EPISODES & TRANSCRIPTIONS
Feb. 6, 2025
That’s a Wrap! The End of Season 1 (But Not Goodbye)
This is our Season 1 finale! Come reflect on the first year of podcasting with me, where I share my gratitude for this amazing journey so far and tease what's to come for Season 2.
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Jan. 30, 2025
Beware of Koala Chlamydia with Denver Riley
In this wild episode, Denver and I dive into our travel adventures filled with unexpected twists and valuable life lessons. From Denver’s dreamy yet disastrous trip to Australia—featuring koala chlamydia myths, and rental car struggles—to my questionable choices while backpacking through Europe, no…
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Jan. 23, 2025
Idiocracy in Education with Denver Riley
In this lively episode I talk with Denver Riley about everything from classroom humor to the challenges teachers face post-pandemic. We also reflect on the new administration's pick for Secretary of Education and the similari...
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Jan. 16, 2025
Edutainment Done Right with Jerry Kolber
In this episode I talk with Jerry Kolber, the creative mind behind hit edutainment shows like Brain Games and Brainchild. With a background in reality TV and a passion for making learning interactive, Jerry shares how he transformed passive viewing experiences into engaging, educational content. We…
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Jan. 9, 2025
Managing Student Trauma Dumps with Care with Denver Riley and Lauren Antonio
In this episode Denver Riley and Lauren Antonio join me for a heartfelt and humorous discussion about teaching, empathy, and navigating unexpected challenges. From recounting chaotic airport experiences in Newark to exploring the emotional weight teachers carry in the classroom, we reflect on the i…
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Jan. 2, 2025
The Secrets Behind Writing a Bestseller with Jeneva Rose
In this captivating episode I welcome New York Times bestselling author Jeneva Rose to share her journey from aspiring writer to literary sensation. Known for her hit thriller The Perfect Marriage, Jeneva talks about her writing process, balancing multiple genres, and the thrill of creating memorab…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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Dec. 5, 2024
Unforgettable Freak-Outs with Tyler Jackowski
In this high-energy episode I am joined by Tyler Jackowski, an educator and content creator, for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation about teaching, ADHD, mental health, and the wild world of classroom chaos. From memorable classroom moments to advice on thoughtful teacher gifts and even the une…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 …
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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…
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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…
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Sept. 20, 2024
You Might Also Like: Opportunity Gap: How to get kids to talk about school, from Understood.org
We’re doing something a little different today. We’re sharing an episode from another podcast. It’s called Opportunity Gap: How to get kids to talk about school. It’s hosted by Julian Saavedra, an assistant principal in Philadelphia who has spent nearly 20 years working in public schools. Kids of c…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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