Leaning into Leadership

Darrin Peppard
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We all want to see successes in both our personal and professional lives. Often, that requires strong leadership. In a time when leadership can be more challenging than ever, this podcast is dedicated to cultivating leaders by elevating the voices of leaders and promoting positivity. Join Dr. Darrin Peppard, lifelong educator and best-selling author, for this mixed platform podcast (some solo, some guest interview) for inspiration and insight, and some great leadership stories from those are living it, excelling at it, and celebrating it. Together, let's lean into leadership.

  1. 4D AGO

    Episode 269: The Cost of Misalignment—and How to Get Your Team Back on Track

    In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard takes on a challenge that quietly impacts even the strongest leadership teams: misalignment. You can have talented, committed leaders who care deeply about their work—and still feel like something is off. Conversations feel unclear. Decisions take longer than they should. Initiatives pile up without traction. That’s misalignment. And while it may not be loud or obvious, it comes at a cost. In this episode, Darrin breaks down: What misalignment really looks like in leadership teamsThe hidden costs, including decision fatigue, staff confusion, and lost timeA personal leadership story that reshaped his understanding of alignmentWhy alignment doesn’t happen during the work—it must be built intentionally Darrin also shares a practical tool you can use immediately with your team: Start. Stop. Continue. Consider.This simple protocol helps leadership teams: Identify what needs to be addedEliminate what’s no longer alignedProtect what’s workingThink strategically about what’s next Whether used in a leadership retreat or a focused team session, this process creates the clarity and shared direction teams need to move forward together. Key takeaway: Your team doesn’t need to work harder. They need to work together—on the right things, in the right way. 🔗 Resources & LinksBlog: Start, Stop, Continue, Consider ProtocolConnect with Darrin: darrin@roadtoawesome.netLearn more about leadership retreats and team development Thank you to our Amazing Sponsors This episode is sponored by DigiCoach, helping leaders capture real-time instructional data, provide meaningful feedback, and build clarity through strong systems. Go to digicoach.com and tell them you heard about them here on the Leaning into Leadership podcast for special partner pricing. This episode is also brought to you by HeyTutor, delivering high-impact, research-based tutoring that supports students while reducing leadership overwhelm. Connect with them at HeyTutor.com

    25 min

  2. MAR 22

    Episode 268: When Leaders Become the Bottleneck (and How to Get Out of the Way) with Brooke Dukes

    In this episode, Darrin sits down with Brooke Dukes to explore a challenge that many leaders face—but often don’t recognize: Becoming the bottleneck. We talk about how this happens unintentionally, why it’s so common among high-performing leaders, and how it ultimately limits both team growth and organizational success. Brooke brings a powerful perspective to this conversation. As the founder of Success by Design Club and creator of OZ, an AI-powered leadership coach, she has spent over two decades working with leaders at the highest levels—including Fortune 500 organizations—helping them break free from burnout and lead with clarity and confidence. Together, we dig into the dangers of “superhero leadership,” the hidden cost of control, and why stepping in to help can actually hold your team back. Most importantly, we explore what it really takes to shift—from being the center of every decision to building systems and structures that allow your team to step up and thrive. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, or like everything depends on you… this conversation is for you. Key TakeawaysHow leaders unintentionally become the bottleneckThe danger of “superhero leadership”Why helping can actually hurt your teamThe role of systems in scaling leadershipHow to build trust, clarity, and accountabilityWhy burnout is often a systems issue—not a personal failure About Brooke DukesBrooke M. Dukes is the founder of the Success by Design Club and creator of OZ, an AI-powered leadership coach designed to help leaders grow without burning out. With over 20 years of experience in executive leadership, sales, and consulting—including work as a Fortune 500 executive and global strategist—Brooke helps CEOs, founders, and visionaries build businesses that actually work for them. Her work blends behavioral science, Human Design, and real-world strategy to restore clarity, confidence, and calm in leadership. She is also the creator of the GRACe™ Communication Framework and Culture Compass™ Diagnostic, a #1 best-selling author, host of the Burn On, Not Out podcast, and a sought-after speaker known for her honest and heart-forward approach. 🔗 Connect with BrookeWebsite: brookmdukes.comPodcast: Burn On, Not OutSocial: @BrookMDukes Get Darrin's weekly blog here Thank you to our Amazing Sponsors This episode is sponored by DigiCoach, helping leaders capture real-time instructional data, provide meaningful feedback, and build clarity through strong systems. Go to digicoach.com and tell them you heard about them here on the Leaning into Leadership podcast for special partner pricing. This episode is also brought to you by HeyTutor, delivering high-impact, research-based tutoring that supports students while reducing leadership overwhelm. Connect with them at HeyTutor.com

