Why Edify: The Teacher Wellness and Resilience Podcast - Strategies and Classroom Resources

Jeremy Jorgensen

Teacher podcast with burnout solutions for sustainable teaching careers. Practical strategies for teacher stress management, classroom resilience, work-life balance, and educator wellness. Weekly episodes blend Stoic philosophy, Ikigai principles, and the STRONG Framework to help K-12 teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals prevent burnout and thrive without sacrificing excellence. Topics: classroom management, teacher mental health, self-care strategies, professional development, and building resilient teaching practices. For teachers who are great at their job but exhausted by it.

  1. 9H AGO

    92. 33 Years of Teaching Taught Me This | Dan Tricarico, The Zen Teacher

    33 Years of Teaching Taught Me This | Dan Tricarico, The Zen Teacher Dan Tricarico has been teaching English at West Hills High School in San Diego for 33 years. Same school. Same classroom. And somewhere around year 20, he started burning out—with 10 more years to go before retirement. Instead of quitting, he started writing. That writing became The Zen Teacher—a platform, two books, and a movement around teacher self-care that's been going for over a decade. In this conversation, Dan shares the earned wisdom that kept him going: what he learned from a student teacher about Greek mythology, why 40 stories are sitting in those 40 desks, and how the Five S's—stillness, silence, space, subtraction, and slowing down—can make the job feel human again. We also get into poetry, photography, hot chocolate walks, and why gratitude isn't toxic positivity. It's just noticing what's real. What You'll Hear: - The mindset shift that changed how Dan sees every student (and why it took a decade to figure out) - The Five S's framework for sustainable teaching - Why "subtraction" might be the most underrated tool in your self-care kit - The difference between a calling and an identity—and why mixing them up causes burnout - Dan's go-to book recommendation for any teacher who's ever had a lesson crash and burn - One song for the Teacher Commuter Playlist 🎵 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Teaching and Experience 02:36 Learning from Colleagues and Students 05:16 The Importance of Self-Care in Teaching 07:55 Understanding the Role of Teachers in Society 10:51 The Impact of Teaching on Students 13:28 Creating a Supportive Community for Teachers 16:13 The Zen Teacher Platform and Its Mission 18:56 Reflections on a Teaching Career 23:15 The Challenges of Teaching Alone 24:21 Finding Balance: The Five S's for Teachers 27:56 The Importance of Slowing Down 29:52 Navigating Toxic Positivity 32:38 The Connection Between Mindfulness and Creativity 37:13 The Courage to Teach: Embracing Imperfection 40:50 The Role of Music in Teaching 📘 Dan's Books: - The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom - https://geni.us/LR7uAl - Sanctuary: Self-Care Secrets for Stressed-Out Teachers - https://geni.us/vt0Vsny - Write Here and Now: Teaching Writing Through the Lens of Mindfulness - https://geni.us/sMaj232 (The links above are affiliate links. Every purchase helps support this podcast. Thank you!) Shop the Why Edify Amazon storefront — stuff I actually use and recommend (affiliate link, small commission to me at no cost to you): https://www.amazon.com/shop/whyedify-jeremyjorgensen 📬 Dan's Substack: [Find it by searching "The Zen Teacher"] 📷 Instagram: @thezenteracher (or search Dan Tricarico) 📧 Free newsletter → https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter/ 🏫 Join The STRONG Teacher's Lounge → https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about 📬 Get Involved: ✉️ Sign up for the Friday Five Newsletter for Teachers: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter ☕ Support Why Edify: https://buymeacoffee.com/whyedify 🤝 Connect with Jeremy: https://linktr.ee/whyedify 👕 Shop Why Edify Gear: https://www.bonfire.com/store/why-edify/ 🌐 Connect with Jeremy Jorgensen: 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_edify/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jorgensen321/ 👉 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/why-edify.bsky.social

