I started this episode already on edge because a mysterious chip in my windshield had me spiraling into a full-blown Safelite conspiracy. And if you think that was wild, just wait until you hear what one of your fellow teacher besties found smeared under a student’s desk. (Spoiler: it’s exactly what you’re afraid it is.) Then there’s the student who decided to learn about vasectomies during class. Yes, there’s a YouTube video involved. Yes, it’s exactly as horrifying as it sounds. Add in some wa...
Jul 21, 2025•42 min
This week I went full trash-TV-to-education-policy mode after Kourtney Kardashian called public school “dated” and bragged about homeschool like she invented it. And y’all… I have thoughts. We’re talking 1% privilege, educational history, and why calling schools outdated is actually the most outdated take of all. Then we pivot—hard—to some iconic voicemail chaos, including the loudest poop story I’ve ever heard and a kid who apparently mistook the restroom for a personal performance space. And y...
Jul 14, 2025•37 min
This voicemail had me fully sweating. A teacher casually drops that a full SWAT team showed up at her school… and the kicker? It wasn’t even a drill. We’re talking lockdowns, military gear, weapons drawn, and a group of students who were just trying to get to lunch. And the reason they showed up? Ohhhh, you are not ready. I spiral through the possibilities, ask all the wrong questions, and react in real-time to what is possibly the most over-the-top, under-explained escalation in school discipli...
Jul 07, 2025•35 min
I was feeling proud after successfully replacing an exterior light… until I dropped a screw into the mulch and my son roasted my bald husband mid-chaos. Classic. But that’s not even the wildest thing in this episode. I’m talking pencil-related injuries, fourth graders defending their moms’ honor in extremely unexpected ways, and the dark, dark rabbit hole of what ER staff have had to remove from people's bodies. (Spoiler: birds. Literal birds.) If you think ADHD, butt pencils, or savage children...
Jun 30, 2025•35 min
Let’s just say this episode covers a lot of... ground. From one very misplaced turd to a student-inspired staple surgery, I walk you through what can only be described as a masterclass in middle school madness. We’re talking scorched Chromebooks, poop-related investigations, and yes, whether you stand or sit to wipe (it matters more than you think). I’ll also drop a killer free resource that could save your last month of school. So grab your scooters and your fire extinguisher—things get spicy. ...
Jun 23, 2025•36 min
You ever discover something about your teacher that made your teenage brain short-circuit? Yeah, me too. So this week, I dove headfirst into the teacher lore rabbit hole, because nothing says professional development like finding out your music teacher once chucked a desk at a kid. Oh, and remember the DARE program? Apparently, not everyone took it as seriously as I did. We’re also unpacking some jaw-dropping listener voicemails, including one about fake TikToks that nearly cost a teacher her ca...
Jun 16, 2025•38 min
This week, I had a full-circle moment as a burnt-out teacher turned soccer mom… and then immediately pivoted to unpacking a story where a fourth grader threw up peace signs and declared his love for a very adult body part during writing time. You know—balance. We’re talking about teachers surviving without running water (again), why I physically can’t handle fairs (also again), and what to actually do when a student says something so inappropriate that your prefrontal cortex short-circuits. Plus...
Jun 09, 2025•38 min
It’s Episode 50, and honestly… what better way to celebrate than with a voicemail about a student who threatened to poop on a teacher’s desk? This week, I’m unpacking end-of-year exhaustion (May energy is real and it’s violent), plus the wildest school stories you sent in—including kids confessing their sex lives mid-English class and throwing Pop-Tarts in rage. We’re also talking about failing infrastructure, disappearing school funding, and how to literally show up to your state legislature an...
Jun 02, 2025•44 min
This week, I’m talking to literal Grammy-nominated musical legend John Ondrasik—aka Five for Fighting—about education, mentorship, Costco carts, and how he’s working to put real music teachers back in underfunded schools. (Also, I tried not to ugly cry while listening to “100 Years” on loop. Mostly succeeded.) But before we get there… we’ve got a classroom snake situation, an inappropriate dictionary moment, and a cooking class where a student shows up with a knife restriction and a no-females p...
May 26, 2025•47 min
Teachers, you know it's gonna be a weird week when you're prepping comedy for a room full of principals— including ones you still have to work with. Am I nervous? Yes. Am I planning to open with “remember your why”? Also yes. Let chaos reign. This week, I’m sharing my behind-the-scenes prep for the wildest PD gig of my life… plus two fire-filled fan submissions, literally. One backpack goes up in smoke, and another student brings lint specifically to start a fire during class. And no, that’s not...
