney joining us as we dive into all things March Madness, sports hot takes, and the kind of chaos you only get when we hit...

We’re baaaack—and this episode is giving workplace reality check . We’re diving into generational differences at work , breaking down the madness of companies forcing people back into the office, and honestly? We’re just over here hoping it pushes a few of you to join us in education—because we’re basically saving the world over here. We also hit on how everything online gets twisted (why is that...

Go buy this book! Today on the Unsupervised Leadership podcast, we’re joined by author Amanda Neary, who is turning big feelings into powerful lessons for young learners. Amanda recently released her children’s book, Ellis Learns to Let it Out: Monday Morning , a gentle and reassuring story that helps children navigate emotions like frustration, worry, and overwhelm—especially during those tough M...

This episode is a choose-your-own-adventure of chaos and clarity. We let ChatGPT tell us what it’s learned about us (👀… some truths were LOUD), unpack the Ashley Tisdale mom-group drama that has the internet spiraling, and gush over our current obsession—The Traitors . We also make our very official, absolutely debatable Super Bowl prediction and wrap it all up with a rapid-fire round of Would Yo...

What does leadership really look like when the awards are handed out and the spotlight fades? In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Nick Polyak , 2026 Illinois Superintendent of the Year, joins us to talk about the journey behind the title. We dive into his leadership path, the impact of the Aspiring Superintendent Academy, and lessons learned across five books—and even more years of l...

It’s our final episode of 2025 , and we’re officially shedding skin and picking up speed. We’re closing out the Year of the Snake —the year of reflection, reinvention, and releasing what we hate—and getting ready to gallop into the Year of the Horse with momentum, confidence, and zero apologies. In this episode: What the Year of the Snake taught us—and what we’re shedding before midnight Kate is d...

We’re back — and not waiting until January 1st because you don’t need a new year to make a new decision. After a little hiatus, we’re diving straight into the real talk: why leaders feel like they can’t be vulnerable, how constant criticism wears people down, and we’re still showing up, still supporting others, and still not asking for permission. We’re breaking down a new workplace study that say...

It’s Courtney’s last day in her 40s, and we’re getting real about what the last decade taught her — from surviving surprise parties to juggling motherhood, leadership, and life. We’re talking lessons learned, dreams for her 50s, and the art of keeping it all (mostly) together. We're also talking about new student podcast, Unmuted , so check it out if you haven't! Grab your champagne, becau...

We're talking about us getting board members on the pod, interviewing, setting boundaries, and coachability - join us for a quick drop!

We're back and we've got friends with us today! What happens when we're staying late after our new student podcast? What keeps us up at night? What would we change about education? And now we've got sound effects too!

Dr. Stephanie Owens-Burkhart, Physical Therapist, and Courtney's PT, drops real-world hacks on pain, posture, movement, and burnout so leaders can feel fierce and sleep better, and we're here for all of it, and you will be, too!

We've been out, but we're back and committed to recording more episodes...we're talking about opening institute, we've got a great new gig open in our district, and we're of course bantering about the big engagement...you know who we're talking about!

We’re diving into the 5 ways to feel appreciated at work (spoiler: martyrdom isn’t one of them). We also unpack how to protect your peace when work tries to follow you home. Courtney goes off on her least favorite thing—yes, the dreaded 👍 text reaction—and we share highlights from our latest cohort session with Dr. Gabe (surviving hardship like a boss) and Carrie (burnout truth bombs). Oh—and Kat...

This week on Unsupervised Leadership , Kate introduces her new AI BFF, Nova (yes, she named ChatGPT), and let’s just say…it’s working. While sipping Michelob Ultra with limes, Kate and Courtney set the record straight on what actually happens at the District Office in the summer (spoiler alert: no bon bons involved). Plus, they spill on their incredible new cohort and how Nova accidentally helped...

Tony and his friend are launching Country Club Social —a golf simulator and bar that’s basically your new favorite hangout spot. Courtney gets a much needed text, while Kate breaks down her human design profile, and we’re kicking off our Unstoppable cohort tomorrow with nearly 100 incredible women from across the country!

This week on Unsupervised Leadership , we’re serving up something stronger than coffee—starting with the Texas parent who brought jello shots to school (and yes, this is exactly why food policies exist). We also dive into a “Would You Rather?” that’ll have you yelling your answer at your car stereo, unpack why protecting your peace and time at work is a leadership must, and hear Courtney’s candid...

This week on Unsupervised Leadership , we’re sitting down with the fierce, fearless, and fabulous Dr. Brandi Kelly —and trust us, you’re going to want to hear this. In an exclusive interview, Brandi opens up about her bold decision to leave the superintendency to launch her own business, redefine her purpose, and take control of her next chapter. She also gives us a first look at her brand-new boo...

Courtney and Kate dive headfirst into the generational trenches—yes, we’re talking Boomers, Millennials, Gen Z, and all the eye rolls in between. We unpack how leadership looks different (and sounds louder) across age groups, why flexibility matters, and how our upcoming Unsupervised Leadership Cohort in June is bridging the gap with real talk, zero fluff, and a dash of chaos. Oh, and ChatGPT? It&...

Dr. Dan Cox joins us for an honest, unfiltered convo on leadership, identity, and survival. In one of his first public interviews since announcing his separation from his district, Dan opens up about the emotional toll of leadership, the myth of "your job isn’t who you are," and what running ultramarathons has taught him about resilience. Raw. Real. Relevant.

Myles has acid reflux...Kate loves Zac Efron...and we're surrounded by feedback (not idiots!)...we've got a lot to say this week!

We lost a great educator this week...and she was the epitome of an F4Leader. We're back though, and we're committed to finding time to record this pod. Kate's telling us how motherhood is going, and we're talking about the importance of background checks...and don't worry- we're not afraid to share our pet peeves at work.