The Unleash Learning Podcast

Unleash Learning
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The era of overwhelm is here and here to stay. If you or your team are leading learning this leaderships calls for a new way forward. Join Dr. William DeJean and his guests to explore leadership in the era of overwhelm. To find out more, go to www.unleash-learning.com or contact us at hello@unleash-learning.com

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    What the era of overwhelm means for early career leaders [Episode 2/4]

    “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 to explore what they call the era of overwhelm — and why it is shaping the experience of early career leaders more than ever before. Rather than treating self-doubt as a personal flaw, this conversation reframes it as a signal of growth within a demanding leadership context. When leaders understand the environment they’re operating in, they’re better able to respond with clarity rather than self-criticism. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ What the era of overwhelm is and how it affects early-career leaders ✅ Why imposter feelings are more common than leaders admit ✅ How shadow beliefs form during periods of growth ✅ What genuinely supports leaders in their first five years ✅ A practical shift you can make to steady your leadership Who it’s for: Early career leaders in their first five years, aspiring leaders preparing for formal roles, and leadership teams supporting emerging leaders in education. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With more than 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three published books, William works with schools and leadership teams to turn complexity into clarity and help learning stick across organisations. CONNECT WITH US Website: https://unleash-learning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning FREE RESOURCES Complimentary info kit: https://unleash-learning.com If this episode resonated, consider sharing it with an early career leader who needs to hear it — or leave a review to help others find the series.

    10 min

  2. 16 FEB

    Early career leader? Read this before you doubt yourself [Episode 1/4]

    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 a time where the demands on early career leaders are higher than ever. In this episode, William is joined by Steven Trotter, author, former school principal, and leadership advisor, to talk about what early career leaders need to understand if they want to grow into the role without burning out or losing confidence along the way. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ Why early career leadership often feels more intense than expected ✅ Why self-doubt and imposter thoughts are common in the first five years ✅ One practical move you can make now to steady yourself ✅ Why the habits you build early shape the leader you become If you’re navigating your first five years in leadership, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective, and practical guidance you can use straight away. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With more than 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three published books, William works with schools and leadership teams to turn complexity into clarity and help learning stick across entire organisations. CONNECT WITH US Website: https://unleash-learning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning FREE RESOURCES Complimentary info kit: https://unleash-learning.com Free eBooks: https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/ Know an early career leader who needs this right now? Share the episode with them.

    6 min

  3. 10/11/2025

    How to Tell If You’re an Inclusive Leader

    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, Acting Manager for Widening Participation at Western Sydney University, about what inclusive leadership really means — and how to make it part of your everyday practice. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ What inclusive leaders actually do (you’ll love this!) ✅ How to open access to power and opportunity for underrepresented communities ✅ How to make inclusion a shared responsibility — not one person’s job ✅ Practical ways to lead inclusively without adding to the overwhelm If you want to lead with clarity, confidence, and care, and create impact that lasts, this episode is one to share with your whole leadership team. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three books under his belt, William is passionate about helping schools make learning stick for everyone. SAY HI TO US HERE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/  X: https://x.com/unleash_learning  GRAB FREE RESOURCES Free eBooks: https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/  School Leaders Free Workbook: https://unleash-learning.com/2024/09/6-leadership-team-questions-to-ask-about-teaching-learning-across-your-school/  School Leaders’ Free Info Kit: https://unleash-learning.com/in-your-school/#next-steps  Team Leaders’ Free Info Kit: https://unleash-learning.com/unleash-learning-for-business/#next-steps  GRAB HIS NEW BOOK HERE https://unleash-learning.com/a-new-way-forward-for-schools/  Like the episode? Help us spread the word by leaving a review — it helps us support more schools and leadership teams to make learning stick for everyone.

    18 min

  4. 20/10/2025

    The Hidden Strategy High Performing Schools Use to Keep Improving

    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 with over two decades of experience helping schools across Victoria, Australia, manage complexity and drive meaningful, sustained improvement. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to start the process of leading change that lasts. The ‘right people’ to help lead change — and why it’s not everyone. How to bring people on board (and keep them there). The key stages of change every leader should know. Why building a “success team” is critical for long-term results. If you want to create impact that endures, across your school, network, or state, this is the episode to share with your entire leadership team. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three books under his belt, William is passionate about helping schools make learning stick for everyone. SAY HI TO US HERE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning GRAB FREE RESOURCES Free eBooks: https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/ School Leaders Free Workbook: https://unleash-learning.com/2024/09/6-leadership-team-questions-to-ask-about-teaching-learning-across-your-school/ School Leaders’ Free Info Kit: https://unleash-learning.com/in-your-school/#next-steps Team Leaders’ Free Info Kit: https://unleash-learning.com/unleash-learning-for-business/#next-steps GRAB HIS NEW BOOK HERE https://unleash-learning.com/a-new-way-forward-for-schools/ Like the episode? Help us spread the word by leaving a review — it helps us support more schools and leadership teams to make learning stick for everyone.

