Lassoing Leadership

Garth Nichols and Jason Rogers
  • 3.0 (4)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

CALLING ALL LASSO and LEADERSHIP Fans! Join us on this journey to a better, kinder and more compelling way to lead! We are going to take a journey through the hit series Ted Lasso and explore what leadership lessons exist and there are tons!

  1. 13h ago

    Jake Ernst - S4E5 - Connection Crash: Building Back Lost Relationships

    Summary In this episode, we sit with the quiet shift happening in schools and homes alike, from content to connection. Jake Ernst helps us understand what young people are losing in a digital age, why co-regulation has to come before self-regulation, and what it actually looks like for parents and educators to become a steady presence for the kids in their care. Keywords social health, co-regulation, technology and mental health, youth connection, emotional safety, leadership in education, Trevor's story, Jake Ernst, connection crash, attention economy Key Topics The shift from content acquisition to connection in educationCo-regulation, and why it matters so muchThe five losses this generation is carryingHow technology and algorithms are displacing shared realityWays parents and educators can build social health Sound Bites "School is changing from content to connection" "Phones are becoming our primary attachment figure" "Connection is the prerequisite for self-regulation" Preorder Jake's Book Here: https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443477062/connection-crash/

    Jake Ernst - S4E5 - Connection Crash: Building Back Lost Relationships

  2. Sep 29

    Introducing Connection Crash - S3E4

    Episode Summary In this episode, Jason Rogers and Garth Nichols move past belief and into practice. They sit down with Jake Ernst to talk about what it actually takes to build mental health, connection, and co-regulation into the daily life of a school. The conversation covers practical tools, honest stories, and a look ahead at the resources coming this season to support social health and emotional resilience in the people who lead our schools and the students who fill them. Keywords leadership, mental health, connection, co regulation, education, social health, emotional intelligence, school leadership, community engagement Key Topics What "Beyond Believe" means for this seasonStrategies for mental health and social health in schoolsThe Johari Window as a tool for understanding your communityWhy co regulation matters for emotional developmentScripts and protocols for having hard conversations with studentsThe cost of distraction and the pull of the attention economyConnection and belonging as the foundation of childhood developmentA preview of the upcoming Mental Health Summit and how the community can get involvedGuest Jake Ernst Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Beyond Believe and Season Four04:44 Welcome and Season Overview05:24 What Does Beyond Believe Mean?06:16 Examining Difficult Questions with the Johari Window07:15 Community Engagement through Open Q&A08:54 Parents' Concerns About Screen Time10:15 Introducing Guest Jake Ernst and Connection Crash11:21 The Concept of Co Regulation12:55 The Impact of Distraction and Constant Switching14:26 Building Social Health and Trust18:00 The Curriculum of Connection and Mattering19:09 Scripts for Difficult Conversations20:22 The Power of Practice and Action in Leadership21:39 Upcoming Mental Health Summit in Banff22:24 Preview of Connection Crash Book Keep Leading the Lasso Way.

