2Principals Podcast

2P100: Prioritizing Wellbeing and Leadership

In this milestone 100th episode, Jason Paurus and Kevin Jost reflect on their journey as the hosts of '2Principals Podcast. They discuss the importance of prioritizing mental health, physical health, stress management, and work-life balance, especially for school principals. The episode delves into practical strategies for maintaining wellbeing, breaking the stigma around mental health, and creating a supportive school culture. The hosts also share their personal experiences and the value of community and connection in their journey. As they celebrate this significant achievement, they encourage listeners to continue prioritizing their health and aim for many more episodes filled with valuable content.
00:00 Introduction and Milestone Celebration
00:52 Reflecting on the Journey
02:22 Engaging with the Audience
04:00 New Logo and Indie Podcast Beginnings
09:47 Random Questions and Secret Sauce
15:04 Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellbeing
21:58 Statistics and Impact on School Culture
23:58 The Importance of Self-Care
25:35 Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health
27:55 Time Management Challenges for Principals
29:53 Addressing the Lack of Resources
33:09 Effective Mental Health Strategies
37:06 Physical Health Tips for Busy Principals
40:37 Stress Management Techniques
42:45 Work-Life Balance Strategies
47:27 Weekly Challenge and Final Thoughts

2P99: Navigating Critical Decisions as School Principals

In this episode of the 2Principals Podcast, Jason Paurus and Kevin Jost discuss the topic tackling the significant issue of decision-making in school leadership. The episode dives into the multitude of decisions principals face daily, the emotional impact of those decisions, and strategies for effective decision-making. The show wraps up with practical advice on mental health and stress management for school leaders.
00:43 Podcast Kickoff and Episode Theme
01:57 Listener Engagement and Gratitude
06:35 Principalship Challenges and Random Questions
09:45 Secret Sauce of the Week
11:20 Mastering the Art of Decision Making
13:11 Emotional Impact of the Job
16:40 Tough Decisions in Crisis Situations
18:33 The Weight of Decision Making
20:16 Strategies for Effective Decision Making
24:04 Barriers to Decision Making
28:52 Practical Strategies for Mastering Decisions
32:23 Reflecting on Decisions
35:19 Community and Support
36:12 Mental Health and Wellbeing
37:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

2P98: Navigating Difficult Conversations

On this episode of the 2Principals Podcast, hosts Jason Paurus and Kevin Jost discuss the challenges and strategies for navigating difficult conversations with parents. They reflect on personal experiences and share practical approaches for effective communication. Topics include the importance of active listening, staying calm, being solution-oriented, and the need for follow-up. This episode emphasizes the role of principals in fostering trust and collaboration within their school communities.
00:00 Introduction
02:06 Importance of Communication
24:09 Strategies for Effective Communication
31:07 Weekly Challenge
33:06 Mental Health Minute
34:09 Conclusion

2P97: Balancing Work and Life in a Digital Age

In this episode, Jason Paurus and Kevin Jost discuss strategies for achieving a work-life balance in educational leadership. As both are school principals, they delve into personal stories reflecting past stress and burnout due to the demanding nature of their roles. They present practical tips like setting boundaries, leveraging technology, and creating a supportive network while emphasizing self-care practices and mindfulness. The episode also highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health and personal time to enhance not only their effectiveness as leaders but also to inspire their staff and students. The conversation touches upon the evolving methods to manage work stress and maintain a healthy work-life blend in a digitally connected world.
00:00 Introduction and Raising the Frequency
00:19 Welcoming the Audience
01:01 About the 2Principals
02:23 Merchandise and Wikipedia
03:31 Song of the Day
05:03 Random Question Segment
10:28 Work-Life Balance Discussion
19:35 Eye-Opening Statistics on Educator Burnout
20:06 The Struggle to Disconnect After Work
20:49 Health Issues and Burnout Among Principals
21:57 The Impact of Burnout on School Communities
24:41 Barriers to Achieving Work-Life Balance
24:50 The Overwhelming Influx of Emails
28:15 The Pressure to Be Involved in Every Aspect
30:59 Strategies for Better Work-Life Balance
37:12 Prioritizing Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix
39:03 Scheduling Self-Care Blocks
40:19 Creating a Support Network
42:30 Weekly Challenge: Setting Boundaries
43:14 Mental Health Minute: Nurturing Emotional Resilience
43:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

