My Best Lesson: Social Studies: Recent Episodes
Mike Brilla
This is My Best Lesson: Social Studies--a podcast meant to help social studies educators share their stories of success, and sometimes failures, in their classes so that we can all grow together to become better teachers, leaders & people in today’s ever-changing world.
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we dive into what happens when plans fall apart and how an unexpected early loss at my son's baseball tournament led to a family trip to see the movie The Odyssey . A powerful line from the film sparked a deep reflection on our battle with control, competitive drive, and why we so often try to force outcomes instead of trusting the process . Drawing on wisdom from Ryan Holiday, Young Pueblo, Rick Alexander, and Dr. Jim Affenbrough, we explore how embracing productive struggle, taking action through movement, and managing our second thoughts can build a true champion mindset in sports and in life .
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast ! Episode 18, "Stop Saving Them from Losing: Reframing Failure and Anxiety in Youth Sports," was born out of a quiet moment on a back deck in Connecticut while watching my son's 13U travel baseball team navigate the rare sting of defeat . After 21 years of coaching high school wrestling, I've realized how easy it is to forget that failing early is the secret sauce to performing when the stakes are highest . In this episode, we dive deep into the sports coaching framework behind why top programs actively seek out losses . We break down elite rugby coach Eddie Jones's 70/30 practice rule, wrestling legend Cary Kolat's lesson on why failure is important, and how leaning into simple moments of awe acts as an instant circuit breaker against performance anxiety on game day .
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In Episode 17, "The Most Important Words," host Mike Brilla breaks down what happens in a young athlete's head right after a high-stakes failure—and why our go-to parental instincts might actually be falling on deaf ears . When an athlete makes a game-ending error or falls short in a major tournament, standard platitudes like "you did your best" get blocked by the brain's critical gatekeeper . Instead of relying on soft phrases or toxic positivity, this episode explores how parents and coaches can guide athletes toward a grounded, neutral mindset . Drawing from sports psychology, mindfulness traditions, and practical visualization techniques , Mike shares actionable strategies to help athletes release negative self-talk, stop the cycle of suffering, and build true mental toughness when pressure strikes .
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we are tackling one of the heaviest burdens our teenage athletes carry: the crushing weight of trying to please everyone around them . Drawing on a powerful (and surprisingly liberating) quote from Marcus Aurelius—"soon you will have forgotten everything, soon everything will have forgotten you"—we dive into how we can help our kids drop the heavy backpack of other people's expectations . I talk about the danger of "time traveling" in performance , why we need to help them put on mental "blinkers" to block out the noise , and how shifting from an external scoreboard to an internal one builds unstoppable, lasting confidence . Plus, I'll share details on my 6-step Inspired Game Plan, designed to help athletes separate who they are from how they perform so they can compete freely . Head over to inspiredathletemp.com to learn how we can train your athlete's mental game with intention ! Let's dive in !
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we're diving deep into the love-hate relationship many of us—especially coaches, teachers, and athletes—have with the summer off-season . Without the daily grind and rigid structure of the school year schedule, it's incredibly easy to fall into the trap of procrastination and what Jocko Willink calls "mission creep" . I get transparent about my own struggles with staying disciplined when the motivation just isn't there, and how drawing on wisdom ranging from Navy SEALs to ancient Stoics like Seneca can help us simplify our goals . We'll talk about how to eliminate analysis paralysis, build a solid morning anchor routine, and learn to truly execute and rest so you can conquer your off-season and focus on your purpose over outcomes .
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we tackle that quiet, "now what?" feeling that hits when a competitive season ends or the school year wraps up, and the circus leaves town . It's incredibly easy for athletes and performers to fall into the trap of wrapping their identity in what they do rather than who they are . Drawing timeless wisdom from Olympic gold medalist Tenley Albright, Stoic philosopher Epictetus, big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton, and author Austin Kleon, we discuss how defining yourself by external accolades, wins, or trophies sets you up for a massive crash when the season ends . Instead, you'll learn how to shift your focus away from outcomes you cannot control and anchor your identity in your internal "why" and the daily, unglamorous act of doing the work . Walk back into your training tomorrow knowing that the practice field and weight room aren't just about winning titles—they are where you go to forge a bulletproof character .
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we're digging into a truth I've learned over 20 years of coaching wrestling: the greatest athletes aren't just in love with winning; they are in love with the daily act of getting better . We explore why legendary researcher Jim Collins argues we should "focus on the fire" of the work itself, using the incredible story of Olympic gold medalist Tenley Albright, who dedicated less than 2% of her biography to her medal because she was so focused on the joy of her next pursuit . We also take a page out of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations to realize that "glory" is often just the fleeting "clapping of tongues," and that true resilience comes from valuing your own actions and the process rather than seeking the shaky ground of external approval . Whether you're a state champ or just starting out, it's time to ask yourself: if nobody could see the work you're putting in, would it still be worth doing?
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In today's episode, we are diving deep into the concept of "productive struggle" and why that feeling of frustration isn't a sign that you're failing, but proof that you're on the right path . We often fall into the trap of thinking our "encodings"—what we're meant to do—should be easy, but the reality is that true growth requires us to work through things that challenge us . I share stories ranging from the legendary wrestling culture in Nazareth, PA, to the "try-hard" label that we should all start wearing as a badge of honor . Whether you're an athlete battling self-doubt or a parent trying to help your child navigate a setback, we explore how to move to a "neutral" mindset, focus on internal effort over external results, and remember that struggle is not an interruption to the process—it is the process
Podcast Summary Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In today's episode, we're diving into the "paradox of habits" and exploring when a healthy routine turns into a rigid attachment. Drawing on the wisdom of James Clear and the teachings of Buddhism, I'm getting real about my own struggles with "tracker obsession" and the pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect . We discuss why true greatness requires a flexible identity rather than a fragile one, featuring insights from coaching legend Steve Draffle and a powerful graduation speech from an Air Force Academy-bound wrestler . Whether you're grinding through 5 a.m. runs or trying to find your identity outside of your sport, this episode is a reminder that the path isn't easy, but learning to detach your self-worth from your external results is always worth the struggle .
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, we are diving deep into what it truly takes to sustain greatness when adversity strikes, stripping away the talent and leaving behind the pure grit required to overcome major setbacks. Inspired by a powerful message from the legendary Inky Johnson, I break down why one bad chapter doesn't define your entire book and how your brain's natural self-defense mechanism might actually be self-sabotaging your progress. Pulling insights from James Clear's Atomic Habits and Jake Thompson's concept of "can't-see choices," we explore why you need to stop playing the scoreboard's game and start unlearning the old identities holding you back. Plus, I share a simple, actionable strategy from Bobby Maximus—the "Green Dot" method—to help you flip the switch on negative red-light thoughts and force your mind to optimize for the things you can 100% control.
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! Today, I'm getting real about my own fitness journey—from the frustrating yo-yo dieting days to chasing heavy lifting goals at 44 years old. We're diving deep into the power of focus and why Epictetus was right when he said you become what you set your mind to. I'll break down how your brain's Reticular Activating System acts like a "proof-seeking machine" that often defaults to keeping you safe and stuck in yesterday's habits. But don't worry, I'm giving you the manual override tools—meditation and visualization—to help you stop waiting for the scoreboard to tell you you're good enough and start "preloading" the evidence of the athlete you are working to become.
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, I'm diving deep into the "sacred" space of the car ride home and why we need to stop letting "monsters" of future anxiety take up a seat in our vehicles . As sports parents, it's so easy to slip into coaching mode or let our own frustrations leak out after a tough loss, but our athletes' brains are wired for survival and often see those critiques as a reason to quit . Drawing on wisdom from Paulo Coelho and Marcus Aurelius, I discuss how extraordinary parenting is found in the simple things—like knowing when a kid just needs a quiet ride or a Chick-fil-A milkshake instead of a lecture on footwork . Let's commit to making our cars a safe place to fail so our kids can build the genuine confidence they need to succeed .
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In today's episode, we're tackling the "biggest misconception" in sports: the idea that confidence comes from winning. I open up about the "hardest part" of being a coach and parent—watching an athlete struggle when you know they have the talent, but something in their head is "blocking them". We dive into 2,000-year-old Stoic wisdom, specifically the "dichotomy of control," to explain why anchoring your self-belief to results like victories or rankings makes your confidence "fragile". Instead, we talk about building a "stable foundation" based on things you actually own: your preparation, your effort, and your response to adversity. Whether you're an athlete wrestling with doubt or a parent trying to help, it's time to shift your focus from the scoreboard to the choices you make every single day.
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In today's episode, we're breaking down why some athletes are absolute "gamers" while others struggle to bring their practice-room energy to the big stage. Drawing on Stoic wisdom and the fascinating concept of the "Quiet Eye," we explore the idea that we don't actually rise to the level of our competition—we fail to the level of our preparation. I'm sharing stories from my coaching days about athletes who thrived under pressure and discussing how mental fatigue can shift your focus from being the predator to becoming the prey. If you've ever felt the weight of a "big moment," this one is for you; we're looking at how to normalize anxiety and train your mind to stay calm so your muscle memory can do the work when the lights get bright.
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! In this episode, I share how a late-night TikTok scroll led me to the band Tucked In, who quickly became the soundtrack for my son and me while he navigated a long, difficult recovery from a freak baseball injury . Beyond just the music, the kindness and personal interest the band members showed my son really hit home for me as a dad . We're diving into the concept of being a "time traveler"—the way athletes constantly replay missed shots and past failures in their minds . Using insights from Dr. Nate Zinser's The Confident Mind, I explain how our brains act as gatekeepers and why we must filter for evidence of our growth and success instead of just our shortcomings . Stick around to hear the full track of "Time Traveler" by Tucked In at the end of the show, and make sure to visit inspiredathletemp.com to sign up for my newsletter and grab your free parent discussion guide .
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete Podcast! In this episode, I reflect on a powerful moment during the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and a message from Ed Mylett in a conversation with Jay Shetty that completely reframed a tough setback for one of my wrestlers. After falling short of his goal of becoming an All-American—even while several guys he had beaten ended up on the podium—we talk about the critical choice athletes face after disappointment: adopting limiting beliefs or choosing a perspective that keeps possibility alive. I also explore how the brain constantly looks for evidence to confirm what we believe and why the idea of doing "one more"—one more rep, one more adjustment, one more effort—can change the trajectory of an athlete's career.
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Welcome to The Inspired Athlete Podcast! In this episode, we dig into a powerful idea about performance: while thoughts matter, they don't get the final say—identity does. Drawing on an insight from Mike Travisano's Refuge in Small Things, we explore the loop between belief, thoughts, emotions, actions, and results, and how the story we carry about who we are shapes everything that follows. I share some reflections from a weekend coaching at the state tournament—van rides, lobby checkers, and honest conversations with athletes—and what stood out about the mindset of two champions. It wasn't that they never had doubts. They did. But their identity was stronger than the doubt, and they knew how to return to the beliefs they'd built through preparation and hard work. This episode is a reminder that champions don't necessarily have better thoughts—they have stronger identities—and it's those identities that guide their actions when it matters most.
