EPISODES & TRANSCRIPTIONS

March 11, 2025

The Sandwich Generation Revisited

Being a part of the sandwich generation means having to spread your love and care between your children, spouse and your elderly, aging parents. Jamie and Joe know and live these challenges all too well, and want to update li...
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The Balancing Act
March 4, 2025

Middle School Maniacs with Courtney Varner

Join Instagram and TikTok teacher/comedian Courtney Varner as she waxes poetic on all things she loves about teaching middle school. Straight from the snowy streets of Missouri, @Hi_Its_Me_Mrs._V joins forces with our hosts to share her secret to laughing her way through middle school.
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The Balancing Act
Feb. 25, 2025

No Tech Teaching Review

Listen as our hosts discuss their “no tech teaching experience” when their boss challenged them to discard their student chromebooks for weeks. Hear their open and honest reviews of their time without tech in their classrooms.
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The Balancing Act
Feb. 18, 2025

The Child Code with Dr. Danielle Dick

In this episode, we delve into child development with Dr. Danielle Dick, professor at Rutgers University and author of "The Child's Code." She discusses the genetic and environmental factors influencing children's behaviors, drawing from her experience as a mother of a high-risk child.
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The Balancing Act
Feb. 11, 2025

Cell Phones and Valentine’s

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, we humorously discuss our personal food favorites, including nostalgic tomato soup. The conversation shifts to the impact of recent cold weather in New York on societal behavior and local traditions like Groundhog Day. We address NJ Governor Murphy's pr…
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The Balancing Act
Feb. 4, 2025

Tech-Spert Wisdom with Dr. Tyler Tarver

Join Joe and Jamie as they gab it up with fellow educator Tyler Tarver, and watch as they fan-girl over every bit of wisdom he has to share about his vast educational experiences. Whether it's YouTube teaching, administration experience or A.I. in the classroom, keep all eyes and ears focused towa…
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The Balancing Act
Jan. 28, 2025

Shocked, Shooketh, Shaken. Why don’t these kids like me? Season 2 - Episode 19

Lack of respect for teachers is an ongoing issue for most of us in our daily classroom experiences and it leaves many of us wondering "Why don’t these kids like me?". Are there any tips or tricks to help change relationship habits when it comes to mean students? Join Jamie and Joe as they hash out …
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The Balancing Act
Jan. 21, 2025

Vein Tests, Heart Tests and Praxis Tests, Oh My! Season 2 - Episode 18

Recently in New Jersey there has been discussion of the elimination of a step toward your teaching certificate. Where do tests begin and where should they end? Join our hosts as they discuss testing, personal and professional ones, and listen as they...
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The Balancing Act
Jan. 14, 2025

New Year, Same Old Friends - Season 2 Episode 17

New Year’s Resolutions? Are they a thing of the past, or a goal setting achievement? Join co-hosts Jamie and Joe as they recap their winter holiday vacations spent with family and friends, and listen in as they discuss what is coming up in 2025. Big...
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The Balancing Act
Dec. 17, 2024

2nd Annual Holiday Special - Season 2 Episode 16

Join co-hosts Jamie and Joe as they discuss their favorite holiday traditions from ornaments to dinners to gift giving galore. In the last episode of 2024, the Balancing Act podcast wishes you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season and a very...
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The Balancing Act
Dec. 10, 2024

Holiday Stress? The Teachers Health Coach is in Session - Season 2 Episode 15

Join our hosts as they get some great guidance and advice from their new pal Charley Burley, who comes to the pod all the way from across the pond. Known as the.teachers.health.coach Charley, an educator himself provides advice and methods that are...
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The Balancing Act
Dec. 3, 2024

Teacher Pay with K - Season 2 Episode 14

Join our hosts as they speak to a fellow New Jersey teacher and influencer getting to the root of the root and the bud of the bud of this thing called, Money.  Teacher Pay with K talks about all things pension, contracts and what a strong union...
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The Balancing Act
Nov. 26, 2024

Gobble Gobble, It’s Time to Talk Turkey - Season 2 Episode 13

Can you guess what was the first Thanksgiving food to be grown in space? How much did the largest pumpkin pie weigh? Join our hosts as they review their favorite parts and pieces for the upcoming holiday. Jamie and Joe talk sides, turkey, balloons and...
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The Balancing Act
Nov. 19, 2024

Employable Teens? Dishin’ out advice with Nicholas Creamery owner Jodie Edwards - Season 2 Episode 12

Listen in as marketing and hiring expert Jodie Edwards sits with our hosts to provide insight into developing employable teens. The best generation? It's quite possible that you might be underestimating the wide open spaces your teen has yet to...
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The Balancing Act
Nov. 12, 2024

Tech Break? Helpful or nearly impossible? - Season 2 Episode 11

We are discussing the town of Kenilworth, New Jersey, who recently implemented a tech free school day. All educators continually discuss the implications of tech on students and wonder if it is causing more harm than help. Listen in as we applaud...
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The Balancing Act
Nov. 5, 2024

Tommy Ho!!! It's our Canadian amie, Dawn Wiseman - Season 2 Episode 10

Dawn Wiseman is officially our first international guest. Bonjour to our new amie (that’s French for friend) Dawn Wiseman who has been teaching for 17 years, and has morphed into an AI enthusiast. Her tips and tricks for teachers on how to maximize...
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The Balancing Act
Oct. 29, 2024

To Halloween or Not to Halloween - Season 2 Episode 9

Jamie and Joe wax poetic about Halloween past, and what it was like to be a Mom in the 80’s before the invention of Trunk o Treat. Should schools promote Halloween activities or not? Favorite candy and memories of the holiday make us all nostalgic...
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The Balancing Act
Oct. 22, 2024

Coworkers: True Friends or Trauma Bonded? Season 2 Episode 8

Our hosts discuss coworkers: true friends or trauma bonded? Which is a topic close to their hearts. Are your co-workers really your true friends, or are you just not that close?  Listen as they share their point of view and experiences in...
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The Balancing Act
Oct. 15, 2024

The Queen of Mean Girl Moms - Dr. Noelle Santorelli Season 2 Episode 7

Join us for an enthralling conversation with relationship and Mean Girl Mom expert Dr. Noelle Santorelli as we unravel the generational issues faced by those in the know, how to navigate being a mom, or a dad in today's culture parenting of...
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The Balancing Act
Oct. 8, 2024

Ho Ho Homework - Season 2 Episode 6

To homework or not to homework, that is the question. But why is it always the question?  Teachers across America face this ongoing dispute and data of whether homework is good, bad or does little to improve students' understanding of the...
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The Balancing Act
Oct. 1, 2024

Theeeee Dee Hankins - Season 2 Episode 5

Left coast sensation and inspirational speaker Dee Hankins wows the hosts with his life experiences and optimistic approach to each day. Dee talks about parenting, challenges, and the ever changing students in the United States. Mr. Hankins uses his...
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The Balancing Act
Sept. 24, 2024

There will always be time for canoodling - Season 2 Episode 4

Joe and Jamie talk about the new school year and the ongoing use of technology in their classrooms. Tune in for the continued debate on exactly how to be relevant, how to be fun, and just when exactly gamification in the classroom goes too far.
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The Balancing Act
Sept. 17, 2024

AI in the classroom: A Learning Revolution - Jonathan Mast Season 2 Episode 3

Part Two: The AI Guy, Jonathan Mast  In Part Two, the AI guy talks classroom usage and real world applications of AI with our hosts, while offering numerous AI suggestions. Join Jamie and Joe as they learn tons of new and applicable techniques...
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The Balancing Act
Sept. 10, 2024

Teacher's and AI - Jonathan Mast Season 2 Episode 2

Part One: The AI Guy, Jonathan Mast AI and all of its newness is a hot topic for everyone, whether in education or not. Our hosts agree to start slowly to understand the moral implications of its use along with some of the ideology behind AI from the...
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The Balancing Act