The Leadership Educator Podcast

theleadershipeducator
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Teaching leadership is hard. Join professors Dan Jenkins and Lauren Bullock, leadership educators with 30+ yrs experience in curricular and co-curricular leadership programs in higher education, as they capture in dialogue questions from their peers and share knowledge and expertise on facilitating leadership learning. Passionate about leadership education? Want to expand your resource toolbox with practical strategies for teaching, learning, and program design? This is the podcast for you!

  1. 4d ago

    NDSL #187: General Principles for Advancing Leadership Programs

    In this episode, Dan and Lauren are joined by Dr. Kathy Guthrie, Professor of Higher Education and Leadership at Florida State University, and Dr. Gayle Spencer, Senior Director of the Illinois Leadership Center at the University of Illinois. Together, Guthrie and Spencer co-edited New Directions for Student Leadership Issue #187: General Principles for Advancing Leadership Programs (Fall 2025) alongside the late Rian Satterwhite. This conversation honors both the issue and Rian's foundational contributions to the work. Kathy and Gayle share how the issue came together and how it works: each of the five core areas of the ILA General Principles — context, conceptual framework, content, learning, and metrics/outcomes/assessment — gets one chapter that deepens the knowledge base and one that shows real application. Listen for why the general principles are a living document worth revisiting early and often, especially as the contexts leadership educators teach and lead in keep shifting. This marks the 19th episode in the TLE–NDSL partnership series; find all NDSL episodes in The Leadership Educator Podcast archive   Resources and works mentioned in this episode include: New Directions for Student Leadership, Issue #187: General Principles for Advancing Leadership Programs — Guthrie, K., Spencer, G., & Satterwhite, R. (Eds.). (Fall 2025) ILA General Principles for Leadership Programs (2nd Edition, March 2026) — available via search at ilaglobalnetwork.org International Leadership Association (ILA) — home of the Committee for Advancing Leadership Programs (CALP) ILA Webinar: What's Next for Leadership Learning: Adapting the ILA General Principles for an Unsettled World— with Denny Roberts, Kathy Guthrie, Oliver Seale, and Jay Gary Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) — referenced by Gayle Spencer in her role as CAS president Taylor, J., et al. — chapter on applying content and designing for where students are. Josh Taylor, Hargis Leadership Institute, Oklahoma State University Seale, O., et al. — chapter applying the context principle from an international (South Africa) perspective. Oliver Seale Hastings, L., & Rosch, D. — chapter on framing metrics, outcomes, and assessment; application to fraternity and sorority life. Lindsay Hastings | Dave Rosch Jenkins, D. M., & Rocco, M. — co-authored chapter on learning. Melissa Rocco Dr. Kathy Allen — cited by Gayle Spencer for her work on reflection and intentional practice in leadership learning

    38 min

  2. Jun 30

    Teaching with AI: Creativity, Simulations, and Technology-Enhanced Learning with Dr. Cris Wildermuth

    In this episode, Dan and Lauren are joined by Dr. Cris Wildermuth, Professor of Leadership and Program Director for the Master of Science in Leadership and Innovation and the B.S. in Organizational Leadership at Barry University. Cris is also a member of the ILA Leadership Education Academy facilitation team and brings more than two decades of experience as a leadership educator, researcher, and consultant. The conversation explores how generative AI and technology-enhanced tools are changing what is possible in the leadership classroom — not by replacing good pedagogy, but by dramatically expanding the range of experiences educators can design and deliver. Cris shares how she uses vibe coding tools like Lovable and AI voice platforms like ElevenLabs to build immersive branched scenarios, simulations, and themed course experiences that would have been impractical or impossible before. She walks through concrete examples: an ethics course built around Game of Thrones, an online simulation using John Rawls' theory of justice played out through a dukes-knights-and-peasants game, and an alien-invasion metaphor for leading change. Dan and Lauren reflect alongside her on what it means for educators to be willing to fail, to stay curious, and to use AI as a lever for the kind of creative teaching that has always been at the heart of good leadership education. Resources and works mentioned in this episode include: ----more---- Lovable — AI-powered vibe coding platform for building apps, simulations, and interactive learning tools through natural language prompts; used by Cris to create branched scenarios, board games, and logic simulations ElevenLabs — AI voice and video generation platform; used by Cris to create character voices and short video segments for immersive course scenarios Mollick, E. (2024). Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI. Portfolio/Penguin. — referenced by Dan in connection with teachers as skilled prompt engineers; Mollick is an associate professor at the Wharton School and directs the Generative AI Lab John Rawls' Theory of Justice — discussed in connection with Cris's dukes-knights-and-peasants simulation, used to teach ethical leadership and systems of fairness Mentimeter — audience engagement and polling tool referenced among technologies that support both in-person and virtual learning spaces Slido — live polling and Q&A platform referenced alongside Mentimeter and Kahoot as part of the technology toolkit for interactive facilitation Kahoot! — game-based learning platform referenced in the same context Barry University — Leadership Programs — Cris's institutional home; she directs the B.S. in Organizational Leadership and the M.S. in Leadership and Innovation ILA Leadership Education Academy — Cris serves on the faculty facilitation team; Dan also collaborates with her through LEA

