Burnout is one of the most common and most difficult challenges facing educators today. In Episode 155 of PodcastPD, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco tackle the topic head-on as part of their ongoing 2026 series exploring how we might “fix” education. While burnout exists in every profession, the unique pressures of education, from student behavior and bureaucratic tasks to unrealistic expectations, can make it especially exhausting for teachers and administrators alike.

Chris and AJ explore what burnout really looks like in schools, how small frustrations compound into larger problems, and why educators often feel emotionally drained even when they still care deeply about their students. The conversation also examines systemic issues such as outdated school models, standardized testing pressures, and the disconnect between modern students and traditional schooling. Most importantly, they discuss practical ways educators can support each other, build positive school cultures, and keep moving forward—even when the job feels heavy.

1. Defining educator burnout and why it affects teachers and administrators differently
2. How small frustrations compound into professional exhaustion
3. The hidden impact of paperwork, policies, and bureaucracy
4. Why many educators feel disconnected from the modern student experience
5. The role of outdated school structures in educator frustration
6. Leadership styles that help reduce—or worsen—burnout
7. Why appreciation and positive culture matter in schools
8. Simple actions educators can take to support colleagues and improve morale

1. Burnout is often not caused by one major issue, but by the accumulation of small frustrations.
2. Administrative tasks and paperwork frequently distract from what educators value most—working with students.
3. Many educators feel schools have not kept pace with the modern world or the needs of students.
4. Positive leadership and supportive cultures can significantly reduce burnout.
5. Educators must also take responsibility for supporting and encouraging one another in their buildings.

AJ: Lead It Like Lasso

Much like Ted Lasso, the show Lead it Like Lasso takes a fresh approach to leadership. The foreword alone will shock you. The lessons outlined are not just for business leaders. Rule #1 – "Leadership is Life!" These tools can be applied in the boardroom, locker room, classroom, and living room.

In this kickoff episode of PodcastPD’s 2026 monthly series, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco launch a year-long conversation around one big, loaded question: What does it actually mean to “fix” education? Drawing from their perspectives as a classroom teacher and a building administrator, they unpack why education feels broken—and why quick fixes and political talking points miss the point.

The conversation dives into student engagement, burnout, technology overload, cell phone policies, professional development, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Rather than offering silver bullets, Chris and AJ focus on what is within educators’ control: mindset, instructional choices, leadership decisions, and how we grow as professionals. This episode sets the tone for a thoughtful, honest series focused on meaningful, sustainable change—one classroom and one school at a time.

1. What people really mean when they say “education is broken”
2. The post-pandemic reality vs. the promise of change
3. Student apathy, grit, and cognitive endurance
4. Teachers caught between engagement and exhaustion
5. Administrators navigating mandates, data, and human needs
6. The pendulum swing of educational technology
7. Cell phone bans, Chromebooks, handwriting, and balance
8. Why professional development needs a reset
9. What educators can actually control right now
10. Growth mindset, experimentation, and learning out loud

AJ: The Mindset Mentor podcast, hosted by Rob Dial.

AJ describes it as a mindset and personal growth podcast that blends psychology, neuroscience, habit-building, and goal setting, and notes that he’s been especially into recent episodes focused on preparing for 2026, habits, anxiety, and self-improvement.

Chris: Instead of a traditional podcast recommendation this month, Chris is spotlighting a daily short-form video series he’s been creating throughout January focused entirely on how to start a podcast.

In this episode, Chris and Dr. Tani Farran dive into the innovative ways Rubi AI can support teachers with lesson planning, student engagement, and personalized learning. They discuss the importance of guiding students to use AI tools responsibly, encouraging them to be the primary creators of their work while leveraging AI for feedback and enhancement.

Key Discussion Points:

• Empowering Student Ownership with AI: Chris and Tania emphasize that students' work must reflect their own voice and understanding. They discuss how AI can support but shouldn't replace students’ critical thinking and creative process.

Ruby AI Features for Educators:

• Lesson Planning: Demonstration of Rubi AI’s lesson and unit planning capabilities, including pre-built modules for various subjects. Educators can quickly generate lesson outlines, objectives, and activities tailored to their needs.
• Document Anchoring: Rubi’s ability to “anchor” to specific documents (like PDFs) allows teachers to use existing materials as data sources for AI-generated summaries, questions, or content insights.
• Topic Research and Content Generation: Rubi’s modules can assist with topic research, providing structured information and summaries, which can be transformed into lesson plans, presentations, or study guides.

Customizing Lessons: Tania shows how teachers can modify AI-generated content to better fit their curriculum goals, including adjusting lesson modules based on specific class needs.

Practical Classroom Applications: Examples include using Rubi AI to create study guides for special education, generate multimedia resources for homeschooling, and support high school business students in projects like competitor analysis.

We’re starting to wrap up 2019 and that means the 12 Days of PodcastPD is coming soon! From December 25 – January 5 we will be sharing 1 podcast recommendation per day. We’d love for you to be a part of it and contribute! Go to podcastpd.com/feedback to send us audio and tell the PodcastPD community about an entire podcast or one episode we should listen to and why. Also, tell us about you and how people can connect with you. Get us your submissions by December 20, 2019.

