The Table | The Deans' Roundtable Podcast Series

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• Advisory Done Right: Why "Fine" Isn't Good Enough | Alan Brown 08.06.2026 46Min.

  **Sign up for the Advisory Alignment Collective Program! Advisory Done Right: Why "Fine" Isn't Good Enough | Alan Brown What if your advisory program isn't failing because of your advisors, but because of how it was designed? Most schools have advisory. Far fewer have an advisory that works. In this episode of The Table, Bridget Johnson and her business partner, educator and former dean of students Alan Brown, pull back the curtain on the Advisory Alignment Collective, the program they built to help schools move advisory from a vague good idea to a meaningful student experience. Bridget and Alan name what so often goes unsaid: being an advisor is a real professional skill, and the presenting problem (advisors who "aren't cut out for it") is rarely the actual problem. More often it lives in the container, unclear purpose, no job description, design decisions that quietly pull advisory away from connection. Their answer is a two-phase model: an advisory audit for administrators and an advisory playbook for advisors, grounded in the difference between how to do advisory and how to be an advisor. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why "we have advisory" and "we have an advisory that works" are two very different things Why a strong teacher is not automatically a strong advisor, and which skills actually transfer How structural design decisions shape whether advisory builds connection or erodes it Why advisors so often feel lonely, and what alignment, connection, and support look like in practice How a clear purpose and job description reduce guesswork and stabilize a program Why uneven advisor experience creates real inequity for students What the Advisory Alignment Collective's two-phase audit and playbook involve Featured Guest Alan Brown is an educator, coach, and former dean of students, and co-founder with Bridget Johnson of the Advisory Alignment Collective. He brings mindfulness, positive psychology, and nervous-system-informed practices to his work helping schools build cultures of belonging, wellbeing, and connection. Resources Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org Community: https://bit.ly/drt-community-profile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deans-roundtable Email: bridget@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals and K-12 educational leaders connect, learn, share, and grow together.
• Youth Sports Betting: The Hidden Addiction in Schools | Saul Malek 01.06.2026 59Min.

  Youth Sports Betting: The Hidden Addiction in Schools | Saul Malek You wouldn't smell it on a student—and you won't find it in a backpack. So how do you spot the addiction that's quietly reaching your hallways? Host Bridget Johnson talks with Saul Malek, professional speaker and America's emerging voice on the modern gambling landscape, about youth gambling as an overlooked student wellness issue. Saul's addiction began with a single $10 bet in college and grew into a $20,000+ spiral that cost him relationships, sleep, and nearly his life before he entered recovery in 2019. Drawing on his work in schools nationwide, Saul explains why gambling is a "subtle and progressive" addiction that online access has accelerated, how it's now reaching students through video games and microtransactions, and what student life leaders can actually do about it—from screening questions to handbook policy to parent education. In this episode, you'll learn: Why gambling addiction is so easy to hide—and which warning signs actually matter How a small first bet escalates into a full-blown addiction Why online access has sped up how fast students get hooked How gambling is reaching middle schoolers through gaming and loot boxes How schools can balance accountability with treatment and protect students who ask for help Featured Guest: Saul Malek is a professional speaker and founder of Saul Malek Speaking LLC who has been in recovery from gambling addiction since 2019. He delivers assemblies, workshops, and parent and faculty sessions on youth gambling for schools nationwide, with his story featured by the New York Times, NPR, PBS NewsHour, and Dr. Phil Primetime. Recommended Resources:  Connect with Saul Malek — Website: https://www.saulmalek.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulmalek/ | Instagram: @SaulMalekSpeaking Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deans-roundtable Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals and K–12 educational leaders connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Youth Sports Betting: The Hidden Addiction in Schools | Saul Malek 01.06.2026 1Std.

