The Department Chair Leadership Podcast

In this episode Dr. Brandi Kelly shares her extensiveexperience in education, discussing her transition from K-12 leadership to coaching and writing. She emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, resilience, and community in leadership, drawing from her personal experiences. Dr. Kelly shares her HOPE system, which focuses on habits, optimistic outlook, purpose, and excellence, and discusses her upcoming projects, including a children's book and a devotional.Dr. Brandi Kelly Dr. Chris Jochum ⁠⁠Book Chris for your next event⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠Get Chris’ Newest Book—You Don’t Have to Leave to Lead: A Practical Guide to Teacher Leadership⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠YouTube

In this episode, I go solo and reflect on the top 10 leadership lessons I’ve learned in the past 10 years as a formal, titled leader. Take the time to listen and let me know if you agree or have others that you have found!I’m currently booking speaking and training for the 2026 2027 academic year, focusing on training leaders in K-12, Higher Education and the Corporate Space. Email me at chris@cjleadership.com and let’s collaborate. Dr. Chris Jochum ⁠⁠Book Chris for your next event⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠Get Chris’ Newest Book—You Don’t Have to Leave to Lead: A Practical Guide to Teacher Leadership⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠YouTubeAttend the Academic Chairpersons Conference 2027

In this episode of the Department Chair Leadership Podcast, I sit down with a true icon of American sports, Sue Enquist.With over 45 years of experience at UCLA as a student,coach, administrator, and professor, Sue is a 6-time Hall of Famer and an 11-time NCAA Softball Champion. Holding the NCAA career record for winning percentage, her legacy extends far beyond the diamond. Most recently, she served as a consultant for the USA Volleyball Women’s National Team, guiding them to their historic first-ever Gold Medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a Silver Medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Beyond her legendary coaching career, Sue is a former professional surfer, a successful entrepreneur owning three companies, and a dedicated advocate serving on numerous non-profit boards. Whether you are leading a department, a classroom, a school, a Fortune 500 Company, or an Olympic team, Sue’s blend of competitive fire and leadership wisdom offers a masterclass in building a culture of excellence.https://www.sueenquist.com/Dr. Chris Jochum ⁠⁠Book Chris for your next event⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠Get Chris’ Newest Book—You Don’t Have to Leave to Lead: A Practical Guide to Teacher Leadership⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Greg Tiemann shares his extensiveexperience in educational leadership, discussing his journey, philosophy, and insights on building trust, navigating conflict, and fostering a positive school culture. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, celebrating small wins, and being visible as a leader to build connections within the school community. Dr. Tiemann also highlights the challenges and rewards of educational leadership, encouraging future leaders to embrace vulnerability and clarity in their roles.Dr. Chris Jochum ⁠⁠Book Chris for your next event⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠Get Chris’ Newest Book—You Don’t Have to Leave to Lead: A Practical Guide to Teacher Leadership⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠YouTube

In this episode, Leighton Dempster, head rifle coach at Army West Point, shares her journey from NCAA athlete to coach, emphasizing the importance of leadership, authenticity, and resilience. She discusses the unique challenges faced by cadets at West Point and the lessons learned through coaching in a military environment. The conversation highlights the significance of failure in personal growth and the value of investing in oneself to enhance leadership skills.Coach Leighton Dempster BioArmy West Point Rifle TeamDr. Chris Jochum ⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠YouTube

What does it take to lead the charge in preparing the next generation of teachers? In this episode, hear from one of the nation's foremost experts, Dr. Rodrick Lucero. As both a Professor and Executive Director for Educator Certification and Preparation at Texas A&M University's School of Education and Human Development and the CEO of the National Center for Clinical Practice in Educator Preparation, Dr. Lucero offers a unique perspective from the intersection of university policy and classroom reality. He shares powerful insights from his journey as a lifelong learner, leader, and advocate, committed to supporting students and teachers while strengthening the educator pipeline.Dr. Chris Jochum ⁠⁠Book Chris for your next event⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠YouTubeDr. Rodrick LuceroOffice of Educator Preparation Programs & Certification | College of Education and Human Developmenthttps://nccpep.org/rlucero@tamu.edurodrick.lucero@nccpep.org