Mike Brilla is currently a TOSA at Owen J. Roberts Middle School in Pottstown, PA. The school is located about 40 miles west of Philadelphia and they house grades 7 and 8 with roughly 900 students. Before becoming a TOSA, Mike taught Social Studies (since 2004) in both 7th and 8th grade at OJR. Aside from being a teacher, Mike is also an assistant wrestling coach at OJR and believes that much of what he does in his teaching and coaching is easily transferable.

We discussed:

1. Technology: When used correctly technology can absolutely bring us closer to one another and not further. I used to be one of those teachers that had kids work on projects in my room or watch videos on Zaption so I could check email and grade–it took me a while to fully take advantage of using that time to connect with my kids through conversation. I also have found and used a bunch of ideas to get to know your students and to constantly allow for them to express their own thoughts and feelings in class. 
2. Focus on the Kids: I once had a parent tell me I was a pretty good teacher but would be even better when I have kids of my own. At first, I was offended but then I thought about it and how right she was. I have constantly tried to remember that we are teaching people’s children, not just students. That framework has really helped me to put my students first. 
3. Kids Need It: I see it in my own kids, they are good with technology but they need to learn how to use it responsibly, productively and educationally. I recently read Marching off the Map and it hammered home the idea that now, more than ever, we need to be teaching the “soft skills” in class so our kids can develop meaningful relationships and navigate the uncertain waters their futures hold. 

AJ: The 5 AM Miracle with Jeff Sanders – Episode 307: Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention w/ Nir Eyal – Nir Eyal is the author of the bestselling book, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life., which is about the many options we have to keep our eye on the prize.

Chris: Work Your Podcast – Bonnie L. Frank and Emily Prokop deliver weekly podcasting and business strategies to help you balance podcasting and life, simplify the process, and grow your business.

Episode 1 – Why Podcast?

Mike: https://www.edmylett.com – Toney Gonzalez

In this episode of PodcastPD, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco dive into a mix of professional development topics, from school community participation to the challenges of dealing with verbally abusive parents. The hosts share personal experiences, offer insights into the complexities of the teaching profession, and discuss how to maintain professionalism in difficult situations.

Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/144

Welcome to the first in an ongoing series we’re calling “Why Podcast?” In this and future editions, we will be speaking to podcasters in and out of education about their podcasts. We will get into there why and talk about how they podcast.

Our first guest in this series is Dan Kreiness, host of the Leader of Learning Podcast. Our conversation with Dan dives deep into his podcast’s origins and where he believes his podcast is going.

Dan Kreiness is an instructional leader, podcast host, and doctoral candidate who constantly searches for the most effective ways to advance education and produce high student achievement. Dan began his teaching career by spending nearly eight years in the New York City Department of Education as an eighth grade English language arts teacher, academic intervention specialist, and middle-level literacy coach, then spent nearly five years at Derby Middle School in Derby, Connecticut as a reading teacher and instructional coach. He is currently an ELA Instructional Coach in the Norwalk Public School District in Norwalk, Connecticut. Dan holds master’s degrees in adolescent education and educational leadership and is currently a doctoral student in the field of educational leadership. His dissertation, “Transformational Leadership to Inspire Growth Mindset in Classroom Teachers,” will be defended in Spring, 2020. Dan was named to the 2017 class of ASCD Emerging Leaders. He is also a Google Certified Educator, Nearpod PioNear, Flipgrid Ambassador, and Wakelet Ambassador.

AJ: Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast 

Fair Isn’t Always Equal: Rick Wormeli 

In education we talk about the power of differentiated learning, but what about differentiated grading? Rick Wormeli is an expert in differentiated assessments and grades. In this episode Josh and Rick discuss: 

Differentiated Grading, Fair Isn’t Always Equal, Traditional Grading Scale and the impact it has on Learning, The role of Homework, Redos, and Retakes done right, Busting Myths about Differentiated Instruction, and the Impact of a Zero and GPA and the Future of Grading. 

@joshua__Stamper @RickWormeli2

Chris: Art of Manliness #557 – Grow, Adapt, and Reinvent Yourself Through Ultralearning

• Many of us want to learn a new skill or master a new area of expertise, either to further or change our career or simply for the sake of personal fulfillment. But going deep in a subject seems like it would take a long time, and even require going back to school, something most of us don’t have the time, money, and desire to do.
• Scott Young and he’s the author of Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition and Accelerate Your Career. We begin our conversation with Scott’s successful experiment of doing all the course work for a computer science degree from MIT in less than a year and for free and how this opened Scott up to the idea of “ultralearning.”

Stacey: Embedded – This is Not a Joke – When a student starts down the path towards racist extremism, there’s no set plan for how a school should respond. But teachers and fellow students are often the first to spot the warning signs. So what can they do?

Dan Kreiness: Brian Mendler The Brian Mendler Show -My Worst Student https://www.brianmendler.com/my-worst-student/

Reasons you need a PLN:

1. Find great resources, lesson plans, and conferences
2.  Share your resources & ideas
3.  Following amazing educators and their blogs
4.  Get support when needed
5. Make international connections
6.  Flatten your classroom walls
7.  Collaborate globally on projects
8.  Find round-the-clock inspiration
9.  Learn the latest trends in education
10.  Never run out of ideas for new things to try with your students

• 10 Reasons Every Teacher Needs A Professional Learning Network – Teachthought.com

AJ: Planet Money: Episode 947: Some-of-the-Money Ball

Baseball is a winner-take-all career. There is a very small chance of making massive amounts of money. But more importantly, there is a very big chance of making almost no money. Some minor leaguers earn $8,000 dollars per year.

