Videos

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 as…

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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. — We want to hear from…

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April 8, 2025

The Kids are Not Alright, but Why?

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. — We want to hear from you!…

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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, teachers,…

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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…

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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. — We want to…

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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 listeners on hospice care, estate planning and balancing their daily life…

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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. — We want to hear…

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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. We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: hello@thebalancingactpod.com…

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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. We want to hear from you! Shoot…

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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 proposed cell phone restrictions…

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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…

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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 share their fears associated with failing them. Big…

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Jan. 19, 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. 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 what it means to them when students…

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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 announcments are on tap for…

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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 Happy New Year. We will return in…

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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 applicable to ensure our listeners make their way…

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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 means to the…

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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 their plans for their Thanksgiving…

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Nov. 19, 2024

Employable Teens? Dishin’ out advice w/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 conquer. Co-owner of the popular New Jersey ice cream chain…

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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 Kenilworth public schools for trying something different and…

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Nov. 5, 2024

Timmy 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 their AI experience with multiple platforms will…

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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 for the romanticized version of…

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Oct. 20, 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 exclusivity.

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