In this episode, Patrick Crowdis, Finance Director for Dodge City Public Schools and former Superintendent, Principal, and Teacher shares his non-traditional journey into education, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and personal growth in leadership roles. Dr. Chris Jochum ⁠⁠Book Chris for your next event⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠YouTube

In this episode, Dr. Chris Hobbs, Head of School at Indian Rocks Christian School, shares his extensive journey in Christian education, highlighting the importance of leadership, faith, and personal growth. He discusses the significance of establishing a positive culture, navigating conflict, and the role of continuous professional development in effective leadership. Dr. Hobbs emphasizes the need for leaders to reflect on their purpose, communicate effectively, and engage their teams in decision-making processes.Dr. Chris Jochum ⁠⁠Book Chris for your next event⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠YouTubeDr. Chris HobbsKeep up with Dr. Hobbs writingshttps://substack.com/@drchrishobbs https://ircs.org/about/blog/Connect with Dr. Hobbs on social mediahttps://x.com/dr_chrishobbs/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-chris-hobbs/https://www.instagram.com/dr_chrishobbsCheck out Indian Rocks Christian School at www.ircs.org

In this episode, Dr. Dana Goodier shares her extensive experience in education, focusing on leadership, advocacy for world languages, and the importance of creating a positive school culture. She discusses her journey from teaching to formalized leadership roles, the challenges of advocating for foreign language programs, and the significance of conflict resolution in educational settings. Dr. Goodier emphasizes the need for continuous professional development and the value of understanding diverse perspectives in leadership.Dr. Chris Jochum ⁠⁠Book Chris for your next event⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠YouTubeDr. Dana GoodierDr. Dana Goodier has 24 years of experience in education. She has taught World Languages and English and has worked at the middle and elementary school level as an administrator. She completed her doctorate degree(Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership in 2020. She often speaks at conferences, providing educators with techniques to minimize off-task behavior and to increase time on task. Currently, she serves as the president of CCFLT (Colorado Congress for Language Teachers). She often writes blogs for the Teach Better Team and is the author of Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators, published in 2022. She is the host of the “Out of the Trenches” podcast, which features educators who share their stories of resiliency.www.danagoodier.comwww.linkedin.com/in/dana-goodier-edd-98815815Danagoodier(@danagoodier.bsky.social) — BlueskyDana G, EdD(@danagoodier) / XInstagram

In this episode, Brad Black, CEO of HumanEx Ventures, onceagain joins the podcast and in addition to giving invaluable advice on leadership, talent, culture, and teams, also highlights the upcoming HumanEx Summit in Omaha, NE.  Dr. Chris Jochum ⁠⁠Book Chris for your next event⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠YouTubeBrad BlackBrad Black currently serves as President and CEO of HumanEx Ventures, an organization that helps businesses, school districts, and athletic teams by implementing tailored processes that identify, and nurture employees based on their strengths, fostering diverse yet harmoniously complementary teams, andinstilling a pervasive culture of positivity within organizations.Previously, Brad served as the Vice President of Human Resources for the Stryker Corporation and also Vice President and Senior Managing Consultant for The Gallup Organization, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Brad is an expert practitioner andconsultant who has dedicated his career to redefining the value of human capital. His expertise has reshaped organizations worldwide, emphasizing the critical role of talent, culture, and teams in achieving excellence. His current book is titled “Talent, Culture, and Teams: The Ex-Factors of Excellence, which Jon Gordon calls “a masterclass in organizational transformation, showcasing how a focus on talent and culture can propel teamsto unparalleled success.” ⁠⁠Book: Talent, Culture and Teams: The Ex Factors of Excellence⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠HumanEx Ventures⁠

In this episode, Dr. Anne Schmitz shares her journey to becoming a department chair in higher education, discussing the challenges and rewards of leadership. She emphasizes the importance of treating leadership as a new area of research, the necessity of developing a leadership philosophy, and the role of AI in enhancing leadership skills. Dr. Schmitz provides valuable advice for new department chairs, including the significance of navigating relationships, handling conflict, and maintaining a focus on the rewarding aspects of leadership.Dr. Chris Jochum Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠X⁠LinkedIn⁠YouTubeDr. Anne SchmitzDr. Anne Schmitz is the Department Chair of Engineering and Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She leads the department and is actively involved in research. Dr. Schmitz's expertise spans biomechanics, 3D printing, and computational modeling, with a focus on applications in prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeletons.https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-schmitz-244234158/ https://www.uwstout.edu/directory/schmitzann https://www.radicalcandor.com/