    51 min

  2. FEB 14

    91. Five Real Causes of Teacher Burnout (Not What You Think)

    5 Real Causes of Teacher Burnout (Not What You Think) Join the STRONG Teachers Lounge: https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about It's late on a Tuesday. You're still at school. You've been here since 7 AM—11.5 hours—and you'll be back tomorrow at seven to do it again. This isn't burnout yet. For many teachers, this is just Tuesday. Teacher burnout isn't caused by a lack of self-care or gratitude journals. It's caused by systemic issues that most advice conveniently ignores. In this video, we're breaking down the 5 REAL causes of teacher burnout. 🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS - Emotional labor = work that drains you completely (but isn't counted) - Burnout happens when you're responsible for things you can't control - The reward for competence is often just more work - Teachers now do 3+ jobs that used to be separate positions - You need artificial finish lines because the work never ends 💡 WHAT ACTUALLY HELPS ✓ Name the emotional labor out loud ✓ Weekly control audit (circle what you actually control) ✓ 4 PM hard stop—and leave ✓ Say "no" to one thing every week ✓ Create artificial finish lines ✓ Redefine success: "I showed up and did what I could" This is about sustainable teaching without toxic positivity. Small changes, real impact. Receive Email Updates (free): https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter/ Key Points: 0:00 - Introduction to teacher burnout and its symptoms. 1:13 - Systemic issues causing burnout. 2:09 - Emotional labor in teaching. 5:09 - Lack of control over success determinants. 7:40 - Infinite expansion of teaching responsibilities. 10:34 - Performing multiple roles in teaching. 13:07 - The absence of a finish line in teaching. 15:03 - Summary of the five causes of burnout and encouragement. 📬 Get Involved: ✉️ Sign up for the Friday Five Newsletter for Teachers: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter 💪 Take the 30-Day Educator Challenge (Mind, Body & Spirit): https://bit.ly/3PS4zM7 ☕ Support Why Edify: https://buymeacoffee.com/whyedify 🤝 Connect with Jeremy: https://linktr.ee/whyedify 👕 Shop Why Edify Gear: https://www.bonfire.com/store/why-edify/ 🌐 Connect with Jeremy Jorgensen: 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_edify/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jorgensen321/ 👉 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/why-edify.bsky.social 👉 Website: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/

    18 min

  3. FEB 12

    90. The Power of Boring: How Repetition Creates Sustainable Excellence in Teaching and Life (STRONG Teacher Report #2)

    The Power of Boring: How Repetition Creates Sustainable Excellence in Teaching and Life (STRONG Teacher Report #2) The secret to teaching for 26+ years? Embrace boring. Same morning routine. Same Sunday reset. Same practices over and over. In this week's STRONG Teachers Report, I'm sharing: - Updates from The STRONG Teacher's Lounge - What's new at Why Edify - Three truths about sustainable teaching that have been on my mind Chapters 00:00 Embracing the Power of Routine 02:12 Updates from the Strong Teachers Lounge 04:52 Leveraging AI in Education 07:15 Sustainable Practices in Teaching 09:37 Reflections on Teacher Energy and Discipline 12:27 Designing Your Own Systems for Success Resources Mentioned: 📚 Blog Posts: The Power of Boring:https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/the-power-of-boring/ When a Student Says "I Can't": https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/when-a-student-says-i-cant/ Teacher Energy and the Budget Approach: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/teacher-energy-the-budget-approach/ 🎓 Join The STRONG Teacher's Lounge: Free community access: https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about 📧 Why Edify Newsletter: Sign up for weekly teacher support: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter/ 🎧 Podcast Episode Mentioned: Classroom Management Without Yelling: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0999O5Yk48rp4zhulzVk6R?si=x6C7_n27SWqRM_IoL-g3IQ About The STRONG Teachers Report: A weekly update sharing what's happening in The STRONG Teacher's Lounge, new content from Why Edify, and philosophical reflections on sustainable teaching practice. About Why Edify: Helping teachers achieve excellence without exhaustion through the STRONG Framework—integrating Stoicism, Ikigai philosophy, and research-backed wellness practices. 📬 Get Involved: ✉️ Sign up for the Friday Five Newsletter for Teachers: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter 💪 Take the 30-Day Educator Challenge (Mind, Body & Spirit): https://bit.ly/3PS4zM7 ☕ Support Why Edify: https://buymeacoffee.com/whyedify 🤝 Connect with Jeremy: https://linktr.ee/whyedify 👕 Shop Why Edify Gear: https://www.bonfire.com/store/why-edify/ 🌐 Connect with Jeremy Jorgensen: 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_edify/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jorgensen321/ 👉 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/why-edify.bsky.social 👉 Website: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/

