PODCAST · education
PodcastPD
by Christopher J. Nesi & AJ Bianco
Join AJ Bianco and Christopher J. Nesi as they explore professional development for educators, featuring expert insights on teaching strategies, technology integration, and educational policy.
Episodes
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Fortune Cookie Pedagogy: Bite-Sized Wisdom for Educators - PPD156
What if professional learning didn't require another workshop, another hour-long meeting, or another document sitting unopened on your desk? Dr. Wanda Terral found a surprisingly simple starting point: fortune cookies. Her book, Fortune Cookie Pedagogy, transforms short fortune-cookie messages…
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Fixing Education: Educator Burnout - PPD155
Burnout is one of the most common and most difficult challenges facing educators today. In Episode 155 of PodcastPD, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco tackle the topic head-on as part of their ongoing 2026 series exploring how we might “fix” education. While burnout exists in every profession, the unique...
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What “Fixing Education” Really Means - PPD154
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...
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Practical Productivity for School Leaders - PPD153
Chris Nesi and A.J. Bianco sit down with educator, author, and school leader Rich Czyz to discuss his latest book, Autopilot: Practical Productivity for School Leaders. Rich shares insights drawn from his experience during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of delegating, automating tasks,...
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Burnout, Boundaries, and the Truth About Teaching - PPD152
In this episode of PodcastPD, hosts Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco take a deep dive into the wild world of Reddit’s teacher community — reacting to real posts from educators about burnout, parent conferences, grading policies, and the reality of work-life balance in education. From heartfelt burnout...
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The Power of Parent-Teacher Partnerships - PPD151
In this episode of PodcastPD, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco welcome Christina Hidek, veteran PTO leader and founder of PTO Answers, to discuss the power of effective parent-school collaboration. With over 15 years of experience building strong PTOs and supporting educators, Christina shares practical...
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AI Literacy & Ethics with Kathi Kersznowski - PPD150
In this milestone episode of PodcastPD (Episode 150!), Chris and AJ welcome longtime friend and educator, Kathy Kersznowski, author of The Educator's Guidebook for Teaching AI Literacy and Ethics. Kathy shares why AI literacy is the new literacy and how educators can navigate AI responsibly and...
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Closing Out The Year and SummerPD - PPD149
In Episode 149 of PodcastPD, host Chris Nesi flies solo to help educators wrap up the school year with intention and head into summer feeling empowered and inspired. From meaningful end-of-year classroom strategies to practical and rejuvenating summer professional development ideas, this episode…
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Surviving and Thriving as a School Admin - PPD148
Becoming a school administrator is both a rewarding and challenging journey. It requires resilience, leadership, and an ability to foster a strong school culture. Todd Bloomer, an experienced educator with over 29 years in the field and more than a decade as a principal, has shared his insights…
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Motivating Students and Classroom Challenges - PPD147
AJ and Chris kick off the first episode of 2025 by diving into some important education topics, including inspiring students and addressing hate symbols in schools. They also tackle the challenge of dealing with students who refuse to do their work and share some of their own experiences and...
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Supporting Leaders in Education - PPD146
In this episode of PodcastPD, we welcome Walter McKenzie, a veteran educator with over 40 years of experience and the founder of The Worthy Educator. Walter shares his journey and discusses how his initiative supports mid- and late-career educators by building community, offering tailored...
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Rubi AI for Lesson Planning and Classroom Engagement - PPD145
In this episode, Chris and Dr. Tani Farran dive into the innovative ways Rubi AI can support teachers with lesson planning, student engagement, and personalized learning. They discuss the importance of guiding students to use AI tools responsibly, encouraging them to be the primary creators of...
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Verbally Abusive Parents - PPD144
In this episode of PodcastPD, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco dive into a mix of professional development topics, from school community participation to the challenges of dealing with verbally abusive parents. The hosts share personal experiences, offer insights into the complexities of the teaching...
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Leadership Transition: From VP to Principal - PPD143
Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco catch up after a hectic summer. AJ reveals his exciting career move from Vice Principal to Principal in a new school district. The duo discusses the challenges and emotions involved in making such a significant decision, the interview process, and AJ's vision for his new...
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Classroom Management Tips - PPD142
PodcastPD founder Stacey Lindes joins Chris while AJ is away. We dive into educational topics pulled from Reddit, offering practical advice for educators. Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/142
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Zeros in Education - PPD141
In this lively episode of PodcastPD, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco wrap up the end of June with reflections on the past school year, discuss the emotional graduation of a key student, delve into the ongoing debate about assigning zeros in education, and ponder the benefits and drawbacks of homework…
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Bringing Surprise Everyday - PPD140
In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Tom Pesce, a unique educator who blends his passion for teaching with the art of magic. Tom shares his journey and insights on how educators can engage students by incorporating elements of surprise and personal interests into teaching. Complete…
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Can You Negotiate Your Teacher Salary? - PPD139
In this episode of PodcastPD, hosts Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco dive into a range of questions sourced from the internet to offer invaluable insights for educators. Episode 139 explores themes such as salary negotiation for new teachers, the logistics and emotions of changing classrooms, supporting...
