Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders

NICK ZIZI

Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Educational Leaders is where educators, leaders, and student success professionals unpack the decisions that shape students, teams, campuses, and communities. Hosted by Nick “The Zebra” Zizi, this podcast goes beyond surface-level success stories to explore the real choices, turning points, leadership lessons, and even the “knuckleheaded decisions” that help us grow. Each conversation is designed to be insightful, practical, and engaging—giving educational leaders fresh perspective, useful takeaways, and better questions to bring back to their work. Because in education, every decision is a direction. Better decisions. Better outcomes.

  1. 4d ago

    Don’t Let Fear Make the Decision: Helping Students Take Action with Bennie Williams

    In this episode of Z Rated Success, Nick “The Zebra” Zizi sits down with Bennie Williams for a powerful conversation about fear, opportunity, student success, and what it means to help students become comfortable being uncomfortable. Bennie brings over 12 years of experience in higher education, student affairs, multicultural education, diversity, equity, and inclusion work, and now K–8 education as a third-grade ELA teacher. In this conversation, he shares lessons from his own journey, including the opportunities he missed because of fear and how that experience now shapes the way he encourages students to try, take risks, and keep going. This episode is especially valuable for educators, school leaders, student affairs professionals, TRIO and GEAR UP teams, and anyone committed to helping students make better decisions and develop the confidence to grow. In this episode, we discuss: Why fear causes students and educators to miss opportunitiesHow to help students become comfortable being uncomfortableWhy trying matters, even when students do not know the answerHow educators can use accountability language without discouraging studentsWhy emotional regulation is critical before students get to collegeWhat actually sticks with students after a program, lesson, or experienceHow representation and real examples help students build identityWhy educators also need to reignite their passion and take care of themselvesMemorable takeaway: Fear should not be the thing that makes the decision. Students need educators who help them take risks, try, fail, learn, and keep moving forward. About the Guest: Bennie Williams has over 12 years of experience in higher education, particularly in student affairs, multicultural education, student leadership, and DEI work. He recently transitioned into K–8 education as a third-grade ELA teacher, where he continues helping students learn, grow, develop confidence, and prepare for real-life situations. Connect with Bennie: LinkedIn: Bennie Darnell Williams Instagram: @theofficialmrcanisius Learn more about Z-Rated Success: Visit zratedsuccess.com Bring Nick Zizi’s Decision Lab keynote or training to your campus, district, or conference: Visit nickzizi.com

    39 min

  2. May 27

    Students Need Advocates and Translators with Robert Johnson

    Students are carrying more than many people realize, and education leaders have an opportunity to help them feel seen, supported, and challenged to grow. In this episode of Z-Rated Success, Nick Zizi sits down with Robert Johnson, Executive Director of the Agape Center for Human Dignity at Sacred Heart University, for a powerful conversation on student belonging, leadership, campus culture, and what students need right now. Robert shares why students need advocates and translators, how leaders can help students find their voice, and why small decisions like showing up, asking for help, and going to the source can shape a student’s future. This episode is for educators, advisors, student affairs professionals, TRIO professionals, campus leaders, and anyone committed to helping students make better decisions and experience better outcomes. Connect with Robert Johnson: LinkedIn: Robert Johnson Website: RSJ Inclusion Consulting Remember: Better decisions lead to better outcomes. Learn more about Z-Rated Success: Visit zratedsuccess.com Bring Nick Zizi’s Decision Lab keynote or training to your campus, district, or conference: Visit nickzizi.com

    55 min

  3. May 19

    Too Fast, Too Slow: Leadership Decisions That Shape Student Success with Dan La Bar