  Youth Sports Betting: The Hidden Addiction in Schools | Saul Malek You wouldn't smell it on a student—and you won't find it in a backpack. So how do you spot the addiction that's quietly reaching your hallways? Host Bridget Johnson talks with Saul Malek, professional speaker and America's emerging voice on the modern gambling landscape, about youth gambling as an overlooked student wellness issue. Saul's addiction began with a single $10 bet in college and grew into a $20,000+ spiral that cost him relationships, sleep, and nearly his life before he entered recovery in 2019. Drawing on his work in schools nationwide, Saul explains why gambling is a "subtle and progressive" addiction that online access has accelerated, how it's now reaching students through video games and microtransactions, and what student life leaders can actually do about it—from screening questions to handbook policy to parent education. In this episode, you'll learn: Why gambling addiction is so easy to hide—and which warning signs actually matter How a small first bet escalates into a full-blown addiction Why online access has sped up how fast students get hooked How gambling is reaching middle schoolers through gaming and loot boxes How schools can balance accountability with treatment and protect students who ask for help Featured Guest: Saul Malek is a professional speaker and founder of Saul Malek Speaking LLC who has been in recovery from gambling addiction since 2019. He delivers assemblies, workshops, and parent and faculty sessions on youth gambling for schools nationwide, with his story featured by the New York Times, NPR, PBS NewsHour, and Dr. Phil Primetime. Recommended Resources:  Connect with Saul Malek — Website: https://www.saulmalek.com | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulmalek/ | Instagram: @SaulMalekSpeaking Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deans-roundtable Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals and K–12 educational leaders connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Beyond Spreadsheets: Fixing Student Support with August Schools 26.05.2026 48Min.

  Beyond Spreadsheets: Fixing Student Support with August Schools Your school has a counselor, a nurse, a dean, a learning specialist, and a dozen advisors — but are they actually working with the same picture of each student? For most independent schools, the honest answer is no. Student support data lives in spiral notebooks, unsecured Google Docs, disconnected email threads, and the memory of whoever happened to be in the room. That's not a technology problem. It's a student care problem. In this episode, Bridget Johnson sits down with Pete Russell, co-founder of August Schools, and Victoria Bush, product manager at August Schools, to explore what a truly connected student support system looks like — and what it costs schools when they don't have one. From continuity of care to behavior management, from documentation and legal risk to the potential of AI-informed workflows, this conversation gives school leaders a framework for thinking about student support infrastructure in a new way. What you'll hear isn't a product pitch. It's a practitioner-level conversation about why students are slipping through the cracks, what data schools are sitting on but not using, and why the nurse's office is often the first place student distress shows up — and the last place that information travels.     In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why disconnected support systems create gaps in student care — and how schools can start closing them How continuity of care breaks down at school transitions, and what that costs students and institutions What role-based data access looks like in practice — protecting privacy while giving leaders the context they need Why proper documentation isn't just good practice; it's a school's best legal protection How one school's data revealed an 80/20 gender split in counseling visits — and what they did about it What attendance patterns actually signal about student belonging and disengagement How AI-informed student support tools may reshape school workflows in the next five years     Featured Guests: Pete Russell is co-founder of August Schools, a platform built for student health, wellbeing, and support in K–12 independent schools. He holds an MBA from Yale and spent over a decade in strategy and product development before founding August in 2021 in response to the collapse of school support systems during the pandemic. Victoria Bush is a Product Manager at August Schools who works directly with school counselors, nurses, learning specialists, and deans to build tools that reflect how schools actually support students. She holds an MBA from Yale School of Management and brings a background in product marketing and health tech.     Recommended Resources: August Schools: https://augustschools.com     Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deans-roundtable Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals and K–12 educational leaders connect, learn, share, and grow together.
• Nature as the Classroom: Healing Teen Isolation | Manny Almonte 18.05.2026 1Std. 4Min.

  Nature as the Classroom: Healing Teen Isolation | Manny Almonte What if the most isolated young men in your community aren't missing a mentor program—they're missing a campfire? Teen social isolation has been declared a national epidemic, and young men of color are carrying a particular kind of loneliness that schools and traditional mentorship programs often fail to reach. In this episode, Bridget Johnson speaks with Manny Almonte—founder of Mastermind Connect and the nonprofit Camping to Connect—about what happens when you take young men out of the environment that's failing them and bring them into nature with no phones, no performance, and no competition. Manny shares how a men's accountability circle became the blueprint for a youth outdoor program now operating in New York, Colorado, and Los Angeles. He walks through what a first camping trip looks like for a teenager who has never left his neighborhood, what fear of the quiet reveals about trauma, and why he says "healing happens through connection." This is a conversation for every educator who senses their students are lonelier than they can name. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why teen social isolation is a systemic issue that goes beyond screens and social media How competition and emotional masking among young men is conditioned from childhood—and how to interrupt it Why nature is uniquely powerful for social-emotional learning with young men who distrust traditional institutions What "fear of the dark" and "fear of quiet" can tell you about a student's trauma history How Camping to Connect creates conditions for authentic vulnerability without coercion Why young men of color often can't trust school counselors—and what actually earns it How schools can partner with programs like Camping to Connect to extend their student support reach Featured Guest: Manny Almonte is the founder of Mastermind Connect and Camping to Connect, a BIPOC-led nonprofit confronting teen social isolation through outdoor experiences grounded in social-emotional learning, mentorship, and brotherhood. His work has been recognized by the NYC Department of Education, the Brooklyn Borough President, and the National Recreation Foundation (2023 Robert W. Crawford Achievement Prize). His award-winning short film Wood Hood has been featured on NBC Nightly News and The Today Show. 🌐 campingtoconnect.org | mastermindconnect.com     Recommended Resources: Wood Hood (short film documentary): Search "Wood Hood film" or visit campingtoconnect.org Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill (referenced in episode re: mastermind concept)     Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deans-roundtable Email: bridget@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals and K–12 educational leaders connect, learn, share, and grow together.
• The Trauma-to-Prison Pipeline: What Every Educator Needs to Know 07.05.2026 46Min.

