Leadership Liner Notes Podcast

Sean Gaillard
  • 4.9 (21)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast from school leader and author, Sean Gaillard, exploring the intersections between the Schoolhouse, Music and everything else in between and on the flip side. Digital Liner Notes for the global schoolhouse.

  1. JAN 27

    Leading While Human

    In this episode of Leadership Liner Notes, Sean Gaillard reflects on what happens when the band changes and how leaders respond when the familiar is gone. Drawing from albums and moments tied to The Who, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen, Sean explores how artists adapt after loss and transition while still honoring who they have been. From The Who’s Face Dances following the death of Keith Moon, to solo and band evolutions shaped by change, this episode becomes a meditation on continuity, courage, and reinvention. Sean also shares where he is living right now in his own liminal space and why human centered leadership rooted in empathy, kindness, and belonging matters more than ever. He announces the launch of a new podcast series, Leading While Human, co hosted with Dr. Sonia Matthew, debuting February 1, and invites listeners to join the conversation about what it truly means to lead while human. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min

  2. JAN 12

    Finding the Gold In-Between: On Neil Diamond and Hope

    In this episode of Leadership Liner Notes, I reflect on Neil Diamond’s Gold, recorded live at the Troubadour in July of 1970. It is an album born in a liminal season, capturing Neil Diamond between record labels and on the edge of the creative breakthrough that would soon follow with Tap Root Manuscript. I talk about the raw power of “Lordy,” the musicians who helped shape this moment, and why Gold feels less like a destination and more like a bridge. This episode is also personal. The album was recorded just ten miles from where I was born in Inglewood, and I first discovered it years later as a college student in Washington, D.C. I also connect the spirit of Gold to the life-affirming film Song Sung Blue and its reminder that becoming is worth honoring. This episode invites you to reflect on your own in-between seasons and the gold that lives there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    19 min

  3. 12/31/2025

    Let the Long Version Play: Leadership, The Odyssey, and the Journey Home

    In this season finale of Leadership Liner Notes, Sean Gaillard reflects on Grand Funk Railroad’s “Closer to Home (I’m Your Captain),” Homer’s The Odyssey, and the power of staying with the long version of leadership. Inspired by the release of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film adaptation of The Odyssey, this episode explores endurance, belonging, curiosity, and what it means to keep leading when the journey takes longer than expected. Interested in being a guest on 2026 season of #LeadershipLinerNotes: Email Sean at sgaillard84@gmail.com. Link to the "Closer to Home/I'm Your Captain": https://youtu.be/7fryGyqTJPU?si=OVlWtGCpHzvrpwOS Link to The Odyssey film trailer: https://youtu.be/Mzw2ttJD2qQ?si=aw6l6y-lW0UIfnUC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 min

  4. 11/22/2025

    Anthology of Joy: Leadership Lessons from The Beatles

    In this episode of Leadership Liner Notes, we explore the newly released Beatles Anthology Collection and the leadership lessons embedded in its early takes, unreleased moments, and joyful imperfections. The Beatles brought out the best in one another because they believed in their vision, trusted their collaborators, worked hard, and led with joy. We reflect on the Four Riffs from The Pepper Effect and consider our own leadership legacy: What will be on our anthology? Our greatest tracks are the lives we lift and the joy we ignite. There is joy in being FAB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 min

  5. 11/18/2025

    The Return: Celebrate The Moment

    The Return: Episode 1-"Celebrate the Moment" After a reflective pause, Sean Gaillard returns to the mic with a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose. In this episode of the Leadership Liner Notes Podcast, Sean shares why now felt like the right time to come back, offering a heartfelt update on his writing, leadership journey, and the evolution from #CelebrateMonday to #CelebrateTheMoment. This new season centers on gratitude, presence, and the small wins that keep leaders grounded and inspired. Sean invites listeners to join in this movement by finding joy in everyday moments, amplifying connection, and rediscovering what makes leadership meaningful. Tune in, reflect, and celebrate your own moment today. Connect with Sean: Blog: ⁠https://seangaillard.com/⁠ X: ⁠https://x.com/smgaillard⁠ IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/smgaillard/⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-gaillard/⁠ BlueSky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/smgaillard.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    16 min

  6. 11/18/2025

    "Now and Then"-A Leadership Riff on Hope & The Last Beatles Song

    In this episode of Leadership Liner Notes, Sean Gaillard reflects on the second anniversary of Now and Then, the final song by The Beatles. What began as an unfinished John Lennon demo decades ago became a testament to legacy, collaboration, and the belief that the impossible can become possible. Drawing parallels between the Beatles’ creative journey and the challenges of leadership, Sean explores how sometimes the first idea does not work out, and that is okay. Like Paul McCartney’s unwavering hope to finish Now and Then, leaders are called to keep faith in their vision, even when timing, tools, or acceptance are not on their side. This episode invites listeners to reflect on their own “unfinished songs” in leadership and life, the dreams and ideas that still deserve another chance. Subscribe to Sean’s weekly blog at ⁠seangaillard.com⁠ and connect with him on X, Instagram, or LinkedIn to join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    12 min

  7. 11/16/2025

    Leadership Liner Notes: Your Sound Prevails

    In this episode, we explore the brief career of Nick Drake and connect to how sometimes our ideas don't always resonate when we want them to do so. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 min
  8. "Am I Cut Out For This?"-Featuring Elizabeth Dampf and Lauren Kaufman

    08/16/2025

    "Am I Cut Out For This?"-Featuring Elizabeth Dampf and Lauren Kaufman

    🎙️ Summer Season Finale: Am I Cut Out For This? with Elizabeth Dampf For the final episode of our summer series, I am honored to welcome back two inspiring voices and dear friends: Elizabeth Dampf and Lauren Kaufman. Elizabeth joins us to talk about her powerful new book, Am I Cut Out For This? — a must-read for every educator who has ever wrestled with doubt, resilience, and purpose in the calling of teaching and leadership. Co-hosting with me for this special conversation is returning guest Lauren Kaufman, author of The Leader Inside, who has written a moving blog post reflecting on Elizabeth’s book. You can find her thoughtful reflections and other inspiring writing at laurenmkaufman.com. This episode is more than just a conversation; it’s a connection between friends who care deeply about the heart of education. We dive into the honest questions Elizabeth raises, the leadership insights Lauren highlights, and the ways we can continue to support one another on this journey. As this summer season of #PrincipalLinerNotes closes, the podcast will take another hiatus while I focus on writing my next book, #LeadershipRiffs. Stay tuned for what’s ahead. I can’t wait to share it with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    56 min
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4.9
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21 Ratings

About

A podcast from school leader and author, Sean Gaillard, exploring the intersections between the Schoolhouse, Music and everything else in between and on the flip side. Digital Liner Notes for the global schoolhouse.

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