Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture: Recent Episodes

Dr. Rick Albright and Dr. Nicholas Indeglio

During the year 2022, two righteous dudes (and educators), Dr. Rick and Dr. Nick, were held in the unbreakable grip of a massive existential crisis. Their professional lives, along with all the crazy life experiences that entailed) felt void of meaning and hopeless.

At that very moment, a retro 80's Phone Booth magically appeared out nowhere. A figure emerged from the booth introducing himself as Rufus Ziggy, an ambassador from the future (Year 2688 to be precise). He told Rick and Nick that they were destined to create a tri-fold paper brochure that would change the entire course of human history, inspiring peak performance, wisdom attainment, and most righteous enlightenment.

So in order to gain the necessary knowledge and experience to create the brochure, Nick, Rick, and Rufus Ziggy embark on a time-traveling-multiversal-world-spanning quest to inspire everyone (while sharing it all on this podcast).

We hope you'll all come along for "Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture!"

Summary

In this conversation, Nick and Nicholas Indeglio discuss the evolving landscape of education, focusing on recent research that highlights the importance of collaborative learning and structured teaching. They explore how AI is influencing education, the significance of synergy in learning, and the challenges educators face in implementing effective teaching strategies. The discussion emphasizes the need for building relationships in the classroom and the impact of mentoring programs on student development.

Takeaways

AI's capabilities are rapidly evolving and impacting education.
Recent research underscores the importance of collaborative learning.
Synergy in the classroom enhances student performance.
Structured teaching methods are crucial for effective learning.
Building relationships with students is essential for success.
Mentoring programs provide significant benefits for both mentors and mentees.
Teaching requires a balance of science and art.
Effective teaching strategies are necessary for engaging students.
Social learning is a powerful tool in education.
Teachers must be open to experimenting with new methods.

Sound Bites

"AI can do about everything else."
"Brains that fire together, wire together."
"We do together is where the magic happens."

Chapters

00:00Introduction and AI in Education

01:00Exploring Recent Research in Education

03:01The Importance of Social Learning

06:08Structured Teaching and Classroom Dynamics

09:11Challenges in Implementing Group Work

11:55The Role of Relationships in Education

15:04Expertise vs. Passion in Teaching

18:02Mentoring and Peer Support in Learning

Summary

In this conversation, Nick and Nicholas Indeglio discuss the complexities of counseling, particularly the pitfalls of giving advice. They explore the case of a counseling applicant named Jake, who embodies the challenges of overconfidence and a lack of humility. The discussion emphasizes the importance of empathy, the therapeutic alliance, and the need for counselors to empower clients rather than simply provide solutions. They also touch on generational differences in attitudes towards humility and the impact of social media on self-perception.

Takeaways

Counseling is not just about giving advice.
Empowering clients is crucial for their growth.
Humility is a key trait for effective counselors.
Overconfidence can hinder a counselor's effectiveness.
The therapeutic alliance is essential for successful counseling.
Generational differences affect attitudes towards humility.
Empathy is more powerful than sympathy in counseling.
Counselors should avoid creating dependency in clients.
Simple solutions often fail to address complex issues.
Listening is often more valuable than providing solutions.

Sound Bites

"What should I do?"
"You need to get over the divorce."
"Success would likely boost Jake's confidence."

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Context Setting

00:54The Case of Jake: A Counseling Perspective

05:54The Dangers of Giving Advice in Counseling

11:54The Importance of Humility and Empathy

18:01Reflections on Counseling and Leadership

Season 2 Episode 12: Rick and Nick's Excellent EdVenture: The Research

Summary: * The conversation delves into the decline in independent activity as a cause of the mental health crisis among children and teens. It explores the impact of reduced opportunities for unstructured play and the correlation with declining mental well-being. The discussion also touches on the implications for education and the need for a balance between structure and freedom.

Takeaways * The decline in independent activity is linked to the mental health crisis among children and teens. * There is a need to strike a balance between structure and freedom in education and parenting practices. * The importance of fostering creativity, critical thinking, and unstructured play for children's well-being and development.

Titles * Balancing Structure and Freedom in Education * Fostering Creativity and Critical Thinking in Children

Sound Bites * "The importance of fostering creativity and critical thinking in children."

Chapters: 00:00The Link Between Independent Activity and Teen Mental Health 12:49Balancing Structure and Freedom in Education

Season 2 Episode 11: The Blog "Turn the Other Cheek" - Navigating Conflict with Grace

Summary: * The conversation covers a range of topics, including summer activities, family updates, wrestling, and a blog on navigating parental conflict with grace. The themes of forgiveness, grace, and modeling behavior for children are prevalent throughout the discussion.

Takeaways * The importance of forgiveness and grace in navigating parental conflict * Modeling behavior for children by demonstrating emotional regulation and making thoughtful decisions * The impact of personal experiences on emotional responses and the journey to healing * The significance of turning the other cheek as a demonstration of inner strength and grace * The role of faith and biblical wisdom in guiding responses to conflict and emotional turmoil

Sound Bites * "Modeling emotional regulation and making thoughtful decisions for children"

Chapters 00:00Navigating Summer Activities and Family Updates 03:00The World of Wrestling and Personal Reflections 11:00Navigating Parental Conflict with Grace

Summary In this conversation, Rick and Nick discuss a video by educator Brian Mendler, who shares strategies for working with oppositional defiant kids. They highlight Mendler's engaging presentation style and his focus on using questions instead of declarative control statements. They discuss the importance of disarming and building relationships with students, as well as the need for power and control in children's lives. They also mention the prayer of St. Francis as a reminder to seek peace and understanding in interactions with students. Takeaways * Using questions instead of declarative control statements can be an effective strategy for working with oppositional defiant kids. * Disarming and building relationships with students is important in managing challenging behaviors. * Understanding the need for power and control in children's lives can help educators and parents address misbehavior. * The prayer of St. Francis serves as a reminder to seek peace and understanding in interactions with students.

Sound Bites * "What a great presenter. You can just feel his emotion coming through." * "Using questions instead of declarative control statements definitely changes the game." * "It's almost like the neurological strategies of taking a sip of water, for looking upwards, pointing your eyes upwards towards the ceiling."

Chapters 00:00Introduction and Overview 07:21Brian Mendler's Engaging Presentation Style 08:24Using Questions for Classroom Management 09:22Tapping into Curiosity and Calming the Brain 11:49Empowering Students through Ground Rules 12:44Understanding the Need for Power and Control 19:19Seeking Peace and Understanding 20:49Knowing When to Walk Away 21:27Conclusion

Summary: The conversation discusses the human knot team-building exercise and its significance in fostering communication, problem-solving, and resilience. It explores the importance of meaningful conversations and learning from others' mistakes. The conversation also touches on the question of who we want to be rather than what we want to do, and the value of strong leadership in making important decisions. Keywordsteam-building, communication, problem-solving, resilience, meaningful conversations, learning from mistakes, who do you want to be, strong leadership Takeaways: * The human knot exercise is a valuable team-building activity that promotes communication, problem-solving, and resilience. * Meaningful conversations are essential in drawing out the lessons and metaphors from the human knot activity. * Learning from others' mistakes is a sign of wisdom and humility. * Asking who we want to be rather than what we want to do opens up deeper conversations about values and the kind of life we want to live. * Strong leadership is sometimes necessary to make important decisions and move forward as a group.

Sound Bites: * "The human knot exercise is a classic team-building activity." * "Meaningful conversations are important in navigating difficult life circumstances." * "Learning from others' mistakes is a sign of wisdom."

Chapters: 00:00Introduction and Catching Up 01:11The Human Knot Exercise 06:41Learning from Others' Mistakes 09:46Who Do You Want to Be? 14:09The Value of Strong Leadership

Summary:

In this conversation, Nick and Rick discuss their favorite sports movies. They cover a wide range of films, including St. Ralph, The Wrestler, The Cutting Edge, and Over the Top. They also debate whether certain movies are actually sports movies or fall into other genres. The conversation is filled with nostalgia, personal anecdotes, and passionate opinions about these beloved films.

Takeaways:

--Sports movies can evoke strong emotions and have a lasting impact on viewers. --Some movies may blur the line between sports movies and other genres, leading to debates and disagreements. --Certain movies, despite being critically panned, can still be enjoyable and hold a special place in people's hearts. --Movies based on true stories can provide a deeper level of emotional connection and appreciation.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 00:57 St. Ralph - A Fictional Running Movie 03:03 The Wrestler - Depiction of the Independent Wrestling Scene 05:09 Movies That Are Not Sports Movies 06:26 Movies from the 80s and 90s 08:39 Movies with Inspirational Endings 09:28 The Cutting Edge - A So Bad It's Good Movie 09:57 Movies with Emotional Impact 11:33 Movies That Sparked Disagreements 13:03 Movies Based on True Stories 14:13 Field of Dreams - Sports Movie or Drama? 15:23 Mighty Ducks - A Childhood Favorite 15:52 Best of the Best - A So Bad It's Good Movie 16:46 Sports Movies Starring Animals 17:18 Rookie of the Year - A Disappointing Movie 18:20 Over the Top - A Guilty Pleasure 20:59 Movies That Are Difficult to Watch 21:20 Movies About Pete Rose 22:31 The Cutting Edge - A Friend's Favorite Movie 23:29 Over the Top - A Terrible Movie That's Fun to Watch 26:02 Closing Remarks

Summary: This conversation explores the power of simplicity and small actions in various aspects of life, including relationships, cooking, and education. The hosts discuss the importance of building strong relationships between teachers and students, as well as the impact of tone of voice on these relationships. They draw parallels between the simplicity of cooking a delicious sloppy joe and the effectiveness of simple teaching methods in education. The conversation also touches on the value of humility, the tendency to overcomplicate things in education, and the power of small actions to create significant change. The hosts conclude by encouraging feedback from listeners.

Takeaways: ---Building genuine relationships with students is a fundamental and powerful approach in education. ---Small actions, such as smiling and using students' names, can have profound and meaningful impacts. ---Simplicity in cooking and teaching methods can lead to great outcomes. ---Humility and ego-check are important in personal and professional growth.

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Excitement 00:48 The Power of Relationships and Tone of Voice 01:56 The Beauty of Simplicity in Cooking 02:53 Simplicity in Education: Building Relationships 03:21 The Value of Simplicity and Small Beginnings 04:16 The Impact of Smiling and Small Actions 06:27 The Power of Simple Ingredients and Actions 08:16 The Importance of Humility and Ego Check 09:46 Overcomplicating Education and the Need for Simplicity 11:06 The Mustard Seed and the Power of Small Things 13:18 The Parable of the Sloppy Joes 14:04 Conclusion and Call for Feedback

Summary: In this conversation, Nick and Rick discuss the impact of tone of voice on student learning. They celebrate Rick's birthday and share a hiking adventure in the Superstition Mountains. The main focus is on a research study that highlights the importance of using a warm and supportive tone of voice in the classroom. This approach motivates students, promotes cooperation, and fosters a sense of connectedness. The conversation emphasizes the simplicity and practicality of this teaching strategy, as well as its potential to positively influence student achievement and well-being. Takeaways: * Using a warm and supportive tone of voice in the classroom can have a significant impact on student learning and well-being. * Motivation, cooperation, and connectedness are three key outcomes of using a warm tone of voice. * Teachers, parents, and coaches can easily implement this teaching strategy to create a positive and engaging learning environment. * School connectedness is crucial for students' physical and psychological health, self-esteem, and academic success.

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Birthday Celebration 02:06 Hiking Adventure in the Superstition Mountains 06:22 The Impact of Tone of Voice on Student Learning 11:12 Summary of the Research Study on Tone of Voice 19:34 Motivation, Cooperation, and Connectedness 23:34 The Importance of School Connectedness 27:00 Applying the Research to Personal Lives

Summary: In this episode, Rick and Nick discuss the concept of adding bacon as a metaphor for adding passion and excitement to work and life. They explore the deliciousness of bacon and how it enhances other foods. They encourage listeners to integrate their personal interests and passions into their daily grind, whether it's through music, hobbies, or volunteering. The hosts also emphasize the importance of self-care and finding ways to make work more enjoyable. They discuss the need for educators to add bacon to their lessons and give students the opportunity to add their own bacon by incorporating choice and personalization. The episode concludes with a lighthearted discussion about favorite bacon variations. Takeaways: * Adding passion and personal interests to work can make it more enjoyable and effective. * Integrating personal passions into teaching or counseling can help educators connect with students and make a difference. * Taking initiative to add excitement and variety to work can break out of plateaus and combat boredom. * Giving students the opportunity to add their own interests and choices to their learning can increase engagement and motivation.

Chapters 00:00Introduction and Season Two 00:23Bacon-Themed Restaurant 01:02Blog Introduction: Just Add Bacon 02:00The Deliciousness of Bacon 02:30Bacon as an Addition to Other Foods 03:29Adding Bacon to Work and Passion 04:54Integrating Personal Interests into Work 05:28Finding Passion in the Doldrums 06:18Adding Bacon to Different Aspects of Life 07:55Feeling Tired and Making a Difference 09:22Taking Initiative to Add Bacon 10:33Allowing Students to Add Bacon 11:57The Importance of Effort and Choice 12:13Favorite Bacon Variations 13:25Adding Bacon to School Counseling 14:44Integrating Personal Passions into Work 15:07Conclusion and Next Week's Episode

Summary: In this conversation, Rick and Nick discuss an activity implemented by a middle school principal to help faculty learn students' names and identify students who may need additional support. The activity involves placing stickers on students' pictures based on the level of connection the teacher has with the student. The chapters cover the introduction and background, the details of the activity, reflection and insights, timing of the activity, interventions for disconnected students, the importance of connection and relationships, the impact on teachers, and the conclusion and closing remarks. Takeaways: * Using students' names is important for building connections and relationships. * The activity of placing stickers on students' pictures helps teachers identify students who may need additional support. * The activity should be done at a later point in the school year to allow teachers to get to know the students. * Interventions and initiatives are implemented to facilitate connections with disconnected students.

Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 00:43The Activity: Learning Students' Names 03:13Reflection and Insights 04:21Timing of the Activity 05:14Interventions for Disconnected Students 06:26Importance of Connection and Relationships 07:14Impact on Teachers 08:04Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Summary: The conversation starts with a discussion about the song 'Bust a Move' by Young MC and the question of why Harry has a brother named Larry who wants the main character to be the best man instead of Harry. The hosts explore this question and express their curiosity about the song's meaning. They then transition to discussing their roses and thorns for the year 2024, including upcoming trips and personal goals. The conversation concludes with a discussion about joining a gym and the benefits of working out with a partner. Takeaways: * The meaning behind the lyrics of songs can be a topic of curiosity and discussion. * It is important to reflect on personal goals and experiences when discussing roses and thorns. * Leaving for college can be a bittersweet experience for parents as they say goodbye to their children. * Visiting water parks and joining a gym can be exciting activities to look forward to.

Chapters: 00:00-The Harry and Larry Controversy 06:55-Rose and Thorn for 2024 16:11-Saying Goodbye to Kids Leaving for College 18:29-Noah's Ark Waterpark 21:03-Joining a Gym

Summary: In this conversation, Nick and Rick catch up and discuss various topics, including packing for a trip, weather predictions, and the final blog post on educational leadership. They also delve into the 16 keys to educational leadership, highlighting the importance of resilience, vulnerability, punctuality, and simplicity. Nick shares his process of selecting and arranging the keys, and even submits an article on the topic. The conversation concludes with a plug for Riverside FM, the platform they use for recording. Takeaways * Resilience and embracing the challenges of educational leadership are essential for success. * Apologizing when warranted fosters trust and respect in leadership. * Punctuality reflects a leader's respect for others and their commitment to their work. * Simplicity in decision-making can lead to more efficient and effective outcomes in leadership. * Selecting and arranging key principles requires reflection and consideration of their flow and impact.

Chapters 00:00-Introduction and Catching Up 02:03-Packing for a Trip 03:27-Weather and Snow Predictions 05:23-Final Blog Post on Educational Leadership 11:52-Summary of the 16 Keys to Educational Leadership 13:08-Resilience and Apologies 14:07-Vulnerability and Trust 17:55-Punctuality and Respect 19:51-Being Late and Sending the Wrong Message 22:50-Simplicity in Leadership 27:49-Choosing the 16 Keys to Educational Leadership 32:19-Arranging the Keys in a Meaningful Order 32:58-Submitting the Article to PA Principles Association 33:18-Closing and Plug for Riverside FM

Summary: In this episode, Rick and Nick discuss the top research studies in the field of education for 2023. They focus on the ninth study, which is about social and emotional learning (SEL). The study found that students who participated in SEL programs showed improvements in academic performance, school climate, social emotional skills, and pro-social behaviors. The hosts also discuss the controversy surrounding the term 'social emotional learning' and the importance of involving parents in SEL. They recommend several SEL programs, including Second Step, Coping Cat, and Zones of Regulation. Takeaways: * Social and emotional learning (SEL) programs have been found to improve academic performance, school climate, and social emotional skills. * The term 'social emotional learning' can be controversial, and some people have negative associations with it. It may be more effective to use alternative terms, such as life skills or emotional regulation training. * Parents play a crucial role in cultivating social emotional learning in their children. Educators and counselors can provide resources and support to help parents in this process. * There are several recommended SEL programs, including Second Step, Coping Cat, and Zones of Regulation.

Chapters: 00:00-Introduction to Season Two 01:33-Starting with Number Nine 03:12-Meta Analysis on Social and Emotional Learning 08:21-Controversy Surrounding the Term 'Social Emotional Learning' 14:12-The Role of Parents in Social Emotional Learning 16:23-Involving Parents in Social Emotional Learning 21:38-Recommended Social Emotional Learning Programs 23:51-Importance of Social Emotional and Academic Learning 24:23-Wrap-up and Shout-out to Riverside

Summary: In this conversation, Rick and Nick discuss various topics, including the weather, Spotify Wrapped, the role of educators and counselors as heroes, the use of artificial intelligence in education, the upcoming release of Corn Man 2, and a video game recommendation. They also touch on the final two developmental assets from the Search Institute's list. In this conversation, Rick and Nick discuss the final two factors that contribute to the resiliency and thriving of young people. The first factor is a sense of purpose, where a young person feels that their life has meaning and direction. The second factor is a positive view of personal future, where a young person is optimistic about their future. They explore the importance of purpose in guiding one's life and the various ways it can be found. They also discuss the significance of having a pathway to success and the role of educators in helping students navigate their goals and aspirations.

The boys also explore the importance of having a positive view of one's personal future and the role of optimism and resilience in achieving this. It emphasizes the need to acknowledge and learn from challenges while also finding the positive aspects in order to grow. The Strengthening Families Program is discussed as a valuable resource for improving family bonding and positive parenting skills. The episode concludes with reflections on the end of Season One, highlighting favorite moments such as guest interviews and a trip to Arizona, as well as the impact of the blog segment. Nick and Rick discuss various topics related to the holiday season. They talk about the value of blog posts and how they can be compiled into a book or brochure. They also discuss the importance of reconnecting with family and the fun experiences they have had together.

The conversation then moves on to Christmas wishes, including Nick's desire for a second pair of sneakers and Rick's love for Reese's trees. They also share the Christmas wishes of their children. The conversation concludes with a discussion about turkey preparation plans and holiday wishes for the listeners.

Takeaways: -Having a positive view of one's personal future is crucial for optimism and resilience. -It is important to acknowledge and learn from challenges while also finding the positive aspects. -The Strengthening Families Program is a valuable resource for improving family bonding and positive parenting skills. -Reflecting on favorite moments can bring joy and appreciation for the journey. -Blog posts can be a valuable resource and can be compiled into a book or brochure. -Reconnecting with family and creating fun experiences together is important. -Christmas wishes can vary from practical items to favorite snacks and drinks. -Preparing a turkey for the holiday meal can involve different methods and techniques.

Episode 29 begins with Rick sharing about his family's visit to Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge, TN. Nick gives an update regarding his recent hip replacement and has some recommendations for Hallmark Christmas movies. The guys discuss Liberty University's undefeated season and their recent status as a Tier One University based on the dining hall breakfast cereal selections.

It’s Nick's turn to share a blog this week. Nick continues his examination of 16 Keys to Unlocking Education Success leadership principles. Nick reads through the blog and the guys discuss relevance for counseling and public education.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. The discussion begins with 37. Personal power—Young person feels he or she has control over “things that happen to me.” and then on to #38. Self-esteem—Young person reports having a high self-esteem. Assessments, relevance for lifelong thriving, and suggestions for teachers, administrators, and counselors is discussed.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on Caffeinated drinks. Rick starts things off by sharing about his aversion to anything bitter, including coffee but admits to an addiction to Sweet Tea. Nick prefers some of the diet sodas and Sweet Tea as well.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag. Rick and Nick respond to a question about asking "Why questions."

Enjoy Episode XXIX of Nick & Rick s Excellent EdVenture!

Summary: In this episode, Rick and Nick catch up after a break and discuss Nick's recovery from hip replacement surgery. They also share their favorite Hallmark Christmas movies and talk about their holiday season experiences. Nick then presents keys 9-12 of effective educational leadership, emphasizing the importance of kindness, assembling a talented team, active listening, and extreme accountability. They also discuss two developmental assets: feeling of control and high self-esteem. In this episode, Rick and Nick discuss the importance of recognizing wisdom and feedback as we mature. They delve into the concept of self-esteem and its multi-dimensional nature, highlighting the importance of understanding different aspects of self-concept. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is introduced as a useful tool for assessing self-esteem. The conversation also touches on the upcoming asset of Sense of Purpose and the impact of aging on one's sense of purpose. Finally, the hosts share their personal preferences and experiences with caffeinated drinks, and address the potential issues with asking 'why' questions.

Takeaways: Kindness and diplomacy are vital in cultivating strong relationships in educational leadership. Assembling a talented and dedicated team is crucial for long-term success.

Effective communication includes active listening.

Extreme accountability is necessary for leadership success.

Feeling a sense of control over one's life is important for personal development.

High self-esteem contributes to overall well-being and success. Recognizing wisdom and feedback becomes more important as we mature.

Self-esteem is a multi-dimensional concept that encompasses various aspects of self-concept.

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale is a useful tool for assessing self-esteem.

Sense of purpose may change as we age and face different life stages.

Asking 'why' questions can be problematic and may lead to judgment or defensiveness.

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Check-In 03:04 Hip Replacement Surgery Recovery 05:43 Favorite Hallmark Christmas Movie 07:27 Holiday Season at the Albright House 11:22 Educational Leadership: Keys 9-12 16:16 Developmental Asset: Feeling of Control 25:27 Developmental Asset: High Self-Esteem 38:55 Recognizing Wisdom and Feedback 39:24 Understanding Self-Esteem 40:51 The Multi-Dimensional Nature of Self-Esteem 43:16 Using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale 45:17 Preview of Asset 39: Sense of Purpose 46:15 The Impact of Aging on Sense of Purpose 47:09 Every Rose Has Its Thorn: Caffeinated Drinks 58:46 The Problem with Asking 'Why' Questions

Rick, Nick, and their entire family visit Kayleigh at Liberty University to officially rank their Breakfast Cereal Collegiate Status as either Tier I, Tier II, or the dreaded Tier III (the desert...not dessert...of rankings).

Will Liberty's ascension to elite football status at the Fiesta Bowl also elevate their breakfast cereal status? Tune in to find out!

Here's a special excerpt from Episode 28's Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focusing on Breakfast Cereals. Nick teases the penultimate College Tier Ranking system based on cereal selections. But first, the guys discuss the best and worst things about breakfast cereal. Both guys agree that chocolate based cereals which provide leftover chocolate milk are roses. Rick reflects on one of his favorite discontinued brands – Nut’N Honey. Nick then takes the stand to deliver what can best be described as "The Great Breakfast Cereal Address of 2023" as Nick unveils a detailed review of the complex college ranking system based on cereal availability. Tune in to find out if your current college, university or Alma Mater are Tier 1, Tier 2, or find themselves in a breakfast cereal desert, also known as - Tier 3.

Episode 28 begins with Rick challenging Nick to a Fall/Halloween quiz. Questions include interesting facts about candy corn, magicians, and the song iconic seasonal song - “Thriller.” Nick knocks it out of the park. Nick gives an update regarding fresh scary movie releases and then talks a bit about his upcoming hip surgery.

It’s Rick’s turn to read his podcast this week, entitled “An Old Man and New Tricks.” After the read-through, Rick and Nick discuss how much easier it is for kids to make changes than adults, but also suggest that it is possible with intentional effort for adults to change their mindset as well. A gloomy disposition is dangerously contagious in environments where adults are working with kids.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. The discussion begins with 35. Resistance skills—Young person can resist negative peer pressure and dangerous situations. And #36. Peaceful conflict resolution—Young person seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently. Rick shares some resources for social emotional learning relevant for therapists and school counselors, including positivepsychology.com and therapistaid.com. Nick shares his school’s SEL curriculum Second Step. The guys discuss the importance of helping kids develop Assertiveness as opposed to Aggressiveness and recommend that adults look at disagreements with other adults as opportunities for modeling and teaching conflict-resolution.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on Breakfast Cereals. Nick teases the penultimate College Tier Ranking system based on cereal selections. But first, the guys discuss the best and worst things about breakfast cereal. Both guys agree that chocolate based cereals which provide leftover chocolate milk are roses. Rick reflects on one of his favorite discontinued brands – Nut’N Honey. Nick then takes the stand to deliver what can best be described as "The Great Breakfast Cereal Address of 2023" as Nick unveils a detailed review of the complex college ranking system based on cereal availability. Tune in to find out if your current college, university or Alma Mater are Tier 1, Tier 2, or find themselves in a breakfast cereal desert, also known as - Tier 3.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag. Rick reads a question from Ben and Cecil who ask about helping their family overcome what they describe as - an addiction to cell phones. Both guys share their perceptions as educators and as fathers in an effort to provide some encouraging solutions, thoughts and ideas.

Enjoy Episode XXVIII of Nick & Rick s Excellent EdVenture!

Rick gets things started with some more Dad jokes and discussion about shopping mall massage chairs. Nick shares some of his and Danielle’s recent RV adventuring to Gettysburg with their family.

Dr. Nick continues his 16 Keys to Effective Educational Leadership by reading through Keys 5-8. Nick and Rick discuss how ego often gets in the way of putting people first. Rick provides some examples regarding people putting ideology first as well. The guys talk about the importance of laughing and enjoying the work of the helping professions and discuss some tricks to doing humor well without offending or acting inappropriately. Lastly, Nick expands on the importance of bringing a solution when you bring a problem to discuss to prevent simple complaining.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. The discussion begins with #33. Interpersonal Competence - Young person has empathy, sensitivity, and friendship skills. And continues with #34. Cultural Competence - Young person has knowledge of and comfort with people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds. Rick shares some resources for social emotional learning relevant for therapists and school counselors. He also recommends inspirational speaker - Nick Vujicic’s - Altitude is Attitude Curriculum, which is based off of the CASEL.org model and resources. Nick ties together the two assets and talks about his approach as a Dad to helping his daughters gain cultural competence.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week sees the guys discussing “Air Conditioning.” While the guys find much to like about air conditioning, there are a few downfalls to discuss as well.

The last segment finds the guys once again digging back into the mailbag to respond to fan questions. Rick and Nick take turns responding to a listener who is considering heading back to school in her fifties to pursue a career as a counselor. Rick talks the importance of “calling” and Nick wisely recommends considering some of the practical challenges as well. Neither consider age itself to be a critical factor.

Enjoy Episode XXVII of Nick & Rick's Excellent EdVenture!

Rick gets things started this week by sharing about his presentation with a colleague over the weekend. While things may have appeared relatively smooth to session participants, here is “the rest of the story.” Nick then shares a bit about the Pink concert that he had been planning for his daughters for months and reflects upon a great lesson about the importance of perspective.

Dr. Rick reads his blog from this week entitled “I’m So Proud of You! What a Terrible Thing to Say?” Rick and Nick share thoughts and reactions to using or perhaps overusing this verbal reinforcement with kids. The guys discuss alternate responses and the importance of nurturing a growth mindset.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets. This week, the guys tackle Assets #31 – Restraint—Young person believes it is important not to be sexually active or to use alcohol or other drugs. AND #32 – Planning and decision making—Young person knows how to plan ahead and make choices. Rick has some suggestions for parents in regards to having “the talk” and Nick shares a comical experience from his past. Both gentlemen discuss the importance of setting good goals and the unique opportunities that school courses and extra curricular activities have the help kids secure this goal.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week sees the guys discussing the best and worst things about Summer Blockbusters. Both the guys have some general thoughts about the beauty of air conditioning, buttery popcorn, and pure escapism and then some specific movies from Summer 2023 that they loved, including Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Barbie.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to fan questions. Candace from North Carolina presses the guys to identify a job that they would like if they weren’t an educator. Nick seems to have some trouble with this one but finds his way back to professional wrestling, perhaps to no one’s surprise. Rick selects the job of a tour guide on a dolphin cruise who gets to tell corny Dolphin Dad Jokes, again, perhaps to no one’s surprise.

Enjoy Episode XXVI of Rick & Nick’s Excellent EdVenture!

The Excellent EdVenture Episode 24

Rick and Nick begin today’s episode with an update regarding how the Excellent Edventure has spread across the country and across the globe over the past seven months. With 39 states and 98 countries tuning in to the podcast, blog, and/or website resources, the guys have exceeded Rufus’s expectations to this point. Nick shares some exciting news about his family’s recent purchase of a Class C Motorhome. Adventures are on the horizon for the entire Indeglio family!

Dr. Rick reads through his blog entitled “The Power of a Name.” Nick talks about a relevant initiative that his school does called “The Do You See Me” activity, which helps identify kids who have less connections with teachers in order to prompt student support. A complete description of the activity can be found at nassp.org. The challenge to learn kids’, students’, or athletes’ names is significant, but very much worth the effort.

Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick are thrilled to welcome The Voice: Season 23 Superstar Katie Beth Forakis as their special guest on today’s show. Dr. Rick and Katie reminisce a bit about sharing a class together at Lee University many years ago and now in the graduate program at Liberty University. Katie Beth, just days away from graduating with a master’s degree in school counseling, talks about some of the things she loves most about her experiences working in the schools as a school counselor. Dr. Nick invites Katie to talk about handling both the positive comments from social media as well as how she handles not so positive comments. Teens and adults at any age will want to hear about how she manages both, trying to focus on the positive feedback. Katie Beth’s wisdom, confidence, poise, and perspective are truly impressive for a person in any stage of life. Dr. Nick provides information for everyone to connect with Katie on all different kinds of social media. Katie Beth shares some exciting news about her musical career including a brand new single to be released in June, 2023 and a slate of new, original songs coming out later this year. She credits her amazing support system, including husband Demitri, with the incredible success she has been having over the past year.

Katie Beth sticks around for another music-themed Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week. The topic for this week is “Movie Musicals.” Rick starts things off with a few of his thorns, including Little Shop of Horrors and Lala Land before moving on to roses such as Viva Las Vegas and The Greatest Showman. Nick and Katie strongly prefer live performances to knock-off movies and suggest that as their thorn. Nick goes with West Side Story, Singing in the Rain, and his favorite – The Wizard of Oz. Katie’s roses include Phantom of the Opera and The Sound of Music.

With all that amazing content, the mailbag will have to wait until next week. Until then, enjoy Episode 24 of Rick & Nick’s Excellent Edventure!

Rick starts things off today by sharing the newest addition to the Albright family. Murray is a four-month old Newfoundland pup that his family adopted a week ago. He has designs on training Murray to be a therapy-dog. Both guys caution folks about the increasing number of online scammers, some using sophisticated systems and even A.I.. Nick talks a bit about the start of testing week at his middle school and it sounds like the computerized testing is off to a great start.

Dr. Nick reads through the blog from this week entitled “The Good Shepherd.” In the wake of the Easter holiday, Nick considers Jesus’ sacrifice as a metaphor for the sacrificial work of the helping professions – teaching, administration, and counseling. Rick resonates strongly with this as a man of faith and shares some research supporting the importance of considering one’s profession as a “calling”, spiritual or otherwise. The guys reflect on the challenges of handling of the burdens and the differences between complaining and advocating for change.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue to work their way through the Search Institute’s Developmental Assets. This week, they investigate #27 – Equality and Social Justice: Young person places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger; and #28 – Young person acts on convictions an stands up for their beliefs. The guys discuss the controversies swirling over social justice and character education, the importance of keeping efforts local and encouraging kids to do perspective-taking well as a preface for advocating for themselves and others.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week is all about…..”butter” – yep, that’s right…Butter! Both guys pick “Apple Butter” as a thorn, though Nick raves about and exception - Carla Plumchuck’s home-made Apple Butter. Both guys revisit their love for movie theater butter. Nick recommends the garlic butter cheese curds at “Say Cheese” in West Reading, PA and Rick recommends Culver’s Butter Cheeseburger. Rick is also a fan of Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Spread.

The guys tackle some interesting questions in the email-bag Q & A today. They respond to questions about spanking and discipline and finish up the episode by responding to where and when they would go if they had the Delorean to travel through time.

Enjoy Episode XXIII of Rick and Nick’s Excellent Edventure!

Episode 22 kicks into gear with Nick challenging Rick to a round of Family Feud. Rick then goes on to share his recent experience at his gym doing a circuit rehab challenge, including cryotherapy, infrared, compression, BEMAR, and a salt room/halotherapy experience.

Dr. Rick takes over the blog this week, reading and leading a discussion of “Diversity Workout.” The guys talk about the importance of not allowing politics and division get in the way of treating others with kindness and respect.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets. This week, the guys tackle Assets #25 – Bonding to School, and #26 – Young person places a high value on helping other people. Nick shares some interesting perspectives on the importance of kids connecting to their schools from an administrator’s perspective and Dr. Rick has some thoughts on the double-edged nature of “pride.” Both guys share a bit about how they try to instill the value of helping others with their kids.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on the pluses and minuses of “comics.” Rick gets things started and takes a “comics-strip” approach. He mentions Archie comics, Calvin & Hobbes, and The Far Side as his all-time fave’s. Nick goes with Peanuts, Cathy and appreciates The Far Side as well. Nick then takes a “comics-book” perspective, recommemding The Swamp Thing, Superman, and Kingdom Come. Neither seems to be a fan of Heathcliff, but prefer the far superior Garfield.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to more fan questions. Nick and Rick respond to a question from Kent who asks about the most challenging time of the school year. Nick has some comprehensive thoughts on this while Rick identifies Spring Break to the end of the year as the most difficult. Then, one of Dr. Rick’s former students writes in to ask for a reminder in regards to self-disclosure. Lastly and more lighthearted, Tommy from Alabama asks the guys their grilling preferences.

Enjoy Episode 22 of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

Dare we say….Best Episode yet?! Well, we just did...so enjoy!

Nick starts things off today talking about Daylight Savings Time and his disappointment that, apparently, the bill to dispose of it in Congress has been shelved. Rick talks about a favorite new scripture that he recently came across.

In today’s “The Blog and Brochure” segment, Dr. Nick reads through his blog from this week entitled “When You Say Nothing At All.” Those in leadership positions will appreciate the emphasis on the importance (and challenge) of active listening and managing the burdens of leadership. Nick shares some great ideas for burnout prevention. Rick considers the blog from a psychological perspective, tying the approach to Rogerian counseling. He recommends listeners youtube “Carl Rogers and Gloria” to see this theory in action. Rick also talks about how leadership positions, while sometimes physically sedentary, can result in physical exhaustion due to the emotional weight of the work.

Moving onto the “meat and potatoes” part of the show, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick return to the Search Institute’s Developmental Assets. Rick shares some research regarding how many assets adolescents typically have and how those numbers change throughout adolescence. This week, the guys investigate #23 – Homework: Young person reports doing at least one hour of homework every school day and #24 – Reading for pleasure: Young person reads for pleasure 3 or more hours per week. Nick has strong feelings and many thoughts regarding homework. He recommends folks check out the work of Alfie Kohn, who pushes back against piling homework on kids to take home. Rick shares similar concerns, particularly in regards to homework exacerbating achievement gaps. Moving onto #24, Rick and Nick, both avid readers, share their thoughts and experiences as fathers, perhaps more than as educators. Both of them recognize the importance of reading with kids as often as possible for pleasure and discuss a few additional strategies to promote and encourage reading.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week prompts the fellas to discuss “Live Action Children’s TV shows.” The guys have perhaps a little too much fun with this one, discussing everything from classics like Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and the Great Space Coaster to more contemporary shows like Lazytown and Yo Gabba Gabba. Rick encourages everyone to check out The Upside Down Show on youtube and hopes the creators secure funding for The Upside Down Movie someday soon.

The email bag is full and overflowing, so the guys tackle three questions this week instead of two as usual. First up is a question from Marcy, who is being bullied by kids at school because of her religion. The guys have some wise suggestions for Marcy and other kids in similar circumstances. Teachers and school counselors will want to hear some of those suggestions as well to consider with their own students. Next, the guys respond to Carrie from CT, who challenges the guys to talk about new music (as opposed to music from the 80’s). After some hesitation, the guys do discuss a few contemporary musicians that have made their way onto their playlists. To wrap things up, the boys respond to Abby in regards to the finale of the HBOMAX show “The Last of Us” before turning it over to Rufus to close things out.

Enjoy this soon to be classic - Episode XXI of Rick and Nick’s Excellent Edventure!

Rick and Nick begin today’s episode with an update from Rick on his recent Spring Break family trip to Legoland and Sea World in Orlando. He gives some insights into what they most enjoyed at each park. Nick gives an update on his experiments with Costco Just Bare chicken nuggets and attempts to get the taste of them to match Chick-Fil-A. Rick recommends Aldi red-bag breaded chicken filets.

Dr. Rick reads through his somewhat lengthy blog from this past week – “The Newspaper Tower Challenge.” Dr. Nick shares his reactions, providing some valuable insights regarding the importance of fostering cooperation as a school administrator. They guys discuss the challenges with the often adversarial relationships between teachers, parents, and administrators.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick enter into the second half of the Search Institute’s developmental assets. This week, they discuss #21: Achievement Motivation – Young person is motivated to do well in school; and #22: School Engagement – Young person is actively engaged in learning. Dr. Nick shares an incredibly well written purpose statement from his district regarding student engagement and Dr. Rick shares a school counseling perspective regarding an important related construct – School Connectedness – and recommends the 5-question assessment from the ADD Health survey for counselors and administrators looking to assess school connectedness and climate.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week is an interesting topic for anyone who uses the bathroom. The guys boldly go where no podcast has gone before (at least that they know of) and discuss the best and worst things related to toilets. Yep, that’s right – toilets…..Proving once again that they guys don’t hesitate to talk about literally anything to help make the world a better place.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the e-mailbag to respond to fan questions. The first question comes from a fan in South Africa who tasks the guys with defining success. Nick gives an amazing insightful response along with a powerful quote for consideration. Rick talks brownies, It’s a Wonderful Life, and maximizing potential in his response. Lastly, the guys respond to a fan question about TV/movie reboots that they would like to see. Nick is ready for another take on Knight Rider, while Rick would like to see a continuation of his favorite sci fi show – Firefly. They guys also briefly discuss possibilities of a new Jaws movie and mess that was Jaws 4: The Revenge.

Rick Enjoy Episode XX of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

Nick starts things off today with a glowing review of Costco "Just Bare" lightly breaded chicken chunks. Nick scores it an 85% match with Chick-fil-A’s nuggets, but has plans to bump that up even higher. Rick talks his recent birthday present – a new family card game called “Who’s Most Likely To…” and shares a few superlative awards that he won while playing with his family.

Dr. Nick reads through the blog from this week entitled “Pretty Ugly.” Rick resonates strongly with this cognitive-behavioral themed story and plans to share this with all of his school counseling students. Rick reflects about how CBT is typically conveyed best by sharing personal and self-deprecating stories which help to teach others how cognitive restructuring works. The guys talk about what an amazing opportunity teachers and counselors have to provide kids with affirmation to nudge their thinking in positive and constructive ways.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick finally get back to the Search Institute’s Developmental Assets. This week, the investigate #19 – Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution and #20 – Young person is out with friends with “nothing special to do” two or fewer nights per week. Nick shares some of the positives opportunities for family bonding with #20 and Rick adds the importance of kids being productive with their friends to limit idle time. They guys then tackle #20. Nick shares a bit about his own experiences growing up going to Sunday School and Rick shares a bit about how his family has benefitted from engaging with church from over the years. As an example, Rick sings the praises of the positive impact of Blachard Church of Christ in particular and their pastor Dr. Russell Moldovan and his wife Raylene. Rick also identifies “Hope” as a key benefit that religious institutions can convey along with a positive identity formation, which is so important for teenagers in particular.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week provides the guys an opportunity to discuss Standardized Testing. Nick has some interesting thoughts on the topic drawn from many years in the trenches of standardized testing. While he loves sharpening pencils, he has plenty of concerns about how testing is used in addition to the time taken away from instruction to teach to and then take the tests. He does point out some advantages to disaggregating the data to identify achievement gaps related to subgroups. Rick is concerned that standardized tests reward affluent districts, while punishing less affluent systems and would prefer that results serve simply to identify strengths and areas for academic emphasis.

Don’t look now, but Rufus joins the guys for questions from the email bag today! First the guys tackle the positives and negatives of tenure in public education. Rufus has some interesting insights from the future. All three guys then respond to a question about their most feminine and masculine characteristics, which veers off into a discussion of Tina Turner music and rom-coms.

Enjoy Episode XIX of Rick and Nick’s Excellent Edventure!

Rick and Nick begin today’s episode by recounting some of their recent adventures in Phoenix Arizona where they presented at the Arizona School Counseling Association annual conference. The guys and their wives enjoyed an E-bike ride through the Sonoran Desert and were impressed with how much fun they had on their first time riding E-bikes.

Dr. Rick reads through his somewhat lengthy blog from this past week – “Let’s Play Two Truths and a Lie.” Dr. Nick shares his reactions, providing some valuable insights regarding the importance of honesty from the unique perspective of school administration. Both men agree that this activity, often used as a simple icebreaker game, has potential to be used to address a wealth of important issues.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue and wrap up their investigation of Edutopia’s ten most impactful research studies from 2022. The guys review #10 this week – “Spacing and Active Retrieval are two of the Most Effective Ways to Drive Long-Term Retention.” The guys engage in a good discussion about how to make best use of Active Retrieval, the impact of application, role play, and strategies for reducing procrastination. Any educator interested in metacognition will pick up some helpful tips for implementing these strategies.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week provides the guys an opportunity to discuss 80’s Pop. Nick talks about growing up listening to the Jackson 5 and the dominance of MJ in the 80’s music scene. Rick selects Huey Lewis and the News and Genesis as two of his roses from this incredible era. Both guys seem to suggest that their only thorn in this category is their lament that “they don’t make music like this any more.”

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to fan questions. Rick responds to the first question about the difference between a career as a counselor versus a career as a therapist. Both guys then respond to a question about their “Pet Peeves.” Nick has a list which includes noisy breathing, “people who don’t listen”, eyebrows, missing Lego pieces, and that “in between good books” feeling, among other frustrations. Rick grumbles about empty ice cube trays, talking babies, and being touched when he is eating.

Rick Enjoy Episode XVIII of Nick & Rick Christmas’s Excellent EdVenture!

A Perfect Potpourri of Patience, Professional Wrestling, Video-lectures, Reboots, and Zombies!

Nick starts things off with some hilarious, education themed Dad-jokes! Rick shares about a new addition to the Albright family – a six-week old, one pound pup named Diesel that his daughter Kaylie brought home.

Dr. Nick reads through the blog from this week. A synthesis of several wisdom-filled short stories and slow-burn storylines from Professional Wrestling of all places emphasize the importance of having patience. School administrators and teachers will benefit from the opportunity to self-reflect and consider their own reactions to stressful situations. Rick resonates strongly with the story, though admits to struggling with having patience himself. He shares a few Mr. Miyagi quotes and discusses the importance of delayed gratification for kids growing up and also for counselors/therapists.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation of Edutopia’s ten most impactful research studies from 2022. The guys review #9 this week which explores the academic benefits of video recorded lectures. Rick’s daughter – Kaylie is this week’s special guest. Currently a high school senior, Kaylie discusses her experiences taking a difficult class– Anatomy and Physiology – in preparation for heading off to college to pursue Nursing. Kaylie discusses her instructors’ use of recorded lectures, sharing both advantages as well as disadvantages of the style and approach to learning the challenging material. Dr. Rick and Dr. Nick then spend some time reflecting upon how a “flipped classroom” allows for optimal use of class time, discussion, and advanced learning strategies via Bloom’s taxonomy. Student motivation seems to be a key consideration as well as user-friendly video recording tools such as edpuzzle.com and go.playposit.com which allow students to pause, rewind, and respond to pop-up questions. Dr. Nick provides some excellent tips for teachers’ and parents’ use of wait time and patience, tying this segment back into this week’s blog.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week provides the guys an opportunity to discuss TV Show Reboots and Spinoffs. Nick isn’t a fan of some of the Chicago-based spin-offs of Dick Wolf’s Law and Order. But he enjoyed many Happy Days, watching spin-offs Laverne & Shirley and one of his all-time favorites – Mork and Mindy. Both guys were fans of the infamous Fonz “Jumping the Shark” episode. Rick’s thorn is Friends’ short-lived spinoff – Joey. Rick admits to being a “trekkie”, including The Next Generation and Brave New World as rosy spin-offs. A sci-fi junkie, Rick also sings praises of Battlestar Galactica. Nick mentions loving the old Quantum Leap, but not caring for the recent reboot.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to fan questions. Rick and Nick respond to a twitter question about what responsibilities should be taken off teachers’ plates. Nick responds in an unconventional way, but one which teachers should definitely consider. Rick responds from a school counseling perspective, sharing a few responsibilities which would be better managed by other education professionals. The last question finds the guys responding to where they would go in the case of a Zombie Apocalypse. After a quick trip to Disney, Nick would hang out with Harrison Ford in Wyoming. Meanwhile, Rick would head to an island and burn the bridges.

Enjoy Episode XVII of Nick & Rick Christmas’s Excellent EdVenture!

Rick jumps right in with some “Dad Jokes” in today’s episode. Nick has some thoughts regarding the premiere of the highly anticipated HBO series “The Last of Us.”

Dr. Rick takes the lead reading the blog this week entitled “Frozen.” Dr. Nick is moved, in particular, by the John Wooden quote towards the end. Both guys discuss the importance of considering challenges from diverse perspectives. Open-mindedness, counseling, and collaboration are just of few of the characteristics/strategies mentioned which help people overcome difficult circumstances.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation of Edutopia’s 10 most significant studies in the field of education from 2022. The article under consideration this week considers the academic advantages of “guided play” in early childhood education. The guys discuss how play can be integrated into work with students in upper level grades as well. Rick talks about the advantages of play therapy, which requires the counselor to use restraint.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on “breakfast” this week. The thorn is similar for both, who just aren’t that hungry in the early morning. Nick, however, prefers a wide variety of cereal options and Rick focuses his rosy attention on breakfast meats, including bacon, sausage, spam, and even scrapple!

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to more fan questions. Rick and Nick respond to Dwight, who seems a bit worried about others’ perceptions of his considering a female dominated career – elementary education. Rick and Nick then both tackle the last question about what their “walk up/entrance song” is or would be. Nick shares his four different entrance songs from his days as a professional wrestler, including Kris Kross’s Jump. Rick reflects on the entrance song for his 1993 state championship high school wrestling team – Ice, Ice, Baby, before picking NeedtoBreath’s Hard Love as his current song of choice.

Enjoy Episode XVI of Nick & Rick Christmas’s Excellent EdVenture!

Rick jumps right in to right what once went wrong. After taking Nick’s advice and listening to Van Halen’s album "5150", he officially rescinds his “thorn” from the last episode. Nick shares an unfortunate incident with his debit card, which has led him to further embrace the advantages of advanced technology.

Dr. Nick takes over the blog this week, reading and leading a discussion of “Dark Balances the Light: The Ballad of Cheetos Popcorn.” Rick and Nick discuss delicious and magic combinations, even metaphorically considering the possible benefits of outside the box thinking, co-teaching, and/or other combinations that are more than the sum of their parts.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation of Edutopia’s 10 most significant studies in the field of education from 2022. The article under consideration this week considers the benefits and detriments of classroom decorations. Rick talks at length about considerations relevant to school counseling offices, providing tips that counselors and therapists might want to consider regarding lighting, colors, smells, and the use of fidgets. Nick shares his experiences as a teacher and administrator supporting and encouraging his teachers to be intentional and subtle with their decorating efforts. Both guys discuss the powerful modeling that can occur when teachers include visuals of their degrees and alma maters around their classrooms and/or on bulletin boards.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on “going to the movies” this week. Rick talks about his recent visit to watch the new Avatar movie, but seems to have appreciated control of the popcorn butter pump more than the movie itself. Nick loves the oversized snacks, the buttery popcorn, and discount theaters. The guys agree that the “thorny” cost of movies means that they are selective with which movies they see in the theaters and which they choose to wait to stream at home.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to more fan questions. Rick responds to parents who are considering having their son see a counselor. Nick has some great additional thoughts that any parent will want to consider who finds themselves in a similar situation. The segment ends with the guys discussing a question from Chris in Pennsylvania who asks them about their favorite discontinued candy.

Enjoy Episode 15 of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

Rick gets things started today sharing about his family’s recent RV trip to the Florida Keys and dolphin adventure at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, FL. Nick talks about the crazy week back at school after the holiday break, perhaps connected to a full moon or a Wolf-moon.

Dr. Rick reads through his blog from this past week – “Pencils and Erasers.” Dr. Nick shares his reactions and the benefits of considering work in the helping professions as a “calling.” Educators will want to consider the meaning and purpose of their work to fuel optimal passion and performance.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation of Edutopia’s ten most impactful research studies from 2022. The guys review #5 this week – “Brain Breaks are Misunderstood and Underutilized.” The importance of taking breaks to improve cognitive function is reviewed and Dr. Nick provides some great insight related to physical conditioning for consideration. Dr. Nick also shares some great tips for teachers and school counselors to help students with emotional regulation. Dr. Rick recommends go noodle and the added benefits of taking those breaks in “green” environments. The guys realize that they have only scratched the surface of this important topic with so much more to learn and uncover.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week provides the guys an opportunity to discuss 80’s Hair Bands. Nick has an unconventional (and perhaps controversial) choice for both his rose as well as his thorn with lesser known – Dokken. Rick shares his love for Def Leopard and Bon Jovi, while admitting that he just doesn’t know much from Van Halen or Cinderella’s catalog. Nick tasks Rick with listening to Van Halen’s 51/50. Rick, meanwhile, recommends listening to Chris Daughtry’s new cover of “Separate Ways.”

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to fan questions. Rick and Nick try their best to respond to a couple from Arizona who are considering having children and share a little about their upcoming presentation in Scottsdale. Both then consider what they would tell their 22 year old selves if they had five minutes to talk. Rick gives a quick update on his review of Top Gun: Maverick before the guys turn it over to Rufus to bring it home.

Enjoy Episode XIV of Nick & Rick Christmas’s Excellent EdVenture!

Episode 13 kicks into gear with the guys sharing a bit about their families’ experiences from the Christmas holiday. Talk of Nerf Wars take center stage.

Dr. Nick takes over the blog this week, reading and leading a discussion of “The Blue Suit.” The guys talk about the value in thinking outside of the box in their respective fields. Rick suggests that there is value in spontaneity for the experienced counselor and the potential to experience “flow.”

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation of Edutopia’s 10 most significant studies in the field of education from 2022. The article under consideration this week provides strong support for an “inclusion” approach to special education. Dr. Nick has a wealth of experiences as a Special Education Teacher and Administrator to share with Rick and program listeners. Special Education teachers, Administrators, Classroom Teachers, and School Counselors will want to hear some fantastic suggestions for making the challenges attainable, if not enjoyable for everyone involved.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on the pluses and minuses of snowy weather. Nick isn’t a fan of winter weather in general, though both guys agree on sled riding and school day’s off snow days as positives. Nick also talks about the excitement of watching his southern-bred rescue dogs experience snow for the first time.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to more fan questions. Nick and Rick respond to a question from Brian in Georgia who tasks them with talking about their favorite teachers. Nick talks about the amazing impact that his fourth grade teacher Mrs. McCreary had on him, while Rick shares his appreciation of his professor and mentor Dr. Richard Hazler.

Enjoy Lucky Episode 13 of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

Rick gets things started this week by sharing a recent interaction with Rufus about “plugging in” to share with listeners about the number of people joining the Edventure. Rick provides the report and asks listeners for help in order to meet Rufus’ goals of reaching people in 25 total states and 50 countries in the next three months. Rick and Nick both talk about a recent performance that they attended at Act 2 Theater in Ambler, PA headlined by Nick’s talented brother Mike. Cole in my Stocking is an entertaining show revisiting some classic tunes from the talented Cole Porter.

Dr. Rick reads his blog from this week entitled “Sweet Apples or Sour Grapes.” The blog focuses on the importance (and advantages) of expecting and assuming the best in others. Nick shares a similar story – The Cookie Thief – which also highlights the dangers of cynicism.

Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick switch gears in the Building the Brochure segment this week. As the year 2022 draws to a close, the guys take a break from their investigation into the developmental assets to focus on one of 2022’s most significant studies in the field of education. This article emphasizes the importance of positive Teacher-Students-Relationships (TSR’s) as a pre-requisite for students’ academic achievement and, importantly, for teachers use of advanced teaching strategies. Nick shares some great advice drawn from his twenty-five years in the field on how teachers develop those important relationships. Rick comes at things from a counseling perspective, emphasizing the “therapeutic alliance” as the most critical factor in successful clinical outcomes along with the importance of being intentional from the very beginning in regards to helping relationships. Nick also has some thoughts regarding leadership and motivational theory which should be interesting to administrators and folks in other leadership roles. Both guys are thrilled to share this article which reinforces and affirms their suggestions that Social-Emotional Learning and connecting with kids are THE most important things that people working with kids can do – both resulting in and leading to positive outcomes for everyone involved.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week sees the guys discussing the best and worst of TV and movies from 2022. Nick has high praises for Top Gun: Maverick and the latest season of Stranger Things. Rick counters with Thirteen Lives as his movie of choice and Andor as his favorite series of the year. On the thornier side, Nick was left disappointed in the newest Thor entry and the Boba Fett series. Rick seems to agree with both, but selects Jurassic World: Dominion and Rings of Power as two of his least favorite from 2022.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to fan questions. Both guys have strong thoughts and feelings in response to Cameron’s question about teacher salaries. The benefits of a national teaching minimum wage are discussed as part of a potential solution. The episode ends with responses to a final and classic icebreaker question – If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it? Rick talks about reading minds and Nick flies off into the sunset.

Enjoy Episode XII of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

The Excellent EdVenture Episode 11.

Listeners are in for a special treat this week as Episode 11 marks the first ever ExcellentEdVenture episode with a special guest! After an inspiring introduction of Penn State alum and Elementary School Principal Karl Funseth, Rick gets things going by hosting a Christmas Trivia Challenge. Nick and Karl squire off answering Challenging Christmas questions in an attempt to claim the title – King of Christmas. After the crowning of a champion, the guys discuss a few Christmassy bonus questions.

It’s Nick’s turn to share a blog this week and he continues the holiday theme with a reading of “Big Faith.” Nick, Karl, and Rick discuss their reactions and responses to the challenging issues under consideration. Rick struggles with his different reactions to having faith in people versus having faith in God. All three guys seem to fall squarely into the “optimist” category with how they might respond to the hypothetical under consideration. Nick and Karl go on to consider the issues from a vocational perspective and how some of the parents of students that they work with lack faith and trust in the educational system. Rick shares some counseling insights into building trust and faith from a therapeutic perspective.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick interview Principal Funseth. Karl responds to the first question by talking about some of the most significant challenges in public education. He talks about staffing shortages, making up lost academic ground with students, and the frustrations of getting some parents to follow through with support services to help their kids. But things aren’t all “doom and gloom.” Karl offers some inspiring positives for working with kids and the unpredictability that each day working in a school offers. Rick then switches things up by inviting Karl to talk about his two eldest kiddos who are finishing up their first semesters in college and away from home. Karl shares some of the difficulties, learning, and growing experiences that him and his wife have experienced over the past few months. He also talks about the college search process and what it has been like for his kids being away from home and each other (twins) for the first time. Parents of kids looking at colleges, approaching graduation, and/or away from home for the first time will appreciate Karl’s vulnerable sharing and wise insight into what the entire experience has been like for him and his family over the past year.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on Indiana Jones movies this week. While not 100% consensus, there is surprisingly similar responses from the guys this week. All three gentlemen, for varying reasons, place Crystal Skull and Temple of Doom on the thorny side of the conversation, with Raiders and The Last Crusade firmly in the rosy column. There are some differing opinions, however, regarding reactions to the trailer for The Dial of Destiny.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag. Rick reveals that he has been hanging onto a question for a few weeks from a couple of undergraduate education majors from the guys’ alma mater – Penn State University. They take turns responding to the question about what surprised them the most after graduating and heading into public education. The last question is home-grown from Rick’s nine year old son Toby who asks the guys to consider the best and worst Sith from the Star Wars Universe. Nick and Karl identify some lesser known baddies as favorites while Rick goes with Kylo Ren over Darth Vader.

Enjoy Episode Eleven of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

Welcome to this holiday themed episode – Episode 10 - of Saint Nick & Rick Christmas’s Excellent EdVenture!

Episode 10 begins a little less festive with Nick sharing wisdom gleaned from poor potty decision-making. Rick follows that up by talking family card games.

Rick Christmas shares a reading of this week’s holiday-themed blog entitled “Wrestling with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Saint Nick reflects a bit on the Bible story account of Jacob wrestling with God before going on to talk about managing his "past-orientation." Rick talks a bit about his "future orientation" along with the accompanying advantages and disadvantages.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. This week, they share experiences and reactions to the assets number Seventeen: Creative Activities-Young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice in music, theater, or other arts. This is then followed by developmental asset number Eighteen: Youth Programs-Young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in the community. Nick shares research on the academic impact of kids’ participation in school based programming – sports and/or the arts. Rick cautions parents from thinking irrationally about how overwhelming it can be to try to be the perfect parent, talking about his experiences getting his son into a karate program.

The holiday-themed Every Rose has Its Thorn topic comes courtesy of regular listener – Holly - who challenges the guys this week to select their favorite and least favorite Christmas movies and specials. Nick makes a bold and controversial choice for this thorn – A Christmas Story, while Rick offers a few least favorites, including the new Spirited. The guys agree on the thorny nature of the Frosty the Snowman sequel. For favorites, Saint Nick selects classic The Santa Clause movies and offers up little known Jim Henson special - The Christmas Toy - for consideration. Rick struggles to narrow it down and ends up reading off a laundry list of specials and movies before settling on It’s a Wonderful Life as his all-time number one.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the e-mailbag to respond to more fan questions. The first question comes from listeners stationed in Germany whose son is having difficulty adjusting to life outside the states. One of the teachers at Nick’s school provides an incredibly thoughtful and wise response that would benefit any parent or family in similar circumstances. Both guys then respond to a question about who they would pick to play them in a movie.

Enjoy this holiday-themed version of Saint Nick and Rick Christmas’s Excellent EdVenture!

Nick gets things started by revealing his big mistake with thanksgiving leftovers. Rick jumps in to share a little bit about his family’s recent visit to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta and the Jim Hensen exhibit in particular.

Dr. Nick provides a stirring reading of this week’s Star-Wars-esque blog, entitled “Train Yourself to Let Go of Everything You Fear to Lose” Dr. Rick talks a bit about how the story resonates with him professionally and spiritually. Nick talks about how the challenges of restraint impact him as a principal and as a father of two teenage girls.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. Rick kicks things off by sharing some research findings from the Search Institute in regards to how many of the 40 assets most kids typically have and how that number changes over time. After that, it is time to address specific assets, beginning with number Fifteen: Positive peer influence—Young person’s best friends model responsible behavior. The guys talk about the importance of knowing your kids’ friends and the benefits of getting to know their friends’ families as well. The conversation then shifts to developmental asset number Sixteen: High expectations—Both parent(s) and teachers encourage the young person to do well. Rick and Nick share a bit about their personal experiences with coaches who demanded and inspired them to do their best.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment this week sees the guys discussing Star Wars once again, this time, debating favorite and least favorite Jedi Knights. Nick has excellent reasons for picking Yoda as his rose, while Rick shares his rationale for selecting Qui Gon Jinn. On the thornier side and somewhat controversially….Nick picks Mace Windu, while Rick goes with “Grumpy Old Luke.”

The last segment finds the guys once again digging back into the mailbag to respond to fan questions. Rick respond to a question from Rishi from Maryland who is seeking information and resources on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as additional insight regarding counseling theories. The guys wrap up this episode by responding to a fan by sharing some most delicious advice for mastering the creation of Frozen Yoo Hoo.

Enjoy Episode IX of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

Episode 8 begins with a Fast Feud Challenge – Thanksgiving style! Rick challenges Nick with five turkey-themed Family-Feud-esque questions, setting the stage for the guys to share a bit about their holiday.

Dr. Rick takes the lead on the blog reading this week, entitled “Are You Holding Your Water?” They guys discuss the dangers of ruminating and cognitive-behavioral approaches for helping kids, helping others, and helping ourselves cope with challenging circumstances.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. This week, they share experiences and reactions to the assets number Eleven: Family boundaries—Family has clear rules and consequences and monitors the young person’s whereabouts. The guys discuss Life360, important talks with kids about social media, balancing privacy and valuing autonomy with safe monitoring and boundaries. Rick also discusses his thoughts and personal experiences relevant to an approach to parenting called “goodness of fit parenting, which takes personalities of both kids and parents into consideration. The conversation then shifts to developmental asset number Twelve: School Boundaries—School provides clear rules and consequences. Nick shares important insight into how schools grapple with consistency in applying consequences and Rick shares a few relevant and free resources for teachers and counselors to encourage good student decision-making.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on ranking the Rocky movies – from least excellent to most excellent. There is agreement on the thorny nature of Rocky V, but the guys discuss different takes on the Creed movies and Rocky IV.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to more fan questions. Nick and Rick respond to a question from Larry in Alabama who asks about the timing of taking down Christmas decorations. The guys wrap up this episode by responding a middle school teacher who suggests using yoga and mindfulness to practice self-care.

Enjoy Round Eight of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

No time is wasted digging into the important stuff today….the first topic….Muppet Movies. Rick and Nick debate best, worst, under-rated, over-rated, and more. The guys find consensus on the epic status of “Muppets from Space” but almost come to blows over differing opinions regarding “The Muppet Christmas Carol.”

It is Nick’s turn to share a blog this week and he pulls out a classic, sharing “Virtual Clubs: Connecting Students During a Challenging Year.” While written at the height of the pandemic, the issues and strategies conveyed here are just as relevant and critical post-pandemic. Teachers and administrators will love hearing innovative ideas for engaging both students and teachers. Anyone considering moving towards a career in school administration will want to listen closely as Nick shares valuable insight into his role as an administrator, the benefits, and challenges of school leadership.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. This week, they share experiences and reactions to the assets number Nine - Service to others: Young person is given useful roles in the community and Ten – Safety: Young person feels safe at home, school, and in the community. The guys discuss the importance of kids working and serving in their communities in the midst of adolescent identity formation. Dr. Rick and Dr. Nick then move on to share their perceptions of the mental health crisis and the effect it is having on schools, educators, and support services. While the challenges are very real and daunting, there is so much opportunity to make a meaningful difference in kids’ lives.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on Pizza Chains. On the one hand, Rick bases his rankings on reheatability. Nick, on the other hand, values innovation. Papa Johns and Dominos take the Roses, while for different reasons, Little Caesars finds itself on the thorny end of the conversation.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to more fan questions. Nick (The Greatest Showman) responds to a question about his experiences officiating weddings. And Rick handles the last question from a school counselor interested in pursuing a post-masters counseling degree.

Enjoy Episode Seven of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

No time is wasted digging into the important stuff today….the first topic….Muppet Movies. Rick and Nick debate best, worst, under-rated, over-rated, and more. The guys find consensus on the epic status of “Muppets from Space” but almost come to blows over differing opinions regarding “The Muppet Christmas Carol.”

It is Nick’s turn to share a blog this week and he pulls out a classic, sharing “Virtual Clubs: Connecting Students During a Challenging Year.” While written at the height of the pandemic, the issues and strategies conveyed here are just as relevant and critical post-pandemic. Teachers and administrators will love hearing innovative ideas for engaging both students and teachers. Anyone considering moving towards a career in school administration will want to listen closely as Nick shares valuable insight into his role as an administrator, the benefits, and challenges of school leadership.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. This week, they share experiences and reactions to the assets number Nine - Service to others: Young person is given useful roles in the community and Ten – Safety: Young person feels safe at home, school, and in the community. The guys discuss the importance of kids working and serving in their communities in the midst of adolescent identity formation. Dr. Rick and Dr. Nick then move on to share their perceptions of the mental health crisis and the effect it is having on schools, educators, and support services. While the challenges are very real and daunting, there is so much opportunity to make a meaningful difference in kids’ lives.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on Pizza Chains. On the one hand, Rick bases his rankings on reheatability. Nick, on the other hand, values innovation. Papa Johns and Dominos take the Roses, while for different reasons, Little Ceasars finds itself on the thorny end of the conversation.

The last segment finds the guys digging back into the mailbag to respond to more fan questions. Nick (The Greatest Showman) responds to a question about his experiences officiating weddings. And Rick handles the last question from a school counselor interested in pursuing a post-masters counseling degree.

Enjoy Episode Seven of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

The Excellent EdVenture Episode 6.

So when exactly is the right time to "Deck the Halls?" Rick shares his Rocky-esque inspiration for timing Christmas decorations and Nick shares a bit about decorating for the holidays in the Indeglio household as well. Dr. Rick then segues into the reading of this week's blog - "Lucky Charms and The Ring of Power." Rick and Nick talk about inherent challenges of the helping professions and the importance of persevering through difficult times.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. This week, they share experiences and reactions to the assets Seven - Community Values Youth (young person perceives that the community values young people) and Eight - Youth as Resources (young person serves in the community one or more hours per week). Rick shares some of the community agencies and nonprofits that school counselors often collaborate with and the guys discuss both opportunities and challenges for schools in regards to engaging in community service projects.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment focuses on the hit Netflix tv show Cobra Kai. The guys discuss the show's inauspicious beginnings on Youtube Red, leading up to it's current status as one of the most popular TV shows seen around the world.

The guys dig back into the mailbag in the last segment to respond to more fan questions. Rick starts with a question from a former student, a newlywed, looking for some advice. The guys share some of their thoughts, including what research says about the power of prayer and Nick's wise recommendation to always consider if the "juice is worth the sqeeze" when choosing ones battles. Rufus joins the guys to respond to a question from Rick's teenage daughter - Desi - "Would you rather fight one hundred duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?" Lastly, the guys respond to a question from Amos in West Virginia about the best national parks and outdoor areas in both PA and TN.

Enjoy Episode Six of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

The Excellent EdVenture Episode 5.

Once upon a time, two righteous dudes began their podcast by discussing Stephen King's latest novel - "Fairytale. Spoiler alert - Nick and Rick give the "King's" latest book (and audiobook) two enthusiastic thumbs up, but are careful not to spoil this gem for anyone else.

In this week's blog, Dr. Nick covers important information for parents and educators about the latest social media challenge making its way from social media into school hallways and cafeterias. The One Chip Challenge is the culprit this time, which is causing disgust and disruption in his and many other schools across the nation.

Associate Professor of Counseling - Dr. Rick - gets things started in this week's Building the Brochure segment as the guys dig back into Developmental Assets #5 & #6 from the 40 Developmental Assets. Rick has some ideas for how school counselors, in particular, can help nurture #5 - providing a Caring School Climate. Nick then takes the lead discussing #6 - Parent Involvment in Schooling. Nick provides some innovative ideas that other School Administrators will want to hear!

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment revolves around Scary Movies this week. Difficulty sleeping seems to be a theme as the guys discuss some of their favorite and not so favorite things about watching scary movies. Nick and Rick share some of their favorite and least favorite thrillers as well.

The guys then try to make a dent into the everygrowing and overflowing mailbag in the last segment to respond to more fan questions. The first letter is from a concerned mom about her two teenage daughters' cell phone usage and social media. Nick then responds to a listener who wants to know more about his tatoos. Nick is happy to share the timeline for his ink, how many he has, what he has had done, and offers some valuable recommendations along the way.

Enjoy Riding along with Nick and Rick for this week's Excellent EdVenture!

Conquest Tattoo (https://conquesttattoo.com/): Gibby Sholette (https://www.instagram.com/Conquesttattoostudio/)

The Excellent EdVenture Episode 4.

This episode kicks off with the guys catching up what they've been up to of late. Rick talks a little about his recent Fall Break family trip to Pensacola Beach and Toby's aversion to jellyfish. Middle School Principal - Dr. Nick - shares about how a simple conversation turned into a movie-making competition with one of his students and production of "The Cornman.". Rick then reads his blog from this past week "Helping the Butterfly" which prompts the guys to discuss the dangers of advice-giving and the benefits of allowing others to learn from natural consequences.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick continue their investigation into Search Institute's research on the 40 Developmental Assets. For this first week, they share experiences and reactions to the assets three and four - "Other Adult Relationships" and a "Caring Neighborhood". Nick points out how important it is for kids to have support from multiple caring adults and Rick considers an expanded definition for "neighbors' to include a school community.

The Every Rose has Its Thorn segment revolves around Fall/Autumn this week. The beauty of the leaves changing and hiking in the cool weather are a few of the rosier aspects of the season. On the thornier side, the guys discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder and Rick's disconnect from football.

The guys dig back into the mailbag in the last segment to respond to more fan questions. Dr. Rick starts by going back to a question from last week's episode to share some additional information on finding qualified counselors. Nick then shares some brilliant advice for Heather from TX, an elementary school teacher who is having an incredibly difficult year. Things end on a lighter note as the guys respond to another listener about their pre-workout routines and the challenges of keeping in shape in their mid-forties.

Enjoy Episode Four of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

The Excellent EdVenture Episode 3.

The guys spend a few minutes catching up on what they've been doing lately. Rick talks a little about his favorite game for family game night and Nick opines about his favorite parking garage and good news regarding Danielle's recovery. Nick then jumps into this week's blog entitled “Morty's Miracle.” The guys discuss the benefits of community and family.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Nick and Dr. Rick begin their investigation into Search Institute's research into the 40 Developmental Assets. For this first week, they share experiences and reactions to the first two - Family Support and Positive Family Communication. The guys discuss research on the benefits of Family Dinners and different ideas for intentionally prioritizing family time.

The guys dig back into the mailbag in the last segment to respond to more fan questions. Nick shares valuable advice for a parent having some difficulty with her daughter's teacher. Rick responds to a listener who is having a difficult time finding a counselor for their teenage daughter. And both guys share their approach to eating movie theater popcorn.

Enjoy Episode Three of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

The Excellent EdVenture Episode 2.

With Rufus away doing “future stuff”, the guys feel free to take their time and catch up a bit. Nick talks about the challenges of growing a maple tree and Rick fills folks in on the fallout from a summer boating fiasco. Rick then reads and leads a discussion relevant to this week's "Righteous Wisdom for the Ages" blog entitled “Wise Woman.” The guys discuss the dangers of complaining about life and work, while attempting to stay positive.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment and at Rufus’s prompting from last time, roles are reversed this week and Dr. Nick interviews Dr. Rick. Nick has some very nice things to say about Rick, motivating him to reminisce and reflect a bit on his experiences playing Penn State Football, Boxing, trying to find the right career with the wrong major, running a coal business in central Pennsylvania, and a bit about his spiritual identity. Rick shares the challenges and rewards of having two sets of kids in very different life stages in the “Every Rose has its Thorn” segment.

The guys dig back into the mailbag in the last segment to respond to more fan questions. Nick and Rick seem eager to share their thoughts about how to know whether or not teaching a good fit professionally and Nick responds to a question about how he stays connected to others who have donned the Nittany Lion mascot outfit.

Enjoy the SECOND EVER episode of Nick & Rick’s Excellent EdVenture!

The EdVenture Begins.

Rufus, resident ambassodor from the future, kicks off the podcast to help the guys get started on their road to destiny - to create The Brochure which will, eventually, result in world peace and prosperity. But with these two clowns, uh I mean professionals, it ain't gonna be easy.

The guys catch up on pear recipes and birthday parties before Rufus nudges them to talk about this week's "Righteous Wisdom for the Ages" blog. Nick provides an inspiring read of "No Plan B, it distracts from Plan A" and the guys discuss their reactions.

In the "Building the Brochure" segment, Dr. Rick interviews Dr. Nick to help explore and reveal Nick's secret sauce for inspiration and success. Nick discusses his experiences as a Professional Wrestler, the Penn State Nittany Lion Mascot, Teacher, Father, Husband, Middle School Principal, Son, Brother, and more.

Dr. Nick - who Rick suggests is The Real Greatest Showman - shares personal successes and challenges, giving folks a chance to begin to get to know and appreciate the man behind his many faces. The "Every Rose has It's Thorn" segment is woven into the interview in this inaugural session and Nick responds by sharing a few stories from his days as the Nittany Lion mascot and as a Professional Wrestler, and then culminates with his thoughts on Star Wars Episodes 7, 8, & 9.

The guys dig into the mailbag in the last segment to respond to fan questions. Rufus answers, well sort of answers, an interesting question about the future and Rick shares his thoughts on his preferences were he an Animagus.

Enjoy the Very Beginning of The Excellent EdVenture!

Prepare for the "EdVenture" of a lifetime as lifelong educators and athletes, Dr. Rick Albright and Dr. Nick Indeglio, attempt to fulfill their destiny of bringing hope, wisdom, and laughter to all citizens of the multiverse!