  The Trauma-to-Prison Pipeline: What Every Educator Needs to Know What if the student disrupting your classroom isn't defiant—but dysregulated? In this episode of The Table Podcast Series, Bridget Johnson sits down with Dr. Dana Ainsworth to explore the trauma-to-prison pipeline and what it means for schools today. Drawing from her doctoral research, Dr. Ainsworth explains how childhood adversity, toxic stress, and systemic policies shape student behavior—and why traditional discipline approaches often make things worse. This conversation reframes behavior as communication and challenges educators to respond with curiosity, not punishment. It also offers practical, science-backed strategies that schools can begin implementing immediately. In this episode, you'll learn: How childhood adversity impacts brain development and behavior Why exclusionary discipline escalates rather than resolves dysregulation What is happening in a student's nervous system during a meltdown The role of supportive relationships in buffering stress and building resilience Why "regulation-first" classrooms improve both behavior and learning Simple, low-cost tools to support student regulation in everyday practice Why adult co-regulation is critical to student success Featured Guest: Dr. Dana Ainsworth holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Justice and focuses her research on the trauma-to-prison pipeline. With over 15 years in education, she now leads Tomorrow House, supporting schools in building trauma-informed, regulation-centered environments. Resources: Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org Community Profile: https://bit.ly/drt-community-profile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org Tomorrow House: https://tomorrowhouse.co The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Faculty Onboarding Done Right: Retention Starts Here | Meera Shah 04.05.2026 48Min.

  Faculty Onboarding Done Right: Retention Starts Here | Meera Shah What if your school's biggest retention strategy isn't compensation—but onboarding? In this episode of The Table Podcast Series, Bridget Johnson sits down with Meera Shah, founder of Tray Education, to explore what faculty onboarding should actually look like in independent schools—and why most programs fall short. Meera reframes onboarding as a full journey: from the moment a candidate first encounters your school, through hiring, summer communication, orientation, mentorship, and into year two and beyond. Together, they unpack how schools can move from transactional onboarding to relationship-centered induction that builds belonging, clarity, and long-term success. In this episode, you'll learn: Why onboarding begins before a contract is signed—and how to use that time intentionally The hidden costs of weak onboarding: burnout, misalignment, and turnover The three purposes of mentorship programs—and why most schools get them wrong How department chairs can anchor instructional onboarding within their teams What years two and three should look like—and how to support faculty beyond survival mode How onboarding connects to your broader professional development culture Featured Guest: Meera Shah is the founder and lead consultant of Tray Education, with over 20 years of experience in independent schools as a teacher, department chair, academic dean, and assistant head for teaching and learning. She specializes in faculty onboarding, mentorship program design, and leadership development for middle leaders. Resources: Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org Community: https://bit.ly/drt-community-profile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org Tray Education: https://www.treyeducation.com Contact Meera: meera@treyeducation.com The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals and K–12 educational leaders connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Character Formation in Independent Schools with Ryan S. Olson 27.04.2026 46Min.

