2Principals Podcast

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.

2P90: Mindset Metamorphosis . . . Crafting an Unshakeable Leadership Foundation

In this episode, Jason Paurus and Kevin Jost dive deep into the critical topic of building a strong leadership mindset for school principals. They explore the importance of cultivating resilience and positivity, citing studies that show principals with a robust mindset are more effective in navigating crises and experience lower burnout rates. The duo discusses four major barriers to developing this mindset: lack of time, feeling isolated, imposter syndrome, and lack of prioritization. They then offer practical strategies to overcome these obstacles, including making mindset development a consistent habit, building a supportive network, embracing a growth mindset, and implementing structured feedback loops. Jason and Kevin emphasize the power of prioritizing self-care and adopting an abundance mentality. Throughout the episode, they share personal experiences and insights, providing listeners with actionable advice to strengthen their leadership mindset and lead their schools more effectively. This episode is a must-listen for any educational leader looking to elevate their mental game and achieve remarkable results.

2P89: The Blueprint for Success with Todd Bloomer

In this episode of the 2Principals Podcast, we dive deep into the world of educational leadership with Todd Bloomer, author of "The Blueprint: Survive and Thrive as a School Administrator" and high school principal at Churchill High School in San Antonio, Texas. With 29 years of experience in education, Todd shares invaluable insights on balancing the demanding role of a principal with personal life.
Todd discusses his approach to creating a culture of involvement at his school, which serves about 2,400 students. He emphasizes the importance of the "Bloomer triangle of success," ensuring that parents, staff, and students all have a voice in the school community. Drawing from his personal experiences, Todd offers candid advice on work-life balance, sharing both his struggles and strategies for prioritizing family while excelling as a school leader.
The conversation turns to the critical topic of self-care for administrators, with Todd revealing his morning routine and the impact it has had on his physical and mental well-being. He then delves into the key themes of his book, "The Blueprint," covering essential topics such as navigating the first 30 days on the job, maintaining self-care, and the importance of advocacy in education.
Throughout the episode, Todd provides valuable advice for new and aspiring principals, emphasizing the need to be visible and engaged while also managing time effectively. He encourages educators to stay passionate about their work and connected to students, sharing personal anecdotes that highlight the rewards of the profession.
Listeners interested in connecting with Todd can find him on Twitter/X @bloomer_sa, on LinkedIn as Todd Bloomer, or visit his website at http://toddmbloomer.com. This episode offers a wealth of practical wisdom for current and aspiring educational leaders, making it a must-listen for anyone in the field of education administration.
If you are interested in purchasing The Blueprint: Survive and Thrive as a School Administrator, please visit this LINK.

2P88: Radical Wellness . . . Nurturing Happiness in Education with Kim Strobel

In this enlightening episode of the 2Principles Podcast, hosts Jason and Kevin welcome back Kim Strobel, the renowned Happiness Coach, for a deep dive into nurturing joy and wellbeing in education. Kim shares invaluable insights on the importance of acknowledging struggles and avoiding toxic positivity in school leadership. The conversation explores strategies for managing perfectionism and negative self-talk, including the intriguing concept of naming your inner critic. Kim discusses her impactful book "Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy" and its resonance with educators. The power of vulnerability in leadership is emphasized, with Kim and the hosts sharing personal experiences. Practical tips for "radical wellness" are offered, including setting digital boundaries and utilizing phone settings to limit screen time. Kim also recounts her fascinating experience speaking to the FBI about happiness, highlighting its relevance even in high-stress professions. The episode concludes with a tease of future discussions on addressing toxicity in school environments. Listeners are encouraged to explore Kim's book and the accompanying downloadable study guide at strobeleducation.com. For those inspired by Kim's message, she is available for speaking engagements at schools and educational organizations.
If you are interested in purchasing "Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy", please visit this LINK.

2P87: Sweat Equity . . . Boosting Leadership Through Physical Fitness

In this energizing episode of the 2Principals Podcast, hosts Jason and Kevin dive into the critical yet often overlooked topic of physical fitness for school leaders. As they kick off the new school year, the duo emphasizes the importance of prioritizing personal wellness amidst the demanding role of a principal.
Drawing from research and personal experiences, Jason and Kevin highlight how regular physical activity can significantly boost productivity, decision-making capabilities, and overall resilience in leadership. They address common barriers that principals face in maintaining fitness routines, such as lack of time, competing priorities, and burnout, offering practical strategies to overcome these challenges.
The hosts stress the importance of consistency and finding enjoyable activities that can be sustainably integrated into busy schedules. They suggest starting small, scheduling workouts like non-negotiable appointments, and leveraging technology to stay motivated. The episode also touches on the benefits of involving support systems and celebrating small victories along the fitness journey.
Throughout the discussion, Jason and Kevin emphasize that prioritizing physical wellness isn't just about personal health—it's about setting a powerful example for the entire school community. They encourage listeners to take that first step towards incorporating regular physical activity into their leadership routines, reminding principals that their own well-being is crucial for effective school leadership.
This episode serves as an inspiring call to action for school leaders to prioritize their physical fitness as they embark on the new academic year, promising benefits that extend far beyond personal health to enhance their overall leadership effectiveness.