The Inside Ride: A Top 20 Training Podcast: Recent Episodes
Top 20 Training
In this episode Kevin, Tom, and Mara discuss the Coaching on Purpose program that is designed for and available to ALL athletic programs. The team discusses the need for intentionality in coaching and offers a framework for how to create the right conditions for a great experience.
Questions or interest: call Kevin at 651-373-0297 or email us at info@top20training.com.
This episode Tom and Kevin absorb as much as they can from Mike Wolf from Jostens Renaissance! School Culture, celebrating educators, and much more! To learn more about Mike and his team's passionate endeavors, click the links below!
Love Mondays with Jostens Renaissance!
- Check out the suite of school climate and culture resources at JostensRenaissance.com
- Join us at the smartest, loudest, happiest, results-driven conference for school culture athttps://www.jostensevents.com/event/JRGC26/home
This week Kevin & Tom Share Some Great Things Going On! During their travels they have picked up some stories about the implementation of Thinking, Learning, & Communicating tools, strategies. There are a million success and failure stories out there! Here are a few great ones!
This week Kevin and Tom talk with Katie Radeke, a early intervention Special Education specialist with 27 years of experience! Check out the interview and take note of the resources listed below! She works for Benton Stearns Education District (serving Stearns and Benton County School Districts - minus St. Cloud) and is an excellent educator and a great ray of hope!
https://helpmegrowmn.org
https://helpmeconnect.web.health.state.mn.us
If you have any questions for Katie, you can reach her here: katieradeke@gmail.com
This week Kevin and Tom catch up with a long-time friend and supporter of Top 20.
Dr. Kasey Johnson started her educational journey 25 years ago and has enjoyed learning from her students and peers each step of the way. After teaching English, Music, Social Studies, and English Language Learners for students in K-12, Dr. Johnson started a new journey as chair of the Education department for Ottawa University. During that time, Dr. Johnson wrote and implemented multiple Master’s degree programs, oversaw undergraduate and graduate programs and clinicals and enjoyed providing professional development for educators throughout the Kansas City and Phoenix areas. She is a published author, nationally recognized trainer, master teacher, and presenter. Currently, Dr. Johnson uses her educational skills and understanding of organizational management as a regional director of sales for Hotel Management and Consulting in Kansas City. Although not in the classroom, she finds many parallels between the helping and hospitality professions and enjoys assisting in training and supporting the amazing individuals currently managing the hotels throughout the Midwest. When she isn’t working, Dr. Johnson enjoys traveling with her husband Matt and hearing about the adventures and accomplishments of her three amazing sons and beautiful daughter-in-law.
If you have any questions, Dr. Johnson can be reached at smartermoms@gmail.com.
This week Kevin and Tom take time to discuss meaningful ways to reach out and find students that are lost in the shuffle. Some of these "lost" students have straight As, some are failing, some are engaged, some are asleep in class. Schools and programs need people that can find them and remind them of their worth!
Have a listen and then pass it on to someone that needs to hear it!
This week's episode is from the With Gratitude Matt Foundation and Podcast. We were asked to share our Top 20 story and how gratitude plays a continual rols in our mission and work.
Big thanks to our team mate and friend, Mike Nead (mike@top20training.com) for introducing us to Bill Moran of the With Gratitude Matt Foundation!
Please check out their foundation and podcast. They exude hope through gratitude!
This week Kevin and Tom discuss teens, screens, and brains with Erin Walsh of the Spark and Stitch Institute. This episode shares concrete ways to navigate the ever-changing lives of teens and tech.
Erin's new bookIt's Their World: Teens, Screens, and the Science of Adolescence is available by clicking the book title above.
You can find Erin Walsh by visiting her website below:
https://sparkandstitchinstitute.com/
This week Tom and Kevin interview DeWayne Patterson from Bixby High School in Bixby, OK. Please listen,...you'll feel good and walk with great empowering ideas!