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Is Professional Development Useful? - PPD138
In this episode of PodcastPD, AJ and Chris explore a range of educational topics sourced from across the internet. They debate the effectiveness of professional development, particularly when it feels disconnected from classroom realities, and share insights on how long is reasonable to decide on…
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The Educator's Guide to Self-Care - PPD137
In the latest episode of Podcast PD, AJ and Chris engage in a compelling conversation with guests Kevin and Jason from the 2Principals Podcast. The episode delves into the unique challenges educators face in achieving mental well-being and a healthy work-life balance. Complete show notes:...
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Calm in the Chaos: Stoic Wisdom for Successful School Leadership - PPD136
In this episode of PodcastPD, Chris and AJ are joined by Glenn Robbins and Danny Bauer to explore the application of stoic philosophy in educational leadership. The discussion delves into how stoic virtues like wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance can help school leaders navigate everyday...
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Is Professional Development Broken? - PPD135
In this final episode of 2023, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco engage in a lively discussion around the critical question: Is professional development (PD) broken? As they navigate through various aspects of PD, from its current state in education to personal experiences, they offer insightful...
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AI for Admin with Adam Schoenbart - PPD134
In episode 134 of PodcastPD, Dr. Adam Schoenbart joins Chris and AJ for an insightful discussion on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, particularly from an administrative perspective. Key topics include AI’s potential to enhance learning, streamline administrative tasks, and...
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The AI Educator: Redefining Your Role - PPD133
In this episode of PodcastPD, Chris and AJ tackle the complexities of using artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models in K-12 classrooms. They discuss critical topics such as data privacy, addressing bias and ensuring fairness in AI, and the evolving role of teachers as AI becomes…
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The Future of Teacher PD - PPD132
Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into "The Future of Teacher PD." In the ever-evolving education landscape, it's crucial to reevaluate how educators receive professional development (PD). Are traditional workshops and seminars still effective? We explore emerging trends like...
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Setting Goals for the New School Year - PPD131
In this episode, Chris and AJ discuss their goals and plans for the upcoming school year. Chris shares his experiences with having student teachers and emphasizes the importance of guiding them through the complexities of classroom management, technology integration, and adapting their teaching...
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Prepping for the New School Year - PPD130
The new school year is almost here for Chris and AJ so in this episode, they discuss what they are preparing for in the new school year and share some of their goals and plans. Topics include: Summer Learning Goals for new year Thing we want to improve on Building relationships The first few weeks
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The Art of Educational Leadership - PPD129
In Episode 129 of Podcast PD, AJ Bianco, and Chris Nesi introduce their guest, Jared Lamb. They discuss innovative approaches to education and the essential qualities of effective leadership. Jared Lamb, the guest, is introduced as the Associate VP for BASIS Ed in Louisiana and the Head of School...
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The Power of Relationships - PPD128
In this podcast episode, we delve into the importance of relationships in education and provide a comprehensive overview of the episode's content. We explore various dimensions of relationships, starting with the teacher-student relationship. Building trust and rapport, recognizing individual...
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Teaching with Podcasts - PPD127
Today, we are thrilled to have with us Gary Arndt, the host of Everything Everywhere Daily, one of the most popular daily education podcasts in the world. Since its launch in July 2020, Everything Everywhere Daily has been downloaded over 13 million times, averaging over a million downloads per...
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Self-Care Beyond the Classroom - PPD126
In this episode, we explore the concept of self-care and why it is essential for educators. We discuss personal definitions of self-care and share practical tips for incorporating self-care practices into busy schedules. We also examine how practicing self-care affects work as a teacher, benefits...
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Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles in Education - PPD125
Today, we are excited to have Dr. Melissa Groff with us as our guest. Melissa is a highly experienced educator with a passion for creating proactive school cultures through the implementation of restorative practices, leadership coaching and mentorship, and job-embedded coaching. Additionally,...
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Tips for New Teachers - PPD124
PodcastPD Updates During 2023 we will be releasing one episode per month and we will be live streaming our episode recordings on the last Sunday night of the month. Join our new PodcastPD Discord Community! We want to connect and chat with you in between our episodes. Featured Content In this...
