The Authority Podcast — Expert Insights and Fresh Ideas for Education Leaders

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Are you looking for proven ideas to increase your influence, hire and develop an excellent staff, build a stronger culture, lead meaningful change, and form a strong foundation for learning and leadership success? This is the podcast for you. Whether you're a leader to seeks to refine your command of core educational strategies, learn new management techniques from those who have used them at some of the world's largest corporations, gain fresh perspectives on personal development or student success from practitioners across fields, or a little bit of everything, you'll find powerful content on The Authority. Join leadership coach, storytelling strategist, and edtech advisor Ross Romano as he interviews the prominent education authors you already admire, up-and-coming voices, and experts from the worlds of business, personal development, and beyond — including Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon bestsellers — to take a deep dive into their wealth of practical insights.

  1. Relational Intelligence with Rachel Edoho-Eket

    5 DAYS AGO

    Relational Intelligence with Rachel Edoho-Eket

    Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket has earned a reputation as a strong instructional leader, passionate educational advocate, and dedicated mentor. As the Principal of a National Blue Ribbon school in Maryland, she is a lifelong learner who strives for excellence not only for herself, but also for everyone she serves.  Today, she joins the show to discuss Relational Intelligence: The Key Factor to Exceptional School Leadership. We discuss: Relational Intelligence (RQ): the ability to build trust, communicate with empathy, and connect authentically How is RQ different from EQ?Why Trust is the first pillarChallenging the myth that leadership is about charisma or controlResults: improved teacher retention, enhanced student outcomes, and increased community engagement.Get Relational Intelligence on Amazon or wherever you get your books.  Our previous episode, with Jen Schwanke, also explored trust. Listen to it here: https://bit.ly/46pcCI5 About today’s guest Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket is a wife, mother, principal, author, and speaker. With decades as a teacher and leader in public education, she has earned the reputation as a strong instructional leader, passionate educational advocate, and dedicated mentor. As the Principal of a National Blue Ribbon school in Maryland, she is a lifelong learner who strives for excellence not only for herself, but also for everyone she serves. Currently, she is President of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals and is an ASCD facility member. About the host Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn  I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

    42 min
  2. Trusted with Jen Schwanke

    18 SEPT

    Trusted with Jen Schwanke

    This week we welcome back Jen Schwanke, who previously joined the show to discuss The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management.  Jen has been an educator for almost three decades, teaching or leading at all levels. She currently serves as a deputy superintendent in Ohio, is an instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University, and is the co-host of the popular Principal Matters Podcast with our previous guest Will Parker (listen to his episode here). Jen’s newest book is Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools. We discuss: Jen writes each of her books on a very specific topic — how did she decide on this one?Conflict Management and TrustGoals: What is trust and what does it look like? How to develop trust with staff, students, and parents. Can you be a good principal without it?How is trust broken?Reciprocal nature of trustHow can you find out if you’re trusted?Listen to episode 110, The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management with Jen Schwanke. Get the book Trusted from ASCD.   About today’s guest Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., is a longtime educator, teaching and leading at all levels. She is the author of four ASCD books, including the recently-released The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management, and has published hundreds of articles for various educational publishers. She has written and presented for multiple state and local education organizations, and has provided professional development to various districts in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership. An instructor in educational administration at Miami University of Ohio, Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio. You can find her at jenschwanke.com. About the host Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn  I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

    48 min
  3. Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? with Will Parker

