Leaning into Leadership

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If you’ve followed high-level high school athletics—especially in Colorado—you’ve probably heard of Valor Christian High School. From state titles to nationally ranked teams, Valor has built a reputation for excellence. But what most people don’t see is the intentional culture, systems, and faith-driven leadership behind the wins.

In this episode, Darrin sits down with Keith Wahl, longtime coach and now Athletic Director at Valor Christian, to talk about building a mission-centered athletic program in the middle of NIL, transfer portals, club sports pressure, and sky-high parent expectations.

Keith shares how Valor has stayed anchored to its founding mission and culture documents, how they rebuilt systems after a difficult season, and why he believes sports don’t teach life lessons—people do.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Keith’s journey into leadership at Valor Christian
• From opening Mountain Vista High School as its first head baseball coach… to a “divine nudge” text from his wife… to becoming Valor’s first head baseball coach and eventually Athletic Director.
• From “pioneer” to nationally respected athletics program
• How Valor went from a brand-new school with a bold Christian mission to a MaxPreps Top 50-level athletic department—without abandoning its original vision and purpose.
• Culture documents, team plans, and the power of clarity
• Why written team plans and an athletic handbook became game changers for culture, communication, and peace—and what happened when those systems disappeared (and then had to be rebuilt).
• Leading in the NIL and transfer era
• How NIL, club sports, and transfer rules have reshaped high school athletics—and what leaders can do to stay mission-focused instead of becoming purely transactional.
• Youth sports pressure and parent expectations
• Why today’s parents often have less trust and higher expectations, and how schools can respond with value, transparency, and a holistic vision of sport.
• Faith, sport, and deeper meaning beyond the scoreboard
• Keith’s work with Baylor’s Faith & Sport Institute, their “Away Game” cohort, and what it looks like to build an athletic experience that forms character—not just winners.
• The trust triangle & the athletic leadership team
• How Keith uses the “trust triangle” (with authentic vulnerability at the base) to lead his internal team and create a second-family culture among his staff.
• Knowing your people: Enneagram, Working Genius & AI
• How Keith uses tools like the Enneagram, Working Genius—and yes, even ChatGPT—to better understand his team and tailor his communication to each person.
• A powerful tribute to Coach Janie McHugh
• The story of longtime Valor volleyball coach Janie McHugh, her fourth straight state title, and why Keith believes deeply that knowing your people is one of the greatest gifts of leadership.

Connect with Keith Wahl

• Valor Athletics: valoreagles.com
• Social: @CoachWahl22 on all major platforms

Make walkthroughs meaningful. Simplify your coaching culture. Visit digiCOACH.com and mention Darrin for special partner pricing.

In this inspiring episode, NAESP President April D. Knight joins Darrin to explore what leadership looks like when it stays grounded in relationships, service, and intentional support for school leaders. April shares the story of her 34-year career, her leadership journey through Columbus City Schools, and how her deep commitment to equity and connection led her to the NAESP presidency.

Together, they dig into three major initiatives shaping NAESP’s future:

• The groundbreaking NAESP–AMLE partnership, focused on elevating support for middle-level leaders.
• The National School Leaders Conference, including new strands for early childhood, middle school, and secondary success.
• The National Gold Star School Program, NAESP’s bold new recognition initiative honoring schools for culture, systems, and people—not just test scores.

April also shares timeless advice for early career principals, discusses the evolving nature of school leadership, and reflects on what it means to “lean into leadership” during times of change.

Key Topics Covered

• April Knight’s leadership journey from classroom teacher to NAESP President
• The importance of relationships and trust-building in early leadership
• How NAESP is expanding support for middle-level leaders
• Behind the scenes of the new NAESP–AMLE partnership
• What leaders can expect from the 2025 National School Leaders Conference in Orlando
• Details and criteria for NAESP’s new National Gold Star School Program
• Advice for aspiring and first-year administrators
• How April is “leaning into leadership” right now

About Today’s Guest – April D. Knight

With 34 years in education and over two decades as a principal, April Knight is a nationally respected advocate for students, teachers, and school leaders. She serves as the 2025–2026 President of NAESP and leads Avondale Elementary in Columbus City Schools, Ohio’s largest district. Her work focuses on academic excellence, equity, mentoring future school leaders, and advancing the principalship nationwide.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• NAESP Website: https://www.naesp.org
• National School Leaders Conference Information & Proposal Submission
• National Gold Star School Program (application open through Jan. 31)
• AMLE Website: https://www.amle.org
• Connect with April:
• Email: [email protected]
• X (Twitter): @AKnightApril

Support for today’s episode comes from digiCOACH — the walkthrough and coaching platform designed to simplify data collection, strengthen feedback, and improve instructional clarity. Visit digiCOACH.com, mention Darrin sent you, and ask about special partner pricing.

In Episode 247 of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Darrin welcomes back repeat guest Dr. Christopher J. Jochum, founder and CEO of CJ Leadership Solutions, LLC, Professor and Chair of Teacher Education at Fort Hays State University, and a nationally recognized speaker, trainer, coach, and author.

The episode opens with a reflection on the “tap on the shoulder” moment many leaders experience — the first time someone sees leadership potential in them. Darrin connects this to research showing that 95% of students and 90% of teachers equate leadership with a title, highlighting why the work of developing teacher leaders is so critical.

