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The Comm Dept.
Podcast

Exploring marketing, communication, and creativity within private, independent schools. Featuring real conversations with education professionals and service providers.

The Comm Dept. Podcast Cover Art
About the Show

Real Conversations for
School Communicators

The Comm Dept. is the companion podcast to Elevate Community & Conference. Each episode dives into the topics that matter most to independent school marketing and communications professionals.

From emerging trends in school branding to practical social media strategies, we bring you candid conversations with the people doing this work every day — at schools just like yours.

Industry Trends

Stay ahead of the curve

Expert Guests

Learn from the best

Best Practices

Actionable takeaways

Candid Stories

Unfiltered perspectives

Topics

What We Talk About

Deep dives into the topics that matter most to independent school communicators.

Digital Strategy

Social media, websites, SEO, and digital marketing tailored for independent schools.

Brand & Storytelling

Building authentic school brands through compelling narratives and visual identity.

Content Creation

Photography, video production, copywriting, and creative workflows for school teams.

Enrollment Marketing

Strategies for attracting and retaining families through effective marketing.

Team Leadership

Managing creative teams, navigating school politics, and advocating for your department.

Innovation & Trends

AI tools, emerging platforms, and what's next for school communications.

Your Hosts

Behind the Mic

Phil Goodman

Phil Goodman

Host & Director

Director of Creative Services at Brentwood Academy and founder of Elevate. Phil brings 15 years of marketing expertise and a passion for creative thinking.

Libby Alvarez

Libby Alvarez

Co-Host & Associate Director

Marketing leader at Lipscomb Academy. Libby brings expertise in storytelling, social media, and brand development to every conversation.

Listen Now

Available on Your Favorite Platform

Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Get Involved

Have a Topic Idea?

We're always looking for great topics and guests. If you have a story to tell or a topic you'd love us to cover, we'd love to hear from you.

Join the Conversation

Connect with fellow independent school marketers at Elevate 2026 in Atlanta.