Education Podcasts to Kick Off the New Year

A new year is upon us, and we’ve curated our annual line-up of great podcasts to reinvigorate your professional learning. Whether you’re driving in your car, relaxing in your favorite chair, or doing the dishes, podcasts are an easy way to catch up on the latest in the field, learn something new, or simply get lost in a story that reconnects you to your passion. 

Back by popular demand, our 2024 list features compelling podcasts—and a few book recommendations as an added bonus! If you’re looking to shore up your resilience, find more joy, or recommit to equity-focused leadership, there’s a podcast (or book) waiting to find you. For more ideas, visit our 2023 podcast recommendations. 

Start the new year off with a burst of inspiration and professional learning—and then relax and listen all year long. Let’s dive in! 

For advancing equity in schools 

If you're looking for inspiring stories of equity-focused leaders dedicated to making high-quality education accessible to every child, the Ed Post podcast is a great place to start. Brought to you by Ed Post, a network of education activists and influencers seeking to turn stories into action, this podcast promises "fresh ideas and stories that challenge, surprise, and inspire." 

Listen In: Check out this episode featuring New Leaders alum Dr. Archie Moss Jr. and the lasting impact of the all-male mentoring program he began for students of color.

For cultivating resilience 

The Resilient Leadership podcast is aimed at helping leaders from all walks of life and careers lead with a greater sense of calm, clarity, and conviction—even when times are unpredictable and uncertain. Co-hosted by two authors and leadership coaches, Bridgette Theurer and Irvine Nugent, this podcast offers valuable insights into the intersection of leadership and life. Gain practical tools that you can implement immediately to grow your resilience. 

Listen In: In this episode, How Smart Is Your Team?, they explore adaptive challenges and the ways in which curiosity and inquiry can help you remain strong and flexible. 

For leading change 

Created for the “ruckus makers” in education, this long-running podcast focuses on interviews with school and district leaders using out-of-the-box solutions to make organizational change happen. Daniel Bauer's Better Leaders Better Schools podcast has helped millions of leaders to level up their leadership. Every week, Bauer interviews experts inside and outside the field of education to support K12 education leaders in driving real change in schools. 

Listen In: If you’re looking for fresh ideas around retention, this episode with Dr. Lisa Stanely is a great place to start. In her district, 93% of staff return every year. 

For finding joy

The School Leadership Show is dedicated to helping school leaders “realize their potential, advance their careers, and achieve work-life balance.” With more than 100 episodes, this podcast offers insights and guidance for aspiring leaders and experienced leaders alike. With topics ranging from instruction to supervision to self-care and more, this podcast offers tools and resources designed to help every school leader succeed. 

Listen In: Check out this conversation with author Berit Gordon on strategies for becoming a joyful teacher—and how leaders can fuel more joy!  ‍

Plus a few good reads‍

There is no end to good book recommendations. Our list of good-reads keeps growing longer by the day. Here are a few that caught our attention:

Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically Responsive Curriculum and Instruction 

By Dr. Gholdy Muhammad

As a follow-up to Cultivating Genius, Dr. Muhammad defines joy as more than celebration and happiness, but also as wellness, beauty, healing, and justice for oneself and across humanity. Learn how to locate joy at the center of teaching and learning—and why stories matter. 

‍The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact 

By Chip Heath and Dan Heath

In this compelling look at what makes moments memorable, the authors explore how positive moments are dominated by four elements: elevation, insight, pride, and connection. Learn how to build more moments of impact for your students, families, staff—and yourself. 

Leading with Vision: The Leader’s Blueprint for Creating a Compelling Vision and Engaging the Workforce 

By Bonnie Hagemann, Simon Vetter, and John Maketa

Being a visionary leader isn’t something that happens overnight. It is a muscle that can be strengthened. According to the authors, a compelling vision is the biggest differentiator for organizations that want to thrive—and they draw on data and research from more than 400 companies and real-world examples to prove it. 

For a full list of professional learning resources, visit our series: How Education Leaders Can Restore, Retool, and Recommit.

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