Episodes

In this reflective episode, Susan and Tessa explore how our outlook, positive or negative, impacts our mindset, our leadership, and our daily productivity. Tessa shares how negativity often becomes our default setting, especially when one frustrating moment overshadows an otherwise good day. They discuss how our brains can trick us into thinking things are worse than they are, and why exercising the “positivity muscle” takes intentional effort. With the strategy “the story we tell ourselves,” le...

In this encouraging episode, Susan and Tessa dive into a concept from Tessa’s latest article—“Figure-out-able.” As leaders, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and fall into a spiral of doubt when challenges seem unsolvable. But with a shift in mindset, regulation strategies, and a little patience, even the toughest situations can be worked through. Susan and Tessa remind us that solutions often exist right beyond the frustration, and with time, effort, and intentional thinking, everything truly is fi...

As the school year winds down, it’s easy to feel like hitting a quick reset button and moving on—but real growth requires more than a simple reboot. In this reflective episode, Susan and Tessa invite leaders to pause and truly assess the past year. Whether you faced scheduling frustrations, saw little movement in school culture, or neglected your own well-being, now is the time to stop, reflect, and re-align. Instead of rebooting like a computer, they outline intentional strategies to close the ...

In moments of uncertainty, it’s easy for leaders to spiral into the “what if” cycle, losing focus and direction. In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the realities of leading when the future feels unclear and distractions are everywhere. They explore how to be intentional with your energy, how to redirect your mindset, and how to focus on what you can control. With thoughtful reflection and practical insight, they challenge listeners to pause, prioritize what matters most, and step forward...

The Hosts of The Dips of Doubt: Tessa Brock Tessa is a passionate, engaging and inspiring presenter who tackles the tough topics of Organizational Culture, Trauma Responsive Approaches, Communication, Reflective Practice, and Self-Care with a balance of expertise, honesty, and humor. Tessa has worked with schools through Fortune 500 organizations to enhance interpersonal interactions. Through her genuine and authentic manner, Tessa skillfully uses story to drive home key concepts that make a l...

In this heartfelt episode, Susan and Tessa explore the emotional weight so many of us carry, both seen and unseen, in our daily roles as educators and leaders. Inspired by Tessa’s recent article, they dive into the metaphor of the “backpack” we all wear, filled with stress, responsibility, and personal challenges. Tessa shares a personal story about stepping into a leadership role for a committee and feeling the sting of silence after a high-stakes meeting. That moment of being unacknowledged sh...

In this episode, Susan shares a sweet and funny moment with her granddaughter, who has entered the “Why?” phase of childhood, responding to every request with that simple, yet profound question. While it may be endearing, and occasionally exhausting, this moment leads Susan and Tessa into a meaningful conversation about leadership and how we respond to the same question in our professional roles. As leaders, we sometimes interpret “Why?” as pushback or disrespect, triggering defensiveness or fr...

Do you ever feel a heaviness settle in as Sunday winds down? In this episode, Susan and Tessa open up about the all-too-common "Sunday Blues"—that anxious feeling as the week ahead begins to take over your thoughts. From staff meetings and to-do lists to tough conversations and deadlines, the mental load of leadership can make Sunday feel more overwhelming than restful. Susan and Tessa share simple, practical strategies to ease the transition into the week, including planning ahead, prioritizin...

Sometimes as leaders, our enthusiasm can unintentionally overshadow others. In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into a story from Tessa’s recent newsletter blog about leading a staff birthday celebration and realizing afterward that she had inadvertently taken over the event, leaving little room for others to contribute. Tessa shares her reflections on the experience and the importance of being mindful about sharing leadership moments with your team. Together, Susan and Tessa explore how good...

What does it really mean to “fake it till you make it” in leadership? In this episode, Susan and Tessa unpack the phrase and explore the balance between confidence and authenticity. As new leaders, it's common to step into roles without having all the answers—so how do we navigate that tension without feeling like a fraud? Tessa shares the powerful quote, “Set your goals so high, you have to become the person to achieve them,” framing the discussion around pushing through imposter syndrome, emb...

As a leader, it can feel like no matter what decision you make—someone will be upset. In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the all-too-familiar “Blame Game,” where staff, students, or parents point fingers, and leaders are left carrying the weight. They unpack how blame can trigger defensiveness, shut down healthy communication, and block opportunities for growth. Instead of spiraling into guilt or frustration, they offer strategies to shift from blame to reflection—turning tension into te...

Taking risks is part of leadership but what happens when the outcome stings? In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into a powerful article Tessa shared, sparking a vulnerable conversation about stepping into opportunity, facing rejection, and wrestling with the bruised ego that often follows. They explore what it means to take a leap of faith, even when the results don’t go your way. From family dinner table conversations about daily risks to basketball coaches using failure as a teaching tool,...

