The Group Project Podcast: Recent Episodes
Dr. Jared Smith
Leadership. Education. Personal Growth. If you’re looking for a podcast focused on those three topics you’ve come to the right place. The Group Project Podcast shares inspiring interviews from a wide-ranging group of successful individuals - perfect for educators looking to enhance their professional and personal lives.
Jerry Gallagher - Partner with The Donovan Group, School Communications Specialists - was this week's guest.
Nancy Blow - Executive Director of the Iowa Association of School Business Officials - was this week's guest.
Chris Deason - Ballard (IA) High School Principal - reflects on his first year as a head principal.
Michelle Hill - Director of Work-Based Learning for the Waukee APEX Program - was this week's guest.
Dr. Darrin Peppard - former school leader and current speaker, author, and entrepreneur - shares ideas on building school culture, coaching school administrators, and the life of an entrepreneur.
Bobby Pollicino - Head of Upper School at the Bullis School in Potomac, MD - shares ideas on distributed leadership, 1:1 meetings, his best daily habits, and writing "The Principled Leader."
Kevin Sims - Superintendent of the Minco (OK) Community School District - shares ideas on trusting employees, using social media, embracing physical fitness, and visiting Oklahoma City.
Shauna Smith - Director of Instruction for the Marshalltown (IA) Community School District - shares ideas on building relationships, improving culture, and using social media.
Adam Lane - Haines City (FL) High School Principal - shares what it's like to be high school principal of 3,000 students.
Christy Lamb & Karen Hile - two principals from Kansas City better known as "The Modern Principal" - are back on the show again!!
In this episode I share diet tips and workout routines that will help you get SHREDDED at any age!!
Check out this EXCLUSIVE interview with bestselling author Susan Scott as she previews her new book: "Fierce Love" | Check out Susan's new website at SusanScott.io
In this episode I share 10 of my best tips for school leadership interviews - specifically for the role of superintendent.
In this fascinating interview, Anesa Kajtazovic shares how she escaped the Bosnian War and became the first Bosnian-American elected to public office in the United States.
In this special 100th episode, we bring Mark Horstman back to the show to take a closer look at 1:1 meetings and effective delegation. Mark is co-founder of Manager Tools, author of "The Effective Manager," and creator of the "Manager Tools Podcast" - which has over 250 million downloads.
Rae Hughart - educator, author, and CXO for the Teach Better Team - was this week's guest.
Check out this behind the scenes interview with Dr. Roark Horn - the Executive Director of the School Administrators of Iowa.
Dr. Christine Trujillo - Superintendent of the Gilbert (IA) School District - was this week's guest.
Trevor Ragan - founder of Train Ugly and The Learner Lab - gives us a behind the scenes look at his new book!
Stacey Green - the 2020 Kansas Elementary Principal of the Year - was this week's guest.
Dr. Trent Grundmeyer - Founder of Grundmeyer Leader Services - shares everything you need to know to help you land your next school administration job!
Teresa Hill - the 2021 Arizona Secondary Principal of the Year - was this week's guest.
In this episode, I discuss my battle with panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder.
Steve Paterson - the 2022 New Hampshire Middle School Principal of the Year - was this week's guest.
Ali Locker - Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning for the Waukee (IA) School District - was this week's guest.
Dr. Derrick Joel - Superintendent of the Fort Dodge (IA) School District - was this week's guest.
Dr. Matt Adams - Superintendent of the Woodward-Granger (IA) School District - was this week's guest.
Dr. David DeJong - University of South Dakota Associate Professor & Division Chair of Educational Leadership - was this week's guest.
Dr. Dil Uswatte - the 2020 Alabama Elementary Principal of the Year - was this week's guest.
In this episode, Lauren Ross and Raegan McCullough - co-founders of "The Healthy Teacher" - share fitness, dieting, and mental health advice for school leaders.
Jill Clevenger - the 2020 Nebraska Elementary Principal of the Year - was this week's guest.
Melissa Barlow - the 2021 Oklahoma High School Principal of the Year - was this week's guest.
In this episode, I share everything I learned while writing my first book: "Learning Curve: Lessons Learned on Education, Leadership, and Personal Growth."
In this episode, Kansas City area elementary principals Christy Lamb and Karen Hile - better known as "The Modern Principal" - share their advice with school leaders.