  Character Formation in Independent Schools with Ryan S. Olson What kind of human does your school make it easier to become? In this episode of The Table Podcast Series, Bridget Johnson welcomes Ryan S. Olson for a thoughtful, research-based conversation on character formation in independent schools—and the tension many schools face between academic excellence and developing young people of depth, judgment, and integrity. Drawing from his three-year collaboration with independent school heads, Ryan shares practical frameworks that help schools move beyond vague conversations about character and into meaningful action. Together, they explore why character is shaped through everyday school culture, relationships, accountability, and the choices adults make. In this episode, you'll learn: Why schools must form persons, not just performers The three dimensions of character: discipline, attachment, and autonomy The four types of virtue and why practical wisdom matters How the honor vs. excellence tension affects school culture Why student life professionals are central to character formation How restorative practices build accountability, repair, and belonging Why diagnosis—not aspiration—is the best place to begin Featured Guest: Ryan S. Olson is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and Research Associate Professor at the University of Virginia. He is the editor, with James Davison Hunter, of The Content of Their Character: Inquiries into the Varieties of Moral Formation. Resources: Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deans-roundtable Email: bridget@deansroundtable.org Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture: https://iasculture.orgCharacter Compass: https://floreat.io The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Student Wellbeing Crisis: What Schools Get Wrong | Dr. Denise Pope 20.04.2026 47Min.

  Student Wellbeing Crisis: What Schools Get Wrong | Dr. Denise Pope Are today's students more successful—or more overwhelmed than ever? In this episode, Bridget Johnson sits down with Dr. Denise Pope, Senior Lecturer at Stanford and co-founder of Challenge Success, to explore what decades of research reveal about student stress, belonging, and engagement. Drawing from data on over 350,000 students, Dr. Pope explains why so many kids are "doing school" instead of truly learning—and how over-scheduling, academic pressure, and misaligned incentives are driving a growing wellbeing crisis. They also explore a surprising connection: how the rise of AI is exposing deeper questions about the purpose of school and what meaningful learning actually looks like.     In this episode, you'll learn: Why so many students feel disengaged—even at top schools The real impact of over-scheduling on student wellbeing How to apply the PDF framework (Playtime, Downtime, Family Time) What belonging actually requires—and why schools often miss it How AI is forcing schools to rethink learning, assessment, and purpose Featured Guest: Dr. Denise Pope is a Senior Lecturer at Stanford's Graduate School of Education and co-founder of Challenge Success, a school reform nonprofit using research-based strategies to improve student wellbeing and engagement. She is the author of Doing School and Overloaded and Underprepared, and a three-time recipient of Stanford's Outstanding Teacher and Mentor Award. Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Why Schools Are Getting AI Wrong (And What It's Costing Students) with Sarah Hanawald 13.04.2026 37Min.

  Why Schools Are Getting AI Wrong (And What It's Costing Students) with Sarah Hanawald Why are so many educators resisting generative AI—and what's at risk if they do? In this episode, Bridget Johnson sits down with Sarah Hanawald, Executive Director of the Association for Academic Leaders, to explore one of the biggest challenges facing schools today: how to lead in an AI-driven world. While students rapidly adopt AI tools, many schools remain stuck reacting—adding policies instead of building strategy. This conversation unpacks why that resistance exists, why it's understandable, and why it can't continue. Together, they explore: The real root of educator hesitation (hint: it's identity, not fear) What students lose when adults opt out of AI leadership How to use AI as a thought partner—not just a productivity tool Practical ways academic leaders can create space for faculty to engage Why independent schools have a unique opportunity to lead Sarah also shares how school leaders can move from avoidance to confident, responsible AI integration—and offers a simple challenge you can try today. Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deans-roundtable Email: bridget@deansroundtable.org Association for Academic Leaders: https://academicleaders.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.
• Raising Kids Who Belong: Home & School Strategies | Peyten Williams 06.04.2026 41Min.

  Raising Kids Who Belong: Home & School Strategies | Peyten Williams What if every behavior challenge your students or children throw at you is actually a belonging signal in disguise? In this episode of The Table Podcast Series, Bridget Johnson sits down with Peyten Williams — founder of BowBend Consulting and 16-year educator — to explore the brain science behind belonging and what it practically takes to raise children who truly know they matter. Peyten brings together Positive Discipline frameworks, Alfred Adler's theory of human behavior, and restorative practices to offer a paradigm shift for both educators and parents: when we stop reacting to behavior and start reading it as a call for belonging and significance, everything changes. From classroom seating hacks that eliminate cliques to weekly family meetings that build connection, this episode is rich with specific, actionable strategies you can use this week. In this episode, you'll learn: How brain science and Maslow's hierarchy explain why belonging is a prerequisite for student learning How to decode misbehavior as a belonging or significance signal — and what to do instead of punishing it Why the parent-educator relationship breaks down and the one mindset shift that repairs it How restorative practices restore not just the student, but the whole family The "strong and kind adult" framework and practical tools for both parents and educators Featured Guest: Peyten Williams is the founder of BowBend Consulting and a former Director of Teaching & Learning at Westminster Schools in Atlanta with 16 years of experience. Her research-backed work bridges the gap between classroom and home, equipping parents and educators to raise thriving, grounded children who belong. Resources mentioned: The Art of Gathering (Priya Parker) Never Enough (Jennifer Breheny Wallace) Thanks for the Feedback (Stone & Heen) Positive Discipline Mistaken Goals Chart Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Stop Your Brain From Sabotaging Your School | Mitch Weisburgh 30.03.2026 44Min.