May 19, 2025•36 min
The tornado didn’t get us, but this week’s episode might. After surviving Midwest storm warnings and Shrek-related trauma from a former student with a decade-long vendetta , I’m back with a full breakdown of things you can’t predict in teaching—like a kid gasping for air mid-presentation, or another casually announcing their itchy situation mid-kickball. We’re talking magic tricks that turn into emotional damage, AI that actually helps (seriously), and the question that won’t leave me alone: sho...
May 12, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 3
What do a lead-painted door, a rubberized body part in a middle school backpack, and the KKK showing up to a school in the ‘80s have in common? Absolutely nothing—except they’re all packed into this episode. Today, I’m kicking things off solo with chaotic home improvement updates (including which stripper works hardest) and a couple of voice memos from listeners that are… honestly, you just have to hear them to believe them. One will have you gasping, the other might make you text your admin “ha...
May 05, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 2
So, we changed the name. Welcome to How To Survive the Classroom —you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. In this kickoff to the new era, I’m diving into two of the most unhinged teacher submissions I’ve ever heard—one involving a movie mishap that will haunt you and another featuring a hallway hair war that somehow became my own personal reality TV show. Plus, I’m revealing the AI tool that actually doesn’t feel sketchy (teachers, I got you), bragging on some simulation drama happening at m...
May 05, 2025•42 min•Season 2Ep. 1
We’re back! No, you’re not crazy — we’ve got a new title (How to Survive the Classroom) and a new mission in life. Thanks to your feedback (and my team’s deeply concerning need for gossip), we’re kicking off Season Two with a brand new twist: real call-ins, real confessions, and real chaos from educators everywhere. This season, we’re diving into your craziest war stories, burnout moments, impossible classroom situations, and all the glorious disasters none of us ever saw coming after teacher tr...
May 02, 2025•3 min
This is our Season 1 finale! Come reflect on the first year of podcasting with me, where I share my gratitude for this amazing journey so far and tease what's to come for Season 2. You can take the survey here: http://survey.podcasterandrea.com/ You can join the book club at https://www.patreon.com/thosewhocanread — Don’t be shy come say hi: andrea@human-content.com and podcasterandrea.com Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — A Human Co...
Feb 06, 2025•12 min
In this wild episode, Denver and I dive into our travel adventures filled with unexpected twists and valuable life lessons. From Denver’s dreamy yet disastrous trip to Australia—featuring koalas, chlamydia myths, and rental car struggles—to my questionable choices while backpacking through Europe, no stone is left unturned. Takeaways: Travel Builds Resilience : Whether it’s losing a passport in Spain or dealing with canceled flights in Australia, travel forces you to think on your feet and stay ...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 12 min
In this lively episode I talk with Denver Riley about everything from classroom humor to the challenges teachers face post-pandemic. We also reflect on the new administration's pick for Secretary of Education and the similarity it may be to the movie Idiocracy. Takeaways: Secretary of Education : Talking about did the new administration's pick for the job and how it may be too similar to an old movie. Grace and Accountability in Balance : Navigating the line between supporting students and holdi...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 6 min
In this episode I talk with Jerry Kolber, the creative mind behind hit edutainment shows like Brain Games and Brainchild . With a background in reality TV and a passion for making learning interactive, Jerry shares how he transformed passive viewing experiences into engaging, educational content. We discuss everything from his early days producing Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to partnering with Pharrell Williams on a Netflix show and launching the educational podcast Who Smarted? . Jerry also ...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In this episode Denver Riley and Lauren Antonio join me for a heartfelt and humorous discussion about teaching, empathy, and navigating unexpected challenges. From recounting chaotic airport experiences in Newark to exploring the emotional weight teachers carry in the classroom, we reflect on the importance of creating safe spaces for students. We also share anecdotes about students’ "trauma dumps," our strategies for fostering emotional well-being through initiatives like Wellness Wednesdays, a...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 12 min
In this captivating episode I welcome New York Times bestselling author Jeneva Rose to share her journey from aspiring writer to literary sensation. Known for her hit thriller The Perfect Marriage , Jeneva talks about her writing process, balancing multiple genres, and the thrill of creating memorable characters. Takeaways: The Evolution of a Story : Jeneva shares how her idea for The Perfect Marriage took years to develop, proving that patience and persistence pay off in creative endeavors. Nav...
