Teaching through Emotions: psychological strategies and resources for educators
Teaching through Emotions: psychological strategies and resources for educators

Teaching through Emotions: psychological strategies and resources for educators

Betsy Burris, PhD, MSW - Psychodynamic Coach & Education Expert

Overview
Episodes

Details

Teaching through Emotions is a Women Who Podcast award-winning podcast that provides a rare form of relief for educators. Hosted by Betsy Burris PhD, teacher educator and psychotherapist, the podcast looks at bad feelings and bad behavior as meaningful and useful. Through a psychodynamic lens, she unpacks how emotions influence student behavior and teacher mental health. If you’re struggling with classroom management, feeling the weight of burnout, or dealing with the "bad feelings" that come with high-stakes teaching, TTE offers the psychological strategies, tools, and resources you need to stay grounded. You also get to hear beyond-surface-level tips and unique takes during interviews with remarkable experts. Join us twice a month as we explore psychodynamic teaching, effective classroom management, strategies for teacher support and mental health, and authentic conversations about the guilt, judgment, and joy of teaching. Co-hosted by Joe Johnson, long-time Spanish teacher. Get full access and become a paid subscriber to Teaching through Emotions at [www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe]. Listen to build up your psychodynamic muscles by hearing about other brave teachers’ wins when they thought nothing, NOTHING, would change. www.teachingthroughemotions.com

