Colorfuel

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Channel • 3 Shows

Education

Education

Updated Feb 6
Relationships

Relationships

Updated 10/22/2025
Relationships

Relationships

Updated 10/22/2025

JAN 23

Cultivating a Collaborative Culture for Leadership

Bob speaks with Nate Manaen, assistant superintendent for Eastern Carver County Schools about cultivating a collaborative culture for learning. They discuss the importance of time and space, the need for leaders to be skilled in various areas, and the importance of involving district leaders in the process. Cultivating collective ownership for school improvement implies the school district establishes a framework to support leaders in cultivating ownership. Time is the most crucial resource in this process; creating an organized structure of time offers teachers and leaders the space to carefully identify the root causes of student needs, research proven evidence practices, and design units of study for professional learning. To create better collective ownership for school improvement, leaders must start by developing trust and a strong relationship with their school team. Additionally, they should focus on problem-solving and creating a safe space for vulnerability.

Jan 23

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27 min
FEB 6

Navigating and Supporting Leaders

In this episode, Bob sits down with Dr. Quennel Cooper, assistant superintendent for St. Louis Park Schools. Dr. Cooper began his career as an assistant superintendent six months ago and shares his journey in navigating and supporting building leaders. He talks about his role as an educational leader, the challenges he faces, and the lessons he has learned in his career. He also talks about the importance of communication and self-care in the education field, and how he aims to support and empower his team of principals. He shares his thoughts on the differences between leading in the elementary and secondary levels and his reflections on the first six months on the job.

Feb 6

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27 min
JAN 7

Unpacking the Human Element in Leadership

On this Episode, Bob speaks with Felicia Thames, assistant superintendent for Eden Prairie Public Schools, focusing on elementary programming. Felicia talks about the importance of the human element in leadership and how it is crucial to create a safe space for conversations and discussions within the organization. believes in inclusion, belonging and value within an organization, and she focuses on making space for people to feel included and valued. As an assistant superintendent, she wants to know how leaders like to be led and what motivates them. When creating goals for the organization, she brings in different voices and perspectives to make sure everyone is included and interdependent on each other's strengths. Felicia discusses her team’s method of creating space and providing opportunities for leaders to practice and model the behavior with their teams.

Jan 7

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25 min
10/22/2025

Better Together

To start things off, we'll give an introduction to the hosts of this show, Dr. Stephanie Burrage and Dillon Lahaye. You'll hear more personal about the hosts and their history, what exactly a "Colorfuel" is, and a vision for the future.

10/22/2025

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38 min
10/22/2025

Sara Houle

This week Bobby chats with the incomparable Sara Houle - President of Collaborative Student Transportation. We find out quickly that Sara's skilled leadership and empathy in her role comes from first hand experience in the company she now captains: she's had just about every role a person could hold at CST. Most importantly, we learn if she's a dog or cat person.

10/22/2025

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17 min
JAN 7

Implementing a weapons detection system

In this episode, Bob talks with Andy Beaton, assistant superintendent for ISD 622. Andy shares how he implemented a weapons detection system in his district. He talks about the incident that prompted him to explore this option, as well as the challenges and considerations involved in implementing such a system. He also highlights the importance of communication and buy-in from leadership and staff in successfully implementing the system. Andy goes into detail about the implementation of a weapons detection system in a high school and explains the process of setting up the system and the steps taken to make it run smoothly. He talks about the need for leaders to believe in the importance of such a system, the need for conversations with the community, and the willingness to take risks. He also encourages others to visit their schools and see the system in action.

Jan 7

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26 min
10/22/2025

Becca Heuring

It may be fate that someone with a last name pronounced "hiring" should lead Colorfuel's HR department. Fate or not, after an initial impression, Bobby and Dane are convinced the right person is in charge. Becca also delves into where her compassion for the human resources role stems from, and what she hopes might be different for the future of Colorfuel's culture as the company grows and changes.

10/22/2025

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26 min

Colorfuel is a business made up of businesses. Expect their catalog of podcasts to be as eclectic and unique as the people that work here.

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Colorfuel

Top Shows

Cultivating a Collaborative Culture for Leadership

Navigating and Supporting Leaders

Unpacking the Human Element in Leadership

Better Together

Sara Houle

Implementing a weapons detection system

Becca Heuring

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