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Something profound is happening in education systems worldwide. Beneath lesson plans and standardized tests lies a deeper crisis: burnout is pushing devoted educators to their breaking points—and beyond. TAUGHT is evolving to meet this critical moment.

In this special transition episode, original creator and host Melissa LeFort passes the torch to Amy Schamberg, signaling a powerful shift from elevating burnout stories to actively exploring solutions. Their conversation reveals the podcast’s deeply personal origins, inspired by the unexpected deaths of two of Melissa’s colleagues—educators who gave everything to their profession but never made it to retirement. This heartbreaking pattern pushed Melissa to create space for raw, honest conversations about the challenges educators face. Over a year of interviews with teachers across the globe, one thing became clear: burnout isn’t just an American problem—it’s a global crisis. Educators everywhere report feeling unsupported, silenced, and devalued, even as they remain deeply committed to their students.

Amy brings a new lens as a school psychologist, wellness coach, and public health doctoral student focused on systems-level change. She shares the moment that transformed her thinking, when a workshop participant told her: “It doesn’t matter how many mindfulness techniques I have if I’m walking back into a toxic environment every day.” That insight solidified her belief that addressing burnout requires more than personal resilience—it demands organizational change. Looking ahead, TAUGHT will spotlight the people and practices actively reshaping school culture to prioritize well-being.

Ready to move beyond surface-level fixes and confront the root causes of educator burnout? Follow TAUGHT wherever you get your podcasts, and join us in reimagining what workplace wellness in education can—and should—be.

Read the Episode Transcript on the TAUGHT website. 

Connect with host Amy Schamberg on LinkedIn

Explore:

• Learn more about the Total Worker Health® approach from NIOSH
• Discover Amy’s wellness workshops, coaching, and consulting at amyschamberg.com
• Check out the book that started it all! Taught: The Very Private Journal of One Bad Teacher by Melissa Lafort  — Available on Amazon

Want to Be a Guest on TAUGHT?
We're always looking to elevate expert voices and real solutions. Email [email protected] with your name, title, and a brief description of your perspective or experience in education or workforce wellbeing.

Need Support Right Now?
For immediate mental health resources, visit HealthCentral or connect with a licensed provider in your area.

Send us Fan Mail

Educator burnout isn’t just an individual struggle—it’s a global public health crisis. Season 2 of Taught shifts the focus from personal stories to evidence-based strategies, exploring how to prevent burnout, strengthen educator well-being, and build healthier school systems.

In this trailer, new host Amy Schamberg—a school psychologist, board-certified health and wellness coach, and Total Worker Health® specialist—introduces a bold new direction for the podcast: from burnout stories to systemic solutions. With over 15 years in public education and mental health, Amy highlights why burnout is not a personal failing but a predictable outcome of broken systems. This season lays the foundation for rethinking workplace wellness in schools, spotlighting strategies that prioritize staff health, student outcomes, and organizational sustainability. If you’re ready to move beyond surface-level fixes and tackle the root causes of burnout in education, this podcast is for you.

Read the Episode Transcript on the TAUGHT website. 

Connect with host Amy Schamberg on LinkedIn

Explore:

• Learn more about the Total Worker Health® approach from NIOSH
• Discover Amy’s wellness workshops, coaching, and consulting at amyschamberg.com
• Check out the book that started it all! Taught: The Very Private Journal of One Bad Teacher by Melissa Lafort  — Available on Amazon

Want to Be a Guest on TAUGHT?
We're always looking to elevate expert voices and real solutions. Email [email protected] with your name, title, and a brief description of your perspective or experience in education or workforce wellbeing.

Need Support Right Now?
For immediate mental health resources, visit HealthCentral or connect with a licensed provider in your area.

Send us Fan Mail

Ready to transform your relationship with time? Meet sKedule sUther, the revolutionary yet remarkably simple tool helping burnt-out professionals reclaim control of their schedules without adding more stress to their lives.

When burnout expert Jamie London-Wahlberg found himself overwhelmed by competing priorities and multiple collaborations, he turned to sales veteran Tess Wall for help. What began as a personal scheduling solution evolved into something powerful enough that they felt morally obligated to share it with others. The Schedule Soother isn't just another productivity app – it's a reflection tool that helps you understand where your time actually goes and gives you permission to create space for what truly matters.

