All Episodes
ChildCare Conversations with Kate and Carrie — 390 episodes
378: The Hidden Cost of Not Investing in Your Best Teachers With Erica Saccoccio
377: How One Childcare Operator Scaled to 21 Schools Without the Tech Chaos With Dr. Jason Lody
376: The Onboarding Mistake that Makes New Childcare Staff Quit Fast with Marie Young
375: 3 Questions That Reveal What a Child Really Needs With Stephanie Corley
374: Why Childcare Directors Need Training Before They Can Lead a Center
373: 5 Ways Early Educators Can Lead With Confidence and Clarity with Jessica Van Hoose
372: You Can’t Have a Yes Without a Why With Carla Ward
371: Finding Your Fire in Early Childhood Education with LaTroya of The Preschool Posse
370: Game-Changers for Managing Staff Training and Compliance in Childcare with Cindy Morgan
369: Are You Really Preparing Your Early Childhood Staff or Just Checking Boxes?
368: The Greatest Career Moves for Longtime Early Childhood Leaders With Erica Saccoccio
367: What’s the Real Problem Holding Your Childcare Center Back? With Danielle Credeur
366: The Greatest Secrets to Managing Change and Growing Your Childcare Center with Confidence with Cindy Morgan
365: How Can Women Lead Boldly Without Apology in Early Childhood Education? With Amy Cowan
364: The Surprising Truth About Vendor Hall Swag, Discounts, and Building Genuine Relationships with Alisha Kriege
363: The Secret to Recruiting College Students and Spouses Who Turn Into Lifelong Educators with Jennifer Clements
362: The Hidden Financial Impact of Quality Ratings Nobody Tells You About with Coach Rae
361: Why Childcare Owners Need Formal Management Training — Or Risk Burnout With Laura Biederman
360: The Most Crucial Ingredient for Quality Childcare Staffing Revealed
359: From Sticky Notes to Streamlined Success: Revolutionize Childcare Enrollment with Tech! With Robert Rodriguez
358: The Greatest Wellness Secrets Every Family Childcare Provider Needs to Know With Annette Eberhardt
357: Are You Choosing the Right School Supplies to Boost Your Early Childhood Program? With Tom Melhorn
356: How Can Early Childhood Education and Performing Arts Build Confidence in Kids? With Vineeta Bhandari
355: The Greatest Tool for Building Parent Trust in Early Childhood Education with Jamie Selig
354: Struggling to Find and Keep Great Early Childhood Staff? Here’s What You Need to Know with Crystal Johnston
353: Want Happier Staff and Happier Parents? Here’s How Babysitting Connection Makes It Happen with Beth Heyer
352: Pod Swap with The Early Years Exchange with Dr. Jason Lody: Leadership Stability and Capacity
351: Do You Really Need a Playscape to Create an Amazing Outdoor Space? With Alisha
350: The Most Impactful Keynotes in Early Childhood Conferences: Why They Matter
349: Can Music Really Transform Early Childhood Learning and Behavior? With Debbie Clement
348: Feeling Overwhelmed? How Can Childcare Leaders Beat Decision Fatigue?
347: The Most Effective Mindset Shifts for Coaching Challenging Early Childhood Teams With Prerna Richards
346: Are You Waiting Too Long to Make Tough Staffing Decisions?
345: The Best Marketing Strategies That Actually Fill Your Childcare Center with Pietro of BRIT Childcare
344: Are You Using Your Childcare Center’s Data to Its Full Potential?
343: What’s It Like Growing Up Literally Inside a Childcare Center? With Jonathan Pearce
Bonus Episode: The Greatest Lessons on Leadership and Connection from “Devil Wears Prada 2”
342: Are You Making Too Many Reactive Decisions in Your Childcare Leadership?
341: The Greatest Secrets from a Former State Licensing Consultant With Ronnae Williams
340: How Is Whitney McCrory Fighting Oklahoma’s Childcare Crisis?
339: The Most Innovative Childcare Funding Strategy You Haven’t Heard About Yet With Barbara Tedrow
338: How Can You Successfully Finance Your Childcare Center? With Dr. Mia Young
337: Struggling with Staff Retention? Here’s What Every Childcare Director Needs to Know!
336: Is Staff Appreciation Week Really Enough to Keep Your Childcare Team Happy?
