Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership

About Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership

In a world that’s rapidly changing, great leadership stands out—and stands tall. Hosted by Randy Lindquist, Standing Tall dives deep into the stories of education’s GIANT leaders. Inspired by Isaac Newton’s quote, “If I see further than others, it’s because I stand on the shoulders of giants,” this podcast uncovers the wisdom, grit, and heart that drive exceptional school leaders. Each episode, Randy sits down with inspiring voices in education to dissect their leadership journeys, tease out practical lessons, and explore the challenges they’ve overcome. From bold innovations to everyday resilience, Standing Tall offers real-world insights that any school leader can lean on, learn from, and build upon. When we learn from giants, we all stand a little taller.

Publisher

Randy Lindquist

Category

education · government · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Nov 2024

Latest episode

2 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

39 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Nov 2026

   Build a School Where Every Student Feels They Belong with Jennifer Anderson

   What changes when school leaders help students see possibilities they haven’t yet imagined for themselves? In this episode, Jennifer Anderson joins Randy to explore how school leaders can build belonging, recognize students’ strengths, and create opportunities for young people to grow beyond the identities they bring into school. Drawing on her own path into education, Jennifer shares how watching her parents return to college shaped her belief that education can change a family’s future. Jennifer describes belonging as “oxygen” for teenagers and explains why it requires intentional attention to both adult–student and student–student relationships. She shares how student interviews have challenged staff assumptions, how everyday experiences can reveal transferable skills, and how a graduate profile can connect academic learning to life beyond school. The conversation also explores the conditions adults need to grow: permission to experiment, opportunities to learn alongside colleagues, and leaders who model thoughtful risk-taking. Jennifer offers practical reflections on protecting important work, sharing leadership, and preserving dignity when difficult decisions arise.

2. 

   19 Oct 2026

   How Authenticity and Empathy Transform School Culture with Doug Ammeraal

   In this episode, Superintendent Randy Lindquist sits down with former Michigan Principal of the Year Doug Ammeraal to discuss the transformative power of relational leadership within middle school education. Doug shares key insights on creating positive culture through micro-interactions, leading with authenticity rather than authority, and approaching difficult conversations with empathy and clarity.

3. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Build Leaders, Not Dependence: Creating Conditions for Others to Thrive

   Learn how to develop other leaders, create the conditions for meaningful innovation, and help your team thrive without carrying every decision yourself. Dave Tebo joins Standing Tall to share lessons on empathy, student agency, using AI to make more time for human connection, and building a leadership legacy that lasts beyond your tenure.

Who has been a guest on Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Kelly Perales
• Tyler Smies
• Ron Gorman
• Liz Calvert
• Jim Alston

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

82

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership