What skills are necessary for Founders in order to scale their startups?Meet Andrew Poles!Andrew returns to our show to share additional skills that Founders need in order to run thriving businesses.As a Founder and CEO Performance Coach, his mission is not just about scaling your business, but scaling YOU!In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the communication skills every manager needs to effectively lead teams, build trust, resolve conflict, and inspire high performance.Whether you’re a new manager, seasoned executive, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader, this conversation explores the real-world communication challenges leaders face daily — and how mastering people skills can dramatically improve workplace culture, employee engagement, and organizational success.Listen as Andrew shares:- Why communication is the foundation of effective leadership- Common communication mistakes managers make- How poor communication damages team morale and productivity- The importance of active listening in leadership- How emotional intelligence improves management effectiveness- The difference between managing people and leading people- Communication strategies that create stronger workplace relationships...and so much more!Connect with Andrew:Website: https://andrewpoles.comListen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-key-leadership-skills-for-founders-w-andrew-poles/id1614151066?i=1000769475400Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ojziuW0HZwvmIscy6pux8?si=_JcFqOXMTdmFiqyqwtN77gYouTube: https://youtu.be/lIETDiRHjmQ

In this episode of The Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach sits down with Tawnya Means, founding partner of Inspire Higher Ed, for a conversation about one of the biggest shifts happening across campuses: moving from talking about AI to actually using it. As institutions navigate uncertainty, Tawnya offers a practical and human-centered perspective on what meaningful adoption really looks like.The discussion explores the psychological barriers that often slow progress—fear of complexity, pressure to be an expert, and the frustration of early failures. Tawnya argues that AI adoption doesn’t begin with mastering the technology. It starts with curiosity, experimentation, and creating communities where educators feel safe sharing both wins and setbacks.The episode also highlights an important balance: embracing AI while preserving what should remain deeply human. Through practical examples and institutional insights, Tawnya makes the case that the future isn’t about replacing people—it’s about creating more space for human connection, creativity, and impact.

In more than 40 years of teaching, Andee Nunn reached over 4,000 students juggling positions as a reading specialist, English teacher, and communications adjunct faculty. She was named the 2008 Danbury (CT) Teacher of the Year, 2008 Connecticut State Semi-Finalist Teacher of the Year, and won the 2018 NAACP Excellence in Teaching award. Her book is Magic in Room 216: How One Teacher Came of Age and Inspired the Next Generation.Tune into our conversation to hear about:What is the “magic?”The risks Andee took during her teaching careerThe students who taught her the mostHow she was able to get students to open upWhat was the catalyst that sparked Andee’s “metamorphosis?”Reflections on the current state of educationGet Andee’s book, Magic in Room 216. About today’s guestBorn in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Long Island, Andee Nunn’s imaginary teaching started at age 6 when she modeled her kindergarten teacher’s magical classroom. In her basement she lined up her dolls and play acting at her dream profession began. After high school, she earned her B.A in Speech Education, MS in Secondary Education from Queens College, NY. and later completed post graduate studies in Reading at Western CT State University. Andee earned certification as an Elementary Education Teacher, Reading Specialist grades K-12, as well as High School English Teacher grades 9-12. During her more than 40 years as an educator, she juggled positions as a Reading Specialist/Consultant, English Teacher, Director of IAP, The Individualized Achievement Program at Western for first generation college students and served as Adjunct Professor of Communications. Andee was named 2008 Danbury Teacher of the Year, 2008 Semi-Finalist CT. Teacher of the Year and was the 2018 recipient of the NAACP Excellence in Teaching Award. Now retired, she resides in Danbury CT where she raised two daughters and lives with her husband of 48 years. For the last few years, she has addressed high school and college aspiring educators as guest speaker.About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Mike Caldwell sits down with Bill Knous, Senior Director of Quality and Growth at the Colorado League of Charter Schools and co-founder of Gran Via, a micro school in the Denver area. Bill shares his winding path into education — from a history degree and living abroad in Australia and Spain, to teaching multilingual learners in Denver and Philly, to leading classrooms and schools in Colombia. He and his wife co-founded Gran Via in 2020, growing it from six students to 30 while navigating a patchwork of micro-school funding in Colorado. Bill makes a passionate case for scrapping seat-time requirements as the primary accountability metric, arguing the system is designed for adult compliance rather than student motivation. He also reflects on what gives him hope — a rising generation of learners who experienced the pandemic and are pushing back on the one-size-fits-all model. The episode closes with Bill's take on transformative leadership: the ability to influence and motivate a diverse group of people around a singular mission.

Host: John Mihalyo  |  ~25 minYou made it through another school year — and that is worth celebrating. Whether this year felt like a championship season or survival mode, you showed up every single day for your students, your families, and your mission. That matters.In this episode, John takes a few minutes to celebrate what you accomplished, have an honest conversation about where your enrollment stands heading into summer, and send you off with five practical action items to make sure the next few months are intentional — not accidental.Because here's the thing — summer is not a break from enrollment. Families are making decisions right now, and the schools that stay visible and proactive are the ones that win in the fall. If you're not where you wanted to be this year, John talks about why your message may not be landing and what to do about it.And yes — rest is on the list too. You cannot lead well on empty. So before you dive into summer planning mode, give yourself permission to actually recharge. The mission needs you healthy.LINKS AND RESOURCESFree Summer Workshop"Ten Things Every Catholic School Leader Should Do This Summer" — free at elementaryadvancement.comWork with JohnIf your enrollment isn't where you want it to be, reach out at elementaryadvancement.comIf this episode was helpful, subscribe and share it with another Catholic school leader who could use some encouragement heading into summer. Thank you for everything you do for your students, your families, and the mission of Catholic education.