335: Walk, Notice, Appreciate: The Secret to a Happy Childcare Team
334: The Best Ways to Celebrate Your Childcare Team!
333: How Can Early Childhood Leaders Shift Their Focus from Problems to Positives?
332: How Can Childcare Directors Show Genuine Appreciation to Their Staff? You're Probably Doing it Wrong
331: How Can Childcare Centers Boost Enrollment and Communication Effectively? With Jared Hall
330: Are Personal Phones in Childcare Classrooms a Hidden Danger?
329: The Best Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Preschool Graduation Ceremony With Allie Guinn
328: The Best Marketing Partnership Ideas for Childcare Centers!
327: How Can Boost Help Teachers in Financial Crisis? Podcasthon 2026 Episode
326: Ditch the Decorative Bookshelf: How to Use Leadership Books for Real Growth!
325: The Importance of Social-Emotional Development in Early Education With Sharon Burnett
324: The Greatest Benefits of Collaboration Between Home-Based and Licensed Child Care!
323: How Can Mentorship Transform Your Journey in Early Childhood Education? With Meghan Cornwell
322: The Greatest Communication Pitfalls Between Childcare Owners and Directors
321: Navigating Childcare Differences: A Chat with Fiona Webb on Best Practices
320: How Can Childcare Centers Thrive Without Financial Bailouts?
319: How Can Daily Leadership Check-Ins Transform Your Multi-Site Childcare Program? With Chris Mabasa
318: Unlocking the Secrets to Engaging and Effective Childcare Training
317: How Does Your Classroom Environment Shape Young Minds? With Zlata Stankovic-Ramirez
316: The Best Strategies to Combat Burnout in Childcare Leadership!
315: The Best Branding Strategies to Boost Your Childcare Enrollment with Ruth Ann Rose!
314: Is Childcare in Crisis? Understanding the Urgent Challenges Facing Providers Today
313: How Can Childcare Providers Unlock Hidden Funding Opportunities? With Logan Holley
312: How Can We Transform Families into Co-Pilots in Early Childhood Education? With Erica of Childcare Directors Chair
311: Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women Leading the Way in Early Education With Jaime Rechkemmer
310: How Nonprofits and Private Programs Can Collaborate for School-Aged Success! With Tyler and Autumn
309: How Can AI Transform Communication in Childcare? With Kaila Linder
308: Are You Missing Out on Tax Savings for Your Childcare Center? With David Encarnacion
307: Protecting Your Childcare Business: The Ultimate Guide to Insurance with Samantha Phillips
306: Are You Ready to Kickstart Your 2026 with Confidence in Childcare Leadership?
305: Building Strong Connections in Early Childhood Leadership With Lori Buxton
304: How Can Home-Based Childcare Providers Thrive in a Competitive Landscape? With Jerletha McDonald
303: How Can We Reclaim the Power of Play in Early Childhood Education? With Denita Dinger
302: Advocacy, Family Dynamics, and Business Strategies for Success! With Tim Kaminski
301: How Can We Transform Early Childhood Education with STEAM? With Susie Beghin
300! Let's Transform Your Team With Beth Cannon
299: How Can We Elevate the Perception of Early Childhood Educators? With Tym The Trainer
298: Empowering Young Mothers Through Childcare and Education With Nancy Sylvester
297: How Can We Transform Childcare to Support Families and Communities? With Crystal Campbell
296: The Greatest Superpower for Early Childhood Directors: Emotional Intelligence
295: The Best Strategies for Navigating Child Care Management Challenges with Rob and Amanda
294: How Can Technology Transform Your Child Care Center? With Latrice Galloway
293: The Best Strategies for Boosting Staff Compliance in Early Childhood Education with Cindy Morgan
292: Professional Development Made Easy (and Free!): Exploring Early Childhood Investigations with Hannah
291: From Enrollment to Engagement: Strategies for Thriving Amidst Universal Pre-K
290: How Can Child Care Directors Tackle Staffing Challenges Head-On?