Recent Episodes

The Frustrations of Having a Teaching Assistant: Managing the benefits and drawbacks
MAR 19, 2026
The Frustrations of Having a Teaching Assistant: Managing the benefits and drawbacks
<p>On the face of it, having a Teaching Assistant or any adult in the classroom is a boon, right? The more adults, the more expert help students can get, the better.</p><p>In theory, yes.</p><p>In practice, having a TA or an adult helper can feel like having too many chefs in the kitchen. Because it’s another person to manage — and that person is more likely to have ideas of their own about how to teach and manage students. Ideas that might not dovetail completely with the lead teacher’s. Which means more work for the lead teacher to either orient that adult every day or clean up after them. Or both.</p><p>In this episode, Joe and I talk with Sarah, a university Spanish teacher whose school has gifted her with a TA every semester for the past 10 years — and she’s still figuring out how to make the best use of the resource.</p><p><em>Listen now on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teaching-through-emotions/id1589863153"><strong><em>Apple Podcasts</em></strong></a><strong><em>, </em></strong><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1SHSUCix3g2TVeAUXlSFfg"><strong><em>Spotify</em></strong></a><em>, or </em><a target="_blank" href="https://pod.link/1589863153"><strong><em>wherever you get your podcasts</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong></p><p><p>Teaching through Emotions is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></p><p><strong>We discuss</strong></p><p>* <strong>Mentoring TAs</strong>: Figuring out how to teach a teacher while simultaneously teaching students</p><p>* <strong>Sharing Expertise</strong>: Co-teaching as a unique source of information and wisdom</p><p>* <strong>Bridging Cultural Gaps</strong>: Managing a TA’s discomfort with your teaching style or philosophy</p><p>* <strong>Overcoming Student Anxiety</strong>: Planning ways to encourage students to make use of a TA effectively</p><p>It’s a really fun conversation! With a surprising axiom at the end that everyone should heed.</p><p>Credits</p><p>Founder and Host: Betsy Burris</p><p>Co-Host: Joe Johnson</p><p>Producer: Jullian Androkae of <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.vision">PodVision</a></p><p>Audience Development: Andreea Coscai of <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.vision">PodVision</a></p><p>Music: Tom Burris/Jabbering Trout</p><p><p>Teaching through Emotions is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe</a>
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61 MIN
Radical Love in the Classroom: Rethinking Professional Love
MAR 5, 2026
Radical Love in the Classroom: Rethinking Professional Love
<p>In this episode, I’m joined by Carol Garboden Murray, director of the Wimpfheimer Laboratory Nursery School at Vassar College. She is a lifelong lover of the youngest children, ages 0 - 5, and thinks a lot about what it means to teach and care for them. Early childhood education, care, and love are very dear to my heart. I know that teachers of young children have special skills and talents that teachers at all levels should consider and adopt. I hope this interview inspires you to think about and adopt them for yourself!</p><p><em>Listen now on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teaching-through-emotions/id1589863153"><em>Apple Podcasts</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1SHSUCix3g2TVeAUXlSFfg"><em>Spotify</em></a><em>, or </em><a target="_blank" href="https://pod.link/1589863153"><em>wherever you get your podcasts</em></a><em>.</em></p><p>We discuss:</p><p><strong>- Caring for vs. caring about:</strong> Why “caring about” social justice or education is easy, but the actual, physical labor of fostering healthy development is where the real work happens.</p><p><strong>- The neuroscience of caring:</strong> How high-level empathy is a blend of neurological functioning and intuitive, creative practice.</p><p><strong>- Limits of caring:</strong> An honest look at what happens when caregiving stops being “beautiful” and starts being exhausting.</p><p><strong>- Professional Love:</strong> Defining a radical framework for love in the classroom that goes beyond “niceness.”</p><p><strong>External Links</strong></p><p>Carol’s <a target="_blank" href="http://carolgarbodenmurray.com/">Website</a></p><p>Carol’s book, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=http://linktoyourbook.com&#38;authuser=3"><em>Illuminating Care: The Pedagogy and Practice of Care in Early Childhood Communities</em></a></p><p><strong>Mentioned in this episode</strong></p><p>TTE episode with Sarah Becker: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.teachingthroughemotions.com/p/pre-school-teachers-have-it-right">Pre-school teachers have it right: Professional Love</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Caring-Feminine-Approach-Ethics-Education/dp/0520057473"><em>Caring: A Feminine Approach to Ethics and Moral Education</em></a> by Nel Noddings</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.northshire.com/book/9780369386793"><em>The Real Wealth of Nations</em></a> by Riane Eisler</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.northshire.com/book/9780062502896"><em>The Chalice and the Blade</em></a> by Riane Eisler</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.northshire.com/book/9780674970960"><em>A Different Voice</em></a> by Carol Gilligan</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15545727-awakening-the-inner-eye"><em>Awakening the Inner Eye: Intuition in Education</em></a> by Nel Noddings with Paul J. Shore</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.northshire.com/book/9780684717258"><em>I and Thou</em></a> by Martin Buber</p><p>Carol mentions other thinkers without specifying publications. If you’re curious about any of them, get in touch and I’ll ask Carol for links.