Authenticity and Vulnerability: Jon Harper’s P3

Jon Harper is currently the assistant principal in Dorchester County, Maryland. This is his seventh year serving as an assistant principal at the elementary level. Prior to becoming an administrator, he served as a Math Coach and an elementary school teacher. During his sixth year teaching, he earned National Board Certification, which he held for ten years. He ran a Young Gentleman's Club that was aimed at helping young men reach their full potential. Jon is a blogger and the host of two podcasts on the Bam Radio Network. He lives in Easton, Maryland with his wife and children.

My Bad, Jon’s podcast, is about learning through sharing own mistakes- mistakes and how to rebound. Beth A. Allshouse, Principal MAESP President wrote that, “Jon excels at getting to the heart of issues that impact us as professionals.” When asked how this podcast began, he said that it came down to an experience he had with his then 8 year old daughter. He was watching her at soccer and, during the scrimmage, his daughter scored a goal for the wrong team. Jon worried about what he would say to encourage her. When she got to him she said, “Daddy, I too.” At that moment, Jon recalled a story he had once told her about scoring for the wrong team in a high school game. “ Knowing that she was not alone in her mistake helped her and it planted a seed that, one year later, helped Jon formulate his podcast with the goal of helping people learn that they’re not alone. Listening to people who share their vulnerabilities helps listeners feel better about their own. My Bad is a tribute to misguided moments and the power of reflection, offering people “ a little bit of grace.”

Jon also co-hosts Teacher’s Aid with Mandy Froehlich. Using the oxygen mask analogy, Jn explained that the show is about not always putting others’ needs first and serving the teacher who can then do their job in a more effective way. They take on different subjects like time management, parenting, anxiety, depression and whatever a teacher may need help with. Among their guests, they’ve had Daniel Pink come on to talk about his new book When.

When preparing for his guest appearance on The Personal Playlist Podcast, Jon said that he really thought about the his interpretations of the lyrics and the music. “I’ve never been on a podcast like this.” Reflecting on the his playlist, Jon added, “it changes every time I think about the songs.” His process began by thinking about his younger self and what he listened to while sitting on the ride-along mower cutting grass. HIs mind went to the Billboard charts from the year he graduated. Then, he started thinking about the movies he watched.

Jon’s nostalgic song come from the Jon Hughes classic, The Breakfast Club. “The movie itself is just so iconic. We quote it all the time; most people my age do.” Then he looked at the lyrics and was thinking about the how the movie is about the different social groups. Jon thought the song was resonating with him because he was friends with all of those social groups in high school. Then, he thought about what happens to you when you become an adult. “It’s easy to forget what you were like in high school. Referring to the characters in the movie, Jon added, “ Most likely, we all have been like every single one of them at some point in our lives… Sometimes it takes one experience to realize that [you] have a lot more in common that you realize.” Each time Jon hears this song, he thinks about something different. Here is Don’t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds:

Jon’s identity song is autobiographical from the artist, Tim McGraw. His father, Tug McGraw, was the a pitcher for the Phillies. He has been hospitalized for a brain tumour, given weeks to live and surviving another 9 months. This song hits a personal note for Jon. “It hits home really hard from me.” Jon’s father passed away from cancer when he was 56. Many of the lyrics feel like Jon’s father’s story“ It’s hard for me to listen to the song...it’s an incredible reminder for me to take advantage of every moment.” The biggest thing is that it helps me realize that so much of what we worry about in life doesn't matter...tomorrow is no guarantee.” It reminds Jon of the movie The Bucket List because the lyrics recount the many things the person did while he still could. For Jon, this is a an emotionally powerful song. “It’s a happy sad.” Here is Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying:

Jon’s pick-me-up song really pumps his up. “This song has so much energy to it; it has so much positivity to me.” Jon thought of the movie 8 Mile and the incredible story of vulnerability and putting yourself out there, persevering through the challenges. The lyrics talk about taking that opportunity, and Jon can relate. Jon is writing his first book. It has a lot to do with his show, My Bad, and vulnerability. It looks at ways to move forward once you make mistakes.“When people read it, I want them to feel better and know that they’re not alone.” The song, itself, just psyches Jon up to write and to seize that moment. Here’s Eminem’s Lose Yourself:

Jon has been busy writing and editing. You can find both of his podcasts, My Bad and Teacher’s Aid, on Bam Radio Network . You can find Jon on Twitter or on his site.

Jon was surprised by the experience of recording his P3. When reflecting on being on the show, he said, “ I had no idea what to expect. I went from reminiscing to tearing up and then I was bobbing my head.” He enjoyed it even though he referred to it as a full roller coaster ride. The key to his P3, as anyone’s, is similar to Jon’s podcast: vulnerability. As Brené Brown wrote in Daring Greatly, “Vulnerability is at the core, the center, of meaningful human experiences.” I’m so glad that Jon's experience on the show was meaningful.