Leader Chat
We’re passionate about quality education and work tirelessly to help schools improve. District and system leaders bear awesome responsibility for these efforts, often without access to peers and experts who can provide solutions and insights. That’s why we offer a library of Leader Chat podcast episodes with top K–12 experts, business executives, and school leaders from around the country to discuss and solve real leadership challenges.
Real talk for education leaders
Cognia Leader Chat brings together experts and leaders nationwide to discuss and solve real education leadership challenges—from strategy to staff well-being to decision-making in chaotic times. We address the pressing issues of the day, chatting with leaders dealing with tough problems—from school board politics to school improvement and student safety. School leadership is isolating. Our Leader Chat breaks that isolation as we share solutions to help leaders in education day to day.
Browse our episode library
Leader Chat: One Last Thing with Jeff Rose
Jeff kicks off this episode with a special announcement. With the myriad of challenges education leaders face, Jeff ...
Leader Chat: The Future Begins with Z with Tim Elmore
In this episode, Tim Elmore discusses strategies for recognizing the challenges of generational diversity in the workplace and ...
Leader Chat: Free to Learn with Peter Gray
Jeff talks with Peter Gray on how structured schooling impacts kids' mental health, the rise of homeschooling, and ...
Leader Chat: Navigating Equity, Leadership, and System Change with Houman Harouni and Joe Pinto
In this powerful two-part series of Leader Chat, Jeff engages in a deep and thought-provoking conversation with Harvard ...
Leader Chat: Radical Candor and Getting Stuff Done with Jason Rosoff
In this two-part Leader Chat series, Jeff engages in a dynamic and insightful conversation with Jason Rosoff, CEO ...
Leader Chat: Leading Modern Learning with Jay McTighe
In this two-part Leader Chat series, Jeff sits down with veteran educator, author, and curriculum design expert Jay ...
Leader Chat: Fearless Schools and Leaders with Douglas Reeves
In this episode of Leader Chat, Jeff speaks with renowned author and educational leader Dr. Douglas Reeves, about ...
Leader Chat: Critical Lessons For Leading Your District with Michael Hinojosa
In this week's episode of Leader Chat, Jeff speaks with Michael Hinojosa, a veteran leader with over 27 ...
Leader Chat: Bridging Access and Innovation: Leadership Lessons from Tiffany Taylor
In this episode, Jeff has an insightful conversation with Tiffany Taylor, a dynamic leader with extensive experience in ...
Leader Chat: Protecting Your Leadership Mindset, Fervor, and Authenticity with Baruti Kafele
In this episode of Leader Chat, Jeff sits down with acclaimed urban educator and transformational school leader Baruti ...
Leader Chat: No More Dancing with Carlos J. Malave
In this episode of Leader Chat, Jeff sits down with Carlos J. Malave, author of 'Translating Your Success' ...
Leader Chat: Leaders Helping Leaders Navigate Conflict with Jeff Rose & Special Guests – #2
In another special episode of Leader Chat, Jeff features advice from experienced education leaders gathered at the Leadership ...
Leader Chat: Leaders Helping Leaders Navigate Conflict with Jeff Rose & Special Guests – #1
In this episode of Leader Chat, Jeff speaks with several education leaders from our recent Leadership Circle Summit ...
Leader Chat: Leadership Reflections and Collective Strength with Jeff Rose
In this episode, Jeff shares key takeaways from Cognia's recent Leadership Summit that focused on navigating turbulence and ...
Leader Chat: Strategies For and Discussions of Racial Healing with Erin Jones
Jeff chats with Erin Jones, author of Bridges to Heal Us, on identity, racial healing, and fostering empathy ...
Leader Chat: Leadership Challenges and Opportunities with Superintendent Gustavo Balderas
Jeff interviews Gustavo Balderas, the superintendent of Beaverton School District, about leadership, equity, and education's evolving landscape ...
Leader Chat: Navigating Change and Being the First with Susana Córdova and Allen Smith
In this episode, Jeff dives into a dynamic conversation with Susana Córdova, Colorado’s first Latina Education Commissioner, and Allen Smith, ...
Leader Chat: Leadership Advocacy and Strategic Networks with Julia Rafal-Baer
In this week's episode, the incredible Dr. Julia Rafal-Baer talks with Jeff about the complexities of educational leadership, ...
Leader Chat: Leveraging Education Policy Research to Action and Results with Christina Grant
In this episode, Dr. Christina Grant, the new Executive Director at Harvard's CEPR, speaks with Jeff about bridging ...
