How To Survive Teaching, The Zombie Apocalypse, And Other Natural Disasters

What happens when a comedian, TV writer, father of three, and former “teacher’s nightmare” sits down with an actual teacher to talk about modern education?

Vijal has written for television, including *black-ish*, created *The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh*, performs stand-up—and is currently raising three daughters in three different stages of school: high school, middle school, and elementary school. So yes, he is basically running his own tiny school district before breakfast.

But beneath all the jokes is a serious appreciation for educators.

Vijal remembers the teachers who understood him when he was the funny, disruptive kid. He talks about the teachers who encouraged curiosity, creativity, science, humor, and learning—and how those experiences still influence the way he thinks today.

*How do teachers keep going when they're losing hope?

If you're a teacher who's ever wondered whether you're actually reaching anybody, this episode is your reminder: *you don't have to reach everyone for your work to matter.*

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And maybe thank a teacher while you're at it.

What happens when the people responsible for giving everyone else hope start running out of it themselves?

Host *James Graves* sits down with comedian, musician, music teacher, and special education paraprofessional

*Carolyn Glaude* for a funny, vulnerable conversation about education, comedy, burnout, family, and finding enough hope to keep showing up.

If educators are in the business of giving students hope, what happens when teachers themselves feel hopeless?

Carolyn's answer is simple: *put your oxygen mask on first.*

Taking care of yourself isn't abandoning the people who need you. It's what allows you to keep showing up for them. You can't endlessly give when there's nothing left to give.

This is a conversation for teachers, parents, educators, creatives-and anybody who's ever loved what they do while simultaneously wondering how much longer they can keep doing it.

Sometimes survival means knowing when to rest.

Host *James Graves* sits down with teacher and stand-up comedian *Bryan Burris* for an honest, hilarious, and surprisingly hopeful conversation about what it really takes to survive in education.

But underneath the jokes is the bigger theme of this series:

*hope and survival.*

Bryan’s message to struggling teachers is simple and powerful. Forget waiting for the Dead Poets Society moment. Success might be quieter than that. *Show up. Be consistent. Let your students know they can rely on you.

Do the best you can that day, then go home.* Sometimes survival is the victory. And sometimes simply being there for someone is how you give them hope.