Creating a podcast episode can be a fun and creative way to share what you've learned about ancient leaders and how their lessons can be applied today.
Follow these steps to create a 3 part podcast.
In the first part of your podcast, talk about who the ancient leaders were, what made them special, and what kind of leaders they were. Were they strict? Charismatic? Strategic? Were they good at making decisions?
Here’s what you should do:
Choose Your Leaders: Pick 1-3 famous ancient leaders.
Describe Their Leadership Style: Think about how each leader led their people:
Was Julius Caesar bold and daring, or more strategic and thoughtful?
Did Cleopatra use diplomacy and charm, or did she rule with strength and intelligence?
Did Alexander the Great inspire his soldiers with his bravery and vision?
Were they bold and fearless? Did they inspire loyalty? Were they strategic thinkers?
Was Their Leadership Effective?: Share if their leadership worked. Did they achieve their goals? Did their decisions benefit their people or empire?
Example for your podcast:
"Today, let’s talk about Julius Caesar. He was a general and a dictator who led Rome through some tough times. Caesar was known for his bold decisions, like crossing the Rubicon and starting a civil war. His leadership was super effective in expanding the Roman Empire, but some of his decisions led to problems later on. Let’s see what we can learn from him."
Introduction to the Leader:
"Today, we’re going to talk about one of the most famous leaders in history: __________."
"Let’s start with __________, who was known for being __________."
"Have you ever heard of __________? He/She was an ancient leader who __________."
Leadership Style:
"__________ was known for being a __________ leader. This means he/she was __________."
"When we think of __________'s leadership, we can see that he/she was __________ because __________."
"Unlike other leaders of his/her time, __________ led in a very __________ way, using __________ to achieve his/her goals."
Effectiveness of Their Leadership:
"But did __________’s leadership actually work? Well, __________.”
"While __________ was a strong leader, some of his/her decisions were __________, which led to __________."
"In the end, __________’s leadership was __________ because __________."
In this part, you’ll talk about what we can learn from ancient leaders. Focus on the leadership lessons that modern leaders (like politicians, CEOs, or even teachers) can apply from what these ancient rulers did.
Here’s what you should do:
Pick 2-3 Key Lessons: Think about the most important qualities of the ancient leaders you discussed.
Julius Caesar: Was he decisive? What can modern leaders learn about making tough decisions?
Cleopatra: Was she a skilled negotiator? What can we learn from her ability to connect with people?
Alexander the Great: Did he inspire his army? What can modern leaders learn about motivating teams?
Relate It to Modern Times: Show how these lessons are still useful today.
Example: "Leaders today, like CEOs or school principals, can learn from Julius Caesar’s ability to make quick decisions. Sometimes in leadership, you need to act fast, just like Caesar did when he crossed the Rubicon and decided to march on Rome. It was a bold move, but it worked in the end."
Example for your podcast:
"One of the biggest lessons we can learn from Cleopatra is how she was able to build alliances. In today's world, leaders need to work well with others and communicate well, just like Cleopatra did when she formed partnerships with powerful Roman leaders like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony."
Lesson #1:
"One lesson we can learn from __________ is __________."
"A key takeaway from __________’s leadership is how important it is to __________."
"Modern leaders can learn from __________ by __________."
Lesson #2:
"Another lesson we can apply today comes from __________, who showed us that __________."
"What __________ did that we can all learn from is __________."
"For example, __________’s approach to __________ teaches us how to __________ in our own lives."
Lesson #3:
"From __________, we also learn that being __________ is a powerful leadership trait."
"__________ demonstrated that leadership isn’t just about giving orders; it’s about __________."
"One of the most important leadership lessons from __________ is __________."
"Leaders today, like our principals or team captains, could learn a lot from __________, especially when it comes to __________."
How can your listeners apply these leadership lessons to their schoolwork, sports, or even in their personal lives? This part of your podcast should inspire and give practical advice that anyone can use.
Here’s what you should do:
Share how you, as a middle school student, can use these leadership lessons.
Do you need to be more decisive like Caesar in making decisions for a group project?
Can you be a better communicator like Cleopatra when working with friends or teammates?
Should you try to be inspirational like Alexander the Great when leading a school activity?
Give Tips: Offer practical advice on how your listeners can practice leadership at school or at home.
Example for your podcast:
"You don’t have to be a king or queen to be a leader! If you’re working on a group project, like Caesar, you can learn to make decisions quickly and confidently, even if it’s a little tough. If you’re on a sports team, you can inspire your teammates like Alexander the Great by cheering them on and reminding them of the team’s goals. And like Cleopatra, if you want to be a better leader, work on your communication skills. Whether it’s talking with your teachers, friends, or teammates, being clear and respectful can make a huge difference."
Sentence Starters for your Script:
"So, how can we use these lessons in our own lives? For starters, we can __________."
"The leadership of ____ teaches us that we should _____ in our schoolwork/friendships."
"If we were in charge of a group project, we could lead like __________ by __________."
"For example, if I were to lead a school event, I’d make sure to ______, just like ________ did."
"In today’s world, leadership is about __________, and __________ showed us how to do that."
In Ms. Johnson’s classroom, we can ____________________________
While at lunch or recess, I will _________________________.
"I challenge you to think about how you can apply these leadership lessons to your own life. What could you do today to be a better leader, like __________?"
"Take a moment to think about your own leadership style. How can you be more __________, like __________?"
"As we’ve learned from __________, leadership is about __________, and you can start using that in your life right now by __________."
BONUS Tips:
Use stories, fun facts, or quotes from the leaders to keep your listeners interested.
Interview an adult to get their thoughts on leadership.
"Now imagine if you were __________. How would you handle __________?"
"If __________ were alive today, he/she would probably say __________ about leadership."
"Let’s pause and think: what would happen if we used _______'s leadership style in our own classroom?"
"Now, let’s take this one step further. If you were to lead like ____, how would your decisions be different?"