    Introducing Connection Crash - S3E4

  3. Sep 22

    Kind Leadership with Joanna Povall - S4E3

    Summary There is a version of kindness that gets mistaken for softness. Joanna Povall spent this conversation dismantling it. As Principal of Wales International School in Abu Dhabi and author of Kind Leadership, Joanna has built her framework, CHASE, around a claim that runs against the grain of most leadership advice: that communication, honesty, accountability, self esteem, and ego management are not the gentle parts of leading a school. They are the demanding parts. Garth and I talked with her about the difference between being kind and being nice, why the hardest conversations are often the kindest ones, and what it actually takes to keep your ego out of the way of your people. What stayed with us was her honesty about failure. Joanna does not treat vulnerability as a leadership technique. She treats it as the price of admission for trust. That distinction matters, especially for leaders who have learned to perform confidence rather than build it. This is a conversation for anyone who has ever wondered whether being kind and being taken seriously can coexist. Joanna makes the case, convincingly, that they have to. Chapters 00:00 introduction to kind leadership and guest Joanna Povall04:08 Garth and Jason introduce the season and the theme of beyond believe05:01 the inspiration behind the book Kind Leadership06:24 Joanna's personal journey and her motivation for writing it08:52 the difference between kindness and niceness in leadership09:48 having difficult conversations without losing the kindness11:17 addressing the misconception that kindness means weakness12:44 the CHASE framework, communication, honesty, accountability, self esteem, ego14:43 how the framework evolved and the role shame and ego play in leadership16:42 advice for new leaders on starting with kindness and self awareness19:38 the value of vulnerability and sharing your own failures22:55 Ted Lasso as a working model of kind leadership24:20 why kind leadership is so often underestimated25:58 where to find Joanna's work and closing thoughts Key Takeaways Kind is not nice. Joanna draws a clear line between the two. Niceness avoids conflict. Kindness walks toward it, with honesty and care, because the people on the other side of a hard conversation deserve the truth delivered well. Ego is the quiet saboteur. The CHASE framework treats ego management as its own discipline, not an afterthought. Leaders who keep it in check make room for their teams to succeed without needing credit for it. Vulnerability builds the trust that authority cannot. Admitting mistakes openly, Joanna argues, does more for a school's culture than any policy or mission statement. It shows people that the standard being asked of them is one the leader holds for herself first. Quotes "He has zero ego and is humble in success." "Ted Lasso embodies the CHASE framework perfectly." "People underestimate kind leadership because of its lack of ego." Find Kind Leadership: Leading Schools with Empathy, Honesty and Impact wherever books are sold, and follow Joanna Povall's work through Wales International School and the COBIS network.

    Kind Leadership with Joanna Povall - S4E3

  4. Sep 15

    To be nice, or to be kind... that's the question! S4E2 - Intro to Kind Leadership

    SUMMARYIn this episode, Garth and Jason sit with the themes of kind leadership, trust, and mental health in education. Drawing on insights from Joanna Povall's book, Kind Leadership: Leading Schools with Empathy, Honesty and Impact, the conversation moves from communication and honesty through to ego and humility, with a preview of upcoming conferences and speakers worth watching this season.KEYWORDSleadership, kindness, mental health, education, trust, communication, self awareness, conflict, organizational cultureKEY TOPICS- The concept of chasing kindness in leadership- Strategies for building trust and trustworthiness- The role of communication and honesty in leadership- Managing ego and humility for effective leadership- The importance of mental health and well being in schools- The structure and insights of Joanna Povall's book, Kind Leadership: Leading Schools with Empathy, Honesty and Impact- The concept of warm conflict and its application in leadership teams- Epic fails and lessons in leadership humilitySOUND BITES"Trust is not easy to gain, but very easy to lose.""Admitting when you're wrong builds trust.""Being clear is to be kind."CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Season Four and Beyond Believe Theme04:47 Why Beyond Believe Matters in Leadership06:06 Upcoming Conferences and Key Speakers08:30 Joanna Povall's Book: Leading Schools with Empathy09:16 Chasing Kindness Framework: Communication to Ego11:14 Building Trust Through Honest Communication13:24 Reflection and Accountability in Leadership16:00 Epic Fails and Learning Moments17:18 Kindness as a Leadership Strength19:10 Closing Remarks and Next Steps

    To be nice, or to be kind... that's the question! S4E2 - Intro to Kind Leadership

  5. Sep 8

    Beyond Belief - Lassoing Leadership - Season 4 Preview!

