Too many school leaders wear burnout like a badge of honor. Dan Stecken was one of them—until he hit a wall. In this episode, Dan, the Superintendent of Seneca Township High School in Illinois, joins Darrin to share his powerful journey from overwhelmed and unhealthy to intentional and empowered.

Dan opens up about the toll leadership took on his health, the fallacy of servant leadership without self-care, and how shifting his mindset—and his habits—changed everything. Together, they discuss the real cost of constantly being “on,” how to stop being the help desk for your team, and the importance of building community and reclaiming purpose.

You’ll also hear about Dan’s book, Stressed Leaders Stay in the Game, and the immersive retreat experience he created to help other leaders shed the weight of burnout and rediscover their why.

In this episode:

• Why servant leadership needs a rewrite
• The myth of inbox zero
• Morning habits that set the tone for better leadership
• Building a leadership community where vulnerability is a superpower
• How Dan is helping leaders stay in the game

👉 Connect with Dan Stecken:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dan-stecken

Website: stressedleaders.com

📘 Grab the book: Stressed Leaders: Stay in the Game (Published by Road to Awesome)

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review to help other leaders find clarity and purpose on their journey.

In this solo episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard shares the framework and mindset behind truly effective leadership teams. Drawing on his work from coast to coast, including a recent workshop at the Innovative Schools Summit in Nashville, Darrin explains why high-performing leadership teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built with clarity, trust, and purpose.

Through powerful stories and practical takeaways, Darrin walks you through his AWESOME framework, a leadership model that has helped schools and districts across the country move from dysfunction to alignment. Whether you're leading a building or a district, this episode offers actionable insights to help your team become more aligned, accountable, and impactful.

• What separates great leadership teams from the ones that just get by
• The most common traits of ineffective teams (misalignment, lack of trust, unclear roles)
• How to implement the AWESOME Teams Framework:
• Accept the challenge
• Welcome feedback and support
• Examine your priorities
• Stand on your values
• Operate intentionally
• Model what you expect
• Engage in reflection
• Why team norms and trust are essential for collaboration
• How to align your leadership team around shared instructional goals
• The value of team retreats and neutral-facilitated reflection

• RoadToAwesome.net – Website
• The Principal Academy – Online leadership course
• Blog: Road to Awesome – Weekly leadership insights
• Book: Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader
• Book: Culture First Classrooms

• Instagram/Facebook: Darrin M Peppard
• TikTok/X: @DarrinMPeppard
• LinkedIn: Darrin Peppard
• Leadership Retreats: Contact via Road to Awesome

• Share this episode with your leadership team and start a conversation about how you work together.
• Reflect: What is one step your team will take this week to become more aligned and intentional?
• Looking for a leadership retreat or customized support for your team? Reach out to Darrin to schedule your session.

In Episode 224, Dr. Chris Fuzie joins Darrin for a fascinating conversation on behavior-based leadership and the concept of “liminal space”—the space where individuals lead and follow simultaneously. Drawing from his 28 years in law enforcement and extensive leadership consulting experience, Chris breaks down how leadership is not a position but a behavior, and how great leaders also embrace the role of the follower. This episode explores what gets in the way of effective leadership, why behavior matters more than titles, and how reshaping the leadership-followership dynamic is the next evolution in the field.

Guest Bio: Dr. Chris Fuzie is the owner of CMF Leadership Consulting and currently serves as the Business/HR Manager for a District Attorney’s office in California. A Leaderologist II and President of the National Leaderology Association, Chris holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), M.A., and B.A. in Organizational Leadership, with graduate certificates in Human Resources and Criminal Justice Education.

Since 2010, he has developed and delivered leadership training for public, private, profit, and non-profit organizations. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a former national instructor for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and California P.O.S.T. Courses. Chris is the author of Because Why... Understanding Behavior in Exigencies, S.C.O.R.E. Performance Counseling: Save the Relationship, Change the Behavior, and his latest book, Liminal Space: Reshaping Leadership and Followership.

Chris is honorably retired from the Modesto Police Department after 28 years of service, having led teams including the Homicide Team, Hostage Negotiations Team, Street-Level Drug Team, School Police Officer Team, and the Traffic Motor Unit.

Dr. Fuzie on Social Media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-chris-fuzie-ed-d-m-a-ol-vl2-37587934/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090255232861

https://www.facebook.com/chris.fuzie/

https://x.com/CMFLeadership

WEBSITE:

https://www.cmfleadership.com/

https://www.scoreperformancecounseling.com/

In episode 223, Darrin wraps up the special six-part NASSP Principal of the Year finalist series with an inspiring conversation with Shauna Haney, Principal of Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah. Shauna shares her journey from teacher and coach to school leader, and how her coaching background helped shape her leadership philosophy.

We dig into the systems she and her team have put in place to support staff, build teacher-led professional development, and align their work around a shared vision rooted in ROAR: Relationships, Opportunity, Accountability, and Rigor. You’ll hear how her team has achieved a 95% staff retention rate and how small, intentional acts—like student-written postcards of appreciation and teacher shoutouts—help fuel a positive culture of gratitude.

Shauna also shares her approach to being present in the building, the importance of hallway zones and rolling desks, and how she's using data, teacher voice, and intentional leadership to make a lasting difference for her students and staff.

About Shauna Haney: Before becoming the principal of Ogden High School, Shauna Haney served as an assistant principal and taught exercise science, health, special education, and physical education. She’s a two-time Teacher of the Year and received a Distinguished Leadership Award in 2014. Known for her forward-thinking leadership, Shauna helped Ogden become one of Utah’s first schools to implement a no cell phone policy. Her focus on building a strong, supportive school culture has led to an impressive 90–95% staff retention rate post-COVID, and under her guidance, the school has made tremendous gains in literacy, graduation, PBIS, and talent development. Shauna credits the school’s success to the powerful synergy between staff, students, and a deeply supportive community.

Email Shauna: haneys@ogdensd.org

Books Mentioned:

The Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself – By Stephen Trzeciak & Anthony Mazzarelli

Rerouting: Resilience Tools and Tactics – By Duncan Kirkwood

Driven by Data: A Practical Guide to Improve Instruction

– By Paul Bambrick-Santoyo

In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Darrin sits down with fellow high school principal and podcast host Jeff Linden, Principal of Hastings High School in Nebraska. With a shared passion for culture and leadership, Jeff and Darrin dive into what it really takes to build a thriving school environment—especially for those stepping into leadership roles for the first time.

Jeff opens up about his unconventional path to school leadership, including his service in the U.S. Army Reserves, a career in coaching, and his early days as a rookie head football coach and math teacher. He shares what inspired his transition to administration and how a single conversation set him on a leadership journey grounded in systems thinking and relationship building.

Topics covered include:

• The power of systems to reduce chaos and create consistency
• A 60-90-30 day transition plan for new school leaders
• How to foster collective buy-in to support schoolwide accountability
• Jeff’s approach to culture-first leadership and his school’s cell phone policy journey
• Why listening is a non-negotiable skill for new administrators
• How podcasting helps Jeff sharpen his leadership skills

If you're stepping into school leadership—or looking to sharpen your systems and culture-building strategies—this episode is packed with insight and practical takeaways. Plus, Jeff shares how his podcast, Educational Leadership with Principal JL, is helping leaders grow and connect.

📩 Connect with Jeff:

• Email: the.principal.jl@gmail.com
• Podcast: Educational Leadership with Principal JL (available on all major platforms)
• Social Media: Find his handles through his podcast page
• More contact info: https://dot.cards/principal_jl

Jeff Linden is the Principal of Hastings High School in Nebraska and the host of t the Educational Leadership with Principal JL podcast. With over 17 years in education, Jeff brings a wealth of experience as a teacher, coach, and school leader. A military veteran, Jeff’s leadership is grounded in discipline, systems thinking, and a passion for building strong school culture. He holds multiple advanced degrees in leadership and curriculum and is committed to empowering educators, supporting student success, and fostering collaborative school communities.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Miguel Salazar, principal of Sundown Middle School and NASSP National Middle School Principal of the Year finalist. Miguel shares his deeply personal story—from growing up in poverty and facing multiple challenges as a youth to becoming a leader determined to give every student a chance at success.