    25 AUG

    Whose Permission Are You Waiting For? with Will Parker

    Today’s guest is likely quite familiar to our audience here. Will Parker is host of Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with more than 1.5 million downloads to date.  An Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will won a teacher of the year award in 1998, was named Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012, was principal of a Title I school, and served as executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association for six years.  His new book is Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?: An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love.  We discuss: What motivated this new book“An Educator’s Guide to Doing What You Love”Understanding your pathways in education: “Do I choose A or B?” or “What’s next for me?” Why and how to be coachedThe importance of avoiding the binary in decision-makingKeys for new ideas: Thinking, Planning, Experimenting, Executing Executing with intentionWhy is it important for leaders to give themselves permission for growth?Value of becoming a mentorConnect with Will or listen to his podcast here: https://williamdparker.com. Learn more about all of his books here: https://williamdparker.com/books  About today’s guest William D. Parker is the founder of Principal Matters, LLC—an educator, author, speaker, and executive coach who leverages his expertise in school culture, leadership, and communication to equip educators with strategies for motivating students, inspiring teachers, and reaching communities. He is also the host of Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast, with more than 1.5 million downloads to date. Will supports schools through professional development and leadership coaching. An Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will was named South Intermediate High School Teacher of the Year for Broken Arrow Public Schools in 1998. He became an assistant principal in 2004 and was named Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012. As a principal of a Title I school, he helped lead initiatives in collaboration, remediation, and mentoring that significantly improved student achievement. For six years, Will served as executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals and the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association. Find out more about his leadership academies, masterminds, executive coaching, books, and keynote presentations at williamdparker.com.  About the host Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn  I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

    1 hr
  4. De Facto Leaders: How to Create a Research-Based Executive Functioning Implementation Plan for Your School Team

    15 AUG · BONUS

    De Facto Leaders: How to Create a Research-Based Executive Functioning Implementation Plan for Your School Team

    Today I'm pleased to share an episode from my friend Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, a previous guest on The Authority and host of De Facto Leaders, a popular show on the Be Podcast Network. Ever feel like your school is trying all the “right” strategies—social skills groups, planners, behavior charts—but students still struggle with time management, motivation, and peer relationships? You’re not alone—and there’s a reason why, says Dr. Karen.  This episode is a clip from her free training, “Create a Research-Based Implementation Plan for your School Team.” It’s designed for school leaders who want to guide their teams in embedding executive functioning support across both general and special education settings—without burning out staff. This episode is for you if you’re ready to:✔️ Help students truly benefit from academic instruction✔️ Support social-emotional growth alongside learning✔️ Avoid overwhelming your team with another “initiative” This episode is the first half of the training in audio format, but to view the whole training with the video, you can go to drkarendudekbrannan.com/efteams. Listen and subscribe at https://defactoleaders.com

    39 min
  5. The Force Multiplier with Tony Chatman

    11 AUG

    The Force Multiplier with Tony Chatman

    For over 20 years, Tony Chatman has partnered with some of the most successful organizations in the world—including Chase Bank, the U.S. Secret Service, Phillips 66, Clear Channel, and St. Joseph’s Health. He specializes in bridging differences in perspectives, communication styles, and experiences by addressing the universal need we all share: to feel valued and seen. As a scientist and chemical engineer, as well as a husband, father, and former leader of a nonprofit dedicated to community upliftment, Tony combines intellect with humanity. He is equal parts head and heart.  Tony’s book is The Force Multiplier: How to Lead Teams Where Everyone Wins. We discuss: The mission statement of leadershipWhat is a Force Multiplier?What makes relationship-based leadership effective?Relationship deposits and relationship withdrawalsSeven keys to being a force multiplierRoss: “I earned it, but now I have to learn it.”Learn more about Tony Chatman: www.tonychatman.com  About the host Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn  I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

    48 min
  6. Make Every Podcast Want You with Kimberly Spencer

    24 JUL

    Make Every Podcast Want You with Kimberly Spencer

    Kimberly Spencer is an award-winning high-performance, trauma-informed coach and trainer, Amazon best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of CrownYourself.com, helping visionary leaders transform their self-limiting stories, build their empire, stand out fearlessly, and make the income and the impact they deserve. Her book is Make Every Podcast Want You: How to be so Radically Interesting You'll Barely Keep from Interviewing Yourself. We talk about: Why should leaders want to be on podcasts?What matters when deciding which shows to target?How to find the right showsHow to be an interesting guest and how to prepareVisibility, messaging, and presenceWhat to do after you’re on a podcastGet the book or connect with Kimberly’s podcasts:  Get the book: https://www.communicationqueens.com/bookListen to the Crown Yourself Podcast: https://www.crownyourself/com/podcast Listen to the Communication Queen Podcast: https://www.communicationqueens.com/podcastGet booked & coached LIVE on the Communication Queen Podcast: https://bit.ly/get-on-communication-queen-podcast About the host Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn  I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