    Summary We have spent three seasons building this podcast around a simple bet: that a sitcom about a losing football club could teach us something true about leading schools. Season Four asks a harder question than the ones we started with. Not whether to believe. What to do once belief is not enough on its own. That is the idea behind Beyond Believe, and it framed everything Garth and I talked about in this launch episode. We opened by looking back at how the podcast itself has evolved, then turned to what sustainable leadership actually requires day to day. Garth walked through his own practices, including the listening tours he uses to keep his read on an organization honest rather than assumed. We introduced Rocket Fuel and the visionary integrator model as a lens for balancing big picture thinking with the follow through that makes it real. We also previewed the mental health summit coming to Banff, including the keynote speakers and themes we are most looking forward to, because sustaining leadership is not just a strategy question. It is a personal one too. From there we went back to Ted Lasso itself, tracing how Season Four handles women in sports and empowerment, and what it shows us about mentoring relationships and knowing when someone is ready to lead without you. We closed on a question worth sitting with: should an organization adapt to the people already in it, or expect those people to adapt to it? Ted's answer, and ours, is that he moves slowly toward his team. He does not wait for them to come to him. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Season 4 of Ted Lasso and Leadership Themes03:50 Hosts Discuss the Evolution of the Podcast and New Season Focus05:12 Theme of Beyond Believe: Moving from Belief to Strategy and Culture06:01 Building Sustainable Leadership Practices in Education07:00 Garth Shares His Practices for Sustainability and Listening Tours09:00 Introduction to Rocket Fuel and Visionary Integration Leadership10:33 Upcoming Mental Health Summit in Banff and Key Speakers12:50 Highlights of Keynote Speakers and Topics at the Summit18:56 Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso: Women in Sports and Empowerment20:47 Mentoring Relationships and Recognizing Readiness to Lead23:55 Adapting Leadership to Team and Organizational Needs26:56 Ted Lasso's Social Dynamics and Leadership Insights27:59 Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Season Highlights Key Takeaways Beyond Believe marks a shift for the podcast and for the season, moving from the case for believing in something to the harder work of building strategy and culture around that belief. Sustainable leadership is a practice, not a personality trait. Listening tours, in particular, keep a leader's understanding of their organization grounded in what people are actually experiencing rather than what a leader assumes. The visionary integrator model, drawn from Rocket Fuel, offers a useful way to think about pairing big picture leadership with the operational discipline needed to carry it out. Mentoring is not just about developing someone. It is about recognizing the moment they are ready to lead without you, and having the humility to let them. Adaptability cuts both ways. The real question for any leader is whether the organization should adapt to the people in it or expect those people to adapt to it, and Ted Lasso comes down clearly on the side of moving toward your team. Mental health is not separate from leadership sustainability. It is a foundation for it, which is part of why the upcoming Banff summit matters to this work. Sound Bites "Leadership is about recognizing when your mentee is ready to go on their own." "Should our organization adapt to us or to them?" "Ted slowly moves towards his team, not expecting them to come to him." Keep Leading the Lasso Way.

    Beyond Belief - Lassoing Leadership - Season 4 Preview!

  6. Sep 1

    Anand Mahadevan - S3E56 - CAIS + What's Next In Independent Schools

    Summary In this episode, we explore the future of independent schools, leadership challenges, and the impact of AI with Anand Mahadevan, Executive Director of CAIS. Discover insights on continuous improvement, community engagement, and adapting to rapid technological change. Keywords independent schools, leadership, AI in education, continuous improvement, community engagement, school accreditation, educational trends 2026 Key Topics The role of AI in education and school designWhat it means to be a CACE school and the accreditation processLeadership characteristics for thriving in complex environmentsTrends in education for 2026 and beyondThe importance of community and social health in schools Sound Bites "AI is a tsunami or paradigm shift in education." "The future's already here, it's just unevenly distributed." "Leaders need intellectual humility, humor, and courage." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest introduction 01:52 Guest background and journey into educational leadership 04:10 Highlights from the 2025-26 academic year in schools 06:45 What makes a school a CAIS school? 08:36 Defining the essence of CAIS schools 14:02 Emerging trends for 2026 and beyond 16:03 The impact of AI on education and school design 17:36 Schools as community centers and social health hubs 21:38 Leadership qualities for flourishing in education 23:53 The alchemy of leadership: humility, humor, and courage 28:28 The importance of financial and institutional sustainability 30:16 How to learn more about CAIS and connect Resources CAIS Official Website - https://www.cais.ca

