In this episode of The Perkins Platform, I sit down with Dr. Julia Bialeski to explore the role of grace in effective leadership. Drawing from her book Leading with Grace: Cultivating Hope, Authenticity, and a Focus on People Throughout the Leadership Lifespan Julia shares insights from more than two decades in public education. We discuss the delicate balance between compassion and accountability as well as the courage required to lead through uncertainty and disappointment. Our conversation also explores how leaders can extend grace to themselves and develop this essential leadership quality throughout their careers. Whether you're just beginning your leadership journey or reflecting on decades of experience this conversation offers a fresh perspective on leading with authenticity and humanity.

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In this episode, I sit down with Zaretta Hammond, nationally recognized education consultant and author of the bestselling book Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain, for a thought-provoking conversation about the relationship between culture, neuroscience and learning. We explore how culturally responsive teaching can strengthen academic rigor, develop independent learners and move beyond simply building positive relationships with students. Zaretta challenges educators and school leaders to reconsider how they approach student motivation, intellectual struggle and instructional practices. Our conversation also examines the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in education.

In this episode, I sit down with Zac Armstrong, founder of Executive Health Edge, retired Naval Commander and former F-18 fighter pilot, for a conversation about an often-overlooked dimension of leadership: the physical capacity to lead well. We explore whether health should be considered a leadership competency rather than simply a personal choice, why high-performing professionals can be remarkably disciplined at work while neglecting their own health and what Zac learned about human performance from 27 years of military service. Drawing from his work with executives and other high performers, Zac challenges us to consider a simple question: What good is professional success if our bodies eventually become unable to sustain the lives and careers we worked so hard to build?

In this episode, I sit down with Professor Jonathan Jansen, distinguished scholar, former university leader, and author of Breaking Bread, for a deeply reflective conversation about leadership and the experiences that shape us. We explore what the classroom taught him about leading people, how his understanding of higher education leadership has changed over the course of his career and the difficult line between having the courage to take an unpopular position and becoming too certain that you are right. Jonathan also reflects on family, faith, and upbringing, including the values he has carried forward and the beliefs he has had to unlearn. It is a candid conversation about education, courage, growth and the life lessons that emerge when we take the time to examine our own journey.

In this episode, I sit down with Jim Brown, seasoned leadership coach, consultant, and author of The Imperfect CEO, for a candid conversation about what he has learned from years of working alongside executives and leadership teams. Jim shares why effective leadership is not about having all the answers or projecting perfection, but about developing the self-awareness, discipline and humility to keep growing. Drawing from both his consulting experience and the lessons in The Imperfect CEO, we explore the realities of leading people, navigating difficult decisions, learning from mistakes and becoming comfortable with the inevitable imperfections that come with leadership. It is a practical and refreshing conversation for anyone who carries the responsibility of leading others.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jennifer Keys Adair, author of Smart and Capable: Supporting Children’s Agency in a Complex World, for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to genuinely believe in children’s capabilities. We explore the tension between giving children meaningful agency and maintaining the boundaries, structure and guidance that come with adult responsibility. From parenting and education to student voice and independence, Jennifer challenges us to consider whether our everyday actions truly communicate to young people that their ideas, decisions and perspectives matter. Ultimately, this conversation explores an important question: How do we give children the space to discover what they are capable of while still providing the guidance they need?

What happens when leaders build teams of people who think differently, but continue to lead everyone the same way? In this episode of The Perkins Platform, Dr. Brian Perkins sits down with Dr. Dan Flint to explore what it really takes to lead cognitively diverse teams. Their conversation examines the difference between fit and sameness, the importance of translation rather than assumption and why meaningful inclusion requires intentional structures that allow different ways of thinking to influence the work. They also consider the tension between structure and creativity and explore how leaders can move beyond simply having diverse perspectives represented at the table to actually integrating those perspectives into decisions. It is a practical conversation about turning cognitive difference from a leadership challenge into a genuine organizational strength.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes of Union Theological Seminary for a thoughtful conversation about moral courage and what it means to lead when the choices before us are anything but simple. We explore the intersection of leadership, faith, justice, and organizational life, including how leaders navigate competing values, protect human dignity, remain accountable to their convictions, and find the courage to challenge institutions when necessary. Against the backdrop of rapid technological and social change, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence, our conversation asks a timely question: What does it mean to lead morally when doing the right thing may also be the difficult thing?