Dr. Jim Sutfin, former Superintendent of Millard Public Schools (Nebraska), and current HumanEx Senior Associate and Leadership Consultant draws upon over 30 years of experience as an educator, sharing valuable insights about leadership, creating positive learning environments for students, navigating conflict, and how to develop a strong organizational culture and climate. Dr. Chris Jochum Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠X⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠Dr. Jim SutfinDr. Jim Sutfin served as an educator in Nebraska for 33 years and was named the 2020 Nebraska Superintendent of the Year. After retiring from Millard Public Schools, Dr. Sutfin launched a second career as a consultant helping with workforce and leadership development. Jim is married to Julie and together they have two adult children - Brady and Tessa.

In this episode, I explore how the instruments used to evaluate employees’ yearly performance should be aligned with the organization’s culture, climate, and core values. I discuss how our daily habits and behaviors directly impact organizational outcomes and advocate for prioritizing morale before metrics. My key message: thoughtfully design your assessments to elevate your organization by reinforcing desired behaviors and attitudes that support your core values.Dr. Chris Jochum Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠X⁠LinkedIn⁠ 

In this episode, Dr. Brad Badertscher, Professor of Accountancy and Department Chair at the University of Notre Dame, talks about his leadership journey and how he has been able to lead a student-focused, faculty-driven culture. He also shares valuable insights on balancing research excellence with innovative leadership, the power of recognition, and the importance of pursuing personal goals and self-care.Dr. Chris Jochum Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠X⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠Dr. Brad BadertscherDr. Badertscher is the Deloitte Professor of Accountancy and the Chair of the Accountancy Department at the University of Notre Dame. Brad researches financial accounting issues, focusing on financial reporting quality. In recent papers, he examined fair value accounting and private firm accounting. Brad was an Editor at The Accounting Review and has other editorial positions. Brad teaches in the Notre Dame undergraduate and MBA programs. Brad earned his MBA and PhD in Accounting from the University of Iowa and his undergraduate from the University of Nebraska Kearney in Mathematics and Statistics.Dr. Brad Badertscher

In this episode, an award-winning educator and leader, Dr. Nason Lollar, talks about his new book, The 5 Principles of Education Professionalism. A must read for educational leaders at all levels. Dr. Chris Jochum Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ Dr. Nason LollarHaving served twenty-four years in the field of education, Dr. Nason Lollar has leveraged those experiences into his first book, The Five Principles of Educator Professionalism. Nason began his career in the classroom, serving as a high school math and social studies teacher and as a baseball coach for fourteen years. He then transitioned to administration, serving as a high school assistant principal for nine years. He currently serves as a principal of the Madison Career & Technical Center in Madison County, Mississippi. His journey as a student of Educational Leadership began with graduate work at Mississippi College and culminated with a Doctor of Education from William Carey University in 2018. In 2023, Nason was honored by the Mississippi Association of Secondary School Principals as state Assistant Principal of the Year. The 5 Principles of Educator Professionalism Follow Dr. Lollar On XDr. Lollar’s Blog

In this episode, experienced department chair, Dr. Benjamin Myers, discusses his new book, “The New Department Chair: 100 Daily Reflections for Mindfully Designing Your Term.”Dr. Chris Jochum Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠X⁠LinkedIn⁠ Dr. W. Benjamin MyersDr. W. Benjamin Myers is a professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Toledo. He teaches classes such as Organizational Communication, Professional Business Communication, Small Group Communication and Communication Theory. He is the co-editor of the book “Critical Administration in Higher Education: Negotiating Political Commitment and Managerial Practice” and the author of the new book with Rowman and Littlefield “The New Department Chair: 100 Daily Reflections for Mindfully Designing Your Term.” This book is not a how-to, but instead an invitation to reflexively engage on the unique challenges and opportunities of academic middle-management.

