The Balancing Act
Fun Fact: If you draw a venn diagram of the circus and being an educator you get a perfect circle! At least, that’s what Jamie and Joe have learned. Straight out of Central New Jersey, join two seasoned teachers as they try to make sense of balancing their teaching careers with parenting multiple children, helping with aging parents, supporting their loving spouses, and navigating the very strange landscape of education in a post-Covid world. With guest interviews, deep dive explorations on contemporary topics, and so much more – we’re here to look at the highs and the lows that come with being an educator. Whether you’re fresh to the job or a seasoned vet, we can’t wait to share in this journey together!
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- Update frequency
- every 9 days
- Average duration
- 44 minutes
- Episodes
- 71
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Are We in a Quarrel with Educator Andrea?
Professor, comedian, mom and friend of the pod Educator Andrea is here to give us some top secret information into her new book, her comedy tour, and what it is like for her to balance her many profe…
00:51:31 |
Tue 09 Sep 2025
Welcome Back to the Party, Season Three is Here
Join our hosts as they recap their summers and share with us all the sunny weather and rain filled storms they had to endure over the past two months while on summer hiatus. Big plans are in the work…
00:42:55 |
Tue 02 Sep 2025
Major Monumental Moments from Season 2
Join Joe and Jamie as they review and reminisce on Season 2 episodes of the Balancing Act Podcast. They will reveal their top three moments of the season, guests that left a lasting impression, and a…
00:44:07 |
Tue 24 Jun 2025
Part II with Dr. Noelle Santorelli, Relational Aggression and Mean Girl Moms
One session with doctor Noelle Santorelli was simply not enough, we needed a part II. Join our hosts Joe and Jamie as they talk to Dr. Noelle Santorelli about her research and work into the topic of …
00:46:21 |
Tue 17 Jun 2025
Part I with Dr. Noelle Santorelli, Relational Aggression and Mean Girl Moms
Join our hosts Joe and Jamie as they talk to Dr. Noelle Santorelli about her research and work into the topic of relational aggression, and what it means for parenting styles, relationships, and syst…
00:42:55 |
Tue 10 Jun 2025
What is exhausting the teachers?
Teachers in this country are perpetually exhausted. But why?? Join our veteran host teachers with over 50 years of teaching experience between them to explore the reasons behind why teachers are so t…
00:49:36 |
Tue 03 Jun 2025
How much tech is too much? With Merve Lapus from Common Sense Media
Is this a tech “eat” tech world? Just how much tech is too much?Listen to our hosts discuss Ed Tech, social media and cell phones in schools, with Common Sense Media’s voice of reason, Merve Lapus. L…
00:45:08 |
Tue 27 May 2025
And One More Thing: Teachers are the Reason for all the Extras in Schools
Jamie and Joe revisit the topics connected to parent volunteers in public schools, as well as the weight of judgement between working and non working parents. Such hot topics in the education space o…
00:47:24 |
Tue 20 May 2025
Bianca and Chelsea from the NJAEA Pod Squad: Recruiting and Retaining Teachers
Bianca and Chelsea from the “NJEA Aspiring Ed PodSquad” podcast join us this week in an exciting pod swap experience. As hosts in their own right, these two ladies are navigating the education space …
00:48:32 |
Tue 13 May 2025
What Makes a “Good” Parent? Even Kelly Clarkson doesn't know.
In today's society being a parent can be amongst the most difficult of all of life’s challenges. Raising children is not for the faint of heart, and Jamie and Joe discuss some of the issues facing pa…
00:48:12 |
Tue 06 May 2025
Why are Students not Successful in School? with Mitch Weathers
Educator, speaker and author Mitch Weathers joins the pod to discuss his method for maximizing student success with the Organized Binder method. Students, teachers and parents have noticed the cognit…
00:51:06 |
Tue 29 Apr 2025
Middle School Minds Need Organized Systems
Whether it's grading, studying, or even navigating google classroom, organized systems don’t really exist for our students. How can we expect them to succeed when they have to adapt and change every …
00:42:58 |
Tue 22 Apr 2025
Never stop dating… your co teacher?
Jennifer Mazzochi joins the pod this week to discuss co teaching connections. Special education teacher and coteaching aficionado Jennifer Mazzochi explains how to make the unique relationship betwee…
00:47:27 |
Tue 15 Apr 2025
The Kids are Not Alright, but Why?
Learned helplessness and lack of perseverance and grit are plaguing our schools and children across America, but why? Join Jamie and Joe as they explore possible reasons and solutions to the very big…
00:47:32 |
Tue 08 Apr 2025
We’re Not Foolin’, We love AnnaK
Joe and Jamie welcome Insta sensation AnnaK, also known as ReadAwaywithMissK, as they share their love of teaching, reading, and being funny. Anna shares her experiences in the classroom beginning i…
00:47:24 |
Tue 01 Apr 2025
What Grinds Our Gears
Jamie and Joe are all about balance… and sometimes you need to bark out all your pettiest complaints to a friendly and compassionate ear to find your sense of zen. Listen to their hysterical banter a…
00:47:13 |
Tue 25 Mar 2025
Believe’ment is Achievement with Ed DeShazer
Director Edward DeShazer joins us to discuss teacher well being, how to maintain boundaries and his latest book, Closing the Believe’ment Gap. His powerful belief in positive behaviors, teacher suppo…
00:47:17 |
Tue 18 Mar 2025
The Sandwich Generation Revisited
Being a part of the sandwich generation means having to spread your love and care between your children, spouse and your elderly, aging parents. Jamie and Joe know and live these challenges all too w…
00:51:40 |
Tue 11 Mar 2025
Middle School Maniacs with Courtney Varner
Join Instagram and TikTok teacher/ comedian Courtney Varner as she waxes poetic on all things she loves about teaching middle school. Straight from the snowy streets of Missouri, hi_its_me_mrs._v joi…
00:47:31 |
Tue 04 Mar 2025
No Tech Teaching Review
Listen as our hosts discuss their “no tech teaching experience” when their boss challenged them to discard their student chromebooks for weeks. Hear their open and honest reviews of their time withou…
00:48:06 |
Tue 25 Feb 2025
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