    In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick Zizi sits down with Dan La Bar, a seasoned K-12 public charter school leader, to explore how leadership decisions shape student outcomes. Dan shares one of the most practical leadership lessons from his career: too fast, too slow. Move too fast, and you may leave out important voices, feedback loops, and stakeholders. Move too slow, and you may miss the urgency of the moment. This conversation also explores what students need most, how trauma can derail a student’s day, why relationships make accountability possible, how innovation must fit the local community, and why leaders must take care of themselves if they want to serve others well. If you lead students, staff, programs, or school communities, this episode will help you think more clearly about the decisions that create better outcomes. In this episode, we discuss: • The leadership danger of moving too fast or too slow • Why quality teaching still matters • How trauma can impact a student’s ability to learn • Why relationships make accountability possible • How schools can build pathways that fit their community • Why innovation must be adapted, not copied • Why leaders must take care of themselves first • Why a leader’s words can stay with students for years Guest: Dan La Bar Connect with Dan: Search Dan La Bar on LinkedIn Host: Nick Zizi Learn more about Z-Rated Success: Visit zratedsuccess.com Bring Nick Zizi’s Decision Lab keynote or training to your campus, district, or conference: Visit nickzizi.com

    35 min

  4. May 11

    Overwhelmed by Options: Amanda Jeppesen on Student Employment, Career Decisions, and Real-World Learning

    In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick Zizi sits down with Amanda Jeppesen, Student Employment Specialist in Career and Student Employment Services at Western Michigan University. Amanda works closely with students, supervisors, and campus partners to help student employment become more than just a paycheck. In this conversation, she explains how on-campus jobs can become powerful real-world learning experiences when supervisors build in reflection, transferable skills, professional norms, and opportunities for students to connect what they are learning in class to what they are doing at work. Amanda also discusses why students are often overwhelmed by career decisions, how early they should start working with career services, and why asking questions is not a weakness. It is a sign of intelligence and engagement. This episode is for education leaders, student affairs professionals, career services teams, TRIO and GEAR UP professionals, supervisors of student employees, and anyone helping students turn experience into confidence, clarity, and better decisions. In this episode, we discuss: Why student employment can become a powerful learning experienceHow campus jobs help students build professional skillsWhy student employment is being viewed as experiential educationHow supervisors can design student jobs with learning in mindWhat students learn beyond earning a paycheckWhy many students feel overwhelmed by career decisionsHow career services can help students make better decisions earlierWhy asking clarifying questions matters in the workplaceWhat students often overlook about communication and responsibilityHow educators can connect students with the right people and opportunitiesAmanda’s “knuckleheaded decision” lesson about training supervisors clearlyMemorable quote: “You can do almost anything. But then it’s like, how do I decide?” Connect with Amanda Jeppesen: Amanda Jeppesen serves as the Student Employment Specialist in Career and Student Employment Services at Western Michigan University. She is active on LinkedIn and can be found by searching Amanda Jeppesen Western Michigan University. Learn more about Z-Rated Success: Visit z-ratedsuccess.com Bring Nick Zizi’s Decision Lab keynote or training to your campus, district, or conference: Visit nickzizi.com Learn more about Z-Rated Success: Visit zratedsuccess.com Bring Nick Zizi’s Decision Lab keynote or training to your campus, district, or conference: Visit nickzizi.com

    37 min

  5. May 4

    From High School Dropout to Doctorate: Dr. Angell Howard on Leadership, Change, and TRIO

    Dr. Angell Howard went from high school dropout to earning her doctorate. Now she helps education leaders and organizations navigate culture, leadership, and necessary change. In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick Zizi sits down with Dr. Angell Howard, Associate Director of Professional Development and Staff Recognition at Illinois State University and founder of Necessary Change Consulting. This conversation kicks off Season 2 and continues the journey as Episode 37 overall. Dr. Howard shares how community college, TRIO, motherhood, and perseverance shaped her path. She also opens up about what education professionals are carrying right now, from burnout and budget pressures to the emotional work of supporting students and staff. Together, Nick and Dr. Howard discuss professional development, culture change, leadership, conflict, psychological safety, and what it really takes to create transformation in organizations. As Dr. Howard says, “shock is temporary,” but real change requires care, honesty, listening, and the courage to address what others avoid. In this episode, we discuss: Dr. Howard’s journey from GED to doctorateThe role of TRIO and community college in her lifeWhat education professionals are carrying right nowWhy self-care matters for leaders and educatorsWhat makes professional development actually change behaviorWhere leaders get culture change wrongWhy conflict is one of the decisions leaders delay too longHow psychological safety affects trust, creativity, and performanceWhy flexibility matters in a changing educational worldMemorable quote: “Shock is temporary. True transformation and change takes work.” Connect with Dr. Angell Howard: Dr. Angell Howard is the Associate Director of Professional Development and Staff Recognition at Illinois State University and founder of Necessary Change Consulting. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/angell-howard-ncc Website: necessarychangeconsulting.com Learn more about Z-Rated Success: Visit zratedsuccess.com Bring Nick Zizi’s Decision Lab keynote or training to your campus, district, or conference: Visit nickzizi.com

