Jon Eckert, Executive Director, Baylor Center for School Leadership interviews leading experts, both educators and parents, who have evidence and experience that kids can become more of who they were created to be. The Joy Over Happiness podcast, showcases inspiring stories of joy through adversity, belonging, and curiosity. In just 20-30 minutes per episode, we offer actionable tips and uplifting messages to empower everyone to continue doing the critical work that shows kids that joy is better than happiness.
Building Joyful Community in Australia: Todd and Liliana Langford
In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Todd Langford, Deputy Head of College at Mueller College in Brisbane, and his daughter Liliana, an aspiring educator, about building a school where students, staff, and families belong. Drawing on Todd’s 26 years at Mueller and Liliana’s student perspective, they explore how relationships, context, and community help schools thrive.
From creating opportunities for students to lead to giving teachers more space to focus on students, this conversation explores how trust, connection, and meaningful contributions help people feel valued and build a stronger school community.
Mentioned:
Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment (https://a.co/d/0dwjBW7w) by Daniel Coyle
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us (https://a.co/d/0aXO35qF) by Daniel Pink
10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People (https://a.co/d/05Bz6ZYx) by David Yeager
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (https://a.co/d/02qymuhu) by Stephen Covey
Your Story Has a Villain: Identify Spiritual Warfare and Learn How to Defeat the Enemy (https://a.co/d/0081ILGm) by Jonathan Pokluda
Connect with us:
Center for School Leadership at Baylor University (https://bcsl.soe.baylor.edu/)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/baylorcsl/)
Baylor MA in School Leadership (https://maschoolleadership.soe.baylor.edu/)
6 Oct 2026
We Were Not Meant for Death: Kathryn Haines
In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Kathryn Haines, host of Everyday Eden, about living in the tension between the world as it is and the world we were created for. Drawing from her experiences with parenting, postpartum anxiety, ADHD, and struggle, Kathryn explores why our longing for something better matters.
They talk about bringing “heaven homeward” through the way we live, parent, teach, and care for others. Kathryn shares why letting kids struggle can help them grow, why every child wants to feel that you not only see them but like what you see, and how parents and educators can create spaces marked by community and hope. Listen until the end for a powerful family story of resilience.
Mentioned:
Everyday Eden (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-eden-with-kathryn-haines/id6795235805) podcast
The Hiding Place (https://a.co/d/01HhRmae) by Corrie Ten Boom
A Christian's Guide to Overcoming Evil With Good (https://imkathrynhaines.substack.com/p/a-christians-guide-to-overcoming?utm_source=publication-search) by Kathryn Haines
Reclaiming Quiet: Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention (https://a.co/d/0gU6sFgq) by Sarah Clarkson
The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't (https://a.co/d/0i57sE4b) by Erin Loechner
Connect with us:
Center for School Leadership at Baylor University (https://bcsl.soe.baylor.edu/)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/baylorcsl/)
Baylor MA in School Leadership (https://maschoolleadership.soe.baylor.edu/)
22 Sept 2026
Grief and Joy: Lisa Arrington
In this episode of JOY over Happiness, Dr. Jon Eckert talks with Lisa Arrington, Director of Advancement at the Fay School, about grief, community, and finding joy through difficult seasons. Lisa shares the story of Mary Kate, an eight-year-old Fay student who lost her life in the Camp Mystic floods, and how the school came together to support her family, friends, and classmates.
Lisa and Jon talk about what it means to lean into the difficult path rather than trying to avoid hard things. From grieving well to showing up for one another, they explore how struggle can change our perspective, deepen our relationships, and ultimately shape our capacity for joy. As Lisa puts it, you never know where the difficult path will take you.
Mentioned:
The Happiness Crisis (https://a.co/d/00lJLEVS) by Jon Eckert
Connect with us:
Center for School Leadership at Baylor University (https://bcsl.soe.baylor.edu/)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/baylorcsl/)
Baylor MA in School Leadership (https://maschoolleadership.soe.baylor.edu/)
Who has been a guest on Just Schools
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Lynn E Swaner
Lionel Cable
Joi Taylor Johnson
Christina Crook
Podcast Authority Score: 22 / 100
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YouTube
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Engagement
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Questions about Just Schools
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Dr Jon Eckert host the show. Published by Jon Eckert, Baylor’s Center For School Leadership.
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