</p><p><strong>Connect & Share</strong></p><p>Got a story to share? Is "Professional Love" a term you've used in your school? Or does the idea of "Radical Love" feel a bit too intense for the classroom? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave me a voicemail at (413) 239-4158 and we might feature your perspective in a future episode!</p><p>Support the Show: If this conversation resonated, please consider leaving a rating or review on your podcast app. Your feedback helps others find us.</p><p>Get full access to the community: [<a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe&#38;authuser=1">www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe</a>]</p><p><strong>Credits</strong></p><p>Founder and Host: Betsy Burris</p><p>Co-Host: Joe Johnson</p><p>Producer: Jullian Androkae of <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.vision/">PodVision</a></p><p>Audience Development: Andreea Coscai of <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.vision/">PodVision</a></p><p>Music: Tom Burris/<a target="_blank" href="https://jabberingtrout.com/">Jabbering Trout</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe</a>
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68 MIN
Ego in Teaching: What are the psychological benefits of having an ego?
FEB 19, 2026
Ego in Teaching: What are the psychological benefits of having an ego?
<p>I don’t think I have ever thought about the role of the ego in teaching. Until now! Thanks to an old student who wanted to talk with me about her ego, Joe and I dig into the tension between having self-regard (and being a little self-righteous) and maintaining amicable professional relationships.</p><p><em>Listen now on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teaching-through-emotions/id1589863153"><strong><em>Apple Podcasts</em></strong></a><strong><em>, </em></strong><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1SHSUCix3g2TVeAUXlSFfg"><strong><em>Spotify</em></strong></a><em>, or </em><a target="_blank" href="https://pod.link/1589863153"><strong><em>wherever you get your podcasts</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong></p><p><p>Teaching through Emotions is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></p><p>Joe and I discuss</p><p>* <strong>Redefining Ego:</strong> Why the ego’s “bad rap” might be holding you back</p><p>* <strong>Managing Self-Righteousness:</strong> Practical tips for keeping professional relationships right — when you’re right, goddammit.</p><p>* <strong>Validating Expertise:</strong> How to handle the frustration of colleagues’ not appreciating the value of what you know.</p><p>* <strong>Teacher Objectification:</strong> Unpacking the emotional toll of being treated like a punching bag for all of society’s woes.</p><p>Needless to say, everybody has an ego, so this episode is relevant to everybody. Teachers and non-teachers alike!</p><p>Speaking of ego, I love this quote about TTE from Frank Racioppi of <a target="_blank" href="https://podalization.substack.com">Ear Worthy</a>:</p><p><strong>“I love that show. It’s one of the shows that does good in this world.”</strong> </p><p><p>Teaching through Emotions is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></p><p>External Link</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.northshire.com/book/9780765336439">The Emperor’s Blades</a></p><p>Credits</p><p>Founder and Host: Betsy Burris</p><p>Co-Host: Joe Johnson</p><p>Producer: Jullian Androkae of <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.vision">PodVision</a></p><p>Audience Development: Andreea Coscai of <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.vision">PodVision</a></p><p>Music: Tom Burris/Jabbering Trout</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe</a>
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57 MIN
Transforming fear into success. Who doesn't want to?
FEB 5, 2026
Transforming fear into success. Who doesn't want to?
<p>In a departure from the typical TTE conversation, I talk in this episode with Felicia Keller Boyle about her two podcasts, <em>The Bad Therapist Show</em> and <em>What Your Therapist Thinks</em> (if you’re already looking up the latter podcast, you are joining thousands of others who listen religiously). So we’re talking podcasting but, actually, we're talking about emotions. We’re therapists, after all.</p><p><em>Listen now on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teaching-through-emotions/id1589863153"><strong><em>Apple Podcasts</em></strong></a><strong><em>, </em></strong><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1SHSUCix3g2TVeAUXlSFfg"><strong><em>Spotify</em></strong></a><em>, or </em><a target="_blank" href="https://pod.link/1589863153"><strong><em>wherever you get your podcasts</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong></p><p><p>Teaching through Emotions is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></p><p>We talk about</p><p>* navigating the guilt of making money and why women in particular can struggle with it</p><p>* behind the scenes of how <em>What Your Therapist Thinks</em> reached the top of the podcast charts</p><p>* managing the pressure of having a crazy successful podcast</p><p>* strategies for overcoming fear and doing the things that scare you most</p><p>* Felicia’s specific challenge to help you build your psychodynamic muscles this week</p><p>Listen all the way to the end of this episode to hear Felicia’s challenge. She and I would love to hear your results! Leave a comment if you’re comfortable sharing.