The Next Level Teacher Podcast

Difficult people at school—whether coworkers, parents, administrators, or recurring student situations—can drain a teacher’s energy faster than lesson planning or grading. If you’ve ever dreaded an email, replayed a meeting in your head, or felt emotionally hijacked by a conversation at work, this episode is for you. 

In this episode of The Next Level Teacher Podcast, we delve into why dealing with “difficult people” can feel overwhelming for teachers and what actually helps. 

You’ll learn why the problem isn’t just the other person’s behavior, but what’s happening inside your brain during those interactions—and how shifting your thinking can completely change your experience. 

This episode breaks down how the brain reacts to conflict, why social interactions can feel threatening even when we’re physically safe, and how relying on instinct alone often keeps teachers stuck in cycles of frustration, avoidance, or rumination. Most importantly, you’ll discover where your real power is—and how to use it. 
In this episode, you’ll learn: 
☑️Why relationships are one of the biggest sources of teacher stress
☑️How powerless thinking keeps difficult situations stuck
☑️Why your brain reacts so strongly during conflict at school
☑️The difference between reacting vs. responding with intention
☑️How to stay emotionally steady when others are not
☑️Why struggling with difficult people is a skill gap—not a personal flaw

You’ll also hear how learning the right emotional and communication tools can transform the way you handle tough conversations—without becoming more confrontational, people-pleasing, or emotionally exhausted. 

✨ Want practical tools you can use right away?
I created a teacher-only masterclass called How to Deal with Difficult People to help you: 🌟 Understand why certain people trigger you
🌟 Separate facts from the stories your brain creates
🌟 Take back emotional ownership
🌟 Set boundaries without guilt or anger
🌟 Approach difficult conversations with clarity and confidence

This short, practical masterclass is designed specifically for real school scenarios—coworkers, parents, administrators, and everyday interactions that teachers face.

It’s currently just $13 and gives you immediate access to tools that can make teaching feel calmer and more manageable.
 👉 Learn more and sign up at brennanelsoncoaching.com/difficult 

You don’t need other people to change for teaching to feel better.
You don’t need to become someone else.
You just need the right tools.

Get them HERE!

 The new year often comes with a lot of pressure for teachers—to fix classroom management, be more patient, work harder, or finally “get it all together.”

But what if the problem isn’t your goals… it’s the way you’re approaching them?

In this episode of The Next Level Teacher Podcast, we talk about how to approach the new year as a teacher in a way that actually feels supportive, sustainable, and realistic. 

Whether you love New Year’s resolutions or secretly dread them, this conversation will help you reset your mindset without piling on guilt, shame, or unrealistic expectations. 
You’ll learn why so many teacher goals fall apart by February, how pressure-based motivation works against long-term change, and why self-compassion—not self-criticism—is the key to calmer classrooms and a more sustainable teaching career. 
In this episode, you’ll learn: 
🎆 Why New Year’s resolutions can help—or hurt—teachers
🎆 How pressure, perfectionism, and shame block real change
🎆 The difference between goals driven by self-love vs. self-judgment
🎆 How to create change that feels lighter, not heavier
🎆 Why your thoughts matter more than the goal itself
🎆 How small mindset shifts can improve classroom management and teacher well-being

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you should be doing more this year, this episode offers a gentler, more effective way forward—one that supports your nervous system, your energy, and your future self. 

✨ Want support with a gentle reset?
Calm in the Classroom: Modern-Day Solutions to Teacher Stress, Overwhelm, and Anxiety is designed to help teachers feel calmer, more grounded, and more in control—without toxic positivity or hustle culture. 
Learn more at brennanelsoncoaching.com/calmteacher. 

New Year, Small Shifts: Why Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes

The New Year comes with a lot of pressure — especially for teachers. New routines. New systems. New versions of yourself.

But what if real change doesn’t come from doing more… it comes from doing less, more consistently?

In this episode of The Next Level Teacher, we’re talking about why most resolutions fail, why motivation isn’t the problem, and how small, sustainable shifts can create meaningful change — even on your hardest days.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or exhausted by the idea of “starting fresh,” this episode is a nice reset.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✔️ Why New Year’s resolutions often create more pressure than progress
✔️ The difference between best-day habits and worst-day habits (and why the worst-day version matters most)
✔️ Why consistency beats intensity every time
✔️ How small shifts compound over time and build trust with yourself
✔️ What it really means to “show up” — without doing it perfectly
✔️ A simple exercise to help you identify one small shift that actually sticks

Key takeaway:
Nothing changes if nothing changes — but change doesn’t have to be big, dramatic, or exhausting.

One small, steady shift can completely change how this year feels in your classroom and in your life.
Ready to feel calmer in your classroom?
If one of your goals this year is to feel less overwhelmed, more regulated, and more at ease while teaching, check out my course Calm in the Classroom.
Inside, I teach teachers how to make subtle mindset, emotional, and nervous-system shifts that pay off in big ways over time.

👉 Learn more and enroll at brennanelsoncoaching.com/calmteacher

A Gentle Holiday Reminder for Teachers
Episode Description:

The day after Christmas can feel many different ways for teachers — calm, joyful, heavy, quiet, lonely, or just plain exhausting. And all of it is valid.In this gentle holiday episode of The Next Level Teacher, you’re invited to pause — without reflecting, fixing, or planning — and simply let yourself be human.

This episode offers a reminder teachers often need but rarely hear: you don’t have to earn rest, and you don’t need to feel motivated, grateful, or productive to be okay.

This episode is intentionally short, soft, and supportive — designed to meet teachers exactly where they are during winter break.
No pressure.
No goals.
No “making the most of your time off.”
Just permission to breathe.
In this episode, we talk about:
🔹Why there’s no “right” way to feel after the holidays
🔹How teacher brains struggle to fully turn off — even on break
🔹Why rest can feel uncomfortable (and why that makes sense)
🔹Separating thoughts from commands during quiet moments
🔹Letting your nervous system settle without effort or fixing

This episode is for teachers who:
🔹Feel emotionally tired after the holidays
🔹Are holding mixed feelings about winter break
🔹Struggle to rest without guilt
🔹Want a calm, grounding listen with no action steps
🔹Need reassurance more than advice

You don’t need to improve anything today.
 You don’t need to plan what’s next.
You are already allowed to rest.

🎧 Press play for a gentle reminder made just for teachers.

Episode Description

Teaching often trains our brains to focus on what’s missing — what’s underfunded, broken, or not working the way it should. And while wanting change in education is valid and necessary, constantly scanning for what’s wrong can quietly increase stress, burnout, and emotional exhaustion.
In this holiday-season episode of The Next Level Teacher, we pause — just briefly — to help teachers notice what is already working in education and in their classrooms.

This episode is not about toxic positivity, ignoring real problems, or settling for less.

It’s about giving your brain and nervous system a little relief during a season that can feel heavy.

Through a personal holiday story, life coaching insights, and simple neuroscience, we explore why teachers’ brains naturally focus on what’s lacking — and how gently shifting attention can help you feel calmer, steadier, and more grounded.

This is a reflective, supportive episode for teachers navigating stress, burnout, and the emotional weight of the holiday season.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
✅ Why the teacher brain is wired to notice problems first
✅ How negativity bias impacts teacher stress and burnout
✅ Why gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring broken systems
✅ A simple “holiday wish list” exercise for teachers
✅ How noticing progress can calm your nervous system
✅ How to hold space for both what’s hard and what’s working


This episode is for teachers who:
❤️ Feel overwhelmed, burned out, or emotionally drained
❤️ Care deeply about education and still want change
❤️ Struggle to “see the positive” without guilt
❤️ Want mindset support without pressure or platitudes
❤️ Are looking for calm and perspective during the holidays

Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is fine.
 It’s about helping your nervous system feel safe enough to keep going.🎧 Press play for a calming holiday perspective shift — created specifically for teachers.

 In this episode of The Next Level Teacher, Brenna dives into something every educator slips into from time to time: complaining. While venting can feel harmless—or even helpful—there’s a hidden cost most teachers don’t realize. 

If you’ve been feeling stuck in negativity, overwhelmed by challenges, or drained after conversations with coworkers, this episode unpacks why—and what you can do about it. 

Inside, you’ll learn: **What complaining actually does to your brain
**How chronic negativity affects memory, mood, decision-making, and stress
**Why even listening to complaining can drain your energy
**The neuroscience behind “neurons that fire together, wire together”
**Simple ways to shift out of the “Grinch mentality”
**Four practical strategies to retrain your brain toward resilience

This episode is packed with teacher-friendly neuroscience, empowering mindset shifts, and realistic steps you can start using today. 

Mentioned in this episode:
→ Calm in the Classroom, Brenna’s step-by-step course to help teachers feel calmer, more grounded, and more in control. 

 If you’re a teacher feeling stressed out during the holidays, this episode is for you. The weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break can feel joyful, chaotic, overwhelming, magical, and exhausting… often all at once. 