    16 min

  4. FEB 2

    89. Classroom Management Without Yelling: The Stoic Teacher Approach

    Classroom Management Without Yelling: The Stoic Teacher Approach Join the STRONG Teachers Lounge: https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about Tired of yelling in your classroom? Wish you could stay calm when students are off-task, disruptive, or testing boundaries? In this episode, I share three ancient Stoic philosophy practices that actually work in modern classrooms—not theory, but strategies you can implement tomorrow. You'll discover: - Why yelling doesn't work (backed by research from the Journal of Child Development) - The Stoic Dichotomy of Control: What you can actually control vs. what you can't - The 3-Second Stoic Pause: How to interrupt your stress response before you react - Premeditatio Malorum: The Sunday evening prep practice that makes Mondays less stressful - Amor Fati: How to stop fighting your difficult class and start working WITH them - Why calm correction is MORE effective than yelling - How does this connect to the STRONG Framework for sustainable teaching Meet Your Stoic Guides: Marcus Aurelius (Emperor of Rome, 161-180 AD) - Wrote "Meditations," essentially a therapy journal for dealing with chaos, advisors who wouldn't listen, and constant pressure. Epictetus (50-135 AD) - Started as a slave with zero authority. Became one of history's greatest teachers using only presence and ideas. His students wrote down his lectures in "The Enchiridion"—a handbook for staying grounded when you control nothing. Perfect for: - K-12 teachers struggling with classroom management Educators looking for alternatives to traditional discipline - Teachers interested in Stoic philosophy applied to education - Anyone who's ever yelled at their class and immediately regretted it Join The STRONG Teacher's Lounge for the complete implementation guide with grade-level scripts, Sunday prep templates, weekly tracking sheets, and community support: https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about 📬 Get Involved: ✉️ Sign up for the Friday Five Newsletter for Teachers: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter 💪 Take the 30-Day Educator Challenge (Mind, Body & Spirit): https://bit.ly/3PS4zM7 ☕ Support Why Edify: https://buymeacoffee.com/whyedify 🤝 Connect with Jeremy: https://linktr.ee/whyedify 👕 Shop Why Edify Gear: https://www.bonfire.com/store/why-edify/ 🌐 Connect with Jeremy Jorgensen: 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_edify/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jorgensen321/ 👉 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/why-edify.bsky.social 👉 Website: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/

    22 min

  5. JAN 30

    88. STRONG Teacher Report #1: Community Updates, New Content & What We're Building

    STRONG Teacher Report #1: Community Updates, New Content & What We're Building Welcome to the first STRONG Teacher Report—a live update on what we're building together at Why Edify! In this session, I share: ✓ Recent Content HighlightsWhat MLK Jr. Knew About Teaching - https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/what-mlk-jr-knew-about-teaching/Why Curiosity is a Teacher's Superpower - https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/the-teachers-who-last-are-still-wondering/37 Years of Wisdom with Craig Shapiro - https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/teacher-burnout-prevention-37-years-of-classroom-wisdom-with-craig-shapiro/✓ STRONG Teachers Lounge UpdatesWe've hit 101 members from around the world!Community discussion: What's your teaching superpower and kryptonite?Introducing The STRONG Year—month-by-month resources for educators ✓ The STRONG Framework Explained S - Successes (celebrate progress, not perfection) T - Thoughts & Takeaways (continuous learning) R - Recovery & Renewal (intentional recharging) O - Optimize (small systemic changes that compound) N - No to Perfectionism (give yourself grace) G - Gratitude & Growth (keep score of what's going well) Join The STRONG Teachers Lounge: A community of educators building sustainable practices together. - https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about About Why Edify: Supporting educators and public education. Helping teachers become happier, healthier, and stronger. Newsletter: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter/ 00:00 - Introduction & Why I'm Live Streaming 02:15 - What MLK Jr. Knew About Teaching (Article Highlight) 05:30 - Curiosity as a Teacher Superpower (Podcast) 08:45 - Craig Shapiro Interview Takeaways 12:00 - STRONG Teachers Lounge: 101 Members! 14:20 - Community Discussion: Superpowers & Kryptonite 17:00 - Introducing The STRONG Year (January Module Preview) 21:30 - The STRONG Framework Explained 27:00 - Closing & Call to Action This is a live recording. Audio quality improved from the first attempt (we had a mic issue—classic live stream moment). Thanks for being here! What's your teaching kryptonite? Drop it in the comments! 👇 Mine is repeating directions multiple times. What drains your energy in the classroom? Subscribe for more teacher updates, practical resources, and community building: 💬 Join the conversation in the comments 🔗 Share with a teacher who needs to hear this