    Anand Mahadevan - S3E56 - CAIS + What's Next In Independent Schools

  7. Aug 25

    The Humans of AI with Joseph Wilson - S3E56

    Summary In this episode, Joe Wilson discusses the human stories behind AI development, the hidden labour involved, and the importance of critical thinking about AI narratives. He emphasizes understanding the human stack and encourages skepticism and curiosity in AI adoption. Keywords AI, human stories, labour, critical thinking, AI narratives, technology, ethics, education, AI development, societal impact Key Topics The anthropological perspective of AI and the human stories behind itHidden labour and ghost workers in AI developmentThe role of entrepreneurs and narratives in AI's futureCritical thinking and skepticism about AI storiesThe impact of data centers and environmental trade-offsGrassroots innovation and youth engagement with AI Sound Bites "The humans who do the science are almost always erased from that process" "I've been told, AI was just gonna solve the opioid epidemic... I'm not sure about this claim." "These are brains and they are thinking and they are doing human work" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Joe Wilson and his book 'Humans of AI' 03:07 Joe's background in science, technology studies, and AI research 04:14 The importance of understanding the human stories behind AI 06:22 The erasure of human labor in scientific narratives and AI 08:46 Diverse personas in AI development: pioneers, ghost workers, believers, and detractors 11:39 Hidden labor in self-driving cars and data centers 14:22 The reorganization of human labor through AI and entrepreneurial narratives 17:23 The dangers of believing AI as human-like intelligence 18:45 Critical thinking and skepticism in AI adoption and education 24:11 Grassroots innovation and youth creativity in AI 26:56 Environmental trade-offs and community reactions to data centers 28:46 The importance of curiosity and skepticism in AI understanding 29:22 Where to find more of Joe Wilson's work and research

    The Humans of AI with Joseph Wilson - S3E56

  8. Aug 18

    Are We AI Literate (part 2) - S3E55

    Generative AI in Education: Insights from Leading Thought Leaders Summary Discover the transformative potential and practical applications of generative AI in education through discussions with top educators and industry experts. This episode explores innovative use cases, leadership strategies, ethical considerations, and how schools can prepare for an AI-driven future. Take Aways Diverse perspectives on inspiring AI applications in schools, from research tools to personalized student supportStrategies for resource-efficient AI implementation and developing sovereign AI foundationsLeadership guidance for integrating AI into school culture, policymaking, and curriculumCritical conversations around data privacy, academic integrity, and ethical AI usePractical steps for educators and leaders to navigate AI's rapid evolution and ensure responsible adoptionThe importance of fostering a growth mindset, critical thinking, and cognitive bilingualism in studentsExamples of innovative projects like vibe coding and AI clubs that demonstrate student engagement and creativityInsights on building AI literacy across all levels of education and ongoing professional developmentTimestamp 00:00 - Introduction to AI in education and episode themes02:10 - Inspirational examples of generative AI applications04:14 - Sovereign AI: building custom, ethically governed systems06:43 - Resource strategies for AI integration amid staffing challenges08:26 - Innovative uses from higher education and public schools09:23 - Creative AI solutions supporting diverse student populations11:00 - The evolving conversation on data privacy and academic integrity12:45 - How skilled teachers leverage AI for personalized learning13:12 - Practical AI projects like vibe coding and student-led initiatives16:02 - The role of AI clubs and student-focused AI literacy18:14 - Platform options and safety considerations for schools19:19 - Data analytics and research tools empowering school leadership21:10 - Transformative possibilities: live translation and collaborative insights23:38 - Preparing schools for the AI revolution: strategic guidance27:06 - Leadership guardrails: values, guiding principles, and growth mindset30:49 - Balancing safety, ethics, and well-being in AI adoption34:12 - Addressing educator concerns about curriculum overload36:11 - Framing AI as a facilitator rather than an additional burden38:43 - Developing agentic skills and responsible AI oversight in students42:38 - Advice for new school leaders navigating AI's impact45:38 - Connecting with the experts: resources and ongoing learning opportunities Resources Shape of Tomorrow newsletter - Michael Ianni-Palarchio's insights and updatesFuture of Education Report - Case studies and leadership guidesVibe coding - Creative AI-driven app development for educators and studentsClaude Platform - Educator-friendly AI tools for classroom innovationGemini & Flint Platforms - Official tools used by Lakefield College SchoolJason Rogers - Twitter | LinkedInGarth Nichols - Twitter | LinkedInMichael Ianni-Palarchio - LinkedIn | NewsletterBeth Nichols - LinkedInLes McBeth - Future Design School | LinkedInMyke Healy - Head of School at St. John's Ravenscourt | LinkedInThis episode is a must-listen for educators, school leaders, and policymakers aiming to harness AI responsibly and creatively, ensuring a future-ready education system.

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CALLING ALL LASSO and LEADERSHIP Fans! Join us on this journey to a better, kinder and more compelling way to lead! We are going to take a journey through the hit series Ted Lasso and explore what leadership lessons exist and there are tons!

Information

  • Creator
    Garth Nichols and Jason Rogers
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    162
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Garth Nichols and Jason Rogers
  • Show Website
    Lassoing Leadership

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