In this bittersweet Season 1 finale, Stephen and Mitch prepare to hit "pause" by talking about the vital role an "off-season" plays in sustaining emotional resilience for educators. Then, they transition into a powerful conversation on long-term validation with a unique, cross-generational reunion.

Retiring Assistant Superintendent Dave Swinson (after 27 years in education) and Webster Thomas alumnus Pat Roberts ('06) join the studio to reflect on their three decades of history. From managing a "high-energy" graduating class to tracking Pat’s fascinating journey from Webster Thomas to the Haunted Mansion at Disney to Red Rocks and other world-famous venues, this finale is a masterclass in what happens when educators put the work in and lead with empathy first.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why educators need an off-season to recharge.
• The profound impact of the 4-year cohort leadership model.
• Pat’s nonlinear career path and the soft skills he used to navigate along the way.
• Dave's core professional motto: "It’s not what we do, but rather how we do it."

The Northern Attitude hosts welcome our first two returning studio guests, Kyle Sackett and Erika Stuff, for a special roundtable retrospective episode.

As we gear up for next week's season finale, the four of us are first looking back. We each selected a few defining moments from this season to listen to, dissect, and reflect on. Together, we dive deep into why these specific moments hit so hard, the raw emotions behind them, and what they reveal about the intersection of education and mental health in our community. We’re laying it all out on the table: our unfiltered thoughts on the podcast’s mission so far, the impact it’s having right here in Webster, and some ideas on where we are heading next.

Grab a coffee, get comfortable, and join us as we find some clarity, as well as laughter and tears, in the moments that defined our first season.

Featuring: Kate, Kelly, David, Michael, Chris, Joey, Todd, Sean, and Pam.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• The Favorites Playlist: The specific moments from this season that stayed with us long after the mics were turned off.
• The 'Why' Behind the Impact: A deep-dive discussion on the emotions, the grit, and the heart behind those breakthrough conversations.
• Living the Mission: Kyle, Erika, Steven, and Mitch reflect on what Northern Attitude means to them, to Webster Thomas High School, and to mental health advocacy.

In this episode of Northern Attitude, we sit down with Webster Thomas teacher and former varsity basketball coach Chris Barrett following his 17th and final season in the program.

Together, we look back on his 17-year legacy, focusing on what it takes to build a culture where teamwork, mental preparation, and commitment to the process matter far more than the final score. The story actually begins with co-host Steven Zaccardo, a player on the very first modified basketball team Coach Barrett coached in the district.

Coach Barrett opens up about the unique privilege of mentoring a specific group of young men over a five-season journey, tracking their growth from raw potential to achieving incredible heights together. Reflecting on the emotional impact of long-term coaching and student mentorship, Barrett perfectly captures the essence of the grind, noting that "shared suffering and shared joy bond you like nothing else." It is a powerful reminder of how enduring through the hard times builds the mental resilience our youth need today, proving that "the years teach much which the days never do."

Finally, we shift from the hardwood to the digital frontier, diving into a candid discussion on the proper usage and understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern coaching, classroom teaching, and our personal lives—complete with some unexpected TV recommendations.

Grab an iced coffee, swish it around a bit, and let's find some clarity in the cold. Together.

What does it take to lead a modern high school building while balancing the needs of students, teachers, parents, and the wider Webster community? In this episode, co-hosts Steve and Mitch sit down with Webster Thomas High School Principal Glenn Widor.

Reflecting on his deep roots and various roles at Thomas since its reopening as a high school in 2001, Glenn shares his core goals for the Titan culture, his immediate priorities for student success, and the delicate art of navigating diverse stakeholder groups. At the center of his educational philosophy is a powerful directive that shapes the student experience: "Our job is to give you choice."

Whether you're a Thomas student, alum, a current parent, or passionate about the future of community-minded education, this conversation offers an honest, grounded look at building an environment where every student can chart their own path. Added to this week's agenda: West Irondequoit rapid fire: Schaller's or Perkins?

What happens when you bring two Webster Thomas alumni back into the studio? You get an honest, unfiltered look at life after high school, the mental shifts required to grow up, and a crucial conversation about men's mental health that every parent and student needs to hear.

After kicking things off with a lighter look at the arrival of this year's high school yearbooks (and explaining the mystery of the March "lost pod"), we dive deep into the unique post-graduation realities of Uncle Michael and Dave.

