EPISODES & TRANSCRIPTIONS
April 22, 2025
Middle School Minds Need Organized Systems
Whether it's grading, studying, or even navigating google classroom, organized systems don’t really exist for our students. How can we expect them to succeed when they have to adapt and change every hour of the day? Joe and Jamie discuss their methods for teaching and learning with middle schoolers…
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April 15, 2025
Never stop dating… your co teacher?
Jennifer Mazzochi joins the pod this week to discuss co teaching connections. Special education teacher and coteaching aficionado Jennifer Mazzochi explains how to make the unique relationship between co teachers thrive in the best interest of the partnership and the students in their charge.
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April 8, 2025
The Kids are Not Alright, but Why?
The kids are not alright— learned helplessness and lack of perseverance and grit are plaguing our schools and children across America— but why? Join Jamie and Joe as they explore possible reasons and solutions to the very big questions that keep many educators and parents awake each night.
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April 1, 2025
We’re Not Foolin’, We love AnnaK
Joe and Jamie welcome Insta sensation AnnaK, also known as ReadAwaywithMissK, as they share their love of teaching, reading, and being funny. Anna shares her experiences in the classroom beginning in the Bronx and continuing all the way down to Louisville. Anna shares with us her love of teaching…
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March 25, 2025
What Grinds Our Gears
Jamie and Joe are all about balance… and sometimes you need to bark out all your pettiest complaints to a friendly and compassionate ear to find your sense of zen. Listen to their hysterical banter as they swat things that drive each of them nuts both in and out of school.
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March 18, 2025
Believe’ment is Achievement with Ed DeShazer
Director Edward DeShazer joins us to discuss teacher well being, how to maintain boundaries and his latest book, Closing the Believe’ment Gap. His powerful belief in positive behaviors, teacher support and pouring it back into the teachers of America will inspire even the most critical cynic.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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