Leader Chat: Leading a Movement of Culturally Responsive Teaching with Zaretta Hammond
In this engaging episode of Leader Chat, Jeff speaks with teacher educator and author of Culturally Responsive Teaching ...
Leader Chat: The World of Virtual Leadership and Relationship Building with Alicia Hughes
In this episode, Jeff is joined by Alicia Hughes, a seasoned virtual leader with over 14 years of ...
Leader Chat: Leading Through Turbulence, Conflict, and Political Distractions with Amanda Ripley
In this episode, Jeff is joined by the New York Times' bestselling author, Amanda Ripley. They discuss strategies ...
Leader Chat: Financial Literacy for All: Leveraging Education to Disrupt Struggle with John Hope Bryant
In this episode, Jeff speaks with John Hope Bryant, a renowned entrepreneur and advocate for economic empowerment and ...
Leader Chat: Leadership, Fulfillment, and Impact: Lessons from Arthur Brooks for Educational Leaders
In this milestone 100th episode of Leader Chat, Jeff speaks to Arthur C. Brooks and discusses his latest ...
Leader Chat: The Landscape of Educational Leadership with Superintendent/CEO Pedro Martinez
In this Leader Chat, Jeff talks with Dr. Pedro Martinez, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, about his journey, ...
Leader Chat: Finding Your Leadership Soul with Carlos R. Moreno
Jeff Rose and Carlos R. Moreno discuss educational leadership, emphasizing the impact of empathy, vulnerability, and authentic engagement ...
Leader Chat: Supporting Leaders & The Power Of Partnerships with Dr. Mark Elgart & Dr. David Schuler
This week, Jeff discusses the Cognia/AASA partnership with Dr. Mark Elgart and Dr. David Schuler, focusing on leadership, ...
Leader Chat: The Call To Courage with Sheldon Berman and Luvelle Brown
In this episode, Jeff discusses educational leadership with Sheldon Berman and Luvelle Brown, focusing on their book The ...
Leader Chat: Defining Achievement, Reform, and Mastery Learning with Tony Wagner
Jeff speaks with Dr. Tony Wagner on educational leadership, mastery learning, 21st-century skills, and the importance of innovation ...
Leader Chat: Lead it Like Lasso with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio
In this episode, Jeff talks with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, authors of Lead It Like Lasso, about ...
Leader Chat: Push Has Come to Shove with Dr. Steve Perry
Jeff Rose sits down with Dr. Steve Perry, an outspoken and trailblazing educator, to discuss the challenges and ...
Leader Chat: Leveraging Experience to Leadership to Support with Hanseul Kang
In this episode, Jeff engages in a dynamic conversation with Hanseul Kang, the Executive Director of the Broad ...
Leader Chat: Leading in the Public Sector with Dr. Kerry Murphy Healey and Vice Admiral Dee Mewbourne
On this episode of Leader Chat, Jeff speaks to Dr. Kerry Healey and Vice Admiral Dee Mewbourne about ...
Leader Chat: How To Be A Mentally Strong Leader with Scott Mautz
On this week’s episode of Leader Chat, Jeff welcomes back the remarkably insightful Scott Mautz to talk about ...
Leader Chat: Being a Multiplier: Being Great Leaders Will Make Everyone Smarter with Liz Wiseman
Liz Wiseman is a big-time guest! She is a highly sought-after leader in both the private and public sectors, ...
Leader Chat: Supporting Ed Leaders and Superintendents- Harvard’s Perspective with Jennifer Cheatham
If you were to guess where in higher education there is great work happening in the educational leadership ...
Leader Chat: The Breakthrough Years: Framework for Raising Thriving Teens with Ellen Galinsky
Ellen Galinsky's research and perspective is nothing short of groundbreaking. If you are a parent, teacher, and of ...
Leader Chat: Teach and Lead Happy—Small Steps to Big Joy with Kim Strobel
Kim Strobel returns to our show with big energy and big ideas. In her new book, Teach Happy: ...
Leader Chat: Embracing and Leading Change with Stacey Schultz
Stacey Schultz has a very informed and interesting perspective for us to hear as educators and leaders. She is ...
Leader Chat: Learning from Mr. Rogers About How to Raise Creative, Curious, Caring Kids with Gregg Behr
This conversation with Gregg Behr is packed with insightful perspectives that any educational leader will appreciate. Gregg is dynamic and ...
Leader Chat: Social Emotional Learning, From Recognition to Action with Sheldon Berman
Understanding the essence of SEL (Social Emotional Learning) is one thing, implementing it is another. Dr. Sheldon Bergman, ...
Leader Chat: Setting Expectations, Giving Feedback, and Embracing Difficult Conversations with Jeff Hancher
This is the case in education, like other fields, but creating systems of accountability and giving feedback can ...
Leader Chat: Teaching Advanced Reading and Writing In The Elementary Grades with Alfred Tatum
Dr. Alfred Tatum brings to light that perhaps our bar is set too low, specifically for Black boys ...
Leader Chat: Leading from the Middle with Scott Mautz
As one can see and/or hear, Scott’s content specific to leading from the middle is something that needs ...
Leader Chat: Khan Academy Making AI Work For Students & Teachers with Kristen Dicerbo
In education, like all disciplines, there are organizations we rely on to move forward and innovate and teach ...
Leader Chat: Overcoming Adversity: Leading and Innovating with Pearl Arredondo
Pearl Arredondo is an inspirational leader in many respects. She is fearless and strategic but ultimately empowered by doing ...
Leader Chat: Mastering Yourself…So You Can Master Your World with Dr. Craig Dowden
If you are interested in learning more and developing yourself as a leader and don’t know Craig Dowden, you ...
Leader Chat: Finding Your Way as a First-Time Leader Without Losing Your Mind with Starr Sackstein
We were drawn to Starr's book, From Teacher to Leader: 'Finding Your Way as a First-Time Leader Without ...
Leader Chat: Moving From Fear and Denial of AI to Embracing and Leading It With Pat Yongpradit
For some leaders and educators, AI is exciting and full of potential. For others, it's scary and intimidating ...
Leader Chat: Addressing Systems to Attack the Problem of Teacher Shortages with Heath Morrison
Heath Morrison is the CEO of Teachers of Tomorrow, a very important and vital organization that is fortunate ...
Leader Chat: Pragmatic Leadership Advice, from Coaching to Time Management with PJ Caposey
PJ Caposey is impressive! He is an award-winning and working superintendent. His story of overcoming personal challenges is ...
Leader Chat: Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, and Restoring Sanity with Margaret Wheatley
Margaret Wheatley is a deep thinker and clearly has an incredible background working with leaders around the world ...
Leader Chat: Underrepresentation of African Americans in Finance and on Wallstreet with David Esmie
David Esmie is not an educator by trade. Rather, guided by his own experiences in the finance industry, ...
Leader Chat: Learner-Centered Leadership with Devin Vodicka
Imagine an educational leader who has empathy for the challenges faced in the classroom, one who is able ...
Leader Chat: Great on Their Behalf with AJ Crabill
AJ Crabill has been on a Leader Chat before, but based on the quality of our last conversation ...
Leader Chat: High School Cultural Transformation with Anne Erwin
Anne Erwin and Jeff clearly go way back. She was a principal working with him when he was ...
Leader Chat: Recalibrating Culture with Jimmy Casas
We were so thankful Jimmy Casas was able to join us in person for this Leader Chat. Jimmy ...
Leader Chat: The Artisan, Teacher, and Leader, with Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford supports teachers and leaders all over the country. His philosophy supports the art, creativity, and capacity ...
Leader Chat: A New Kind of Diversity with Tim Elmore
We are big fans of Dr. Tim Elmore. This is his second Leader Chat. Last time we discussed ...
Leader Chat: Trust Between Superintendents and Principals with Justin Benna
What is one of the key ingredients for the health of any organization that starts with a ’T’? ...
Leader Chat: The Laws of Leadership and Communication with John C. Maxwell
If one is truly a ‘student of the game’ when it comes to studying and developing their own ...
Leader Chat: The Ins & Outs and Leading Universal Design for Learning with Katie Novak
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can sometimes be misunderstood or potentially overwhelm teachers and leaders. Not if they ...
Leader Chat: Advancing Social Emotional Learning with Dr. Aaliyah Samuel
There are very few topics in education as relevant today as Social and Emotional Health, for students and ...
Leader Chat: Reclaiming Happiness and Unleashing One’s Potential with Kim Strobel
As educational leaders, we all want and need to find peace and satisfaction within the context of the ...
Leader Chat: Cultural Proficiency, Teaching, and Leadership with Dr. Roger Cleveland
In this episode, Jeff engages with Dr. Roger Cleveland about the importance and challenge of embracing cultural proficiency ...
Leader Chat: Time For Change with Anthony Muhammad and Luis Cruz
If you are an educator, a leader in schools, or in districts at any level, this is a ...
Leader Chat: Leading with Your School Board and Keeping Focus on What’s Most Important with Pamela Swanson & Ken Ciancio
This is the second part of a two-part series. This week, Pamela Swanson had her board president, Ken ...
