Podcasts

Leader Chat

We’re educators just like you. And like you, we’re passionate about quality education, and work tirelessly to improve schools. District and system leaders bear awesome responsibility for these efforts, often without access to peers and experts who can offer solutions and insights. That’s why we offer a weekly Leader Chat. Host Dr. Jeff Rose, Cognia’s Vice President of Leadership Development, interviews top K–12 experts, business executives, and school leaders from around the country to discuss and solve real leadership challenges.

Listen to our latest episode

David Esmie is not an educator by trade. Rather, guided by his own experiences in the finance industry, he has chosen to dedicate himself to influencing typically underrepresented youth to pursue careers in finance. He and Jeff are friends, and our listeners will appreciate them comparing notes and talking strategy on how David is impacting future financiers.

David Esmie
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About the podcast

Leader Chat with Dr. Jeff Rose engages experts and practitioners to discuss the challenges of school leadership—from strategy to staff well-being to decision making in chaotic times—with straight talk and pragmatic approaches. To support members of Cognia’s Leadership Circle, 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. If you’re a member of the Cognia Leadership Circle, you can join us live every Wednesday, ask questions, and contribute to the discussions.

You don’t have to lead alone. Listen every Wednesday to Leader Chat.


If you like our Leader Chats, please rate us or leave a comment. We always appreciate listener feedback and would love to hear from you.

Recent episodes

Leader Chat: Learner Centered Leadership with Devin Vodicka
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 to ...
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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 with ...
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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 a ...
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Cognia Leader Chat - Jimmy Casas
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 and ...
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Cognia Leader Chat - Mike Rutherford
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 of ...
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Leader Chat: A New Kind of Diversity with Tim Elmore
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 his ...
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Leader Chat: Trust Between Superintendents and Principals with Justin Benna
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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 leadership ...
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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 listen ...
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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 adults ...
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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 challenging ...
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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 as ...
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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 must-listen ...
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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 Ciancio, ...
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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 knows, ...
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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 marketing? ...
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