In this episode of The Leadership Educator Podcast, Dan and Lauren wrap up Season 11 by reflecting on the innovative tools and themes explored throughout the series. They explore how reflection, healthy competition, storytelling, gamification, and online simulations are transforming leadership education. Guests from the season share insights on designing meaningful learning experiences, using digital tools with purpose, and creating emotionally resonant leadership development environments. The conversation offers practical strategies and key reflections for leadership educators and practitioners seeking to level up their impact.

In this episode, Dan and Lauren go behind the scenes of the 2025 International Leadership Association’s Leadership Education Academy with co-founder and co-chair Dr. Corey Seemiller and co-chair Dr. Nathan Eva. They talk about what’s new in the evolving curriculum, the energy and fun that make the experience unforgettable, and how LEA continues to foster a strong, inclusive community of leadership educators.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

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• From a Diner to the Academy with Dr. Corey Seemiller
• What to Expect When Attending the 2022 Leadership Education Academy with Dr. Kerry Priest and Rian Satterwhite
• Rian Satterwhite Impact Stipend – Apply Now and Read more about this opportunity and Rian Satterwhite’s work here

In this episode, hosts Dan and Lauren speak with Gary Lloyd, founder of The Leadership Skills Lab and author of Gardeners Not Mechanics: How to Cultivate Change at Work. With decades of experience leading change in financial markets and banking, Gary shares how his interactive, web-based platform leverages coaching, role play, and AI to support leadership growth. He challenges traditional approaches to change management, advocating for adaptive, organic leadership development. Gary also reflects on his recent keynote conversation at the ILA’s AI in Leadership Summit, offering insights into the evolving role of AI in leader learning and performance.

In this episode, Dan and Lauren speak with the co-editors of New Directions for Student Leadership #184, Drs. Jonathan R. Kroll, Cameron C. Beatty, and Amber Manning-Ouellette. They explore Facilitating Leadership Development in Training Contexts, released in Winter 2024. This special issue centers on student leadership training and emphasizes the need for leadership educators to both understand the theories, history, and complexities of the field and to model healthy leadership habits that help individuals thrive and organizations flourish. The editors share their collaborative process and underscore the importance of self-reflective practice, authentic identity development, and the creation of belonging in leadership spaces. The issue highlights facilitation strategies that move beyond lecture-style delivery to support meaningful leadership learning and application.

In this episode of The Leadership Educator Podcast, hosts Dan and Lauren connect with Drs. Lisa Kuron and Kris Gerhardt from Wilfrid Laurier University, where they teach in the Leadership Program within the Department of Human & Social Sciences. Active in ILA, ALE, and MOBTS, both are closely involved with the Collegiate Leadership Competition (CLC), a global initiative that turns leadership into a high-impact, team-based learning experience. Lisa and Kris share how they use competition and team building in their leadership courses, offering evidence-based strategies and real-world examples to support student growth and engagement.

In this episode of The Leadership Educator Podcast, hosts  Dan and Lauren sit down with Dr. Lacey Grey Hunter and Lori Throupe from Christopher Newport University. Lacey serves as Director of the President’s Leadership Program and adjunct faculty, while Lori is the Faculty Director of Academic Success and a leadership faculty member. Together, they explore the concepts of team building and team becoming as powerful strategies in leadership education. They discuss evidence-based practices, the role of followership, and how feedback supports the development of strong, collaborative teams across curricular and co-curricular settings.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

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The Role of Leadership Educators: Transforming Learning book

New Directions for Student Leadership: Volume 2024, Issue 183 -- Applying the Leadership Learning Framework in Practice

Graduate Certificate in Professional Leadership Education at the University of Southern Maine

• LOS 626 - Leadership Education: Assessment & Evaluation
• LOS 627 - Leadership Education: Design & Delivery

The National Leadership Education Research Agenda (NLERA) 2020–2025: Advancing the State of Leadership Education Scholarship

In this episode of The Leadership Educator, hosts Dan and Lauren talk with Dr. Paige Haber-Curran about creating engaging teaching activities for leadership education. Drawing from her experiences as both an educator and a parent, she reveals how inspiration for innovative classroom techniques can emerge from everyday life. Dr. Haber-Curran shares insights into the origins of the Great Ideas Teach & Share session at the International Leadership Association (ILA) conference and offers practical strategies for designing activities that motivate and inspire students.

In this episode, Dan and Lauren discuss integrating reflection into leadership classes and programs with Dr. Jillian Volpe White. Jillian shares things to consider when adding reflection to your teaching and workshop plans. All share ways they have used it in the classroom or trainings.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

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• Journal Keeping: Journal Keeping: How to Use Reflective Writing for Learning, Teaching, Professional Insight, and Positive Change
• Leadership development and reflection: what is the connection? 
• Thinking to Transform: Reflection in Leadership Learning
• Thinking to Transform Companion Manual: Facilitating Reflection in Leadership Learning

In this episode, Dan and Lauren speak with Dr. Joe Lasley, an educator and scholar who integrates gaming into leadership courses and training. Together, they discuss their experiences incorporating games into classrooms and workshops. Joe also shares valuable resources for those looking to get started.