To have more chances of winning the baseball lottery, some players are deciding to get together and face the odds as a group. They are joining “income pools,” which could change the way baseball players, and lots of professionals, think about how we get paid.

Chris:

1. Short Wave (NPR) – New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — all in about 10 minutes, every weekday. It’s science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join host Maddie Sofia for science on a different wavelength.
2. Loving this podcast!
3. Office Ladies – The Office co-stars and best friends, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, are doing the ultimate The Office re-watch podcast for you. Each week, Jenna and Angela will break down an episode of The Office and give exclusive behind-the-scenes stories that only two people who were there, can tell you.
4. theofficeladies.com

Stacey: How I Built This – Gimlet Media: Alex Blumberg and Matt Lieber

• “Another outstanding episode from the @PodcastPD crew! Special thx for the shout out for my podcast, Inclusive Technology 4 All! Go to mmatp.com/it4all to subscribe, listen to past episodes, and to read the transcripts of every episode #ATchat #AT4NJ #ATUDL” ~ @mmatp
• Check out Mike’s podcast – Inclusive Technology 4 All
• New @PodcastPD Followers on Twitter:
• @joevalver_htsd
• @TAYLORWITT1
• @HaglerJay
• @OrganizLeaderVB
• @Ms_Brown2019
• @JasmineSaab
• @DigitalVick
• @MisterCavey
• @CollVeitz
• @twstedteaching
• @SkillsSupporter
• @Karrabasse77
• @mcp_idt
• @CuriousKidPod
• @CatherineSteua1

Teaching is about relationships. While students, parents, and administrators all expect you to partner with them, your connections with colleagues will play the largest role in your ability to enjoy your work and grow as a professional.

Tracy from Rhode Island, our guest from episode 56, had some great insight following our episode 57 discussion about the value of Twitter for educators today.

In a vox to our PodcastPD Voxer group, she honed in on AJ’s point about building your PLN and connecting and learning from the teachers closest to you. Those would be your colleagues in your grade level, department, and your building and district.

So today we’re going to talk about ways we’ve been great colleagues, failed at being great colleagues, and we hope to inspire your next positive teaching relationship.

Strategies for Being a Great Colleague:

• Care so you can be cared for
• Give and take
• Learn from others’ experience
• Be a great listener
• Make good choices

• Quiet Leadership: Six Steps to Transforming Performance at Work
• Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World

AJ: Still listening to Feedback (and Other Dirty Words) by M. Tamra Chandler and Laura Grealish as mentioned on episode 56.

Chris: Art of Manliness #551: Inside the Gangsters’ Code – Lou Ferrante was a mobster who worked for the Gambino crime family and made a trade out of hijacking trucks loaded with expensive goods. Eventually, the law caught up with him and he ended up in prison. There, he discovered a love for reading and writing which set off a personal transformation that led to him leaving the mafia. After his stint in jail, Lou went on to become an author and the host of a Discovery Channel documentary series called Inside the Gangsters’ Code.

Stacey: Note to Self-How to Create Good Digital Citizens – Right from wrong. We teach our kids what this means in the classroom and at home. But what about online? The next generation of tech users could be a part of much more civilized digital universe, but only if they learn how now. Manoush talks to Richard Culatta (CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education) about the five steps to creating good digital citizens, and how to turn the current online “culture shift” into something positive, respectful, and more accessible to all.

• “Thank you @Twitter for helping me to grow as an educator and meet people like @iruntech @AJBianco @mrnesi ” ~ @tinamonte
• “Great episode of @PodcastPD on the relevance of Twitter for Educators. Is Twitter still relevant for educators? If it’s not…what is? I’d argue that the relevance hasn’t changed, but maybe the ways that we use Twitter might need to evolve.” ~ @sadieclorinda
• “Twitter is still the best PD. This year I’m teaching Digital Leadership and through Twitter, I was able to connect with @JCasaTodd and @mbfxc It’s amazing I was able to connect with the authors of the two books I read to create the curriculum for the class. @digcitinstitute” ~ @breicher
• “This needs to be a regular conversation!! I get so frustrated with Twitter as an educator anymore. Such a powerful tool, but we aren’t using it like that. #edchat” ~ @micheeaton
• “Big shout out to @PodcastPD I appreciate the honest convo about the value of Twitter. Excited to share the latest episode with #ATUDL Our group is learning about the power of Twitter.” ~ @mmatp
• Check out Mike’s podcast – Inclusive Technology 4 All
• In response to Mike “This podcast DID make me rethink how I use Twitter 2day compared 2 when I 1st joined. I share more resources now & I gain so much via twitter chats…” ~ @ksuding
• “Oh man, YES! It is still very relevant. I’ve made more connections than I ever thought I would with Twitter and I constantly benefit from the PD I can find here. It’s only as good as we make it with participation but I know so many that find it relevant.” ~ @TeachPg21
• New @PodcastPD Followers on Twitter:
• @DrSencibaugh
• @JaneKerslake
• @eyeonaxs
• @AlisaTeSelleOTR
• @LeoniaPrincipal
• @Link_pd
• @SueTranchina

In 2008, Twitter came on the scene as a micro-blogging platform that asked its users, “What are you doing?” The social media platform quickly became a tool and resource used by educators around the world. In this episode, we discussed the relevance and value of Twitter to educators today.