At its core, sKedule sUther consists of just three elements: a simple schedule grid, a color-coding system to balance physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life, and a tracking component for important tasks. This minimalist approach is intentional. As Jamie recalls his initial resistance: "I literally told Tess I think initially I'm not even going to open this... I said I trust you, but I hate spreadsheets." Yet this spreadsheet-averse entrepreneur now calls sKedule sUther life-changing.

What makes this tool different is its emphasis on progress over productivity. There are no annoying notifications. No rigid structures. No guilt trips. Instead, users discover patterns in how they spend their time and make conscious adjustments. For those in burnout recovery, sKedule sUther provides concrete evidence when you need more rest or self-care – something impossible to overdo: "I have never heard anybody burn out because they put too much self-care."

Whether you're an entrepreneur juggling multiple projects, a parent managing family schedules, or someone transitioning careers, sKedule sUther offers a path to greater presence and intentionality. 

Find out more about sKedule sUther: https://www.janusrising.com/challenge-page/bd50d539-4832-4a91-b0b3-6f26beae9ad3?programId=bd50d539-4832-4a91-b0b3-6f26beae9ad3

Contact Tess: https://www.janusrising.com/

Contact Jamie: https://wake-in.com/home

Read the Episode Transcript on the TAUGHT website. 

Connect with host Amy Schamberg on LinkedIn

Explore:

• Learn more about the Total Worker Health® approach from NIOSH
• Discover Amy’s wellness workshops, coaching, and consulting at amyschamberg.com
• Check out the book that started it all! Taught: The Very Private Journal of One Bad Teacher by Melissa Lafort  — Available on Amazon

Want to Be a Guest on TAUGHT?
We're always looking to elevate expert voices and real solutions. Email [email protected] with your name, title, and a brief description of your perspective or experience in education or workforce wellbeing.

Need Support Right Now?
For immediate mental health resources, visit HealthCentral or connect with a licensed provider in your area.

Send us Fan Mail

What's it worth to reclaim your happiness? For Rudy, it meant leaving behind a prestigious tech career and the only country he'd ever called home.

Tech burnout has reached crisis levels, with nearly 60% of workers reporting feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities beyond their capacity. Behind these statistics are real people trapped in unsustainable cycles of overwork. Rudy shares his personal experience of working seven days a week, often 15 hours daily, for years while watching his joy and personality outside work slowly disappear. The turning point came through a simple question: "Why am I living in a state where I am always tired, always unhappy, not seeing my friends, not spending enough time with my family?"

We explore how unrealistic expectations flow downward through organizations, with inexperienced managers setting impossible goals that burden their teams. This toxic environment extends beyond tech, reflecting broader American workplace culture where stated values about work-life balance often conflict with the actual treatment of employees. The contrast with Portuguese workplace culture couldn't be more striking.

After moving to Portugal, Rudy discovered something transformative – a culture that genuinely values human connection and family life. From strangers extending unexpected trust to simple everyday kindnesses, these experiences have allowed him to rebuild his relationship with work while being fully present for his family. Despite challenges like missing friends back home and learning a new language, he calls the move "the best decision I've made as an adult."

His journey has come full circle as he now uses his tech skills to help others escape burnout through Ask Rudy, an affordable AI tool guiding potential expats through the relocation process. Whether you're contemplating a similar change or simply curious about different approaches to life and work, this conversation offers both practical insights and profound inspiration.

Have you ever wondered what life might look like beyond burnout? Listen now and discover how one decision can transform everything.

Want to contact Rudy?

Website: https://askrudy.ai/ 

Email: [email protected]

WhatsApp:  +1 646 494 5596

Read the Episode Transcript on the TAUGHT website. 

Connect with host Amy Schamberg on LinkedIn

Explore:

• Learn more about the Total Worker Health® approach from NIOSH
• Discover Amy’s wellness workshops, coaching, and consulting at amyschamberg.com
• Check out the book that started it all! Taught: The Very Private Journal of One Bad Teacher by Melissa Lafort  — Available on Amazon

Want to Be a Guest on TAUGHT?
We're always looking to elevate expert voices and real solutions. Email [email protected] with your name, title, and a brief description of your perspective or experience in education or workforce wellbeing.

Need Support Right Now?
For immediate mental health resources, visit HealthCentral or connect with a licensed provider in your area.