    36 min

  5. 22/09/2025

    How to take on new information with ease. [Episode 5/5]

    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 episode of our 5-part podcast series on Leadership in the Era of Overwhelm is essential. Here’s what we’ll share in this episode: How a school can take on new information with confidence and ease. How to run professional learning that supports rather than overwhelms. The two kinds of data every leader needs to know about – and the one that helps without adding to the overwhelm. If you’d like your school, network, or state to confidently adapt and apply strategies, initiatives, and frameworks — without the overwhelm — this episode is for you. 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 been deep in the education and learning field for 25 years, has a doctorate in education and has three books under his belt. SAY HI TO US HEREFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning GRAB HIS NEW BOOK HEREhttps://unleash-learning.com/a-new-way-forward-for-schools/ GRAB YOUR FREE RESOURCES HEREFREE EBOOKS: https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/ SCHOOL LEADERS FREE WORKBOOK: https://unleash-learning.com/2024/09/6-leadership-team-questions-to-ask-about-teaching-learning-across-your-school/ SCHOOL LEADERS’ FREE INFO KIT: https://unleash-learning.com/in-your-school/#next-steps TEAM LEADERS’ FREE INFO KIT: https://unleash-learning.com/unleash-learning-for-business/#next-steps Like the episode? Help us spread the word by leaving a review. It will help us support schools and professional learning teams to make learning stick for everyone.

    21 min

  6. 15/09/2025

    Why a teaching & learning mission matters in the era of overwhelm. [Episode 4/5]

    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 mission, teams can feel scattered, stressed, and stuck chasing the “latest new thing.” A well-embedded teaching & learning mission gives everyone clarity, direction, and focus - exactly what’s needed in this era of overwhelm. Here’s what we’ll share in this episode: Why a teaching & learning mission is ESSENTIAL for advancing teaching and learning. The EXACT mission to embed across your school, network, or state. How a teaching & learning mission can lower stress and boost long-term learning. If you’re ready to advance teaching and learning and ease your team’s stress, this episode is for you. 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 been deep in the education and learning field for 25 years, has a doctorate in education and has three books under his belt. SAY HI TO US HERE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning GRAB HIS NEW BOOK HERE https://unleash-learning.com/a-new-way-forward-for-schools/ GRAB YOUR FREE RESOURCES HERE FREE EBOOKS: https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/ SCHOOL LEADERS FREE WORKBOOK: https://unleash-learning.com/2024/09/6-leadership-team-questions-to-ask-about-teaching-learning-across-your-school/ SCHOOL LEADERS’ FREE INFO KIT: https://unleash-learning.com/in-your-school/#next-steps TEAM LEADERS’ FREE INFO KIT: https://unleash-learning.com/unleash-learning-for-business/#next-steps Like the episode? Help us spread the word by leaving a review. It will help us support schools and professional learning teams to make learning stick for everyone.

    14 min

  7. 08/09/2025

    Why student engagement is Key in the era of overwhelm [Episode 3/5]

    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 stick for everyone. Yet, it has been reported that students are consistently disengaged in class: As many as 40% are unproductive in a given year (Gross, 2017). Here’s what we’ll share in the episode: Why student engagement is Key to advancing teaching and learning across a school. The kind of student engagement to focus on – HINT: they’re not the same. What AI will ask us to consider regarding student engagement. What other Keys you need to boost student engagement across your school, network or state. If you’re ready to overcome the overwhelm, and boost teaching and learning impact, this series is for you.   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 been deep in the education and learning field for 25 years, has a doctorate in education and has three books under his belt. SAY HI TO US HERE Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning GRAB HIS NEW BOOK HERE https://unleash-learning.com/a-new-way-forward-for-schools/ GRAB YOUR FREE RESOURCES HERE FREE EBOOKS: https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/ SCHOOL LEADERS FREE WORKBOOK: https://unleash-learning.com/2024/09/6-leadership-team-questions-to-ask-about-teaching-learning-across-your-school/ SCHOOL LEADERS’ FREE INFO KIT: https://unleash-learning.com/in-your-school/#next-steps TEAM LEADERS’ FREE INFO KIT: https://unleash-learning.com/unleash-learning-for-business/#next-steps Like the episode? Help us spread the word by leaving a review. It will help us support schools and professional learning teams to help them make learning stick for everyone.

    15 min

  8. 01/09/2025

    What school leaders can do to support teaching and learning in the era of overwhelm [Episode 2/5]

    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 Unleash Learning TV and radio. William has been deep in the education and learning field for 25 years, has a doctorate in education and has three books under his belt. SAY HI TO US HERE Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning GRAB HIS NEW BOOK HERE https://unleash-learning.com/a-new-way-forward-for-schools/ GRAB YOUR FREE RESOURCES HERE FREE EBOOKS: https://unleash-learning.com/free-ebook/ SCHOOL LEADERS FREE WORKBOOK: https://unleash-learning.com/2024/09/6-leadership-team-questions-to-ask-about-teaching-learning-across-your-school/ SCHOOL LEADERS’ FREE INFO KIT: https://unleash-learning.com/in-your-school/#next-steps TEAM LEADERS’ FREE INFO KIT: https://unleash-learning.com/unleash-learning-for-business/#next-steps Like the episode? Help us spread the word by leaving a review. It will help us support schools and professional learning teams to help them make learning stick for everyone.

    15 min
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About

The era of overwhelm is here and here to stay. If you or your team are leading learning this leaderships calls for a new way forward. Join Dr. William DeJean and his guests to explore leadership in the era of overwhelm. To find out more, go to www.unleash-learning.com or contact us at hello@unleash-learning.com

Information

  • Creator
    Unleash Learning
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    124
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Unleash Learning Podcast