Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership

Randy Lindquist
  • 4.9 (9)
  • Education
  • Updated Semiweekly

In a world that’s rapidly changing, great leadership stands out—and stands tall. Hosted by Randy Lindquist, Standing Tall dives deep into the stories of education’s GIANT leaders. Inspired by Isaac Newton’s quote, “If I see further than others, it’s because I stand on the shoulders of giants,” this podcast uncovers the wisdom, grit, and heart that drive exceptional school leaders. Each episode, Randy sits down with inspiring voices in education to dissect their leadership journeys, tease out practical lessons, and explore the challenges they’ve overcome. From bold innovations to everyday resilience, Standing Tall offers real-world insights that any school leader can lean on, learn from, and build upon. When we learn from giants, we all stand a little taller.

  1. Top 6 of 2026 | Season 2 Compilation

    Jun 1

    Top 6 of 2026 | Season 2 Compilation

    Featured Episodes & Draft Picks Pick Guest & Leadership Role Featured Highlight & Episode Link #1 Dr. John VanWagoner (Superintendent, Traverse City Area Public Schools) Innovating Mid-Flight with Dr. John VanWagoner Randy’s top pick emphasizes the necessary rhythm of shifting between active work on the "dance floor" and systemic foresight from the "balcony." #2 Michelle Barry (Director, Ignite Pathways) Upskilling the Future and Closing the Engagement Gap with Michelle Barry Ben highlights a powerful lesson from rural Iowa on leading with vulnerability and treating iteration as your continuous growth curve. #3 Dr. Sean Williams (Superintendent, Eaton RESA) Authentic Leadership: Moving from Knowledge to Wisdom with Dr. Sean Williams Randy highlights why leaders must reject "code-switching" and focus on building high-trust environments rooted in a shared purpose. #4 Janelle Duffey (Principal, Fruitport Schools) School Culture By Design | Janelle Duffey | Fruitport Schools Ben revisits what real culture looks like—moving it off the poster boards and turning it into something palpable that you feel the moment you walk inside. #5 Joshua Smith (Principal, Orchard View Middle School) Lead with Belonging | Creating School Culture Where Every Student Thrives Randy brings back the vital "plate capacity" analogy, challenging administrators to actively take things off an overwhelmed teacher's plate. #6 Paul Klimza (Principal, Reeths-Puffer Elementary) Trauma-Invested Leadership: Moving from Unseen to Empowered Ben closes out the draft with a beautiful reminder of the sheer weight, responsibility, and opportunity found daily in public education. Never miss an episode of School Leadership Insights. Subscribe to Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership on Simplecast or your favorite podcast app!

    25 min
  2. AI For School Leaders with Karle Delo

    May 18

    AI For School Leaders with Karle Delo

    Key Discussion Points The Journey from Classroom to Strategy: Karle shares how her decade of experience teaching middle school science and serving as an instructional coach shaped her minimalist, intentional approach to educational technology. She emphasizes that tech shouldn't be used just because it is digital, but rather to enhance existing best practices. Navigating the Tool Landscape: Rather than trying to master hundreds of niche educational apps, Karle advises leaders to focus on core frontier models (like Gemini or ChatGPT) . She explains the concept of "ChatGPT wrappers" (ordering off a menu) versus large language models (cooking for yourself) and introduces the fast-evolving world of autonomous AI agents . Responsible District Implementation: A successful roll-out rejects the "one-and-done" professional development model. Instead, districts should establish high-level guiding principles, transparent data privacy expectations, and empower instructional leaders to design shareable AI workflows ("Gems") that support active district initiatives. Data Privacy & Ethics: Clear boundaries must be set regarding what information can be put into specific systems. School-managed accounts (like Gemini for Education) offer FERPA/COPPA compliance matching standard Google Workspace privacy, whereas consumer-paid tiers (like Claude or personal ChatGPT) must never handle sensitive student data. AI for Organizational Effectiveness: Leaders can use AI as a powerful executive coach. Karle notes how she uses AI note-takers to critique her public speaking pacing and fillers, uses voice mode for outdoor brainstorming sessions, and leverages LLMs to parse the red tape of complex state and federal grants. Resources & Events Mentioned   Student Guide: Available at michiganvirtual.org/ai/students.   Career Exploration Tool: WillRobotsTakeMyJob.com.   Upcoming Event: AI in the Lakeshore featuring keynote speaker Karle Delo on August 5 (Registration via muskegonisd.org) .

