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
Teacher's and AI - Jonathan Mast Season 2 Episode 2
Part One: The AI Guy, Jonathan Mast
AI and all of its newness is a hot topic for everyone, whether in education or not. Our hosts agree to start slowly to understand the moral implications of its us…
00:46:29 |
Tue 10 Sep 2024
Season Two Premiere! - And We're Back! Season 2 Episode 1
Drumroll please… we are now a weekly podcast!
Joe and Jamie are back with big news… they are now dropping weekly episodes. Summer has come to a close, and the hosts are ready to explore new topics w…
00:49:59 |
Tue 03 Sep 2024
Best of Season 1: Host Picks - Episode 28
In our final best of episode of the summer, we look back at the important topics that we discussed during season 1. These 4 clips speak to our passion, our life, and what drives us as educators. Ge…
00:32:42 |
Tue 20 Aug 2024
Best of Season 1: Parenting Advice - Episode 27
On this best of episode from Season 1, let’s look back with our hosts as they listen to some of Season One's top guests as they talk about how to parent, how to help parents, and how they strive to g…
00:30:14 |
Tue 06 Aug 2024
Best of Season 1: New Teacher Advice - Episode 26
Episode 26
Best of Season One
Let’s rewind the year and check out bits and pieces of the best of the best with Jessica Hawk, Tyler Tarver and Andrea Forcum. Our episode will highight some of the g…
00:30:22 |
Tue 23 Jul 2024
Season One Finale: Summer…She is finally here! Episode 25
Let’s talk about how to recharge the batteries, because teachers are solar powered! Listen as Joe and Jamie reflect on the first season of The Balancing Act podcast, and how much the discussions info…
00:42:32 |
Tue 09 Jul 2024
An Interview with M.C. Reckognize: Mrs. Phyllis Reckhow - Episode 24
Steps away from her final year of teaching we meet to talk to the formidable and beloved bestie-buddy of our co-host Jamie. Call her Reckie, Reckless, MC Reckognize, or Phyllis, the long time “studen…
00:42:38 |
Tue 25 Jun 2024
Closing out the Year with a Skibbidy - Episode 23
Let’s look back at the good, the bad, and the “skibbidy” of the 23-24 school year. Self reflection, exit surveys, and a giant thumbs up from students means that the summer is heading this way. Join i…
00:40:10 |
Tue 11 Jun 2024
Empathy, Sympathy and Adulting - Episode 22
The pod is back to update listeners about some of the ongoing family struggles that have continued throughout the course of the school year. In this heart to heart listen as our hosts share the ongoi…
00:49:43 |
Tue 28 May 2024
Tuh Tuh Tuh Teacher Face, Jessica Hawk - Episode 21
On this episode of The Balancing Act, we happily welcome influencer Jessica Hawk as she shares her 32 years of wisdom and experience inside and out of her New Jersey classroom. On her self proclaimed…
00:52:04 |
Tue 14 May 2024
We are “ALL IN” with Gian Paul Gonzalez - Episode 20
Credited with inspiring the New York Giants towards their winning season, former teacher and current motivational speaker, Gian Paul Gonzalez, sits down with us for an end of the school year pep talk…
00:55:49 |
Tue 30 Apr 2024
Dear parents, we need YOUR support… Part II with Katie Schneider - Episode 19
We welcome teacher and author Katie Schneider this week to discuss her extremely potent and thought provoking “viral” letter written to parents. Shared by so many across the country over many social …
00:52:17 |
Tue 16 Apr 2024
Dear parents, we need YOUR support...Part I - Episode 18
Spring Break is heading our way and the hosts are ready to party like it's 1999 in Cancun, Mexico. Or maybe they are just ready for some couch time. Listen for an honest discussion about what is lack…
00:47:36 |
Tue 02 Apr 2024
Educator_Andrea: “Advice to the New Teachers, Stolen by the Old Ones” - Episode 17
Viral Instagram and Tik Tok wonder Educator_Andrea joins this week to discuss how to properly support and retain the “good ones”, the teachers who are meant to be in the game for a long time, and how…
00:49:26 |
Tue 19 Mar 2024
Parents Just Don't Understand - Episode 16
Can teachers really do their jobs effectively without parental support? Where is the team? Where is the backup system? Where is the empowerment? Join us as we discuss the ever popular and deeply cont…
00:40:57 |
Tue 05 Mar 2024
bELieve in the Power of Daily Routines: Our talk with Hometown Hero Eric LeGrand - Episode 15
Local hero and beloved business owner Eric LeGrand joins us for a trip down memory lane. Listen as we laugh, learn and enjoy a cup of bELieve, as Eric takes us through his morning routine, nightly pl…
00:42:58 |
Tue 20 Feb 2024
Flipping the Switch - Ms. Brady had Alice and we're on our own. - Episode 14
If Mrs. Brady had Alice, how are we supposed to tackle all of this on our own? Today your hosts tackle the never ending subject of how to flip the switch from teacher to parent and back again. Whethe…
00:55:09 |
Tue 06 Feb 2024
The Modern Learner: Thirsty for Knowledge or Just Thirsty for Water? - Episode 13
Our hosts are back in action and ready to focus on the new year ahead. Listen for their words of the year and how they plan to put these words to good use in 2024. Jamie and Joe discuss the modern le…
00:46:07 |
Tue 23 Jan 2024
An Interview with Influencer Nick Ferroni - Episode 12
Join us as we excitedly talk to Nick Ferroni, a teacher advocate working at Union High in Union, New Jersey. Nick was gracious enough to meet with us for a cup of coffee and talk about our favorite t…
00:44:14 |
Tue 09 Jan 2024
A Holiday Delight - Curmudgeons Need Not Listen - Episode 11
Jamie and Joe are singing their way towards the New Year with a lighthearted walk through their Christmas favorites. Join the Balancing Act podcast hosts as they share a holiday Would You Rather, dis…
00:40:42 |
Fri 22 Dec 2023
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