Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode is inspired by a powerful post from educator and podcaster Trevor Muir called "The Participation Myth." It hit me hard—in the best way—because it's all about shifting our focus as teachers from outcomes we can't control to the efforts we can. So often, we judge our lessons and even our worth as educators by how engaged every single student seems in the moment. But the truth is, expecting 100% participation all the time is not only unrealistic—it's a fast track to burnout and imposter syndrome. Let's talk about what it means to teach with purpose, give our best, and let go of the rest.

Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode was planned on a pretty special day—my oldest son turned 15, which has me feeling all the things. It's true what they say: "time flies," but you never really get it until you're watching your own kid grow up in the blink of an eye. And as I look around and realize this school year is three-quarters over—and that I'm wrapping up my 21st year in the classroom (seriously, what?!)—I've been thinking a lot about time, how we spend it, and how little of it we actually control. Inspired by the early chapters of Mel Robbins' new book The Let Them Theory, I want to share a powerful mindset shift that's already changing how I think about my time and energy. It's all about letting go—letting people think what they think, do what they do, and freeing ourselves from the exhausting habit of trying to manage the unmanageable. Because when we stop wasting energy on things outside of our control, we finally get to focus on what really matters. Let's talk about reclaiming your time, your energy, and your peace.

Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! This past week was one of those where I was just loving life—engaging with students, enjoying the creative process of planning (especially with AI), and taking time off for wrestling. It's easy to feel happy when things are going well, but the real challenge is learning to cultivate that same joy regardless of circumstances. Today's message, inspired by James Oppenheim's quote, "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet," reminds us to stop chasing happiness in future events and instead find contentment in the present. The Stoics echo this wisdom, with Marcus Aurelius reminding us that true peace comes from within, not from external retreats. This weekend gave me amazing moments with family and wrestling, but it also tested my ability to remain present—whether comforting my son after a tough loss, overcoming nerves in a new volunteer role, or resisting the urge to let to-do lists steal my Sunday joy. So today, let's reflect on where we're placing our happiness—are we waiting for it, or are we growing it right where we stand?

Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today, we're tackling a topic that many of us wrestle with—what happens when you don't always love your job? As someone who's spent decades immersed in wrestling, I know firsthand how identity can be tied to our work, and how challenging it can be when that work shifts or disappears. Inspired by a recent episode of The Connection with Marty Moss-Coane, we'll dive into why it's okay to not always love your job, how unrealistic expectations can create unnecessary stress, and what we can do to regulate our emotions when work feels overwhelming. From setting psychological boundaries to avoiding the stress contagion, this episode is all about learning to navigate the ups and downs of work without letting it define us.

Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today, we're diving into a powerful question: Will you meet your goals this year? Inspired by a recent Compete Every Day episode on the biggest mistakes people make when setting goals, we'll explore why keeping your goals to yourself might actually help you succeed, how an accountability system can keep you on track, and the role of energy, faith, and action in shaping your future. We'll break down a compelling quote from Rachel Hollis about how our focus creates our future and connect it to insights from Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, which suggests that when we truly desire something, the universe conspires to help us. Through the lens of effort, energy, risk-taking, and trust, we'll discuss how competing daily sets you up for success and how faith in the process keeps you moving forward. Let's get inspired to take bold action and make 2025 our best year yet!

Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today's episode is all about the power of doing the little things well and how that philosophy connects to restorative practices in our schools. I'm part of a restorative practices committee at my school and will soon begin training to become a trainer myself—something I'm both excited and humbled by. Honestly, I wasn't always on board with this approach. Skeptical at first, I joined the initiative out of a mix of curiosity and a desire to contribute rather than criticize. What I've learned is that restorative practices are fundamentally about building and maintaining relationships with students, and that simplicity is key. This week, a committee meeting and a moment of doubt reminded me how important it is to focus on the small, consistent actions that build trust, understanding, and connection. Inspired by Emmanuel Acho's reminder that "little things done well make big things happen," we'll discuss how paying attention to the small, intentional steps can transform not just our classrooms, but our lives. Let's dive in!

Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, we delve into the timeless wisdom of Seneca, exploring his profound understanding of philosophy as the art of learning how to be a friend to yourself. As educators, we often pour our hearts and souls into nurturing our students, but it's equally essential to extend that same kindness and compassion inward. Join me as I reflect on the importance of self-friendship and self-care in our teaching journeys, sharing practical insights and uplifting stories that remind us to prioritize our well-being while inspiring others.

Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Every year, my pre-season wrestling trip is a chance to recharge and reflect, and this year's visit to Ocean City, NJ, was no exception. From a thoughtful gift card from a student to battling nasty black bugs and relentless beeping, it wasn't all smooth sailing—but as we left, the ocean reminded me of its timeless lesson: it continues its work, no matter what. Today, I'm sharing why I love the beach—the nostalgia, joy, and grounding it provides—and how Mary Oliver's poem I Go Down to the Shore inspired me to reflect on the importance of perspective. Just as the ocean waves keep rolling, we all have work to do, even when life feels overwhelming. Whether you're dealing with challenges or celebrating victories, the key is finding meaning in the process—"chop wood, carry water." Let's dive into this calming yet powerful reminder to stay grounded, focused, and present in every moment.

Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! Lately, I've been feeling a shift—a sense of returning to something better than just surviving in the classroom. Between blue-sky moments and inspiring ideas from podcasts like Check This Out and House of EdTech, I'm rounding the corner from simply managing post-COVID challenges to growing and thriving as an educator. Today's episode is all about progress—how it fuels our happiness and purpose. Inspired by Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory, we'll explore why progress is a pillar of fulfillment, why it's hardwired into us as humans, and why, as teachers, we need to push past comfort to continue growing. As wrestling coach Nelson Stratton once said, "You either get better or worse, but you never stay the same." Growth isn't just about becoming better educators—it's about living a purposeful life that serves both ourselves and others. Let's talk about how to embrace the hard work of progress and use it to reignite our passion for teaching!

Welcome to The Inspired Teacher Podcast! In our last episode, we explored Michael Gervais' idea of being at peace with who you are while still striving for growth, and today, I want to dive even deeper into that journey. This week, I faced two personal challenges that reminded me just how far I have to go: being judgmental and constantly comparing expectations to reality. Both came to the forefront during our whirlwind three-day parent-teacher conference schedule, where my stress amplified these habits. I'll share how Epictetus' wisdom from The Enchiridion—"Wish for things to happen as they do, and you will have a tranquil flow of life"—helped me reframe these moments. We'll explore why comparison and control can lead us astray, how I tried to navigate my disrupted routines, and what we can all learn about rolling with life's unpredictability. Let's get inspired together to embrace what is, rather than what we wish it to be!