    37 min

  3. MAR 18

    Episode 267: Listener Question - Managing Parent Communication Without Losing Your Day

    One of the most rewarding parts of hosting Leaning Into Leadership is hearing from listeners who are doing the work every day. In this episode, Darrin responds to a question from a first-year principal in upstate New York who asked a challenge many school leaders face: How do you stay responsive to parents while still leading the school effectively? Parent emails, phone calls, and concerns can quickly fill a leader’s day. Without systems in place, communication can pull leaders into a reactive cycle that leaves little time for the work that matters most. Drawing from his own experience as a principal and from insights shared on the podcast, Darrin explores how leaders can break free from the Cycle of CHAOS and build systems that protect their time while strengthening communication with their school community. Along the way, he shares practical strategies that help leaders communicate clearly, set expectations, and stay focused on their highest priorities. This episode also highlights an idea shared by Rae Hughart in Episode 199 and connects to leadership lessons from Darrin’s book Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful reminder for every leader: "Stop sacrificing the important on the altar of the urgent." Resources Mentioned: Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader School Leader Weekly Planner Episode 199 – Rae Hughart Thank you to our Amazing Sponsors This episode is brought to you by HeyTutor, delivering high-impact, research-based tutoring that supports students while reducing leadership overwhelm. Connect with them at HeyTutor.com This episode is also sponored by DigiCoach, helping leaders capture real-time instructional data, provide meaningful feedback, and build clarity through strong systems. Go to digicoach.com and tell them you heard about them here on the Leaning into Leadership podcast for special partner pricing.

    25 min

  4. MAR 15

    Episode 266: Building Resilient Leaders and Teams with Russell Harvey

    Leadership today often feels like navigating constant change. Volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity are realities many leaders face daily. But resilience is not about simply pushing through the chaos — it’s about learning how to lead yourself and others through it. In this episode, Darrin sits down with Russell Harvey, The Resilience Coach, to explore how leaders can build resilience in themselves and their teams while navigating the modern leadership landscape. Russell shares powerful frameworks and practical strategies that help leaders move from overwhelm to clarity, from control to command, and from reactive leadership to intentional leadership. This conversation offers practical insights for leaders who want to strengthen their mindset, support their teams more effectively, and build sustainable leadership habits. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why resilience is one of the most important leadership skills todayThe difference between being in control and being in command as a leaderHow the VUCA framework explains the constant change leaders faceThe importance of developing personal resilience before leading othersWhy great leaders focus on delegating brilliantly and removing obstacles for their teamsHow identifying your purpose can strengthen resilience and confidenceA practical strengths and skills grid exercise leaders can use immediately Key leadership insight from Russell:A resilient leader focuses on three core responsibilities: Delegate brilliantly based on the strengths of your teamBuild and nurture a resilient team cultureDevelop your own personal resilience When leaders invest in these three areas, they create the conditions for trust, clarity, and stronger team performance. About Russell HarveyRussell Harvey, known as The Resilience Coach, is a leadership coach, facilitator, speaker, and resilience expert with more than 20 years of experience in leadership and organizational development. His work focuses on helping leaders and organizations build resilience in the face of constant change and uncertainty. Russell works with leaders and organizations to develop practical strategies that improve leadership effectiveness, strengthen team relationships, and help individuals rediscover their energy and purpose. Connect with Russell HarveyWebsite: https://www.theresiliencecoach.co.uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russelltheresiliencecoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theresiliencecoach/ Connect with Darrin If this episode resonated with you and you're looking for support in developing stronger leadership teams, clearer systems, and healthier school cultures, connect with Darrin. Website: https://darrinpeppard.com/ Thank you to our Amazing Sponsors This episode is sponored by DigiCoach, helping leaders capture real-time instructional data, provide meaningful feedback, and build clarity through strong systems. Go to digicoach.com and tell them you heard about them here on the Leaning into Leadership podcast for special partner pricing. This episode is also brought to you by HeyTutor, delivering high-impact, research-based tutoring that supports students while reducing leadership overwhelm. Connect with them at HeyTutor.com

