The Principal Exchange Podcast

Episode 8: It's Only September.. Why Am I Already Burnt Out?

You thought the summer recharge would carry you further—but here we are, barely a month into school, and the tank already feels empty. If you’re exhausted in September, you’re not alone.
In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about why burnout hits so early and what you can do to reset before it becomes your default. We’ll bust the biggest myths principals believe (“If I just power through now, it’ll calm down later”), unpack the real reasons September feels so overwhelming, and share practical resets you can start this week—like the 3-3-3 Reset, energy audits, and modeling rest as leadership.
Because burnout isn’t proof you’re not cut out for this job—it’s proof that leadership without boundaries will take everything you give it. September doesn’t have to break you if you reset now.
 
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Want more than just ideas? Join hundreds of principals inside The Principal Academy—a growing movement of school leaders reclaiming time, strengthening culture, and leading with purpose. Check it out here! .

Bonus: The Story Behind The Principal Exchange

Every week, we’re here with strategies and systems to make school leadership feel a little lighter. But today? We’re stepping out of the usual rhythm to share something different.
In this bonus episode, we’re telling the story of how The Principal Exchange came to be. From our venture outside of the public school system, to realizing how isolated school leaders often feel, to joining forces to create practical resources and a community of support—you’ll hear the “why” behind everything we do.
We’ll walk you through what we’re building right now (the Academy, the Marketplace, our conferences), the vision that drives us, and the belief that’s at the core of it all: leadership doesn’t have to be lonely.
 
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Want more than just ideas? Join hundreds of principals inside The Principal Academy—a growing movement of school leaders reclaiming time, strengthening culture, and leading with purpose. Check it out here!

Episode 7: Leading Instruction When You Don’t Have Time

Every principal starts the year determined to be in classrooms daily—but then the fires, parent emails, and coverage needs hit. Before you know it, months have flown by and your classroom visits are more accidental than intentional.
In this episode, we’re breaking down how to actually lead instruction without burning yourself out. You’ll hear practical mindset shifts and simple systems that make classroom visits doable, like:
Why instructional leadership isn’t about more walkthroughs, but more purposeful ones
How to calendar classroom time so it actually happens
Quick feedback strategies teachers appreciate (and will actually use)
Creative ways to bring others into the work so you’re not carrying it alone
If you’ve ever felt torn between running the building and leading instruction, this episode will help you reset your approach—and remind you that you don’t have to do it all to lead well.
 
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Want more than just ideas? Join hundreds of principals inside The Principal Academy—a growing movement of school leaders reclaiming time, strengthening culture, and leading with purpose. Check it out here!

Episode 6: 7 Conversations Every Principal Dreads — and How to Survive Them

Every principal has those conversations you wish you could skip—the angry parent complaint, the teacher struggling instructionally, the staff member not pulling their weight. They’re uncomfortable, emotional, and easy to put off. But here’s the truth: hard conversations don’t kill trust—avoiding them does.
In this episode, we’re breaking down the seven most dreaded conversations school leaders face and sharing practical ways to approach them with clarity, calm, and confidence. From navigating gossip and staff conflict to saying “no” to requests when resources are limited, you’ll hear strategies that protect relationships while holding the line on what matters most.
If you’ve ever walked into a tough conversation with a pit in your stomach, this episode will give you the words, the mindset, and the confidence to walk out with stronger trust than you started with.
 
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Want more than just ideas? Join hundreds of principals inside The Principal Academy—a growing movement of school leaders reclaiming time, strengthening culture, and leading with purpose. Check it out here!

Episode 5: Surviving the Email Avalanche

Does your inbox feel like it’s running your day? Principals get buried under hundreds of emails every week—most of them urgent-sounding but low-priority. The truth? You’ll never answer them all (and you don’t need to).
In this episode, we break down the different types of emails that flood your inbox—from FYIs and parent complaints to staff questions and those never-ending cc chains—and share practical strategies to handle them without losing your sanity. You’ll learn how to spot what actually needs you, set boundaries that stick, and use tools like templates, folders, and clear communication systems to keep email in its place.
If you’ve ever felt like your leadership is happening after you survive your inbox, this episode will help you dig out—and stay out.
 