There are points where we agree and disagree. We also know that there is still a lot to say on the topic and we would love to hear from you about the relevance of Twitter in education. Contact us here.

Thank you to Tracy Enos, Mike Brilla, and Stephanie Lewis who all contributed their thoughts for this episode.

Twitter topics discussed:

• Why did you join Twitter?
• Has your use of Twitter changed from when you started?
• Is Twitter still relevant for you? Other educators?
• Positives and Negatives of Twitter for Educators
• If not Twitter, what?

AJ: Feedback (and Other Dirty Words): Why We Fear It, How to Fix It by M. Tamra Chandler and Laura Grealish (audiobook)

Feedback: the mere mention of the word can make our blood pressure rise and our defenses go up. For many of us, it’s a dirty word that we associate with bias, politics, resentment, and self-doubt. However, if we take a step back and think about its true intent, we realize that feedback needn’t be a bad thing. After all, understanding how others experience us provides valuable opportunities to learn and grow.

The authors explain how feedback got such a bad rap and how to recognize and minimize the negative physical and emotional responses that can erode trust and shut down communication. They offer a new and more ambitious definition of feedback, explore the roles we each play as Seeker, Extender, and Receiver, and introduce the three Fs of making feedback focused, fair, and frequent.

When it’s done right, the feedback has been proven to be the most effective means of improving communication and performance for you and your organization. It’s too important to give up, and with Chandler and Grealish’s help, you’ll be able to use it deftly, equitably, and effectively.

Chris: Danica Patrick – Pretty Intense – I’m Danica Patrick and I’m Pretty Intense! I believe that each and every one of us has the power within ourselves to create the life that we really want. And I want to inspire you to go conquer your dreams, both professionally and personally. That’s why I created this podcast.

Stacey: Land of the Giants – In less than two decades, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos scaled an online marketplace for books into the world’s most valuable company. But at what cost? From Prime and HQ2, to the growing adoption of smart speakers and home cameras, to increasing scrutiny of Amazon’s power and its role in the changing nature of work, Vox and Recode’s new podcast, Land of the Giants: The Rise of Amazon, addresses it all with detailed, thought-provoking, measured reporting from host Jason Del Rey. And it’s not just for insiders. This show is an essential guide to Amazon’s backstory for those unfamiliar and offers never-before-told, behind-the-scenes stories for the Amazon-obsessed.

• Dan Kreiness (via Twitter) re: Episode 56
• Ken Morrison, Mylasia (via Speakpipe) – Favorite Podcast: Big Questions with Cal Fussman
• New @PodcastPD Followers on Twitter:
• @MechanicJacki
• @aloah
• @EducatingMe
• @mrsleban
• @EmilyWilk54
• @m5music1
• @cassandrazing
• @McDonoughCST
• @MissJacksonHMS
• @smscoachingWH

Tracy Enos is lucky enough to spend her days surrounded by energetic 8th graders. Tracy an 8th Grade ELA teacher and she is entering her 11th year of teaching English in West Warwick, RI at Deering Middle School. She’s honored to be teaching in the district she grew up in, she is forever a Wizard. Tracy is passionate about opening doors for her students to create, collaborate, and communicate with one another and the world around them.

Topics we discuss:

• Giving students control of their learning to foster real-life experiences and build relationships.
• Blended Learning/Playlists/Hyperdocs – Learning at their Own Pace
• What does the process look like?
• What is the reality of the authentic audience? Who’s in the audience?

Connect with Tracy on Twitter

AJ: Work-Life w/Adam Grant – Season 1, Episode 4: Your hidden personality

Are you an introvert … or an extrovert? You might not know yourself as well as you think. Adam Grant talks with “Quiet” author Susan Cain and visits a workplace where personality training starts even before job training, to help you discover what your traits really are — and how you can stretch beyond them.

Chris: Burned-In Teacher Podcast! – The Burned-In Teacher Podcast is all about going from burned-out educator to BURNED-IN human. On this show, I interview teachers who are or have gone through burnout and they share with us what they are doing or have done in the past to beat it. I also interview experts in the field of teacher burnout, education, productivity, happiness, and basically all things BURN IN. There will also be episodes where I share my own experiences and answer questions from listeners and Burned-In Teacher Community Members.

Stacey: Middle Grade Ninja – A podcast about reading and writing middle-grade novels utilizing ninja stealth and skill. Rob Kent interviews fellow authors and various publishing professionals to discuss the craft and business of producing middle grade and young adult novels. Episodes are also available as videos. Learn more at MiddleGradeNinja.com.

Chris, AJ, and Stacey start season 3 of Podcast PD busier than ever before! Two of us are starting the year in new positions, one of us is on the move (literally). We can’t wait to get another school year and another year of Podcast PD underway!

AJ is a new administrator serving as a Supervisor of Instruction and Technology in East Rutherford, NJ.

Stacey is back in the classroom. She will be teaching 5th grade!

Chris has full schedule teaching in a new room, with a new ICS teacher and he’s teaching 3 additional courses at Rutgers this semester!