    45 min

  3. Jun 23

    Community-Engaged Learning and Civic Leadership with Dr. Jason Headrick

    In this episode, Dan and Lauren are joined by Dr. Jason Headrick, Associate Professor of Leadership and Community Development at Texas Tech University. Jason's work sits at the intersection of leadership education, rural community development, and inclusive leadership practices. He also serves as director of the Civic Leadership Academy at Texas Tech's Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources — a yearlong program that helps students develop civic leadership principles. The conversation explores how leadership educators can move students from the classroom into genuine community engagement — and why that shift matters. Jason shares how his own roots as a first-generation college student from Kentucky, deeply involved in 4-H, shaped his understanding of leadership as something lived in community. He discusses community-engaged learning as a pedagogical approach that centers community partners in the learning process, and walks through concrete examples from his Civic Leadership course, including an interdisciplinary asset-mapping project spanning multiple departments and multiple semesters. Dan and Lauren reflect alongside Jason on their own teaching experiences with civic engagement, stakeholder analysis, and helping students see their capacity to lead and make change — now, not later.   Resources and works mentioned in this episode include: ----more---- Matkin, G. S., Headrick, J., & Sunderman, H. M. (Eds.). (2023). Developing Human Potential: A Personal Approach to Leadership. Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communication, University of Nebraska–Lincoln. (Free OER — includes a civic leadership chapter focused on developing a personal leadership philosophy) Komives, S. R., Lucas, N., & McMahon, T. R. (2013). Exploring Leadership: For College Students Who Want to Make a Difference (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass. — referenced in connection with the Passion Project Headlines activity and Strategies for Change chapter New Directions for Student Leadership, Issue #188 — co-edited by Jason Headrick; recently published Deep Roots Podcast — Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University; Jason was featured as a guest Association of Leadership Educators 2026 Conference – Philadelphia — referenced by Dan and Jason; registration open

    40 min

  4. Jun 14

    NDSL Issue 185: Pop Culture’s Contributions to Leadership Development with Dr. Kat Callahan and Dr. Sean Connable

    In this episode of The Leadership Educator Podcast, Lauren and Dan talk with Dr. Kat Callahan and Dr. Sean Connable about New Directions for Student Leadership Issue 185, Pop Culture’s Contributions to Leadership Development. The conversation explores how leadership educators can use pop culture as more than an attention-getter and instead treat it as a serious tool for examining storytelling, cultural values, identity, and leadership development. Listeners will hear examples from podcasts, sports, comic books, television, and other cultural spaces, along with practical ideas for helping students critically examine the stories that shape how society defines leadership. Resources and works mentioned in this episode include: ----more---- Devies, B., Bullock, L., Jenkins, D. M., Allen, S. J., & Stanberry, J. (2025). Sound Leadership: Harnessing the Power of Podcasts in Leadership Development. New Directions for Student Leadership, 185. Leaders Assemble! Leadership and Mentorship in the Marvel Comic Universe with Drs. Gordon Schmidt and Sy Islam — prior TLE episode referenced in conversation The Power of Storytelling in Leadership Education with Dr. Shannon Cleverley-Thompson — prior TLE episode referenced in conversation Department of Leadership and American Studies, Christopher Newport University StarPower® Simulation — Simulation Training Systems; discussed in the context of ethics, power, and experiential learning Scholar Tea Podcast — hosted by Shawna Patterson-Stephens and Cameron Beatty; referenced by Kat as a source that led to a research article in the issue Kegan, R., & Lahey, L. L. (2009). Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization. Harvard Business Review Press. — referenced in the context of emotive and transformative learning experiences Walter Fisher's Narrative Paradigm — discussed by Sean in connection with his article on comic books and the cultural power of storytelling Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed — referenced in the context of liberatory pedagogy and the creative acts of marginalized communities

