PODCAST · education
We Can Do EPIC Things
by Carly Strauss and Lyndsey Bednar
Teaching is hard. As it turns out, we can do EPIC things. A podcast for people who love learning.
Episodes
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115. The One Where We Catch Up With Jakota
Jakota Wass is back and he has a new album out! We had a great time talking Jakota and hearing about the recording process, what’s next, and a flashback Halloween costume that will definitely make you laugh! 🤠
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114. The One With Scarselli Elementary
Our first school episode of the season! In this episode, we talk with Blaine Spires (principal at SES) along with students and staff about the great things that come with combining schools, the challenges, and the fun events happening at Scarselli!
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113. The One With the Science of Reading
We are back with another informative episode and this week’s topic is The Science of Reading. We talk about how it’s a senate bill, the plan to train DCSD teachers, and what it looks like for all teachers. Listen and learn about how it’s actually not one more thing on your plate!
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112. The One With the NEPF Redesign
Have you been hearing things about a new NEPF? Are you curious about the details of the NEPF redesign? We’ve got you. In this episode, we go over the changes and also the things that haven’t changed. Spoiler alert: there is a lot that has not changed! Tune in to hear about the Nevada Educator...
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111. The One With Main Street Gardnerville
This episode is full of so much information about our very own Gardnerville, Nevada! We talk with Jen Tune, Executive Director of Main Street Gardnerville, about the history of the town, upcoming events, and how teachers can get their students involved.
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110. The One With Empower
This week we have returning guest Leslie Peters with us to discuss what empowerment looks like to her and how it came to be our district theme. Stay tuned for the end for our hot tip of the week!
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109. The One With This or That
Recess or lunch? English or History? In this episode, we do a brief catch up about summer and give updates on a few this happening this fall. Tune in to hear our hot tip about how to design learning for your students using a quick and easy this or that!
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108. The One With a Welcome Back Message
We are back with season 4! In this episode, Superintendent Alvarado joins us with a welcome back message to kick off a new school year. This year’s theme is Empower and we hope to bring you episodes throughout season 4 that make you feel empowered as an educator (along with some laughter and joy)!
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107. BONUS! The One Where We Graduate 🎓
BONUS! We couldn’t end the year without doing a final catch up with the cousins! Hear them share their most influential person, highlight senior events, and what they are most excited/nervous for in the fall on their next adventure. We sure are going to miss them and wish them the best of luck on...
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106. The One Where We Follow Up and Finish Up
In our final episode of season 3, we spend some time debriefing our conversation with Grace Dearborn and talking classroom strategies that are easy to implement. We will be back in August with a new season! Have a great summer☀️
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105. The One With Grace Dearborn
Grace Dearborn is on the pod! This is a MUST listen. We had the best time talking with Grace about her teaching career, systems and structures in the classrooms, and her new book coming out April 30th called The Rules of Engagement (you need this book). Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned...
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104. The One With Hot Air For Hope
Hot Air for Hope is coming up May 15-17! In this episode, we talk with Amanda Johnson about all things Hot Air for Hope and she gives us insight on how it all came to be and details of the event. It is such a great event and if you’re free the weekend of the 15th, please attend!
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103. The One Where We Fly Drones
Did you know our district has a drone team?! In this episode, we talk about with Joe Sherych and one of his cadets about the drone team at DHS. We learn about how they acquired the drones, practicing, and what competition looks like. You’ll be shocked at how the competitions are structured....
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102. The One With The Parent Expo
ATTENTION: Pau-Wa-Lu is hosting a Parent Expo on April 7th from 5:00-7:30pm for anyone interested in learning more about pre-teens and teenagers. This special evening is designed to support families as they navigate the unique challenges of parenting adolescents in today’s world. Listen to learn...
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101. The One That Rocks
This episode rocks! In this episode , we talk with Roger Cramer about all things rocks. You will learn so many fun facts about rocks and how to join the Great Basin Gem and Mineral Club. 🪨
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100. The One Where We Turn 100
Can you believe we have recorded 100 episodes?! We had so much fun recording this episode with our new hires. In this episode, we asked our new hires for their two truths and a lie and just like every other episode, we very rarely guess correctly! Listen as you get to know our new hires a little...
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99. The One With The News Crew
Did you know that C.C. Meneley has a weekly news show produced by students? In this episode, we talk with Kelly McCue, the news crew advisor, and the students who run the show and learn about all the inner workings!