    40 min

  5. MAR 8

    Episode 265: A Textbook Isn’t a Curriculum with Emily Makelky

    One of the most common mistakes schools make is confusing a resource with a curriculum. A textbook gets adopted. A program is purchased. A shiny new initiative is rolled out. And suddenly everyone says, “Great… we have a curriculum.” But that’s not curriculum. In this episode, Darrin sits down with Emily Makelky from the Curriculum Leadership Institute (CLI) to unpack what curriculum actually means and why empowering teachers to lead curriculum development can transform how schools serve students. Drawing on years of classroom experience and consulting with districts across the country, Emily shares how leaders can move beyond resource adoption and build sustainable curriculum systems that reflect their community, their teachers, and their students. The conversation also explores how leadership teams can prioritize curriculum work, avoid overwhelming teachers, and create structures that support long-term improvement. If you’ve ever wrestled with questions like “What should we really be teaching?” or “How do we align instruction across classrooms?” this episode offers practical insight for school and district leaders. In This EpisodeWhy a textbook is not a curriculumThe difference between resources and true curriculum alignmentHow schools can build local curriculum that reflects their communityWhy teacher voice and teacher leadership are essential in curriculum developmentHow leaders can create systems and routines that support curriculum workWhy going slow to go fast matters when implementing curriculum changesHow districts can create a long-range plan for curriculum development About Emily MakelkyJust like when she was in the classroom, Emily loves it when the “lightbulb” comes on for teachers. Combining her teaching experience with a foundation in business management, Emily now works as a consultant with the Curriculum Leadership Institute, helping schools and districts take a systematic approach to curriculum development and alignment. Emily’s work focuses on helping educators clarify what should be taught, align instruction and assessment, and empower teachers to lead meaningful curriculum work within their schools. Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeCurriculum Leadership Institute https://www.cliweb.org Free tools and resources (including the Long Range Plan template) https://www.cliweb.org/toolsandinspiration Free Long Range Planning Session https://calendly.com/d/3sk-z55-pg2/develop-your-long-range-plan Connect with DarrinIf this episode resonated with you and you're looking for support in developing stronger leadership teams, clearer systems, and healthier school cultures, connect with Darrin. Website: https://darrinpeppard.com/ Thank you to our Amazing Sponsors This episode is sponored by DigiCoach, helping leaders capture real-time instructional data, provide meaningful feedback, and build clarity through strong systems. Go to digicoach.com and tell them you heard about them here on the Leaning into Leadership podcast for special partner pricing. This episode is also brought to you by HeyTutor, delivering high-impact, research-based tutoring that supports students while reducing leadership overwhelm. Connect with them at HeyTutor.com

    39 min

  6. MAR 1

    Episode 264: Leadership Presence (Part 3) - The Interpersonal Work That Makes It Real

    This is Part 3 of a three-part series on leadership presence. In Episode 262, we explored the hidden cost of distraction and how trust and psychological safety erode when leaders aren’t fully present. In Episode 263, we discussed how to engineer margin through calendar integrity, decision discipline, and clarity around your top priorities. Now we bring it home. Because presence isn’t performance. Presence is connection. In this episode, Darrin dives into the relational and interpersonal work that makes leadership presence genuine — not polished, not performative, but real. You’ll learn: Why presence is more than eye contact and good postureThe three foundations of genuine presence:AttentionCuriosityEmotional regulationWhy you cannot fake nervous system safetyThe danger of listening to fix instead of listening to understandFour practical signals of authentic presence you can use immediatelyWhy follow-up is one of the most powerful leadership moves you can make Darrin also shares a story from his superintendent experience that highlights the difference between listening to correct and listening to comprehend. Reflection Question: Where do you need to replace fixing with listening? Thank you to our Amazing Sponsors This episode is brought to you by HeyTutor, delivering high-impact, research-based tutoring that supports students while reducing leadership overwhelm. Connect with them at HeyTutor.com This episode is also sponored by DigiCoach, helping leaders capture real-time instructional data, provide meaningful feedback, and build clarity through strong systems. Go to digicoach.com and tell them you heard about them here on the Leaning into Leadership podcast for special partner pricing.