    50 min

  5. Jun 3

    Intro to Season 12

    In this episode, Dan and Lauren are back for Season 12 of The Leadership Educator Podcast. Before diving into the season, they catch listeners up on where they have been since May 2025 — what they have been working on, what they have published, and what is ahead. This season focuses on specific instructional strategies leadership educators use to facilitate learning across curricular and co-curricular spaces. Guests will discuss strategies such as reflection, community-engaged learning, teaching with film and media, team building, AI, and more. Updates and resources mentioned in this episode include: ----more---- Moving the Needle: What We Know and Don't Know About Developing Leaders – Rosch, Allen, & Jenkins (Emerald, 2025) Journal of Leadership Studies Special Symposia Issue on AI & Leadership (Vol. 18, No. 4) Jenkins, D. M., & Khanna, G. (2025). AI-Enhanced Training, Education, & Development: Exploration and Insights Into Generative AI's Role in Leadership Learning. Journal of Leadership Studies, 18(4). Jenkins, D. M., Cleverley-Thompson, S., Erikson, D., Blankenbaker, A., & Brown-Saracino, B. (2025). Prompting for Meaning: Exploring Generative AI Tools for Qualitative Data Analysis in Leadership Research. Journal of Leadership Studies, 19(3), 1–12. — grew out of The Power of Storytelling in Leadership Education with Dr. Shannon Cleverley-Thompson Devies, B., Bullock, L., Jenkins, D. M., Allen, S. J., & Stanberry, J. (2025). Sound Leadership: Harnessing the Power of Podcasts in Leadership Development. New Directions for Student Leadership. Bullock, L., & Jenkins, D. M. (2025). Coaching the next team: Mastering teaching, fundamentals, time management, and goal setting in youth sports. In E. Buschlen & A. DiOrio (Eds.), The Coach's Playbook: Becoming a Transformational Coach and Leader (Chap. 14). ICPEL Publishing. Bullock, L., & Jenkins, D. M. (in press). Generative leadership in the classroom for women and girls. In T. Swed & S. Wamble-King (Eds.), Global Generative Leadership: Lessons from Women's Leadership to Sustain Our Future. Emerald. Leaders in the Loop Podcast – supported by an ALE mini-grant ILA AI Summit – May 6–7, available on demand 8th Leadership Education Academy (LEA 2025) – ILA Association of Leadership Educators 2026 Conference – Philadelphia – registration open AiM Higher Delaware Conference Journal of Leadership Studies – Call for Editor-in-Chief Applications – deadline July 30 Service Learning in a Pandemic with Dr. Tara Coste – referenced in connection with Dan's South Africa Study Abroad program

    33 min

  6. 05/13/2025

    Season 11 Outro Episode: Teaching Activities in Leadership Spaces

    In this episode of The Leadership Educator Podcast, Dan and Lauren wrap up Season 11 by reflecting on the innovative tools and themes explored throughout the series. They explore how reflection, healthy competition, storytelling, gamification, and online simulations are transforming leadership education. Guests from the season share insights on designing meaningful learning experiences, using digital tools with purpose, and creating emotionally resonant leadership development environments. The conversation offers practical strategies and key reflections for leadership educators and practitioners seeking to level up their impact.

    29 min

  7. 05/06/2025

    What to Expect When Attending the 2025 ILA Leadership Education Academy with Drs. Corey Seemiller and Nathan Eva

    In this episode, Dan and Lauren go behind the scenes of the 2025 International Leadership Association’s Leadership Education Academy with co-founder and co-chair Dr. Corey Seemiller and co-chair Dr. Nathan Eva. They talk about what’s new in the evolving curriculum, the energy and fun that make the experience unforgettable, and how LEA continues to foster a strong, inclusive community of leadership educators. Resources mentioned in this episode include: ----more---- From a Diner to the Academy with Dr. Corey Seemiller What to Expect When Attending the 2022 Leadership Education Academy with Dr. Kerry Priest and Rian Satterwhite Rian Satterwhite Impact Stipend – Apply Now and Read more about this opportunity and Rian Satterwhite’s work here

    37 min

  8. 04/22/2025

    Teaching Leadership in Real Time: Inside the Interactive Skills Lab with Gary Lloyd

    In this episode, hosts Dan and Lauren speak with Gary Lloyd, founder of The Leadership Skills Lab and author of Gardeners Not Mechanics: How to Cultivate Change at Work. With decades of experience leading change in financial markets and banking, Gary shares how his interactive, web-based platform leverages coaching, role play, and AI to support leadership growth. He challenges traditional approaches to change management, advocating for adaptive, organic leadership development. Gary also reflects on his recent keynote conversation at the ILA’s AI in Leadership Summit, offering insights into the evolving role of AI in leader learning and performance.

    47 min
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Teaching leadership is hard. Join professors Dan Jenkins and Lauren Bullock, leadership educators with 30+ yrs experience in curricular and co-curricular leadership programs in higher education, as they capture in dialogue questions from their peers and share knowledge and expertise on facilitating leadership learning. Passionate about leadership education? Want to expand your resource toolbox with practical strategies for teaching, learning, and program design? This is the podcast for you!

Information

  • Creator
    theleadershipeducator
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    176
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Leadership Educator Podcast

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