The Next Level Teacher Podcast

Brenna Nelson | The Next Level Teacher
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Courses
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Next Level Teacher Podcast—a show for educators ready to break free from burnout and step into a calmer, more confident classroom life. Hosted by a teacher, life coach, and resilience expert, Brenna Nelson, this podcast helps K–12 teachers manage stress, protect their energy, and find practical tools for emotional regulation, nervous system support, and mindset mastery. Each episode delivers simple, science-backed strategies for teachers who want more than just survival. You'll learn how to set boundaries, regulate your nervous system, shift your thought patterns, and build real resilience—so you can teach with clarity, confidence, and calm.  When you rise, the classroom rises with you. Become the teacher who changes everything—by changing yourself first.Join the movement and step into the next level version of you today!✨ Topics include: * Teacher burnout recovery* Emotional resilience for educators* Nervous system regulation strategies* Mindset coaching for teachers* Sustainable, effective self-care for teachers* How to thrive in the classroom (not just survive) Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned educator, you'll walk away from every episode with tools to help you show up for your students and yourself. 🎧 Ready to become the next level version of yourself—in and out of the classroom? Hit follow and start your journey today.

  1. 2d ago

    110. (ENCORE) How Laughter Can Help with Teacher Burnout

    In this episode of The Next Level Teacher Podcast, Brenna explores the science behind laughter and why humor may be one of the most overlooked tools for teacher wellness and burnout recovery.Teaching is emotionally demanding, and while laughter isn’t a cure-all, it is a powerful way to relieve stress, regulate your nervous system, and create stronger classroom connections. Backed by neuroscience, humor can help teachers feel lighter, calmer, and more resilient—even during the hardest seasons of teaching.In this episode, Brenna shares:😊 The neuroscience of laughter and stress relief 😊 How humor impacts the brain and nervous system 😊 Why laughter helps build classroom connection and emotional safety  😊 The difference between coping tools and true emotional resilience  😊 Practical ways to retrain your brain to notice humor again during burnout 😊 Funny real-life classroom stories from Brenna’s own teaching experience If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in survival mode, this episode is a reminder that joy still matters—and sometimes laughter is the first step back toward feeling like yourself again.🎧 Listen now and discover why laughter may be one of the most underrated teacher self-care tools out there.✨ Ready to build deeper emotional resilience and stay calmer in the classroom? Learn more about Brenna’s course, Calm in the Classroom, at: brennanelsoncoaching.com/calmteacher

    13 min

  2. May 29

    109. One Strategy to Help Teacher Stop Overextending Themselves

    Why do so many teachers feel emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, resentful, and burned out by the end of the school year?In this episode of The Next Level Teacher podcast, Brenna explores the powerful concept of “powerful yeses” and “powerful nos” inspired by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and his book The Science of Scaling.Teachers are often conditioned to say yes to everything:➡️ extra responsibilities,➡️ late-night emails,➡️ emotional labor,➡️ people-pleasing,➡️ overextending themselves,➡️ and constantly sacrificing their own needs.But what if the real issue behind teacher burnout isn’t time management…What if it’s misalignment?In this episode, Brenna breaks down:🔸 the difference between weak yeses and powerful yeses  🔸 why weak boundaries create resentment and emotional exhaustion  🔸 how teachers unintentionally abandon themselves in small ways  🔸 why emotionally healthy teachers practice discernment  🔸 how to say no without guilt, overexplaining, or shame  🔸 why caring for yourself actually increases your capacity to care for others  🔸 how intentional choices create a more sustainable teaching career If you’re a teacher struggling with burnout, overwhelm, or emotional exhaustion, this episode will help you rethink the way you say yes and no in both teaching and life.Because emotionally healthy teachers are not the teachers doing the most.They’re the teachers making intentional choices with wisdom.Mentioned in This EpisodeCalm in the Classroom: Modern-day Solutions to Teacher Stress, Overwhelm, and AnxietyThe Science of Scaling

    11 min

  3. May 22

    108. Burned Out Teacher? Why Your Emotions Make Sense (and What to Do Next)

    It’s May. The testing is endless. The behaviors feel bigger. Your patience feels thinner. And many teachers are wondering how they’re supposed to keep doing this year after year.In this episode of The Next Level Teacher podcast, Brenna shares an honest and compassionate conversation about teacher burnout, emotional exhaustion, nervous system overload, and the thought patterns that keep so many teachers feeling stuck at the end of the school year.If you’ve been thinking:“I’m failing.”  “I can’t keep doing this.”  “This year broke me.”  “I’m emotionally drained.” …this episode is for you.You’ll learn why your emotions make complete sense under chronic stress and why feeling overwhelmed does not mean something is wrong with you.This episode is a powerful reminder that a hard year does not make you a bad teacher; emotional exhaustion does not mean you are broken; and the way you feel today does not have to be the way you feel forever.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:✅ How chronic stress impacts teachers emotionally  ✅ Why your nervous system feels overloaded during the school year  ✅ The connection between thoughts, emotions, and burnout  ✅ Why teachers struggle to emotionally recover  ✅ How to create emotional safety from the inside out  ✅ What emotional regulation for teachers actually looks like  ✅ Why mindset work is not toxic positivity  ✅ How to stop carrying the emotional weight of the classroom alone Ready to Transform Your Classroom Experience? Check out Calm in the Classroom.Use the discount code: PODCAST to save $50

    9 min

  4. May 15

    107. The Motivation Myth: What to do When You Feel "Stuck" as a Teacher

    Ever feel like you know what would help your stress, overwhelm, or burnout… but you just can’t seem to make yourself do it?In this episode of The Next Level Teacher Podcast, Brenna explores the concept of emotional inertia and the psychology behind why overwhelmed teachers often feel stuck—even when they desperately want things to feel different.Using a hilarious story involving middle school boys, flying peanut butter sandwiches, and the law of inertia, Brenna introduces the powerful concept of behavioral activation: the idea that motivation doesn’t usually come before action… it often comes after.If you’re a teacher struggling with:🔸burnout  🔸emotional exhaustion  🔸procrastination  🔸overwhelm  🔸lack of motivation  🔸stress after school  🔸avoidance habits  🔸feeling disconnected from yourself …this episode will help you understand why that happens and how to gently start getting unstuck again—without toxic positivity, hustle culture, or pressure to “do more.”You’ll learn:✅ Why avoidance temporarily feels good (but keeps you stuck)  ✅ The science behind behavioral activation and dopamine ✅ How emotional inertia impacts teachers ✅ Why tiny actions matter more than dramatic overhauls ✅ The difference between true rest and avoidance ✅ Practical ways to reconnect with yourself during burnout This episode is your reminder that you do not need to overhaul your life overnight.Sometimes healing starts with one walk, one shower, one text message, one glass of water, or just one supportive action.Tiny actions create momentum.And momentum changes everything.Ready for More Help? Check out Calm in the Classroom: Modern-day Solutions to Teacher Stress, Overwhelm, and Anxiety.

    14 min

  5. May 8

    106. ENCORE - The Truth About Your Students' Test Scores

    The Next Level Teacher Podcast - Episode 106 (Encore): The Truth About Your Students’ Test ResultsIt’s testing season—and with it comes a wave of pressure, stress, and self-doubt for so many teachers.In this encore episode of The Next Level Teacher, we’re taking a different approach.Instead of debating standardized testing or trying to “fix” the system, we’re focusing on something much more powerful: your mindset around your students’ test results.Because here’s the truth most teachers were never taught: 👉 Test scores are neutral. 👉 The meaning you give them is what creates your emotional experience.Inside this episode, you’ll learn how to separate data from drama, avoid the trap of shame and blame, and respond to test results in a way that actually supports your growth—without tearing yourself down in the process.✨ In This Episode, You’ll Learn:** Why your students’ test scores are not a reflection of your worth as a teacher ** How to apply the self-coaching model to testing season  The critical difference between data vs. the story you attach to it ** What “clean pain” vs. “dirty pain” looks like—and why it matters  ** How to take productive responsibility without spiraling into shame  ** Why you’re not actually chasing test scores—you’re chasing a feeling  ** A healthier, more grounded way to evaluate your impact as an educator 💡 Key Takeaway:A test score is just a snapshot—how a student performed on a set of questions on a single day.It is not a complete measure of their growth… and it is definitely not a measure of your value as a teacher.🎯 Ready to Go Deeper?If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just need support navigating this time of year, you don’t have to do it alone.👉 Sign up for a free mini coaching session with me and we’ll work through whatever is on your mind—whether that’s testing stress, burnout, or a goal you’re working toward.Click HERE to schedule! ⭐ Help Other Teachers Find This PodcastIf this episode resonated with you, take a minute to leave a rating and a kind review. It helps more teachers discover these tools and create calmer, more sustainable teaching careers.