It’s a celebration! In this milestone episode, Susan and Tessa reflect on the incredible journey to 100 episodes and express heartfelt gratitude to the people who helped make it all possible—family, friends, special guests, and most importantly, you, the listeners. They pull back the curtain to share behind-the-scenes stories, lessons learned along the way, and what it’s really been like building a podcast centered on real leadership conversations. You’ll hear how the show started, why it conti...

Not every "no" is the end of the road. In fact, it might just be the redirection you needed. In this heartfelt episode, Susan and Tessa kick off the conversation with a personal story about a missed opportunity that, at the time, felt like failure. Susan shares what it was like to not receive a position she deeply wanted, only to discover later that something even better was waiting. Together, they explore the concept of “reasons and seasons”—how certain setbacks are part of a bigger plan for g...

Leadership often comes with the pressure to perform, to be liked, and to constantly prove your worth. But what if that mindset is doing more harm than good? In this episode, Susan and Tessa dig into the emotional weight leaders carry when trying to be everyone’s favorite. Through stories, quotes, and hard-earned lessons, they explore how to stay grounded in your values, remain self-aware, and not let negative comments define your identity. They also remind us of an important truth: all behavior...

In the fast-paced world of leadership, it’s easy to overlook the power of two simple words: Thank you. But do they really matter? Shouldn’t staff just do their jobs without expecting recognition? In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the significance of gratitude in the workplace and how appreciation (or the lack of it) impacts morale, motivation, and decision-making. They share practical examples of how a well-timed Thank you can lift up educators, while constant criticism can create hesit...

In this powerful episode, Susan and Tessa explore the power of our thoughts with the quote, "We become what we think about." Susan shares a personal story about how receiving a poor medical test result affected not just her mindset but even her physical actions, which highlights how our thoughts can derail us more than reality itself. As leaders, self-doubt and negative thinking can chip away at our confidence and impact how we show up. Susan and Tessa dive into the ways our own minds hold us ba...

In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the chaos of leadership and the challenge of managing endless details. Using the metaphor of a snow globe, they remind us that even in the middle of a storm, the snow eventually settles. They introduce the strategy of closing the loop to help leaders stay on top of the details while maintaining clarity and focus. Leadership isn’t just about managing tasks—it’s about keeping track of relationships, conversations, and commitments. By developing systems to...

What does it truly mean to be a professional? As leaders, we often assume professionalism is understood, but it requires continuous teaching, modeling, and reinforcement. In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the three pillars of professionalism and how they shape a thriving educational culture. Tessa introduces The Class Tool, a framework that helps educators assess their ability to create emotionally safe environments and differentiate instruction for students at various levels. They disc...

In this powerful episode, Tessa kicks off the conversation with a story about a flight attendant who effortlessly blended playfulness, relationship-building, and firm expectations to create a positive experience for passengers. As Tessa made her way to her seat, she heard the attendant declare, “We are going to shower everyone with kindness, y’all!” This moment sparked a deeper reflection on leadership—how do we balance warmth with authority? Susan and Tessa explore how building relationships an...

Leadership is tough, and every day presents new challenges. In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into what it means to be a “diamond leader” by exploring the qualities that make leaders worth following. They discuss the importance of trust, honesty, and grace while acknowledging that no one is perfect. If we’re not careful, our actions can harm relationships and school culture, making it even more crucial to show up intentionally for our staff, students, and community. Everyone is watching, and...

As a new leader, knowing when to speak up and when to stay silent can be a challenge. In this episode, Susan and Tessa explore the struggles of stepping into leadership and the pressure to share ideas, give input, or voice objections. They discuss how silence, observation, and assessment can be some of the most powerful tools for a young leader. Sometimes the best way to lead is to listen first. Tune in for insights on navigating leadership with patience, strategy, and confidence. The Hosts of ...

Have you ever given feedback at the wrong time and instantly regretted it? In this episode, Tessa shares a personal story about holding back her instinct to critique her daughter’s swim performance because sometimes timing is everything. As leaders, we may have the best intentions but if we deliver feedback too soon it can feel more like criticism than support. Susan and Tessa break down the importance of wait time, emotional awareness, and empathy in communication. Tune in to learn how to ensur...

As leaders, we often feel the pressure to do it all, but should we? In this episode, Susan and Tessa dive into the power of delegation, drawing insights from Chris Donnelly’s Step by Step newsletter. They explore a thought-provoking definition of delegation and why it's a critical skill for leadership growth. By lightening the load, empowering others, and fostering collaboration, delegation not only strengthens your team but also helps prevent burnout. Tune in as they break down the benefits, sh...