    16 min

  6. JAN 26

    87. Still Grading at 9 PM? The Science-Backed Strategy That Makes Teaching Sustainable

    Still Grading at 9 PM? The Science-Backed Strategy That Makes Teaching Sustainable How to stop grading at 9 PM and finally leave school on time—using science-backed implementation intentions. Still staying late? Checking work email on weekends? Bringing grading home every night? You'll learn the if-then strategy that research shows is 2-3X more effective than willpower or vague goals like "I'll leave on time this year." What are implementation intentions? Specific if-then plans that create automatic teaching habits by linking triggers to actions. Instead of: "I'll grade less at home" (vague goal that fails) Try: "If I finish teaching at 3:30, then I'll grade for 20 minutes before leaving at 4 PM" (implementation intention that works) Why implementation intentions prevent teacher burnout: ✓ Remove decision fatigue (no more 4 PM "should I stay or go?" debates) ✓ Create automatic habits (your brain triggers behavior without willpower) ✓ Bridge the gap between intention and action (where most teaching goals die) ✓ 2-3X higher success rate than traditional goal setting In this episode: - The science behind implementation intentions for teachers - How to create if-then plans for leaving school on time - The 5-step process to build sustainable teaching habits - 4 common mistakes that sabotage your goals - 15 ready-to-use if-then plans for teachers The teaching goal that always fails: "This year I'm leaving on contract time. No more grading at 9 PM. I'm setting boundaries." You mean it. But two weeks in? Same patterns. Staying late. Checking email after dinner. Bringing work home every weekend. The problem isn't willpower—it's weak design. Your brain needs specific triggers and automatic responses. The 5-step process: 1. Identify ONE habit to change - Staying late, checking email at night, saying yes to too many commitments 2. Name the trigger (the "if") - Specific, observable, consistent (e.g., "If the bell rings at 3:30...") 3. Define the action (the "then") - Clear, achievable (e.g., "...then I leave by 4:30") 4. Write it down and rehearse - Visualization strengthens neural pathways 5. Track and adjust - Refine what's not working Examples of implementation intentions for teachers: - If the bell rings at 3:30, then I wrap up within 10 minutes and leave by 4:30 - If I get in my car after school, then I turn off work notifications - If someone emails after 5 PM, then I don't respond until morning - If a student triggers frustration, then I take 3 deep breaths before responding Common mistakes: ✗ Trigger too vague ("when I'm done") ✗ Action too complex (multiple steps) ✗ Not writing it down ✗ Creating too many at once How this connects to the STRONG Framework: This strategy is the "Optimize" pillar—simplify and refine your systems. Implementation intentions transform "I want to change" into "I actually changed." Research shows they increase goal achievement by 200-300% by automating behavior. No willpower required. Stop staying late. Stop grading at 9 PM. You don't need more discipline. You need better systems. Pick one if-then plan this week. Write it down. Watch what happens when your brain has a clear path to follow. Full article with 15 ready-to-use implementation intentions: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/why-your-teaching-goals-fail-and-how-to-fix-them-with-implementation-intentions/ Join The STRONG Teachers Lounge: Build sustainable teaching practices with a community using the STRONG Framework, implementation intentions, and peer accountability. -https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about