AJ: The Mindful Educators Podcast – Made for teachers, by teachers. Erin and Dave Tashian, an awesome husband and wife team, are creating a community of educators who are cultivating a positive school culture one mindful classroom at a time. 7 episodes so far and growing… Episodes focus on Mindful practices to start the new year, balance as an educator, mindful listening and finding your personal motivation to stay positive.

@themindfuleducators

Chris: the memory palace – The Memory Palace is a storytelling podcast and occasional radio segment created and produced by Nate DiMeo. It was a finalist for a Peabody Award in 2016. It is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX, a collective of independent podcasts. New episodes come out during the first and third weeks of the month, barring the occasional holiday break. I was exposed to this podcast listening to an episode of RadioLab that featured a number of clips from the memory place and Nate was on the show talking about the clips and how he makes the show.

Stacey: I am not listening to anything new. In fact, I am looking for a strategy to get from 1539 to PodcastZERO! Listeners, if you have a good strategy for me to get through my podcasts, I’m all ears. Vox me at iruntech!

In our final regular episode for the school year we connect with JP Prezzavento of the Bits and Bytes of Education Podcast (@bitsandbytesedu on Twitter). He shares his transition from Instructional Technology Coordinator to Communications and PR Director. We talk “brands”, telling your schools’ stories and making everyone shine!

AJ: Art of Manliness Episode 325: Leading Quietly

When we think of being a good leader, we often think we need to be a bold, visionary, risk-taking type like Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, or Steve Jobs.

Joseph Badaracco argues that most of the day-to-day work that makes the world function is done by individuals who stand outside the limelight and lead with calm confidence. He’s the author of the book Leading Quietly: An Unorthodox Guide to Doing the Right Thing. Joe discusses the heroic archetype of leadership, why most leadership development books and courses focus on it, and why heroic leadership can actually get in the way of an organization’s success. He then shares the qualities of a quiet leader and why they’re often more effective than heroic leaders at getting things done in an organization.

Chris: New Apple Podcasts Categories coming!

Stacey: Primary Ride Home 

Primary Season swings into full gear next week with the start of the 2019 debates. Before you watch the candidates on June 26th and 27th, catch up on their stories, policies, and political moves, thus far.

JP: Reply All– #130 The Snapchat Thief 

This week, a new Super Tech Support: after Lizzie’s Snapchat gets hacked, things start getting really creepy. Alex investigates.

Chris and AJ recently participated in the 2019 What Works for Kids Conference at Bergen Community College (NJ). This conference is a result of planning by Northern Ignite. AJ has been an active member of the group for a number of years. The main conversation features Chris, AJ, and guests Erica Ripston, Mike Andriulli, and Kim Dowling.

Topics

• What is the What Works for Kids Conference?
• Recap of some of the student projects on display.
• Encouraging Kim Dowling to leverage Twitter for professional development.

Connect with our guests!

• Erica Ripston – Elementary School Teacher
• Mike Andriulli – Principal – Check out Mike’s previous appearance on PodcastPD
• Kim Dowling – Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor

AJ: Full Count: The Podcast – To celebrate the release of Full Count: The Education of a Pitcher, authors David Cone and Jack Curry participate in a five-part podcast series, which chronicles Cone’s amazing career. In the series, Curry takes Cone from his early days playing Wiffle Ball in the backyard through to his playing for the New York Yankees and beyond. In each episode, Cone offers candid recollections of the events that helped make him the most respected pitchers in the game.

Chris: Locked On Podcasts – Locked On Podcast Network was created in June of 2016 by David Locke, the radio voice of the Utah Jazz. Originating with a single podcast, Locked On Jazz, the network has grown far and wide. Locked On now produces more than 100 different podcasts – providing in-depth coverage of NBA, NFL, MLB, and major college sports teams. Locked On publishes over 450 podcast episodes every week – generating 5 million listens a month and growing.

Stacey: The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine – Amber Patterson is fed up. She’s tired of being a nobody: a plain, invisible woman who blends into the background. She deserves more—a life of money and power like the one blond-haired, blue-eyed goddess Daphne Parrish takes for granted.

Kasey Bell is part sparkling smile, part witty personality and a whole heap of passion as big as a Texas! She is a disruptor of the boring. An engaging, innovative, from the heart sharer who inspires educators while transforming their teaching with original, timely and use-tomorrow ideas for student choice, differentiation, and technology integration.

She’s the co-host of the Google Teacher Tribe podcast and recently launched her solo ShakeUp Learning Show and she joins us now…

Topics

• Why start your own podcast?
• How have podcasts and podcasting added value for you?
• Value of PodcastPD?
• How to get credit for podcast listening?

Resources

• The Teacher’s Guide to Podcasts
• Shake Up Learning: Practical Ideas to Move Learning from Static to Dynamic

AJ: Lead to Win with Michael Hyatt – Destroy Distractions with These 9 Focus-Boosting Strategies. We’ve learned that we can’t do our best work sandwiched between meetings and phone calls. We need focused time for strategizing, writing, and working out difficult problems.

Chris: AOM #506: How to Improve Your Speaking Voice – When it comes to your personal presentation, there’s one aspect that often gets overlooked: your voice. 

Your voice is a big part of what makes you, you, and what makes you likable and influential. Yet you probably don’t think too much about it. Not to mention, my guest today argues, you’re likely not even using your true voice thanks to bad habits you’ve picked up throughout your life. Guest is Roger Love, he’s a voice coach who’s worked with some of the world’s most famous singers and speakers, and the author of Set Your Voice Free.

