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In their own words
Joshua Stamper provides an opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced and accomplished educational leaders. As we grow in our leadership skills, it’s imperative to learn from other leader’s successes, trials and misconceptions. Join us each week as my guests provide valuable stories, resources, and advice to enhance your leadership journey.
As heard by us
Based on 5 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Aspire to Lead turns school leadership into practical management lessons about engagement, staff culture, feedback, and sustainable professional growth.
Aspire to Lead treats leadership as work done in classrooms, staff meetings, and professional development rather than discussed at a distance.
Why you'd press play
A paper airplane made from assigned curriculum might be your next classroom idea.
Press play if you want
- to ask why a student won't pick up a pencil before deciding what to do next
- to make hard feedback with colleagues feel useful instead of personal
Talks about
Podcasts like Aspire to Lead
Educational Leadership Moment#EducationalLeader | Dr. Kim MooreSchool leadership notes and a firm case for public schools
Trending In Ed with Mike PalmerClear thinking about education’s next turn.
Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. ParkerSteady counsel for school leaders.
Episodes
- 1
377. Boredom, Frustration and Task Avoidance Busters: Featuring Katie Powell
Hidden gemAfter Joshua Stamper's warm intro and conference connection, Katie Powell gets into the classroom stuff teachers recognize fast: students who opt out without making a scene.
Apr 18, 2026·32m·2 clips - 2
NCMLE Bonus: Connection, Anxiety, & Student Engagement with Charlie Peck, Gretchen Bridgers, and Vernon Wright
Hidden gemThis fourth NCMLE conference bonus episode features three short segments: Joshua Stamper speaks with co-author Charlie Peck about their joint 'Language of Behavior' session and upcoming system-level program, then with local author Gretchen Bridges about her 'teacher essentials' framework, and finally with returning guest Vernon Wright about his leadership session on influence and massive action.
Apr 17, 2026·19m·1 clip - 3
376. Unlocking Social Emotional Learning with Hip Hop: Featuring David Spellmon
Hidden gemJoshua Stamper interviews David Spellman, creator of Just Like Music: Social Emotional Learning Inspired by Hip Hop, a book and curriculum that uses hip hop lyrics to teach SEL competencies including self-awareness, relationship skills, and conflict resolution.
Apr 11, 2026·32m·2 clips - 4
NCMLE Bonus: The Motivation Equation & Leading with Hope with Frederick Buskey and Dr. Brandi Kelly
Joshua Stamper hosts a live-recorded conversation with educational leaders Frederick Buskey and Dr.
Apr 10, 2026·15m - 5
375. Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom: Featuring Sarah Oberle & Mitch Weathers
Host Joshua Stamper interviews authors Mitch Weathers and Sarah Oberle about their new book on executive functioning for K-3 classrooms.
Apr 6, 2026·34m - 6
NCMLE Bonus: Sustainable Leadership, Perseverance, and Motivation with Katie Powell, Ronnel Blackmon, & Charles Williams
Hidden gemJoshua Stamper records three short conference-floor conversations at the NCMLE Moving the Middle Forward Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Apr 3, 2026·20m·1 clip - 7
374. Teaching in Color: Featuring Brandon Jenkins
Mar 28, 2026·29m - 8
NCMLE Bonus: Resilience, AI, and Community with Julie Hasson, Brad Waid, and David James
Mar 27, 2026·16m - 9
373. Why Emotional Intelligence Is the Missing Link in Teacher Retention: Featuring Katrina Huels
Mar 21, 2026·26m - 10
372. It Is Not Procrastination, It Is Executive Function: Featuring Carrie Bonnett
Mar 15, 2026·28m - 11
371. Lead Where Your Feet Are: Featuring David James
Mar 8, 2026·33m - 12
370. For the Educators Who are Exhausted and Overextended: Featuring Kim Gameroz
Feb 28, 2026·36m - 13
Aspire Mailbag: EQ Over Ego & Navigating School Politics
Feb 21, 2026·29m - 14
369. The Science of School Discipline: Featuring Nathan Maynard
Feb 13, 2026·29m - 15
368. Every Child Deserves a Team: Featuring Kurtis Hewson
Feb 8, 2026·35m - 16
367. The Science of Kindness and Belonging: Featuring Dr. Christopher Culver
Jan 31, 2026·26m - 17
BONUS: Leading Well at Every Level with Mitch Weathers, TJ Vari and Joshua Stamper
Jan 29, 2026·20m - 18
366. Designing Routines for Executive Function Growth: Featuring Sarah Oberle
Jan 25, 2026·32m - 19
365. Establishing Your Leadership Identity and Experience: Featuring Brad Hughes
Jan 18, 2026·23m - 20
364. From Surviving to Flourishing Together: Featuring Mitch Weathers and Kim Gameroz
Jan 10, 2026·20m - 21
Aspire Mailbag: Communication, Culture, and Conflict in School Leadership
Jan 3, 2026·32m - 22
363. Teaching with the Seasons for the Whole-Child: Featuring Walter McKenzie, Heather Lageman, and Leigh Alley
Hidden gemJoshua Stamper interviews the three co-authors of School Seasons Accelerated — Walter McKenzie, Dr.
