In this inspiring episode of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Jay Gross (@jgross811), a 36-year veteran educator whose journey into teaching is anything but ordinary.

Jay’s story begins with a devastating motorcycle accident...an event that could have ended his life but instead became the defining moment that gave him a renewed purpose. Through his recovery, he discovered his calling to teach, inspire, and uplift others. In a full-circle twist, he was hired into education by one of his former students, and from that point forward, his impact has reached countless lives.

Over the years, Jay has become an award-winning speaker and educator, known for his infectious positivity, deep care for students and colleagues, and relentless commitment to helping others find joy and purpose in their work. His mantra, “Live It. Breathe It. Be It.” is more than a phrase—it’s the way he approaches leadership, teaching, and life.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How a single defining moment can completely reshape your path.

• The power of relationships and full-circle leadership in education.

• Practical strategies for staying inspired and avoiding burnout.

• • Why joy and resilience are not just survival skills, but essential tools for thriving in education.
  • #UUPotential Dedication: Steve Wolff

  
  

• Whether you’re a new teacher finding your footing, a seasoned leader searching for renewed energy, or someone looking for inspiration in the face of life’s challenges, Jay’s story is filled with wisdom and encouragement that will resonate deeply.

  🎧 Tune in and discover how to unlock your unlimited potential by embracing the fire within.

  
  

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  🔔 Don’t miss out! Sign up for Brandon’s FREE “Something For You” newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for practical leadership tips delivered twice a month.

  🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  #UUPotential

  #IntoTheFire

  
  

In episode 133 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Barbara Gruener, a 40-year educator and award-winning children’s book author.

Barbara’s journey began on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, where she was inspired by her Great Aunt Norma, a dedicated teacher for 50 years. She started her career as a Spanish teacher before finding her true calling in school counseling. Throughout her career, Barbara has empowered others to discover the leader within themselves—a mission she now carries forward through her heartfelt stories.

Her books, Mr. Quigley’s Keys and Birdie and Mips, weave timeless life lessons for readers of all ages. Her most recent release, Knit Back Together, tells the story of a child navigating the sudden loss of a grandparent. Through grief and uncertainty, he discovers hope and healing in the journey of starting over.

#UUPotential Dedication: Jillian DuBois

Website: https://barbaragruenerauthor.com/
Knit Back Together: Click Here

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🔔 Don’t miss out! Sign up for Brandon’s FREE “Something For You” newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for practical leadership tips delivered twice a month.

🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire

In this inspiring episode of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Dr. Naomi Hall (@therecoveringeducator).

Naomi, an educational consultant with 18 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, calls herself the Recovering Educator. Today, she works as a leadership consultant, coaching schools and educators to stay inspired, connected, and fueled by their leadership fire.

In this conversation, Dr. Hall shares powerful, field-tested tips for educators and leaders. She highlights the creation of the Thrive Conference—a free virtual conference series supporting educators across the globe—and explains how it grew into mentorship programs, positive coaching opportunities, and new ways to build sustainable impact in schools.

✨ #UUPotential Dedication: Phil Januzewski

Website: www.nrhdynamic.com

In this special episode, we went live from the #DLNY25 (Deeper Learning NY) Conference in Kingston, NY (presented by Ulster BOCES) to capture the voices and stories of seven inspiring educators who are making a lasting impact in their schools, communities, and beyond.

This episode highlights a powerful mix of leaders—principals, consultants, professors, an ENL director, environmental educators, and even a children’s book author—each sharing the personal journey that fuels their purpose in education. Through their stories, you’ll hear how they continue to ignite passion, create opportunities, and unlock unlimited potential in the lives of the students, teachers, and leaders they serve.

Our featured guests include:

• Robert Mahoney

• Kris Giangreco

• Eddie Cohen

• Dana Brown

• Rachel Arbor

• John Frias

• Camile Licate

From innovative leadership practices to deeply personal reflections, each guest brings a unique perspective on what it truly means to lead, teach, and inspire. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or lifelong learner, you’ll walk away from this episode energized with new ideas and renewed purpose.

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🔔 Don’t miss out! Sign up for Brandon’s FREE “Something For You” newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ for practical leadership tips delivered twice a month.

🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire

In this inspiring episode of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Sam Demma (@sam_Demma) — international keynote speaker, best-selling author of Empty Your Backpack, and picture book author of Be Someone’s Taco.