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete Podcast! This episode is a reflection on one unforgettable weekend filled with highs, heartbreaks, growth, and powerful reminders about what sport is really teaching us. From watching my son compete at his state tournament, to coaching athletes chasing championships and state qualifications, to supporting a college wrestler fighting for one last shot at nationals, I was reminded that competition is never about guarantees — it's about the what if. We talk about success that doesn't arrive on our timeline, the lessons hidden inside losses, and why struggle is actually the proving ground where confidence, resilience, and character are built. Drawing on insights from wrestling, coaching, parenting, Stoic wisdom, and great thinkers like Emerson and Tolstoy, this episode challenges athletes, parents, and coaches to rethink what greatness really means — not medals or outcomes, but who we become through effort, persistence, and the courage to keep showing up when things don't go our way.
Welcome to the Inspired Athlete podcast! Today we're diving into a powerful truth that can completely change the way you compete: your thoughts and feelings are real—but they don't get the final say in your performance. Identity does. We've all been told to "just think positive," but what happens when nerves show up anyway? What do you do when doubt creeps in before a big match or game? In this episode, we're talking about why you're not responsible for the first thought that pops into your head—but you are responsible for what comes next—and how building a strong sense of who you are as an athlete becomes your greatest competitive advantage. Let's get into it.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, Just Stop Worrying, I lean on the timeless wisdom of Marcus Aurelius in Meditations to remind us of something we all need to hear—far more of our mental energy is spent on things that are completely outside our control. Whether it's the opinions of others, the outcomes we can't predict, or the "what ifs" that keep looping in our minds, worry quietly steals our focus and presence. This episode is a simple but powerful invitation to pause, reset, and recommit to what actually belongs to us: our thoughts, our actions, and how we show up each day.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this very personal episode, I look back on nearly four years and 273 episodes of hitting "record," sharing ideas, and growing alongside educators across the U.S. and Canada. I talk about why I started the show back in 2022, what I'm most proud of, and why I'm now making a big pivot out of the education podcast space. This isn't goodbye to teaching—it's an expansion into mental performance work with wrestlers, athletes, and their parents. Drawing on my own wrestling regrets, years of coaching since 2004, and what I've learned through training with Lindsay Wilson and Positive Performance, I explain why this moment feels right and why understanding how the brain works changed everything for me. It's a reflective, honest, and hopeful episode about leaving the familiar, getting "in the mud," and stepping into what's next.
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Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! It's been a little while, and in this episode, I share a quick update on what I've been up to and reflect on a message that really hit home for me lately. After listening to Jay Shetty on the On Purpose podcast, one line stuck with me: "Comparison makes you chase timelines that weren't meant for you." I talk about why that resonated so deeply right now—especially as I step into something new—and how easy it is to feel scattered or unsure when we focus on where others seem to be. I also connect this idea directly to teaching, where comparison can show up no matter where you are in your career. This episode is a reminder that teaching, like life, moves in seasons—and when we stop chasing someone else's timeline, we give ourselves permission to fully commit to our own.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! It's been a while, and in this episode, I talk about why I'm back behind the mic and how this podcast still fits into my life right now. I share my love for that quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year's—a rare bit of downtime to slow down, read, and reflect—and how a short piece called "Float" from Mike Travisano's Refuge and Small Things really hit home as I was preparing to head back to school. January can feel heavy for a lot of educators and students, when the break is over and the finish line feels far away. Today's message is a simple reminder: when life feels overwhelming, and you can't see the shore, sometimes the best thing you can do is lean back, breathe, and remember—you float.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I think we all wrestle with—our tendency to chase comfort and try to avoid anything that feels tough or unpredictable. The truth is, life’s never going to be smooth sailing, and as Marcus Aurelius reminds us, what stands in the way can actually become the way. As teachers, we see this every day in those lessons that go sideways or those students who surprise us in the best possible ways. So let’s dive into why leaning into challenges, instead of running from them, is where the real growth and joy happen.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! This week, I’m coming to you from Cary, North Carolina, just a few days before the school year kicks off. I’m here with my two sons for a big baseball tournament—one competing on the field, the other supporting from the stands while still rehabbing an injury from months back. Watching one play and the other choose to show up for his brother—even though it wasn’t easy—filled me with pride in ways I can’t fully describe. Later that weekend, a conversation with my son reminded me of a powerful truth I’ve been reading in Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy: real strength and fulfillment come not from clinging to our own wants, but from serving and celebrating others. In this episode, I share that story, the lessons it sparked, and a reminder for all of us as teachers, parents, and leaders—that life gets richer when we step outside ourselves and pour into others.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In today’s episode, I talk about starting restorative practices at our school and the powerful reminder that it’s not the big, flashy events that build relationships—it’s the small, intentional moments we share with our students, our colleagues, and even ourselves. I connect this to the Stoic wisdom of Zeno, who taught that well-being is built little by little, and how that truth applies as I begin a new school year. From recovery and mobility, to better eating habits, to simply taking a few minutes each night to reflect, I share how focusing on the small, daily choices can shape us into the teachers, parents, and people we aspire to be.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, I reflect on a question my son Gray asked me about what separates the most successful wrestlers I’ve coached from the rest. After more than 20 years in the wrestling room, I’ve had the privilege of coaching some incredible athletes—state medalists, champions, and even guys who went on to compete at the highest levels. At first, I thought the answer was simply about controlling the controllables, but the more I reflected, the more I realized it goes deeper. The best wrestlers weren’t just obsessed with winning—they were driven by the love of competing, by becoming the best versions of themselves, and by bringing others along for the ride. And while that’s easy for me to see in coaching, it’s just as true in teaching: greatness doesn’t come from the short-term wins, but from the dedication, consistency, and purpose we bring to the process every day.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, I talk with Bryon Carpenter—a fellow educator, podcaster and lifelong learner who’s all about showing up, reflecting, and growing a little bit every day. We dive into why paying attention to your experiences matters, how consistency (even in small ways) can lead to big change, and how podcasting helps him process and share what he’s learning. Bryon’s not doing it for likes or followers—he’s doing it to make a difference, and it’s a message that’ll definitely resonate.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode comes to you from the beach—one of the few places where I consistently feel calm and grounded. But wouldn’t it be great if we could find that kind of peace everywhere? Inspired by a powerful reply from Dr. Nate Fulton to a quote from Yung Pueblo, we’re digging into what it means to truly “protect your peace.” As teachers, parents, and people, it’s so easy to let the energy of those around us dictate how we feel. But calm isn’t something that just happens—it’s a skill we have to develop and practice, especially in a world that constantly pulls at our energy. So today, let’s talk about learning to stay grounded, owning our emotional space, and giving ourselves grace when we get it wrong—because we will, and that’s okay.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode is a special one—an honest, heartfelt, and wide-ranging conversation with Chris Nesi, the "EduPodfather" himself. Chris opens up about his journey in education and podcasting, the importance of showing up with integrity, and how being a great educator—or parent—is about letting others catch you in the act of doing good. We talk coaching, content creation, overcoming imposter syndrome, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply take the next step. If you’ve ever been hesitant to start something new or wondered if you’re doing enough, this episode will speak directly to you.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, we look at the story of General Dan Sickles at Gettysburg—a leader who made a bold move that helped slow down the enemy, but came at a huge cost to his own men. Was it brave or reckless? We dig into that question and connect it to a powerful message from Admiral William McRaven’s book The Wisdom of the Bullfrog. As teachers, we know we can’t just play it safe all the time. We need to try new things and take smart risks—but always with care, knowing our students are counting on us. Let’s talk about what it means to be bold, thoughtful, and growing right alongside our students.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I’m beyond excited to share this episode with you—it’s the first-ever interview on the show! After over a year of planning, I finally sat down with none other than Jake Miller of Educational Duct Tape. We talk about everything from shared friendships and classroom strategies to cellphones and what keeps us inspired. Fair warning: I accidentally recorded with my laptop mic—but hey, you’re really here for Jake anyway!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Last week, we talked about Admiral William McRaven’s advice to take things one step at a time—and this week, we’re building on that by asking an important question: what are we actually growing toward? Growth without direction isn’t just unproductive—it can be harmful. In this episode, I break down Dr. Joe Dispenza’s three components to excellence that he shared on an episode of Tom Bilyeau’s Impact Theory Podcast—confidence, accountability, and vision—and explore how each one can help us move forward with purpose. Whether you're in the classroom or just trying to be a little better every day, this episode will give you simple, powerful steps to grow in the right direction.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, I share a powerful lesson from Admiral William McRaven's Navy SEAL training that can transform how we handle the tough days in teaching. When my son faced a challenging injury, I found myself caught up in the anxiety of "what if" thinking - something we've all experienced as educators when facing difficult students, overwhelming workloads, or career challenges. Drawing from McRaven's story about surviving Hell Week by focusing on "one evolution at a time," I explore how we can apply this mindset both in helping our struggling students break down big challenges into manageable pieces, and in our own teaching lives when everything feels impossible. Whether you're dealing with a rough class period or questioning your entire career, this episode reminds us that we don't have to solve everything at once - just focus on what's right in front of you and keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the power of language in a conversation I’m calling “Words Are Important.” This topic was sparked by a recent training I attended on Restorative Practices, where we spent a lot of time reflecting on how the words we choose can either build connection or create distance. Around the same time, I started reading Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen, and it really drove the point home—our inner dialogue and the language we use with ourselves matters just as much as what we say to others. So today, we’re exploring how intentional language can transform not just our classrooms, but our everyday lives. Let’s get into it!