On The Way To School

Dr. Chris Dennis shares a personal year-end reflection on family rituals, a vision-casting family meeting from 2020, and how written goals have guided progress toward five- and twenty-year plans.He encourages listeners to create their own traditions and milestones, mentions plans for winter break and a grandson's visit, and thanks the audience as the podcast approaches a seasonal pause.

Dr. Chris Dennis discusses how educators can solve problems more effectively by using strategic "angles of pursuit" instead of trailing issues reactively. Through analogies with an off-leash dog, a sheepdog, and football pursuit drills, he shows how a coordinated, proactive team approach funnels problems into solvable paths.The episode urges leaders to position themselves over the top, take wider angles, move quickly, and converge together to stop problems from escalating.

Dr. Chris Dennis offers a short, six-minute episode for educators feeling exhausted as the semester intensifies. He shares a simple practice: scrolling through summer photos to reconnect with joyful memories and restore energy.
The episode encourages keeping meaningful moments close, considering analog prints or slideshows, and planning small restorative experiences before winter break to replenish well-being.

In this episode, Dr. Chris Dennis sits down with Mr. Javon’e, an energetic K–6 classroom teacher and STEAM specialist whose authentic presence transforms his students’ days. They discuss classroom moments like erupting volcano labs, the balance between structure and excitement, and what administrators should understand about teachers’ day‑to‑day realities.
Mr. Javon’e shares his personal journey from Cleveland to graduate school in France, how credentials and community boosted his confidence, and why representation matters. He finishes with practical encouragement for teachers to breathe, recharge, and show up as their whole selves.

Dr. Chris Dennis talks with Jenn Wells, EdD, UCLA’s chief of staff for alumni engagement, about the evolving chief-of-staff role in higher education, systems-focused equity work, and how to build buy-in for strategic change across institutions. Jenn shares practical advice for equity practitioners on transferable skills, avoiding burnout, and career pivots, and closes by describing her own outlets, executive networks, nonprofit board service, and watercolor, and urges listeners to stay connected to their communities.
 

We’re back with the second half of my conversation with my brother, friend, and the creator of the On The Way To School theme music, Adrian Perryman.
In this episode, we dive deeper into identity, creativity, and the freedom to pursue joy outside of our job titles. Adrian opens up about being a Black nerd in cosplay and Comic-Con culture, navigating representation, and finding community in spaces built “for us, by us.”
We talk about privilege, vulnerability, the pressure students feel to curate themselves, and why adults often forget they’re allowed to be whole, creative, curious people too.
If you’ve ever felt boxed in by expectations or wondered how to show up more authentically in your work and life, this conversation will speak to you.
Take a listen. This one goes deeper. 🎧

Dr. Chris Dennis interviews Adrian Perryman, the producer behind the podcast’s music and director of the GHR Fellows Program at the University of St. Thomas. They discuss the story behind the show’s instrumental, Adrian’s role in higher education, and his commitment to connecting students with community opportunities.
Adrian also shares how creativity fuels him,  from 3D printing and cosplay to music,  and why serving students and fostering equity in St. Paul keeps him motivated. Tune in for insights on leadership, community engagement, and maintaining creative balance.

Dr. Dennis reflects on the importance of the "spark", that inner motivation that drives leaders, energizes teams, and guides hiring decisions. He encourages listeners to reignite their passion, seek candidates with enthusiasm and growth mindsets, and surround themselves with people who uplift and challenge them.
Through personal reflection and practical prompts, this short episode asks when you last checked your "pilot light," urging you to lean into discomfort, rediscover purpose, and keep moving toward your goals.

Dr. Chris Dennis returns after Thanksgiving to discuss the "calibration week" teachers face, planning for the months ahead, and using a 12-week year mindset to make goals more achievable.He shares personal reflections from family goal-setting, previews his upcoming book Lonely Graduation, and teases guest hosts coming soon to the podcast.

This episode examines a form of discipline that prepares rather than punishes, utilizing athletic experience to demonstrate why consistency and readiness are essential to effective leadership.
Dr. Chris Dennis outlines three core ideas: discipline is about respect (not control), consistency stabilizes teams and enables risk-taking, and discipline strengthens your identity, allowing you to handle unseen high-stakes work. He recommends building systems, routines, and rhythms, modeling evolution for your team, and taking purposeful rest to prevent burnout.
Practical advice: set non‑negotiables, measure days by alignment with purpose, and "stack" consistent actions over time. Leaders win by consistently showing up and doing what matters.