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98. The One Where We Are Keeping Up With The Cousins
The cousins are back! In this episode, we do a mid-year check in with the cousins on highlights from the first semester and plans for next year. You won’t want to miss the part where we ask them about things from our childhood such as the yellow pages, pagers, and collect calls.
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97. The One With The Science Of Hope
We are back from our break with the science of hope. In this episode we revisit what it means to have hope and give you some good strategies to implement in your classroom.
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96. The One Where We Are Short And Sweet
This is a short and sweet episode to let you know we are taking a break. We will return at the end of February with our regularly scheduled shows. Thank you for your understanding.
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95. The One Where We Prevent, Teach, and Reinforce
Have you been hearing people talk about the PTR process? Are you curious about what it is, who does it, and why it is used? This episode answers all of those questions! We talk with the Office of Inclusive Ed about the ins and outs of PTR and take a deeper dive into their spring in-service class.…
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94. The One Where We’re Back
Happy New Year! ✨To kick off the new year, we are sharing our Spotify wrapped and taking a dive into the spring in service classes being offered by the Professional Development Center. Stay tuned for the email with links to register!
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93. The One With The Life Changer of the Year Award Nomination
Melissa Bays, CLS Teacher at PWLMS, has been nominated for a very prestigious award! She has been nominated for the National Life Group Life Changer of the Year award and it is very well deserved. We talk with her about the nomination, her classroom, and we even talk with one of her students…
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92. The One With Silver Belle
For the first time in Nevada history, the Capitol’s Christmas tree was chosen from right here in Northern Nevada. In this episode you’ll learn everything you need to know about Silver Belle (the name of the tree) from two local celebrities! If you’re interested, a PBS special about Silver Belle...
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91. The One With The Grinch
We are back with students to bring some holiday cheer! In this episode we hear from kindergarten students in Colleen Kings class about how they would make the grinch smile. We hope this episode makes you smile!
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90. The One Where We Are Thankful 2025
Our first grade friends are back! In this episode, Minden Elementary students in Stacia Almeida and Jenny Hemsath’s class share with us what they are thankful for. This episode is a must listen and will warm your heart! ❤️ We hope you all have a restful Thanksgiving break and thanks for listening.
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89. The One Where We Run 100 Miles
This week we are highlighting Lyndsey’s recent journey of running a 100 mile ultramarathon. We talk about everything from training, fueling for 22 hours, hallucinations, and why anyone would ever choose to run this far! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just here for the story, this episode…
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88. The One With DST
In this episode, we sit down with the owners of DST Coffee, Jake and Amanda, who share their journey from growing up in Douglas County to their success as small business owners. We chat about their favorite drinks, their inspiration for opening up their shop, and how their school experiences…
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87. The One Where We Dive Into The Deep End
We are live from The Carson Valley Swim Center! In this episode we talk with Shannon Harris, Director of the Carson Valley Swim Center and learn about all the epic things at the swim center. The swim center has an incredible partnership with our school district and so many other businesses in the...
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86. The One Where We Drop Eggs
Our first kid episode of season 3! In this episode, we talk with Alicia Hill’s 5th grade students at CCMES about their egg drop science project. They share how they worked together, had to understand velocity and gravity, and the outcome of dropping their egg drop different heights. Happy listening!
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85. The One Where We Honor Your Time (The Contingency Day Edition)
Great news- all your burning questions about the MOU and contingency days are answered! In this episode, we talk with Superintendent Frankie Alvarado and DCPEA President Karen Lamb about the Flexible Work Days Memorandum of Understanding. We highly recommend giving this one a listen!
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84. The One With The Life of a Showgirl
We had to pause our regularly scheduled programming to bring you an episode dedicated to Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl! As you know, we are Swifties and we couldn’t possibly talk all things T.S. without the biggest Swiftie in Douglas County, Emma Archbold (kindergarten teacher…
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83. The One Where We Are Engaging
Hailey Sebahar is back! In this episode, we catch up with Hailey on all things family and parent engagement in our district such as ParentSquare and upcoming DPAC meetings. We also chat with her about Foothill Market, a new market that her and husband, Casey, opened in Genoa. Make sure check it...
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82. The One Where MES Celebrates 30 Years!
MES is 30 years old! 🥳 In this episode, Lauren Spires helps me cohost as we talk with former and current principals, teachers, and student about all the wonderful things at MES. Enjoy!