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Has Education Reached Its New Normal? - PPD123
We're over COVID and schools and education are 'normal.' But what is this new normal? Chris and AJ discuss. Discussion Points: What is the new normal? What is AJ experiencing as an administrator? What is Chris doing to blend pre-pandemic and post-pandemic teaching strategies? What Are We…
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Inclusive Learning 365 - PPD122
Educators across the world are working to design individualized instruction that empowers every student to become experts at learning. Technology and instructional interventions designed to support students with disabilities often eventually become mainstream and used by the masses. These…
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Goodbye 2021-2022 - PPD121
Living and teaching in a post-pandemic (almost) world has presented some obstacles and new approaches to education. Returning to school full-time in September of 2021 was undoubtedly welcome for many educators and now that we've gone through the school year it is time to reflect on the year.…
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Planning Summer PD - PPD120
Non-educators typically look at summer vacation as a free time where teachers aren't working and just sitting around. While part of any educator's Summer is undoubtedly used for rest and relaxation time is also used to learn and grow and plan for the next school year. In the episode, Chris and AJ...
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Teacher Appreciation 2022 - PPD119
Teacher Appreciation Week is always a welcome time of year for teachers across the country and this year is no different. Classroom teachers have worked in challenging conditions for more than two years and a little appreciation goes a long way. Our conversation in this episode revolves around…
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GRIT & Accountability in Education - PPD118
Featured Content Jake Thompson is the founder of Compete Every Day and your Chief Encouragement Officer! A show designed to help driven people build a winning mindset, so they can build their winning life. Jake’s goal is to help you be GREAT! Join the Compete Everyday Podcast to help you...
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Taking A Stance On Stale Practices - PPD117
Featured Content Toby Price is a VP from Mississippi who was recently fired from his position for reading the acclaimed children's book "I Need A New Butt." Topics Discussed: Toby's story and where's he's at in the process with his former district Taking risks in education as leaders and teachers...
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Rogue Leader: Take Control of Your PD - PPD116
Featured Content Rich Czyz has written a new book and he joins Chris and AJ to discuss professional development and how educators can and should take more control over their growth in this profession. Topics Discussed: Pushing the Pessimist - How do we reach those who are not engaged in their own...
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How To Implement Digital Badges For PD - PPD115
Featured Content Krystle Pearson currently serves as the Director of Technology for Brunswick County Public Schools in Lawrenceville, Virginia. Krystle has more than 15 years in education, she has served in the capacity of a classroom teacher, grade level team leader, school technology coach,...
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You've Reached the PodcastPD Loveline - PPD114
Featured Content More than ever our relationship with education is strained. Teachers are leaving the profession. Prospective teachers are choosing other majors and career paths in our colleges and universities. Our relationship with education is rocky right now. But now is not the time to break…
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Tech with Heart with Stacey Roshan - PPD113
Featured Content Stacey Roshan is a Math teacher and Director of Innovation and Educational Technology from Maryland, and a well-respected #EdTech consultant. Stacey is also the author of “Tech with Heart: Leveraging Technology to Empower Student Voice, Ease Anxiety, & Create Compassionate...
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Embracing and Managing Educator Burnout - PPD112
Featured Content Amber Harper is an educator, author, speaker, and Teacher Burnout Coach whose mission is to activate teacher self-empowerment to help teachers beat burnout and live a happy, fulfilled life. Amber is the author of Hacking Teacher Burnout and she is the host of the Burned-In…
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12 "Minutes" of PodcastPD 2021 - BONUS
We're always experimenting with new ways to bring you value. We've previously released 12 short episodes to recommend some great podcasts and podcast episodes for you to check out at the end of the year as the calendar flips but our careers go on. This year we're trying something different and...
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Happy Holidays 2021 - PPD111
Featured Content We wonder through a conversation about the holiday season. We reminisce about our holidays of the past and we also discussed what holiday celebrations look like in our school and classrooms. We spoke with: Alfonso Mendoza, host of the My EdTech Life Podcast Mel Aveling, avid...
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Remote Learning Strategies That Still Work In-Person - PPD110
Featured Content The COVID-19 Pandemic taught educators many valuable lessons. Teachers all over the world were forced to change how they taught students almost overnight. For months educators implemented new strategies and refined old ones to maximize our time with students in a variety of...
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Student Teaching with Quinlan Van Es - PPD109
Featured Content Quinlan Van Es is pursuing a career in education as a social studies teacher. He is earning his teaching credentials through the Rutgers Graduate School of Education and his completing is student teaching with Chris as his cooperating teacher during the Fall 2021 semester. At the...
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Innovative Classrooms of the Future - PPD108
Shout Out AJ and former guest Dave Frangiosa co-authored an article, "Supporting ALL Learners with Collaborative Classrooms", on schoolrubric.com. Featured Content After catching up Stacey, AJ, and Chris talk about doing innovative things in the classroom as teachers and administrators. Stacey...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does PodcastPD have?
PodcastPD currently has 197 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is PodcastPD about?
Join AJ Bianco and Christopher J. Nesi as they explore professional development for educators, featuring expert insights on teaching strategies, technology integration, and educational policy.
How often does PodcastPD release new episodes?
PodcastPD publishes regularly with 197 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to PodcastPD?
You can listen to PodcastPD on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts PodcastPD?
PodcastPD is created and hosted by Christopher J. Nesi & AJ Bianco.
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