Miguel explains how a single teacher, Coach Danny Randolph, changed the trajectory of his life by believing in him. Now, Miguel pays that belief forward through a culture-first leadership approach rooted in visibility, relationship-building, and care.

A highlight of their conversation is the “Beyond the Classroom” program, an initiative where staff use their passions—whether it’s budgeting, button sewing, or pickleball—to teach students life skills and, more importantly, to build trust and authentic connections.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• The importance of being vulnerable and owning your story as a leader
• Why giving “every kid a champion” isn’t optional—it’s essential
• A framework for building authentic relationships through schoolwide culture systems
• The role of self-care, balance, and spiritual growth in sustaining great leadership

Whether you're a new principal or a veteran leader, Miguel’s story and leadership model will inspire you to see the potential in every child—and in yourself.

Guest Bio: Miguel Salazar is the principal of Sundown Middle School in Sundown, Texas. Before assuming his current role, he served as a math teacher, coach, assistant principal, and high school principal. Miguel is committed to fostering positive school culture, promoting equity, and ensuring every student’s success. His leadership philosophy centers on shared accountability, high expectations, and building strong, authentic relationships with students and staff. Through innovative programs like “Beyond the Classroom,” Miguel and his team ensure every student has a champion who sees them not just for who they are today, but for who they can become.

In this episode of Leaning Into Leadership, Darrin sits down with Joe LaTorre, a middle school English teacher, team coordinator, and founder of the Bridges program in Long Island, NY. Joe shares how looping, relationship-building, and culturally responsive practices help him build classroom communities rooted in trust and student empowerment. They dive deep into the origin and impact of Bridges, a student leadership and cultural exchange initiative, and explore how educators can go beyond curriculum to foster belonging and long-term engagement.

Joe and Darrin discuss everything from rethinking first-day icebreakers to helping students tackle real-world issues like mental health and community leadership. You’ll hear stories about students taking charge, serving their communities, and building relationships that last beyond the school walls. If you’re looking for actionable ways to build student agency and school culture—this episode delivers.

🎧 About Joe LaTorre:

Joe LaTorre’s unconventional journey—from finance to an unexpected stint with the Teletubbies—ultimately led him to his true calling: education. What began as a passion for inspiring a love of reading and writing grew into a mission to equip students and adults with the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. Through leadership development, innovation, and a focus on purpose, his work challenges apathy and unlocks potential.

As the founder of Bridges, a partnership between two Long Island school districts, Joe has helped teenagers develop leadership and communication skills to shape their futures. A two-time New York State Teaching Award winner, he has led district-wide initiatives, presented at regional and national forums, and been featured in multiple media outlets. Known for bringing people together and fostering cultures of success, Joe continues to explore new ways to create transformative educational experiences.

📱 Follow Joe on Instagram: @TheJoeLaTorre

🌐 Learn more at: www.JosephLaTorre.net

In this fourth installment of our special NASSP Principal of the Year series, Darrin sits down with Terita Walker, principal of Denver East High School and one of three finalists for NASSP’s 2025 National High School Principal of the Year award.

Walker has transformed East into a school where inclusivity, student empowerment, and academic excellence thrive. With nearly two decades at the school, she reflects on her growth as a leader, the intentional systems she's built to elevate student voice, and how she's making time to deeply connect with teachers post-pandemic.

This episode explores how school culture is built through trust, visibility, and authenticity—and why Terita believes joy is found in the journey.

About Terita Walker

Walker is the principal of Denver East High School in Colorado. Through intentional leadership and a deep commitment to equity, she has fostered a culture where students and staff thrive. She regularly engages with East’s 90+ affinity groups, hosts monthly coffee chats, co-leads community events, and credits the school’s success to the collective work of students, staff, families, alumni, and district partners.