The Empowered Principal® Podcast

Are you stepping into your first year as a school principal?     The excitement of landing that leadership position can quickly collide with the overwhelming reality of what the job actually entails. As a new leader, you're not just taking on a new role – you're embarking on a personal development journey that will stretch your mental, emotional, and physical capacity in ways you never imagined.  ...

Are you overcome with guilt whenever you need to take a sick day? And even then, do you try to brush it off, pretend it isn't happening, and attempt to push through?   This week, I address a profound issue that came up during a recent EPC call with one of my clients. She was dragging herself to work despite being sick for two weeks, feeling guilty about the burden she was placing on her husband at...

Do you ever feel that pang of anxiety when you realize you've missed an important meeting or weren't included in a crucial conversation?   If you're navigating this tension between wanting to know everything happening in your school and district versus recognizing what information you actually need to fulfill your leadership responsibilities, this episode is for you.   This week, we'll explore the...

Have you ever felt like you're drowning in the demands of school leadership?   Like you're constantly choosing between being a good leader and having a life outside of school?   You're not alone.   In this week's episode, I sit down with Jeff Linden of the Education Leadership with Principal JL podcast to share my journey from feeling completely overwhelmed as a first-year principal to discovering...

As we enter April and the final season of this school year, this is the perfect opportunity to examine our intentions and how we're showing up in our lives.   Many of us feel stretched too thin—not feeling "good enough" in our various roles as educators, parents, partners, or friends. This overwhelming sensation often stems from trying to do too much without clear intention. When we operate on aut...

Do your teachers ever come to you with perceived problems they want your help solving? It's easy to get caught up in trying to solve every issue that comes your way, but what if some of those "problems" aren't really problems at all?   In this episode, I share a powerful coaching conversation I had with a principal who was struggling with a teacher collaboration issue. We uncovered some key insigh...

As a leadership coach, I've observed various leadership styles and approaches, and I've noticed that many school leaders are feeling distressed, concerned, and angry about the current state of education. The impact of leadership changes on schools, districts, communities, families, and students can be significant, and it's natural to feel a sense of uncertainty and fear.   I explore the reasons wh...

I share an excerpt from my Relationship Mastery program that dives into how to identify and approach people who engage in conflict for their own personal gain. Through my own journey with professional and personal relationships, I've gained valuable insights on how to navigate these tricky situations.   Join me as we explore ways to create awareness around this behavior and tools to help shut it d...

I dive into the concept of the two inner voices we all have - the voice of truth and the voice of fear. Understanding the role and purpose of each voice is crucial for school leaders who want to make aligned decisions and build strong relationships.   Join me as I explain how to recognize these two voices and share strategies for tuning into your voice of truth more often. By the end of this episo...

I sit down with Kristi Simons, a former teacher turned life coach who specializes in helping teens develop emotional intelligence and essential life skills. Through her own journey of self-discovery and transformation, Kristi has gained invaluable insights into the power of mindfulness, self-love, and embracing the full spectrum of human emotions.   We dive deep into the challenges teens face in t...

I dive deep into the psychology behind our to-do lists and shares my insights on how to create a list that truly serves you. Let's explore the emotional relationship we have with our lists and how it impacts our ability to prioritize, delegate, and follow through on our commitments.   Get ready to revolutionize your approach to task management and discover how to create a to-do list that empowers...

In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, I share a raw and unfiltered message that I recently posted in my public Facebook group for school leaders. I dive deep into the struggles that so many principals and administrators face, especially when they're new to the role or dealing with particularly challenging situations.   If you're suffering emotionally and feeling like you're not cut out t...

In this raw and personal episode, I dive into what it feels like to be wrongly accused and labeled as the "bad guy" in leadership. I share my own experiences of being blamed for other people's feelings, decisions, and actions - and how I learned to navigate those painful situations with grace and empowerment.   Join me as we explore the duality of leadership, the importance of emotional regulation...

In this episode, we'll explore why change is essential and how it can lead to innovation, creativity, and evolution in our schools. I share my own personal journey with change and how I've learned to embrace it rather than resist it.   Get ready to shift your mindset and see change in a whole new light. We'll discuss practical strategies for not only accepting change but actually celebrating it. B...

In this episode, I'm diving deep into the root causes of the Sunday Scaries and offering practical strategies to shift your mindset and approach the week ahead with confidence and clarity. As a school leader, your mental and emotional well-being is crucial to your success and the success of your school. It's time to break free from the cycle of worry and embrace a more empowered way of leading.  ...

As a principal, it's easy to swing between being too nice and too strict in an attempt to avoid conflict or prove your authority. But what if there was a better way to respond to criticism and lead with confidence? Join me as we unpack the layers of defensiveness and discover how to communicate more effectively, even in challenging situations.   By the end of this episode, you'll have a new perspe...

The last few years have brought significant shifts in my personal life, and I'm so grateful to have had the support of coaching to navigate the intense emotions and challenges that came with it. Coaching has been an absolute game-changer for me, allowing me to rewrite the script, find joy amidst the pain, and come out stronger on the other side.   I dive into the power of shifting our focus from t...

In this powerful episode, I share the game-changing concept of "The Solution Cycle" - a framework that has transformed the way I approach leadership challenges. By shifting your mindset and focusing on generating solutions rather than dwelling on problems, you can tap into a newfound sense of clarity, confidence, and momentum.   Join me this week as I walk you through the steps of The Solution Cyc...

In this episode, I share insights from a recent coaching call with one of my amazing clients who is a first-year principal. Through her example, I explore how to create next level results for your school by focusing on enhancing the quality of the experience for everyone within your community, and it goes beyond more than just academics.   Learn how to create a vision for your school that goes bey...

I'm here this week to tell you that there is a way to silence the overwhelm - or at least turn down its volume. My guess is that you're currently trying to outrun the overwhelm by working harder and faster, but the truth is it's only leading to even more of it. The key is to stop, take a breath, and listen to what your emotions are trying to tell you, and I guide you through this process in this e...

I sit down with Andra Bostic and Sarah Murphy, the founders of The Principal Exchange, to discuss how their platform is revolutionizing the way principals access support and resources. Andra and Sarah bring a wealth of experience to the table, having worked as classroom teachers, reading specialists, instructional coaches, and administrators in public education. Through their work, they've travele...

If you find yourself stressed out about walkthroughs, it's an indication that you have some internal work to do as a principal around your thoughts about yourself and your work. The great news is that when you learn how to create psychological safety for yourself around the walkthrough process, you can do the same for your teachers. And in this episode, I show you how to banish walkthrough anxiety...

"Equal value but different" is a powerful concept that has transformed the way I think about my work as a school leader and my relationships in my personal life. It's the idea that every person has inherent worth and value to offer, even if it looks different from what we typically prioritize or celebrate.   Learn what the concept of "equal value but different" means, how you can apply this concep...

As an educator and school leader, it's easy to get caught up in the endless demands of the job - pleasing your staff, students, parents, and district, putting out fires, and chasing external metrics of success. We think experiencing pleasure and delight in our work is irresponsible, but this week, I challenge the deeply ingrained belief that feeling good is at odds with being a committed, effectiv...

Leaders are often obsessed with "doing," and this approach comes with a certain kind of hustling or forcing energy. People forcefully create results in their lives all the time, but is that the way you want the experience of school leadership to feel?    Join me this week as I explore the concept of "feel good goals" and how balancing masculine and feminine energy can help you create a more fulfil...