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, bu...

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...

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 i...

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 admin...

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...

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 is packed with actionable advice for teachers at any grade level.

Chris shares seven thoughtful tips for closing out the school year—from c...

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 on how administrators can navigate this demanding role. His book, The Blueprint: How to Survive and Thrive as a School Administrator, provi...

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 thoughts on the matter.

Episode Highlights:

• Inspiring Students: How can we better engage students in a meaningful way and inspire them to do...

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 professional development, and fostering legacy-building.

Join us as we explore:

• The unique challenges faced by mid-career and veteran educators...

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 their work while leveraging AI for feedback and enhancement.

Key Discussion Points:

• Empowering Student Ownership with AI: Chris and Tania ...

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 role. They also explore how AJ’s family and mentors influenced his decision, and what he hopes to accomplish in his first 90 days as a pri...

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 partners who are teachers, and coping with a challenging year professionally. Join us for a blend of practical advice and thoughtful discu...

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 a job offer. The duo also addresses technology failures in the classroom, offering advice on bouncing back from a challenging observation...

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 challenges. Daniel and Glenn share their personal experiences and offer insights from their book Calm in the Chaos: Ancient Stoic Wisdom for ...