If you have questions for DeWayne, his email is below.
dpatterson@bixbyps.org
This week Kevin and Tom are joined by teammate Mara Schanfield to discuss their new program for Athletic Programs!
info@top20training.com
maracgllc@gmail.com (Mara Schanfield)
Top 20 Training has developed a new program for coaches/advisors, their programs, athletes/student participants, parents, and more! Listen and find out more!
info@top20training.com for more info. or to set up a FREE meeting!
www.top20training.com
Today's episode is full of joy and heart as Kevin and Tom interview Rhett Ladner, Superintendent of Hancock School District. in Kiln, Mississippi. If you're curious about the Fuzzy Strawberry Spotter title, go ahead and start listening and you'll find out!
If you have questions or want to contact Rhett, his email is below:
rladner@hancockschools.net
Thanks so much,
Kevin and Tom
This week Kevin and Tom reconnect with Jon Florence, an Assistant Principal at Beaumont High School in Beaumont, California. His coaching background transitioned him into an effective AP because in a sense he now coaches everyone! Have a listen and share!
Jon's email is below:
jflorence@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us
What a great guest Kevin and Tom interviewed this week (says everyone that listens!)!!!
Sierra Green, a Third Grade teacher from Elk Creek Elementary in Newcastle, Colorado, shares her experiences and her WHY!
Enjoy!
This week Kevin and Tom share stories and memories of Co-founder and Co-owner of Top 20 Training, Paul Bernabei. Paul passed away last month after months of battling pancreatic cancer. His impact is felt far and wide. Rest in Peace Paul.
This week Tom and Kevin chat with Chris Sindelar, a dynamic and authentic Activities Director from Fontana High School in Fontana California! Kevin and Tom had the opportunity to visit his school and speak to his student leaders and faculty/staff. Chris is full of what's good for students,...so we thought we'd share Chris with you!!!
Kevin and Tom talk about the challenges and joys of education. Top 20 is very tuned in to the administrators and educators across the country and as we listen, we try to find helpful ideas and strategies as the new school year approaches. ENjoy!
Hello Folks,
This week Kevin and Tom share thoughts on how to end the school year in a way that reminds about meaning, instill belief, and offers hope!
www.top20training.com
info@top20training.com
Gail Bentley, principal of Del Oro High School in Bakersfield, CA has worked VERY hard to create a school that TRULY takes on the challenge of creating life-long learners. From paint color choice, to the absence of bells, to equitable grading,...her school is striving to accomplish lofty goals. I'd say they've achieved those goals!
https://deloro.kernhigh.org/
This week's episode brings an educator to the microphone that is built for human connection and belonging. As ASB (Associated Student Body) Director for his High School (think Stu. Co., Leadership, etc.) he creates moments and teaches classes that prioritize bonding, connection, and showcasing all students' successes!
If you have questions or would like to reach out to Rod, please see he email below:
Rod.keillor@sduhsd.net
This week Kevin and Tom talk with Joe Beckman. He is relevant and is spreading a message or connection, confirmation, and affirmation. Definitely worth the listen!
till360.com
joebeckman.com
This week Kevin and Tom focus on hope and human development as a means of doing what matters in schools. Ideas, examples, and hope are only a listen away. Press play!
This episode Kevin and Tom use a current, real-life example to explain Thought Circles and how to silence them. Enjoy!
This week Kevin and Tom discuss ideas, tools, and strategies to make Day 1 more effective for your students and for you! *And if you're thinking, "well,...I already had our Day 1!" That's ok,...you can put the ideas into practice any time!
This week's guest is Matt Percival from Eastview High School in Apple Valley, MN. Matt is an Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, a dad, and an amazing educator. Listen to Matt share stories about the IMPACT that can be made when students are engaged and involved and how intentionality is everything.
Matt Percival
952-210-7112
Matt.percival@district196.org
This week's installment of The Inside Ride brings Melissa Stanley of Minot, North Dakota to the world! Melissa has been working in public education for a long time and is currently in the Professional Learning Coordinator for the district. Listen to her stories of constantly searching for the answer to the question, "What do they (kids, teachers, leaders, etc.) need and how can we get it for them?"