Send us Fan Mail

Joe McQueen, author of "Calming Young Minds," doesn't just talk about education—he lives it every day. After 27 years working with youth that others often turn away from, Joe brings a raw authenticity to this powerful conversation about seeing the world through students' eyes and the systemic issues driving teacher burnout.

"We forget that our kids developmentally are in the same place we were, but in a different world than we were," Joe explains, highlighting how adults often fail to adapt their approaches to children's perspectives. This disconnect becomes increasingly problematic as educational environments evolve while teaching methods remain rooted in outdated paradigms.

The conversation takes a candid turn when exploring the realities of educator burnout. Joe shares his own experiences of questioning his career path and the limited options available to educators seeking alternatives. His insights on being "the meat in the sandwich" as an administrator—caught between top-down pressures and the needs of teachers and students—resonates deeply with anyone who's navigated educational leadership roles.

Perhaps most compelling is Joe's critique of educational policymaking. Unlike fields where experts make the decisions (think surgeons guiding medical policy), education policies are typically created by politicians with minimal classroom experience. "We're one of the only fields where all the decisions made for us are made by people who have no idea what we do every single day," he observes, pointing to a fundamental disconnect driving many of education's most entrenched problems.

Whether you're an educator struggling with burnout, a parent trying to understand today's educational challenges, or someone passionate about systemic reform, this episode offers both validation and a roadmap for change. Subscribe to Taught, the podcast for more conversations that tackle the real issues in education without sugar-coating the difficulties or oversimplifying the solutions.

Contact Joe!

https://www.theraputicperspectives.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-mcqueen-360729240/

Calming Young Minds : Understanding Mental Health, De-Escalation, Trauma, and Restorative Practices in Teens https://a.co/d/4aN3BKo 

Read the Episode Transcript on the TAUGHT website. 

Connect with host Amy Schamberg on LinkedIn

Explore:

• Learn more about the Total Worker Health® approach from NIOSH
• Discover Amy’s wellness workshops, coaching, and consulting at amyschamberg.com
• Check out the book that started it all! Taught: The Very Private Journal of One Bad Teacher by Melissa Lafort  — Available on Amazon

Want to Be a Guest on TAUGHT?
We're always looking to elevate expert voices and real solutions. Email [email protected] with your name, title, and a brief description of your perspective or experience in education or workforce wellbeing.

Need Support Right Now?
For immediate mental health resources, visit HealthCentral or connect with a licensed provider in your area.

Send us Fan Mail

When Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell collapsed from exhaustion, her six-year-old daughter found her, covered her with a Disney princess blanket, and whispered goodnight. That moment should have been rock bottom. But like so many high-achievers, Lynita took a long weekend and went right back to her impossible schedule – until stage four endometriosis and fibroids the size of grapefruits forced her to confront the truth about burnout.

This powerful conversation explores the perfectionism trap that educators and professionals fall into. "Perfection is living up to someone else's standards," Lynita explains, while "excellence creates your own standards based on grace." For Lynita, that perfectionism manifested as a seven-page, single-spaced list of commitments that ultimately stole her health, strained her relationships, and disrupted her joy.

We share our educator burnout experiences, revealing how institutional structures like teacher evaluations deliberately keep teachers striving for impossible standards – "hungry and on the hamster wheel craving more." Together, we unpack how burnout isn't simply an individual failing but rather a systemic issue embedded in our workplaces and cultural expectations.

The heart of this episode is Lynita's recovery framework, developed through her two-year journey back from burnout. She outlines practical strategies starting with embracing silence, learning proper breathing techniques, and practicing meditation. Her simple but profound rule? "Whenever something rolls onto your plate, something else has to roll off." This boundary prevents the endless accumulation of responsibilities that characterizes burnout.

Ready to break free from the burnout cycle? Listen now, share with colleagues who are struggling, and remember: the goal is to live an excellent life, not a perfect one.

Contact Lynita:

www.LynitaMitchellBlackwell.com

Read the Episode Transcript on the TAUGHT website. 

Connect with host Amy Schamberg on LinkedIn

Explore:

• Learn more about the Total Worker Health® approach from NIOSH
• Discover Amy’s wellness workshops, coaching, and consulting at amyschamberg.com
• Check out the book that started it all! Taught: The Very Private Journal of One Bad Teacher by Melissa Lafort  — Available on Amazon

Want to Be a Guest on TAUGHT?
We're always looking to elevate expert voices and real solutions. Email [email protected] with your name, title, and a brief description of your perspective or experience in education or workforce wellbeing.