2P96: October Check-In with MASSP Director Bob Driver

In this episode of the 2Principals Podcast, hosts Jason and Kevin welcome back Bob Driver, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), to discuss a variety of topics relevant to school principals. They explore the importance of mental health resources, professional development opportunities, and leveraging AI as a tool for educational leaders. Bob shares insights on MASSP's benefits, membership statistics, and the historical context of the organization, now celebrating its 100th anniversary. The conversation covers the significance of attending divisional meetings, legal workshops, and national advocacy efforts. The episode also highlights student leadership opportunities and upcoming events like the MASSP winter and summer conferences. Bob encourages principals to engage with MASSP to maximize the available resources and support for educational leaders in Minnesota.
 
00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back
01:24 Random Question Segment
02:19 Mental Health and Professional Development
04:28 Overview of MASSP and Key Highlights
06:54 Benefits of MASSP Membership
12:40 Mental Health Tips for Principals
19:35 Legal Workshops and Policies
22:05 Cell Phone Policies in Schools
26:07 Additional Resources and Winter Conference
28:35 Encouraging Peer Presentations
28:49 Exciting Pre-Conference Sessions
29:17 Keynote Speakers Announcement
30:01 Celebrating 100 Years of MASSP
31:41 Reflecting on 1925 Challenges
37:28 AI in Education: Embracing the Future
39:57 Spring Initiatives and Legislative Engagement
43:35 National and State-Level Advocacy
45:18 Summer Conference and Student Leadership
50:39 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

2P95: Becoming the Change with Dan Wolfe

In this inspiring episode of the 2Principals Podcast, hosts Jason Paurus and Kevin Jost sit down with Dan Wolfe, an elementary principal, author, and advocate for social-emotional learning. Dan shares his personal journey that led to writing his book, "Becoming the Change: 5 Essential Elements to Being Your Best Self." The conversation delves into the importance of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making in both personal and professional growth.
Dan discusses how these five elements form the core of one's moral compass and provides insights on applying them in everyday life, particularly in educational leadership. He emphasizes the significance of vulnerability, servant leadership, and building strong relationships within school communities. The episode also touches on the challenges faced by educators and administrators, offering practical advice on overcoming obstacles and creating positive school cultures.
Throughout the discussion, Dan shares valuable resources for personal development, including book recommendations and podcast suggestions. He highlights the importance of continuous self-reflection and the power of positivity in making a lasting impact on others. The conversation concludes with Dan's inspiring message about leaving a meaningful legacy and the importance of being vulnerable and authentic as leaders.
Listeners will come away with practical strategies for personal growth, leadership development, and fostering positive change in their professional and personal lives. This episode serves as a reminder of the transformative power of self-awareness and the ripple effect of positive actions in creating a better world.
Where you can find Dan:
Instagram
X
Linkedin
Website
Becoming the Change: 5 Essential Elements

2P94: Tuning Into Your Body's Wisdom with Dr. Kimbi

In this enlightening episode of the 2Principals Podcast, hosts Jason Paurus and Kevin Jost sit down with Dr. Kimbi, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and behavioral health specialist. Dr. Kimbi shares her fascinating journey from vocal performance to psychology and nursing, emphasizing the importance of treating the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. The conversation delves deep into the pervasive issue of burnout culture, particularly in healthcare and education, and its profound impact on physical and mental well-being.
Dr. Kimbi breaks down the three dimensions of burnout as defined by the World Health Organization: exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished sense of achievement. She stresses the critical importance of setting healthy boundaries and recognizing personal limits as crucial steps in preventing burnout. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Kimbi emphasizes the body's innate wisdom, encouraging listeners to tune into their bodies' signals rather than ignore or pathologize symptoms.
The power of breath work is highlighted as a simple yet effective tool for managing stress and anxiety in daily life. Dr. Kimbi examines stress from both biological and psychological perspectives, explaining how chronic stress impacts the body's systems. She shares practical stress management techniques for educators and leaders, including mindfulness practices that can be easily incorporated into the workday.
The episode concludes with Dr. Kimbi's powerful message: "You are not broken." She encourages listeners to embrace their body's messages as valuable information rather than viewing them as problems to be fixed. For those interested in connecting with Dr. Kimbi, she can be reached through HealthWise Behavioral Health and Wellness and The Wellness Loft in Charleston, South Carolina.
Where you can find Dr. Kimbi:
Healthwise Behavioral Health and Wellness
Wellness Loft

