School Culture By Design

Episode #142 - That's a Wrap with Phil Boyte & Shyana Frost

That's a Wrap! After 142 episodes, countless conversations, and more than a decade of podcasting, Shyana Frost sits down with Phil Boyte to wrap up this chapter of the

Episode #141 - What I See with Shyana Frost

Over the past decade, Shyana Frost has had the opportunity to work alongside incredible educators and leaders across the country alongside Phil Boyte. Through those exper

Episode #140 - Build a Culture Worth Driving Toward

In this episode, Phil Boyte sits down with Dr. Eric Nichols, an educational leader serving rural Oregon, to talk about what it takes to build a culture people want to be

Episode #139 - How Great Districts Support Their Principals with David Rodriguez and Brandon Blom

In this episode, Phil Boyte sits down with Assistant Superintendents David Rodriguez and Brandon Blom from Natomas Unified School District to explore what it looks like t

Episode #138 - No Ghosts

Every school has them. The people who quietly show up, do their job well, and somehow still feel unseen. In this episode, Phil and Shyana talk about how leaders can int

Episode #137 - Building an Infectious School Culture with Guest Paul Nitake

  In this episode, Phil Boyte sits down with Paul Nitake, Principal of North High School in Torrance, California, to explore what it looks like to build a campus culture

Episode #136: The Pause at the End - Phil Boyte and Shyana Frost

Whether you're wrapping up a school year, finishing a big project, or simply trying to catch your breath after a busy season… it takes intention to actually pause long en

Episode #135 - Noticing Matters: Fun Ideas to Start the Second Half Strong

Looking for ways to honor the work your team has done and strengthen connections as the second half of the year begins? Phil and Shyana share simple, practical ideas—like

Episode #134 - Hopeful and Helpful with Guest Tara Schwerdt

Tara Schwerdt, School Counseling Coordinator in Shasta County, joins Shyana for a conversation full of clarity, warmth, and hope. Supporting counselors and ALT Ed leaders

Episode #133 - Noticing the Glimmers with Phil and Shyana

In this episode, Phil and Shyana talk about noticing the glimmers, the small wins and moments of good that can get lost in the busyness of the school day. They share simp

Episode #132 - Turning a School Around: One Relationship at a Time - Guest Erin May

Once upon a time, Olive Chapel Elementary wasn't the school families lined up for. Today, it has a waitlist and thriving academics — thanks to the intentional leadership

Episode #131 - Inside the Dream Team: How Staff Culture Comes to Life - Guest Blake Hiemstra

On this episode, Phil is joined by Blake Hiemstra, middle school principal at Valley Christian School in Visalia, California—leader of what his staff proudly calls The Dr

Episode #130 - The People First Framework

In this episode of School Culture by Design, Phil Boyte sits down with Shyana Frost, to unpack the heart behind the People First framework. They explore why leading well

Episode #129: What If We Can? - Guest Jessica Brooks

When Jessica Brooks opened a brand-new school, she set out to put relationships and trust at the center. Leading from a place of resilience and a 'What If We Can' mindset

Episode #128 - What to do when the cell phones are gone - Phil Boyte and Jason Jedamski

With new legislation pushing cell phones out of classrooms, Phil Boyte and Jason Jedamski see a huge opportunity to build something deeper: real community. During this po

Episode #127 - One Heart, One Mind: Leading with Joy and Connection with Guest Rob Sousa

In this energizing conversation, Phil Boyte sits down with Principal Rob Sousa to unpack how he cultivates a culture of joy, connection, and service on his campus. From e

Episode #126 - Rooted in People with Guest Dr. Jacqueline Johnson

In this episode, Dr. Jacqueline Johnson shares how she built connection and culture during her first year as principal at Lockport Township High School in Illinois. From

Episode #125 - Clarity, Consistency, and a Dash of Fun with Guest Bentli Lewis

In this vibrant and heart-filled conversation, Phil Boyte has a conversation with Bentli Lewis, a middle school principal who believes school should feel like an experien

Episode #124 - The Power of the Pause: Small Moments, Lasting Impact

In this episode, Phil Boyte and Shyana Frost explore how simple pauses can create deeper connections. From a barista's unexpected kindness to a school leader's thoughtful

Episode #123: Avoiding the Gotcha Culture

Every interaction—whether in a meeting, hallway, or casual drop-in—should build trust, confidence, and connection. But too often, staff feel watched instead of supported.