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! This week’s episode is a real-life reflection on those long, draining May days when exhaustion runs deeper than just being tired—it comes from how we react to the daily challenges of teaching. I share a recent moment when I found myself overwhelmed by student behavior and how a simple line from a meditation—“respond, rather than react”—helped reframe my thinking. It’s easy to fall into old patterns and respond out of habit, but taking a pause to check in with how we really feel can lead to more thoughtful, compassionate responses. With a little help from the poet Yung Pueblo and a conversation with a wise colleague, I was reminded of what truly matters. Tune in for a candid look at the inner work that helps us grow as educators—and humans.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! You know that person who always has the best story, knows the best restaurant, and never misses a chance to prove they know more than you? Yeah... don’t be that person. In this episode, we’re digging into the power of intellectual humility—why admitting “I don’t know” can be one of the smartest things you do as an educator. Inspired by a sharp quote from Charlie Munger and grounded in the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, we’ll explore how curiosity, not certainty, leads to growth. Whether you're a new teacher still trying to find your footing or a veteran who's been around the block, this is your reminder that the best educators are lifelong learners. So today, let’s talk less, listen more, and make room for growth—because the smartest person in the room might just be the room itself.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, I’m diving into my winding journey with journaling—from Ryan Holiday’s Daily Stoic Journal to blank Moleskines and even a couple rounds with Permission to Pause. While I’ve loved parts of each, I often find myself craving something new. That’s when I stumbled upon a simple, effective journaling protocol shared by Andrew Huberman. Originally designed to support recovery, it’s actually perfect for anyone looking to build positive habits and find a little more balance. I’ll walk you through how it works, what I’ve learned from using it, and how it’s helped me stay grounded—even on chaotic mornings when the squirrels are out in full force. If you’ve ever felt stuck with your journaling or just want a new way to reflect, this one’s for you.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today, I want to be honest about something I think a lot of us struggle with—this constant drive to grow, improve, and be “better.” It sounds noble, right? But if you’re anything like me, that mindset can sometimes become exhausting. I’ve always been an all-in kind of person—wrestling taught me to push hard, and teaching just reinforced it. But recently, a conversation with a psychologist friend reminded me of something important: “Try to be better, don’t try to be perfect… and sometimes, just be.” That hit me. In this episode, I’ll share reflections from that chat, plus insights from Laird Hamilton’s story in Liferider and Srikumar Rao’s book Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots. It’s a reminder that maybe we don’t always need to chase the next level—maybe we just need to show up, be present, and appreciate the amazing people we already are.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode starts with a confession—I used to hate lunch duty. Even worse, I was asked to help clean up afterward, and I’ll admit it: I was kind of a jerk about it. I was annoyed, even angry, and felt like it was beneath me. But here’s the thing—what began as a begrudging task has become one of my favorite parts of the day. There’s something unexpectedly cathartic about it: walking around, chatting with kids, modeling what it means to pitch in and do what needs to be done, no matter your role. That mindset shift is exactly what we’re talking about today, inspired by a Daily Stoic podcast episode from Ryan Holiday titled “Greatness is Up to You?” We’ll unpack how our character is revealed not in grand gestures, but in how we show up for the small, unseen, or unglamorous tasks. As Ryan and the Stoics remind us, it’s not about the job itself—it’s about the attitude we bring to it. Let’s talk about how that idea can transform the way we teach, lead, and live.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Lately, the weather here in southeastern Pennsylvania has been just about perfect, and I’ve been making a point to enjoy it—with no earbuds, no distractions, just fresh air. It’s been good for the soul, but it also got me thinking about how easy it is to let external things—like the weather, a tough class, or a flopped lesson—dictate our mood. In this episode, I’m drawing inspiration from Jay Shetty and the classic story of “Good thing, bad thing, who knows?” We’ll talk about how reframing events, embracing the power of the pause, and letting go of our need to control outcomes can help us find peace and purpose in the unpredictable rhythm of teaching.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today, I’m reflecting on how my relationship with time has changed—from lingering in hallways with friends to rushing through the day just to get home. Inspired by Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, I explore the idea that time is a network good—something that gains value when shared with others. In my effort to be productive, I had unintentionally cut myself off from the connection and joy that come from community. This episode is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful use of our time as teachers is simply spending it together.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, I’m sharing a moment from right before spring break when I had a big plan for a Socratic Seminar… and then totally bailed on it. But here’s the thing—I’ve got an awesome grade-level team, and one of our newer members keeps pushing us to try new things, which got me thinking. I want my students to talk. I like the noise. I want them talking about social studies and thinking out loud together. But somewhere along the way, I let “keeping them on task” win out over giving them space to actually discuss. I’m diving into some great ideas from Catlin Tucker and Katie Novak’s book The Shift to Student-Led: Reimagining Classroom Workflows with UDL & Blended Learning, and talking about why it’s okay to step back and let students lead the conversation—even if it gets a little messy. Because let’s be honest: teaching is exhausting, and we don’t need to be the ones doing all the talking all the time.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Last time, we talked about how important it is to surround yourself with the right people—but today, I want to flip that around a little. What about when you feel like the one bringing the bad vibes? I’m pulling from James Sturtevant’s book Teaching in Magenta: 100 Pathways to Joy and Well-Being for You and Your Students to dive into this idea. I’ll read a piece straight from the book and share the part that really stuck with me. The truth is, we all have tough days where everything feels heavy, and that’s completely normal. So today’s all about giving yourself—and the people around you—a little more grace when things get tough.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, I share a powerful reminder of why teaching is such a gift: getting to witness our students grow into the people they’re meant to be—and sometimes, if we’re lucky, cheering them on from the sidelines long after they leave our classrooms. I recently had the chance to watch one of my former students, Jordan Dissin, now a professional baseball player, catch for the Reading Fightin Phils. But what truly inspired me wasn’t just his performance on the field—it was his character off of it. Watching him connect with young fans, and having my own sons see that moment, reminded me of the profound impact our role models can have. We’ll explore how this ties into Austin Kleon’s idea that we are “a mashup of what we let into our lives,” and reflect on what it means for us as educators to be intentional about the influences we allow into our own lives and classrooms.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we're diving into an exciting and practical way to bring AI into your classroom—by turning it into a powerful, personalized tutor for your students. Inspired by a recent blog post from Edutopia, I’ll walk you through an assignment I’m trying with my own students that encourages them to use AI to review and reinforce classroom content on their own time. Whether you're brand new to AI tools or already experimenting, this simple yet effective strategy could be a game-changer for student learning. Please tune in and consider giving it a shot in your own classroom!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, “Be Mindful of Your Memories,” we take a deep dive into how nostalgia and memory shape not only our emotions but our present-day realities, especially as educators. Sparked by everything from Rex Manning Day to some late-90s punk rock and a great Rich Roll conversation with memory expert Charan Ranganath, I’ve been reflecting on how our memories aren’t perfect snapshots—they’re more like paintings, shaped and reshaped by time and feeling. We explore how this impacts the way we view our students, our work, and even ourselves. You’ll hear insights from Dr. Joe Dispenza and The Connection podcast about how our emotional state, often rooted in memory, can distort our current perceptions and reactions. Whether it’s longing for the “good old days” or carrying identity and emotion from seasons past, this episode is a reminder to pause, breathe, and stay grounded in what’s real, not just what we remember.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode is inspired by a powerful post from educator and podcaster Trevor Muir called “The Participation Myth.” It hit me hard—in the best way—because it’s all about shifting our focus as teachers from outcomes we can’t control to the efforts we can. So often, we judge our lessons and even our worth as educators by how engaged every single student seems in the moment. But the truth is, expecting 100% participation all the time is not only unrealistic—it’s a fast track to burnout and imposter syndrome. Let’s talk about what it means to teach with purpose, give our best, and let go of the rest.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode was planned on a pretty special day—my oldest son turned 15, which has me feeling all the things. It’s true what they say: “time flies,” but you never really get it until you're watching your own kid grow up in the blink of an eye. And as I look around and realize this school year is three-quarters over—and that I’m wrapping up my 21st year in the classroom (seriously, what?!)—I’ve been thinking a lot about time, how we spend it, and how little of it we actually control. Inspired by the early chapters of Mel Robbins’ new book The Let Them Theory, I want to share a powerful mindset shift that’s already changing how I think about my time and energy. It’s all about letting go—letting people think what they think, do what they do, and freeing ourselves from the exhausting habit of trying to manage the unmanageable. Because when we stop wasting energy on things outside of our control, we finally get to focus on what really matters. Let’s talk about reclaiming your time, your energy, and your peace.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! This past week was one of those where I was just loving life—engaging with students, enjoying the creative process of planning (especially with AI), and taking time off for wrestling. It’s easy to feel happy when things are going well, but the real challenge is learning to cultivate that same joy regardless of circumstances. Today’s message, inspired by James Oppenheim’s quote, "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet," reminds us to stop chasing happiness in future events and instead find contentment in the present. The Stoics echo this wisdom, with Marcus Aurelius reminding us that true peace comes from within, not from external retreats. This weekend gave me amazing moments with family and wrestling, but it also tested my ability to remain present—whether comforting my son after a tough loss, overcoming nerves in a new volunteer role, or resisting the urge to let to-do lists steal my Sunday joy. So today, let’s reflect on where we’re placing our happiness—are we waiting for it, or are we growing it right where we stand?