Todd Bloomer talks about his new book and shares proven strategies he’s learned about thriving as an educational leader at any level.Dr. Chris JochumBook Chris for your next eventContact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠Mr. Todd BloomerBorn in New York, now calling San Antonio, Texas home, Todd is a current high school principal. With 29 years in education, Todd has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, middle school principal and high school principal. Todd recently publishedThe Blueprint: Survive and Thrive as a School Administrator, a book designed for aspiring and current administrators. Visit Todd’s WebsiteGet the Book—The Blueprint: Survive and Thrive as a School Administrator

What happens when you focus on values instead of titles? Dr. Dennis shares how she navigated organizational change as an interim academic dean by anchoring her leadership in four core principles: partnerships, collegiality, care, and joy. Her powerful message reminds us that while titles may be temporary, integrity endures. Join us for an inspiring conversation about authentic leadership during times of uncertainty. Dr. Chris Jochum Book Chris for your next event Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠ ⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠ ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠  Dr. Danielle Dennis Danielle V. Dennis is the Dean of the University of Rhode Island Feinstein College of Education and Professor of Literacy Teacher Education and Policy. Her research focuses on building teacher capacity in literacy through sustained professional development, the design and implementation of curriculum, policy initiatives that enhance or inhibit educational experiences of children and teachers, and the use of assessment data to make instructional decisions. Dr. Dennis previously designed and coordinated an undergraduate urban teacher residency program and served as the PI for the Department of Education Investments in Innovation (i3) grant to study the efficacy of the Urban Teachers Residency Partnership Program. In addition to recently completing a term on the ILA Board of Directors, Dr. Dennis served as the Chair of the Policy and Legislative Committee for the Literacy Research Association, and a member of the AACTE Clinical Practice Commission. Dr. Dennis is a director of the National Center for Clinical Practice in Educator Preparation. https://web.uri.edu/education/meet/danielle-dennis/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dvdennis/ https://x.com/dr_ddennis The Cathedral Within: Transforming Your Life by Giving Something Back

Dr. Chris Jochum Book Chris for your next eventContact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠Mr. Martin SilvermanMartin Silverman is a father, grandfather, husband, and long-time educator in beautiful San Antonio, Texas.  He has been committed to providing the best educational experience for the students and families at Salinas Elementary School where he recently retired as principal.  Martin has worked as a teacher and administrator in urban, suburban, and rural districts. His interests are creating and nurturing school culture, providing enriching experiences for students and families, and developing future teachers and administrators.  As a former bilingual teacher and administrator, Martin is committed to providing ELL students with quality programs to develop their unique skills.  He hosts a podcast called The Second Question, which highlights educators and provides them with a forum to discuss ideas and honor the teachers who have influenced their lives. His book, Sustaining Excellence: How Culture Drives Teacher Retention was released in Fall, 2024.Get the Book: Sustaining Excellence—How Culture Drives Teacher Retentionwww.mrsilverman.com

Dr. Chris Jochum ⁠Book Chris for your next event⁠⁠Contact Chris for training, coaching or speaking⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the Book-The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Brad BlackBrad Black currently serves as President and CEO of HUMANeX Ventures, an organization that helps businesses, school districts, and athletic teams by implementing tailored processes that identify, and nurture employees based on their strengths, fostering diverse yet harmoniously complementary teams, and instilling a pervasive culture of positivity within organizations.Previously, Brad served as the Vice President of Human Resources for the Stryker Corporation and also Vice President and Senior Managing Consultant for The Gallup Organization, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Brad is an expert practitioner and consultant who has dedicated his career to redefining the value of human capital. His expertise has reshaped organizations worldwide, emphasizing the critical role of talent, culture, and teams in achieving excellence. His current book is titled “Talent, Culture, and Teams: The Ex-Factors of Excellence, which Jon Gordon calls “a masterclass in organizational transformation, showcasing how a focus on talent and culture can propel teams to unparalleled success.” ⁠Book: Talent, Culture and Teams: The Ex Factors of Excellence⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠X⁠⁠HUMANeX Ventures⁠