In this kickoff episode of PodcastPD’s 2026 monthly series, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco launch a year-long conversation around one big, loaded question: What does it actually mean to “fix” education? Drawing from their perspectives as a classroom teacher and a building administrator, they unpack why education feels broken—and why quick fixes and political talking points miss the point.

The conversation dives into student engagement, burnout, technology overload, cell phone policies, professional development, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Rather than offering silver bullets, Chris and AJ focus on what is within educators’ control: mindset, instructional choices, leadership decisions, and how we grow as professionals. This episode sets the tone for a thoughtful, honest series focused on meaningful, sustainable change—one classroom and one school at a time.

Key Topics Discussed

1. What people really mean when they say “education is broken”
2. The post-pandemic reality vs. the promise of change
3. Student apathy, grit, and cognitive endurance
4. Teachers caught between engagement and exhaustion
5. Administrators navigating mandates, data, and human needs
6. The pendulum swing of educational technology
7. Cell phone bans, Chromebooks, handwriting, and balance
8. Why professional development needs a reset
9. What educators can actually control right now
10. Growth mindset, experimentation, and learning out loud

What Are We Listening to?

AJ: The Mindset Mentor podcast, hosted by Rob Dial.

AJ describes it as a mindset and personal growth podcast that blends psychology, neuroscience, habit-building, and goal setting, and notes that he’s been especially into recent episodes focused on preparing for 2026, habits, anxiety, and self-improvement.

Chris: Instead of a traditional podcast recommendation this month, Chris is spotlighting a daily short-form video series he’s been creating throughout January focused entirely on how to start a podcast.