Insightful conversations with leaders that inspire us to positively influence others, to take action, and to have an ongoing impact

This is Leadership: your intersection between GROWTH and LEADERSHIP

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Click here: Season 2, Episode 5 – 5 Keys to Uniting a Team, Part 2

In Part 2 of 2, Joël explores how COMMUNICATION, OPTIMISM, and RESPECT can unite a team.

Click here: Season 2, Episode 5 – 5 Keys to Uniting a Team, Part 1

In Part 1 of 2, Joël explores how VISION, TRUST, and CONNECTION can unite a team.

Click here: Season 2, Episode 4 – Laura William

In this episode, Joël welcomes Laura Williams—author, 21st Century Learning Specialist, Scrum Master, and Agile Classroom Teacher Trainer. Laura shares insights on maximizing learning opportunities and discusses her approach to helping students discover and refine their unique workflows for greater success in and out of the classroom.

Click here: Season 2, Episode 3 – Breaking the Cycle: Managing Stress from Recurring Tasks

In this episode, Joël dives into the surprising way that even known, recurring events or tasks can cause us stress—even when we see them coming a mile away. Whether it’s a weekly meeting, a looming deadline, or a monthly report, these predictable moments often weigh on us more than they should. Join me as I explore why this happens, how we can manage this anticipatory stress, and simple strategies to face recurring tasks with more ease and confidence. Let’s uncover how to break the cycle and reclaim our peace of mind!

Click here: Season 2, Episode 2 – 5 Ways to Grow Your Mindset

In this episode, Joël suggests five ways to target actions to grow your mindset intentionally.

Click here: Season 2, Episode 1 – Proximal Zone of Influence

In this episode of This is Leadership Podcast, we explore the concept of your proximal zone of influence and how it plays a crucial role in leadership development and growth.

Discover how understanding and expanding this zone can empower you to lead more effectively, inspire others, and drive meaningful change within your team and organization.

Click here: EP21 – Season 1 Finale – Robert McLean – June 17th, 2023

In this Season 1 final episode, I welcome my dad, Robert McLean, who has worked in leadership roles throughout his life. Robert shares with us some very interesting stories and lessons learned during his life-long leadership journey.

Click here: EP20 – Jonathan “Edunaut” Nalder – May 31st, 2023

In this episode, I connect with Jonathan Nalder – educator, storyteller, and Edunaut in Brisbane, Queensland Australia. Jonathan talks to us about STEM Punks and the work that he is doing in schools around cross-curriculum planning and learning. We talk about the impact of chatbots and how they can be used to leverage powerful learning. Jonathan provides us with a preview of his upcoming book entitled Design Thinking 5.0.

Click here: EP18 – Jed Stefanowicz – April 28th, 2023

In this episode, I connect with Jed Stefanowicz, Digital Learning Coach in Walpole, Massachusetts. Jed talks about how important and impactful coaching is in education. He touches on the differences between professional development and professional learning, and how we need to get out of our comfort zone to grow. Jed tells us that as leaders, we can create meaningful, measurable and memorable moments by connecting with students and to our passions.

Click here: EP17 – Sandra Donahue – April 14th, 2023

In this episode, I connect with Sandra Donahue, President of the Catholic Principal’s Council of Ontario (CPCO). Sandra explains how important it is for principals to be solid in relationship building and well-grounded when it comes to teaching and learning. She talks about how infusing her passions into her role as a leader has served her very well throughout the years. Sandra and I discuss how school leaders need to build a collective vision with everyone, including students, and the positive impact that we can all have by being the spark that lights others up.

Click here: EP16 – Lisa Lamoureux-Collins – March 31st, 2023

In this episode, I connect with Lisa Lamoureux-Collins, System Principal of Student Well-Being and Equity at the Near North District School Board in North Bay, Ontario Canada. Lisa is also the former President of the Ontario Principals Council.

Lisa talks to us about the challenges of shifting from online to in-person learning and the power of mentorship. She touches on the complex evolution of the principalship and its impact on leaders. Lisa and I discuss how crucial it is for leaders to invest in their continuous growth intentionally.

