# PodcastPD Join AJ Bianco and Christopher J. Nesi as they explore professional development for educators, featuring expert insights on teaching strategies, technology integration, and educational policy. Page: Feed: --- ## [Fixing Education: Educator Burnout - PPD155](https://podcastpd.captivate.fm/episode/fixing-education-educator-burnout-ppd155) _2026-03-04_ Burnout is one of the most common and most difficult challenges facing educators today. In Episode 155 of PodcastPD, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco tackle the topic head-on as part of their ongoing 2026 series exploring how we might “fix” education. While burnout exists in every profession, the unique pressures of education, from student behavior and bureaucratic tasks to unrealistic expectations, can… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/f0df9be9-cf0f-469b-bf96-8f18cf9087d8.mp3) ## [What “Fixing Education” Really Means - PPD154](https://podcastpd.captivate.fm/episode/what-fixing-education-really-means-ppd154) _2026-01-28_ 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… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/2708dc51-cd61-44ff-8fa6-2e422098e34a.mp3) ## [Practical Productivity for School Leaders - PPD153](https://podcastpd.captivate.fm/episode/practical-productivity-for-school-leaders-ppd153) _2025-12-03_ 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… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/440ab407-73c1-4111-b880-642756d0cf64.mp3) ## [Burnout, Boundaries, and the Truth About Teaching - PPD152](https://podcastpd.captivate.fm/episode/burnout-boundaries-and-the-truth-about-teaching-ppd152) _2025-11-05_ 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… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/0c760f34-c4aa-407d-9def-c375d1ffca7a.mp3) ## [The Power of Parent-Teacher Partnerships - PPD151](https://podcastpd.captivate.fm/episode/the-power-of-parent-teacher-partnerships-ppd151) _2025-10-08_ 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… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8cc5ded6-3dd7-4044-a751-dcad91ef84c6.mp3) ## [AI Literacy & Ethics with Kathi Kersznowski - PPD150](https://podcastpd.captivate.fm/episode/ai-literacy-ethics-with-kathi-kersznowski-ppd150) _2025-09-03_ 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… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5cb661ff-d42c-4934-a9fc-d14de1cf3417.mp3) ## [Closing Out The Year and SummerPD - PPD149](https://podcastpd.captivate.fm/episode/closing-out-the-year-and-summerpd-ppd149) _2025-06-04_ 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… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/9eca9bd6-4848-45f9-8bcf-a2763ad9dc80.mp3) ## [Surviving and Thriving as a School Admin - PPD148](https://podcastpd.captivate.fm/episode/surviving-and-thriving-as-a-school-admin-ppd148) _2025-03-20_ 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… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3a674b86-112e-40f1-88b7-ab96ab287dcb.mp3) ## [Motivating Students and Classroom Challenges - PPD147](https://podcastpd.captivate.fm/episode/motivating-students-and-classroom-challenges-ppd147) _2025-02-05_ 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… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/315f9cd9-04fb-4035-9576-67c3cf15dc1e.mp3) ## [Meet Claude, the AI assistant (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/hnh0OucPQIMS) _2025-02-05 · **Sponsored**_ Conversational AI to answer questions, brainstorm ideas, and help with tasks. ## [Supporting Leaders in Education - PPD146](https://podcastpd.captivate.fm/episode/supporting-leaders-in-education-ppd146) _2024-12-05_ 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… [Listen](https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/e55f0406-8909-42a3-862b-04e62cf935b0.mp3)