Recorded live at the #DLNY26 (Deeper Learning NY) Conference in Kingston, NY, hosted by Ulster BOCES, this special episode brings together the voices of ten remarkable leaders who are shaping the future of education.

From principals and professors to consultants, environmental educators, children's book authors, and even a high school student creating unique learning experiences by bringing chickens into schools, each guest shares the experiences that have influenced their path and purpose. Their stories offer a compelling reminder that leadership is rooted in connection, service, and the belief that every person has unlimited potential waiting to be unlocked.

Our featured guests with timestamps:

• Jaimie P. Cloud: (0.30)

• Cade Freehill (9.46)

• Candace Hall (18.50)

• Julianne B. Ross-Kleinmann (26.47)

• Emily Asher Abramson (36.12)
• Marlene Rookwood (48.11)
• Dorna Schroeter (59.36)
• Dr. Charles Davis (1hr15)
• Dr. Gene Shi (1hr31)
• Barbara Tischler Hastie (1hr40)

• Learn more about this Conference: CLICK HERE

Each conversation explores the moments, lessons, and experiences that have shaped these leaders along their journey. Together, they share meaningful insights on building culture, fostering belonging, and creating opportunities for others to thrive. No matter your role in education, this episode will leave you inspired to lead with greater intention and make an even bigger impact in the communities you serve.

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🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire

In Episode 148, Brandon sits down with Derek Cantrell, principal at Alleghany High School in Virginia. He is a 2026 Virginia Principal of the Year named by the VASSP and has over 20 years experience as a teacher and principal.

Derek is also the author of Better Together: Building One School, One Culture, From Two Routes, the inspiring story of successfully merging two longtime rival high schools into one thriving school community. In this episode, Derek shares the remarkable journey of bringing together Covington and Alleghany High Schools, offering an honest look at the challenges, resistance, and opportunities that came with leading through significant change. Along the way, he reveals powerful leadership lessons and practical strategies for building trust, creating a shared vision, and developing a positive culture when navigating even the most difficult transitions.

#UUPotential Stories Show Dedication:

Edna Bryant & Jimmy Cantrell

Connect with Derek

Socials:

Better Together: Book Link

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🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire

In Episode 147, I sit down with Hunter Price, a former educator and high school basketball coach whose passion for relationships, leadership, and faith has inspired countless students, athletes, coaches, and educators. Hunter is the author of the book Care to Compete: A Coach's Guide to Connection that Wins the Margins and the host of the Share Your Story Podcast.

Throughout his coaching career, Hunter earned numerous accolades, including the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Achievement Award and Southern Lakes News Coach of the Year honors. His teams established school records for wins in a season, points scored in a season, points scored in a game, playoff victories, deepest playoff run, and consecutive wins in Illinois.

In this conversation, Hunter shares his journey from educator and coach to author, speaker, and pastor, and how faith-centered principles have shaped his approach to leadership and service. We discuss the importance of building meaningful relationships with students and athletes, creating environments where people feel valued, and developing a culture that drives growth both on and off the court.

Hunter also introduces the powerful concept of the "bench player cycle," explores the role of leadership during adversity, and explains why connection remains one of the most important tools leaders have to influence and inspire others.

This episode is packed with practical leadership insights, coaching wisdom, and reminders that people will always be at the heart of lasting impact.

#UUPotential Stories Show Dedication: Natalie Price

Connect with Hunter Price and learn more about his work helping coaches and educators maximize their impact through relationships.

Socials:

https://www.v3content.org/

@CoachHPrice

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🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire

In Episode 146, Brandon Beck sits down with inspirational educator and speaker Justin Pickens to discuss his powerful journey through education, personal growth, and leadership. Justin shares how he began his career in education, stepped away to pursue a different path, and ultimately found his way back as a physical education teacher with a renewed sense of purpose.

Through the highs and lows of his journey, Justin opens up about the internal battles many educators face, including self-doubt, pride, and the pressure to prove their worth. His story highlights the importance of humility, reflection, and rediscovering the passion behind serving others. Listen in as Justin shares valuable lessons and wisdom for educators, leaders, and anyone striving to recognize their value and unlock their full potential.