On this special episode, Tyler "TyDeBo" Debondt shares everything educational leaders need to know Twitch, YouTube, gaming, and the future of entertainment.
Check out this behind the scenes interview with Dr. Ann Lebo - the Director of the Iowa Department of Education.
Jonathan Glawe - 2021 Michigan String Teacher of the Year - helps school leaders understand what to look for in strong music teachers and programs.
Jen Burdis - American Ninja Warrior and elementary school teacher - talks about energizing kids and communities across the US.
Dr. Kevin Dyson - Franklin (TN) High School Principal - discusses his transition from NFL receiver to school administrator.
Chris deNeui - 2021 Iowa Elementary Principal of the Year - shares the ups and downs of her leadership journey.
Mark Lane - Decorah (IA) Superintendent and the 2019 Iowa Central Office Administrator of the Year - reflects on his first two years as a superintendent.
Have you ever been told you didn't get a job because you "lacked experience?" In this episode, we discuss how minimal correlation exists between employee experience and workplace performance.
Dr. Adam Zellmer - Shared Superintendent of Eldora-New Providence and Hubbard-Radcliffe (Iowa) School Districts - discusses what it's like to being the superintendent of two school districts.
Dr. Sara Shahbazi - University of Windsor (Ontario) Instructor and ELL Instructional Coach - talks all things English Language Learners.
Dr. Basil Marin - educator, mentor, and "Disruptor of Status Quo" - tells his story from growing up in alternative school to becoming a rising star in educational leadership.
Dr. Eric Knost - current Lewis Central (IA) and former Missouri superintendent - shares his leadership principles.
Alyson Gerber - critically-acclaimed middle grades author - discusses her new book "Taking Up Space."
Dr. Stacey Cole - Storm Lake (IA) Superintendent - shares her thoughts on lifting voices in her community, challenges for women in leadership, making bold decisions, and "lollipop" moments.
Mike Johnson - Financial Planner and Owner of Teacher Wealth - discusses all things personal finance during this informative episode.
In this episode, I unveil my single BEST idea for leaders of any organization. This idea costs no money, takes no formal training, and can be immediately implemented.
What is this idea? Listen to the episode and find out!
Allison Phelps - Yoga Teacher & Mindfulness Coach - shares her thoughts on bringing yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to the Muscatine (IA) School District.
Jamie Vollmer - educational author and "Schools Cannot Do It Alone" founder - shares his thoughts on being a champion for public schools, tips for passing bond votes, "This Too Shall Pass" Syndrome, and the infamous "blueberry" story.
Dr. Todd Rose - Co-founder of Populace, former Harvard School of Education professor, and best-selling author - shares his thoughts on individualized learning pathways, the problems with higher education, the definition of a "successful" life, and his best productivity hacks.
In this episode we discuss why the "lack of sleep" badge of honor is hurting our selves and our schools.
Noreen Bush - Cedar Rapids (IA) Superintendent - shares her thoughts on systems thinking, battling cancer, women in leadership, and hope spots.
In this episode we cover 7 ideas leaders can immediately implement to prevent burnout for all employees.
Andrew Marotta - Author, Speaker, and Port Jervis (NY) High School Principal - shares his thoughts on "Surviving and Thriving", the Broken Windows Theory, the difference between buy-in and ownership, and what reffing college basketball taught him about leadership.
In this episode we cover productivity hacks that have been made famous by the famous comedian Jerry Seinfeld and the great author Jim Collins.
In this episode I share my "Top 10 Books" in the area of leadership, education, and personal growth.
What books make the list? Listen to find out!
Complete List of Book Summaries: https://www.drjaredsmith.com/book-summaries
David Martin - Chief Benefits Officer of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) - discusses all things retirement.
Why are do so many middle-aged people assume it's impossible to regain their 20-year old physique?
In this episode we prevent several practical ideas for not only reclaiming - but surpassing - our former figure.
Blog Post: https://www.drjaredsmith.com/post/self-care
Lainie Rowell - educator, author, international consultant, and podcaster - shares her thoughts on virtual learning best practices, the difference between professional development and professional learning, getting kids connected globally, and her "go-to" gif.
Bethany Hill - Administrator, Speaker, and Founder of #JoyfulLeaders - shares her thoughts on the joyful leadership mindset, building trusting relationships with staff, advocating for equity in education, and what it means to be a "lead learner."