In this episode, Brenna breaks down what’s actually happening in your nervous system during busy seasons—and why even “fun” holiday activities can make your brain feel overloaded. 
Tune in to Learn: **Why the holiday season impacts your nervous system so intensely
**How joyful moments regulate your brain and improve mood, memory, and focus
**Why long to-do lists and seasonal chaos trigger stress responses
**Simple ways to support your nervous system during December
**Practical tools to help you feel calmer, steadier, and more grounded

Whether you’re thriving this season or barely hanging on, you’ll walk away with tools to help you protect your peace and your energy. 
Mentioned in this episode:
→ Calm in the Classroom, Brenna’s course to help teachers feel grounded and in control year-round. 

What if I were to tell you that there was one free, simple daily practice you could take that would:
- lower stress levels
- reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
- improve your relationships
- strengthen your immune system
- lower your blood pressure
- improve the quality of your sleep
- increase your self-esteem
- and more?

If you're like most people, you would be ecstatic to discover what this one habit is, right?

Amazingly, choosing to practice feeling gratitude each day creates all these results and more!

Listen in to discover:
- what gratitude is and what it feels like
- how gratitude changes our brains on a neurochemical level
- the ways gratitude practices improve our mental, physical, and emotional health
- simple actions you can take to receive these benefits in your life
- what to think and do if you face circumstances that feel especially challenging.

Wondering if life coaching is for you? Try it out for free here!
Free Mini Coaching Session with Certified Life Coach Brenna Nelson

Sources:
The Mayo Clinic Health System

Gratitude, depression and PTSD: Assessment of structural relationships
John P Van Dusen 1, Mojisola F Tiamiyu 1, Todd B Kashdan 2, Jon D Elhai 3
Psychology Today
"Gratitude is the Best Attitude for Chronic Pain Patients"

Supporting Student Mental Health (Without Losing Yourself in the Process)Episode Su
mmary:
In this episode of The Next Level Teacher, Brenna explores one of the most emotionally demanding realities of education today: teachers supporting student mental health.

Teachers are increasingly asked to support students struggling with anxiety, trauma, and emotional regulation—all while managing lesson plans, behavior, and academic expectations. It’s a role that can feel both sacred and overwhelming.
Brenna offers a refreshing perspective rooted in life coaching and emotional wellness: the best way to help students is to start with your own inner work. You can’t pour from an empty cup. You can’t calm a dysregulated student when you’re in emotional overdrive yourself.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to support student mental health without overstepping your role or burning out. Brenna walks you through how to regulate your own emotions, set clear boundaries, and model the kind of calm and compassion that help students feel safe and connected.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why teachers can’t (and shouldn’t) be therapists—and what your role actually is
✅ How emotional regulation in teachers helps students feel safe and grounded
✅ Practical strategies for supporting student mental health without burnout
✅ The power of healthy boundaries and emotional responsibility
✅ Why your self-care is an act of service, not selfishness
Mentioned in this episode:
✨ Calm in the Classroom course — Learn emotional regulation tools to create calm, connection, and resilience in your classroom.
Visit brennanelsoncoaching.com/calm

How to Teach When Life Feels Heavy

Episode Summary:
In this heartfelt episode of The Next Level Teacher, Brenna dives into what it really means to keep showing up when teaching is exhausting—not just because of lesson plans or student behavior, but because life itself feels heavy. Whether it’s classroom challenges, personal struggles, or just the weight of the world, this episode offers compassionate, practical tools to help you stay grounded and effective—without pushing yourself to burnout.

You’ll learn how to give yourself grace, regulate your emotions, and find moments of peace and purpose even in the hardest seasons. Brenna shares real cognitive and emotional strategies rooted in neuroscience, including how to reframe your thoughts, process emotions, and create calm in your classroom even when everything feels like too much.

Because teaching is exhausting—but it’s also meaningful. And with the right mindset, compassion, and tools, you can keep showing up in powerful, sustainable ways.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
 ✅ Why it’s okay to not be at 100% when life gets tough
 ✅ How to offer yourself grace without giving up your standards
 ✅ A simple coaching model for managing emotional overwhelm
 ✅ How to stay effective and connected with your students, even in hard seasons
 ✅ Practical ways to find calm, purpose, and presence when teaching feels heavy

Mentioned in this episode:
 🎧 Calm in the Classroom course — Learn emotional regulation tools for teachers at brennanelsoncoaching.com/selfcare