Kasey: Y’all Need This Podcast – https://yallneedthispodcast.com/ – The Biz Chicks Podcast – https://bizchix.com – The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast – https://www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast/

In this episode we let Carol Persin know we are sending her to ISTE and share our tips and tricks for successfully navigating (or surviving) and giant convention like ISTE. We look forward to meeting up with you in Philly!

Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco catch up after a hectic summer. AJ reveals his exciting career move from Vice Principal to Principal in a new school district. The duo discusses the challenges and emotions involved in making such a significant decision, the interview process, and AJ's vision for his new role. They also explore how AJ’s family and mentors influenced his decision, and what he hopes to accomplish in his first 90 days as a principal. Whether you're an aspiring leader or an experienced educator, this conversation is packed with insights into educational leadership, personal growth, and the transition into a top administrative role.

Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/143

We are celebrating our 5oth show and 4 years of PodcastPD! In this episode you tell US what show you couldn’t live without and we share our own must listens! Thanks for sharing your recs and thanks for spending the last four years with us!

We asked the internet, “If you could only subscribe to one podcast what would it be and why?” We’ve got a few responses to share with you so let’s get started…

• Kate Nesi (Twitter) – Freakonomics
• Richard Byrne, FreeTech4Teachers.com (Twitter) – The Joe Rogan Experience
• Donnie Piercey (Twitter) – Partial Credit Podcast
• EngageEducate (IG) – Cult of Pedagogy
• CPT_SwansonsClassrom (IG) – Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast
• Eric Guise, co-host GotTechED the Podcast  – Stuff You Should Know
• Tracy Enos (from our Voxer Group) – This American Life
• Craig Wealand, host Ingles Podcast – MFL Twitterati Podcast
• Chris Nesi – School of Podcasting
• Derek Larson – The Pen Addict Podcast
• AJ Bianco – Art of Manliness
• Carlos Garza – Stuff You Should Know
• Stacey Lindes – How I Built This

Need to unwind and recharge? Looking for some ideas on how to do that? Join us as we discuss 10 ways to unwind and recharge your educator batteries.

1. Read
2. Play with your own kids
3. Play Golf
4. Go for a run/walk outside – geocaching
5. Get lost in anything other than education
6. Watch sports
7. Meditate (use the Calm app or Calm.com-its free for educators!)
8. Journal/morning pages
9. Exercise/Work out
10. DO NOTHING

AJ: The Mindset & Motivation Podcast – Episode 559: You’re Not Lucky! – Do you believe in luck? Do you believe that some people are luckier than others? Well, I am going to talk about the subject of luck in today’s episode and tell you why you should worry about skill more than luck, because luck might not even be real…

Chris: Evan & Katelyn Podcast – A podcast about YouTube stuff, making stuff, and life! It will make sense once you start listening… hopefully. New episodes every Monday!

Stacey: Essential Oils Solutions with doTERRA—Podcast – The Essential Oil Solutions with doTERRA podcast is focused on providing education about new and fun ways of using essential oils. If you want to keep track of what you learned today, or to use this podcast in a class, download the accompanying worksheet by clicking the button below.

Our 50th episode is coming and we want you to be a part of the show! If you could only listen to ONE podcast for the rest of your life what is that podcast? What’s it about? Why is this your pick?

Let us know who you are, your role in education, and how people can connect with you! Go to podcastpd.com/feedback

Matt Daly from the Academy of Professional Teachers joins us to share the Socratic Oath that he and John Madden developed.

• Matt Daly has been teaching and coaching for over 15 years. He is an Instructional Leader, Educational Consultant, Writer, and Speaker. He holds degrees in English and Secondary Education from Providence College, an MFA in Creative Writing: Poetry, and has Supervisory Certification in Instruction. Matt lives in New Jersey with his wife, also a teacher, and his three daughters.
• Socratic Oath

1. I will design lessons and assessments that allow for personalization of learning for my individual students.​
2. I will promote learning experiences that consider the capabilities of my students, and challenge them to grow and develop their abilities. #SocraticOath #Teachers
3. I will be consistent in my dedication to the practice of teaching, and in upholding the ideals of competent and quality pedagogies.
4. I will build and model a sense of community within my classroom to help students become empathetic contributors to society.
5. I will seek equity and justice for my students, not only in their daily lives, but in the education they are provided, encouraging them to pay those ideals forward, and to advocate for both themselves and others.
6. I will ensure that my students are engaged in worthy pursuits, that foster curiosity, and take into account their own interests, experiences, and challenges.
7. I will remain an active learner, seeking out more effective strategies and implementing them in my classroom, observing colleagues and encouraging observation in my classroom as well, in order to collaborate and progress as teachers.
8. I will provide a safe environment for my students, at both an emotional and educational level, allowing them to develop the experimentation and resilience they will need outside of my classroom.
9. I will endeavor to retain my influence within my school, district, and department, adding my voice to the design and implementation of instruction and curriculum.
10. I will be open to the collaborative exchange of ideas with my colleagues regarding what we do in our classrooms, providing strong and useful feedback, for mutual gain.