Dec 28, 2025·37m·2 clips - 23
362. Harnessing Cultural Mapping to Build Commitment: Featuring Dr. Ben Johnson and Bobby Dodd
Dec 21, 2025·38m - 24
361. You Don’t Have to Leave the Classroom to Lead: Featuring Dr. Chris Jochum
Dec 14, 2025·24m - 25
360. Time, Tools, and Tactics for Real Instructional Leadership: Featuring Dr. Joseph Jones and Dr. T.J. Vari
Dec 7, 2025·23m - 26
359. Inside-Out Transformation with Mental Health Cohorts Featuring Charle Peck
Joshua Stamper and Charlie Peck discuss the power of cohort training for school leaders and promote an upcoming leadership cohort.
Nov 29, 2025·24m - 27
358. Building a Leadership Life That Lasts: Featuring Evan Robb
Nov 24, 2025·26m - 28
357. Creating a Values-Driven Leadership Life: Featuring Dr. Sarah Johnson
Nov 16, 2025·30m - 29
Aspire Mailbag: Trust, Control, and Checking our Ego
Nov 8, 2025·33m - 30
356. Turning Behavior Support into a Promise of Care: Featuring Tim Grivois
Nov 3, 2025·22m - 31
BONUS: Teach Better Talk on the Aspire to Lead Cohort
Oct 31, 2025·31m - 32
355. The 4 Elements of Leadership: Featuring Tyler Comeau
Oct 25, 2025·33m - 33
354. Reigniting the Spark Within: Featuring Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson
Host Joshua Stamper interviews educator Julie Schmidt-Hasson about leadership and growth in education.
Oct 17, 2025·23m - 34
353. A New Path for Aspiring Leaders with Joshua Stamper and Kim Gameroz
Oct 11, 2025·20m - 35
352. Empowering the Next Generation of Girls: Featuring Jill Peterson and Mary Frances
Oct 5, 2025·39m - 36
351. Leading with Relational Intelligence: Featuring Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket
Host Joshua Stamper interviews Dr.
Sep 27, 2025·28m - 37
350. Finding Your Spark to Redefine Leadership: Featuring Danny Steele
Sep 21, 2025·24m - 38
BONUS: The Language of Behavior Strategies at the Thrive Conference
Sep 19, 2025·29m - 39
349. Creating a Drug-Free Future for Students: Featuring Jake White
Sep 14, 2025·31m - 40
348. Instructional Leadership That Transforms Learning: Featuring Valerie Arechiga
Sep 7, 2025·28m - 41
347. The Guide to Creating a School Kids Deserve: Featuring Todd Nesloney
Joshua Stamper interviews Todd Insoloni about educational leadership and announces a free virtual conference for educators.
Aug 30, 2025·28m - 42
346. Racing the Future of Education: Featuring Brad Waid
Aug 23, 2025·34m - 43
345. Nurturing the Emerging Teacher Leader: Featuring Dr. Kathy Perez and Dr. Margaret Coughlan
Aug 17, 2025·32m - 44
344. Stressed Leader Strategies to Stay in the Game: Featuring Dr. Dan Stecken
Aug 10, 2025·33m - 45
343. Leadership Starts with Clarity: A Joint Episode with Darrin Peppard
Joshua Stamper shares insights from a recent education conference and introduces a shared episode with Darren Pepperd on preparing educational leaders for the new school year.
Aug 3, 2025·39m - 46
BONUS: VIBE Edu – Why Most PD Falls Flat and What Educators Actually Need
Jul 26, 2025·38m - 47
Improving Memory and Retrieval Processes: Featuring Mitch Weathers
Jul 19, 2025·27m - 48
342. From Survival Mode to Systemic Change: Featuring Dr. Casey Jakubowski
Jul 13, 2025·29m - 49
341. The Truth Behind Leadership Clarity and Collaboration: Featuring Casey Watts
Jul 5, 2025·27m - 50
Bonus: The Ruler Shortcut and the Cost of Convenience
Jul 1, 2025·7m