Aaron and Rachael talk with Erick Leiva, a career and technical education instructor and graduate of Lancaster Career & Technology Center  who’s helping students turn hands-on learning into real careers. From building confidence to landing jobs before graduation, Erick shares why CTC programs work, why funding and awareness matter, and why CTE is anything but a backup plan.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael are once again joined by Mary Kusler, Senior Director at NEA’s Center for Advocacy, to break down the 2025 election results and what they mean for educators heading into 2026. The conversation covers major wins for pro–public education candidates, Pennsylvania’s role as a key swing state, growing policy threats like Project 2025, and how sustained educator advocacy translates into real political power.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

As 2025 and a second year of podcasting come to a close, PSEA leaders look back at the year's highlights while gazing into their 2026 crystal ball. This past year tested our strength and showcased our collective power. From an epic state budget battle that ended with huge wins for public education, to record-setting member activism in a pivotal election, there's plenty to celebrate.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Take a breather this holiday season and listen to this "Duty Free Lunch" classic on effective stress management. Aaron and Jeff speak with subject experts Dorothy Morelli and Denine Goolsby about techniques you as an educator can use to keep your cool no matter what's happening around you. Don't miss this treasure trove of practical wisdom you can put to immediate use. 

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

After months of delays and major strain on schools, the state finally has a budget. Aaron and Rachael bring in Government Relations experts Dan Wiedemer and Kelli Thompson to explain what it all means for PSEA members and their students.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Aaron and Jeff sit down with Lisa Lehman and Jenn Mattucci from the Moon Area School District to talk about Club Hope, a student-led grief support group that’s helping kids heal after losing a loved one. What started with six students has grown into a thriving community built on compassion, connection, and the belief that no one should face grief alone. Lisa and Jenn share how their own experiences inspired the club, how students have embraced it, and how educators across Pennsylvania can bring this kind of support to their own schools.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Aaron and Rachael welcome their first lawmaker to the podcast, State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, one of Pennsylvania’s most dynamic voices for working families. Listen as they dig into the ongoing state budget battle, the future of public education funding, and what keeps Rep. Kenyatta hopeful in today’s highly charged political climate.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Jeff and Rachael explore how PSEA uses surveys and research to stay connected to its 177,000 members. Guests Dr. David Wazeter and Dr. Katherine Hamilton from PSEA's Research division share what the data reveals about educator stress, job satisfaction, and public perception, and how those insights shape our work as an organization.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Lenny Robinson has spent 23 years as a custodian in the Wissahickon School District. But to his students and community, he’s so much more. In this episode of Duty Free Lunch, we celebrate the 2025 Civil Rights Educational Leader Award winner and hear from the colleagues who helped shine a light on his extraordinary impact.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Canon-McMillan teacher Chelsea Geist turned her high school classroom into a zoo - literally. Aaron and Jeff talk to her about how it started, the impact on students, and what it takes to run a living zoo at school.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.