289: Why Professional Associations Matter: SECA’s Story with Judy Prine
288: Navigating the Yellow Brick Road of Childcare Leadership: Insights from Rachel Supalla
287: How to Build a Manageable Leadership Team in Your Child Care Center
286: How Can Mystery Shopping Transform Your Child Care Center? With Joanna and Marie
285: From Chaos to Clarity: Transform Your Child Care Center with Effective Systems! With Dr. Andrea Dickerson
284: How Can Music Transform Early Childhood Education? With Red Grammer
283: How Can Intentional Communication Transform Your Child Care Center? With Julie Martinez
282: Are You a Micromanager? How to Transition from Teacher to Empowered Leader in Child Care!
281: Unlocking Enrollment: How Incentives Can Drive Success in Your Center with Dr. Jason Lody
280: The Best Software Solution for Child Care Centers: A Family Story with Tamar Andrews
279: Mentorship, Marketing, and a Little Magic: How Chelyn Butts Achieved Childcare Success
Bonus Episode: Podcasting and Parenting: How Two Leaders Are Changing the Conversation! With Jessica and Katy
278: How Can Onsite Childcare Transform Your Workplace? With Jeanette and Christy
277: Are You Missing Appointments? Tips for Better Calendar Management in Childcare!
276: How Can Outdoor Learning Transform Early Childhood Education? With Shelby Adamson
275: How Can You Build a Family Legacy in Childcare with Lily Lugo
274: Is Authority in Early Childhood Leadership About Being Bossy or Brave?
273: How Can You Transform Your Childcare Center with Creative Staffing Solutions? With Cindy Lehnhoff
272: Meet the Hosts of Childcare Conversations! Hijacked Episode with Erica Saccoccio
271: The Greatest Comfort: Why Loveys Matter in Early Childhood with Diane Goyette
270: How Can Event-Based Childcare Transform Your Business? With Hope King
269: How Can Child Care Leaders Make Confident Decisions Under Pressure?
268: How Can Child Care Centers Thrive Amid Budget Cuts and Challenges? With Bianca and Trina
267: How Can Podcasting Transform Your Child Care Program? With Yulonda Smith
266: Unleash the Power of Play: Why Big Body Play is a Game Changer with Trevor Newton
265: The Best Ways to Combine Play and Literacy for Early Learners with Melissa McCall
264: Awareness months and connecting with community
263: How Can Collaboration Transform Your Childcare Business? With Noelle D'Intino
262: Unlocking the Power of Self-Regulation in Early Childhood Education With Dr. Teri DeLucca
261: The Dynamic Duo of ChildMYnder: Lessons in Love, Business, and Adaptability!
260: The Best Strategies for Building Emotional Connections with Kids! With Diane Goyette
259: Embrace Your Unique Leadership Style and Inspire Your Team
258: The Best Strategies for Financial Health in Early Childhood Education with Kathy Ligon
257: How Can We Transform Childcare for Children with Special Needs? With Carson Wagner
256: Building a Childcare Empire: Princess's Inspiring Journey in Early Education.
255: Your Childcare Center is More Than Just a 'Daycare'
254: The Comprehensive Guide to Compliance in Early Education! With Lynn Wenger
253: Get Ready for the Born To Teach Conference with Latrice Galloway
252: The Greatest Challenges Facing Childcare Today with Dr Jamalynn Lewis
251: The Best Strategies for Engaging and Retaining Childcare Staff with Vernon Mason Jr.
250! Our Best Tips for Your Childcare Center 🌟
249: How Mentorship Can Elevate Your Childcare Program with Tafta Miller
248: Creating Safe and Engaging Playgrounds with Alisha Kriege
247: Balancing Enrollment and Staff Retention in Childcare with Chanie Wilschanski
246: Become Prepared for the Unexpected: How to Create an Oh Sh*t Fund
245: How to Integrate Play-Based Learning with STEM: a Conversation with Karly
244: Is Your Childcare Software Helping or Hurting? Learn More with Sasha and Daniel of Playground
243: Building Community Connections in Childcare with Jordan and Christy
242: How Can We Balance Staff Accountability and Empathy in Childcare?
Bonus Episode: Together We Grow with Prerna and Laura
241: Read our New Book! "I Got This! Leadership Blueprint"
240: Finding Joy as a Childcare Director With Heather White
239: Ready to Open Your Own Childcare Center! With Shannon Black with SCORE
238: Ditch the Dull: Playful Training: Ron Shuali
237: Thriving Through Chaos: Gabrielle Wheeler's Journey
236: Childcare Center Finances: Forecasting for Success
235: Safety and Licensing best practices with Tracy Nardo
Bonus: Financial Resilience with government freeze
234: Empowering Diverse Voices in ECE with Kelly Ramsey
233: Competing with Public Pre-K & Thriving
232: Boosting Enrollment with Seceet Shopping: Chelsea Reue
231: Enrollment Hacks: Practical Tips
Happy New Year!
Happy Holidays!
230: Building or Remodeling with Daniel Turner
Bonus:Self-Care for Educators: An Early Ed Conversation
229: Delegate, Communicate, Grow with Nick Williams
228: Navigating the Insurance Maze: Blake Sanders' Tips
227: Boost Enrollment: Practical Marketing Strategies on a Budget
226: Enrollment Success: Tracking, Tours & Scripts
225: Salaried Doesn't Mean Exempt: Labor Law Tips
224: Childcare Conferences: Tips for Attendees & Vendors
223: Onboarding to Retention: InspireCare 360's Tips
222: Reflect, Plan, Thrive: Strategic Planning
221: The Best Way to Tame Your Monkeys: The History of Monkeys and Childcare Conversations
220: From Teacher to Director: Your Path to Making a Bigger Impact!
219: How Can We Advocate for Early Childhood Education in Our Communities? With Super Friend Kimberly Holiday
218: Is Expanding Your Child Care Business to Multiple Locations the Right Move?
217: How Can Strategic Partnerships Transform Your Childcare Center? with Ericca Saccoccio of The Child Care Directors Chair Podcast
216: From Oh Shit to I Got This: A Journey of Resilience and Empowerment with Kate Woodward Young!
215: From "Oh Sh*t" to "I Got This": Navigating the Wild World of Entrepreneurship With Carrie Casey!
214: How Can We Ignite Staff Engagement in Early Childhood Education?
Episode 213: Are You Ready to Transition from Childcare Director to Center Owner?
Episode 212: The Best Strategies for Building a Thriving Childcare Team With Sara Schreiner
Episode 211: 5 Tips for Creating a Supportive and Productive Work Environment for Childcare Staff
Episode 210: What are Kate and Carrie up to and how can they help you?
209: Navigating the Balance: Ensuring Quality Care with Sustainable Tuition Increases
Episode 208: The Most Important Considerations for Administering Medication in Childcare
Episode 207: How Can Pre-Service Training Improve Staff Success in Childcare?
Episode 206: Breaking Barriers: Male Teachers' Impact in Early Childcare with Christian Muraira
Episode 205: How Can Directors Ensure Smooth Operations While on Vacation?
Episode 204: The Most Comprehensive Leadership Training for Early Childhood Educators With Super Friend Summer Picha
Episode 203: When the Boss is Out: Managing a Childcare Center Without Losing Your Mind
Episode 202: The Childcare Staffing Dilemma: Finding the Right Fit for Summer Employment
Episode 201: What Insurance Coverage Does Your Child Care Program Need?
Episode 200: Understanding Child Care Insurance: Navigating Liability, Abuse Claims, and More
Episode 199: How Can Certification Programs Support Early Childhood Educators in Coaching and Mentoring?
198: The Most Innovative Business Models for Childcare Programs
197: Is Expanding Your Child Care Center the Right Move for You?
Episode 196: Engaging with Legislators and Building Community Relationships
Episode 195: Empowering Child Care Centers: A Practical Guide to Advocacy
Episode 194: The Most Effective Strategies for Advocating in the Texas Child Care Industry
Episode 193: Why is Advocacy Essential in the Child Care Industry?
Episode 192: How Can Child Care Centers Prevent Poisoning Risks?
Episode 191: Planning and Marketing Summer Programs: Tips for Reaching Potential Clients
Episode 190: Spring Conference Season
Episode 189: How Can Childcare Directors Build Positive Relationships with Licensing Representatives?
Episode 188: The Most Effective Strategies for Navigating Licensing Inspections
Episode 187: The Most Essential Tips for Setting Up an Infant Classroom
Episode 186: How to Start a Childcare Center in Texas
Episode 185: The Most Effective Strategies for Navigating Insurance Hurdles in Child Care Programs
Episode 184: How Can We Keep Kids Entertained on Rainy Days at your Childcare Center?
Episode 183: Navigating After School Program Regulations: Insights and Strategies
Episode 182: Unleashing Your Potential: The Ultimate Childcare Director Retreat
Episode 181: The most effective strategies for addressing developmental concerns in children.
Episode 180: From Overwhelm to Celebration: Making December Manageable in Childcare
Episode 179: Why are retreats essential for business leaders in the childcare industry?
178: Coaching for directors: Helping you become a better manager and owner
Episode 177: Expanding Horizons: Supporting Spanish-Speaking Directors Beyond Texas
Episode 176: Unleashing the Power of Social Media with Jeanna Warriner
Episode 175: The Best Strategies for Efficiently Delegating Holiday Tasks
Episode 174: Are You Trying to Do Too Many Things at Once?
Episode 173: Should staff members be classified as employees or independent contractors?
Episode 172: Overcoming Fear in Your Child Care Business
Episode 171: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents: "98 Things Your Childcare Teacher Wants You to Know"
Episode 170: Building your Teams
Episode 169: Staffing - It's not kids these days
Episode 168: Workplace Culture: The Message Your Program Gives
Episode 167: Licensing Updates Fall 2023
Episode 166: Disaster Preparedness
Episode 165: Becoming a Director
Episode 164: Hiring Men
Episode 163: The 4 F's of Registration
Episode 162: Gossip Be Gone - Minimizing Gossip Among Your Staff
Episode 161: Life Update and Monkey Poo
Bonus Episode: In a Barbie World
Episode 160: What is Coaching
Episode 159: Why To Be A Trainer
Episode 158: Are You Ready to Buy or Sell a Child Care Center? with our Super Friend Neal
Episode 157: Vacation Planning
Episode 156: Taking Staff to Conferences
Episode 155: Are Paper Planners the Secret to Child Care Success? With Vickie Maertz
Episode 154: To Call or Not to Call
Episode 153: Staff Diversity
Episode 152: Spouses Point-of-View With Chris Casey!
Episode 151: Secret Marketing Tool
Episode 150: What to look for in online training
Episode 149: Should There Be A Childcare Center Here?
Episode 148: Marketing and Sales
Episode 147: Be Financially Ready
Episode 146: Meet Erica - Super Director and Trainer
Episode 145: Buy or Rent
Episode 144: Building a reputation using just a name
Episode 143: The Best Strategies to Combat Overwhelm in Early Childhood Leadership with Prerna Richards
Episode 143: Minimum Standards
Episode 142: Beg, Barter, or Steal
Episode 141: Author Visits
Episode 140: Emergency Seasons
Episode 139: When Someone Breaks Up With You
Episode 138: What is Artemis Afraid of?
Episode 137: Summer Planning: Doing it a Little Bit Different!
Episode 136: Hands on STEM with Karly Cummins
Episode 135: Get Your Staff Certifications! (& make $$)
Episode 134: How Can Dramatic Play Transform Early Childhood Education? with Re'Shaun Webb
Episode 133: How We Got Here
Episode 132: The Word of the Year
Episode 131: Branding with Dr. April Willis
Episode 130: As Easy as 123
Episode 129: Getting & Using Reviews
Episode 128: Shiny Object Syndrome
Episode 127: Advocacy
Episode 126: Accreditation Part 2
Episode 125: How to keep people from poaching your staff
Episode 124: Observing Kids
Episode 123: Observations
Episode 122: Practical Diversity
Episode 121: Animals and Your Program
Episode 120: What's in a Name?
Episode 119: Quiet Quitting
Episode 118: More than Sesame Street
Episode 117: Ooops: What If It Is You?
Episode 116: Ooops: When a Teacher Gets Hurt
Episode 115: Ooops: When a Kid Goes Down
Episode 114: Observation for a Better Program
Episode 113: Tiger Time
Episode 112: Staff Training Part 2
Episode 111: Annual Training Plan
Episode 110: Feed Your Soul With Screaming
Episode 109: Enrollment Shock and Awe
Episode 108: Interviewing For Your Leadership Team
Episode 107: Nailing Your Interview: Getting the Job
Episode 106: Taming Your Childcare Monkeys!
Episode 105: Our Course Offerings
Episode 104: T-Shirts!
Episode 103: Audio Book Training
Episode 102: Working With Family
Episode 101: Keep on Truckin'!
100th Episode!
Episode 99: Parent days!
