For a long time, I didn’t realize I was running a business—I just knew I was wearing every hat imaginable. Teacher. CEO. Content creator. Brand manager. And nobody showed me how to navigate taxes, bias, or ownership. But here’s the truth: in 2026, “nobody showed me” can’t be our excuse anymore. With access to information, AI, and real tools, the responsibility has shifted. It’s hard. It hurts. But growth demands we lean in anyway.

Let’s tell the truth—students, teachers, and parents get on each other’s nerves. After returning from a trip to Utah with our 7th graders, I was reminded that growth brings friction. In this episode, Michael Bonner unpacks what “iron sharpens iron” really looks like in the classroom, why relationships matter more during developmental shifts, and why the middle of the year is the moment to lean in, not pull back.

The midyear i-Ready data is back—and I’m not sugarcoating it. In this episode, Michael Bonner breaks down what the results reveal about belief, expectations, and the systems driving real growth in the classroom. From BOY to midyear gains, new challenges, and what comes next—including double dipping and increased writing—this is a real look at teaching with intention and accountability. This work matters, and the data proves it.

We are living through what many experts are calling the biggest wealth transfer ever—and most people don’t realize what it means for their future. In this episode of The Bonner Brief, Michael Bonner breaks down how global tension, market reactions, and economic shifts are quietly reshaping opportunity. This conversation isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness, preparation, and why owning assets and building systems matters now more than ever.

Goals alone won’t carry you into 2026. In this episode, Michael Bonner breaks down a lesson he picked up from a random moment on Twitter—and how applying it transformed his classroom results. Now, he’s using the same principle in his personal life. This conversation walks through belief, prayer, and the systems required to make goals stick. If you’re watching on YouTube, you’ll see this process unfold in real time.

An administrator walked into my classroom—and everything didn’t go as planned. In this episode, Michael Bonner breaks down his first observation of 2026: the energy, the lesson design, the missteps, and the uncomfortable data that followed. From teaching reading and testing new strategies to owning what didn’t work, this is a real conversation about growth, feedback, and getting another shot to do it better.

New rhythms. New expectations. New realities. In this episode, Michael Bonner reflects on honoring the Sabbath, launching a fitness journey, reshaping classroom joy, and navigating professional initiatives that didn’t unfold as expected. Progress doesn’t start with perfection—it starts with movement. Most people never make it past the beginning. This conversation is for anyone learning to start, stay, and adjust without quitting.

Michael Bonner reflects on surprising his mother—a lifelong school counselor—after announcing her retirement. This episode honors her sacrifices, faith, and decision to pursue education against the odds, creating a ripple effect that changed generations. A powerful reminder that legacy is built through courage, consistency, and love.

Michael Bonner shares how he’s recalibrating after a hectic season—surviving field trips, refining routines, and planning intentionally for 2026. From choosing his word and scripture for the year to detoxing from social media and reimagining how he supports teachers, this episode explores how clarity comes from reflection, discipline, and purpose.

Michael Bonner breaks down the shifting job market—from AI disruption to funding cuts—and shares four practical strategies for landing your next role. From showcasing real value, leveraging AI wisely, bringing unmatched energy, and saving intentionally, this episode equips listeners to navigate career transitions with confidence and clarity.