  Stop Your Brain From Sabotaging Your School | Mitch Weisburgh What if the biggest obstacle in your school isn't budget cuts, student behavior, or the system — but the way your own brain responds to stress? In this episode of The Table Podcast Series, Bridget Johnson is joined by educator and MindShifting founder Mitch Weisburgh to unpack why our survival brains hijack our best leadership instincts, and how school professionals can learn to shift into resourcefulness, resilience, and real collaboration. This is a conversation that meets educators where they are — burned out, stretched thin, and questioning whether they can keep going — and offers something more useful than a pep talk. Mitch brings the science of how the brain works under pressure into direct conversation with the realities of school life, from managing classroom conflict to building team culture to supporting students' social-emotional growth. He shares why conflict, approached correctly, actually produces better outcomes, and how school leaders can create "islands of coherence" that gradually transform an entire institution. In this episode, you'll learn: How to recognize when your survival brain is running the show — before it costs you a relationship or a teachable moment A practical three-pillar framework (Resourcefulness, Resilience, Collaboration) you can begin using today Three evidence-based tools — strength-based feedback, motivational interviewing, and nonviolent communication — that build inclusive classrooms Why supporting adult educators first is the key to better student outcomes How to make meaningful change in your school without waiting for systemic reform Featured Guest: Mitch Weisburgh is an educator, author, and founder of the MindShifting Community who has been teaching MindShifting and Sensemaking to educators since 2018. He is the author of MindShifting: Stop Your Brain from Sabotaging Your Happiness and Success (December 2024) and MindShifting: Conflict and Collaboration (December 2025), and writes a weekly newsletter on inspiring the mind to learn and grow. A lifelong entrepreneur in education, Mitch previously founded Personal Computer Learning Centers of America, cofounded Academic Business Advisors, and launched nonprofits including Games4Ed and Edchat Interactive. Connect with Mitch at https://www.mindshiftingwithmitch.com/. Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together. 
• Trusted Adults & Healthy Boundaries: Sustainable Student Relationships 09.03.2026 46Min.

  Trusted Adults & Healthy Boundaries: Sustainable Student Relationships What does it actually mean to be a trusted adult — and are you doing it in a way that's sustainable? In this episode of The Table Podcast Series, host Bridget Johnson sits down with Dr. Brooklyn Raney to explore the real cost of blurred boundaries in schools and what it takes to build authentic student connections without burning out. Dr. Raney brings both personal experience and rigorous doctoral research on teacher-student care to the conversation. Drawing from the newly released second edition of One Trusted Adult, she introduces her ABCs framework — Accessible, Boundaried, and Caring — as a practical lens for student life professionals navigating the impossible standard of being everything for everyone. Together, Bridget and Brooklyn tackle the warning signs of boundary drift, why students themselves identify oversharing as a top trust-breaker, and how building a culture of trusted adults is fundamentally a team effort. In this episode, you'll learn: Why trust actually requires boundaries — and how to communicate them without pushing students away The 3 most common boundary blurs that erode student trust (backed by student focus groups) How the ABCs framework — Accessible, Boundaried, Caring — protects both students and educators Why prioritizing likeability over authentic connection is the #1 mistake student life professionals make A practical ABC self-assessment you can use this week to reset unsustainable patterns Featured Guest: Dr. Brooklyn Raney is a leadership researcher, speaker, and author whose doctoral work focused on the ethics of care in schools. She is the creator of the One Trusted Adult framework and the author of the newly released second edition of One Trusted Adult: How to Build Strong Connections and Healthy Boundaries with Young People — a research-backed guide used by schools and youth-serving organizations to build cultures where every student has a trusted adult in their corner. Recommended Resources: One Trusted Adult (2nd edition) — available everywhere books are sold Free resources, courses, advisory programs & the "Too Loose, Too Rigid, Just Right" quiz: https://onetrustedadult.com Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Sustainable School Leadership: Escape Heroic Mode with Kalimah Fergus Ayele 02.03.2026 42Min.

  Sustainable School Leadership: Escape Heroic Mode with Kalimah Fergus-Ayele Is your school running on systems — or running on you? If things stall the moment you're out of the building, this episode is essential listening. Host Bridget Johnson sits down with Kalimah Fergus Ayele, Author of Roundtrip Ticket Home, to tackle one of the most urgent challenges in school leadership: breaking free from the heroic leadership trap before burnout breaks you first. Kalimah brings her Leadership Infrastructure System (LIS) framework — rooted in design thinking — to show how schools can replace fragile, person-dependent operations with distributed structures that empower every team member. Together, Bridget and Kalimah explore practical tools including the TPR role audit, the RRS Framework (Reflect, Reset, Systemize), and the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi as a model for imperfect, courageous leadership innovation. In this episode, you'll learn: How to identify whether your school has a "single plane of failure" problem The step-by-step RRS friction audit you can apply immediately this week Why clarity around roles — not more effort — is the real antidote to leadership burnout How to introduce systemic change gradually without triggering team resistance What sustainable leadership actually looks, feels, and functions like day-to-day Featured Guest: Kalimah Fergus-Ayele is the Founder and CEO of Roundtrip Ticket Home, an organization that uses design thinking to help school leadership teams build sustainable infrastructure systems. A NAIS presenter and seasoned educational consultant, Kalimah helps leaders stop being the hero holding everything together — and start building schools that thrive without them. Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Leading From the Middle: Navigate Up, Down & Across | Meredith Herrera 23.02.2026 52Min.

  Leading From the Middle: Navigate Up, Down & Across | Meredith Herrera Are you the connective tissue of your school — leading in every direction at once, without the authority to match your responsibility? This episode is your roadmap. In Episode 46 of The Table Podcast Series, host Bridget Johnson is joined by Board-Certified executive coach Meredith Herrera for a deeply practical conversation on leading from the middle. Together they unpack how to navigate upward to senior leadership without losing your footing, manage and develop the teams beneath you without sacrificing trust, and build lateral influence across departments without positional power. Meredith also names what's rarely said out loud: the compounded burden that women, BIPOC, and neurodivergent leaders carry in middle management roles — and the unique strengths they bring. In this episode, you'll learn: How to make your proposals an "easy yes" for senior leadership by presenting strong process — not just perfect ideas Why middle leaders struggle at the handoff — and the relationship-building habits that prevent it How to shift from being liked to being trusted when leading your team, especially former peers The three grounding questions that help leaders focus on influence instead of control A practical power mapping activity to help you find your sphere of influence when you feel stuck Featured Guest: Meredith Herrera is a Board-Certified executive coach with nearly 20 years of senior leadership experience in schools and mission-driven organizations. She specializes in coaching historically marginalized leaders — including women, BIPOC, and neurodivergent leaders — through one-on-one coaching, group programs, and team consulting. Connect with her at MHerreraConsulting.com or on LinkedIn. Recommended Resources: MHerreraConsulting.com | LinkedIn: Meredith Herrera Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org
• Father Engagement in Schools: Beyond Sports with Kelin Mark Sr. & Bro. Thomas X-Williams 16.02.2026 52Min.

  Father Engagement in Schools: Beyond Sports with Kelin Mark Sr. & Bro. Thomas X-Williams Are fathers truly engaged in their children's education, or are they only showing up for sports? This groundbreaking conversation challenges school leaders to rethink father involvement and activate dads as powerful academic partners. Kelin Mark Sr., the first Black male principal in both Wayne Township School District and Park Tudor School, shares the personal experiences that led him to create the DADS program after discovering schools systematically overlooked him despite his active involvement in his son's life. Brother Thomas X-Williams, co-founder of Love and Light Ministry, Inc., reveals how father absence impacts student ambition, showing how young people shift from dreams of becoming physicists and astronauts to limiting themselves to athletics when meaningful dad engagement declines from elementary through high school. In this episode, you'll learn: Why schools default to calling mothers even when fathers are actively involved and available How one engaged father creates a ripple effect supporting not just their child but entire peer groups Practical strategies for creating welcoming school environments where fathers feel valued in academic spaces The connection between visible Black male presence in schools and strengthening the educator pipeline Why moving beyond mentorship programs to root-level father involvement transforms student outcomes Featured Guests: Kelin Mark Sr. is Middle School Director at Park Tudor School, recognized with the MG Raby Award for Equity and the Jefferson Award for Multiplying Good for his groundbreaking DADS program helping fathers take active roles in education. Bro. Thomas X-Williams is a national speaker, youth education advocate, and author of "Mountain Mover: The Impeccable Strength That Will Accompany Your Character," dedicated to empowering young Black males through character development and academic resilience. Recommended Resources: Mountain Mover: The Impeccable Strength That Will Accompany Your Character by Bro. Thomas X-Williams Love and Light Ministry, Inc. Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Dean's Roundtable: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Creating NeuroWell School Cultures: Brain Science Strategies with Lisa Riegel 09.02.2026 39Min.