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today, we’re tackling a topic that many of us wrestle with—what happens when you don’t always love your job? As someone who’s spent decades immersed in wrestling, I know firsthand how identity can be tied to our work, and how challenging it can be when that work shifts or disappears. Inspired by a recent episode of The Connection with Marty Moss-Coane, we’ll dive into why it’s okay to not always love your job, how unrealistic expectations can create unnecessary stress, and what we can do to regulate our emotions when work feels overwhelming. From setting psychological boundaries to avoiding the stress contagion, this episode is all about learning to navigate the ups and downs of work without letting it define us.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today, we’re diving into a powerful question: Will you meet your goals this year? Inspired by a recent Compete Every Day episode on the biggest mistakes people make when setting goals, we’ll explore why keeping your goals to yourself might actually help you succeed, how an accountability system can keep you on track, and the role of energy, faith, and action in shaping your future. We’ll break down a compelling quote from Rachel Hollis about how our focus creates our future and connect it to insights from Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, which suggests that when we truly desire something, the universe conspires to help us. Through the lens of effort, energy, risk-taking, and trust, we’ll discuss how competing daily sets you up for success and how faith in the process keeps you moving forward. Let’s get inspired to take bold action and make 2025 our best year yet!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! As the calendar year winds down, it’s that time when we all start thinking about goals, resolutions, and what the next year might bring. Whether your ambitions are small steps or bold, life-changing leaps, how do you set yourself up for genuine success? In today’s episode, I’ll share some powerful ideas inspired by Compete Every Day and Rachel Hollis, explore the fascinating concept of the universe conspiring in your favor from a cool video of Paulo Coelho, author of the The Alchemist. The video, and I reflect on how effort, energy, and risk all play a role in achieving our dreams. I’m not claiming to have all the answers, but these insights have deeply impacted how I approach my goals, and I think they might resonate with you too. Let’s dive into the mindset and practices that can help you create a purposeful and inspiring year ahead!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode is all about the power of doing the little things well and how that philosophy connects to restorative practices in our schools. I’m part of a restorative practices committee at my school and will soon begin training to become a trainer myself—something I’m both excited and humbled by. Honestly, I wasn’t always on board with this approach. Skeptical at first, I joined the initiative out of a mix of curiosity and a desire to contribute rather than criticize. What I’ve learned is that restorative practices are fundamentally about building and maintaining relationships with students, and that simplicity is key. This week, a committee meeting and a moment of doubt reminded me how important it is to focus on the small, consistent actions that build trust, understanding, and connection. Inspired by Emmanuel Acho’s reminder that "little things done well make big things happen," we’ll discuss how paying attention to the small, intentional steps can transform not just our classrooms, but our lives. Let’s dive in!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, we delve into the timeless wisdom of Seneca, exploring his profound understanding of philosophy as the art of learning how to be a friend to yourself. As educators, we often pour our hearts and souls into nurturing our students, but it's equally essential to extend that same kindness and compassion inward. Join me as I reflect on the importance of self-friendship and self-care in our teaching journeys, sharing practical insights and uplifting stories that remind us to prioritize our well-being while inspiring others.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Every year, my pre-season wrestling trip is a chance to recharge and reflect, and this year’s visit to Ocean City, NJ, was no exception. From a thoughtful gift card from a student to battling nasty black bugs and relentless beeping, it wasn’t all smooth sailing—but as we left, the ocean reminded me of its timeless lesson: it continues its work, no matter what. Today, I’m sharing why I love the beach—the nostalgia, joy, and grounding it provides—and how Mary Oliver’s poem I Go Down to the Shore inspired me to reflect on the importance of perspective. Just as the ocean waves keep rolling, we all have work to do, even when life feels overwhelming. Whether you're dealing with challenges or celebrating victories, the key is finding meaning in the process—"chop wood, carry water." Let’s dive into this calming yet powerful reminder to stay grounded, focused, and present in every moment.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Lately, I’ve been feeling a shift—a sense of returning to something better than just surviving in the classroom. Between blue-sky moments and inspiring ideas from podcasts like Check This Out and House of EdTech, I’m rounding the corner from simply managing post-COVID challenges to growing and thriving as an educator. Today’s episode is all about progress—how it fuels our happiness and purpose. Inspired by Tom Bilyeu’s Impact Theory, we’ll explore why progress is a pillar of fulfillment, why it’s hardwired into us as humans, and why, as teachers, we need to push past comfort to continue growing. As wrestling coach Nelson Stratton once said, "You either get better or worse, but you never stay the same." Growth isn’t just about becoming better educators—it’s about living a purposeful life that serves both ourselves and others. Let’s talk about how to embrace the hard work of progress and use it to reignite our passion for teaching!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In our last episode, we explored Michael Gervais’ idea of being at peace with who you are while still striving for growth, and today, I want to dive even deeper into that journey. This week, I faced two personal challenges that reminded me just how far I have to go: being judgmental and constantly comparing expectations to reality. Both came to the forefront during our whirlwind three-day parent-teacher conference schedule, where my stress amplified these habits. I’ll share how Epictetus’ wisdom from The Enchiridion—"Wish for things to happen as they do, and you will have a tranquil flow of life"—helped me reframe these moments. We’ll explore why comparison and control can lead us astray, how I tried to navigate my disrupted routines, and what we can all learn about rolling with life’s unpredictability. Let’s get inspired together to embrace what is, rather than what we wish it to be!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we dive into a powerful idea that struck me while listening to Dr. Michael Gervais on a recent podcast while blowing leaves! Dr. Mike spoke about the discipline it takes to prioritize progress and growth over outcomes, a concept that feels especially relevant in the fast-paced world of education. He also highlighted the importance of not wrapping your identity in what you do, a reminder that staying grounded in your purpose allows you to embrace growth with clarity and resilience. Together, these ideas offer a transformative perspective on how we approach our roles as educators and lifelong learners. Let’s explore how these insights can fuel our passion and purpose in teaching!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode was sparked by a heartfelt conversation I had with my son about his goals in wrestling. His focus and determination reminded me of a powerful chapter from The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy) by Admiral William H. McRaven. In this episode, we’ll dive into the importance of having goals and a pathway to achieving them, and not just hope.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re diving into the timeless wisdom of Epictetus as shared in Chapter 17 of his Enchiridion. Building on our conversation from the last episode, we’re focusing on a fundamental Stoic truth: we are not in control of events, but we are in control of how we respond to them and just how liberating this can be.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode was sparked by a recent conversation on Dr. Michael Gervais' Finding Mastery podcast, where he interviewed Deryck Whibley, lead singer of Sum 41. Whibley shared a powerful reminder that “you can’t control the outcome, but you can control the output.” This line got me thinking deeply about the concepts in Extreme Balance, a book that emphasizes balancing results with the process it takes to get there. In this episode, we’ll explore how focusing on our own "output" can bring greater satisfaction and success, even when the final outcome feels beyond our reach.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode is inspired by a thought-provoking message I received from the Daily Insight email service. The email featured a quote from the renowned author Paulo Coelho, reminding us that the true rewards of our work lie not in what we gain but in who we become. As educators, it’s easy to focus on the tangible results of our efforts—grades, accolades, and outcomes—but Coelho's words offer a powerful perspective shift. Let’s dive into how embracing this mindset can transform our approach to teaching and fuel a deeper sense of purpose in the work we do every day.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, we dive into a powerful reminder inspired by a recent post from Jon Gordon on X, encouraging us to see our work not necessarily as our purpose but as a vehicle to help us discover and reach it. Through the story of my cousin and some compelling insights from a recent Ed Mylett podcast, I explore how this lesson resonates deeply in the life of teachers. Join me as we reflect on how we can embrace our roles as educators not as endpoints, but as pathways to a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast!In today’s episode, we’re diving into a powerful reminder inspired by a passage from Epictetus, highlighted in Ryan Holiday's The Daily Stoic. This timeless piece of wisdom encourages us to focus on what we can control and let go of what we can’t. I stumbled upon this passage during a particularly challenging moment in our wrestling season, and it struck me how perfectly it applies to teaching. As educators, we constantly face situations beyond our control, from student behavior to administrative changes. Today, let’s explore how we can shift our focus to what we can influence, and find greater resilience and peace in our daily lives.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, we're diving into a powerful message from tennis legend Roger Federer, who delivered a memorable commencement speech at Dartmouth University in June 2024. Federer reminded us that perfection is impossible—even the greatest tennis players lose nearly half of the points they play. His advice? Focus on the next point. This episode explores how we can apply that mindset to our daily lives as educators, reminding ourselves that progress, not perfection, is the key to success both in the classroom and beyond.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we dive into a concept shared by James Clear in one of his insightful weekly 3-2-1 emails—the power of clarity. Clear reminds us that being clear about your purpose doesn’t mean you need to have your entire life figured out. Instead, the key is to focus on knowing your next step. We’ll explore how this simple but profound idea can help educators find direction, reduce overwhelm, and take meaningful action in both their personal and professional lives. Let’s get started!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we dive into one of the transformative ideas from Young Pueblo's book Clarity and Connection. The author reminds us how crucial the energy we put into the universe is—not only for our personal growth but also in shaping the world around us. I hope you enjoy this reminder about your attitude as much as I did!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we dive into a powerful discussion inspired by some recent conversations in class using the Second Step program. We’ll be exploring a chapter from Ryan Holiday’s book The Obstacle Is the Way, where we learn how to shift our mindset and start seeing obstacles as opportunities for growth. Tune in as we break down practical ways to reframe challenges and embrace them as stepping stones toward success—both in the classroom and beyond!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, we dive into an eye-opening TikTok I came across, where a teacher declared she was done with trauma bonding. This powerful statement got me thinking about how we, as educators, can reclaim our time and energy by removing negative influences from our lives. Drawing on the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius from his Meditations, we’ll explore how his advice on controlling our thoughts and actions can empower us to do just that. Let’s discuss how, like that teacher, we can choose to spread hope, positivity, and strength in our classrooms and beyond.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, we're diving into a powerful reminder from a recent email by James Clear. He emphasized the importance of staying enthusiastic about the mundane aspects of life, as they are often the key to achieving mastery. As educators, and in our personal lives, it's easy to overlook the small, everyday tasks, but they are what shape us into who we want to become. Join me as I reflect on how this concept can transform our approach in the classroom and beyond, helping us stay motivated and inspired even in the most routine moments.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re diving into a powerful reminder I picked up from a recent episode of the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty. Jay emphasized the importance of patience when it comes to expecting results in life. Whether you're striving for progress in your classroom, personal goals, or life in general, this episode will explore how embracing patience can lead to long-term success and fulfillment. Let’s unpack how this mindset can make a lasting difference in both our teaching and everyday lives!
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, we dive into a powerful concept inspired by a conversation between Elena Aguilar and Jennifer Gonzalez on the Cult of Pedagogy podcast. We'll explore the distinction between what we can control and what we can influence, and how this understanding can empower us as educators. By focusing on what truly lies within our reach, we can cultivate a greater sense of agency, reduce stress, and ultimately create a more positive and effective learning environment for both ourselves and our students.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, we're drawing inspiration from Emily Dickinson's poignant poem, "If I can Stop." This beautiful verse serves as a powerful reminder that a life lived in service, no matter how small, is never wasted. As teachers, we have the profound opportunity to make a difference, even if it's just by helping one student each day. Join us as we explore how these simple yet impactful acts of kindness and support can shape not only our students' lives but also our own, turning every moment in the classroom into a meaningful contribution.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, we're diving into a powerful message from James Clear, who recently reminded us in his weekly email that we need to embrace the hidden costs of things just as much as the rewards. For educators, this lesson is particularly crucial. So much of our work involves tasks that don't directly involve teaching—like grading, meetings, and planning—and it's easy to overlook the importance of these responsibilities and get agitated by them. Today, we'll explore why it's essential to want the whole package, not just the visible rewards, and how embracing this mindset can make us more effective and fulfilled in our roles as teachers.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, we're diving into a topic inspired by a thought-provoking post from James Clear on X, where he discussed the four causes of cognitive overload and how to avoid them. This episode will discuss these key factors contributing to cognitive overload and offer some tips to help you manage the mental load of your students this year.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, we dive into the wisdom of Young Pueblo, who reminds us that what matters most is not our emotions themselves, but how we think about them. This insight hit close to home recently when a seemingly throw-away comment from my wife sparked some annoyed feelings in me, leading to a moment of reflection and ultimately, this episode. Join me as we explore how shifting our mindset around emotions can transform our responses and help us become more centered, thoughtful educators.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, we're diving into a lesson inspired by Ryan Holiday, who reminds us of the power of doing less. As educators, it's easy to feel the pressure to do it all, but it's crucial to remember that we don't have to. Sometimes, the most effective way to make a difference is by saying no to certain things so we can focus our energy on what truly matters. Today, we'll explore how to embrace this mindset and prioritize what's essential in our teaching and in our lives.
Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, inspired by a thought-provoking mix of Jay Shetty's wisdom and the nostalgic lyrics of MxPx, I touch on a recent argument with my son over the meaning of emo. This led me to reflect on the importance of understanding and embracing our purpose, both as individuals and educators. Join me as we explore how staying true to our passions and values can profoundly impact our lives and the lives of those we teach.
