Education Episodes
Dec. 26, 2024
Loose Meats and Radiator Cuisine with Gaspare Randazzo and Denver Riley
In this chaotic and laugh-out-loud episode I am joined by Denver Riley and Gaspare Randazzo for an unforgettable conversation about teaching, creativity, and hilariously unconventional approaches to classroom life. From Gaspare’s infamous “radiator cuisine” featuring Ziploc-bagged pizza and loose h…
The player is loading ...
Dec. 19, 2024
Swiping Right with ALS with Brooke Eby
In this heartfelt and humorous episode Brooke Eby, social media advocate and ALS warrior, shares her journey of living with and raising awareness about ALS. From her initial symptoms to her diagnosis years later, Brooke talks candidly about the misconceptions surrounding ALS, her work with Salesfor…
The player is loading ...
Dec. 12, 2024
The Art of Social Correction with Denver Riley
In this episode Denver Riley returns to explore the hidden meanings behind teacher language, focusing on the art of social correction and phrases that say one thing but mean another.
The player is loading ...
Nov. 28, 2024
A Thanksgiving Special: Gratitude and Turkey Butts with Denver Riley
In this special Thanksgiving episode I sit down with Denver Riley to dive into a blend of holiday trivia, teacher humor, and unexpected insights. As we tackle Thanksgiving history questions (with some questionable accuracy), Denver and I find ourselves navigating through fun facts, turkey anatomy,…
The player is loading ...
Nov. 21, 2024
The Stories That Connect Us with Upworthy's Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Knell
In "The Stories That Connect Us", I sit down with Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Nell from Upworthy to discuss their heartwarming book, Good People: Stories from the Best of Humanity. We explore the power of small acts of kindness, the impact of storytelling, and how positivity can counteract the negati…
The player is loading ...
Nov. 14, 2024
The Problem with Sleepy Stickers: A Teacher’s Perspective with Denver Riley
This week Denver Riley is back to dive into the quirky and chaotic moments that make up daily life in the classroom. From a “bagel ban” created by Denver’s students to navigating E.E. Cummings' poetry with skeptical high schoolers, they share the ups and downs of engaging students. Denver recalls b…
The player is loading ...
Nov. 7, 2024
Family Trolls and Hosting Goals
This week I welcome my sister Becca Cousins, creator of Host in Your Home, for a lively discussion about the ups and downs of party hosting. From family trolling on social media to sharing tips on how to host stress-free gatherings in less-than-perfect homes, this episode has it all. Becca and I di…
The player is loading ...
Oct. 31, 2024
Haunted Classrooms and Mormon Wives with Denver Riley
This week Denver Riley and I tackle the rollercoaster of being a teacher, from Denver’s near-miss with HR over a missing credential to the spooky fun of Halloween in the classroom. But the real fun begins when they hilariously compare the cast of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives to the types of teacher…
The player is loading ...
Oct. 24, 2024
Homework Horror Stories: When Parents Say ‘No Way! with Gabe Dannenbring
This week I chat with Gabe Dannenbring about the challenges of modern-day education. From managing work-life balance post-pandemic to evolving classroom dynamics, we explore how teachers and students alike are navigating an ever-changing landscape. Gabe shares his perspective as a middle school tea…
The player is loading ...
Oct. 17, 2024
Turning Stickers into Classroom Gold with Andrea Miller
This week I chat with the ever-popular "Sticker Teacher" Andrea Miller, known for her viral classroom content and sticker-based student motivation. Andrea shares her journey from middle school math teacher to content creator with millions of followers, and how her love of stickers has transformed c…
The player is loading ...
Oct. 10, 2024
Pep Rally, Tooth Picks, and Gen Z Teachers with Jennifer Cerda & Denver Riley
This week I am joined by Jennifer Cerda & Denver Riley who share their experiences in teaching and leadership, along with some unforgettable classroom moments. From managing classroom dynamics to the infamous pep rally incident that shocked the entire school, they dive deep into the challenges and …
The player is loading ...
Oct. 3, 2024
Dropped in the Classroom: WTF are State Standards with Valerie Dominy
This week I'm joined by Valerie Dominy, a high school business teacher and the founder of The Highest Standard. Valerie shares her insights into teaching, from navigating state standards and alternative certification to helping new teachers survive their first years in the classroom. They discuss t…
The player is loading ...