Need Support Right Now?
For immediate mental health resources, visit HealthCentral or connect with a licensed provider in your area.

Send us Fan Mail

This episode dives into the often-unspoken struggles of teachers amid a landscape riddled with burnout and emotional turmoil. Join Diestene Williams, an established educator and advocate for teacher wellness who shares her powerful journey navigating the complexities of teaching, trauma, and recovery.

In this conversation, we dissect the cultural pressures that lead to burnout and the damaging notion of “grinding through” struggles without taking the necessary time for personal well-being. Diestene shares her personal experiences of facing significant challenges, including a traumatic accident with her class and years spent in demoralizing environments. She provides crucial insights into the guilt associated with taking time off while acknowledging that educators often wear their exhaustion as a badge of honor.

Listeners will come away with practical strategies for re-establishing balance, including the importance of community and support networks as integral elements of recovery. Diestene emphasizes the need to come together, share experiences, and support each other as we navigate the tumultuous waters of teaching.

If you or someone you know is struggling with burnout or exploring how to cultivate a more fulfilling teaching experience, this episode offers a beacon of hope and actionable advice. Join the conversation, reclaim your joy, and explore how educators can collectively rise above the challenges of burnout. Don't forget to follow Diestene on LinkedIn for more tools and resources to support your journey.

Contact Diestene:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yogakinship/

https://www.yogakinship.com/

emall: [email protected]  

Instagram @kinshipeducation

Read the Episode Transcript on the TAUGHT website. 

Connect with host Amy Schamberg on LinkedIn

Explore:

• Learn more about the Total Worker Health® approach from NIOSH
• Discover Amy’s wellness workshops, coaching, and consulting at amyschamberg.com
• Check out the book that started it all! Taught: The Very Private Journal of One Bad Teacher by Melissa Lafort  — Available on Amazon

Want to Be a Guest on TAUGHT?
We're always looking to elevate expert voices and real solutions. Email [email protected] with your name, title, and a brief description of your perspective or experience in education or workforce wellbeing.

Need Support Right Now?
For immediate mental health resources, visit HealthCentral or connect with a licensed provider in your area.

Send us Fan Mail

Dive into the compelling world of education where passion meets challenge. Join us as we address the pressing issue of teacher burnout from a unique perspective. This episode features Rob Macleod, a seasoned educator who brings with him a wealth of experience and insight into the dynamics of teaching. We explore how misalignments between personal teaching styles and school cultures can lead many educators to feel disillusioned and burnt out.

Listen in as Rob articulates his journey from a passionate teacher to feeling overwhelmed and disengaged. Through engaging conversations, we break down the three primary teaching roles—Expert, Coach, Counselor—illuminating how understanding one’s style can help educators navigate their environments more effectively. This insightful dialogue underscores the importance of creating supportive school cultures, recognizing the systemic challenges we face, and advocating for meaningful change. 

Whether you're an educator seeking to reignite your passion or simply curious about the factors contributing to teacher burnout, this episode is your go-to resource for understanding the heart of education today. Join our community as we rally against burnout and strive toward a future where teaching is fulfilled with passion. Don't forget to subscribe, share our message, and leave a review!

Contact Rob!

https://www.instagram.com/reinventing_education_podcast/

Instagram: @reinventing_education_podcast

https://linktr.ee/reinventingeducationpodcast?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYrM4f1qH_jfluYyQY3X9L2ai6NaKddr1gLs5qrkCXzdkyZqSrFo3eOVNQ_aem_W5qst4757OQ8-

https://www.youtube.com/@reinventingeducation4593

Read the Episode Transcript on the TAUGHT website. 

Connect with host Amy Schamberg on LinkedIn

Explore:

• Learn more about the Total Worker Health® approach from NIOSH
• Discover Amy’s wellness workshops, coaching, and consulting at amyschamberg.com
• Check out the book that started it all! Taught: The Very Private Journal of One Bad Teacher by Melissa Lafort  — Available on Amazon

Want to Be a Guest on TAUGHT?
We're always looking to elevate expert voices and real solutions. Email [email protected] with your name, title, and a brief description of your perspective or experience in education or workforce wellbeing.