  Creating NeuroWell School Cultures: Brain Science Strategies with Lisa Riegel Are your discipline policies actually working against how students' brains learn? Educational neuroscience expert Lisa Riegel, Ed.D., reveals how understanding brain science can transform the way you approach student behavior, teacher burnout, and school culture. As author of NeuroWell and the newly released Aspirations to Operations, Lisa brings over 15 years of consulting experience helping schools move from reactive management to proactive, brain-friendly environments where both students and educators thrive. In this transformative conversation with host Bridget Johnson, Lisa introduces the NeuroWell culture framework—built on emotional safety, supportive power-sharing, and proactive teaching strategies. She explains why traditional approaches to discipline often fail students with challenging behaviors, how intellectual safety impacts learning for struggling students, and why differentiation remains more theory than practice in most classrooms. Drawing on neuroplasticity research, Lisa demonstrates how schools can create environments where failure becomes a celebrated learning tool, persistence develops through safe experimentation, and staff wellbeing connects directly to student outcomes. In this episode, you'll learn: How to establish emotional and intellectual safety using brain science principles that transform student engagement and reduce behavioral issues The three essential components of a NeuroWell culture and practical strategies to implement each pillar in your school or classroom Why focusing on people and relationships, not just policies and structure, is critical for addressing the teacher retention crisis How to leverage productive stress states (calm, alert, alarm, fear) to deepen learning without triggering student shutdown Concrete techniques for creating classrooms where mistakes drive learning, building students' capacity for persistence through challenges Featured Guest: Lisa Riegel is an educational neuroscience consultant and author who has taught at the secondary, post-secondary, and graduate levels, including principal licensure courses at Ohio State University. She specializes in helping schools develop "NeuroWell cultures" that apply brain science to create emotionally safe environments promoting staff and student wellbeing. Lisa's Books: NeuroWell and Aspirations to Operations by Lisa Riegel Visit the Deans' Roundtable: Website: https://deansroundtable.org  Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where K-12 educational leaders, student life professionals, and change makers connect to share insights, strategies, and evidence-based practices for building communities where everyone belongs.  
• Parent Feedback Strategies: Building Trust & Retention with Ryan Ermeling 02.02.2026 31Min.

  Parent Feedback Strategies: Building Trust & Retention with Ryan Ermeling Is parent feedback triggering more anxiety than insight at your school? You're not alone. In this essential conversation, Ryan Ermeling, founder of ParentPulse, reveals why traditional approaches to parent feedback create more problems than they solve—and what to do instead. After working with nearly 300 private and independent schools, Ryan has identified patterns that transform family engagement from reactive crisis management into proactive community building. He introduces the Listen-Engage-Act framework, explains why continuous feedback outperforms annual surveys, and shares how small, responsive actions build exponential trust with families. With school choice reshaping parent expectations and retention becoming increasingly critical, this episode delivers practical systems for turning feedback into your school's competitive advantage. In this episode, you'll learn: How to overcome "Post-Traumatic Feedback Disorder" that prevents authentic parent engagement Why systematic feedback loops create healthier school cultures than ad-hoc approaches Strategic methods for responding to anonymous feedback while maintaining dialogue How continuous feedback systems naturally support re-enrollment and retention goals The connection between feeling heard and psychological safety in school communities Featured Guest: Ryan Ermeling is the founder of ParentPulse and a recognized leader in K-12 parent engagement strategies. Since 2022, he has partnered with nearly 300 private and independent schools to revolutionize feedback systems, helping educational leaders transform parent relationships from adversarial to collaborative partnerships. Recommended Resources: ParentPulse feedback systems and school engagement tools Visit the Deans' Roundtable: https://deansroundtable.org Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Leadership Presence for Educators: Communication Skills with Belle Halpern 26.01.2026 52Min.

