Just Stop Worrying
The Inspired Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, Just Stop Worrying, I lean on the timeless wisdom of Marcus Aurelius in Meditations to remind us of something we all need to hear—far more of our mental energy is spent on things that are completely outside our control. Whether it’s the opinions of others, the outcomes we can’t predict, or the “what ifs” that keep looping in our minds, worry quietly steals our focus and presence. This episode is a simple but powerful invitation to pause, reset, and recommit to what actually belongs to us: our thoughts, our actions, and how we...
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A Change is Coming
The Inspired Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this very personal episode, I look back on nearly four years and 273 episodes of hitting “record,” sharing ideas, and growing alongside educators across the U.S. and Canada. I talk about why I started the show back in 2022, what I’m most proud of, and why I’m now making a big pivot out of the education podcast space. This isn’t goodbye to teaching—it’s an expansion into mental performance work with wrestlers, athletes, and their parents. Drawing on my own wrestling regrets, years of coaching since 2004, and what I’ve learned through...
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Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
The Inspired Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! It’s been a little while, and in this episode, I share a quick update on what I’ve been up to and reflect on a message that really hit home for me lately. After listening to Jay Shetty on the On Purpose podcast, one line stuck with me: “Comparison makes you chase timelines that weren’t meant for you.” I talk about why that resonated so deeply right now—especially as I step into something new—and how easy it is to feel scattered or unsure when we focus on where others seem to be. I also connect this idea directly to teaching, where...
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Remember, You Float
The Inspired Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! It’s been a while, and in this episode, I talk about why I’m back behind the mic and how this podcast still fits into my life right now. I share my love for that quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year’s—a rare bit of downtime to slow down, read, and reflect—and how a short piece called "Float" from Mike Travisano’s Refuge and Small Things really hit home as I was preparing to head back to school. January can feel heavy for a lot of educators and students, when the break is over and the finish line feels far away. Today’s message is a...
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Stop Seeking Comfort
The Inspired Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, I’m talking about something I think we all wrestle with—our tendency to chase comfort and try to avoid anything that feels tough or unpredictable. The truth is, life’s never going to be smooth sailing, and as Marcus Aurelius reminds us, what stands in the way can actually become the way. As teachers, we see this every day in those lessons that go sideways or those students who surprise us in the best possible ways. So let’s dive into why leaning into challenges, instead of running from them, is where the real growth and joy...
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Dont Be Self-Centered
The Inspired Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! This week, I’m coming to you from Cary, North Carolina, just a few days before the school year kicks off. I’m here with my two sons for a big baseball tournament—one competing on the field, the other supporting from the stands while still rehabbing an injury from months back. Watching one play and the other choose to show up for his brother—even though it wasn’t easy—filled me with pride in ways I can’t fully describe. Later that weekend, a conversation with my son reminded me of a powerful truth I’ve been reading in real strength and...
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It's the Small Things
The Inspired Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In today’s episode, I talk about starting restorative practices at our school and the powerful reminder that it’s not the big, flashy events that build relationships—it’s the small, intentional moments we share with our students, our colleagues, and even ourselves. I connect this to the Stoic wisdom of Zeno, who taught that well-being is built little by little, and how that truth applies as I begin a new school year. From recovery and mobility, to better eating habits, to simply taking a few minutes each night to reflect, I share how focusing on...
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The Real Medals
The Inspired Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher podcast! In this episode, I reflect on a question my son Gray asked me about what separates the most successful wrestlers I’ve coached from the rest. After more than 20 years in the wrestling room, I’ve had the privilege of coaching some incredible athletes—state medalists, champions, and even guys who went on to compete at the highest levels. At first, I thought the answer was simply about controlling the controllables, but the more I reflected, the more I realized it goes deeper. The best wrestlers weren’t just obsessed with winning—they were driven...
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A Conversation with Bryon Carpenter
The Inspired Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, I talk with Bryon Carpenter—a fellow educator, podcaster and lifelong learner who’s all about showing up, reflecting, and growing a little bit every day. We dive into why paying attention to your experiences matters, how consistency (even in small ways) can lead to big change, and how podcasting helps him process and share what he’s learning. Bryon’s not doing it for likes or followers—he’s doing it to make a difference, and it’s a message that’ll definitely resonate.
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Calm is a Skill
The Inspired Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! Today’s episode comes to you from the beach—one of the few places where I consistently feel calm and grounded. But wouldn’t it be great if we could find that kind of peace everywhere? Inspired by a powerful reply from Dr. Nate Fulton to a quote from Yung Pueblo, we’re digging into what it means to truly “protect your peace.” As teachers, parents, and people, it’s so easy to let the energy of those around us dictate how we feel. But calm isn’t something that just happens—it’s a skill we have to develop and practice, especially in a...
info_outlineWelcome to the Inspired Teacher Podcast! In this episode, I talk with Bryon Carpenter—a fellow educator, podcaster and lifelong learner who’s all about showing up, reflecting, and growing a little bit every day. We dive into why paying attention to your experiences matters, how consistency (even in small ways) can lead to big change, and how podcasting helps him process and share what he’s learning. Bryon’s not doing it for likes or followers—he’s doing it to make a difference, and it’s a message that’ll definitely resonate.