Welcome to this episode of The Inspired Teacher podcast! Today’s conversation is sparked by a powerful interview between Emmanuel Acho and Ed Mylett, which I listened to during a recent drive. Emmanuel Acho shares a profound message on the importance of apologizing in leadership—a lesson that resonated deeply with me. In this episode, we'll explore how embracing the humility to apologize can make us better leaders, both in the classroom and beyond.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The title for this episode might strike you as odd if you know me or have spent any time listening to this podcast, however, the message is a great one. The inspiration for today's episode comes from an interview with Jerry Seinfeld on the Tim Ferris show that I heard in mid-June of 2024. I hope you enjoy this message and it helps you to ease up with some of the pressures you might place upon yourself as a teacher.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a post I saw on X and memories of my older son when he was a toddler at our community pool. I hope you enjoy the message and fall in love with something this summer!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! This summer, I'm committed to delivering a new episode every week to keep you motivated and inspired. In this week's episode, we delve into the art of cutting back. Drawing from the daily emails I receive from a wonderful group called Love What Matters, specifically their Living Better series, I'll share actionable insights to help you create the life you desire. Tune in for practical tips and heartfelt inspiration to enhance your journey.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is all about enjoying different seasons of your life. The thoughts on today's episode include references to the following sources:
- Jay Shetty's Interview of Jenna Kutcher
- Moral Letters from a Stoic
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Sure, we all love to succeed, but is it good if we are always winning? Today's episode discusses the importance of not always succeeding. Here are links to the resources discussed in the episode.
- The School of Greatness Podcast
- Liferider: Heart, Body, Soul and, Life Beyond the Ocean by Laird Hamilton
- Jerry Seinfeld's Commencement Speech
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! As we near the end of the year you might find yourself struggling to get past some of the "bad" days you are having. Today's episode is inspired by a post on X by Dr. Brad Johnson and some of the teachings from Seneca in the Enchiridion.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In today's episode, we are reminded to focus on the things that truly matter instead of on things that are beyond our control. The thoughts on in this episode come from Ryan Holiday'sDaily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance and the Art of Living and Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Marcus Aurelius in his book, Meditations as well as Matthew McConaughey from his bookGreenlights.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Words are important--and if you're like me, sometimes you are a little to careless with the words you use. Today's episode includes some thoughts and insights from Jake Thompson and his book Lead Better Now, as well as Marcus Aurelius in Meditations.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast. As the school year draws to a close I tend to get a little sentimental--and I think this episode reflects that. Inspired by recent events in my life, Marcus Aurelius and Dave Burgess, this episode reminds us to be present-minded and live in the moment.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by author and professor, Adam Grant from his book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things and Lewis Howes from his School of Greatness podcast. The message is a simple one, but it's important and bares repeating--you simply cannot do your best work alone.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podast! If you're anything like me you find planning to be a little extra challenging this time of year. The weather is getting nicer, the students are experiencing spring fever and so are we! Today's message is a reminder to myself to keep learning the main goal over compliance at this time of year. The episode was inspired by a post on X by Naomi Fisher.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! On today's episode we discuss the importance of living a meaningful life. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by the guest Michael Gervais had on episode 441 of his podcast Finding Mastery. This episode highlights the importance of living a life of meaning, not just making the means to live.
Welcome to the 200th episode of the Inspired Teacher podcast! Thank you so much for taking the time to listen, whether this if your first time or you've been here for them all. Today's message is a fitting one for this milestone episode since it's basically the reason I do this podcast--it's a reminder to see the awe in the little things that are around us each and every day. I started recording this podcast as a reminder to myself to slow down and take some time to think about things that are important to me as an educator and this might be one of the most important things to remember. The message was inspired by some talks between Dr. Michael Gervais and his guest on episode 441 of his Findig Mastery podcast.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a post on X from Brian Cain. Brian is a consultant, speaker, and creator of The Mental Performance Mastery Coaches Certification program. The post, which was oringally made on August 4, 2022, serves as a reminder that we can choose to be confident every day.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I recently found myself on the treadmill listening to 311 when their song "Dodging Raindrops" came on and hit me like a ton of bricks. It made me realize that so much of the lethargy and malaise I've been feeling toward lesson planning lately has been due to my desire to simply dodge raindrops. Today's episode serves as a reminder to me (and maybe you) to focus on the outcomes I do want--not the ones I want to avoid.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Sometimes we find inspiration in the places we least expect it. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by conversations I have with my son from time to time and Matthew McConaughey's book Greenlights. I hope that this podcast serves as reminder that you also are not the only one from time to time!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I'm very excited about the message in today's episode because I believe it's so important to hear. If you're anything like me, you may find yourself chasing growth a little too often and forgetting to stop and smell the proverbial roses. The message in today's episode comes from Jenna Kutcher from an interview she did with Jay Shetty on his podcast, On Purpose. I hope you enjoy it!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's a great reminder to not take yourself too seriously. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Marcus Aurelius in Meditations.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by the book Extreme Ownership: How US Navy SEALs Lead & Win by Jocko Willnick & Leif Babin. The authors remind us of the importance of accountability and controlling the only thing we can really control--ourselves
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Ryan Holiday and Sir Ken Robinson. I also mentioned one of my favorite tools for tracking productivity and gratitude--the 3x5 Life (not a sponsor) so check them out!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode brings great insights from Lewis Howes and his book The Greatness Mindest. In his book, Lewis reminds us that you cannot purchase your way to peace in life--and it's so important for us to remember as educators.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! It's been about a month since I've put out a podcast episode for a number of reasons, but it was time to get behind the mic again and "just hit record" has Chris Nesi would say! Today's episode includes some thoughts about my wrestling season and lyrics from the song "Too Late" by my favorite band 311. I hope you enjoy!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I'm going to be honest, today was a tough day for me in the classroom. I had a few things happen that made me pretty upset and questioning whether or not I was doing the right thing and it's quite serendipitous that this is the message I would record tonight. I hope you enjoy the words of Matthew McConaughy in his book Greenlights and a post on X from Jon Gordon.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The episode today is a quick one--but done is better perfect. Earlier this week I was listening to The Rachel Hollis Podcast and she mentioned a great line about goals being like kitchen remodels so I had to share my thoughts.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Time is one of our most precious commodities, yet too often we waste it. We turn back to the Stoics in today's episode and listen to the words of Seneca the Younger in one of his Moral Letters to Lucilius.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In his book Like Streams to the Ocean: Notes on Ego, Love, and the Things that Make Us Who We Are, Jedediah Jenkins reminds us that we can be our own pioneers and that we don't always have to follow the paths of others. Today's episode combines the thoughts of Jenkis with the practical wisdom of Admiral William H. McRaven in his book The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy).
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by a passage in Rick Alexander's book Burn Your Couch: A Manifesto for the Average Averse. Rick reminds us to take small imcremental steps towards our goals and I love his message.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Like many teachers, I've been thinking a lot about balance lately--especially finding an appropriate balance between being a kind and caring teacher and maintaining high expectations in my classroom. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Robert Greene's Daily Laws: 366 Meditations on Power, Seduction, Mastery, Strategy, and Human Nature.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I was struggling with feeling a lack of motivation this past week and I came across a great book that helped to remind me what's really important--how we respond. I hope you enjoy this episode and be sure to check out the resources and links I discuss throughout the episode.
Innovate Inside the Box: Empowering Learners Through UDL and the Innovator's Mindset by George Couros and Katie Novak
The Insight Timer Meditation App
Ed Mylett on the Reticular Activating System
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We've all fallen victim to our emotions from time to time and could certainly use a reminder of the fickle nature of them. Today's episode was inspired by an episode of the Impact Theory podcast with Tom Bilyeau and Tony Robbins' book Unlimted Power: The New Science of Personal Achievement.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We throw around the term "potential" so callously it seems--but what does it truly mean? Today's episode was inspired by Adam Grant. Grant is an author and professor and gives a fantastic explanation of what potential means in his latest book Hidden Potential: The Science of Ahcieving Great Things.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I often spend time mindlessly scrolling X and I came across this simple, yet thought-provoking post. I then turned to Meditations for some of Marcu Aurelius's thoughts on the importance of adversity in life.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by Kendall Jenner and Jay Shetty on the On Purpose Podcast.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I know I can't be the only teacher who often finds himself or herself trying to truly understand the motivations of some of our students. I often catch myself assuming that I know what makes some students act the way they do--and as the message in today's episode reminds us, that can be a dangerous thing. The thoughts in today's episode were inspired by Robert Green'sThe Daily Laws: 366 Meditations on Power, Seduction, Mastery, Strategy and Human Nature.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I was driving into an early morning wrestling tournament and listening to The School of Greatness podcast by Lewis Howes and this little nugget of wisdom that I share struck me. Today's episode is all about how you speak to yourself. I hope you enjoy it!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! If you're anything like me you've found yourself making some of the same frustrating mistakes repeatedly. Today's message helps with just that and it comes from The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance and the Art of Living Life as well as Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is a quick one but it's got an impactful message about what greatness truly means. Lewis Howes quotes Olympian, Shawn Johnson on her ideas of greatness in his book The School of Greatness: A Real-World Guide for Living Bigger, Loving Deeper, and Leaving a Legacy. I hope you enjoy this quick, yet powerful, episode. As always, please feel free to let me know what you think by rating and reviewing the podcast or leaving me feedback at this site.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We've been discussing the idea of progress quite a bit lately and I felt like today's message from Laird Hamilton was a great one. Laird reminds the reader that sometimes too much progress isn't always a good thing.
Liferider: Heart, Body, Soul & Life Beyond the Ocean by Laird Hamilton
"Look Up" by Gary Turk
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! If you haven't figured it out by now I'm clearly on a personal growth journey. Today's episode comes from Marcus Aurelius and his Meditations (with a little help from the Huberman Lab podcast) and serves as a perfect reminder of what we should be chasing. I hope you are progressing towards your goals!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! If you're like me, and I'd bet some of you are, you are driven by lists and the feeling of accomplishment by checking things off your list. While it's certainly a great idea to stack wins and create good habits, this can also have a bit of a downside. In today's episode, we discuss two simply tips Jake Thompson gives in his new book Lead Better Now: A Practical Guide to Increase Your Influece as a Leader.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! At the start of each new year, I often find myself thinking about resolutions and turning to things like the Stoic teachings, my faith, and some good books. Today's episode is based on three thoughts from the Stoics that come to us from Ryan Holiday in the two books below. I hope you enjoy it!