"In a world where highly qualified teachers are difficult to find, there are two options: Either you can complain about the teacher shortage, or you can take matters into your own hands."
Dr. Smith shares eight ideas school leaders can immediately implement into their teacher recruitment strategy.
Dr. Brad Gustafson - Author, Speaker, and 2016 Minnesota Principal of the Year - shares his thoughts on digital communication, mobile makerspace carts, resource allocation, and "Cookie Crazy" ice cream.
"When individuals move into a leadership role they must assume a portion of their salary will go back to the school - to employees, organizations, or fundraisers. While it's hard to put a number on this contribution, between one and five percent is a good rule of thumb to follow." | Blog Link: https://www.drjaredsmith.com/post/dont-be-a-cheap-boss
Dr. Tron Young - 2020 Illinois MS Principal of the Year - shares his thoughts on building student relationships, creating music videos, "Bow Tie Tuesdays", and the BEST restaurant in St. Louis.
Stacy Monette - 2020 Massachusetts MS Principal of the Year - shares her thoughts on giving symbolic tokens to staff, building walk-arounds, pursuing a doctoral degree, and intermittent fasting.
Dr. Peter DeWitt - Author & Keynote Speaker - shares his thoughts on creating an inclusive school culture, the role of research in school leadership, including teacher voice in the walkthrough process, and writing a new book on collective efficacy.
Looking for practical ideas to improve school culture? | Here are 10 of the best ideas from 2020 | Blog Link: https://www.drjaredsmith.com/post/top-10-school-culture-hacks-for-2020
During this solo episode, Dr. Smith shares everything he's learned about podcasting after one year:
What equipment is needed?
What website/program do you use?
How does it get on Apple Podcasts/Spotify?
How long does each show take to edit?
*How do you pick guests?
Much, much more!!
Dr. Lisa Remy - West Des Moines (IA) Superintendent - shares her thoughts on challenges for female superintendents, tips for recruiting diverse faculty, exploring standards based grading, and her affinity for Orange Theory Fitness.
Dr. Todd Whitaker - educational leader and bestselling author - shares his thoughts on dealing with difficult teachers, why leadership is not an event, getting every teacher like the best teacher, and motivating staff during challenging times.
Lauren Ross - Certified Personal Trainer & Co-Creator of "The Healthy Teacher" - shares her thoughts on running a company meant to help educators, how educators can workout with limited time, tips for mindful eating during the holidays, and her opinion on the best donuts you'll ever taste.
Dr. Trent Grundmeyer - Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Founder of Grundmeyer Leader Services - shares his thoughts on starting a school leader search firm, the biggest challenges facing new administrators, the top traits school boards look for in leaders, and his best interview tip.
Dr. Matt Townsley - Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and author of "Making Grades Matter" - shares his thoughts on standards based grading, moving from K-12 to post-secondary leadership, advice for new administrators, and how he uses Voxer to build with relationships with students.
Mark Horstman - Management Consultant and Bestselling Author - shares his thoughts on 1:1 meetings, why management is "unsexy," the steps to effective delegation, and his best advice for new school administrators.
Matthew Dicks - bestselling author, storyteller, and 5th grade teacher - shares his thoughts on the power of storytelling, homework for life, tips for public speaking, and why you should live like you're 100 years old.
Ken Williams - speaker and author of "Starting A Movement, Building Culture from the Inside Out in PLCs " - shares his thoughts on journaling his principal experiences, getting clear on empathizing vs. enabling, why foundational equity is the work, and gives us a sneak peek of his new book project.
Dr. Joe Sanfelippo - the 2019 National Superintendent of the Year - shares his thoughts on branding a school district, the purpose behind his learning walks, one piece of advice for new admins, and the #GoCrickets bike check.
Dr. Dana Schon - Professional Learning Director for the School Administrators of Iowa - shares her passion for leadership-life fit, reveals her favorite keynote speaker from the SAI Conference, discusses tips for delivering professional development, and discloses her favorite smoothie recipe.
Chrissy Hamiel - an attorney at von Briesen & Roper in Milwaukee, WI - shares her experiences providing legal services for school districts, the importance of documentation when dealing with underperforming employees, what employees need to think about when posting on social media, and how she deals with stress in a ultra-stressful profession.
George Couros - educational consultant, speaker, and author of "The Innovator's Mindset" & "Innovate Inside the Box" - shares his thoughts on creating a different learning experience, finding purpose in teaching, the problem with standardized testing, and advice for new administrators.
