A School Leader’s Playbook Podcast
School leadership is messy, meaningful, and anything but easy. Hosted by Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns—long-time school leaders and authors of Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with Students and A School Leader's Playbook for Tough Conversations—this podcast explores the conversations that shape school culture, student behavior, and leadership. Through practical strategies, honest stories, and a little humor, Erika and Tiffany help educators, school leaders, and caregivers navigate staff conflict, caregiver communication, power struggles, and the everyday moments that build stronger relationships and more connected school communities.
NEW
EPISODE
PART 6 | JUNE 19, 2026
A 6-EPISODE SERIES FOR THE TOUGHEST CONVERSATIONS SC HOOL LEADERS FACE
Connecting Through Conflict
Explore sentence stems during conflict.
PART 5 | JUNE 19, 2026
A 6-EPISODE SERIES FOR THE TOUGHEST CONVERSATIONS SC HOOL LEADERS FACE
Keep Your Cool When the Heat Is On — De-escalation Moves in the Moment
Partnership language keeps people on the same team during difficult conversations
PART 4 | APRIL 26, 2026
A 6-EPISODE SERIES FOR THE TOUGHEST CONVERSATIONS SC HOOL LEADERS FACE
When People Get Mad, Get Curious
You’re in the conversation and it turns. Someone is frustrated. Maybe their voice gets louder. Maybe they shut down. Maybe they come at you.
And in that moment, it is easy to react or defend.
In this episode, we focus on what to do instead. Because when someone gets mad, there is usually something underneath it. And if you can listen for that, you can get to the real issue and move the conversation forward.
PART 3 | APRIL 26, 2026
A 6-EPISODE SERIES FOR THE TOUGHEST CONVERSATIONS SC HOOL LEADERS FACE
Let Them Catch Your Calm
You know those conversations where emotions start to rise and suddenly everything shifts? You feel it in your body. Your heart rate picks up, your shoulders tighten, and you can feel yourself getting pulled in.
In this episode, we focus on what to do in that moment. Because even when you’ve planned well, tough conversations can escalate quickly. And when they do, how you show up matters.
PART 2 | APRIL 19, 2026
A 6-EPISODE SERIES FOR THE TOUGHEST CONVERSATIONS SC HOOL LEADERS FACE
Before You Say It, Plan It
You know the conversation you need to have. But how do you say it so it actually lands?
In this episode, we share the concrete steps to plan a tough conversation so you can go in calm, clear, and ready to say what needs to be said. When someone catches you with “Do you have a minute?”, we show you how to buy yourself time and transition to a planned conversation instead. Then, we'll talk you through how to plan for it and anticipate what might come up.
PART 1 | APRIL 19, 2026
A 6-EPISODE SERIES FOR THE TOUGHEST CONVERSATIONS SC HOOL LEADERS FACE
The Conversations That Keep You
Up at Night
You know those tough conversations school leaders need to have and don’t want to? The ones you avoid, delay, or hope will resolve on their own? In this episode, we unpack what gets in the way, why waiting makes it worse, and why an imperfect conversation is better than none at all.
Join the Conversation
Inspiring educators to lead with connection, navigate difficult conversations, and build thriving school communities.
Bring Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns to your school, district, or conference for engaging keynotes, interactive workshops, and professional learning that equip educators to navigate tough conversations, strengthen relationships, and build thriving school communities.
More Conversations
Explore more conversations with Erika and Tiffany through guest appearances on leading education podcasts, where they share practical strategies, real stories, and insights for today's educators.