    14 min

  6. May 1

    105. One Word that Can Change Your Entire Teaching Experience

    How often does your brain decide, within seconds, that something in your classroom is “bad”?A lesson flops.A student rolls their eyes.You see a challenging class list.And before the moment is even over, your mind has already written the ending.In this episode of The Next Level Teacher, I’m sharing one simple word that can completely shift the way you experience those moments:Maybe.This tiny mindset shift creates space between what happens and what you decide it means. Instead of rushing to a worst-case story, “maybe” keeps you open, curious, and emotionally grounded.Because the truth is: you do not know how the story ends yet.And that uncertainty?It can actually become one of your greatest sources of peace and power as a teacher.✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ Why your brain rushes to label classroom moments as “good” or “bad” ✔️ The powerful lesson behind the Chinese farmer story  How one word can interrupt catastrophic thinking  ✔️ Why “maybe” helps you stay calm, curious, and solution-focused  ✔️ How quickly labeling students or lessons can shape your future experience  ✔️ A simple way to keep your energy when things don’t go as planned

    9 min

  7. Apr 24

    104. Take Back Control of Your Teaching Day

    What if the thing that’s making teaching feel so heavy… isn’t your students, your admin, or your workload—but where you’re placing your focus?In this episode of The Next Level Teacher, I’m breaking down one simple but powerful concept that can completely change how you experience your day in the classroom: your locus of control.Because here’s the truth—teaching will always be unpredictable. But when you learn to shift your focus from what you can’t control to what you can, everything starts to feel lighter, more manageable, and a whole lot more empowering.If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Why did that one moment ruin my entire day?” or “I just wish I could feel more in control…”This episode is for you.✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * The difference between your outer circle (what you can’t control) and your inner circle (what you can)  * Why focusing on student behavior, admin decisions, or “perfect lessons” keeps you feeling stuck  * The subtle mindset shift that helps you feel more grounded—even on hard days  * How your brain’s “story” about a situation shapes your entire experience  * A simple, in-the-moment question that can instantly shift your perspective  * 3 practical ways to start reclaiming your energy and emotional control in the classroom 🔑 Key Takeaway:You don’t control what happens in your classroom.But you do control how you show up to what happens.And that’s where your power is.❤️ Why This Matters for Teachers:When your sense of a “good day” depends on everything going smoothly, you’ll constantly feel off-balance.But when you anchor yourself in what’s actually yours to manage—your thoughts, your reactions, your perspective—you create stability, even in the chaos.🎧 Ready to Feel More in Control of Your Teaching Day?Press play and start noticing where your power really lives.🔗 Next Steps:If this episode resonated with you and you’re ready to take this work deeper, check out my course:Calm in the Classroom: Modern-day Solutions to Teacher Stress, Overwhelm, and Anxiety, in which I teach you exactly how to manage your thoughts and emotions so you can feel calmer, more confident, and more in control (no matter what your students are doing).

    11 min

  8. Apr 17

    103. The Simple, Free Stress-Reliever for Teachers

    In today's conversation, Brenna breaks down a powerful (and surprisingly simple) stress-relief tool that most teachers already have access to—but likely aren’t using in a way that actually supports their nervous system. Spoiler: it’s not another routine, strategy, or time-consuming habit. It’s reading. But not the kind you do for lesson plans, grading, or professional development. We’re talking about reading for you. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why most self-care strategies only treat symptoms—not the root cause of stress ✅The difference between “escape-based” habits (like scrolling) and true nervous system regulation  ✅ What research says about reading and stress reduction (including a study showing up to a 68% decrease in stress)  ✅ How reading signals safety to your brain and helps you exit the stress response  ✅ Why teachers especially need this kind of mental reset  ✅ How reading can improve emotional regulation, empathy, and overall well-being  Want to learn more about effective, long-lasting self-care? Grab the free training for teachers! Click HERE!

    14 min
See All (110)

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Next Level Teacher Podcast—a show for educators ready to break free from burnout and step into a calmer, more confident classroom life. Hosted by a teacher, life coach, and resilience expert, Brenna Nelson, this podcast helps K–12 teachers manage stress, protect their energy, and find practical tools for emotional regulation, nervous system support, and mindset mastery. Each episode delivers simple, science-backed strategies for teachers who want more than just survival. You'll learn how to set boundaries, regulate your nervous system, shift your thought patterns, and build real resilience—so you can teach with clarity, confidence, and calm.  When you rise, the classroom rises with you. Become the teacher who changes everything—by changing yourself first.Join the movement and step into the next level version of you today!✨ Topics include: * Teacher burnout recovery* Emotional resilience for educators* Nervous system regulation strategies* Mindset coaching for teachers* Sustainable, effective self-care for teachers* How to thrive in the classroom (not just survive) Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned educator, you'll walk away from every episode with tools to help you show up for your students and yourself. 🎧 Ready to become the next level version of yourself—in and out of the classroom? Hit follow and start your journey today.

Information

  • Creator
    Brenna Nelson | The Next Level Teacher
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Brenna Nelson Coaching
  • Show Website
    The Next Level Teacher Podcast