Trevor Ragan - founder of Train Ugly and The Learner Lab - shares his thoughts on what it takes to become a great learner, the importance of great storytelling, the benefits of presenting to 7th grade students, and why every student should be asked to create podcasts.
LaVonna Roth - educational author, speaker, and consultant - shares her thoughts on what it meant to struggle as a student, the concept behind Ignite your S.H.I.N.E., a few tidbits on brain research, and why she choses to "batch" her work.
Jessica Cabeen - Author, Speaker, and 2017 Minnesota Principal of the Year - shares her thoughts on creating a school avatar, what it's like to be the author of four books, what it means to "vision script," and being OK with making mistakes.
Dr. Jesse Ulrich - Fort Dodge (IA) Superintendent - shares his thoughts on returning home to lead a community, using the Advanced Insights Profile with his leadership team, compound interest in all areas of life, and leading change by transitioning staff and students to a new building.
Dan Butler - Epworth (IA) Elementary Principal - shares his thoughts on positive psychology practices, quarterly 1:1 meetings with all staff members, peer-reviewed videotaped lessons, and habit development.
Justin Daggett - Manson Northwest Webster (Iowa) Superintendent - shares his thoughts on the importance of lifelong learning, holding "Coffee Conversations," why a 4-year degree is not necessarily the best option for all kids, and his best productivity hacks.
Dr. Valerie Nyberg - Ames (Iowa) High School Principal - shares her thoughts on overcoming gender and racial barriers, entering a new principal position, living a healthy life, and her unbelievable path to school administration.
Brandon Mowinkel - Milford (NE) Jr/Sr High School Principal - shares his thoughts on the importance of daily journaling, "Everyone has a Story ... Make Yours Worth Telling," writing postcards to students, and the amazing stability of leadership in the Milford Schools.
Joanna Letz - Council Bluffs (Jefferson) HS Associate Principal - shares her thoughts on going from para to teacher to administrator in the same district, using mindfulness to stay calm, the appeal of Erin Condren Planners, and not being ok with saying "Some Kids Can't."
Brian Downing - Okoboji (IA) High School Principal - shares his thoughts on intentionality being visible, the importance of self care and meditation, and the story behind his viral TikTok Video that has over a million views.
Dr. Janelle Brouwer - Marion (Iowa) Superintendent - shares her thoughts on 3-Minute Walkthroughs, using a standing desk, avoiding saying "Kids These Days," and why she tackles difficult tasks first thing in the morning.
Brad Porinchak - Cranberry Elementary (North Port, FL) Principal - shares his thoughts on using The Bullet Journal Method, building relationships with students and staff, making the transition from high school to elementary administration, and the reasoning behind making school music videos.
Ross Ricenbaw - Waverly (NE) Middle School Principal - shares his thoughts on giving all staff a voice in decision making, using the Eisenhower Matrix, the use of Breakout Boxes, and explains his "Guns & Roses" Meetings.
Dr. Ben Johnson - Bismarck (ND) Secondary Assistant Superintendent - shares his thoughts on discipline on wheels, breakthrough coaching, how to live a balanced life, and why noise cancelling headphones has been a life-changing purchase.
Dr. Paul Gausman - Sioux City (IA) Superintendent - shares his thoughts on giving simple recognition to employees, networking with other school leaders, the importance of follow-through, and the "Tenderloin Trail."
Trattoria Fresco: http://www.trattoriafresco.biz/;
Blinkist: https://www.blinkist.com/;
The Leadership Challenge: https://tinyurl.com/y8rqn5sb;
The First 90 Days: https://tinyurl.com/y7bu9a3q.
Nicole Johnson - Waukee Elementary Principal - shares her thoughts on how she goes about hiring the right staff for her building, implementing "rounding" meetings, making deposits in employee emotional bank accounts, and the "Crushing It" Cart.
El Guapo: https://www.elguaposiowa.com.
The Serving Leader: https://www.amazon.com/Serving-Leader-Transform-Community-Blanchard/dp/1626566143.
7 Habits: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1476740054/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1.
Start With Why: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447.
Book About "Rounding": https://www.amazon.com/Maximize-Performance-Creating-Educational-Excellence/dp/1622180143/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&qid=1591823546&refinements=p_27%3AQuint+Studer&s=books&sr=1-2&text=Quint+Studer.