Click here: EP15 – Daniel Bauer – March 17th, 2023

In this episode, I connect again with Daniel Bauer, Principal Development and Retention Expert, Best Selling Author, and Host of the Better Leaders Better School Podcast. Daniel introduces us to his new upcoming book, BUILDING LEADERSHIP MOMENTUM.

Click here: EP14 – Dr. Ryan Jackson – March 4th, 2023

In this episode, I connect with Dr. Ryan Jackson, Executive Director of Leadership & Business Development in Maury County, TN. Ryan talks to us about The Underdog’s Advocate, a movement that supports and pushes forward people who do not feel seen, recognized, or like they belong. He also explains why taking control of your thinking can be a life-changing habit. Ryan shares how the #FitLeaders movement took root and its far-reaching and growing impact on people from across the globe.

Click here: EP13 – T.J. Hoogsteen – February 17th, 2023

In this episode, I connect with T.J. Hoogsteen, Doctor of educational leadership and principal of an elementary school in northern Saskatchewan. T.J. talks to us about collective teacher and leader efficacy and explains his leadership framework for rural schools. T.J. and I discuss the importance of building a strong support system with a school and district.

Click here: EP12 (Part 5 of 5) – Final episode of the series with the 4 authors of the book – February 3rd, 2023

In this episode, I connect with all four authors and have a group discussion regarding the ideas from the book’s different sections. A great finish to this awesome series of episodes!

Click here: EP11 (Part 4 of 5) – Brian Aspinall – January 20th, 2023

In this episode, I connect with Brian Aspinall, educator, best-selling author, three times TEDx Speaker and one of the brightest STEAM innovators in education. Brian talks to us about the importance of celebrating the process as well as the final product. He explains how crucial it is to shift our thinking from delivering curriculum to discovering curriculum. Brian and I discuss whether or not technology use in classrooms is still an event.

Click here: EP10 (Part 3 of 5) – Christine Ravesi-Weinstein – January 6th, 2023

In this episode, I connect with Christine Ravesi-Weinstein, educational leader, author, speaker and mental health advocate. Christine talks about how the connections we make with our students are much more important than worrying about delivering content. She reminds us that comparing ourselves to others is not the road to take in order to grow and become better and that we need to stop expecting ourselves to be perfect at all times. Christine and I discuss how mastering competencies will allow us and our students to conquer any content.

Click here: EP9 (Part 2 of 5) – Dr. Matthew X. Joseph – December 23rd, 2022

In this episode, I connect with Dr. Matthew X. Joseph, Director of Evaluation, Supervision, Mentoring, and Hiring in Brockton Public Schools in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of X-Factor EDU consulting and publishing. Matthew talks about the importance of giving other people a voice and building confidence to fail and succeed as your authentic self. We discuss the dangers of fake positivity and the importance of disrupting the norm.

Click here: EP8 (Part 1 of 5) – Daphne McMenemy – December 9th, 2022

In this episode, I connect with Daphne McMenemy, Managing Director at Code Breaker Inc and the recipient of the 2022 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM. Daphne and I talk about controlled chaos in the classroom, the importance of surrounding yourself with people that help to remove blinders, and staying clear of negativity.

Click here: EP7 – Dr. Christopher S. Jones – November 25the, 2022

In this episode, I connect with award-winning principal and author Dr. Christopher Jones. Chris talks to us about his book SEEing to Lead, and how administrators can help support, engage and empower teachers.

Click here: EP6 – George Couros – November 11th, 2022

In this episode, I connect with George Couros, speaker, author and leadership consultant. George reacts to some well-chosen quotes, talks about the importance of getting up from failure and how discipline can lead to motivation.

Click here: EP5 – Peter DeWitt – October 28th, 2022

In this episode, I connect with Peter DeWitt, national and international school leadership coach and author and co-author of numerous books. Peter and Joël talk about Peter’s book Collective Leader Efficacy.