    10 min

  7. JAN 23

    86. Teacher Burnout Prevention: 37 Years of Classroom Wisdom with Craig Shapiro

    Teacher Burnout Prevention: 37 Years of Classroom Wisdom with Craig Shapiro After 37 years in the classroom, Craig Shapiro knows what separates teachers who burn out from those who thrive for decades. In this conversation, Craig shares hard-won wisdom from nearly four decades as a health and physical education teacher, mentor, and strength coach. We dig into the lessons most teachers learn the hard way—and how to avoid those mistakes. Join The STRONG Teacher's Lounge: ⁠https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about⁠ What you'll learn: - Why relationships matter more than perfect lesson plans (and how to build them authentically) - The two career-changing lessons Craig learned from colleagues early on - How to be flexible without losing structure (the "must teach, would like to teach, hope to teach" framework) - Why listening is sometimes more important than fixing - The truth about every student bringing a different lens to your classroom - How to find balance when education tries to consume your entire life - What non-teachers misunderstand about the profession (and how to communicate better with parents) - Craig's daily practice for surviving tough teaching days - Why toxic lunch rooms will destroy your career—and what to do instead Key quotes: "When you close your door, it's you and the kids. That time is so valuable—focus on giving your best during that time." "Your lesson plan is a sketch. Be flexible enough to realize what must I teach first, what would I like to teach, and what would I hope to teach." "Find one positive thing each day. One thing. Some days are just tough—but if you can find that one pebble that makes you feel good, use it as a springboard for tomorrow." About Craig Shapiro: Craig taught for 37 years as a health and physical education teacher, mentor, and strength coach. He's also a nationally ranked powerlifter, certified personal trainer, and author of Dream Big: Stories and Strategies for a Successful Classroom. Now retired from teaching, Craig focuses on personal training, writing, and supporting educators. Resources mentioned: - Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://geni.us/o2Rf - Define Your Why by Barbara Bray - https://geni.us/TXZy3 - Dream Big: Stories and Strategies for a Successful Classroom by Craig Shapiro - https://geni.us/kSnwSk The links above are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's a simple way to support the podcast while getting resources that genuinely help. Thanks for making these conversations possible. Join The STRONG Teacher's Lounge: https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Weather Check 01:31 Craig's Teaching Journey and Philosophy 04:11 Lessons Learned from Colleagues 09:45 The Importance of Relationships in Education 12:32 Advice for New Educators 19:30 Understanding the Teaching Profession 22:50 Recommended Reads for Educators 26:41 Music and Personal Reflections 29:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Educators 📬 Get Involved: ✉️ Sign up for the Why Edify Newsletter for Teachers: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter 💪 Take the 30-Day Educator Challenge (Mind, Body & Spirit): https://bit.ly/3PS4zM7 ☕ Support Why Edify: https://buymeacoffee.com/whyedify 🤝 Connect with Jeremy: https://linktr.ee/whyedify 👕 Shop Why Edify Gear: https://www.bonfire.com/store/why-edify/ 🌐 Connect with Jeremy Jorgensen: 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_edify/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jorgensen321/ 👉 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/why-edify.bsky.social 👉 Website: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/

    37 min

  8. JAN 20

    85. Stay Curious: The One Practice That Prevents Teacher Burnout

    Stay Curious: The One Practice That Prevents Teacher Burnout The teachers who burn out fastest? They've stopped wondering. The ones who sustain themselves for decades? They're still curious. In this episode, I break down why curiosity might be the most powerful (and underutilized) tool you have as a teacher—and how to practice it when you're exhausted, overwhelmed, or burned out. What you'll learn: - The 3 research-backed benefits of curiosity (including one that surprised me) - Why teachers lose their curiosity—and how to get it back - 3 simple practices you can start today (even if you're exhausted) - How curiosity connects to the STRONG Framework (T and G pillars) Key quotes: "Curiosity shifts you from judgment to wonder—and that's a game-changer." "You don't have to solve all the mysteries. You just have to stay curious about them." If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or just going through the motions—this episode is for you. Join The STRONG Teacher's Lounge: https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about 📬 Get Involved: ✉️ Sign up for the Friday Five Newsletter for Teachers: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter 💪 Take the 30-Day Educator Challenge (Mind, Body & Spirit): https://bit.ly/3PS4zM7 ☕ Support Why Edify: https://buymeacoffee.com/whyedify 🤝 Connect with Jeremy: https://linktr.ee/whyedify 👕 Shop Why Edify Gear: https://www.bonfire.com/store/why-edify/ 🌐 Connect with Jeremy Jorgensen: 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_edify/ 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jorgensen321/ 👉 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/why-edify.bsky.social 👉 Website: https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/

    15 min
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Teacher podcast with burnout solutions for sustainable teaching careers. Practical strategies for teacher stress management, classroom resilience, work-life balance, and educator wellness. Weekly episodes blend Stoic philosophy, Ikigai principles, and the STRONG Framework to help K-12 teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals prevent burnout and thrive without sacrificing excellence. Topics: classroom management, teacher mental health, self-care strategies, professional development, and building resilient teaching practices. For teachers who are great at their job but exhausted by it.

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