Shows
Mindful School MarketingA School Marketer’s Guide to Generative AI with Jordache JohnsonAI is everywhere right now, but how can school marketers and leaders use it to save time and increase personalization without losing the heart of their message? In this episode, we talk with Jordache Johnson, AI strategist and founder of Never Tech Behind, about how to integrate AI into your school’s systems in a smart and human-centered way.
Jordache shares how schools can apply his signature ADAPT System, DICE Method, and AHAA Framework to get real results without overhauling everything at once. We explore where to start, how to train your team, and why your school’s vo...2025-07-1648 minMindful School MarketingThe State of School MarCom: Brendan Schneider on Trends, Talent, and AI ToolsBrendan Schneider is back to talk about the real-world impact of his annual MarCom Society Salary Survey. As the founder and CEO of SchneiderB Media, Brendan helps schools grow enrollment through his Fractional Digital Marketing program, SchoolMarketingCRM, and as a leading voice in inbound marketing and the use of AI in schools. In this episode, Brendan breaks down what the survey revealed and what school leaders need to know about resourcing, retention, and the reality of today’s marketing roles.
We talk about:• The concerning lack of professional development funding for MarCom pros• How outdated hiring...2025-07-0239 minMindful School Marketing110: Outsourcing School Success and Navigating Partnerships with Chris PryorToday we’re joined by Chris Pryor, Founder and Principal of LeadTeam Partners. With over 20 years of experience in independent schools, Chris now supports school leaders through School Partner Connect, a community designed to help schools navigate partner and consultant searches with confidence. His work helps leaders stay focused on day-to-day operations while delegating with clarity.
In this episode, we explore:• What to outsource and what to keep in-house• How to avoid common pitfalls in consultant partnerships• The cost difference between employees and contractors• How small schools can make outsourcing more affordable• Why alignmen...2025-06-1829 minMindful School MarketingOvercoming Overwhelm: Mindful Techniques for School LeadersToday we’re joined by Cheryl Fischer, a certified Life and Mindset Coach and host of the Mind Your Midlife podcast. Cheryl spent over a decade as a secondary school teacher and now works with educators and professionals to help them shift the stories they tell themselves—from stuck and overwhelmed to capable, confident, and clear.
This conversation is full of honest reflections and practical strategies for anyone navigating the pressures of school leadership, team dynamics, or personal change. Cheryl brings warmth, insight, and a deep understanding of the emotional weight many educators carry.
Highlights incl...2025-06-0436 minMindful School MarketingVAIS Panel Discussion: Independent & Private School Marketing Today and TomorrowThis special episode was recorded live at the VAIS Advancement Institute, where we hosted a panel conversation with three marketing and enrollment leaders from very different school environments. From large boarding schools to small community-focused campuses, each panelist brought a unique lens to what’s working in school marketing—and what’s changing fast.
We covered everything from navigating leadership and board expectations to making the most of limited resources. The conversation surfaced trends, challenges, and simple shifts schools can make right now to better connect with prospective families.
Highlights include:• Where schools are seeing t...2025-05-2148 minMindful School MarketingNavigating Change and Building Sustainable School Systems with Peter BaronToday, we’re welcoming back Peter Baron, founder of Moonshot OS and a Certified Top Coach. Peter has spent years working closely with independent school leaders, and in this episode, he shares fresh insights on the evolving challenges schools face and how marketing, leadership, and operational systems all play a critical role in building resilience.
We dive into:
The surprising results of Peter’s pulse survey on business competencies for school leaders
Why marketing strategy ranked lower than expected and why it matters now more than ever
How to build a modern, sustainable operating system that turn...2025-05-0738 minMindful School MarketingCreating True Belonging for Students of Color in Independent Schools with Jonathan LeeIn this powerful and heartfelt conversation, we’re joined by Jonathan Lee—coach, educator, mentor, and former independent school student and administrator—who shares his lived experience and offers a deeply insightful look at what true belonging looks like for students of color in independent schools.
Jonathan doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, and we’re grateful for his honesty as he reflects on the past, challenges the present, and inspires hope for the future. From the admissions funnel to alumni engagement to internal marketing and data collection, Jonathan brings a holistic lens to the work of cr...2025-04-2331 minMindful School MarketingDifferentiation Strategies for Independent Schools with Chuck EnglishIn this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant and always insightful Chuck English of English Marketing Works. Chuck has partnered with dozens of independent schools across the U.S. and Canada, helping them clarify their messaging, sharpen their marketing, and truly stand out in crowded markets.
We loved this conversation because Chuck doesn’t just talk theory—he shares practical, real-world strategies schools can use to define what makes them unique and connect with families who value exactly what they offer.
Tune in as we chat about:
Why differentiation is more important than ever i...2025-04-0942 minMindful School MarketingBest of Series Replay: How Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Can Boost Your Giving Days with Devin DonaldsonWe’re bringing back one of our most insightful conversations with Devin Donaldson, a nonprofit development expert who has led record-breaking fundraising campaigns. This episode is packed with strategies to help schools and nonprofits maximize fundraising through peer-to-peer giving and giving days.
Join us as we explore:
How peer-to-peer fundraising can expand your donor base and increase engagement.
The biggest mistakes organizations make with giving days—and how to avoid them.
Why donor communication and relationship-building are key to long-term fundraising success.
If you want to learn how to make fundraising more effective and sustainable, this...2025-03-2626 minMindful School MarketingBest of Series Replay: How Funnels Can Help Your School’s Enrollment Process with Jesse MeadowWe’re bringing back one of our most insightful conversations with Jesse Meadows, co-founder and managing director of Schoolcraft Digital. This episode is a must-listen for schools looking to use data-driven marketing to increase enrollment and engagement.
Join us as we dive into:
The biggest mistake schools make in their enrollment funnel—and how to fix it.
Why first-party data is more important than ever for school marketing.
How admissions and communications teams can work together to turn data into action and nurture prospective families effectively.
If you’re looking for smart ways to level up you...2025-03-1234 min
Enrollment Insights Podcast2023 School Marketing Resolutions with Aubrey Bursch and Tara ClaeysIn this episode, we talk to school marketing experts Aubrey Bursch and Tara Claeys about what schools should start and stop doing in 2023 when it comes to recruiting families and managing their digital presence.
Aubrey Bursch is passionate about supporting small and independent schools to increase enrollment, retention, and revenue. As the daughter of lifelong educators and the mom of two independent school students, she combines her passion for schools with her 20+ years of marketing and development experience to help schools identify and implement high ROI initiatives. Aubrey, Founder & CEO of Easy School Marketing, co-hosts the Mindful School Marketing podcast, l...2023-01-1646 min
Matt ReportMindful School Marketing: Finding a great podcast co-hostForming a successful partnership in business might be the most powerful, yet, most challenging things to do right.
This goes beyond simply linking to each others business or handing over the occasional customer referral. I’m talking about two (or more) partners both handling responsibilities and working towards a shared goal for the overall mission.
Tara Claeys, founder of Design TLC, has a certain knack for this stuff. She co-hosted the WordPress podcast Hallway Tracks along side Liam Dempsey and is now laying down the roots with a new partner in podcasting, Aubrey Bursch.
...2021-06-1532 min