#UUPotential Stories Show Dedication:

Ron Peters

Socials:

@Justin.Pickens.Speaks

justinpickens.com

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🔔 Don’t miss out! Sign up for Brandon’s FREE “Something For You” newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for practical leadership tips delivered twice a month.

🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire

In Episode 145 of the #UUPotential Stories Show, Brandon sits down with speaker and coach Casey Watts (@catchupwithcasey): “The Craft of Clarity"

Casey—former educator, professor, and now speaker and coach—dives deep into something every leader is chasing: clarity.

In this episode, she breaks down her Clarity Cycle Framework, built from the powerful habits that leadership teams develop to move from confusion to alignment. But this isn’t just theory…she brings real, practical strategies you can use immediately.

From journaling around your “one thing” to practicing gratitude, Casey shares simple but impactful tools that help you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step...this conversation is for you.

This episode will help you go from confusion → clarity.

#UUPotential Stories Show Dedication:

Alyssa Landreneaux

Socials:

@CatchUpWithCasey

catchingupwithcasey.com

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🔔 Don’t miss out! Sign up for Brandon’s FREE “Something For You” newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for practical leadership tips delivered twice a month.

🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire

Leadership drives culture—and culture drives everything.

In this episode, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with John Woods, an incredibly passionate and award-winning Athletic Director at Libertyville High School in Illinois. His journey is powerful. A former three-sport athlete, John’s path shifted after a college football injury changed the trajectory of his life.

But what followed is where the story gets special.

Inspired by a Special Olympics event, John returned to school and found his calling in special education. From there, he built a career coaching multiple sports, eventually stepping into athletic leadership where he continues to make a profound impact.

He’s the creator of the National course for Athletic Administrators, “Cultivating Championship Culture” and also travels the country speaking, consulting, and developing leaders alongside other passionate athletic directors.

In Episode 144, John shares:

• How leadership shapes culture at every level
• His journey from adversity to purpose
• Elite strategies for developing leaders within your program
• #UUPotential Dedication: Chris Davis

If you care about building something that lasts...this conversation is for you.

#IntoTheFire #edupodcast #leadershipdevelopment #ChampionshipCulture #IntoTheFire

Episode 143 of the #UUPotential Stories Show features an incredibly powerful and inspiring conversation with passionate physical education teacher, Kristen Santos (@yogainphysed).

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, Kristen found herself in an unexpected place...an oncologist’s office that would ultimately introduce her to yoga. What began as a moment of uncertainty turned into a life-changing discovery: "Yoga in PE"

In this episode, Kristen shares how yoga not only supported her healing journey but truly transformed...and even saved...her life.

Driven by that experience, Kristen has since dedicated herself to bringing yoga into school physical education programs, creating meaningful programs that support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of students. Her story is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the incredible impact of turning personal challenges into opportunities to serve others.

This is an amazing and inspiring episode for educators, leaders, and anyone looking to find strength, purpose, and possibility through life’s most difficult moments.

#UUPotential Dedication: Christine Basile

Socials:

@yogainphysed

yogainphysed.com

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🔔 Don’t miss out! Sign up for Brandon’s FREE “Something For You” newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for practical leadership tips delivered twice a month.

🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire

In this episode, Dr. Brandon Beck welcomes special guest Mark Brown (@heyMarkBrown) — high school principal, author, and speaker who serves as the principal of Newberg High School in Oregon. Mark shares his leadership journey from answering the calling to become a teacher and coach to expanding his impact as a school leader.

Throughout the conversation, Mark reflects on the lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy, including the belief that hope is a choice and that some of our greatest growth comes through life’s most difficult moments. His story is a powerful reminder that pain, challenge, and adversity can become catalysts for growth when we choose to learn from them.

One of the most powerful ideas from this conversation is Mark’s reminder to leaders everywhere:

“You’re the dealer, not the stealer, of hope.”

This episode will inspire educators, coaches, and leaders to reflect on the influence they have on others and the responsibility they carry to create environments where people feel seen, supported, and hopeful about what is possible.

Listen in as Mark Brown shares his story and reminds us how leadership rooted in hope can transform lives.

#UUPotential Dedication: Sarah Brown

Socials

https://www.markbrownedu.com/

@heyMarkBrown

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🔔 Don’t miss out! Sign up for Brandon’s FREE “Something For You” newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for practical leadership tips delivered twice a month.

🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire