Episode Title: Creating Memories Through Catholic School TraditionsShow Notes:Welcome back to another short but impactful episode of the Catholic School Leaders Podcast. In this episode, John Mihalyo reflects on the power of school traditions and how they shape culture, community, and memories that last a lifetime.Drawing on his own story of working at an amphitheater—where fans always expected to hear the most beloved songs—John compares those expectations to the cherished traditions within Catholic schools. Just like a concert wouldn’t feel the same without the classics, our schools wouldn’t feel complete without those meaningful traditions that students, parents, and alumni look forward to year after year.From senior sunrise and sunset ceremonies to long-standing celebrations unique to each community, traditions build excitement, strengthen culture, and give families something to anticipate and remember. John also reminds leaders to distinguish between traditions worth celebrating and practices that exist only because “that’s the way we’ve always done it.”Key Takeaways:Traditions create lasting memories and foster a strong, positive school culture.Students, parents, and alumni look forward to these moments and often measure their school experience by them.Not all traditions are equal—leaders must protect those that truly build community while letting go of outdated practices without purpose.Sharing traditions through storytelling and communication strengthens school pride and alumni connection.Call to Action:If you’d like to talk about how to strengthen culture, enrollment, and advancement at your Catholic school, schedule a time with John here. 

Struggling to feel confident in your leadership role? This episode with AP and doctoral researcher Stan Koterba explores how self-efficacy—your belief in your ability to lead—directly connects to how you manage your time, set boundaries, and build sustainable routines. We’ll talk imposter syndrome, email habits, delegation, and the mindset shifts that help principals stop overworking and start leading with clarity.Have questions for Stan? Contact Stan at stankoterba@gmail.comGet The 8 to 4 Principal PlannerGet The 8 to 4 Principal Blueprint

In our Femme Futurist Video Podcast series with extraordinary women, we explore the role of new technologies in creativity with Brooke Hopper. Brooke Hopper is Principal Designer for Machine Intelligence and Emerging Technologies at Adobe, working to deepen and enhance the creative process and allow all humans to more fully realize their creative visions. FemmeFuturists.com 

In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, I sit down with Chris Agnew — ed-tech entrepreneur, experiential learning evangelist, and the driving force behind Stanford’s Generative AI for Education Hub.Chris shares his unconventional journey into AI, from wilderness expeditions and lab schools to leading Teton Science Schools and working in venture-backed edtech during the release of ChatGPT. His background informs a vision for AI in education that is less industrial and more experiential, personalized, and student-centered.We dive into:The mission of Stanford’s Generative AI for Education Hub — to be a trusted, research-driven resource for school leadersWhy privacy, security, and pedagogy matter more than hype in AI adoptionHow research partnerships with districts are uncovering what effective AI use looks like in practiceChris’s vision for transforming education away from factory models and toward more human-centered, hands-on learningThis episode captures a pivotal moment in AI adoption: one where the right balance between innovation and responsibility could redefine education for the next generation.

In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes back to the podcast Dr. Trevor Soponis—educator, researcher, and founder of the Sustainable Learning Projects—to explore how to make professional development more impactful for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers. Drawing on years of observation and coaching across continents, Trevor shares how he helps teachers in Taiwan increase student speaking opportunities while balancing progressive and traditional approaches. The conversation highlights what sustainable teacher support looks like in cross-cultural contexts and why teacher-driven strategies create lasting change.Key Topics Discussed:How Trevor’s classroom observations in Taiwan reshaped assumptions about classroom management and student readiness to learnWhy teachers often overestimate student talk time—and strategies to shift the balance toward more student speakingThe cultural contrasts between U.S. progressive pedagogy and traditional Asian classroom normsUsing structured professional development to surface teacher-driven strategies, including deeper explorations of “turn and talk”Practical tools like whiteboards, open-ended questions, and accountability systems that foster authentic language useThe power of the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle for teacher-led continuous improvementLessons learned about providing hybrid and remote coaching support across time zonesWhy sustainable teacher coaching is a “hill to die on” for Trevor, and how it combats burnout and turnoverGuest Bio: Dr. Trevor Soponis is an educator, researcher, and founder of the Sustainable Learning Projects. With a background spanning classroom teaching, university partnerships, and district-level leadership, Trevor now supports schools around the world with professional learning that is teacher-centered, sustainable, and transformative. He is a longtime collaborator with Banyan Global Learning, supporting teachers both in-person and remotely. Trevor is most active on LinkedIn..Host Bio: Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and an advocate for global, digital, and cultural competencies in education. Through live virtual programs and thought leadership, he helps students and educators explore the interconnectedness of people, cultures, and systems.Episode Links:Sustainable Learning ProjectsPrevious episode with Dr. Trevor Soponis (Episode 13 of Make It Mindful)Host Links: Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.