- The Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius
- The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Although the title of this episode might seem to directly contradict the message from the last episode, I promise they fit together. The thoughts from today's episode were inspired by Lindsey Wilson and her Mindset Coaching Academy podcast from December 18, 2023.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is the first one I've recorded in a while and I hope you enjoy it. The message comes from Ryan Holiday in two different places. Be sure to heck out Ryan's Daily Dad podcast & his book The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I recently started going through some of the books I read in the past and turned back to Laird Hamilton's Lirferider: Heart, Body, Soul and Life Beyond the Ocean. As I was thumbing through the early part of the book I came across the passage I discuss in today's episode and it really spoke to me.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I must have been feeling nostalgic when planning this episode because I drew some insipration from one of my favorite movies from the early 2000s, Van Wilder. I also draw some inspiration from one of my favorite podcasters & authors, Michael Gervais. I hope you enjoy this message and remember to not take yourself to seriously.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! If you're anything like me you might be feeling a little tired and low on energy right now. As a result, I've been finding myself spending too much time looking at external things and, as much as I hate to admit it, complaining about them. Today's episode has some great reminders from Ryan Holiday in his book The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I had the opportunity to sit in a great discussion today in an in-service all about student behaviors, expectations and what we might be able to do to help many of our students learn to "school" again. My takeaway from this discussion might have been different form others--I figure that as long as I'm doing my best to live by my values as an educator and helping my students to do their best, I can't go wrong. This mindset has helped take pressure off me and it came from an episode of The School of Greatness Podcast in which host Lewis Howes interviewed Ph.D. and psychologist Dr. Joan Rosenberg. I hope you enjoy!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I took an unexpected week off last week, but that's okay, it's time to get back on the horse and record some more! I sat down to record last week but just wasn't in the mental space to record today's message and I always want this podcast to be an authentic message, so I didn't do it. However, after a week and some reflection it's time to follow the advice of Jon Gordon from this post on X & just be positive.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Fall is always a crazy time of year for me and I once again feel myself getting stressed and harried. Today's message is a good reminder for me and anyone that might be feeling like me. The thoughts were inspired by Steve Moakler's song "Slow Down" and come from Ed Mylett's book The Power of One More: The Ultimate Guide to Happiness and Success.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is all about being authentically you so you can be the leader others might need. The inspiration for today's episode came from Phil Kornachuk in an interview by Michael Gervais on his Finding Mastery podcast.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! After a short break because of an insanely busy life and the success of my Phillies, I finally got behind the mic to record again. This episode is a little different--I had no show notes or outlines prepared and the inspiration didn't come from a podcast or a book. Instead, the inspiration for this episode was something my 11-year old son said to me in the truck on the way home from wrestling practice. I hope you enjoy it--I was seriously impressed with him!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is a bit longer than the recent ones and I think it's because I really enjoy the message. I was recently listening to an episode of one of my fovorite podcasts, PodcastPD and it made me think of a message in an email I get each week from James Clear. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast & the email--you can thank me later.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! If I'm being honest I would have to say that I often struggle with finding the balance between trying to become a better version of myself and being content with who I am. That being said, chapter 11 in Jon Gordon's book Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else really hit home with me. I hope you enjoy this quick discussion and check out the book!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a tough conversation I had with my son that made me incredibly proud of him and some thoughts from Lewis Howes and his book The Greatness Mindset: Unlock the Power of Your Mind & Live Your Best Life Today.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Maybe you're like me now that we're entering the month of October and your motivation is starting to wane just a bit. As the days get shorter and the realization that we're back in school for real sets in, I often struggle to remain positive during this time of year. Join me as I discuss Jon Gordon's take on positivity that he recently shared on X.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's thought comes from legnedary-tennis coach Paul Annacone and is a simple one--we need a suport system in this life. For more of the interview with Paul be sure to check out this Finding Mastery podcast with Michael Gervais.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Admiral William H. McRaven (Retired) in his bookThe Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy). In this eipsode we discuss a popular SEAL slogan and how it can apply to your own life as an educator and a person.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by a conversation I had with a fellow teacher last week and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. I hope you enjoy the episode!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by a clip of an interview with Zain Retherford on X. Zain recently won the World Championship at 70 Kilograms and shared this great little nugget of wisdom from his college wrestling coach, Cael Sanderson.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Sometimes we simply don't have it in us to bring our absolute best--and that's okay. Today's episode serves as a reminder that you don't always need to bring your "A" game. Check out the links for the resources I discuss in the episode.
- Idina Menzel on Jay Shetty's Podcast
- 10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Vicki Davis
- Kids Deserve It!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is all about happiness--a topic that is always on my mind this time of year as we begin our discussion of the Declaration of Independence in my social studies classes. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by podcasts by Tom Bilyeau and Ed Mylett.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by a text from my wife & words from Marcus Aurelius in Meditations (8.12). I hope you enjoy the show!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! If you're anything like me you sometimes let external events dictate too much of your attitude and actions. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by a conversation I had with my wife and the book Win Your Inner Battles: Defeat the Enemy Within & Live With Purpose by Darius Foroux.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a tweet from Jon Gordon, a docuseries on Netflix, and Tyler Rogers, a young man who wrestled for me in the early 2010s. I hope you enjoy the episode and check out Tyler's story--it's truly amazing and I couldn't be more proud of him.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by a post by Aaron Hogan on X. Aaron is not only a great fperson to follow on X, but he's also a great author--his book Shattering the Perfect Teacher Myth drastically changed my approach to teaching and life.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by some conversations I had with some of my administrators and Gretchen Rubin's Life in Five Senses: How Exploring The Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by an interview that Michael Gervais had with famed tennis coach Paul Annacone. The episode with Paul originally aired on June 7, 2022, and was full of great nuggets of wisdom and insights. Today I chose to focus on one key point both Michael and Paul discussed--the true meaning and importance of failure.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode is all about the process of chasing your goals. The thoughts for this epsisode were inspired by a whole host of places--check the links below for some more sources or information:
- Jay Shetty's On Purpose Podcast from December 9, 2022
- Wrestling Mindset
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We travel back to antiquity for today's episode. The thoughts from today's episode were brought to my attention by Ryan Holiday in his book The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance & the Art of Living. Ryan's entry on July 7 piqued my interest and directed me toward Seneca's Moral Letters to Lucilius. Today's reflections are all about the goals of education both today and in the times of the Stoics.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! For today's episode we head back to a guy who could easily be considered the aurhtority when it comes to developing habits--James Clear. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by an interview with Clear, author of Atomic Habits,on the Good Inside with Dr. Becky podcast.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We discuss some ways to make sure you are prioritizing your own growth in today's episode. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by an article from the Harvard Business Review that was shared by Jake Thompson in his Competitor Nation group.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Episode 141 brings some changes to the podcast, a new(ish) website, and the start to season 2! Listen as Mike reflects on a tweet about the new school year by author and speaker Jon Gordon.
If you're anything like me you've already started thinking about the end of your summer and the return of school. On today's episode of the Inspired Teacher podcast we discuss some great insight by Ryan Holiday that might help you take a more balanced and sustainable approach to teaching this year.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a Tweet from Dr. Brad Johnson and is about a topic for which I have a lot of passion--not constantly seeking to "prepare" our students for the next step.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today's episode, we discuss some tips and ideas for building better habits from Marcus Aurelius and James Clear.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We all deal with negative and unproductive thoughts from time to time, it's natural. However, the trick is to not let these thoughts stick around for too long. I discuss 3 "cancers of the mind" as shared by Jay Shetty in his book and in an interview with Ed Mylett. I hope you enjoy the message!
Today's Links:
- Jay Shetty's 8 Secrets to Real Love on Ed Mylett Show
- 8 Rules to Love by Jay Shetty
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode was inspired by Srikumar Rao and work Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots. In today's episode I discuss Rao's idea of focus and how you can use tools like mindfulness, reflection, and journaling to help you become better at choosing the thoughts on which you focus.
Resources/Links:
- Modern Wisdom Ancient Roots
- The Doctor's Farmacy Podcast
- The Calm App
- Insight Timer
- 3x5 Life
- Daily Stoic Journal
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We all know that we make an inordinate amount of choices each day as educators--and that can be very exhausting. However, the power of choice that we are afforded each and every moment has the power to be incredibly liberating as well. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Viktor Frankl in his book A Man's Search For Meaning. I hope you enjoy today's message and make the most of the choices today brings you!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode comes to you with thoughts from two of my favorite podcasters--Ed Mylett and Rachel Hollis. I hope you enjoy the show!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We head back to one of my favorite books I read recently called Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots by Dr. Srikumar Rao. As Dr. Rao reminds us, choosing to live a life full of gratitude will help us to enjoy our days.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's thoughts were inspired by Jim Kwik and his ideas on being limitless that he shared with Jay Shetty on his On Purpose podcast.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is all about controlling your "command center" and being mindful of your thoughts and feelings when life's bigger moments are over. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Ed Mylett, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman and their work The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. Some additional thoughts came from Senator Corey Booker's work United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground & Advancing Common Good, as well as Seneca's Letters from a Stoic.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is all about the mindset you take when it comes to evaluating yourself. The thoughts on this episode were inspired by Bethenny Frankel on the Ed Mylett Podcast, Rick Alexander's book Burn Your Couch, and Permission to Pause by Dorothy VanderJagt.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! First, I'd like to apologize for the sound quality--a piece of my microphone broke this afternoon and I ended up having to record outside on a busy street. I was thinking of skipping, but I wanted to stay consistent and keep going--after all, done is better than perfect. The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Jon Gordon and his book The Energy Bus: Ten Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Silence used to be a terrifying sound to me but that's changed lately. Today's episode is all about the importance of silence and was inspired by Ryan Holiday's Stillness is the Key and Tony Robins' Unlimited Power.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is all about practicing some sort of mindfulness and staying in the moment. The thoughts from today's episode were inspired by Ryan Holiday's book Stillness is the Key and Jake Thompson's Compete Every Daypodcast. I end the episode with a little plug about my first blog on the Education Podcast Network blog--I'd love for you to check it out here if possible.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We turn back to antiquity again for today's message and hear some wise words of advice on time from the philosopher Seneca.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a variety of people including the band 311, a great book called Self Esteem: A Proven Program of Cognitive Techniques for Assessing, Improving, and Maintaining Your Self-Esteem by Matthew McKay & Patrick Fanning. I hope you enjoy the episode and that some of the thoughts resonate with you. Please consider rating and reviewing the show if you find any value in it so others like you can find the show.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired initially by yung pueblo in his book Lighter. Thinking about taking my own path made me think about some words of wisdom by Kyle Maynard in Lewis Howes' book The School of Greatness and a friend of mine and fellow wrestling coach Dave Hoffman. I hope you enjoy the thoughts!
NOTE: I apologize for the poorer audio quality on this one.
If you're anything like me you often find yourself worrying too much about the mistakes made by other people. Whether it's your family, your colleagues, or your students messing up, you might find yourself wondering what you could have done differently to help them avoid this mistake. Today's episode of the Inspired Teacher podcast talks about that very thing and the need for us to leave the mistakes of others to their makers. The inspiration for today's episode comes from Ryan Holiday's Daily Stoic podcast as well as Lighter: Let Go of the Past, Connect with the Present, and Expand the Future by yung pueblo.
We all know people that get stuck in dreams and never do--heck, maybe you are like me and you've been that person (or still are in some aspects). Well--don't be that guy! Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a tweet from Tom Bilyeu--I hope you enjoy it!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! So many of us are caught up with living the good life externally and we forget that the most important space in all our lives is our own mind. The thoughts on today's episode come from Srikumar Rao and his work Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots , and remind us to keep the thoughts in our own minds clean.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is all about the importance of spending some time alone and in solitude, something that did not come naturally for me! The thoughts for today's episode were inspired by two of my favorite books that I've read recently--The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Micahel Finkel & Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by some thoughts from Lewis Howes & his School of Greatness Podcast. I hope you enjoy the thoughts!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is a reminder to be vulnerable and was inspired by The Beer Edu Podcast and Dan Wolfe. I hope you enjoy the sho!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by James Clear and his book Atomic Habits. I hope you enjoy it!
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! It's been a while since I've gotten behind the mic and it felt great to hit record again! Today's episode was inspired by a conversation between Ed Mylett and Jay Shetty on the latest episode of Jay's On Purpose podcast. I hope you enjoy the show!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Bryan & Jessie on the 3x5 Life Podcast. I hope you enjoy this episode and check out the 3x5 Life Podcast & system.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by an interview with Bobby Maximus on the Art of Manliness Podcast & Bobby's book The Maximus Body.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Jake Thompson and his Compete Everyday podcast from November 16, 2022. I hope you enjoy it!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from a tweet posted by Jon Gordon earlier in July of 2022.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by a tweet from Jon Gordon this past summer--I hope you enjoy.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Dan Tricarico and his book The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by James Clear and his book Atomic Habits an Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Ted Lasso--I hope you enjoy!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode brings you some thoughts from Robin Waterfield's version of Meditations by Marus Aurelius.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a conversation I recently had with a young man that wrestled for me a few years back.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a pre-game speech given by Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni before the Green Bay Packers game in November of 2022.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The message from today's episode comes from Lee Ellis and his book Leading With Honor: Leadership Lessons From the Hanoi Hilton.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher! Today's episode was inspired by some thoughts shared by Jay Shetty on his On Purpose podcast from January 20, 2023. I also talk a little bit about a great book I'm reading called The Shift to Student-Led: Reimagining Classroom Workflows with UDL & Blended Learning and another great podcast I loved called Check This Out.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Ed Mylett and his second book, The Power of One More.I hope you enjoy the episode!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher! The thoughts on today's episode come from a quick video from The Mind Valley website and Jim Qwik.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by Ryan Holiday and his book The Obstacle is the Way. I think you'll love this message--especially if you are encountering any obstacles in your life right now.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by an interview that Jay Shetty had with Jim Kwik on his On Purpose podcast from November 2022. In this episode, we discuss your dreams and goals versus what you think is possible. I hope you enjoy it!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's was inspired by a podcast episode of The Art of Manliness that I heard a while back. Be sure to check out all of the links and resources below:
- The Art of Manliness Podcast Episode
- The Art of Manliness Blog Post
- Meik Weiking's book on Hygge
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts for today's episode once again come from Marcus Aurelius and his work in Meditations.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast episode in which he interviewed Vishen Lakhiani and the forward to the book Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts from today's episode were inspired by Ryan Holliday and his Daily Dad podcast.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode brings you some advice on journaling and reflection from the following:
- The Mindvalley Podcast
- The 3x5 Life
- The Daily Stoic
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Thanks for joining me after my extended winter break! Now that I'm back from break and recovered from pneumonia, the plan will be to release three episodes per week (Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays) until the end of my wrestling season. Today's episode was inspired by one of my favorite Goal Cast videos called "One of the Most Inspirational Speeches from Gangsters."
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Each day I get an email with an inspirational message or quote from Insight of the Day and today's thoughts come from one of those emails. Be sure to sign up with the link to receive your daily emails if you enjoy quotes as well!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by the newest addition to our family, Jim (a black lab puppy) & Jake Thompson, and his Compete Every Day podcast.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by Tom Bilyeu and his podcast called Impact Theory. In today's episode, we discuss the importance of your mindset and your belief that your energy and efforts can lead to improvements in areas on which you focus.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Lewis Howes & Dr. Joan Rosernberg's conversation on episode 1338 of The School of Greatness Podcast. I hope you enjoy this episode and its discussion of the importance of "negative" emotions.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by some thoughts from Kate Bowler on her podcast called Everything Happens. I often struggle with uncertainty and ambiguity and today's episode is perfect for those of you who, like me, struggle with these feelings.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode was inspired by the Ed Mylett Podcast from September 20, 2022. This particular episode was an interview with Ryan Shazier and is all about overcoming obstacles.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's inspiration comes from a book I recently finished called Modern Wisdom, Ancient Roots: The Movers & Shakers Guide to Unstoppable Success. I hope you enjoy the podcast and get your own copy of the book!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! As I get deeper into my busiest time of year with school, the holidays, and coaching wrestling, my motivation is starting to decline. Today's episode speaks directly to my own declining motivation and comes from the daily text club for Compete Every Day with Jake Thompson
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! The inspiration for today's podcast comes from a Tweet by the account Remind HQ that I came across on a Sunday in November while watching The Polar Express.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode is all about enjoying the process and the work, rather than seeking fame and glory. This episode was inspired by the Daily Stoic podcast by Ryan Holiday from November 2, 2022. I hope you enjoy it!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a quote attributed to Winston Churchill and/or Abraham Lincoln as well as a poem given to me by my high school wrestling coach called "The Race."
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by a Jackie Robinson quote from a daily calendar my sons got me for Christmas last year.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I'd been in a bit of a rut with my reading when I picked up Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man & the Sea. Today's thoughts come from that classic piece of literature and are especially timely as we close in on our winter break!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by James Clear's book Atomic Habits and one of my high school wrestling coaches.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a quote from The School of Greatness Podcast with Lewis Howes. This episode originally aired on October 26, 2022, and it featured an interview with Dr. Joan Rosenberg.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by my own burnout. I'd been feeling mentally and physically exhausted at the time of recording this episode and it made me think quite a bit about my morning routine.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! While I usually enjoy linking you directly to the resource that inspired my thoughts for each episode, today's post is a bit different. I was listening to an episode of the Daily Jay on the Calm app in early September and had to do my own reflection on the message. If you haven't already downloaded the Calm app and listened to the Daily Jay you should seriously consider doing it now!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! While many of my recent thoughts have been coming from podcasts, today's thoughts come from an educational book called Boredboom Busters; Transform Worksheets and Lectures. I think you'll love the ideas discussed about the importance of struggle in growth.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Tom Bilyeau on the podcast version of his show Impact Theory.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode includes thoughts inspired by Ed Mylett. Ed discussed the notion that you need the low points in life in order to truly appreciate the highs in an interview he did with Colin O'Brady. Check out the podcast version of his interview here--it's full of great stuff.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode includes thoughts inspired by Ed Mylett. Ed discussed the notion that you need the low points in life in order to truly appreciate the highs in an interview he did with Colin O'Brady. Check out the podcast version of his interview here--it's full of great stuff.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by my son and his teammates on his cross-country team as well as some great insights from Rick Alexander and his book Ambitious Heroes and Heartaches.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode were inspired by Bryan McFarland from an episode this past summer on the 3x5 Life Podcast. Be sure to check out the podcast & the system--it's been an enormous help to me.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The inspiration for today's episode comes from Rick Alexander and his book Ambitious Heroes and Heartache. The winter time is often a perfect time of year to reflect and cut ties with the things that no longer serve you and Rick has some great advice for that.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a recent episode of the Rachel Hollis Podcast. If you're anything like me you often struggle with the concept of balance and ensuring you are spending the "right" amount of time in each area of your life and this episode is perfect for you.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We head back to Marcus Aurelius and his writing in Meditations for today's episode. I hope you enjoy the show!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by some thoughts of Chrissy Romano Arrabito in her book Quiet Kids Count.I really enjoyed Chrissy's book and will certainly discuss some more in future episodes.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a book I love called The Four Agreements. I hope you enjoy the talk about the importance of the words we use in this episode.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from George Couros and his book The Innovator's Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's message was inspired by a day in my classroom of which I am not proud and the writings of Viktor Frankl in Man's Search for Meaning.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts for today's episode were inspired by John Meacham's podcast called Reflections of History. I hope you enjoy today's thoughts and subscribe to the Reflections of History Podcast!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts from today's episode were inspired by Dierks Bentley and his song "Livin." I hope you enjoy and are truly living your life!
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by Marcus Aurelius and some of the thoughts he shared in Meditations.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by Ryan Holiday and his book Stillness is The Key.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The inspiration for today's episode comes from The Burned in Teacher Podcast Episode 165, "Why I Decided Not to Struggle in Silence" with Amber Harper.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode wasn't necessarily an easy one for me to record because I talk about some of my own anxieties and insecurities. However, I think you'll enjoy this episode and some of the thoughts I share from Dr. Jesse Michel and a video he shared from NFL player Justin Tucker.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode goes back to big-wave surfer and entrepreneur Laird Hamilton for some advice on living a meaningful life with heart.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is all about technology actually helping you to feel a sense of gratitude.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts and inspiration for today's episode come from Marcus Aurelius and his work Meditations.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The inspiration for today's episode comes from Ryan Holiday's latest book Discipline is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control and my own high school wrestling coach.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The message of today's episode comes to us from Darius Foroux and his book Win Your Inner Battles: Defeat the Enemy Within & Live with Purpose and one of the Wrestling Mindset coaches named Trey McLean.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! For today's episode, we head back to antiquity and think about leadership and the advice of Plutarch.
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by James Clear and a quick piece of insight he gave in one of his 3-2-1 emails sent each Thursday. Be sure to checkout jamesclear.com for more resources from James and to get on his email.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher Podcast. Today's episode was inspired by Ed Mylett. I think you'll enjoy this message about the importance of your imperfections.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode brings us some thoughts from Tom Bilyeau and his Impact Theory podcast.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher! Today's episode is inspired by a quote I've liked for so long that I actually forgot about it. Today's quote has been my pinned tweet for years and comes from Ryan Holiday.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher! Today's episode was inspired by a great line by Tom Bilyeau on an episode of Impact Theory called The Seven Principles You Need to Live by to get Everything You Want in Life.
Welcome back to The Inspired Teacher! Today's episode is inspired by Paralympian Chris Waddell and some comments he made on the Finding Mastery podcast with Michael Gervais.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We go back to on of my favorite authors and podcasters for today's epsidoe. In his book The Power of One More: The Ultimate Guide to Happiness & Success, Ed Mylett reminds us that we are always providing some sorts of inspiration for others.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is a great reminder to think about the kids we are teaching and what they are really telling us when they act out. Thanks to Brad Weinstein for the inspiration!