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81. The One Where We Inspire Hope
Our district theme for the 25-26 school year is inspiring hope. We brought back some returning guests from Ed Services to share more about the district vision, goals for the year and what it means to have hope. Listen as we catch up with Shannon Brown and Leslie Peters, learn new fun facts about...
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80. The One Where We Throw It Back To The 80’s
Can you believe we’ve made 80 episodes?! We loved revisiting the 80’s and talking about how different schools were back then. We really appreciate you all tuning in for 3 seasons and stay tuned for more fun episodes ☺️
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79. The One Where We Are Seniors
Let’s just start by saying that Carly and Lyndsey have rizz. If you’re not sure what this means, stay tuned because we have all the secrets from high school students on the latest terms! In this episode we talk with 4 DHS seniors about their favorite memories, plans for post graduation, and a fun...
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78. The One Where We Didn’t Break The Internet, Again
We don’t know what it is, but there’s something about this pod and Taylor Swift making announcements! In this episode, we give a brief overview of all our in service classes offered for recent or salary credit. Listen to get a quick preview before signs ups come out on Thursday.
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77. The One Where We Didn’t Break The Internet
We. Are. Back. We had a few technical difficulties, but the tech department (Carly and Lyndsey) were able to get season 3 up and running! In this episode we do a summer recap and chat with the new members of PDC. This would have been the number one podcast last Wednesday if we could have aired…
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76. The One Where We Sell Books
Our first grade friends are back! In this feel good episode, students from Stacia Almeida’s class read books they wrote for their Young Authors project with a Melinda Neilander. Enjoy!
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75. The One With a New Set of Projects
Tara Auld’s CVMS students are back with another project. This time we learn so many fun facts about ancient China… who knew The Great Wall of China was so long!
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74. The One Where We Co-Host a Conference, Part 2
We are back with the long awaited part 2 from the Modern Learning Conference. In this episode we catch up with the nominees and learn about the great things happening at their schools and in their classrooms.
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73. The One With An Introduction
Introducing the newest member of PDC… April Crandall! In this episode, we learn about April’s journey to teaching and other interesting facts about her life. Happy listening!
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72. The One With Katie Martin
Live from New York, it’s Katie Martin! 🗽While in New York City at The Learning and the Brain Conference, we had the pleasure of talking to author, educator, and Chief Impact Officer at Learner-Centered Collaborative, Katie Martin. Listen as we talk about modern high schools, personalized…
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71. The One With Hot Dogs
This week we have the legend herself, Shari Chappell! Shari is an avid listener and since we have heard so much about the Hot Dog of the Week, we had to learn more about it! She explains how it started and how the tradition is still going strong. 🌭
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70. The One Where We Build Hope
In this episode, we talk about the new GPA and how it is a more robust predictor of student success! We talk about the science of hope and what it looks like in the classroom. ✨
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69. The One Where We Finish Our First Year
This is a good one! In this episode, teachers new to our district (Teacher Academy) share advice and what they have learned in their first year in Douglas County Schools. They offer great reminders to all of us about making connections, giving ourselves grace, and always making sure you have a...
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68. The One Where We Are On A Mission
In this episode, we talk with Amanda Simon (inclusive education teacher at DHS) about her EPIC classroom. Listen as Amanda explains her pathway to teaching and how she creates an EPIC learning environment for her students. We are so glad she committed to our school district!
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67. The One With Fawn Nguyen
Fawn Nguyen is here! She is a leader in the math education and you won’t believe her opening story (she should write a book). Listen as we talk all things math including a number talk in live time!
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66. The One Where We Do A Project
We are back! In this episode, we talk with Pam Ertel, 3rd grade teacher at Minden Elementary, and her students about the different projects they have done this year. We loved hearing students explain their projects and how much they love making their school a better place!
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Teaching is hard. As it turns out, we can do EPIC things. A podcast for people who love learning.
HOSTED BY
Carly Strauss and Lyndsey Bednar
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does We Can Do EPIC Things have?
We Can Do EPIC Things currently has 116 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is We Can Do EPIC Things about?
Teaching is hard. As it turns out, we can do EPIC things. A podcast for people who love learning.
How often does We Can Do EPIC Things release new episodes?
We Can Do EPIC Things publishes regularly with 116 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to We Can Do EPIC Things?
You can listen to We Can Do EPIC Things 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 We Can Do EPIC Things?
We Can Do EPIC Things is created and hosted by Carly Strauss and Lyndsey Bednar.
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