If you'd like to pick her brain, feel free to reach out via email or phone. Contact is listed below.
melissa.t.stanley@gmail.com
701-721-2625
Kevin and Tom have a great conversation with Jim Johnson. Jim is a basketball coach, speaker, author, and has a beautiful story that landed him on Oprah! Please check out his info. and links below!
coachjimjohnson.com
J-Mac ESPN video: https://youtu.be/O-nMab6XDNI
Who’s Your J-Mac? https://youtu.be/Nyg7gmKXAkU
This week Kevin and Tom discuss small ways to make a BIG impact on students during your last days with them in school!
This week Kevin and Tom share the need for educators to "hang in there" in these final months of school and discuss ways to do so!
This week Kevin and Tom tackle negativity. It needs to be tackled,...so they tackled it.
This week Kevin and Tom tackle the age-old challenge of relevancy in school. Some students don't see school as relevant. Kevin and Tom give some tips about how to help them see school as relevant.
This week Kevin and Tom discuss the impact CONFUSION has on students' willingness to learn and stay engaged. Tune in to hear them cover tips and strategies for helping students get past the roadblock of confusion.
This week Kevin, Tom, Willow, and Paul team up to share greetings and gratitude! There's also a brief history of how Top 20 began!
Today's episode brings Mike Haugh of Eastview High School to the Inside Ride. Mike teaches Math as well as an SEL/Leadership class, but he really teaches kids. Enjoy!
This week brought pure joy to Kevin and Tom's HUGE hearts as they were able to reconnect with Steve Ring, Director of Clinic Operations of the Hegg Health Center in Rock Valley, IA. Steve's personal journey of revision and growth is a message of hope for all.
This week was fantastic because Kevin and Tom were able to catch up with long-time friend, Shari Murphy of Quantum Learning. Her love of life and education come out in this great conversation!
quantumlearning.com
@qleducation
@ShariMurphy14
This week Kevin and Tom chat with long-time friend Eric Nelson of Fanschool. Eric was a classroom teacher that got curious enough to ask, "how can we get students to own their learning?" Listen and find out how!
This episode is sure to please ALL listeners! Michael Cole is a visionary, an inspiration for all walks of life, and a the ultimate reflector! As cofounder of Top 20 Training and President and cofounder of Salon Business Training, Michael has impacted countless lives across our wonderful globe.
You can find him by searching the following on Facebook and Instagram:
Michael Cole Summit
Michael Cole Mindfullness
This week Kevin and Tom discuss the real pressures of education and some of the reasons for burnout. They also give some solutions and major gratitude to the world's educators!
This week Kevin and Tom chat with Ken Essay, principal of Harriet Bishop Elementary School in MN.
Ken shares hope and purpose and we think everyone needs to hear his message! Please enjoy and pass it along!
This week's episode is a chance to talk with Jay Gross from Morley Stanwood, MI! He isan English, Speech, and Debate teacher. He also teaches as an adjunct professor for English and Speech at Mid Michigan Community College and online with the Blended Learning in the Classroom (BLiC).
Twitter: @jgross811
jaygrossproductions.org
Today Kevin and Tom talk to Dr. Bonita Jungels (Bonnie) of Notre Dame Academy in Minnetonka, Minnesota! She shares her SEL/Top 20 journey as a person and administrator. Her FULL implementation of SEL/Top 20 strategies, concepts, and curriculum at Notre Dame Academy is a great model to share with all of our friends in the education world.
Check Notre Dame Academy out by visiting https://nda-mn.org/ or get in contact with principal Jungels at bjungels@nda-mn.org.
Julia Gray is back (previously guest on Episode 2)!!! Kevin and Tom check in with Julia as she navigates year one of college. She shares some bumps and some successes and she CONTINUES to persevere!!!
Kevin and Tom had a ball talking with long-time friends and partners in education, Tracy and Sarah of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota! This is part 1 of more to come from these two great educators! Program contact info.: med@smumn.edu
Tracy is a former math teacher, and is currently Program Director and facilitator in Saint Mary's University's M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning program. She is the mother of four daughters, a life-long learner, and is truly passionate about empowering teachers and students.
Tracy Lysne, M.Ed. (She/her)
Program Director, M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning Program
Graduate School of Education
TLYSNE@smumn.eduSarah is a former Physical Education and Health Teacher and is currently Associate Director and Facilitator for Saint Mary's University's M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning Program. Sarah is passionate about cultivating educator's self-awareness while awakening, nurturing, and empowering them as human beings. Sarah O. Haugen, M.Ed. (she/her/herself)
Associate Director M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning Program Course Observation Advisor
Graduate School of Education
SHAUGEN@smumn.edu
Twitter: @haugenso8
This episode is well worth the listen! Dr. Farah Ortega-Choate is an educator from the Coachella Valley region of California. She is an English teacher, and activities director, a Josten's renaissance leader, and is involved with about a million other wonderful student-first activities! Her story is meant to be told and meant to be heard. Pass it along!
Today's episode is a conversation with Lee Carlson of the Windom School District in southwestern Minnesota. Lee has a true purpose and perspective that enables him to be a highly effective educator.
It's that time of year to take advantage of some moments for refueling and refreshing. Kevin and Tom discuss some easy-to-implement ways to get it done!
This week Kevin and Tom talk with long-time partner in education, Jerry Griffin from Malone Central Schools in NY! His experience and dedication to education is not only motivating, but a solid model for others in this great field! Enjoy!!!
Kevin and Tom discuss the ever-present increase in what students need vs. what they're actually getting with Dr. Kimberly Miller of Ohio! As superintendent of a career & technical school, Dr. Kim makes it priority #1 to remove as many obstacles as possible so students can move towards goal achievement. She's doing some amazing work; this is well worth a listen!
Check out her blog HERE and follow her on twitter @KimMiller_Learn
BIO:
Dr. Kimberly Pietsch Miller has spent her career in public education. She has demonstrated her expertise in administration, teaching, and learning in diverse and high-performing school districts. She has recently been named the Superintendent/CEO of Eastland Fairfield Career and Technical Schools. Dr. Miller has also served as the Superintendent of Bexley Schools for three years where she led the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan, aligned instruction around key goals, developed the Bexley Learner Profile, reorganized the organizational structure to be more flexible and responsive, implemented instructional coaches, passed a levy, developed a comprehensive tech plan, launched an expansive 1:1 device program, and opened the important conversations of mental health and racial inequities in our educational systems.
Dr. Miller has also served as the Chief Academic Officer at Dublin City Schools and held leadership roles in Loveland City Schools, Indian Hill Exempted Village Schools, and Lakota Local Schools.
Colleagues describe Miller as a visionary who is able to inspire people, assess situations and execute programs. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from The Ohio State University. She earned her master’s degree in education from The University of Cincinnati and her superintendent’s license from Xavier University. She completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Miami University.
Kelly Sherwin is more than a coach and more than an educator from Eastview High School in Minnesota. He makes a difference in students' and athletes' lives. Hear Kelly discuss coaching and its impact as well as hearing about how he had Top 20's Kevin Brennan in class back in high school. Kevin tells the story of how being in Mr. Sherwin's math class and the relationship they built became a true game changer for him. Everyone has those moments in their lives where they meet someone that makes a profound, positive impact on their lives. Sometimes we know it in the moment. And sometimes, we realize it after the fact. Mr. Sherwin was that special person for Kevin.
GREAT timing for Kevin and Tom to have a GREAT conversation with Dr. Jenny Severson. Topics: self-awareness & self-management, the beauty of how the BRAIN rewires & fires, and ways we can get ourselves on track.
Bio:
Dr. Jenny Severson believes people matter and relationships change the world.
She loves learning and teaching; speaking to teacher/leader audiences across the globe.
Her passion for evidenced based strategies that work in classrooms combined with a love of the brain makes her a rare talent.
She's an educational consultant that loves to come alongside leaders, districts and teams to improve retaining top talent and make huge gains in student achievement.
Jenny partners with The Applied EQ Group and Quantum Learning Education whose content has transformed millions of lives.
