Bell 2 Bell With the Doc

James Sharp
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Bimonthly

This is a Podcast by principals, for principals. Dennis Wilds and Chris Sharp look at educational leadership and how to improve your school. Please follow us on twitter @dwilds22 and @jchrissharp. Also, please join and read our blog at https://dwilds22.wixsite.com/website

  1. Feb 16

    Bell 2 Bell with the Doc: Ep. 41- Tipping the Scales

    Most people don’t fear the scale because of the number… They fear it because it tells the truth. ⚖️ In this episode of Bell 2 Bell with the Doc, we talk about why real growth — in training, teaching, and leadership — starts with honest weigh-ins. Just like fighters who try to “cheat the scale,” we sometimes avoid real feedback in schools. But cheating the scale only means you’re cheating yourself. In Tipping the Scales, we unpack: • Why one “weigh-in” never tells the whole story • The power of daily check-ins over quarterly benchmarks • How questioning, CFAs, and assessments are tools — not grades • Why official observations are often the weakest data point • How PLCs and real relationships create honest feedback • Why leaders need real-time checkpoints, not just reports 💡 Progress isn’t about one number. It’s about patterns, trends, and consistency. If you want to tip the scales in your classroom or school, you have to measure what matters — and do it often.

    16 min

  2. Jan 30

    Bell 2 Bell with the Doc: Ep. 40- Building Your Tribe

    No one leads alone — whether they admit it or not. In Episode 40 of Bell 2 Bell with the Doc, we talk about building your tribe — the people who keep you grounded, honest, and moving forward when leadership gets heavy. Every strong leader needs: • 🔆 The Positive Perspective — the one who helps you see possibility • 🧠 The Sage Wisdom — the voice of experience and calm • 🔥 The Ride-or-Die — the person who has your back no matter what • ✝️ The Spiritual Guidance — the compass when things feel off course • 🛡️ The Shoulder Partner / Brother in Arms — someone who carries the weight with you • 🏠 The Safe Haven — where you can be real, not “in charge” Leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about knowing who to lean on — and when.

    18 min

  3. Jan 20

    Bell 2 Bell with the Doc: Ep. 39- Sniffing Out Bad Advice

    Don’t take advice from just anyone. Some advice can actually hurt you. In the latest episode of Bell 2 Bell with the Doc, we break down how to spot bad advice before it derails your decisions. Ask yourself: Do they really have expertise, or just street credit?How do they perform under pressure?Do they confuse causation with correlation?Do they consider multiple points of view?Do they have to be the smartest person in the room?Do they admit what they don’t know?How do they react when challenged or pushed back?💡 Knowing the answers to these questions will save you headaches, mistakes, and wasted time. 🎧 Tune in now and learn how to separate the helpful from the harmful.

    19 min

  4. 12/01/2025

    Bell 2 Bell with the Doc: Ep. 38- Pace Your Race Towards Change.

    In this episode of Bell 2 Bell with the Doc, we dive headfirst into the unexpected connections between endurance racing and school leadership — including a brutally honest story from the Atomic Man triathlon involving Crybaby Hill, a collapsing racer, and one front yard that will never be the same. Using three core principles — knowing the course, knowing the distance, and knowing your team’s fitness level — we break down why so many school initiatives fail, why leaders burn out, and how pacing your “race” makes or breaks real change. If you’ve ever rushed into an initiative, sprinted through a mandate, or found yourself metaphorically (or literally) hiding in a porta-john, this episode will hit home. It’s equal parts practical leadership insight, endurance training wisdom, and “oh no he didn’t just say that” storytelling.

    13 min

  5. 11/22/2025

    Bell 2 Bell: Ep.37- Hunting the Black Dog.

    In this episode, Doc dives into the ancient legend of the Black Dog — the dark, lurking force that stalks athletes, educators, and leaders alike. From end-of-season burnout to broken school cultures, this metaphorical beast thrives on negativity and fear.But you don’t have to let it hunt you. Doc shares raw stories from the classroom, the front office, and the race course — including a surprising moment with a ukulele and a “problem kid” that flips the whole narrative on its head.Discover which wolf you’ve been feeding… and why your school, your team, and your own sanity depend on starving the other. This one hits deep.

    17 min

  6. 11/10/2025

    Bell 2 Bell Ep. 36- “That’s a Terrible Idea!” Leading from the Back.

    In this episode, Dr. Chris Sharp shares one of his favorite phrases — “That’s a terrible idea!” — and how it’s become both a coping mechanism and a leadership philosophy. Through a hilarious and insightful story about a group bike ride gone wrong, he explores what it really means to lead from behind — guiding others quietly, protecting your people, and stepping up only when it truly matters.From classrooms to boardrooms, we all work with a few “Richards” — overconfident leaders with shiny tools and no map. Dr. Sharp reminds us that sometimes, the smartest person in the room isn’t the one talking the loudest — it’s the one holding the real directions.  Reach out at : docjcsharp@gmail.com

    13 min

  7. 11/03/2025

    Bell 2 Bell Ep. 35 Toeing the Line: Failure or Finish

    In this episode, Dr. Chris Sharp shares a raw, honest reflection on what it means to show up—even when you’re out of shape, out of rhythm, or out of confidence. Drawing parallels between racing, leadership, and education, he explores the courage it takes to toe the line, the lessons hidden in failure, and the quiet victory of finishing—no matter where you place. Because success isn’t about the medal or the ranking. It’s about the willingness to keep showing up. docjcsharp@gmail.com

    13 min

  8. 10/26/2025

    Bell 2 Bell Ep, 34- The Myth of the Medal

    This week, I am looking at the adjulation and awards (or lack ther of ) that occur in schools. It is time to identify the myth of the medal.  Reach out at  docjcsharp@gmail.com

    14 min
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About

This is a Podcast by principals, for principals. Dennis Wilds and Chris Sharp look at educational leadership and how to improve your school. Please follow us on twitter @dwilds22 and @jchrissharp. Also, please join and read our blog at https://dwilds22.wixsite.com/website

Information

  • Creator
    James Sharp
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright James Sharp
  • Show Website
    Bell 2 Bell With the Doc