The Unleash Learning Podcast

Leadership in early childhood education has always been demanding. But something has shifted. Many leaders are describing a weight that's hard to name - more expectations, less space, and a growing sense that no matter how much they give, there's always more being asked. If that resonates, this episode is worth your time. In this episode of Unleash Learning TV and Radio, Dr. William DeJean is joined by Jacqui Ward, host of the Early Years Learning Hub podcast. Through in-depth conversations with leaders across the early childhood sector, Jacqui has developed a clear picture of what's really happening on the ground - and what distinguishes leaders who are navigating complexity well from those who are struggling. Together, William and Jacqui explore the forces driving leadership overwhelm, the patterns emerging across the profession, and practical ways to lead with greater clarity, confidence and impact. Here's what you'll learn: ✅ What's driving the current overwhelm in early childhood leadership ✅ The patterns Jacqui is seeing across her conversations with sector leaders ✅ How the strongest leaders are responding differently to pressure and complexity ✅ Practical strategies to lead with more clarity, confidence and calm ✅ Why sustainable leadership starts with how you lead yourself Who it's for This episode is for early childhood directors, centre leaders, educational leaders and anyone navigating the pressures of leading in the education and care sector right now. If leadership has been feeling heavier than it used to, this conversation will help. About Your Host  Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and Radio. With more than 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three published books, William works with schools and leadership teams to turn complexity into clarity and help learning stick across organisations. CONNECT WITH US Website: https://unleash-learning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning FREE RESOURCES Complimentary info kit: https://unleash-learning.com Free Early Childhood Leadership Assessment: https://unleash-learning.com/free-early-childhood-leadership-assessment/ If this episode resonated with you, we'd love it if you shared it with a colleague or left a review - it helps more leaders find conversations that matter.

Burnout rarely announces itself — but by the time most school leaders notice it, they're already running on empty. In this episode of Unleash Learning TV, Dr William DeJean sits down with Brad Gaylord for an honest conversation about one of the most pressing challenges facing education leaders today: how to recognise the early warning signs of burnout and take action before it takes hold. This isn't about doing less - it's about leading sustainably. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why burnout is not a sign of weakness or personal failure ✅ How overwhelm has become normalised in school leadership - and why that's a problem ✅ The early warning signs most leaders miss ✅ Practical strategies to prevent burnout before it escalates ✅ How to support your team's wellbeing, not just your own WANT MORE? Grab your complimentary info kit on the Unleash Learning transformational change model here: https://unleash-learning.com

Early career leaders are often asked to carry more than ever — without losing sight of learning. Leadership in today’s schools and organisations can feel scattered and relentless, particularly for those early in their leadership journey. Competing priorities, rising expectations, and limited support can make it hard to stay focused on what matters most. In this final episode of the four-part series How to Thrive as an Early Career Leader in the Era of Overwhelm, Dr William DeJean and Steven Trotter bring the conversation together, focusing on how early career leaders can lead learning with clarity and intention. The discussion centres on narrowing focus, building the right support around you, and reducing collective overwhelm so leadership remains connected to teaching and learning — not consumed by constant pressure. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ How to keep learning at the centre of your leadership role ✅ Why effective leadership relies on the right people, not everyone ✅ Who those people are and how they support sustainable leadership ✅ How to lower stress across teams and systems ✅ What leading learning well looks like in the era of overwhelm Who it’s for: Early career leaders, aspiring leaders, and leadership teams supporting those in their first years of leadership — particularly in education settings focused on learning improvement. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With more than 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three published books, William works with schools and leadership teams to turn complexity into clarity and help learning stick across organisations. CONNECT WITH US Website: https://unleash-learning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning FREE RESOURCES Complimentary info kit: https://unleash-learning.com If this episode helped connect the dots for you, consider sharing it with a colleague or leaving a review to support other early-career leaders.

Early career leadership was never meant to be a solo act. Many new leaders believe that strong leadership means coping quietly, solving problems alone, and not needing support. While rarely spoken aloud, this belief can increase stress, isolation, and burnout — even for highly capable leaders. In Episode 3 of this four-part series, Dr William DeJean and Steven Trotter explore why success teams are essential for early career leaders — and how the right kind of support can change both leadership experience and outcomes. This episode unpacks the difference between support that simply helps leaders survive the week and support that genuinely helps them grow, develop confidence, and sustain themselves over time. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ The leadership myth that encourages struggling in silence ✅ The two types of success teams leaders need to understand ✅ Which form of support most accelerates early career growth ✅ How the right support lowers stress sustainably ✅ One practical step to strengthen your leadership network now Who it’s for: Early career leaders, aspiring leaders, and leadership teams who support new leaders — particularly in education contexts where leadership demands are increasing. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With more than 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three published books, William works with schools and leadership teams to turn complexity into clarity and help learning stick across organisations. CONNECT WITH US Website: https://unleash-learning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning FREE RESOURCES Complimentary info kit: https://unleash-learning.com If you know an early career leader, consider sharing this episode with them — or leave a quick review to help others find it.

“I feel like a fraud.” Many early career leaders have thought it — even if they’ve never said it out loud. Stepping into leadership for the first time can feel heavier than expected. The responsibility increases. The visibility increases. The expectations increase. And quietly, self-doubt can increase too. In Episode 2 of this special four-part series, Dr William DeJean is joined by Steven Trotter to explore what they call the era of overwhelm — and why it is shaping the experience of early career leaders more than ever before. Rather than treating self-doubt as a personal flaw, this conversation reframes it as a signal of growth within a demanding leadership context. When leaders understand the environment they’re operating in, they’re better able to respond with clarity rather than self-criticism. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ What the era of overwhelm is and how it affects early-career leaders ✅ Why imposter feelings are more common than leaders admit ✅ How shadow beliefs form during periods of growth ✅ What genuinely supports leaders in their first five years ✅ A practical shift you can make to steady your leadership Who it’s for: Early career leaders in their first five years, aspiring leaders preparing for formal roles, and leadership teams supporting emerging leaders in education. ABOUT YOUR HOST Dr William DeJean is the founder and CEO of Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV and radio. With more than 25 years in education, a doctorate in education, and three published books, William works with schools and leadership teams to turn complexity into clarity and help learning stick across organisations. CONNECT WITH US Website: https://unleash-learning.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashlearning/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleash.learning/ X: https://x.com/unleash_learning FREE RESOURCES Complimentary info kit: https://unleash-learning.com If this episode resonated, consider sharing it with an early career leader who needs to hear it — or leave a review to help others find the series.