What do you do when leadership throws you a situation you never saw coming, and there's no handbook to tell you what to do next?

In this episode of A Pod Called Quest, hosts Julie Sesser and Diego Arancibia get real about the unexpected moments that shaped their leadership journeys in expanded learning. From two llamas showing up on a middle school campus to standing up for a student others were ready to give up on, they share stories that prove some of the biggest leadership lessons happen when you're figuring things out as you go.

Along the way, Julie and Diego explore the importance of mentorship, navigating relationships with school leaders, learning from failure, and finding the courage to speak up when it matters most.

Through humor, honest reflection, and a few unforgettable stories, this conversation reminds us that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about how you show up, the decisions you make, and the people you impact along the way.

Because let's face it, some things just aren't in the handbook.

You’ll Hear About

• Why real leadership doesn't always follow a playbook
• The unexpected challenges that come with working in expanded learning
• Julie's unforgettable encounter with two llamas on a middle school campus
• Finding mentors and building relationships with school leaders
• Learning from failure and figuring things out along the way
• Diego's experience standing up for a student others wanted to remove from a program
• Why connection, compassion, and belonging are at the heart of youth development

Chapters

00:00 | Welcome to A Pod Called Quest

01:00 | Real Leadership: What They Don't Teach You

03:00 | Leadership Happens in Everyday Moments

04:00 | Navigating Relationships With School Principals

07:00 | Why Every Leader Needs a Mentor

08:30 | Wait, There Are Llamas on Campus?!

13:00 | Figuring It Out When Things Don't Go as Planned

14:00 | The People Who Shape Our Leadership Journey

17:00 | Why Middle School Leadership Hits Different

18:00 | Learning From Failure and Finding Your Voice

21:00 | Standing Up for a Student When It Matters Most

24:00 | Looking Beyond Behavior to Build Connection

26:00 | Learning to Lead in the Gray Areas

A Pod Called Quest is a podcast from ASAPconnect, hosted by Julie Sesser and Diego Arancibia, exploring leadership, culture, and community in expanded learning. Through honest conversations, stories from the field, and meaningful reflections, the podcast creates space to learn, grow, and celebrate the people who make expanded learning possible.

Know someone who should hear this? Send it their way.

🎧 Follow the podcast and join the quest.
🌐 Connect with ASAPconnect at asapconnect.org

What does it really mean to lead in expanded learning, especially when the most important lessons aren't found in a handbook?

In the first episode of A Pod Called Quest, hosts Julie Sesser and Diego Arancibia share the inspiration behind the podcast and reflect on their journeys in expanded learning. From unforgettable moments in afterschool programs to the people who shaped their leadership, they explore why it's important to make space for the stories, voices, and experiences that often go unheard.

Along the way, Julie and Diego discuss the power of community, what it means to lead without a title, and why the work of expanded learning deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

Through personal stories, humor, and honest reflection, this episode sets the stage for what's ahead: real conversations about leadership, culture, and the people making a difference every day.

Because leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about learning, growing, and finding your way together.

You’ll Hear About

• The story and inspiration behind A Pod Called Quest
• Why celebrating and documenting the work of expanded learning matters
• Leadership beyond titles and positions
• The importance of belonging, connection, and community
• Lessons learned from the unexpected challenges of working in afterschool programs
• Recognizing the everyday leaders who make a difference for young people

Episode Chapters

00:00 | Welcome to A Pod Called Quest

00:50 | Why This Podcast? Why Now?

03:00 | Creating Space for Voices That Deserve to Be Heard

07:00 | Leadership Is About Talent, Not Titles

09:30 | The Story and Mission Behind ASAPconnect

13:00 | Learning, Growing, and Leading in Community

17:00 | Lessons From the Early Days of Expanded Learning

22:00 | The Power of Choice and Belonging in Afterschool Programs

25:00 | Real Stories From the Field

30:00 | Leading Through Unexpected Challenges

34:00 | Leadership Is a Journey, Not a Destination

38:00 | Representation, Opportunity, and Finding Your Place

49:30 | Closing Reflections and What's Ahead

Know someone working in expanded learning who needs to hear this conversation? Share this episode with them and invite them to join the quest.

A Pod Called Quest is a podcast from ASAPconnect, hosted by Julie Sesser and Diego Arancibia, exploring leadership, culture, and community in expanded learning. Through honest conversations, stories from the field, and meaningful reflections, the podcast creates space to learn, grow, and celebrate the people who make expanded learning possible.

Know someone who should hear this? Send it their way.

🎧 Follow the podcast and join the quest.
🌐 Connect with ASAPconnect at asapconnect.org

Welcome to A Pod Called Quest, a podcast from ASAPconnect focused on the real work of leadership in expanded learning.

Hosted by Julie Sesser and Diego Arancibia, this podcast creates space for honest conversations about leadership, culture, and community. From the ambiguity and challenges to the moments of growth and reflection, each episode explores what it actually looks like to lead in this work.

You’ll hear stories from the field, insights on expanded learning as a career, and conversations around identity, music, and meaning — all grounded in the experiences that shape how we show up for young people and for each other.

This isn’t a podcast about having all the answers.
It’s about asking better questions and growing through the process.

If you work in expanded learning or care about the people who do, this is your space.

🎙️ Subscribe and join the quest.

A Pod Called Quest is a podcast from ASAPConnect, exploring leadership, culture, and community in expanded learning.

Know someone who should hear this? Send it their way.

🎧 Follow the podcast and join the quest.
🌐 Connect with ASAPconnect at asapconnect.org