Chris and Darrin explore the unique intersection of K–12 and higher education, including what Chris has learned as he transitioned into leading one of the largest teacher preparation programs in the country. He highlights the people, the culture, and the innovative mindset that make Fort Hays State a standout institution at a time when many university teacher prep programs are shrinking.

The conversation then pivots to Chris’s new book, You Don’t Have to Leave to Lead: A Practical Guide to Teacher Leadership — a culmination of years of teaching, research, and on-the-ground leadership development. They unpack key themes from the book, including:

🔥 Conversation Highlights

• Leadership is about influence, not titles — and why this mindset shift is crucial for teachers.
• Why teacher leadership is NOT “one more thing” but rather strengthens a teacher’s core practice.
• The five major goals of teacher leadership and why they matter for school and district leaders.
• The connection between teacher leadership and student outcomes — and how raising the “leadership lid” (Maxwell) elevates entire campuses.
• How teacher leadership can extend careers, support retention, and create meaningful growth pathways.
• The “field of diamonds” metaphor and why leaders must look to the talent already in their building.

Chris finishes by sharing how he is currently leaning into leadership — continuing to challenge himself, sharpen the saw, and prepare to write his next leadership book aimed at a broader audience.

About Dr. Chris Jochum

Dr. Christopher J. Jochum is the founder and CEO of CJ Leadership Solutions, LLC. A sought-after speaker, trainer, and coach, Chris partners with organizations throughout the U.S. and abroad to transform culture by developing leadership capacity at every level. He believes that leadership is about influence, not formal authority.

Chris also serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Fort Hays State University, leading one of the nation’s largest teacher preparation programs. With nearly 30 years in K–12 and higher education, Chris began his career teaching Spanish and English as a Second Language before holding faculty appointments at the University of Central Missouri and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

His research focuses on leadership development in both K–12 and higher ed, along with the value of study abroad. He hosts The Department Chair Leadership Podcast and is also the author of The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership.

Connect with Dr. Chris Jochum

🌐 Website: CJLeadership.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

🎙️ Podcast: The Department Chair Leadership Podcast

📘 Books: You Don’t Have to Leave to Lead and The Department Chair (Road to Awesome Publishing)

Dr. Jochum's previous appearance on Leaning into Leadership

Support for today’s episode comes from digiCOACH — the walkthrough and coaching platform designed to simplify data collection, strengthen feedback, and improve instructional clarity. Visit digiCOACH.com, mention Darrin sent you, and ask about special partner pricing.

In this solo episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard takes leaders deep into one of the most important—and most avoided—responsibilities of leadership: crucial conversations.

Darrin shares a vulnerable story from early in his principalship and unpacks the powerful lesson he learned about how silence, avoidance, and hesitation can erode culture, damage trust, and create uncertainty. From there, he introduces a clear, actionable, eight-step framework rooted in the work of Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler’s Crucial Conversations, adapted for leaders in every sector.

Listeners will learn how to:

• Center themselves before delivering hard messages
• Remove assumptions and stay grounded in facts
• Create psychological safety
• Describe performance gaps clearly and respectfully
• Invite honest dialogue
• Collaboratively build solutions
• Reinforce alignment through clear commitments
• Sustain accountability through effective follow-up

Darrin then applies the framework to three real-world leadership scenarios—from education, construction, and healthcare—providing detailed sample dialogue and leadership moves leaders can use immediately.

Whether you’re leading a school, a team, a department, or an organization, this episode will equip you with the clarity, confidence, and courage to navigate the tough moments that shape culture.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why tough conversations define leadership effectiveness
• What makes a conversation “crucial”
• The 8-step Crucial Conversations Leadership Framework
• How to avoid assumptions and approach conversations with purpose
• How to balance accountability with empathy
• How leaders across industries can apply these steps (with detailed examples)

Three Real-World Scenarios Covered:

1. Education — Staff not following safety protocols
2. Construction — Crew leader disrespecting team members
3. Healthcare — Nurse omitting required patient handoff details

These examples model exactly what effective leadership conversations sound like.

Episode Resources:

• The AWESOME Leadership Action Guide
• Leadership keynote information go to https://darrinpeppard.com
• Connect with Darrin on LinkedIn, Instagram, and social platforms

Visit digiCOACH.com and mention that Darrin sent you for special partner pricing.

In Episode 245 of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Jayme Braida, Principal of Columbus Elementary in Chariton, Iowa, and the 2025 Iowa Elementary Principal of the Year.

Jayme opens up about her personal journey—from overcoming childhood ADHD and family trauma to becoming a passionate advocate for trauma-informed leadership, equity, and authentic connection. She shares the mindset shifts that helped her turn her challenges into strengths and how those experiences shape her leadership every single day.

Listeners will learn:

• Why vulnerability and self-awareness are the foundation of strong leadership
• How to foster safety and belonging for students and staff
• Practical steps to build trauma-informed practices into everyday school culture
• The importance of joy and purpose in sustaining long-term impact

This is an episode full of honesty, reflection, and hope—a must-listen for any leader who believes in the power of connection to drive transformation.

Connect with Jayme at jaymebraida.com