    50 min
  7. The Language of Behavior with Charle Peck and Josh Stamper

    10 JUL

    The Language of Behavior with Charle Peck and Josh Stamper

    My guests Charle Peck and Josh Stamper are co-authors of The Language of Behavior: A Framework to Elevate Student Success, winner of the 2025 Firebird Educational Book Award. We talk about: Like our last episode with Dr. Bill Penuel, co-author of Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities, this book also refers to a compassionate approach to school culture and student behavior. Discussing student behavior as a form of communicationTrauma-informed framework, 3 core tenets: Consider the Environment, Explore the Root Causes of Behavior, Respond with IntentionalityHow improving student behavior with this framework affects other areas, like academic performance or classroom cultureWhat would the authors say to educators or school administrators who might be skeptical about trying a new approach?Find The Language of Behavior on Amazon or wherever you get your books.  About today’s guests Charle Peck holds an MS in Education and an MS in Social Work as a 20+ year veteran in education (K-12). As a global keynote speaker, she delivers powerful messages of hope to educators and facilitates meaningful professional learning sessions to equip adults with tools that integrate into everyday practice. Her unique lens as a high school teacher turned clinical therapist, and her work with adolescents and families in crisis, makes her stories relevant and captivating to those struggling in today’s system. You can purchase her books on Amazon and connect with her via her website CharlePeck.com and on LinkedIn @CharlePeck Joshua Stamper is a dedicated educator, speaker, author, and creator of Aspire to Lead. With a rich background in teaching and school administration, Joshua brings invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities within the education system. His personal journey as a struggling student, combined with nine years of experience as a middle school administrator, fuels his passion for creating supportive and transformative learning environments. Joshua is committed to helping educators and leaders unlock their full potential, fostering growth, and inspiring lasting change in education. About the host Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn  I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

    47 min
  8. Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities with Bill Penuel

    26 JUN

    Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities with Bill Penuel

    Dr. William Penuel is Distinguished Professor of Learning Sciences and Human Development in the Institute of Cognitive Science and School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder.  He is co-author of Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities: Leading Together to Address Everyday Suffering in Schools. We talk about: Why does compassion matter for educators?How is compassion different from empathy, kindness, and relationship-building?How school leaders and educators can put compassion and dignity into actionEveryday suffering in schools - how can and should educators work to reduce it?Fostering inclusivenessRelationships with families4 steps to help develop a plan for a more compassionate schoolHow can educators create self-compassion to move past burnout toward hope and positive action in their schools?Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities is published by Wiley. Find it wherever you get your books.  About today’s guest William R. Penuel, Ph.D., is Distinguished Professor of Learning Sciences and Human Development in the Institute of Cognitive Science and School of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is also a Faculty Fellow at the Renée Crown Wellness Institute. He designs and studies curriculum materials, assessments, and professional learning experiences for teachers in STEM education. He also studies how contemplative practices and critical inquiry can support educators in cultivating more compassionate schools. A third line of his research focuses on how long-term research-practice partnerships can be organized to address systemic inequities in education. He is a co-developer of an approach to partnership research called Design-Based Implementation Research (DBIR) and is a co-author on the new book, Creating Compassionate Change in School Communities. About the host Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn  I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt

    47 min
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Are you looking for proven ideas to increase your influence, hire and develop an excellent staff, build a stronger culture, lead meaningful change, and form a strong foundation for learning and leadership success? This is the podcast for you. Whether you're a leader to seeks to refine your command of core educational strategies, learn new management techniques from those who have used them at some of the world's largest corporations, gain fresh perspectives on personal development or student success from practitioners across fields, or a little bit of everything, you'll find powerful content on The Authority. Join leadership coach, storytelling strategist, and edtech advisor Ross Romano as he interviews the prominent education authors you already admire, up-and-coming voices, and experts from the worlds of business, personal development, and beyond — including Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon bestsellers — to take a deep dive into their wealth of practical insights.

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