    34 min
  3. "It’s Not Complex, but It’s Hard": Helping Students Find Their Purpose

    May 4

    "It’s Not Complex, but It’s Hard": Helping Students Find Their Purpose

    Paul Kurdziel (referred to as "PK" by his students) is a "Big Red" alumnus and the current Coordinator of Alternative Education and Career Placement at the Muskegon Community Education Center (MCEC). With three decades in the field, Paul has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, becoming a "mentor to many" leaders in the West Michigan area.     Key Discussion Points   The Philosophy of "Neighborliness": Why schools must reimagine themselves as community hubs and "one-stop shops" to support families. Leading with Love: Paul’s core leadership values include honesty, trust, and "unconditional positive regard," a concept inspired by Carl Rogers. Mentorship in Motion: Hearing from former colleagues and leaders like Josh Smith and Willie Burrell on the lasting impact of Paul’s "horizontal leadership". Success in Alternative Ed: Shifting the focus from traditional metrics to helping students articulate their purpose and engage in hands-on career exploration. The Future of Education: Why Paul finds hope in the curiosity of students and the importance of "re-dreaming" the public education model. Resources & Mentions Muskegon Public Schools: Paul’s home district where he has served for 30 years. Muskegon Community Education Center (MCEC): The site of Paul's current work in alternative education. Community Partners: Mentions of West Michigan Works!, Jobs for Michigan's Graduates (JMG), Hackley Community Care, and Kids’ Food Basket.

    39 min
  4. Lead with Belonging | Creating School Culture Where Every Student Thrives

    Apr 20

    Lead with Belonging | Creating School Culture Where Every Student Thrives

    Key Takeaways The Power of Belonging: Why "belongingness" is the guiding light for every decision at Orchard View. Capacity Management: The "plate" analogy—why leaders must take inventory of what they are asking of their staff before adding more. Restorative Leadership: How modeling restorative circles for staff leads to better conflict resolution with students. The Three Buckets of Influence: Analyzing whether your team views you as a support, an obstacle, or nothing. Slow Down to Speed Up: Why new leaders must cultivate the "soil" of trust before planting seeds of innovation. LINKS:Orchard View Middle School – Muskegon, MI. James Clear – Atomic Habits. Ryan Holiday – The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, and Stillness Is the Key.

    38 min
  5. Leading with Love: How to Build a "Family First" School Culture

    Apr 6

    Leading with Love: How to Build a "Family First" School Culture

    Key Takeaways for Leaders Visibility is Non-Negotiable: Impactful leadership happens in the hallways, at lunch tables, and during "Crew Time," not behind a closed office door. The "Coffee Guy" Philosophy: Small, consistent acts of service—like brewing the morning coffee—build massive amounts of relational capital with staff. Vulnerability Creates Connection: Being "real" and sharing your personal background allows students and staff to trust the person behind the title. Clear is Kind: Drawing from Brené Brown’s philosophy, Burrel discusses how clear communication is the most effective way to handle accountability. Creating "Sailor Experiences": Intentionality in providing clubs for non-athletes ensures every student has a "village" where they belong. Episode Highlights [04:12] The Pivot: How an English professor saw Willie’s potential as a teacher before he did. [09:45] Defining Culture: What it looks like to make a building feel like a "family" from the moment someone walks in. [15:20] The Muskegon Connection: Using community roots and shared history to reach "hard to reach" students. [22:30] Middle School Magic: Why Willie chose to stay with an age group many others avoid. [31:15] Rapid Fire: A look into Willie’s 4:00 AM routine, his stance on the LeBron vs. Jordan debate, and his secret skill for folding fitted sheets. Notable Quotes "We don’t only say it, but we exemplify it in all that we do. From the moment you walk into our building, I think you feel special." "Being clear is kind... the more clear our communication can be and the more we can build that trust, the better we can support our kids." Resources Mentioned Dare to Lead by Brené Brown MEMSPA (Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association) Fresh Coast Counseling