Leader Chat: Leading with Your School Board and Keeping Focus on What’s Most Important with Pamela Swanson
This is the first part of a two-part series. Everyone who pays any attention to schools or politics ...
Leader Chat: Talking People – Hiring, Development, and Coaching with Frank Cespedes
Why would a K-12 educational leader listen to a Harvard Business School Professor who specializes in sales and ...
Leader Chat: Highly Effective School Leaders with Tim Nolan
Educators need to hear from leaders who have spent time in education, and in the private sector. Tim ...
Leader Chat: Education and Assessment With The Future In Mind with Janet Godwin
This conversation was fun and enlightening! I know Jeff pretty well, and it was obvious to me that ...
Leader Chat: Surrendering to Your Passion for Education and Service With Diane Starkovich
If you were to close your eyes and imagine an educational leader 100% committed to serving students, educators, ...
Leader Chat: Teacher-Powered Schools with Amy Junge and Wendy Salcedo-Fierro
It makes sense that when new challenges in schools arise, so would innovative models and solutions. In an ...
Leader Chat: Overcoming Obstacles and Leading From the Heart with Kwame Johnson
Listening to Jeff talk with Kwame Johnson is a treat. Kwame has an inspiring story, and his passion ...
Leader Chat: Hope Rising with Casey Gwinn
Have you heard the phrase “hope is not a strategy”? What if it is? This conversation between Jeff ...
Leader Chat: Real-Time Leadership When The Stakes Are High with David Noble and Carol Kauffman
Our goal with our leader chats is to provide our educational leaders with pragmatic input, advice, and direction ...
Leader Chat: Leading School Change with Todd Whitaker
This discussion with Todd Whitaker is DENSE. Clearly, School Change is a topic unto itself, but the art ...
Leader Chat: Leading and Serving a Complex Organization with Jim Clark, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of America
Educational leaders should not ONLY listen to and learn from educators. Districts and schools may be complicated places, ...
Leader Chat: Helping Leaders Understand Teacher, Supply, Demand, Shortages, and Turnover with Richard Ingersoll
If you have not experienced or heard of our current challenges related to our teacher force, you are ...
Leader Chat: Vision, Hope, and Challenge From A Charter School Perspective with Jon Hage
One thing that is so cool about our Leader Chats is the diversity of those we talk with ...
Leader Chat: Trends in Education and Edtech with Kevin Hogan
Educational leaders should be in-tune with educational trends . . . what has happened, what is current, and ...
Leader Chat: Ridiculously Amazing Schools with Jeff Waller
Have you heard of the Seven Mindsets? Jeff Waller’s work spearheaded the movement. It’s been spreading throughout the ...
Leader Chat: No Holds Barred on Equity with Jeff Duncan-Andrade
Jeff Duncan-Andrade is a passionate educator, man, and father who has dedicated himself to serving his community. Listen to ...
Leader Chat: The Gap Between What We Know and Do with Mike Schmoker
Mike Schmoker has a way of cutting to the heart of the truth and simultaneously inspiring educators to ...
Leader Chat: Leading Change with Stephen Peters
We are so lucky we were able to recruit Dr. Stephen Peters to talk with us. When we ...
Leader Chat: Board Governance and Leadership Implications with AJ Crabill
AJ Crabill is likely one of the most knowledgeable leaders on School Board Governance you can find. As ...
Leader Chat: Street Data with Shane Safir
Shane Safir is one of the authors of the very popular book Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for ...
Leader Chat: What Leaders Need To Know About Our Future with Bill Daggett
There is no doubt about it. Bill Daggett is a DEEEEP thinker and is an expert in pushing ...
Leader Chat: Trends and the Future of the Teacher Pipeline with Denise A. Spangler
Our worries about teacher shortage and a lack of motivation for young professionals to seek a career in ...
Leader Chat: Leader Credibility with Doug Fisher
If you have been an educator any time within the last twenty years, and don’t know who Dr ...
Leader Chat: Future Ready Schools and Leadership Teams with Deborah Delisle
If you listen to this, you will learn that Deborah Delisle is an amazing leader. As the president ...
Leader Chat: Leading and Implementing Proficiency-based Systems with Robert Marzano
Those who have been in education for some time and have paid attention know Robert Marzano is a ...
Leader Chat: Organizing the System for Student Success with MaryEllen Elia
As the past superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools and New York State Education Commissioner, MaryEllen Elia knows ...
Leader Chat: Equity Based Leadership with Joshua Starr
Well, Joshua Starr and Jeff clearly have a lot in common and are past friends. They are both ...
Leader Chat: Common Sense Evidence with Nora Gordon
The original plan was for Jeff to talk with Nora Gordon and Carrie Conaway, authors of Common Sense ...
Leader Chat: The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership with Tim Elmore
As Jeff says, “Dr. Tim Elmore ALWAYS delivers”. Watching or listening to this Leader Chat, you will see ...
Leader Chat: Navigating Leadership Transitions with Stephen Murley
Leadership transitions are tricky, not just for the school community, but also emotionally for the leader. Stephen Murley ...
Leader Chat: The Power of Regret with Daniel Pink
Daniel Pink was with us! Seriously, that Daniel Pink . . . the author of five New York Times ...
Leader Chat: Districts that Succeed with Karin Chenoweth
For schools to truly be successful, we learn in this conversation that the district does in fact matter ...
Leader Chat: Blueprint for Clear, Effective, and Meaningful School Communication with Patricia Weinzapfel
Schools communicating clearly with families and community is challenging, and yet so important. Educational leaders and teachers know ...
Leader Chat: Social Emotional Learning and Educational Entrepreneurship with Shannon Cox
Shannon Cox is a leader of leaders, and she also happens to be a Leadership Circle member. Shannon ...
Leader Chat: Teacher Supervision, Coaching, and Evaluation with Kim Marshall
If you track the ongoing weekly education articles that are published, you maybe know about the Marshall Memo ...
Leader Chat: Engaging Every Family with Steve Constantino
Clearly, Jeff and our guest Steven Constantino, know each other from their superintendent days and can relate and ...
Leader Chat: Educational Accountability with John Tanner
Zillow is a great resource for buying a home, but Jeff and John Tanner discuss that there is a better ...
Leader Chat: Redefining Student Success with Ken Kay and Suzie Boss
As Jeff describes it, Redefining Student Success is a beautifully dense book! We have been mining content and ...
Leader Chat: Focusing on Innovative Learning Design and Schools with Tom Vander Ark
How can schools overcome the current challenges and use their opportunities to innovate? If anyone knows the answer ...
Leader Chat: Leading from the Top and Managing the Politics of Education with State Superintendent, Kirsten Baesler
Educational leaders often have to juggle multiple roles such as serving as an educator, parent, leader, and politician ...
Leader Chat: The Importance of Healthy and Cohesive School Boards with Dr. Andre` L. Harrison
If you follow education in any way, you know that school boards are often an important part of ...
Leader Chat: Our Teachers’ Perspective with Randi Weingarten
In schools, who has the biggest impact on our students? Teachers do of course. Who better to share ...
Leader Chat: Reinventing Schools with Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond
Linda Darling-Hammond talks with us about reinventing schools, new design principles for schools, preparing teachers for deeper learning, and ...
Leader Chat: Spirit Work and The Science of Collaboration with Michael Fullan
Dr. Michael Fullan elevates our understanding, truly setting a new bar, relative to the need for deep collaboration ...
Leader Chat: An interview with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
In today’s political environment, there are topics that are understandably challenging to discuss in schools. How do educational ...
Leader Chat: How Can Leaders Stay Grounded, Calm, and Content with Mike Scott
Let’s face it, leading school systems is isolating work. The expectations are often unrealistic, and the conditions are ...
Leader Chat: Keeping Your Focus While Leading Through Controversy with Sandy Barbour
Recognized as one of the nation’s premier Athletic Directors, Sandy Barbour enters her eighth year as the dynamic leader of ...
Leader Chat: Student Engagement and Social Mobility with Andy Hargreaves
Jeff Rose and Andy Hargreaves discuss his book Five Paths of Student Engagement and Moving, A Memoir of Education ...
Leader Chat: Culture and Trust with Dr. Mark Elgart
This episode focuses on leadership, culture, and trust. Dr. Rose sits down with our CEO and President of ...
Leader Chat: High Conflict with Amanda Ripley
Wait until you hear this Leader Chat. This conversation is as relevant as it gets for today’s educational ...
Leader Chat: The Future of Leading Schools with Dr. Philip Lanoue
Phil Lanoue is an experienced leader with impressive and thoughtful insights into leadership. Dr. Lanoue is the 2015 American ...
Leader Chat: Staying Motivated with Damon West
Overcoming life’s hurdles is relative. If you are challenged leading during these difficult times, this is the Leader ...
Leader Chat: Blasting Off with a Dose of Jon Gordon
In this inaugural Leader Chat, we are thrilled that the legend, Jon Gordon was able to join us ...