• Academy of Professional Teachers
• Socratic Oath
• Matt Daly
• John Madden
• An End to the Quiet War by Matt Daly

AJ: Listening to Audiobook: The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John C. Maxwell

Chris: Art of Manliness 479 – Becoming a Digital Minimalist

Stacey: 10% Happier with Dan Harris episode #15 Gretchen Rubin

Join us as we get into Pineapple Charts and the benefits of watching and learning from your colleagues.

Pineapple Charts & #ObserveMe

WHAT IS A PINEAPPLE CHART? – From the Cult of Pedagogy…

• A Pineapple Chart is a system that allows teachers to invite one another into their classrooms for informal observation.
• The chart is set up in some location where teachers go on a daily basis: the teacher’s lounge, the copy room, or wherever teacher mailboxes live in your school.
• On the chart, teachers “advertise” the interesting things they are doing in their classrooms, activities they think others might want to observe. The activities could be as complex as a science lab, a history simulation, or a Skype session with a school in another country. Or they could be as simple as a read-aloud or a lesson on badminton.

WHAT IS #OBSERVEME

• It involves educators making a sign that welcomes their colleagues to observe them and give feedback in specific areas they have listed. Then they ask their peers to come by and share their expertise.

Positives

• Pineapple charts do a great job of quickly informing staff members about what they could learn from their peers. It’s informal, so all you have to do is list what you are doing and when it’s happening. This makes it easy for everyone to participate in.
• #ObserveMe gives the teacher being observed specific feedback that can be used to improve her practice. So, both the observer and the person being observed gain insight that will help improve each other’s practice. Once you create the sign, you could leave it up for the entire year as long as those are the goals you still want to get feedback on.

Negatives

• Pineapple charts require regular updates so that people know what is going on in a classroom. That takes a little more maintenance. They also tend to encourage more of a one-sided flow of information: the observer is learning from the observed. Any feedback is shared informally.
• #ObserveMe requires more planning and work ahead of the observation. The teacher being observed needs to think of what he/she wants feedback on, use that information to create a sign, and display it in her room. Observers may also initially feel awkward giving anything but positive feedback.

Resources

• https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/pineapple-charts/ 
• https://robertkaplinsky.com/whats-difference-observeme-pineapple-charts/

AJ: The Big Leap – Most of us believe that we will finally feel satisfied and content with our lives when we get the good news we have been waiting for, find a healthy relationship, or achieve one of our personal goals. However, this rarely happens. Good fortune is often followed by negative emotions that overtake us and result in destructive behaviors. “I don’t deserve this,” “this is too good to be true,” or any number of harmful thought patterns prevent us from experiencing the joy and satisfaction we have earned. In The Big Leap, Hendricks reveals a simple yet comprehensive program for overcoming this barrier to happiness and fulfillment, presented in a way that engages both the mind and heart. The book describes the four hidden fears that are at the root of the Upper Limit Problem. The Big Leap delivers a proven method for first identifying which of these four fears prevents us from reaching our personal upper limit, and then breaking through that limitation to achieve what Hendricks refers to as our Zone of Genius.

Chris: The Rain Delay – Looking for advanced stats, game breakdowns, and game nuances? Welp, you’re looking in the wrong place. But if you want to talk mascots, memorabilia, and moments? We’re here from you. Each week, Cooperstown Kurt will welcome a guest from the world of baseball to talk about the lighter side of the game. Player interviews, movie breakdowns, and an “On The Road” subset are just some of the episodes you’ll hear.

First episode – “The Sandlot” Director David Mickey Evans

Stacey: When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing – Everyone knows that timing is everything. But we don’t know much about timing itself. Our lives are a never-ending stream of “when” decisions: when to start a business, schedule a class, get serious about a person. Yet we make those decisions based on intuition and guesswork.

Timing, it’s often assumed, is an art. In When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, Pink shows that timing is really a science.

Drawing on a rich trove of research from psychology, biology, and economics, Pink reveals how best to live, work, and succeed. How can we use the hidden patterns of the day to build the ideal schedule? Why do certain breaks dramatically improve student test scores? How can we turn a stumbling beginning into a fresh start? Why should we avoid going to the hospital in the afternoon? Why is singing in time with other people as good for you as exercise? And what is the ideal time to quit a job, switch careers, or get married?

In When, Pink distills cutting-edge research and data on timing and synthesizes them into a fascinating, readable narrative packed with irresistible stories and practical takeaways that give readers compelling insights into how we can live richer, more engaged lives.

Chris and Stacey interview Tony Keefer and Scott Jones, creators of March Book Madness (MBM), a bracket-style book competition that serves to engage students in conversations surrounding books from three areas, Picture Books, Middle Grades and YA. AJ was on special assignment during the interview, but joins in for the intro and shares his podcast recommendation.

Tony Keefer, a 7th-grade teacher by day and family man by night, and Scott Jones, 5th Grade teacher, reader, traveler, and 21st Century Teacher for 21st Century learners, are teachers in Central Ohio. In 2015, they decided to take their classroom versions of March Book Madness to the rest of the world. Now students, classrooms and libraries from as close as down the hall to as far away as Kuala Lumpur participate in March Book Madness.

During the interview, we ask about the origins of March Book Madness, how themes and books are selected, how MBM works, how educators and schools get get involved, as well as other questions. 