    14 min

  7. FEB 22

    Episode 263: Leadership Presence (Part 2)- Breaking Through the Chaos

    In Episode 262, we explored the hidden cost of distraction and how trust, psychological safety, and connection erode when leaders aren’t fully present. This is Part 2 of our three-part series on leadership presence. In this episode, Darrin focuses on why distraction keeps happening — and how to intentionally break through the cycle of overwhelm. Chaos isn’t loud. It’s cumulative. It’s the stacking of interruptions, back-to-back meetings, unresolved conversations, decision fatigue, and carrying problems that aren’t yours to carry. When leaders operate in survival mode, presence becomes nearly impossible. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why overwhelm — not incompetence — is the real issueThe difference between chaos being loud vs. cumulativeHow to engineer margin into your leadershipThe importance of calendar integrityWhy decision discipline protects your leadership capacityHow to clarify your Top Three priorities each weekHow to use a simple 15-Minute Weekly Presence Audit Plus, Darrin shares a free resource: 📥 The School Leaders Weekly Planner — a tool designed to help you schedule your priorities, build margin, and protect your presence. Download the free planner using the link here. Reflection Question: What on your calendar right now is stealing margin from the moments that matter most? Find one thing. Change one thing. Break the chaos. Build the margin. Protect the moments. Next up in Episode 264: The interpersonal work that makes leadership presence genuine and authentic. Thank you to our Amazing Sponsors This episode is sponored by DigiCoach, helping leaders capture real-time instructional data, provide meaningful feedback, and build clarity through strong systems. Go to digicoach.com and tell them you heard about them here on the Leaning into Leadership podcast for special partner pricing. This episode is also brought to you by HeyTutor, delivering high-impact, research-based tutoring that supports students while reducing leadership overwhelm. Connect with them at HeyTutor.com

    17 min

  8. FEB 19

    Episode 262: Leadership Presence (Part 1) - The Hidden Cost of Leadership Distraction

    This episode kicks off a powerful three-part series on leadership presence. In Part 1, Darrin explores the hidden cost of distraction and how leaders unintentionally erode trust, psychological safety, and emotional connection when they are not fully present. Through personal stories from his time as a high school principal, Darrin shares moments of realization when distraction cost him relational depth — and what those experiences taught him about culture and leadership. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why presence is not “soft” — it’s culture workThe three things that erode when leaders aren’t fully presentThe difference between productivity and true leadership impactWhy leadership is about stabilizing people, not just solving problemsA simple 60-Second Reset you can use before your next important conversation Reflection Question: Where this week does someone need the fully present version of you? This episode sets the foundation for Part 2, where we’ll explore how to intentionally create margin and break the patterns that keep leaders stuck in distraction. Thank you to our Amazing Sponsors This episode is brought to you by HeyTutor, delivering high-impact, research-based tutoring that supports students while reducing leadership overwhelm. Connect with them at HeyTutor.com This episode is also sponored by DigiCoach, helping leaders capture real-time instructional data, provide meaningful feedback, and build clarity through strong systems. Go to https://www.digicoach.com/ and tell them you heard about them here on the Leaning into Leadership podcast for special partner pricing.

    17 min
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About

We all want to see successes in both our personal and professional lives. Often, that requires strong leadership. In a time when leadership can be more challenging than ever, this podcast is dedicated to cultivating leaders by elevating the voices of leaders and promoting positivity. Join Dr. Darrin Peppard, lifelong educator and best-selling author, for this mixed platform podcast (some solo, some guest interview) for inspiration and insight, and some great leadership stories from those are living it, excelling at it, and celebrating it. Together, let's lean into leadership.

Information

  • Creator
    Darrin Peppard
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    270
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Darrin Peppard
  • Show Website
    Leaning into Leadership

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