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! On today's episode, we discuss the true impact we can have as teachers. Today's thoughts come from the book Marching off the Map by Andrew McPeak and Tim Elmore.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from the philosopher Seneca by way of Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman in their book The Daily Stoic: 366 Medications on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Jake Thompson, the founder of Compete Every Day.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! On today's episode, we discuss the idea of "dripping dopamine" to find true happiness. The inspiration for this podcast comes from the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast that was released on September 26, 2022 and his guest Dr. Daniel Amen.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! On today's episode, we discuss one tip from author Daniel Pink and his book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! On today's episode, we discuss some phenomenal thoughts on education today and teaching by Paul Solarz from his book Learn Like a Pirate.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! On today's episode, we discuss a tip from Rachel Hollis and a class she taught after the pandemic. This tip is all about helping you reach your goals by tracking your progress.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! On today's episode, we discuss a quote I came across on Twitter from the account called The Daily Dose of Philosophy.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! On today's episode, we discuss one tip from author James Clear and his book Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We once again hear some advice from Lewis Howes & his School of Greatness podcast. Today's episode discusses one of Lewis' 9 tips for ensuring happiness in episode 1289 of his podcast.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode is inspired by one of my favorite content creators--Jake Thompson. As part of his Compete Everyday brand, Jake offers a daily text message club-- today's piece of advice comes from Jake and his daily text message.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! As a product of the MTV generation, I was extremely excited to listen to the Positive University Podcast episode when Jon Gordon interviewed Dan Cortese(From Mimbo to Manhood). Today's nugget comes from a great thought shared by Dan during the interview.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! We go all the way back to antiquity for the thoughts on today's episode! In this episode, we discuss one thought about leadership from the Greek Philosopher Plutarch. The thoughts come from the book How to Be a Good Leader: An Ancient Guide to Leadership translated and introduced by Jeffrey Beneker.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Rick Alexander and his old Morning Coffee Podcast once again.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Doris Kearns Goodwin and her book Leadership in Turbulent Times.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Dr. Rick Neff, psychologist and founder of Inner-Edge Sports Psychology.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Dr. Catlin Tucker and a Keynote Presentation I saw her deliver for the Pickerington Innovation Conference.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Rick Alexander and his old podcast the Morning Coffee Podcast. Be sure to check out his site for more information about Rick.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from James Clear and his book Atomic Habits.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from the song Parabola by the band Tool.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from a tweet on Twitter by an account called Apex Growth.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Michael Gervais and his Finding Mastery podcast when he interviewed Greg Olsen.
This episode was originally posted on Friday, but I made a mistake, so here's the correct episode. The thoughts on today's episode come from Darius Fox and his book Win Your Inner Battles: Defeat the Enemy Within and Live With Purpose.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Darius Fox and his book Win Your Inner Battles: Defeat the Enemy Within and LIve With Purpose.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from a session I sat in on at the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Conference & Expo back in 2021, a book called Marching off the Map and a Google User Group meeting that's hosted monthly on YouTube by Eric Curts and Stephanie Howell. Here's a link to the whole presentation I did that month but be sure to check out BOTH Eric and Stephanie for a TON of great resources.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come notebook Robin Waterfield's edition of Meditations: The Annotated Edition by Marcus Aurelius.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from a recent episode of the Ed Mylett Podcast when he hosted Alan Stein, Jr.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from my own college years and a blog post I read years ago about being mindful when doing simple things like making your coffee. I hope you enjoy this embarrassing story and the lessons I took from it.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from my own college years and a blog post I read years ago about being mindful when doing simple things like making your coffee. I hope you enjoy this embarrassing story and the lessons I took from it.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman and their book The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. Be sure to check out more at thedailystoic.com.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman and their book The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. Be sure to check out more at thedailystoic.com.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by innovator, big wave surfer, entrepreneur, and author Laird Hamilton and his book Liferider: Heart, Body, Soul, and Life Beyond the Ocean. Be sure to check out his website to learn more about Laird and purchase the book.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a line in a song from one of my favorite bands--Iration. Be sure to check out their music wherever you stream or listen.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by authors Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman & their book The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living.Be sure to check out RyanHoliday.net for more information and resources.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by authors Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman & their book The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living.Be sure to check out RyanHoliday.net for more information and resources.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by Lewis Howes & his podcast the School of Greatness. Be sure to check out his website here for more information and resources from Lewis.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Alex Smith and his podcast The Stories of Selling Human and Ed Mylett and his book The Power of One More. Be sure to check out both guys--you'll be glad you did!
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Nick Hexum and the band 311.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Rick Alexander and his book Ambitious Heroes & Heartaches. Be sure to check out more about Rick and all of his works at rickalexander.com.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Ryan Estes and his TED Talk video on GoalCast's YouTube channel called "The Simple Secret the Happiness" and a difficult time in my own life.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by a quote by Rumi and the movie Valentine's Day with a little help from Jay Shetty and his book Think Like a Monk.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by author & speaker Jon Gordon with some additional research and information from Psychology Todayand Dr. Deborah Carr.
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! The thoughts on today's episode come from Dave Burgess and his book Teach Like a Pirate. Be sure to check out more about Dave and all of his works at www.daveburgessconsulting.com
Welcome back to the Inspired Teacher podcast! Today's episode was inspired by Rick Alexander and his 21 Maxims to Maximize Your Life from his now-defunct podcast called The Morning Coffee Podcast. For more on Rick be sure to check out his website www.rickalexander.com
Welcome to my new podcast adventure--The Inspired Teacher. This episode will give you a taste of the new format and inspirational message. I hope you enjoy it! Please let me know what you think!
Thanks for joining me for this episode--I think you'll love the guest! In today's episode, I discuss mindfulness and being present with Brian Aikens. Brian is a husband/father, educator, & competitor that walks the talk of mindfulness and his life and teaching have improved greatly because of it.
Join me as I discuss some of my recent failings as a teacher & what I've learned from them. I also share some links to great content you can consume to help you through this crazy year. Be sure to check out the show notes and links here.
Thanks for listening to the show! Please be sure to check out the show notes here and contact me at brillapodcast@gmail.com or @Mr_Brilla on Twitter if you'd like to be a guest and share your ideas.
It's been a minute, but I'm back with a new reflection episode. Be sure to check out the show notes and links found here. As always, I'd love to hear what you think--reach me at @Mr_Brilla on Twitter or by email at brillapodcast@gmail.com.
Join me as I discuss what I liked, learned, will try & still wonder after my first week of PD back in the classroom since 2018. Be sure to check out my blog post for the links to the tips I discuss at the end of the episode.
I think you'll love this episode! AJ and I discuss the challenges facing many educators this year and what you can do to set yourself up for success. Be sure to check out the show notes for my takeaways and some tools I share.
Join me as I reflect upon a tweet I came across earlier this week and share some simple tips and links you can use in your classes. Be sure to check out my show notes for the links.
I'm excited to share this episode with you! Megan Ferne is someone that I've been trying to get on the show for a while now and I think you'll enjoy her attitude, thoughts and ideas. Be sure to check out the show notes for my takeaways and some resources.
Join me as I discuss and share my plans for the first week of school and four simple tips and tricks for you to try in your classroom. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my plans for the start of the school year and how you might do your classes! Reach out to me on Twitter (@Mr_Brilla), Voxer (Mikebrilla) or by email (brillapodcast@gmail.com). As always, be sure to check the show notes on my blog for all links discussed in the episode.
Join me as I share some simple tips and reflect upon my goals for the upcoming school year. Be sure to check out the show notes for links to the resources discussed here.
In this reflection episode I provide you with four simple tips to try and my own thoughts on teaching some of the hard history and the ugly truth of American history in order to provide hope for our students. Check out the links and resources here.
Join me as I discuss using EduProtocols in your social studies classes with Adam Moler. I think you'll love this episode and the vast amounts of resources Adam shared with us. Be sure to check out the accompanying blog post when you're done listening.
Join me as I reflect on what I've learned from my 40 years on this planet as inspired by Chris Nesi!
Reflection Links:
- House of #EdTech Episode 178-"Forty Years of 'Wisdom.'": Here's the reflection Chris recorded for his 40th birthday that inspired me to do the same.
- Permission to Pause: This journal, written by Dorothy VanderJagt is a great place to start your reflection process.
- Ryan Holiday: You can find links to the Daily Stoic & Daily Dad Podcasts as well as the Daily Stoic Journal here.
Simple Tips Links:
- Rick Alexander's Maxims: Here's a quick link to Rick Alexander's 21 Maxims to Maximize Your Life.
- Not Another History Teacher Webinars: Check out these webinars coming up in two weeks.
- Jake Miller's Tip: Some great ways to customize your Google Jamboards from Jake Miller!
Join me as I talk to Kyle Anderson (@AndersonEdTech on Twitter) as we discuss his book To the Edge: Successes and Failures Through Risk Taking, some ways he connects with his students and how he seeks to make his content and classes immersive and engaging for his students.
Join me in this week's reflection as I discuss my three main goals for myself this summer. I'd love to hear from you! Let me know your goals or any tips you might have for me on Twitter (@Mr_Brilla) or through email (brillapodcast@gmail.com).
Join me as I talk with Nate Ridgeway about his method of rejecting the Mythical Master Narrative of the Civil Rights Movement in America. I think you'll love this episode and come away with some very practical tips and lessons you can use right away. Be sure to check out the accompanying blog post complete with links to Nate's lessons and more of his resources. Thanks!
Join me as I discuss what I learned about myself and teaching in my role as a Teacher on Special Assignment during the last two years.
Jen is currently a middle school social studies teacher that worked with a small group of her colleagues to develop a credit score simulation for her students. This simulation, meant to run for the entire school year, would be a way to not only help her students understand the often-confusing world of credit scores, but to also track and evaluate their own habits as a student. I really think you'll enjoy this episode! Check out the Jen's resources found on my blog post.
In this episode, Mike shares his thoughts on the need to keep ego out of the classroom and instead, focus on confidence from your experiences. Feel free to share your thoughts with Mike on Twitter (@Mr_Brilla) or email (brillapodcast@gmail.com) or by commenting on the blog linked below. Check out the show notes for this week's reflection here.
I figured it was time for me to put my money where my mouth is and share my best lesson (well, and my schedule this past week made booking a guest impossible). Listen to the latest episode to hear how my students became agents of change in their own communities. Check out the blog post for more information and resources.
In the third part of this five-part reflection, Mike discusses why he thinks we can use the study of history to help us become better individuals and societies today.
You'll love the energy and ideas brought to you by Kevin Cline in this episode! Kevin discusses how he uses music and other forms of entertainment to teach history to his students. You'll also hear a lot about how important mutual respect and connection are to Kevin and his students.
Here's the latest reflection from Mike. This is the second part in a 5-part reflection series entitled "Why Study History?" In this episode Mike talks a little bit about what he thinks we can learn when we study greatness throughout history.
Welcome to the first interview I've ever recorded for the show! In this episode you'll hear from the guru of engagement, James Sturtevant, as he describes a method he created to help progress monitor student engagement in class discussions.
Welcome to the second episode of My Best Lesson Social Studies! In this episode we'll start talking about why I believe it's important to study history in our schools. Join me on this 12-minute reflection as I discuss my own thoughts on history and storytelling.
Welcome to the first episode of My Best Lesson: Social Studies! This podcast is meant to help social studies educators share their stories of success, and sometimes failure, in their classes so that we can all grow together to become better teachers, leaders & people in today’s ever-changing world.