300 episodes

The BETTER LEADERS BETTER SCHOOLS podcast is in the TOP 0.5% most downloaded shows of over 2 million podcasts across the world. The BLBS show was created for RUCKUS MAKERS in education -- those out-of-the-box school leaders making change happen.

Launched in 2015, this category-defining podcast in educational leadership has helped over 1 MILLION leaders LEVEL UP. Each week host DANIEL BAUER has a conversation with a leadership expert and invites you to listen in. Turn your commute, chores, or workout into professional development and then GO MAKE A RUCKUS!

BLBS is the #1 downloaded podcast for school leaders.

The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer Daniel Bauer

    • Education
    • 4.8 • 299 Ratings

The BETTER LEADERS BETTER SCHOOLS podcast is in the TOP 0.5% most downloaded shows of over 2 million podcasts across the world. The BLBS show was created for RUCKUS MAKERS in education -- those out-of-the-box school leaders making change happen.

Launched in 2015, this category-defining podcast in educational leadership has helped over 1 MILLION leaders LEVEL UP. Each week host DANIEL BAUER has a conversation with a leadership expert and invites you to listen in. Turn your commute, chores, or workout into professional development and then GO MAKE A RUCKUS!

BLBS is the #1 downloaded podcast for school leaders.

    Creating Phone-Free Learning Environments

    Creating Phone-Free Learning Environments

     
     
    Graham Dugoni is the founder and CEO of Yondr. Founded in 2014, Yondr is the pioneer of “phone-free spaces.” The company helps educators, artists, and organizations around the world create distraction-free environments where focus and creativity can flourish in the absence of technology.
     
    Show Highlights
     
    Phone-free spaces and its benefits for students and teachers.
    Reduction in behavioral issues and increased student engagement.
    Steps to implement phone-free policies in schools, starting with leadership commitment.
    Clear communication of the benefits and policy details to all stakeholders.
    Addressing student resistance and creative attempts to bypass new policies.
    Importance of clear consequences and consistent enforcement.
    Positive changes in school culture and student interactions.
    Support from Yonder in policy implementation and community engagement.
     
    “I started the company in 2014 with young people in mind. And ir started from the point of view that smartphones and social media were radically new and there were going to be a lot of unintended consequences, basically, especially for young people. And I thought that it was my generation's responsibility to give them a sense and the experience of what life is like for at least 8 hours a day without that, so they could get perspective on them.
    -Graham Dugoni i
     
    “It always starts with leadership, with someone who says,'I see this problem and how phones and social media are affecting my students and the way they're developing and their focus in the classroom and the way it affects my teachers and their ability to get to feel effective in their environment.' What we do is we come and say, 'Okay, here's how the honor product works. Here's how our program works.' But the most important thing is for you to get the commitment of your community. And that's what we always start with. We start with helping principals or superintendents to get that commitment from their community. That's the community, parents, that's very important, but also teachers and administrators in the school.”
    -Graham Dugoni i
     
     
    Get the episode transcript here!
     
    Graham’s Resources & Contact Info:  
    Yondr
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you rea

    • 37 min
    Introduction to the Ruckus Maker Club

    Introduction to the Ruckus Maker Club

     
    Show Highlights
     
    A Ruckus Maker Club for innovative school leaders who want to do school differently with shared ideas and support. 
    Ruckus Maker Club features and benefits
    Access to tools and free content
    Coaching calls
    Innovation labs
    Accountability space.
    Discussions on challenges in educational leadership
    Tech support and event recordings.
    Inventive solutions on challenges working within resistant systems.
    Practical, actionable strategies for innovation provided by the club.
    The value between the Ruckus Maker Club and free online content.
    Download the Ruckus Maker eight-step goal setting tool.
     
    “Imagine a space where innovative educational leaders from around the world come together. It's a place where you can find support, share ideas, and learn from others who are successfully shaking things up in their schools. I created the Ruckus Maker club because I believe that together we can do school differently and create the future of education. The Ruckus Maker Club is designed for those of you who refuse to accept the status quo.”
    -Danny Bauer
     
    Get the episode transcript here!
     
    Show’s Resources & Contact Info:  
    Become a Founding Member of The Ruckus Maker Club Today!  
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you ready to accomplish more?
    With less effort and in less time?
    When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.
     
    Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals
    SHOW SPONSORS:  TEACHFX
    How much student talk happened today?
    When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 
     
    The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 
     
    With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com/b

    • 32 min
    Lindsay Cravens: Lindsay landed the principal job after reading Build Leadership Momentum

    Lindsay Cravens: Lindsay landed the principal job after reading Build Leadership Momentum

     
    Lindsay Cravens is currently in transition from being the High School Principal at Stockton (KS) for the past 3 years to my new position of High School Principal at Republic County (Belleville, KS). This fall will be her final semester working towards my EdS in District Administration from Fort Hays State University.
     
    Show Highlights
     
    Impact of 'Build Leadership Momentum' on her interview process and confidence.
    Dynamic book insights, strategies and leadership philosophy. 
    Importance of being calm and prepared as a leader.
    Keys to building relationships and enjoying the job. 
    Importance of admitting mistakes and learning from them.
    Value of mentorship and continuous learning.
    Community support, including help from the FFA group.
    Tips to provide for all students and create a supportive environment.
     
    “The book gave me a lot of good talking points and planning points to go from not only in the interview, but to feel more prepared. And then I'm going to use some of those pieces going into the next school year as well. So now I will be the high school principal in Belleville.”
    -Lindsay Cravens
     
    Get the episode transcript here!
    Lindsay’s Resources & Contact Info:  
    Linkedin Facebook  
     
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you ready to accomplish more?
    With less effort and in less time?
    When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.
     
    Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals
    SHOW SPONSORS:  TEACHFX
    How much student talk happened today?
    When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired. 
     
    The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation. 
     
    With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers. Visit: teachfx.com

    • 32 min
    Creating a Culture of Authenticity in Education

    Creating a Culture of Authenticity in Education

     
    Charles Hartney is the Head of Upper School and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion coordinator at The Park School of Buffalo, a progressive, independent school serving students from PreK and Montessori through Grade 12. Outside of school, Charlie is a proud husband and father of two, an avid reader, and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. #GoBills.
     
     
    Show Highlights
     
    Create intentional deposits with every member of your learning community. 
    Charles' highlights his quest from transitioning from teacher to administrator within the same building. 
    Significance of seeking help by involving others in decision-making processes.
    Cultivate a celebratory culture without having to be the cheerleader type.
    A culture team doesn’t exist without both faculty and student representatives.
    Importance of curiosity, compassion, and community in education.
    A framework that gives you the permission to be the kind of leader that you want to be. 
     
    “I want people to remember that you don't have to be in a moment of crisis to seek help, to get unstuck or to think again about the work that you do. If anybody out there is like me and has been resistant to help in the past, or feels like they might be burdening other people by asking for help, or just feels like they should have all the answers, I would encourage you to find ways to get yourself unstuck, to seek out that help. Because once you have the support that you need, the work you're going to be able to do for your schools and for your faculty and for your families and for your students is going to be immeasurable. You can do incredible things.”
    -Charles Hartney 
     
    Get the episode transcript here!
     
    Charles’ Resources & Contact Info: The Park School of Buffalo
    Linkedin.
     
     
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you ready to accomplish more?
    With less effort and in less time?
    When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.
     
    Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/goals
    SHOW SPONSORS:  TEACHFX
    How much s

    • 54 min
    Unleashing Creative Agency through Reflection and Experimentation

    Unleashing Creative Agency through Reflection and Experimentation

     
     
    Leticia Britos Cavagnaro, Ph.D.,  is a scientist turned designer who has created and facilitated a wide range of learning experiences in design, creativity, and innovation at the Stanford d.school and beyond. Her creative methods include the use of emerging technologies to help people grow as self-directed, action-oriented, reflective, and responsible shapers of the future. She co-directs the University Innovation Fellows Program and is an adjunct professor at the Stanford School.
     
    Leticia has a PhD in developmental biology from Stanford University and is a former member of the Research in Education & Design Lab.
     
     
    Show Highlights
     
    Tips to avoid traumatic teaching where students learn in spite of what we do and create assignments ensure agency.
    Leveraging reflection is a Ruckus Maker super power to gain more depth.
    Experiment 4: to focus on who you really are when you're out there in the world. 
    Fixed identities get in the way of learning. Explore the multiple identities or elements of identities out there. 
    Fascinating questions to elevate the answers as the thing that is valued. 
    The value of reflecting forward and technology infused with teaching and learning connection.


    1st, 2nd, 3rd order consequences to the work you do.
     