  Leadership Presence for Educators: Communication Skills with Belle Halpern What separates good administrators from truly inspiring educational leaders? Join veteran educator Bridget Johnson in conversation with Belle Linda Halpern, executive coach and founder of Inspiring Educators, for a transformative discussion about building leadership presence in K-12 settings. Belle Linda Halpern is an executive coach and founder of Inspiring Educators, a leadership development company specializing in emotional intelligence and communication training for mission-driven educational professionals. A Harvard graduate and co-author of "Leadership Presence" (Penguin/Putnam), Belle has designed leadership programs for Boston Public Schools, Teach For America, Achievement First, and Harvard Business School, bringing over 30 years of expertise in developing inspiring, resilient change-agents in education. In this essential episode, discover practical communication techniques drawn from Belle's acclaimed book "Leadership Presence" and her decades of experience training educational leaders. Learn how to inspire your team during challenging moments, develop authentic leadership presence, and build the emotional intelligence skills that transform school culture. Whether you're a dean of students, residential life coordinator, or aspiring student affairs professional, this conversation offers immediately applicable strategies for becoming a more effective, inspiring leader. About The Table Podcast Series: Hosted by Bridget Johnson, The Table Podcast Series emerges from the Deans' Roundtable community, providing essential insights for student life professionals navigating the complex challenges of K-12 education. With Bridget's extensive background as former Dean of Students at Milton Academy and current educational consultant, each episode fills the critical void in professional support for those in student affairs roles. Visit the Deans' Roundtable: Website: https://deansroundtable.org Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together.  
• Athletic Identity Beyond the Game: Supporting Student-Athletes' Character Development 19.01.2026 51Min.

  Athletic Identity Beyond the Game: Supporting Student-Athletes' Character Development What happens when the jersey comes off? For most student-athletes, the answer reveals a dangerous truth: their identity is so exclusively tied to sport that retirement feels like death. Casey Johnson and Michael Willett both experienced career-ending injuries in Division I football, discovering their self-worth was entirely dependent on athletic performance. Now they lead organizations transforming how we measure athlete potential and redefine what "more than an athlete" actually means in practice, not just empty rhetoric. This conversation challenges the assumption that athletic identity simply needs support—it needs complete redefinition. Casey founded GYMNAZE to develop athletes holistically through mindset, character, and sports-intelligence assessments—measuring the traits traditional statistics miss. Michael created WalkOn Nation after earning his scholarship and winning championships at UCF, teaching over 5,000 athletes that they're enhanced, not defined, by sport. Together, they reveal why the emotional roller coaster of competitive sports affects everything from classroom performance to mental health, and why educators must understand the multifaceted challenges student-athletes navigate daily. In this episode, you'll learn: Why career-ending injuries expose the vulnerability of one-dimensional athletic identity and how to prevent identity foreclosure before crisis hits Practical assessment tools for measuring coachability, resilience, and sports IQ through GYMNAZE's holistic platform—the character traits that determine long-term success How to support students through the performance-based highs and lows that dramatically affect their classroom presence, eating habits, and mental health Evidence-based strategies for integrating character development into athletic programs while maintaining competitive excellence The reframe that transforms athletic retirement from "death" to rebirth: understanding who you are and what impact you're leaving behind Featured Guests: Casey Johnson is Founder and CEO of GYMNAZE, a sports technology platform developing athletes through mindset, character, and sports-intelligence assessments. A former WalkOn who earned a scholarship and became a two-year starter at Norfolk State with a Psychology degree and 14 years in IT recruiting, Casey helps athletes discover who they are beyond performance. Michael Willett is Founder and CEO of WalkOn Nation, redefining athletic identity after his University of Central Florida career (2013-2017) ended with injury. Having served over 5,000 student-athletes and staff, he teaches that athletes are enhanced, not defined, by their sport and helps them understand who they are and what impact they're leaving behind. Recommended Resources: GYMNAZE platform for mindset, character, and sports-intelligence assessments WalkOn Nation programs for athletic identity development Character development frameworks for integrating athletics with student life programming Visit the Deans' Roundtable: Website: https://deansroundtable.org Student Life Assessment Program: https://deansroundtable.org/k-12-student-life-assessment-program-independent-school-evaluation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-johnson510/ Email: info@deansroundtable.org The Table Podcast Series: Where student life professionals connect, learn, share, and grow together—building communities where everyone belongs.