Beneath the Water | Podcast Guru

Details

Beneath the Water is a leadership podcast hosted by Diane Doersch, a longtime education technology leader, former district technology executive, and community builder who is now in her "rewirement." In each episode, Diane sits down with education technology leaders for the kind of conversation we do not hear often enough. These are not polished success stories or quick leadership tips. They are honest conversations about what is happening beneath the surface: the moments that shaped her guests, the challenges they had to work through, the lessons they carry, and the parts of leadership that are not always visible from the outside. This podcast is for leaders who want to feel seen in their work and reminded that they are not alone.

Recent Episodes

Becoming the Techie Principal with Dr. Kip Glazer

Send us Fan Mail Diane and Dr. Kip Glazer chat about their quick friendship through Linking Leaders, falling into teaching and loving it, and making the big switch to the administrative side. She shares how her challenges have propelled her to new places, and how none of these things are really challenges compared to her first years in the US, learning a new language and making a life for herself. If you, dear listener, come away with anything, let it be this: Dr. Kip Glazer is getting things...

40 MIN

Opening Doors with Jamie Saponaro

Send us Fan Mail Jamie Saponaro is one of the best when it comes to building environments for collaboration and community. She's the author of the new book "Transforming Classrooms: Building a Culture of Collaboration." Jamie and Diane discuss how volunteering can be a stepping stone to getting great jobs, and they highlight Jamie's rise through the ranks from classroom teacher to where she is now. Finding your passions, failing forward, and taking risks are all part of Jamie's secret sauce. ...

45 MIN

Interoperability with Dr. Tim Clark

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Tim Clark started as a classroom teacher and ended up shaping interoperability at a global level. What stood out most was this: every move he made was still grounded in the classroom: English teacher, Techie teacher, District leader, Global connector. Dr. Tim Clark never stopped seeing himself as a teacher, even when his title changed. That’s why his work lands. He doesn’t talk about systems like a solution provider. He talks about them like someone who has lived the prob...

39 MIN

Lifelong Leadership with Dr. Chantell Manahan

Send us Fan Mail Diane speaks with Dr. Chantell Manahan this week as she shares her journey and the pivotal role education played in shaping her life. She reflects on the struggles of being the "new weird girl" in school and how supportive teachers made a lasting impact. "Public education saved me. It was a place where I was seen, and it was a safe place," she says, highlighting the importance of nurturing environments for young minds. Chantell shares how she became the leader she would have ...

41 MIN

Caring for Yourself as a Leader with Sandra Paul

Send us Fan Mail Sandra and Diane talk about not only being early women in technology, but also the intersectionality of coming from another country. Sandra talks about the importance of a support system, what happened when her district was hit with a cyber attack, and how she cares for her team and herself. This episode was recorded on June 9, 2026, at Mountain Brook High School in Alabama during the Engage conference. Special thanks to Suzan Brandt for hosting us! Find Sandra o...

38 MIN