Key Discussion Points

• The Unorthodox Path: Michael opens up about his non-linear college journey, proving that finding your own way takes its own kind of grit.
• Decisions for the Future Self: David shares the exact mindset shift that allowed him to level up academically: moving away from instant gratification and starting to make daily choices with his "future self" in mind.
• The Toughest Hurdle: a raw, essential roundtable on why it is so uniquely difficult for young men to ask for help. We break down the stigma, the cultural pressures, and how we can build a better community of support right here in Webster.

Before the full conversation drops Monday morning, we’re giving you a sneak peek into the first eight minutes of our sit-down with Webster Thomas alumni David Mitchell (’24) and Michael Dowden (’23). If you remember our legendary "lost pod" from back in March—the one the recording gods unfortunately swallowed whole—we promised to run it back.

We dive into a nostalgic look at yearbooks in general, what they mean to the young men, and why the arrival of this year's edition earned the title of the "Golf Shot of the Week" (that one perfect element that keeps you coming back to the game).

Grab a quick coffee, sample a taste of the grit and heart heading your way, and get ready for the full episode to hit your feed first thing Monday morning!

Please note: this is our second episode with the explicit tag! Danny tried, but a true roast master has to keep it real.

In this episode of Northern Attitude, Mitch and Steve sit down with brothers Joey and Danny Smith for a raw, honest look at the modern high school experience through two very different lenses. Danny, a Webster Thomas alumnus (Class of 2023), opens up about his uphill battle to find his path through the traditional public school structure. Meanwhile, his younger brother Joey, voted Most Artistic by the class of '26, shares what he needs from his educators today to feel motivated, engaged, and how he found it in Todd Stahl's room.

Together, the four dig deep and discuss a universal challenge: the breakdown of communication. From the anxiety of receiving constructive criticism to the art of giving it, this episode explores the friction that happens when feedback gets lost in translation—and how we can bridge the gap.

This week on Northern Attitude, Steven Zaccardo takes the helm for a special, intimate conversation. While Mitch is away, the 'heart' of the pod's mission takes center stage as Steven sits down with a very special guest: his mother.

Together, they explore the complex architecture of human connection—from the spark of initial chemistry to the delicate importance of timing in lifelong relationships. In a world that often feels cold, they find warmth in discussing the restorative power of family and the unmatched joy found in the sound of a grandchild’s laughter. It’s a reminder that at the intersection of mental health and education lies the wisdom of those who raised us. Grab a coffee and join us for a conversation about the things that truly matter.

What if you could take everything you know now and walk back through the front doors of Webster Thomas? This week, Mitch and Steven are joined by Class of 2012 alumni Katie Epner, the Director of Video Production at WXXI.

In a raw and nostalgic conversation, we peel back the layers of the "high school hierarchy" to discuss what really matters once the tassels are turned. From the weight of losing classmates to the evolution of local radio, Katie shares how her journey from Webster to the forefront of public broadcasting was paved less by a degree and more by the relentless practice of her craft.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Cool Kid" Myth: Reframing our high school social structures through the lens of adulthood.
• Education vs. Practice: Why a college degree might get you the interview, but your "grit" and portfolio get you the job.
• Finding Clarity in Loss: A heartfelt look at how the death of classmates shaped our perspective on community and mental health.
• For the Love of Media: Katie’s transition into the world of WXXI and her enduring passion for the airwaves.
• The Rapid Fire: Favorite albums, Webster memories, and quick-hitting insights.

Join us as we find some clarity in the cold.

In this episode, Steven and Mitch sit down with a true Webster Thomas blue blood: Dr. Chris Callahan, a student ('04 OG) and servant of the Thomas community for over a decade

Chris’s journey isn’t just a career path; it’s a masterclass in growth and development. We trace his steps from D1 football fields and history lectures to the front lines of Special Education as a TA and teacher, eventually leading him to the Principal’s office and a Doctorate in Education.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Webster Roots: The Thomas experiences that molded him and shaped his future.
• The Educational Ladder: The transition from Special Ed TA to Building Principal.
• Mindset & Leadership: Navigating the space between stimulus and response.
• The Human Side: Balancing a high-level career with family and a sense of humor.

It’s not all heavy lifting, though—expect plenty of laughs as we swap stories about the humor and fulfillment found in the daily grind, the importance of family, and the joy of being a DeWitt Road Panda Bear.

Grab a coffee (black), get a workout in, and let’s grind our way towards some clarity.