Sept. 26, 2024
Mastering Work-Life Balance in Teaching with Natalie Ringold
This week I sit down with Natalie Ringold, founder of Always Upper Elementary, to talk about effective teaching strategies and work-life balance. Natalie shares her viral experience teaching kindness, discusses the impact of social-emotional learning (SEL), and explains how structured schedules hel…
The player is loading ...
Sept. 19, 2024
Using Humor, Pranks, and Modern Tools to Thrive in Teaching with Kevin McClintock
This week I sit down with Kevin McClintock, aka Mr. McTikTok, to discuss the realities of teaching in today’s classrooms. We dive into the use of humor and pranks as tools for engagement, and how Kevin navigates classroom dynamics with both humor, pranks, and care. We even reflect on how public fi…
The player is loading ...
Sept. 12, 2024
Managing Bias While Addressing Real-World Issues in Education with Sharon McMahon
This week I sit down with "America’s Government Teacher" Sharon McMahon, known for her clear, unbiased approach to current events. Together, we discuss the challenges teachers face in today’s polarized environment and how educators can help students think critically, understand media bias, and enga…
The player is loading ...
Sept. 5, 2024
In class with a rockstar: Bowling for Soup’s Jaret Reddick
This week I sit down with the multi-talented Jaret Reddick, lead singer of Bowling for Soup and solo country artist. We dive into Jaret’s musical journey, from his pop-punk roots to his new adventures in country music, discuss the importance of educators who see potential in every student, and expl…
The player is loading ...
Aug. 29, 2024
What Are the Dangers of Suppressed Emotions in Students? with Jared Scott
This week I sit down with motivational speaker Jared Scott to discuss his journey from a shy, small-town kid to a leading advocate for student mental health. Jared shares his personal experiences with loss, the power of vulnerability, and the importance of mental resilience in overcoming trauma. To…
The player is loading ...
Aug. 1, 2024
How Do Conspiracy Theories Affect Our Students? with Katy Kahn
This week I spoke with Katy Kahn! Together we explore a range of topics, from the humorous misunderstandings in pickup basketball to the serious challenges of media literacy in today's digital age. Katy shares her unique journey as a teacher and content creator, discussing the importance of teachin…
The player is loading ...
July 25, 2024
What Are the Secrets to Longevity in Teaching? with Jessica Hawk
This week I spoke with Jessica Hawk! Together we discuss the importance of administrative support in achieving long-term success in teaching, the challenges and rewards of starting a Gay-Straight Alliance in the early 2000s, and the humorous yet touching moments of Jessica's last days at school. Th…
The player is loading ...
July 18, 2024
How Can We Keep Teachers in the Classroom? Insights with Charles Fournier
This week I spoke with Charles Fournier! Together, we dive deep into the critical issues of teacher attrition, workload, and the cultural challenges within the education system. Charles shares insights from his podcast, discussing the systemic problems that lead to teachers leaving the profession a…
The player is loading ...
July 11, 2024
Teach for America Critiqued with Joe Dombrowski
This week I spoke with Joe Dombrowski! He shares his journey from elementary school teacher to full-time touring comedian. Joe shares some wild classroom stories, including his infamous viral April Fool's prank, and offers hilarious insights into the world of teaching and comedy. Plus, don't miss h…
The player is loading ...
July 4, 2024
Mentor Moments with Mr. Eugene Williams
This week I spoke with Mr. Eugene Williams! He shares some stories and we reminisce about the early days of my teaching career under his guidance, share some wild and hilarious classroom stories, and discuss the invaluable lessons I learned from his mentorship. From navigating tricky student situat…
The player is loading ...
June 27, 2024
Bathroom Fan Encounters with Sam Salem
This week I spoke with Sam Salem! He shares his journey as a substitute teacher and comedian, his wild experiences on the road, and the challenges of balancing comedy with teaching. From awkward encounters with fans to navigating the unpredictable world of subbing, Sam shares it all with humor and …
The player is loading ...
June 13, 2024
Free Snacks with Carey Arensberg
This week, I had an inspiring chat with Carey Arensberg! She shares the heartwarming story behind her Care Closet, opens up about being diagnosed with ADHD later in life and how an earlier diagnosis could have changed things, and discusses the challenges of navigating social media. Plus, hear about…
The player is loading ...