Beyond Our Walls is for people who lead complicated lives and feel everything a little too much.
Hosted by Tim Dawkins — educator, writer, and someone still figuring it out in public — each episode explores what it actually costs to show up for others, what gets lost when we hide behind our roles, and what becomes possible when we stop.
Honest conversations about leadership, human connection, vulnerability, and the gap between who we are at work and who we are everywhere else. No easy answers. No performative optimism. Just real stories from people doing the hard work of getting beyond the walls they've built themselves and the ones others have put up in front of them.
We can do this together, one doorway at a time.
beyondourwalls.substack.com (https://beyondourwalls.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
Episode 10: Connection Changes Everything ft. Ian Knox
🌟 Ever felt isolated as a leader, even when you're surrounded by dozens of people? You're not alone!
In the first video episode of the Beyond Our Walls podcast, Tim Dawkins and Ian Knox dive into the paradox of leadership isolation. Ian discusses his personal journey to becoming an elementary principal, the power of authenticity, and how he navigates the loneliness that often comes with leadership roles. You'll learn practical strategies like prioritizing relationships outside your immediate work environment, using curiosity to deepen trust, and making regular, meaningful investments in your network. Ian shares the surprising impact of personal outreach—like connecting with leaders across districts or creating a “square squad”—to reinforce your sense of belonging and purpose. Whether you're a school leader or navigate any leadership role, these insights reveal how small, deliberate actions forge resilience and authenticity, even in the toughest moments.💭 What are your thoughts on vulnerability in leadership? Let’s discuss!
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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Beyond Our Walls wherever you get your podcasts, consider sharing it with a friend, and check out the newsletter at beyondourwalls.substack.com (http://beyondourwalls.substack.com).
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Want to get in touch? Email Tim at timdawks@gmail.com (mailto:timdawks@gmail.com), and find more at bio.link/timothy.
Get full access to Beyond Our Walls at beyondourwalls.substack.com/subscribe (https://beyondourwalls.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
12 May 2026
Episode 9: Can everyone hear me?
We all make assumptions about how we communicate. One of the most common those of us who find ourselves speaking often to groups of people make is that the audience can always hear us because they are like us. However, this isn't always the case, and we might be leaving people out more often than we'd like to admit.
In this episode, Tim explores the idea of access in communication and what it means to design for inclusion rather than assume it isn't necessary. Through personal stories and examples, he examines the ways we exclude people without ever meaning to, and how we can do better.
Subscribe, Share, and Join the Conversation
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Beyond Our Walls wherever you get your podcasts, consider sharing it with a friend, and check out the newsletter at beyondourwalls.substack.com (http://beyondourwalls.substack.com).
Want to get in touch? Email Tim at timdawks@gmail.com (mailto:timdawks@gmail.com), and find more at bio.link/timothy (http://bio.link/timothy).
Get full access to Beyond Our Walls at beyondourwalls.substack.com/subscribe (https://beyondourwalls.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
17 Mar 2025
Season 2, Episode 2: For the Love of Dogs (with Henny Hiemenz)
What is it about dogs that makes it so easy for us to open up, be vulnerable, and express emotions we sometimes struggle to share with other people? Why do we grieve them so deeply, and what can our relationships with them teach us about love, loss, and connection?
In this episode of Beyond Our Walls, Tim sits down with writer, podcaster, and fellow dog lover, Henny Hiemenz (https://substack.com/profile/129145814-henny-hiemenz), to explore the unique emotional role that dogs play in our lives. We talk about how dogs create space for vulnerability, how they help us process grief, and why their unconditional presence can teach us to be better humans.
If you’ve ever felt like your dog understands you better than most people, you’ve experienced the profound grief of losing a pet, or simply loved a dog in your life then this episode is definitely for you!
For more of Henny, check out his work at SilentPunt (https://open.substack.com/pub/hennyhiemenz).
Subscribe, Share, and Join the Conversation:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Beyond Our Walls wherever you get your podcasts, consider sharing it with a friend, and check out the newsletter at beyondourwalls.substack.com (https://beyondourwalls.substack.com/).
Your support means everything. Like what you hear? Maybe buy Tim a coffee (http://buymeacoffee.com/beyondourwalls)!
Want to get in touch? Email Tim at timdawks@gmail.com, and find more at bio.link/timothy (http://bio.link/timothy).
Get full access to Beyond Our Walls at beyondourwalls.substack.com/subscribe (https://beyondourwalls.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 15 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
17
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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