Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! This week, I’m coming to you from Cary, North Carolina, just a few days before the school year kicks off. I’m here with my two sons for a big baseball tournament—one competing on the field, the other supporting from the stands while still rehabbing an injury from months back. Watching one play and the other choose to show up for his brother—even though it wasn’t easy—filled me with pride in ways I can’t fully describe. Later that weekend, a conversation with my son reminded me of a powerful truth I’ve been reading in Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy: real strength and fulfillment come not from clinging to our own wants, but from serving and celebrating others. In this episode, I share that story, the lessons it sparked, and a reminder for all of us as teachers, parents, and leaders—that life gets richer when we step outside ourselves and pour into others.

Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In today’s episode, I talk about starting restorative practices at our school and the powerful reminder that it’s not the big, flashy events that build relationships—it’s the small, intentional moments we share with our students, our colleagues, and even ourselves. I connect this to the Stoic wisdom of Zeno, who taught that well-being is built little by little, and how that truth applies as I begin a new school year. From recovery and mobility, to better eating habits, to simply taking a few minutes each night to reflect, I share how focusing on the small, daily choices can shape us into the teachers, parents, and people we aspire to be.

Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, I reflect on a question my son Gray asked me about what separates the most successful wrestlers I’ve coached from the rest. After more than 20 years in the wrestling room, I’ve had the privilege of coaching some incredible athletes—state medalists, champions, and even guys who went on to compete at the highest levels. At first, I thought the answer was simply about controlling the controllables, but the more I reflected, the more I realized it goes deeper. The best wrestlers weren’t just obsessed with winning—they were driven by the love of competing, by becoming the best versions of themselves, and by bringing others along for the ride. And while that’s easy for me to see in coaching, it’s just as true in teaching: greatness doesn’t come from the short-term wins, but from the dedication, consistency, and purpose we bring to the process every day.

Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, I talk with Bryon Carpenter—a fellow educator, podcaster and lifelong learner who’s all about showing up, reflecting, and growing a little bit every day. We dive into why paying attention to your experiences matters, how consistency (even in small ways) can lead to big change, and how podcasting helps him process and share what he’s learning. Bryon’s not doing it for likes or followers—he’s doing it to make a difference, and it’s a message that’ll definitely resonate.

Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode comes to you from the beach—one of the few places where I consistently feel calm and grounded. But wouldn’t it be great if we could find that kind of peace everywhere? Inspired by a powerful reply from Dr. Nate Fulton to a quote from Yung Pueblo, we’re digging into what it means to truly “protect your peace.” As teachers, parents, and people, it’s so easy to let the energy of those around us dictate how we feel. But calm isn’t something that just happens—it’s a skill we have to develop and practice, especially in a world that constantly pulls at our energy. So today, let’s talk about learning to stay grounded, owning our emotional space, and giving ourselves grace when we get it wrong—because we will, and that’s okay.

Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode is a special one—an honest, heartfelt, and wide-ranging conversation with Chris Nesi, the "EduPodfather" himself. Chris opens up about his journey in education and podcasting, the importance of showing up with integrity, and how being a great educator—or parent—is about letting others catch you in the act of doing good. We talk coaching, content creation, overcoming imposter syndrome, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply take the next step. If you’ve ever been hesitant to start something new or wondered if you’re doing enough, this episode will speak directly to you.

Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, we look at the story of General Dan Sickles at Gettysburg—a leader who made a bold move that helped slow down the enemy, but came at a huge cost to his own men. Was it brave or reckless? We dig into that question and connect it to a powerful message from Admiral William McRaven’s book The Wisdom of the Bullfrog. As teachers, we know we can’t just play it safe all the time. We need to try new things and take smart risks—but always with care, knowing our students are counting on us. Let’s talk about what it means to be bold, thoughtful, and growing right alongside our students.

Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! I’m beyond excited to share this episode with you—it’s the first-ever interview on the show! After over a year of planning, I finally sat down with none other than Jake Miller of Educational Duct Tape. We talk about everything from shared friendships and classroom strategies to cellphones and what keeps us inspired. Fair warning: I accidentally recorded with my laptop mic—but hey, you’re really here for Jake anyway!

Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Last week, we talked about Admiral William McRaven’s advice to take things one step at a time—and this week, we’re building on that by asking an important question: what are we actually growing toward? Growth without direction isn’t just unproductive—it can be harmful. In this episode, I break down Dr. Joe Dispenza’s three components to excellence that he shared on an episode of Tom Bilyeau’s Impact Theory Podcast—confidence, accountability, and vision—and explore how each one can help us move forward with purpose. Whether you're in the classroom or just trying to be a little better every day, this episode will give you simple, powerful steps to grow in the right direction.

Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, I share a powerful lesson from Admiral William McRaven's Navy SEAL training that can transform how we handle the tough days in teaching. When my son faced a challenging injury, I found myself caught up in the anxiety of "what if" thinking - something we've all experienced as educators when facing difficult students, overwhelming workloads, or career challenges. Drawing from McRaven's story about surviving Hell Week by focusing on "one evolution at a time," I explore how we can apply this mindset both in helping our struggling students break down big challenges into manageable pieces, and in our own teaching lives when everything feels impossible. Whether you're dealing with a rough class period or questioning your entire career, this episode reminds us that we don't have to solve everything at once - just focus on what's right in front of you and keep moving forward, one step at a time.