All Episodes
The CharacterStrong Podcast — 519 episodes · page 1 of 6
How One Principal Built a System for Gathering Student Voice That Actually Changes Things - Sonia Ruiz
Season 9 Kickoff: Cultivating the Soil Where Students and Adults Thrive
How One District Got Their Suspension Rate Below 1% with Tier 2 Supports - Torrin Johnson
How Teaching Character Traits Gave One Teacher More Time, Not Less - Angela Walle
Staff Chips: A Simple System for More Intentional Connections - John Norlin
Deck of Destiny: A Two-Minute Strategy for Building Classroom Connection - John Norlin
How One Phone Call Home Can Change a Family's Experience of School - John Norlin
EMR: A Simple Reflection Strategy for More Intentional Relationships - John Norlin
The Temperature Check: Three Questions That Help You Know How Students Are Really Doing - John Norlin
True Story Friday: A Low-Burden Strategy for Building Classroom Connection - John Norlin
The Law of the Lid: Why the Energy in Your Room Starts with You - John Norlin
The Student Becomes the Teacher: A Simple Strategy for Student Connection - John Norlin
Lessons from the Bench: What Leaders Can Learn from Role Players - Brandon Bakke
How to Build Relational Capacity with Staff and Students from Day One - Derrick Lawson
Episode 500 - Where Have We Been, Where Are We Now, Where Are We Going - John Norlin, Houston Kraft, & Lindsay Norlin
How Sharing Student Information Across Staff Improves School Outcomes - Steve Smith
The Secondhand Compliment: How Indirect Recognition Builds Stronger Connections - John Norlin
Five Strategies to Strengthen Tiered Support Across Your District - Dr. Susanne Thompson
How High-Impact Tutoring Reaches the Students Schools Can Miss - Devon Wible
How Pre-Correction Reduces Behavior Problems Before They Start - John Norlin
Why Predictability Is One of the Most Powerful Tools in the Classroom - John Norlin
How to Train Yourself to Pause Before You React - John Norlin
A Simple Strategy for Becoming a Better Listener - John Norlin
How Schools Can Build Systems That Address the Root Causes of Behavior - Rebekah de Peo-Christner & Amy Lawrence
What You Do Matters Every Day - John Norlin
Why Every Student Needs at Least One Caring Adult - Michelle Marcellin, Nancy Buyle, Sara Orris
Building School Systems That Strengthen Connection, Culture, and Student Success - Brenda Ortiz McGrath
Why Career and Technical Education Matters for Today's Students - Brooke Martin
Repurposing Time: A Practical AI Strategy for Educators - Sean Beaverson
From Intention to Impact: The Science of Implementation
The 30-Second Feedback Strategy That Strengthens School Culture - Meghan Lawson
Creating Belonging Through Systems That Work - Kendrick Claxton
A Principal's Approach to Making Middle School Lessons Stick Schoolwide - Dr. Joe Sweeney
How Student Voice and Developmental Assets Drive Schoolwide Growth - Pierre Orbe
Why Names, Presence, and Energy Matter in Leadership - Andrew Marotta
Creating Calmer Classrooms by Supporting Educators - Kait Ahlbrandt
Top 6 of 2025: Simple Systems, Lasting Impact: Character Through Daily Announcements - Meg Boyd
Top 6 of 2025: Systems Over Goals: Building Belonging in Schools - Dr. Darian Jones
Top 6 of 2025: Doubling Tier 1 Usage: Building Stronger Classrooms Through Character, Connection, and Data - Amy Fairchild & Crystal Hooper
Top 6 of 2025: Relational Strategies That Strengthen Academics - Dr. Lori Lynass
Top 6 of 2025: The Power of Presence in a Rushed World - John Norlin
Top 6 of 2025: Don't Forget These Learners: Practical Adaptations That Work - Sara Nussman
Balancing High Accountability with High Support for Tier 2 & 3 Interventions - Chris Fore
Practical Strategies for Building Teacher Buy-In at the Secondary Level - Crystal Keck & Wendy Uzzle
Increasing Attendance and Belonging by Flipping the Script on Student Support - Leandra Torra
The Power of the Post-It Note: A Simple Connection Strategy - John Norlin
Creating a District Timeline That Aligns Character with Academic Content - Yvonne Culver & Stephanie Hammond
Implementation That Sticks: Coaching, Champions, and Campus Voice - Krystal Colhoff
Tier 2 in Action: Helping Counselors Build Skills, Systems, and Sustainable Support - Michelle DePuy
Doubling Tier 1 Usage: Building Stronger Classrooms Through Character, Connection, and Data - Amy Fairchild & Crystal Hooper
Making It Stick: Districtwide Character Education That Builds Belonging - Grant Wilson
From Healthcare to Hallways: Rethinking Mental Health in Schools - Dr. Ryan Sherman
The Power of a Fist Bump: Creating a Place Where Students and Staff Want to Be - Zac Bauermaster
Don't Forget These Learners: Practical Adaptations That Work - Sara Nussman
Systems, Not Slogans: Building a Culture of Care & How Georgia is Prioritizing Student Mental Health - Erica Fener-Sitkoff
Simple Systems, Lasting Impact: Character Through Daily Announcements - Meg Boyd
Season 8 Kickoff: Three Challenges in Education - Mental Health, Behavior, & Burnout
Relational Strategies That Strengthen Academics - Dr. Lori Lynass
Systems Over Goals: Building Belonging in Schools - Dr. Darian Jones
The Power of Presence in a Rushed World - John Norlin
2025 Tier 2 Summit: Problem-Solving Common Barriers to Tier 2 - Dr. Clay Cook
What Happens When Kids Know You Believe In Them - Dr. Andre Stout
Every Student, Every Need: Rethinking School Support - Jeff Cohen
Tools, Trust, and Teaching What Matters - Kelli Brabson
Carrying Less, Caring More: The Power of Emptying the Backpack - Sam Demma
2025 School Safety Summit - Prevention in Action: The Power of Effective Threat Assessment - Dr. Dewey Cornell
From Listening to Launch: Collaborative Curriculum Selection - Joanna Frankel
2025 School Safety Summit - Beyond Response: Building Safer Schools Through Relationships and Resilience - Frank DeAngelis
A Purposeful Approach to Student Support - Sam Dusek & Jordan Seifert
Holistic Student Support In Action - Cory McCarthy
Celebrate the Small Stuff: The Power of Positive School Storytelling - Dr. Vince Breunig
Sustainability: A Key to Lasting Impact in Education - Dr. Clay Cook
Tackling Tech & Teen Anxiety: A Community on a Mission - John Hellwich
Showing Up Matters: The Power of Daily Connection - Alex Kajitani
Start Small, Lead Big: Building Culture with Student Leaders - Julia Kennedy
Character Traits That Connect: A K–12 Approach - Dr. Mark Chapin
From Curriculum to Connection: Building Belonging with PBIS
Equipping Students To Navigate Conflict With Compassion - Jocelyn Pajimula
Living Out Your Purpose - Taryne Dismuke
Helping Students Stay Present And Focused - Cara Newman
Building a Student-Centered MTSS: Mental Health Strategies That Work - Dr. Tinisha Parker
Building a Mental Health Continuum Within MTSS: Strategies for Schools - Dr. Sharon Hoover
The Power of Community Circles: Strengthening Student Relationships & Behavior - Charles MacGregor
Advocating For School Counselors As Mental Health Professionals - Jordan Blevins
Always Improving: Making Our Tier 2 Solution Even More Effective For Educators And Students - Dr. Clay Cook
Empowering First-Generation Students: Strategies For Counselors And Schools - Carrie Woodard
2025 NSCW: Beyond the Basics: Strengthening Student Support Systems - Dr. Damien Sweeney
Providing A Safe Environment In An Overcrowded Middle School - Rebecca Thompson & Charlee Breeden
The Power Of A Warm Welcome: Creating Connections One Greeting At A Time - Josh Holbrook
Creating Connections: Cultural Intelligence And Family Engagement - Andrea Freile
Building A Community Of Support Around Students - Jorge Torres
Top 6 of 2024 - The Law Of The Lid - John Norlin
Top 6 of 2024 - Supporting Women In Educational Leadership - Dr. Lillie Cox
Top 6 of 2024 - Using Data To Monitor And Enhance Student Success - Leandra Torra
Top 6 of 2024 - The Importance Of Progress Monitoring & Data Collection - A.J. Howard
Top 6 of 2024 - Supporting Implementation As An Administrator - Robert Mueller
Top 6 of 2024 - Gratitude In Action: Cultivating Well-Being Through Intentional Practice - Colton Moore
Proactive School Safety Starts With Connection - Rachelle Finck
Empowering Students To Lead The Way: Boosting Attendance And Transforming School Culture - Dr. Christian D'Annibale
Unlocking The Power Of Grouping Strategies - Callie Robinson