2P93: Healthy Work Habits for School Leaders

In this enlightening episode of the 2Principals Podcast, hosts Jason Paurus and Kevin Jost dive into the crucial topic of cultivating healthy work habits for sustainable leadership in education. They discuss the challenges faced by school principals, including overwhelming workloads, time constraints, and feelings of isolation. Drawing from their own experiences and industry research, Jason and Kevin offer practical strategies for maintaining work-life balance and prioritizing personal well-being.
The hosts explore the importance of setting clear boundaries, delegating responsibilities, and connecting with peers to combat professional isolation. They emphasize the value of reflection and mindfulness practices in managing stress and improving focus. Jason and Kevin share personal anecdotes about implementing these strategies in their own lives, such as setting email boundaries and scheduling brief walking breaks during the workday.
Throughout the episode, the hosts remind listeners that developing healthy work habits is an ongoing journey rather than a destination. They encourage educators to make small, intentional choices daily that lead to lasting positive changes. The episode concludes with a weekly challenge for listeners to identify one unhealthy work habit and replace it with a healthier alternative.
Jason and Kevin also introduce a "2P Mental Health Minute," highlighting the importance of daily mindfulness practices and seeking support when feeling overwhelmed. They stress that sustainable leadership begins with self-care and that prioritizing personal well-being ultimately benefits the entire school community. This episode serves as an inspiring call to action for educators to lead with purpose, passion, and a commitment to their own health and wellness.

2P92: Just Breath . . . Battling Burnout

In this insightful episode of the 2Principals Podcast, hosts Jason Paurus and Kevin Jost tackle the critical issue of burnout in school leadership. Drawing from their personal experiences and industry statistics, they highlight the prevalence of burnout among principals, with nearly 60% feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities and many working over 60 hours per week. The hosts discuss various barriers to maintaining work-life balance, including the culture of overwork in education, lack of time, and feelings of isolation.
Jason and Kevin share practical strategies for combating burnout, emphasizing the importance of setting clear boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and building a strong support network. They advocate for incorporating mindfulness practices, engaging in professional development, and celebrating both small and large successes. The hosts stress the significance of regular self-check-ins and fostering a supportive environment within schools.
The episode concludes with a weekly challenge for listeners to identify one area in their lives where they can set a boundary. Listeners are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #2PChallenge. The hosts also introduce a "Mental Health Minute," reminding listeners to prioritize their mental well-being and reach out for help when needed. This episode serves as a valuable resource for school leaders seeking to maintain their passion and effectiveness while avoiding the pitfalls of burnout in the demanding world of education.

2P91: Scaling Leadership Mountains . . .Crafting Realistic Goals for Principal Success

In this episode of the 2Principals Podcast, Jason Paurus and Kevin Jost dive into the crucial topic of setting realistic personal goals for effective leadership in the principalship. They discuss the importance of goal-setting as a fundamental practice that shapes a principal's effectiveness and impacts student and staff outcomes. The hosts share personal experiences from their early years as principals, highlighting the pitfalls of setting overly ambitious or numerous goals. They present eye-opening statistics about principal overwhelm and the positive impact of clear, achievable goals on student performance. The duo explores common barriers to effective goal-setting, including time management challenges, fear of failure, lack of support, and information overload. They offer practical strategies to overcome these obstacles, such as using SMART goals, prioritizing key objectives, seeking support, reflecting and adjusting, celebrating small wins, and establishing goal-setting routines. The episode concludes with a weekly challenge for listeners to set one realistic personal goal and reflect on their progress. Jason and Kevin emphasize that goal-setting should reduce stress, not add to it, and remind principals to prioritize their mental health in the process. This episode provides valuable insights for both new and experienced school leaders looking to enhance their goal-setting practices and leadership effectiveness.