    34 min
  6. School Culture By Design | Janelle Duffey | Fruitport Schools

    Mar 23

    School Culture By Design | Janelle Duffey | Fruitport Schools

    Key Takeaways for Leaders The "Felt" Culture: Culture isn't just a mission statement on a wall. It’s the audible sound of students encouraging one another and the tangible "vibe" you feel the moment you walk through the doors. The Power of "Best for Kids": Learn how to use a single, simple question to filter every decision, from budget allocations to new recess rules. Systems with a Soul: Janelle discusses how to balance the technical rigor of MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) and SWIS data with the human need for belonging and relationship-first coaching. Leading Through the Unthinkable: A raw look at how to guide a staff and student body through the loss of a student by being present, listening, and allowing space for collective healing. Student Voice & Agency: Why giving kids the power to "invent" recess games (like "Go Ball" or "Toilet Tag") builds more than just fun—it builds ownership and leadership. Notable Quotes "Culture isn't just something that you talk about. You can come in and you see it and you feel it." "Leadership doesn't have all the answers. It’s definitely about showing up, being present, and having a space for staff, families, and kids to process." "If we do what we say we're supposed to do, it works." Resources & Frameworks Mentioned MTSS & PBIS: The academic and behavioral frameworks that anchor Shetler Elementary. 5D+ Rubric: The coaching and feedback framework Janelle uses for instructional leadership. SWIS Data: Used for tracking behavioral trends to inform Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions. Kagan Structures: Engagement strategies used in classrooms to ensure every student is participating.

    32 min
  7. Trauma-Invested Leadership: Moving from Unseen to Empowered

    Mar 9

    Trauma-Invested Leadership: Moving from Unseen to Empowered

    Guest: Paul Klimza Principal at Reeths-Puffer Elementary School Paul Klimza brings over three decades of experience to the table, specializing in school culture, special education, and alternative learning. His leadership philosophy is rooted in his own experience as a student who felt "unseen," driving him to create an environment where every student is given an opportunity to shine. Key Discussion Points The "Underdog" Mentality: Paul discusses his early career in special education and alternative centers, explaining how those experiences shaped his "no child unseen" philosophy. The Timeline of Culture: Why it takes 7–9 years to truly turn a building around and the importance of leadership longevity. Trauma-Invested vs. Trauma-Informed: A deep dive into meeting families where they are, providing practical resources (like school pantries and laundry facilities), and removing barriers to engagement. Radical Visibility: The impact of the "bus loop" greeting and why the principal should be the first face students see every morning. High-Impact Leadership (HIL): How "jumping in with both feet" to new systems and maintaining fidelity to literacy coaching and instructional rounds transformed their building data. Leading Through Crisis: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the "wake-up call" of realizing which students were at risk of falling through the cracks. Memorable Quotes "We might have someone walking the halls that’s going to cure cancer... all they need is opportunity. They need somebody to care for them, somebody to believe in them, and somebody to give them a chance." "Culture is hard to define, but it’s something you can feel... everything starts with the relationships."

    32 min
  8. Upskilling the Future and Closing the Engagement Gap with Michelle Barry

    Feb 23

    Upskilling the Future and Closing the Engagement Gap with Michelle Barry

    In this episode of Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership, host Randy Lindquist sits down with Michelle Barry, the visionary leader behind Ignite Pathways in Woodbine, Iowa. Michelle shares her journey from a general education teacher to a pioneer in Career and Technical Education (CTE), explaining how she works at the intersection of education and workforce development to change student lives.     Key Topics Discussed   The Engagement Gap: Why Michelle felt disconnected from 40% of her students in the traditional classroom and how CTE became the solution.       Building Ignite Pathways: The creation of a system designed to upskill students for four-year universities, trade schools, or the direct workforce.       The "Village" Approach: How collective efforts between education, labor, and community make transformation possible in rural Iowa.       Leadership Through Iteration: Why "fail forward" is the unofficial middle name of her organization and how to lead by example.       The Tommy Gate Success Story: A specific look at how a partnership with a local manufacturing company created a direct welding apprenticeship pipeline.   Resources & Links Mentioned   Organization: Ignite Pathways — Empowering students through career-linked learning in Woodbine, Iowa.       Industry Partner: Tommy Gate — The local manufacturing company partnering with Ignite for student apprenticeships.       Conference: MAISA / Michigan Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) — The event where this episode was recorded.       Inspiration: The Nebraska Huskers Tunnel Walk — Michelle’s pick for her motivational "walk-in" song.       Memorable Quotes "We stand tall because of those who came before us and because of those who we serve." — Randy Lindquist     "I think being okay with failing to fail forward... iterate over and over. If you keep that end goal in mind... transformation happens." — Michelle Barry

    26 min
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4.9
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

In a world that’s rapidly changing, great leadership stands out—and stands tall. Hosted by Randy Lindquist, Standing Tall dives deep into the stories of education’s GIANT leaders. Inspired by Isaac Newton’s quote, “If I see further than others, it’s because I stand on the shoulders of giants,” this podcast uncovers the wisdom, grit, and heart that drive exceptional school leaders. Each episode, Randy sits down with inspiring voices in education to dissect their leadership journeys, tease out practical lessons, and explore the challenges they’ve overcome. From bold innovations to everyday resilience, Standing Tall offers real-world insights that any school leader can lean on, learn from, and build upon. When we learn from giants, we all stand a little taller.

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