    33 min

  6. 09/16/2021

    How to Better Connect With Your Students | FCCLA Hunter Prinz

    #36 - How do you as an educator relate to your teenage students and form mutual respect? Hunter Prinz has a national leadership role with the FCCLA, where he shines as the national president while allowing others to lead him. The Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA, is the only student-led career and technical organization with family as its main focus. It has an underlying foundation of family Consumer Sciences. Members enjoy the Competitive Events Program because it allows them to actively use what they learn in the classroom in the real world and also encompasses all of the organization’s elements.  Hunter explains why it is important for educators to understand and relate with their teenage students to make them feel recognized and form mutual respect. Listen in to learn why it is important for you as a teenager to have integrity while being completely yourself.  Key Moments: ·       [0:35] Hunter defines FCCLA and how he got involved with the organization.  ·       [1:21] Why the competitive events program is the most enjoyed in the FCCLA.  ·       [2:51] How to relate to teenagers and form mutual respect as an educator.  ·       [4:19] How to effectively make a difference as a team member as you allow leaders to take charge.  ·       [6:29] How to be your full self as a teenager, plus how Hunter became his true self.  ·       [8:22] The importance of finding people who resonate with you as a teenager. Quote: “Do the right thing when no one’s watching, and if you’re not able to do what you want to do when someone’s watching, then you’re not able to be yourself.”- Hunter [6:33] Relevant Links: Website: https://fcclainc.org Contact Hunter:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter.prinz/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FCCLAPresident Contact Nick: Website: https://nickzizi.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickzizi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickzizi/?hl=en Learn more about Z-Rated Success: Visit zratedsuccess.com Bring Nick Zizi’s Decision Lab keynote or training to your campus, district, or conference: Visit nickzizi.com

    13 min

  7. 09/01/2021

    10 Big Ideas from First Days of School Book Harry and Rosemary Wong

    #35 - Did you know that the first days of school set the tone for the rest of the school year? In today's episode, you will learn the ten big ideas from the First Days of School book by Harry and Rosemary Wong. I like to revisit the big ideas every year to help me better prepare for the new school year.  Whether you are on your first day or first month of school you can still use the ideas to put you in a better position to succeed in the new school year.  If you receive value, please consider subscribing and leaving a review. Contact Nick: info@nickzizi.com www.instagram.com/nickzizi  Learn more about Z-Rated Success: Visit zratedsuccess.com Bring Nick Zizi’s Decision Lab keynote or training to your campus, district, or conference: Visit nickzizi.com

    20 min

  8. 07/14/2021

    5 Powerful Ways to Beat Burnout

    #34 - Are you feeling overwhelmed? Burnout is real. In today's episode, Nick Zizi shares five powerful strategies that are easy to follow to help you crush burnout. Don't go another day without getting relief. You can beat this. Listen now. If you receive value, please consider subscribing and sharing. Contact Nick: Website: https://nickzizi.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickzizi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickzizi/?hl=en Let’s continue the conversation in our Facebook group. Join our dazzle of educators from around the country here https://facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators Learn more about Z-Rated Success: Visit zratedsuccess.com Bring Nick Zizi’s Decision Lab keynote or training to your campus, district, or conference: Visit nickzizi.com

    15 min
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About

Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Educational Leaders is where educators, leaders, and student success professionals unpack the decisions that shape students, teams, campuses, and communities. Hosted by Nick “The Zebra” Zizi, this podcast goes beyond surface-level success stories to explore the real choices, turning points, leadership lessons, and even the “knuckleheaded decisions” that help us grow. Each conversation is designed to be insightful, practical, and engaging—giving educational leaders fresh perspective, useful takeaways, and better questions to bring back to their work. Because in education, every decision is a direction. Better decisions. Better outcomes.

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