     
    “Best to start small and sneaky.  Ruckus Makers are change makers. It's hard. Instead of thinking when I have resources and when I have x, y, and z, I'll be able to do ABC, what do you have right now? How can you do something small? Actually, intentionally small, that is going to maximize your learning, allow you to learn something and challenge your assumptions. Going back full circle to the beginning of my story as a teacher, we have more levers to play and more control about things that we can experiment, that we think, just thinking about what is my sphere of influence and what can I do?”
    -Leticia Britos Cavagnaro 
     
    Get the episode transcript here!
     
    Leticia’s Resources & Contact Info: Linkedin
    Experiments in Reflection
    Riff | Sharpen your Reflective Skills with AI
     
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you ready to accomplish more?
    With less effort and in less time?
    When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool

    • 47 min
    The Power of Awareness

    The Power of Awareness

     
     
     
    Laura Di Franco is the CEO of Brave Healer Productions, an award-winning publisher for holistic health and wellness professionals. She spent 30 years in holistic physical therapy, has 14 years of training in the martial arts, and has authored 10 books. Her company has published over 60 Amazon bestselling books with a global community of over 1000 authors who are waking the world up to what’s possible for healing, one brave word at a time. 
     
    Show Highlights
     
    Your healing journey begins with living, healing and Taekwondo.  
    Leverage the wisdom in your community through expert collaboration tips.
    Get a daily nap with ‘Awareness Practice’ to pause quickly before burnout. 
    Mindful body awareness is key to rejuvenation for your entire body. 
    Top 3 ways to boost your holistic health.
    Overcoming the practice of ‘not feeling’ and speaking with your body. 
    Respond to life instead of react with Box Breathing and Sound Healing.
     
     
    “People can shift, never at their expense. You're just not going to do any kind of good in the world if you don't start with yourself. I've got this favorite mantra. I love having enough time, energy, money, and resources to generously take care of myself and everyone I love and serve. I had to come first. And so when I have all those things and I'm feeling good and I'm taking care of myself, then the overflow is what I'm serving from. I never have to, like, tap into the reserves.”
    -Laura Di Franco 
    Get the episode transcript here!
     
    Laura’s Resources & Contact Info: Brave Healer Productions
     Facebook
    Instagram.com
    Linkedin
    Brave Healer Productions - YouTube
    Other Pages for Brave Kids Books:
    https://www.instagram.com/bravekidsbooks/
    https://www.facebook.com/bravekidsbooks/
    Listening to Smile
     
    Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.
     
    Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today!
    Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders. 100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.
    Apply to the mastermind today!
     
    How We Serve Leaders  
    The School Leadership Scorecard™
    Identify your highest leverage areas for growth this year in 10 -minutes or less.   
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/scorecard
     
    Month-to-Month Principal Checklist
    As a principal with so much to do, you might be thinking, where do I even start?
     
    When you download The Principal Checklist you’ll get
    12-months of general tasks that every campus need to do
    Space to write your campus specific items.
    Space to reflect and not what worked as well as a space of what didn’t work
    Go to https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/principal-checklist to download now.
     
    Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™
    The “secret” to peak performance is ot complicated.  It’s a plan on how to optimize the five fundamentals found in The Ruckus Maker Mindset Tool™.
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/mindset
     
    The Positive Spotlight Tool™
    Energy flows to where attention goes!
    If you want to get more of what you want, when you want it as a school leader I have a tool for you…
     
    Download The Positive Spotlight Tool™ for free here:
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.com/positive
     
    The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™
    Are you ready to accomplish more?
    With less effort and in less time?
    When you download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  I’ll send you the tool and a short 8-minute coaching video that shows you how to work smarter, not harder…and create more value for your school campus.
     
    Download The Ruckus Maker 8-Step Goal Setting Tool™  for free at
    https://betterleadersbetterschools.co

    • 37 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
299 Ratings

299 Ratings

Whitebread_13 ,

Inspirational Leadership

Danny brings in some of the greatest minds in education who are making a Ruckus in todays schools.

Teacher10456 ,

Awesome for expanding your mindset and staying current!

This podcast has directly impacted my leadership and vision for our school. Thank you, Daniel!

Safety app ,

Incident Command System 4 Schools

Hi there! I’m impressed with how your group is getting the word out and sharing about all things safety at schools. I’m a Retired Fire Captain who owns a business called ICS4Schools. We have been working with school districts in California for the last 13 years. If you accept guest speakers, I would love to share in the narrative of school safety. Thank you!

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