</p><p>For my non-teachers out there: Check out <em>What Your Therapist Thinks</em>! Relevant to absolutely everybody!</p><p>And PLEASE please please please: Fill out the <a target="_blank" href="https://forms.gle/DxGFC95HykaoS9Sd7">TTE survey</a>! I truly need to hear from you what you like, don’t like, want more of, want less of. Include your email address so you can be eligible for the drawing on Valentine’s Day that will get you a free TTE Tee or mug. It shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes of your time. Thank you so much in advance!!!</p><p>External links</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thebadtherapist.coach/thebadtherapistshow">The Bad Therapist Show</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-your-therapist-thinks/id1837783166">What Your Therapist Thinks</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.thebadtherapist.coach">The Bad Therapist coaching page</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://jeremyenns.com">Jeremy Enns</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanyin">Guanyin</a></p><p>Credits</p><p>Founder and Host: Betsy Burris</p><p>Co-Host: Joe Johnson</p><p>Producer: Jullian Androkae of <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.vision">PodVision</a></p><p>Audience Development: Andreea Coscai of <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.vision">PodVision</a></p><p>Music: Tom Burris/Jabbering Trout</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe</a>
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56 MIN
The Meowing Student: Understanding Weird Behavior in the Classroom
JAN 22, 2026
The Meowing Student: Understanding Weird Behavior in the Classroom
<p>In this episode, Joe and I unpack the story of a teacher who was so fed up with a student who was a huge “pain in the ass” that she wanted to quit. Right then and there. And I’ll be damned if she didn’t turn that relationship around in the most dramatic way.</p><p>Joe and I talk about the difficult circumstances surrounding this teacher’s and this student’s situation and the hypotheses she and I came up with that helped her return to school and dig into their relationship. It’s kind of a miraculous story imho.</p><p><em>Listen now on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teaching-through-emotions/id1589863153"><em>Apple Podcasts</em></a><em>, </em><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1SHSUCix3g2TVeAUXlSFfg"><em>Spotify</em></a><em>, or </em><a target="_blank" href="https://pod.link/1589863153"><em>wherever you get your podcasts</em></a><em>.</em></p><p><strong>We discuss:</strong></p><p><strong>- Students and Negative Attention:</strong> Understanding the "cry for help" behind super irritating or provocative actions.</p><p><strong>- The "Nefarious Savior":</strong> How to support a struggling student without falling into a self-serving hero complex.</p><p><strong>- Classroom Aikido:</strong> How to use a student’s "negative" energy to redirect toward connection.</p><p><strong>- The Fine Line of Caring:</strong> Finding the sweet spot between emotional over-investment (burnout) and detachment.</p><p><strong>Connect & Share</strong></p><p>Got a story to share? What is the "meowing" in your life right now? Leave me a voicemail at (413) 239-4158.</p><p>Support the Show: If this conversation resonated, please consider leaving a rating or review on your podcast app. Your feedback helps others find us.</p><p>Get full access to the community: [<a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe&#38;authuser=1">www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe</a>]</p><p><strong>And there's more…</strong></p><p>I’m so eager to hear from you that my team and I have put together [a survey](<a target="_blank" href="https://forms.gle/i8LjC1DDJH4jypLC7">https://forms.gle/i8LjC1DDJH4jypLC7</a><a target="_blank" href="https://forms.gle/i8LjC1DDJH4jypLC7!)">!)</a> to get a mid-season formative assessment from my listeners. I really want to hear what you like, don’t like, want to hear or read, etc. Please take a few minutes to give me your honest feedback! I’m a therapist, so I can take the truth.</p><p>As incentive, anyone who responds will have their email address put in a nice hat from which I will pull a winner — of a TTE “Stay in Your Effin’ Garden” T-shirt! I myself have one (as you might imagine), and I love it. Soft, perfect fit, extremely useful message. Get to that <a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbZdKSrnadw6p1b47aEt88BQlvg2xE7vjiRz7ZCVQwTf1NVA/viewform">survey</a> as soon as is humanly possible — we’ll pull the winner on Valentine’s Day. Wow! What a love-ly gift!!</p><p><strong>Credits</strong></p><p>Founder and Host: Betsy Burris</p><p>Co-Host: Joe Johnson</p><p>Producer: Jullian Androkae of <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.vision/">PodVision</a></p><p>Audience Development: Andreea Coscai of <a target="_blank" href="https://pod.vision/">PodVision</a></p><p>Music: Tom Burris/<a target="_blank" href="https://jabberingtrout.com/">Jabbering Trout</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.teachingthroughemotions.com/subscribe</a>
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54 MIN