Sam has shared the stage with icons like Kardinal Offishall and Sarah Blackwood, partnered with brands like Taco Bell, delivered two TEDx talks, and toured his empowering message across Canada, the United States, and Kenya. His work has been featured on national television programs like Marilyn Dennis and Breakfast Television.

In this conversation, Sam shares how he walked away from a D1 Soccer Scholarship to follow his greater purpose, how his speaking career began in high school, and how it has grown into a mission that inspires hundreds of thousands of people each year. With humor, authenticity, and heart, Sam unpacks lessons on empathy, mental health, and leadership that will leave you inspired to take action.

#UUPotential Dedication: Michael Loudfoot
Follow Sam: @sam_demma

In episode 129 of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck is joined by Jacki Mjoen (@mjoenmiddle), a passionate educator, author, and brain cancer survivor, who shares her incredible story of resilience, healing, and purpose.

Jacki teaches in the same school she once attended as a student and has returned to the classroom with a renewed vision and deeper clarity for her work. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, undergoing surgery, and walking through the long road of recovery, Jacki found herself not only stronger—but more determined to make an impact on the lives of her students and colleagues.

Tune in to hear how her journey has shaped her leadership, why she believes in the power of storytelling, and how she continues to inspire others through her teaching and writing.

#UUPotential Dedication: Heather Larson

Socials: @mjoenmiddle

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🔔 Don’t miss out! Sign up for Brandon’s FREE “Something For You” newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠ for practical leadership tips delivered twice a month.

🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire

In this episode of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck is joined by Danielle Vallas (@dgwellnessconsulting), a licensed mental health counselor and former PE teacher, who shares her journey into the world of athlete mental wellness.

Danielle is the Founder and President of D&G Wellness, where she provides impactful programming and professional development for schools and corporations focused on mental health and overall wellness. She’s also the creator of Buffalo Believes, an online wellness clothing brand with a mission rooted in positivity and purpose.

Tune in to hear how Danielle supports NCAA and high school athletes, the strategies she uses in her work, and the inspiring stories behind her programs that are creating real change in the lives of student-athletes.

💫 UUPotential Dedication: Elizabeth Benedict & Sierra Barone
🔗 Learn more: dgwellnessconsulting.com

#UnlockingUnlimitedPotential #DanielleVallas #MentalHealthInSports #AthleteWellness #LeadershipLegacy

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🔔 Don’t miss out! Sign up for Brandon’s FREE “Something For You” newsletter at ⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠ for practical leadership tips delivered twice a month.

🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠⁠.

#UUPotential

#IntoTheFire

On this episode of the Unlocking Unlimited Potential STORIES Show, Dr. Brandon Beck sits down with Charle Peck (@CharlePeck) and Joshua Stamper (@Joshua_Stamper) to discuss the work behind their book "The Language of Behavior: A Framework to Elevate Student Success."

In this episode, Charle and Josh dive into their new book and explore how behavior is not the enemy—but a signal. Together, we unpack the 3 Tenets that form the foundation of their work and share practical strategies for educators and leaders to foster positive behavior and deeper understanding—especially during this growing mental health crisis in our schools.

Charle Peck is a former school social worker who now partners with schools to provide customized professional development focused on improving mental health. She is the co-creator of Thriving School Community, a revolutionary program designed for schools to improve mental health. She is also the co-author of Improving School Mental Health: The Thriving School Community Solution. She is a global keynote speaker delivering powerful messages of hope to educators.

Joshua Stamper is a dedicated educator, speaker, author, and creator of Aspire to Lead. With a rich background in teaching and school administration, Joshua brings invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities within the education system. His personal journey as a struggling student, combined with nine years of experience as a middle school administrator, fuels his passion for creating supportive and transformative learning environments. Joshua is committed to helping educators and leaders unlock their full potential, fostering growth, and inspiring lasting change in education.

💫 #UUPotential Dedication: Jimmy Casas

🔗 Learn more about Charle thrivingeducator.org and Josh... at ⁠Joshstamper.com⁠📱

Follow their book: joshstamper.com/languageofbehavior

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🔔 Don’t miss out! Sign up for Brandon’s FREE “Something For You” newsletter at ⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠ for practical leadership tips delivered twice a month.

🌟 Ready to take your team or organization to the next level? Learn more about Brandon’s keynotes, coaching, and consulting offerings at ⁠BrandonBeckEDU.com⁠.

#UUPotential