EPISODES & TRANSCRIPTIONS

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 Queen of Mean Girl Moms - Dr. Noelle Santorelli Season 2 Episode 7
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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Ho Ho Homework - Season 2 Episode 6
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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Theeeee Dee Hankins - Season 2 Episode 5
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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There will always be time for canoodling - Season 2 Episode 4
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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AI in the classroom:  A Learning Revolution - Jonathan Mast Season 2 Episode 3
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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Teacher's and AI - Jonathan Mast  Season 2 Episode 2
Sept. 3, 2024

Season Two Premiere! - And We're Back! Season 2 Episode 1

Drumroll please… we are now a weekly podcast! Joe and Jamie are back with big news… they are now dropping weekly episodes. Summer has come to a close, and the hosts are ready to explore new topics with fantastic guests. Join the Balancing Act...
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Season Two Premiere! - And We're Back!  Season 2 Episode 1
Aug. 20, 2024

Best of Season 1: Host Picks - Episode 28

In our final best of episode of the summer, we look back at the important topics that we discussed during season 1.  These 4 clips speak to our passion, our life, and what drives us as educators.  Get a glimpse of some of the struggles that...
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Best of Season 1:  Host Picks - Episode 28
Aug. 6, 2024

Best of Season 1: Parenting Advice - Episode 27

On this best of episode from Season 1, let’s look back with our hosts as they listen to some of Season One's top guests as they talk about how to parent, how to help parents, and how they strive to guide their own children in this ever changing...
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Best of Season 1: Parenting Advice - Episode 27
July 23, 2024

Best of Season 1: New Teacher Advice - Episode 26

Episode 26 Best of Season One Let’s rewind the year and check out bits and pieces of the best of the best with Jessica Hawk, Tyler Tarver and Andrea Forcum.  Our episode will highight some of the great advice they have for first year...
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Best of Season 1:  New Teacher Advice - Episode 26
July 9, 2024

Season One Finale: Summer…She is finally here! Episode 25

Let’s talk about how to recharge the batteries, because teachers are solar powered! Listen as Joe and Jamie reflect on the first season of The Balancing Act podcast, and how much the discussions informed and influenced the hosts' lives. Special...
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Season One Finale: Summer…She is finally here! Episode 25
June 25, 2024

An Interview with M.C. Reckognize: Mrs. Phyllis Reckhow - Episode 24

Steps away from her final year of teaching we meet to talk to the formidable and beloved bestie-buddy of our co-host Jamie. Call her Reckie, Reckless, MC Reckognize, or Phyllis, the long time “student favorite” language arts teacher sits with us...
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An Interview with M.C. Reckognize: Mrs. Phyllis Reckhow - Episode 24
June 11, 2024

Closing out the Year with a Skibbidy - Episode 23

Let’s look back at the good, the bad, and the “skibbidy” of the 23-24 school year. Self reflection, exit surveys, and a giant thumbs up from students means that the summer is heading this way. Join in and hear what worked, what didn’t and what...
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Closing out the Year with a Skibbidy - Episode 23
May 28, 2024

Empathy, Sympathy and Adulting - Episode 22

The pod is back to update listeners about some of the ongoing family struggles that have continued throughout the course of the school year. In this heart to heart listen as our hosts share the ongoing difficulties that led to the development of the...
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Empathy, Sympathy and Adulting - Episode 22
May 14, 2024

Tuh Tuh Tuh Teacher Face, Jessica Hawk - Episode 21

On this episode of The Balancing Act, we happily welcome influencer Jessica Hawk as she shares her 32 years of wisdom and experience inside and out of her New Jersey classroom. On her self proclaimed victory tour, Jessica is approaching retirement...
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Tuh Tuh Tuh Teacher Face, Jessica Hawk - Episode 21
April 30, 2024

We are “ALL IN” with Gian Paul Gonzalez - Episode 20

Credited with inspiring the New York Giants towards their winning season, former teacher and current motivational speaker, Gian Paul Gonzalez, sits down with us for an end of the school year pep talk. Hailing from Union City, New Jersey, Gian Paul is...
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We are “ALL IN” with Gian Paul Gonzalez - Episode 20
April 16, 2024

Dear parents, we need YOUR support… Part II with Katie Schneider - Episode 19

We welcome teacher and author Katie Schneider this week to discuss her extremely potent and thought provoking “viral” letter written to parents. Shared by so many across the country over many social media platforms, Katie brings her point of view...
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Dear parents, we need YOUR support… Part II with Katie Schneider - Episode 19
April 2, 2024

Dear parents, we need YOUR support...Part I - Episode 18

Spring Break is heading our way and the hosts are ready to party like it's 1999 in Cancun, Mexico. Or maybe they are just ready for some couch time. Listen for an honest discussion about what is lacking from the real partners in education, the...
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Dear parents, we need YOUR support...Part I - Episode 18
March 19, 2024

Educator_Andrea: “Advice to the New Teachers, Stolen by the Old Ones” - Episode 17

Viral Instagram and Tik Tok wonder Educator_Andrea joins this week to discuss how to properly support and retain the “good ones”, the teachers who are meant to be in the game for a long time, and how we as seasoned veterans can show them all how...
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Educator_Andrea: “Advice to the New Teachers, Stolen by the Old Ones” - Episode 17
March 5, 2024

Parents Just Don't Understand - Episode 16

Can teachers really do their jobs effectively without parental support? Where is the team? Where is the backup system? Where is the empowerment? Join us as we discuss the ever popular and deeply controversial topic that plagues the American education...
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Parents Just Don't Understand - Episode 16
Feb. 20, 2024

bELieve in the Power of Daily Routines: Our talk with Hometown Hero Eric LeGrand - Episode 15

Local hero and beloved business owner Eric LeGrand joins us for a trip down memory lane. Listen as we laugh, learn and enjoy a cup of bELieve, as Eric takes us through his morning routine, nightly pleasures and tips for taking each day as it...
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bELieve in the Power of Daily Routines: Our talk with Hometown Hero Eric LeGrand - Episode 15
Feb. 6, 2024

Flipping the Switch - Ms. Brady had Alice and we're on our own. - Episode 14

If Mrs. Brady had Alice, how are we supposed to tackle all of this on our own? Today your hosts tackle the never ending subject of how to flip the switch from teacher to parent and back again. Whether it is helping at homework time with your own kids,...
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Flipping the Switch - Ms. Brady had Alice and we're on our own. - Episode 14
Jan. 23, 2024

The Modern Learner: Thirsty for Knowledge or Just Thirsty for Water? - Episode 13

Our hosts are back in action and ready to focus on the new year ahead. Listen for their words of the year and how they plan to put these words to good use in 2024. Jamie and Joe discuss the modern learner and how to attempt to adapt their classrooms...
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The Modern Learner: Thirsty for Knowledge or Just Thirsty for Water? - Episode 13
Jan. 9, 2024

An Interview with Influencer Nick Ferroni - Episode 12

Join us as we excitedly talk to Nick Ferroni, a teacher advocate working at Union High in Union, New Jersey. Nick was gracious enough to meet with us for a cup of coffee and talk about our favorite topic: teachers. Nick is working with various news...
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An Interview with Influencer Nick Ferroni - Episode 12