Principals' Leadership Lounge

Principals' Leadership Lounge-Al Davenport and Joe Sweeney

Welcome to the Principals' Leadership Lounge Podcast! We’re Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year Al Davenport & Old Quarry Middle School Principal Joe Sweeney, real principals sharing real-life leadership strategies, mentoring, and authentic insights. Tune in weekly for practical advice and down-to-earth discussions. Let’s lead and grow together!

  1. APR 14

    Season 4, Episode 7: 'Staff Wellness"

    Season 4, Episode 7 brings an important conversation to the forefront—staff wellness. Al sits down with Carly Quick to talk about what it really means to support educators in today’s demanding environment. From burnout to balance, this episode explores real strategies to help leaders create spaces where staff feel valued, supported, and energized. Because when we take care of our people, everything else follows.

    32 min

  2. MAR 23

    Season 4, Episode 6: "WE OVER ME"

    Season 4, Episode 5: WE over ME In this episode of the Principal Leadership Lounge, Joe and Al dive into one of the most important mindsets in school leadership: WE over ME. In a profession where decisions impact entire communities, the conversation centers on how effective leaders prioritize the collective over the individual—building cultures rooted in trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility. Joe and Al reflect on what it looks like to move from “my school” to “our school,” and how that shift influences decision-making, staff relationships, and student outcomes. They explore real scenarios where leaders must balance personal perspective with the greater good, and how empowering others ultimately strengthens the entire organization. Whether it’s navigating tough decisions, supporting staff, or creating a unified vision, this episode challenges leaders to think beyond themselves and commit to something bigger. Because in leadership, the strongest schools aren’t built on “me”—they’re built on WE.

    22 min

  3. MAR 14

    Season 4, Episode 5, "What the heck is a needo?"

    In this episode of the SEL Podcast, Dr. Sweeney sits down with a group of students to talk about one of the most talked-about topics in the building — Needos. What started as a stress-relief tool quickly became something much bigger in our school community. Together, they explore what Needos are, why they became such a distraction, and what students can learn from the situation. Along the way, the conversation expands into bigger topics like communicating with adults, advocating for yourself, and understanding how decisions are made in a school setting. The episode wraps up with a fun discussion where students share what they would change if they were principal for a day.

    22 min

  4. MAR 2

    Season 4, Episode 4: "A great interview question"

    Season 4, Episode 4: “A Great Interview Question” In this episode, Joe and AL unpack a powerful moment from a recent teacher interview — when a candidate delivered an answer that completely stood out. What made it different? Why did it matter? And what does a truly great interview response reveal about mindset, culture, and long-term impact? From hiring insight to leadership reflection, Joe and AL explore what schools should really be listening for when selecting the next great educator. They also pivot to the reality of March in education — when energy dips, patience runs thin, and burnout creeps into classrooms and hallways. How do leaders acknowledge it without amplifying it? How do we reset expectations, protect morale, and keep culture strong when the calendar feels heavy? If you’re feeling the March grind, this episode is your reminder: leadership is about clarity, culture, and finishing strong.

    22 min

  5. FEB 17

    Season 4, Episode 3: Whitney, Houston, Bloody Ears and Joe Leaves A Quarter in the Swear Jar!

    Season 4, Episode 3: Whitney, Houston, Bloody Ears and Joe Leaves A Quarter in the Swear Jar! This one has range. Joe and Al kick off the episode with a little musical mix-up (Whitney… Houston… wait, what?), and things only escalate from there. Joe officially contributing a quarter to the swear jar. But as always, there’s a bigger lesson underneath the laughs. In this episode, leadership isn’t about being flawless… it’s about being honest, reflective, and willing to grow. It’s funny. It’s real. And it’s a reminder that even adults sometimes need the swear jar.

    23 min

  6. FEB 2

    Season 4, Episode 2: "The Last Time"

    Season 4, Episode 2 – “The Last Time” Graduation season has a way of hitting the heart. In this episode, Joe and Al reflect on graduation speeches and the powerful idea of “the last time.” For some parents, this moment marks the last school pickup, the last concert, the last game from the stands.

    31 min

  7. JAN 26

    Season 4, Episode 1: "Hulking Fixing and Kids that Change Us!"

    Season 4 starts with a conversation every educator, parent, and leader needs to hear. In this episode, we dive into the idea of “hulking fixing”—that instinct to swoop in, solve the problem, and move on—often with the best intentions. But what happens when fixing isn’t what kids actually need? We reflect on the students who have changed us, shaped our leadership, and reminded us why relationships always come first. From moments of humility to lessons learned the hard way, this episode challenges us to slow down, listen more, and recognize that sometimes the growth happens in the struggle—not the solution. If you’ve ever caught yourself trying to fix instead of understand, this one’s for you. 🎧 Welcome to Season 4. Let’s go.

    26 min

  8. 12/08/2025

    Season 3, Episode 11: "Joe made the news!"

    The Great Reset has officially gone prime time! In this episode, Joe shares the electrifying moment when Old Quarry’s student-led phone-free movement caught the attention of a major news station. Hear how The Great Reset went from a bold idea at a lunch table to a headline story seen across the region. Joe takes us behind the scenes of the interview, the student reactions, and what it felt like to see our school’s mission—disconnect to reconnect—broadcast on TV. This episode is packed with pride, purpose, and a powerful reminder: when students take ownership of positive change, the world notices. 🎥📺📱🚫

    20 min
See All (47)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Principals' Leadership Lounge Podcast! We’re Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year Al Davenport & Old Quarry Middle School Principal Joe Sweeney, real principals sharing real-life leadership strategies, mentoring, and authentic insights. Tune in weekly for practical advice and down-to-earth discussions. Let’s lead and grow together!

Information

  • Creator
    Principals' Leadership Lounge-Al Davenport and Joe Sweeney
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Principals' Leadership Lounge-Al Davenport and Joe Sweeney
  • Show Website
    Principals' Leadership Lounge

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