Susie Meade - Winterset Superintendent - shares her thoughts on professional learning communities, implementation of a morning huddle, creating a to-do list with post-it notes, and how she has managed to stay positive during COVID-19.
Brad Buck - Waukee (IA) Superintendent - shares his thoughts on how he builds authentic relationships, managing second order change, creating a timeline for strategic planning, and avoiding the tyranny of the urgent.
Gastro Grub & Pub: https://www.gastrogrubpub.com/
Latin King Restaurant: http://tursislatinking.com/about-tursis-latin-king/
Good to Great Book: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996
Insight Education/Consulting Group (Strategic Planning): https://www.insighteducationgroup.com/about
Justin Stockdale - Dike-New Hartford (IA) Superintendent - shares his thoughts on why being responsive to stakeholders is important, ideas for getting out of your comfort zone, what it's like to be a school mascot, and the story behind #RollBlue.
Wooden - A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections: https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Lifetime-Observations-Reflections-Court/dp/0809230410
Shannon Bisgard - Linn Mar (IA) Superintendent - shares his thoughts on the power of memorizing student names, how he supports his district leaders, pushing forward with online learning, and leading a growing school district.
If you love culture "hacks" - this is your episode! We have taken all of the culture hack ideas from our first eight guests and placed them into one recording. Hopefully there is at least one idea you can implement into your own educational leadership setting. Enjoy!!
Russ Adams - MOC Floyd Valley (IA) Superintendent - shares his thoughts behind student motivation, the importance of hand-written notes, and a number of great books and resources that will allow others to be lifelong learners.
Leadership & Self-Deception Book: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Self-Deception-Getting-Large-Print/dp/1459626184/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
The Outward Mindset Book: https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Mindset-Seeing-Beyond-Ourselves/dp/1626567158
The Advantage Book: https://www.amazon.com/Advantage-Organizational-Health-Everything-Business/dp/0470941529/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Atomic Habits Book: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588434881&sr=1-2
Jeremy Langner - Waverly-Shell Rock (IA) Middle School Principal - shares his thoughts on emotional intelligence, seeking critical feedback, visiting classrooms in the morning, and what it's like being a Middle School Principal.
"Lead for God's Sake" Book: https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Gods-Sake-Parable-Leadership/dp/1414370563
Jason Wester - Tipton (IA) Superintendent - shares his thoughts on his daily journaling, being vulnerable with staff, visibility as a superintendent, and why he has implemented yoga and meditation into his daily routine.
Items Discussed on the Show:
Moleskine Journal: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=moleskine+notebook&crid=22FOTV54B2OFU&sprefix=moleskin%2Caps%2C194&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8
Headspace Meditation App: https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app
Rising Strong Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Strong-Ability-Transforms-Parent/dp/081298580X
10% Happier Book: https://www.amazon.com/10-Happier-Self-Help-Actually-Works/dp/0062265431
Shane Knoche - North Scott (IA) HS Principal - shares his thoughts on using a "Humble, Hungry Smart" hiring philosophy, how to delegate decision-making, effectively communicating with all staff members, and ideas on staying healthy with a busy schedule.
Hungry, Humble, Smart bank of questions:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MRblkkO_kjFuum5qe8tCyDMa1wUcpjFmDqBI4oEwfTs/edit
Scott Blum - Dallas Center-Grimes (IA) HS Principal - shares his thoughts on how to promote a positive workplace culture, his approach to classroom walkthroughs, and the importance of building student relationships.
Here is the link to the teacher info Google Survey referenced in the podcast: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIsEMR0-m7vxvNzETiLDtkaFgd5W67ZUJ7VN33gJCIBuIjSw/viewform
Jason Kline - Cedar Rapids Kennedy (IA) HS Principal - shares his thoughts on how to engage with 1800 students, understanding equity issues, managing work/life balance, and how to create amazing pep assemblies.
Shauna Smith - South Tama County (IA) Director of Curriculum and Student Services - shares her thoughts on seeking feedback, Rachel Hollis's best-selling book Girl, Wash Your Face, her daily routines, and her pick for best professional development culture "hack."
JR Kuch - Clinton (IA) High School Principal - shares his thoughts on being visible, HS branding, distributed leadership, why the the first date with his wife was the best $50 he ever spent.