PodcastPD

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 education feels broken—and why quick fixes and political talking points miss the point.The conversation dives into student engagement, burnout, technology overload, cell phone policies, professional development, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Rather than offering silver bullets, Chris and AJ focus on what is within educators’ control: mindset, instructional choices, leadership decisions, and how we grow as professionals. This episode sets the tone for a thoughtful, honest series focused on meaningful, sustainable change—one classroom and one school at a time.Key Topics DiscussedWhat people really mean when they say “education is broken”The post-pandemic reality vs. the promise of changeStudent apathy, grit, and cognitive enduranceTeachers caught between engagement and exhaustionAdministrators navigating mandates, data, and human needsThe pendulum swing of educational technologyCell phone bans, Chromebooks, handwriting, and balanceWhy professional development needs a resetWhat educators can actually control right nowGrowth mindset, experimentation, and learning out loudWhat Are We Listening to?AJ: The Mindset Mentor podcast, hosted by Rob Dial.AJ describes it as a mindset and personal growth podcast that blends psychology, neuroscience, habit-building, and goal setting, and notes that he’s been especially into recent episodes focused on preparing for 2026, habits, anxiety, and self-improvement.Chris: Instead of a traditional podcast recommendation this month, Chris is spotlighting a daily short-form video series he’s been creating throughout January focused entirely on how to start a podcast.

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, and setting boundaries in a busy educational environment. Listeners will gain valuable strategies to combat burnout, improve communication, and foster a more productive culture within their schools.Topics Discussed:Techniques for Enhancing Productivity in Education:Rich emphasizes the need for school leaders to adopt effective strategies that emerged particularly during the pandemic. He discusses how educators are often overwhelmed by numerous responsibilities, which can lead to burnout. The conversation emphasizes the importance of prioritizing essential tasks and refining processes to foster a more productive environment.Addressing Common Pain Points for School Leaders:Throughout the episode, Rich identifies specific pain points that many school leaders face, such as managing an overwhelming influx of emails and addressing the myriad requests from staff and students. He suggests that school leaders recognize these challenges and prioritize their time by setting boundaries, such as designated times for checking email.The Importance of Delegation and Creating a Supportive School Culture:Rich advocates for the power of delegation as a means of reducing workload and empowering others within the school environment. He discusses how school leaders can and should share responsibilities with staff and even students. This not only alleviates pressure on leaders but also fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration among the team.Strategies for Managing Email and Communication Effectively:Rich shares his "B.O.A.T." strategy—Blocked Off Answering Times—where he designates specific times in the day to focus on emails, allowing him to better manage interruptions and maintain productivity throughout the day. By doing this, he sets expectations for his communication style and encourages others, including staff and parents, to respect these boundaries.Insights from Rich's Book and Its Origins:Rich delves into the many strategies that were developed during his efforts to lead effectively in a challenging educational landscape marked by the pandemic.Creating a Vision for Work-Life Balance:Rich highlights the importance of fostering a culture that respects individual boundaries and promotes personal well-being. By advising school leaders to occasionally close their doors and protect their time, he highlights a crucial aspect of effective leadership—maintaining a healthy work-life balance for both themselves and their staff.What Are We Listening ToAJ: Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska & The Hand in the WindowChris: House of EdTech SmackDownRich: Cal Newport’s A Deep Life Podcast & How I Write

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 confessions to debates about deducting points for missing names, Chris and AJ bring their signature mix of humor, honesty, and professional insight to each post. They also tackle questions about AI tools for teachers, new educator struggles, and what happens when “a rich guy wants to be a teacher.” Whether you’re a veteran educator, a new teacher, or just curious about what really happens in schools, this conversation is equal parts entertaining and enlightening.Key Topics Discussed:Teacher burnout and finding balance in year fourThe role of AI in easing educator workloadEffective communication during parent-teacher conferencesAccountability vs. empathy in grading (the “no-name paper” debate)A millionaire’s dream: Should rich professionals become teachers?Tips for surviving the first year of teachingUsing time management and boundaries to avoid burnoutCommunity comments from live listeners and former studentsMentioned in Episode:Get PD certificates for listeningMilestone Events🧠 AJ’s “Elite Performance Coach” ChatGPT Prompt“From now on, you are my Elite Performance Coach. Your role is to help me optimize my daily habits, time management, and productivity like a top-performing leader in education. Ask clarifying questions to understand my goals, responsibilities, and schedule. Then, create realistic daily and weekly plans that prioritize focus, balance, and recovery. Hold me accountable with specific check-ins, and suggest tools or methods (like time blocking, reflection, or task batching) that align with my personality and workload. Keep your feedback direct, encouraging, and practical.”

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 strategies for bridging communication gaps, strengthening trust, and creating meaningful partnerships between parents, teachers, and administrators.From defining the difference between PTO and PTA to addressing challenges in high school parent engagement, this episode explores how school leaders can move beyond bake sales and truly leverage parent involvement to improve culture, communication, and community. Christina also offers actionable steps for principals and teachers to start, rebuild, or revitalize their own parent organizations.Key Topics Discussed:Understanding the difference between PTA and PTO organizationsWhy strong parent partnerships are vital for student successHow administrators can build and sustain relationships with PTOsCommon pitfalls in school-parent communication—and how to avoid themStrategies for creating a healthy PTO culture and setting boundariesThe evolution of parent involvement from elementary to high schoolHow educators can foster inclusivity, transparency, and collaborationResources Mentioned:PTOAnswers.comThe Principal’s Parent Group Playbook by Christina Hidek

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 confidently. She dives into the motivation behind her book, the importance of ethics, and why scenarios and discussions—not fear—are key to helping students use AI well.Listeners will learn practical ways to introduce AI concepts in any classroom, discover strategies for modeling ethical AI use, and explore why transparency and discussion matter more than ever. Plus, Kathy reveals her favorite AI tools, tips for overwhelmed teachers, and the behind-the-scenes story of her book cover design.Topics DiscussedThe inspiration behind Kathy’s book and why educators need AI literacy now.What AI literacy means and why it’s as critical as digital literacy.Scenarios and discussion prompts: engaging students in real-world AI dilemmas.How teachers can model ethical AI use in the classroom.Overcoming misconceptions and fears about AI.Graphic organizers and resources included in the book.Why transparency and modeling AI use is a game-changer for educators.Kathy’s personal favorite AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more.The story behind the symbolic book cover design.What We’re Listening ToMe Here, You There – Steve Somers’ legendary monologues and New York sports talk.The Mindset Advantage – JW Hillier on leadership, resilience, and personal growth.Teacher Nerdz Podcast – Educational conversations on maker spaces, STEM, global education, and more.