Episode 98: Summer Time Snacks
Episode 97: When Parents Go on Vacation
Episode 96: Cheap Food
Episode 95: Becoming Emergency Ready
Episode 94: Mailing Now! Part 2 of Mailing List Marketing
Episode 93: Mailing What? Part 1 of Mailing List Marketing
Episode 92: Nutrition Month!
Episode 91: Getting it Right
Episode 90: Emergency Preparedness Monkeys
89: Finding the Joy and Balance
Episode 88: Are Your Tax Monkeys Handled?
Episode 87: How to Get 100 True Fans
Episode 86: Self Care
Episode 85: Do Something New!
Episode 84: Staff hours
Episode 83: Staff Conferences
Episode 82: When Death Affects Your Center
Episode 81: Wonder Women Day! Plus Some Other Days
Episode 80: Staff Parties
Episode 79: How To Manage Your Monkeys
Episode 78: Help Us Out!
Episode 77: Building your Enrollment Team
Episode 76: Hosting a Fall Festival
Episode 75: Out of the Box Hiring
Episode 74: Fall Holidays
Episode 73: Baby Safety Month
Episode 72: Choosing a Trainer
Episode 71: Power Words
Episode 70: Newsletter How and Why
Vacation Fun!
Episode 69: How to Leave Work Early
Episode 68: Barefoot Days
Episode 67: Summer T-shirts
Episode 66: Easy Ways to Train Your Staff
Episode 65: Food Allergies Pt. 2
Episode 64: Hero Play
Episode 63: How to Write a Book
Episode 62: Advocacy
Episode 61: Staff Onboarding
Episode 60: Marketing Your Summer Program
Episode 59: Planning Your Summer Program
Episode 58: Staff Training 101
Episode 57: COVID-19 Year in Review
Episode 56: Loose Parts
Episode 55: Dramatic Play
Episode 54: What Makes a Family
Episode 53: Change Is Inevitable - Growth is Optional
Episode 52: Teacher Appreciation
Episode 51: Joining an Association
Episode 50: Valentines Day in Your Center
Episode 49: Follow Up and Follow Through
Episode 48: The World Blew Up
Episode 47: How Can Photography Transform Your Childcare Center's Story? with Josh Baker
Episode 46: Goal Setting
Episode 45: Reflections of 2020
Episode 44: Importance of Vacation
Episode 43: Social Media
Episode 42: Covid 2.0
Episode 41: How Can Childcare Centers Attract Media Attention and Engage Their Communities? With Amie King
Episode 40: Working with Different Generations
Episode 39: Winter Holiday Planning
Episode 38: January Enrollment Planning
Episode 37: Diversify Your Income Stream
Episode 36: Learning Pods
Episode 35: Not My Monkey Part 2 - Rules
Episode 34: Not My Monkey Part 1
Episode 33: Growing Your Program
Episode 32: Pumpkin and Fall Art
Episode 31: Celebrating Staff
Episode 30: If They Quit - Now What?
Episode 29: When It's Time to Say Goodbye to Staff
Episode 28: When the Sh*t Hits the Fan
Episode 27: Handbooks and Standard Operating Procedure
Episode 26: Sharpen the Saw
Episode 25: School Partnership
Episode 24: Parents and the School Day
Episode 23: Taking the Classroom Outdoors
Episode 22: Scripts for Tours & Phone Calls to Increase Enrollment
Episode 21: Parent Handbooks
Episode 20: Vacations - Tips and Suggestions for Planning
Episode 19: What Now? School District Calendars
Episode 18: Benefits and Free Child Care
Episode 17: Special Days - Pirate
Episode 16: Virtual Tours
Episode 15: Widening Your Circle
Episode 14: Monkey Management
Episode 13: Building Your Team
Episode 12: Parties With Your Program Families
Episode 11: First Meeting Before You Open
Episode 10: Relaunch
Episode 9: 15 Projects Under $100
Episode 8: The Art of Playdough
Episode 7: What's Next? Covid-19 won't last forever.
Episode 6: Food Allergies
Episode 5: Your Kitchen
Episode 4: What Staff Can Do When They Can't Be In The Classroom
Bonus Episode: T-shirts - The Marketing Secret
Episode 3: Location, Location, Location
Episode 2: Curbappeal
1:Delegate with confidence
Bonus Episode: When everything goes wrong