Jan 02, 2025•58 min
In this chaotic and laugh-out-loud episode I am joined by Denver Riley and Gaspare Randazzo for an unforgettable conversation about teaching, creativity, and hilariously unconventional approaches to classroom life. From Gaspare’s infamous “radiator cuisine” featuring Ziploc-bagged pizza and loose hot dogs to a surprising deep dive into teacher fashion choices, we cover it all. We discuss everything from historical trivia to Christmas memories, with plenty of outrageous stories along the way, inc...
Dec 26, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In this heartfelt and humorous episode Brooke Eby, social media advocate and ALS warrior, shares her journey of living with and raising awareness about ALS. From her initial symptoms to her diagnosis years later, Brooke talks candidly about the misconceptions surrounding ALS, her work with Salesforce to support the ALS community, and her viral social media content that combines advocacy with humor. With anecdotes ranging from her dating life, as she swipes right and left, to running a nonprofit,...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 3 min
In this episode Denver Riley returns to explore the hidden meanings behind teacher language, focusing on the art of social correction and phrases that say one thing but mean another. Takeaways: The Value of Social Correction : Teachers use subtle language as a way of guiding behavior and managing classroom dynamics without resorting to direct confrontation. Decoding Teacher Speak : Phrases like “They have a great personality” can serve as humorous but coded descriptions, often used to address un...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 7 min
In this high-energy episode I am joined by Tyler Jackowski, an educator and content creator, for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation about teaching, ADHD, mental health, and the wild world of classroom chaos. From unforgettable freak outs in the classroom to advice on thoughtful teacher gifts and even the unexpected perks of online fame, this episode delivers laughs, insights, and a strong sense of camaraderie among educators. Get ready for an unfiltered look at the teacher life—and maybe eve...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 13 min
In this special Thanksgiving episode I sit down with Denver Riley to dive into a blend of holiday trivia, teacher humor, and unexpected insights. As we tackle Thanksgiving history questions (with some questionable accuracy), Denver and I find ourselves navigating through fun facts, turkey anatomy, and relatable teaching stories. We also discuss Denver’s “Jersey Shore” spirit day look, the challenges of historical memory, and the little moments that make teaching worth it. Takeaways: Thanksgiving...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 9 min
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Nell from Upworthy to discuss their heartwarming book, Good People: Stories from the Best of Humanity . We explore the power of small acts of kindness, the impact of storytelling, and how positivity can counteract the negativity in today's world. Takeaways: The Ripple Effect of Kindness : Even small, seemingly insignificant acts can leave a profound and lasting impact on someone's life. Combating 'Mean World Syndrome' : Focusin...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 3 min
This week Denver Riley is back to dive into the quirky and chaotic moments that make up daily life in the classroom. From a “bagel ban” created by Denver’s students to navigating E.E. Cummings' poetry with skeptical high schoolers, they share the ups and downs of engaging students. Denver recalls being humorously bullied by her middle schoolers and admits the trials of working within a scripted curriculum while keeping her teaching style fresh. Denver and I explore why teachers love (and sometim...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr
In this week's episode "Family Trolls and Hosting Goals", I welcome my sister Becca Cousins, creator of Host in Your Home , for a lively discussion about the ups and downs of party hosting. From family trolling on social media to sharing tips on how to host stress-free gatherings in less-than-perfect homes, this episode has it all. Becca and I dive into the joys of hosting on a budget, dealing with real-life hosting disasters (like rotting pumpkins!), and how growing up together shaped their par...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr 9 min
In this week's episode "Haunted Classrooms and Mormon Wives", Denver Riley and I tackle the rollercoaster of being a teacher, from Denver’s near-miss with HR over a missing credential to the spooky fun of Halloween in the classroom. But the real fun begins when they hilariously compare the cast of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives to the types of teachers they’d be. Would Demi be the no-nonsense English teacher? Is Jen Affleck the ultimate kindergarten teacher? Tune in to see how these reality stars ...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In this week's episode "Homework Horror Stories: When Parents Say ‘No Way!", I chat with Gabe Dannenbring about the challenges of modern-day education. From managing work-life balance post-pandemic to evolving classroom dynamics, we explore how teachers and students alike are navigating an ever-changing landscape. Gabe shares his perspective as a middle school teacher, while I bring insights from the university level. Together, we reflect on the impact of the shifting attitudes toward education,...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 16 min
