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.

Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to [email protected]. 

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.

Welcome to Season 3 of "Duty Free Lunch"! We're kicking it off with a look at the state of the union as PSEA Executive Director Jim Vaughan joins Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael to discuss PSEA happenings, the current state of our politics, and what's in store for PSEA members in the new year. 

Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to [email protected]. 

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

PSEA PACE Chairperson Theresa Prato and Central York teacher Gina Grolemund join Aaron and Rachael to talk about political organizing, winning school board seats, and how PACE makes a real difference for public education.

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

Ann Monaghan, PSEA’s Dolores McCracken ESP Member of the Year for 2025-26, joins Duty Free Lunch to discuss the challenges, rewards, and joys of being a support professional in Pennsylvania’s public schools.

Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to [email protected]. 

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

National Teacher of the Year Ashlie Crosson returns to Duty Free Lunch with sharp insights, honest reflections, and urgent ideas. From rural education to teacher burnout to student empowerment, Ashlie's national exposure has given her new insights into the state of teaching today. 

Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to [email protected]. 

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