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Want more than just ideas? Join hundreds of principals inside The Principal Academy—a growing movement of school leaders reclaiming time, strengthening culture, and leading with purpose. Check it out here! 

Episode 4: Break the Rules (On Purpose) — Leading Beyond the Rulebook

What if the rules you’ve been following aren’t actually serving your people anymore? In this episode, we dig into why the best leaders don’t blindly follow rules—they question them, challenge them, and replace them with values and expectations that build stronger schools.
We’ll look at how rules often start with good intentions but can quickly shift into tools of control that stifle culture. You’ll hear stories of innovators like Steve Jobs, Rita Pierson, Taylor Swift, and the founders of Airbnb—leaders who weren’t reckless, but intentional about breaking the rules to create something better.
From there, we’ll walk through powerful mindset shifts: moving from rules to quotes to live by, from control to shared expectations, from compliance to cultural norms, and from “no exceptions” to intentional, humane ones. Plus, we’ll share practical strategies like running a “rule audit” with students, using the “Why?” test, and challenging yourself to condense every school rule down to just three universal expectations.
By the end, you’ll be ready to trade rule management for culture building—and maybe even ask yourself: Which rules in my school don’t make sense anymore?
Because rules might belong in board games, but in leadership? They’re meant to be challenged.

Episode 3: Don’t Wing It—Win It: Your Shortcut to Confident Conversations

Ever stared at your screen, knowing you need to respond…but the right words just aren’t coming? In this episode, we’re giving you ready-to-use scripts for the conversations and emails you have on repeat — from redirecting a student, to following up after a tough talk with a teacher, to calming an upset parent, to sending staff appreciation notes that actually feel genuine.
We’ll break down how scripts can save you time, keep your messaging consistent, and protect you from “heat of the moment” replies you’ll regret later. You’ll hear our some of our favorite strategies, the four categories of scripts every principal needs, and some out-of-the-box ways to build your own script bank so your whole team is on the same page.
By the end, you’ll have practical, ready-right-now words for the moments you usually have to white-knuckle your way through — and the strategies to make scripts your secret leadership superpower.
Check out these freebie scripts from the podcast! 
Here's the link to the Principal Power Session we mentioned today.
 
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Episode 2: Setting the Culture Before it Sets Itself

Today we're diving into building and maintain a supportive and consistent school culture from the jump. In this episode, we discuss the importance of setting expectations clearly, ensuring consistency in actions, and addressing issues proactively to avoid culture pitfalls. We'll share practical insights into how school leaders can anchor their culture in routine, enhance visibility, and track cultural progress.
Learn how to reinforce positive actions among staff and students, handle unexpected challenges gracefully, and understand the significance of every decision and interaction in shaping your school's culture. Whether you're an experienced principal or new to leadership, this episode offers valuable tips to help you lead your school to a thriving academic year!
 
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Episode 1: Setting the Right Tone from Day One

Welcome to the first episode of the Principal Exchange Podcast, where Sarah and Andra, seasoned educators and leadership coaches, guide you through making the first day of school a meaningful and stress-free experience. This episode tackles the common apprehensions and nervous energy surrounding the first day and shifts the focus from overwhelming events to building lasting impressions.
The conversation centers around ensuring students and staff feel welcomed and valued from the moment they enter the school doors. Emphasis is placed on simple strategies that avoid first-day chaos while creating an inclusive atmosphere. Discover three actionable strategies to ensure your school's first day sets a supportive tone for a successful academic year.
 
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Trailer

Being a principal is one of the most rewarding—and overwhelming—roles in education. That’s why we created The Principal Exchange and now, The Principal Exchange Podcast.
Each week, we’ll bring you real strategies, honest conversations, and practical support to help you lead your school without losing yourself in the process. From time management to teacher feedback, staff culture to burnout, we’re tackling the issues that matter—with zero fluff and all heart.
Subscribe now and join us every Sunday for episodes that meet you right where you are.