Resources

• http://marchbookmadness.weebly.com
• https://twitter.com/TonyKeefer
• https://twitter.com/escott818
• https://diversebooks.org/
• #2019mbm

AJ: 

Inspiring Teachers with Tavis and Danny  Episode 9

CJ Reynolds (Real Rap with Reynolds on YouTube) talks about Genuine Passion in Teaching and Giving Your All

Chris:

I want to become a master penman! – Art of Manliness (482) Power of Penmanship – Guest, Michael Sull, a master penman discusses what it takes to become a master penman and what exactly a master penman does for a living. The conversation explores the history of cursive handwriting, including insights into how culture has influenced handwriting styles throughout the ages and why penmanship has declined in the modern day.

Stacey:

I have been a fan of Techmeme Ride Home for a while now and was a bit wary when the host Brian decided to go 7 days a week by adding weekend interviews with guests, but the interviews conducted this weekend were amazing! NBC News’ Jacob Ward On Data Vs. Privacy and Mark Gurman Says Apple “don’t even know for sure” What Project Titan Is Building.

Chris shares his experience getting a grant funded through Donors Choose. He shares how his grant came to be, what equipment was included in the request, and his plans for the future.

Check out the Zebra Podcast Network to see how Chris is already putting his grant to good use!

AJ: 

• Throughline

Chris & Stacey:

• 5AM Miracle episode #273-Productivity Strategies to Master Content Creation with Pamela Wilson

Teachers on Fire Podcast – Profiling agents of growth and transformation in K-12 education. Hosted by Tim Cavey (@MisterCavey). #GrowthMindset #4Cs #IBL #PBL #DesignThinking #TLAP

Episode 24 – Nesi

Episode 60 – Bianco

Tim… connect with Stacey…and get her on your show!

https://teachersonfire.net/

We pull back the curtain on how exactly we make PodcastPD. We share the tools we use to plan, record, and promote the podcast.

• Planning & Prep
• Google Docs, Voxer
• Recording
• Squadcast.fm – SquadCast is on a mission to amplify collaboration. We seek to empower & encourage creatives to engage in meaningful conversations without barriers.
• $20 per month OR $200 per year
• Editing
• Audacity
• Sharing
• Pippa.io
• Self-hosted WordPress
• Promotion
• IG, Twitter, FB

AJ:

• The Corp with Gary Vee
• The Bits and Bites of Education Ep 13

Chris:

CBS Sunday Morning – Podcasts

Mobituaries with Mo Rocca – Mo Rocca’s long love of obituaries has him led to creating Mobituaries, an irreverent but deeply researched appreciation of the people (and things) of the past who have long intrigued him—from an unsung Founding Father to the first Chinese-American superstar, from Neanderthals to the station wagon.

https://www.mobituaries.com

Stacey: Potterless Potterless is a magical journey following Mike Schubert, a 25-year-old man, reading the Harry Potter series for the first time, as he sits down with Harry Potter fanatics to poke fun at plot holes, make painfully incorrect predictions, and rant about how Quidditch is the worst sport ever invented. With his podcastic voice, uncanny sense of humor, uniquely sharp mind, and arsenal of witty and insightful guests, Mike Schubert will take you on a journey through your childhood, this time with the rose-tinted glasses off. People are calling Potterless “hilarious and engaging,” “down-to-earth magic!” and “like watching a baby learn to walk.”

https://www.potterlesspodcast.com/

In episode 43 the PodcastPD crew talks about the ONE WORD that will guide each of them through 2019. What’s your ONE WORD? Check out My One Word to help you find your word for the coming year.

AJ: Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast – (@Joshua__Stamper)

Chris: The Educational Duct Tape Podcast – Jake Miller (@JakeMillerTech)

Stacey: Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin

PodcastPD founder Stacey Lindes joins Chris while AJ is away. We dive into educational topics pulled from Reddit, offering practical advice for educators.

Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/142

@LukeWileyED

Luke Wiley has earned his BA in History with minor studies in American studies at Rutgers University. Currently, he’s in his 5th year, earning his Masters in Education and he’s currently student teaching, with me, as I’ve mentioned previously.

He’s a member of the Rutgers University Track and Field Team where he is a distance runner.

• Why a career in education?
• Describe the coursework you received prior to your ST experience
• Something that’s come up in the actual classroom that your classes didn’t prepare you for?
• Challenges of student teaching?
• Any fear or reservation going into this experience?
• Something you haven’t tried yet in the classroom?
• Important takeaways?
• Positive or Negative
• Do you feel prepared for your first job?

Connect with Luke on Twitter!

The 12 Days of PodcastPD will begin on December 26, 2018, and run through January 6, 2019. We’re excited to again bring you 12 podcast recommendations to end 2018 and start 2019. Each recommendation will inspire you personally and professionally.

To keep up with everything for this edition of the 12 Days of PodcastPD go to podcastpd.com/12days2018

In this episode, we reflect on the latest installment of EdCamp New Jersey! Our conversation includes some live recording we did during the event and we’re excited to share our feedback and conversation on our 7th edcamp.

• The 2018 12 Days of PodcastPD are coming!
• We’re looking for your submissions to round out our 12 mini-episodes that will be released from December 26-January 6.
• Your submission should include:
• Who you are (your role in education, how people can connect with you)
• Title of the Podcast (& specific episode if nec.)
• Tell us why this podcast is awesome and the value you’ve gotten and what people can expect.
• Where to find the podcast (website, social media, etc.)
• Submissions should be no longer than 5 minutes.
• Submissions are due: December 21, 2018