She is the author of 2 books, lives in Minnesota with her husband Todd and three growing children.
website: JennySeverson.com
Twitter: @severson_j
Instagram: @dr.jenny.severson
Email: jeniferjseverson@gmail.com
text her some positivity @ 608-347-7325
This week Kevin and Tom interview Dwight Carter! There's plenty to learn and a bunch to share in this podcast so prepare yourself for greatness! Dwight's bio and contact info. is below:
Dwight Carter is a nationally recognized school leader from Central OH and has been an educator for 27 years. Because of his collaborative and innovative leadership, in 2010, he was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Educator Hall of Fame. He was also named a 2013 National Association of Secondary School Principals Digital Principal of the Year, the 2014 Academy of Arts and Science Education High School Principal of the Year, the 2015 Ohio Alliance of Black School Educators Principal of the Year, and a 2021 Columbus Afrocentric Early College Sankofa Emerging Leader Award winner. He is currently the Director of Student Support Systems for the Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools
He is the co-author of four books: What’s In Your Space? Five Steps to Better School and Classroom Design (Corwin, 2015), Leading Schools in Disruptive Times: How to Survive Hyper-change (Corwin 2017), the second edition of Leading Schools in Disruptive Times (Corwin, 2021), and Because of a Teacher: Stories of the Past to Inspire the Future of Education curated by George Couros. Additionally, he has contributed to several educational books and articles.
Twitter: @Dwight_Carter
LinkedIn: Dwight Carter
Kevin and Tom discuss the need for educators to set the stage for learning right away on Day 1,...and that doesn't mean taking out textbooks! Have a listen and share!
Tommy Murray is a Spanish teacher at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, MN. He is an expert in SEL, Multiple Intelligences, and simply doing what's right for students and student learning!
This week Kevin and Tom discuss the NEED for educators to rejuvenate themselves in the time they have away from schools and the wonderful chaos of education.
For today’s ride we have our Top 20 Training Co-Founder and Co-Owner, Willow Sweeney with us. Willow has been a coach and a teacher, and is an amazing all-around human. Today she’ll touch on habits and those ever-circulating feelings of NGE (Not Good Enough).
Today we are joined by Paul Bernabei. Paul has been a coach, a teacher, a counselor, an administrator, and is now the Director of Top 20 Training. He’s also a grandpa,…and his grandpa wisdom helps us focus on the power of the messages, both positive and negative, that are often sent to children by coaches, parents, teachers, and others.
This week Tom and I hear Darrin Peppard’s story. Darrin has been a coach, a teacher, a principal, a superintendent, and now a keynote speaker and consultant. Our interview covers his natural journey in education and his current focus on leadership.
You can find him @darrinmpeppard on all social media platforms or check him out at www.darrinmpeppard.com or www.roadtoawesome.net
Thanks for coming along for the ride!
This week Kevin and Tom take a deep dive on the power of relationships for learning. When teachers put in authentic work to build rapport and form relationships with students,...learning follows. Listen for quick strategies for the classroom and beyond.
Julia Gray knows scores DO NOT DEFINE her, or other students. Listen in to hear how Dawn Johnson's Top 20/SEL class at Wayzata High School helped Julia SEE who she really is.
Kevin and Tom share a thought of the week and then dive into a great interview with our friend and college in education, Eric Lillis. Eric's current role is as Executive Director of Kingman Academy of Learning in Kingman, AZ. Eric discusses being intentional in his work, prioritizing the most important pieces (the students), and shares his insights on what school should really be about.
Thanks for joining us for this week’s Inside ride.
I’m excited to give you a little preview of our new podcast called The Inside Ride, hosted by Top 20 Training's own Kevin Brennan and Tom Cody. The podcast will focus on our own inside rides, meaning our inner lives.
Our inner lives consist of all the things that rumble around in our head and hearts that make an impact on not only our own happiness and well-being, but also our personal and professional levels of effectiveness. Basically, what’s happening on our inside ride impacts our experiences with the outside world and we’re going to spotlight concepts and strategies that make that ride a little bit better.
In addition to sharing insights from our own professional background in education and Social-Emotional Learning, we will be interviewing all kinds of folks from the worlds of education, business, coaching, athletics, and so on.
Be sure to catch each episode’s quick, immediately-implementable tools and to hear amazingly-interesting interviews with people far more fascinating than ourselves.
We’re so excited to have you along for the ride.
Top 20 Training is a Social-Emotional Learning company whose mission is to share concepts, strategies, and materials to help people, young and old, think, learn, and communicate more effectively thus leading them to make a positive difference in the quality of their lives, relationships, and experiences.