Need Support Right Now?
For immediate mental health resources, visit HealthCentral or connect with a licensed provider in your area.

Send us Fan Mail

After grappling with years of uncertainty and misdiagnosis, Tristan finally received clarity when she was diagnosed with sunflower syndrome at 34. Her story is a testament to the resilience required when navigating life with a rare neurological condition. In this episode, we explore how such chronic health conditions extend beyond physical symptoms, intertwining with emotional exhaustion and burnout. Tristan shares her journey of advocating for herself in the healthcare system, the relief of finally understanding her condition, and the ongoing challenges she faces.

Our conversation delves into the intricacies of living with sunflower syndrome, including the unique seizure activity triggered by sunlight. We discuss the hurdles Tristan encountered in securing the right diagnosis and treatment, and the complexities of managing an invisible disability in the workplace. From obtaining necessary accommodations to addressing the stigma associated with chronic illness, this episode underscores the significant emotional and financial toll these challenges impose on individuals like Tristan.

We also highlight the broader implications of chronic illness, emphasizing the cycle of stress and exhaustion that often accompanies long-term conditions. Tristan candidly discusses the financial burdens of managing her health, the impact on employment and daily life, and the critical importance of community support. This episode serves as a call for greater empathy and understanding in both healthcare and professional settings, offering insights and advice to those navigating similar struggles. Join us for an enlightening discussion that seeks to foster support and awareness for individuals facing the dual challenges of chronic illness and burnout.

Read the Episode Transcript on the TAUGHT website. 

Connect with host Amy Schamberg on LinkedIn

Explore:

• Learn more about the Total Worker Health® approach from NIOSH
• Discover Amy’s wellness workshops, coaching, and consulting at amyschamberg.com
• Check out the book that started it all! Taught: The Very Private Journal of One Bad Teacher by Melissa Lafort  — Available on Amazon

Want to Be a Guest on TAUGHT?
We're always looking to elevate expert voices and real solutions. Email [email protected] with your name, title, and a brief description of your perspective or experience in education or workforce wellbeing.

Need Support Right Now?
For immediate mental health resources, visit HealthCentral or connect with a licensed provider in your area.

Send us Fan Mail

Ever wondered how students and staff navigate the traumatic aftermath of school shootings? Join me, Melissa Lefort, as I engage with two incredible women, Kaela and Michela, who have experienced this harrowing reality firsthand. Explore the depths of their resilience and discover the untold stories of teachers assuming unexpected leadership roles during crisis situations. Together, we unravel the complex emotions and challenges involved in returning to school post-tragedy, highlighting the profound importance of community support and sensitive storytelling.

Our conversation is a heartfelt call to action for community collaboration and meaningful dialogue. As we reflect on the pervasive issue of school shootings, we stress the importance of recognizing when something is amiss and providing ongoing support to those affected. By fostering a supportive environment for healing, we can inspire positive change and offer hope to educators and students navigating the trauma of such events. This episode is a testament to the power of resilience, teamwork, and the collective effort needed to create a safer educational landscape.

https://edition.cnn.com/us/school-shootings-fast-facts-dg/index.html

https://www.npr.org/2024/09/05/nx-s1-5101684/preventing-school-shootings

https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/abundant-life-christian-school-shooting-madison-12-16-24/index.html

https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-school-shooting-vigil-motive-police-media-62313e9e9d20f3ed59fcf8d2c7fc3b44

I Love You Guys Foundation 

https://iloveuguys.org/

Contact Michela Laverty:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavermic

https://www.olyable.com/connect

Read the Episode Transcript on the TAUGHT website. 

Connect with host Amy Schamberg on LinkedIn

Explore:

• Learn more about the Total Worker Health® approach from NIOSH
• Discover Amy’s wellness workshops, coaching, and consulting at amyschamberg.com
• Check out the book that started it all! Taught: The Very Private Journal of One Bad Teacher by Melissa Lafort  — Available on Amazon

Want to Be a Guest on TAUGHT?
We're always looking to elevate expert voices and real solutions. Email [email protected] with your name, title, and a brief description of your perspective or experience in education or workforce wellbeing.

Need Support Right Now?
For immediate mental health resources, visit HealthCentral or connect with a licensed provider in your area.