Podcasts about Homeroom

Ever wondered if you could risk it all—your savings, your sanity, your entire career—on a food you love? Erin Wade did just that. Fired from her law job and flat-out rejected by banks, she built a cult mac & cheese restaurant that broke every rule and every record. In this episode, Erin tells the unfiltered truth about betting everything, surviving the chaos, and what it really feels like to sell your “baby” to a VC-backed food giant. 01:00 – Fired From Law, Chasing Mac & Cheese Dreams 01:32 – The Crazy Restaurant Gamble: No Money, All In 04:25 – Friends Said She Was Nuts 06:15 – Two Weeks From Total Failure 08:20 – How to Survive Entrepreneurial Panic 10:05 – Betting Everything on One Dish 12:10 – The Secret Sauce: Pricing for Hype 13:55 – Lines Out the Door—But No Profit 15:18 – Outperforming 99% of Restaurants 16:55 – Building a Business People Actually Want to Work At 18:30 – Radical Transparency: Open Book Management 20:15 – Buying Out Her Partner After 6 Years 22:10 – Turning Down Investors—Until Divorce Changed Everything 24:00 – The VC-Backed Tech-Food Takeover 26:05 – Selling Her "Baby"—And Regretting It? 27:42 – What Happens After You Sell (and They Don't Want Your Help) 29:08 – From Burnout to Bestseller: Writing The Mac & Cheese Millionaire

Since this show is hosted by a former legislator who's seen all of the tricks, we'll explain why Congressman Tom Tiffany's name is being bandied about as a potential candidate for governor despite his lack of statewide appeal or a substantive legislative record. And in our Homeroom segment, Pat and Jimmie Kaska talk about the problem of declining enrollment, which leads to a reduction in state aid done in a way that is far from any apples-to-apples comparison. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow is powered by UpNorthNews, and it airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Guest: Jimmie Kaska

Surprise baddies… Summer School is back in SESSION! We're testing our book smarts this summer, but before we dive in, join us for a debrief in Homeroom. Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dread it, run from it, the school year arrives all the same. Dr. Johnny Lupinacci has already spotted school supplies making their return to stores near him! Is it time to go back to school already??? Not quite, but the clock is ticking! Johnny and Dr. Tim Slekar discuss those latter days of summer when teachers start to sniff the return to class a'percolatin' just beyond the horizon in THIS episode of BustED Pencils! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci are joined by Producer Jakob to phone in a quick episode of BustED Pencils as they all recover from a wild 4th of July weekend. Now imagine if you will; a simpler time, a time before the modern world brought us down with fancy things. Those were the days. But they could come back! Because Tim Slekar is on the bleeding edge of a revolution in single-room-schooling! What's that? Tim explains here for all to see! So please join us for an expedited journey into an exciting blast from the educational past! Producer Jakob messed up the Moment of Zinn today. He will be disciplined accordingly. But hey, buttons, how do they work? Nobody knows. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

When Dr. Johnny Lupinacci was young the future looked so bright. The whole neighborhood was so alive, and every kid on the gosh darn street was gonna make it big and not be beat. But now, however, a recent article by K12 Dive is painting a picture of great uncertainty on behalf of the nation's youth. With a recent survey revealing that a majority of high school students do NOT feel prepared for life after graduation, Johnny and Producer Jakob are called into action to solve the crisis. Why do our talented youngsters feel this way? How can we better prepare kids and parents alike for life after high school? And should we make kids pick up litter in Colorado? But one thing is for sure, the kids aren't alright and something needs to change. We discuss all of this and more on THIS exciting episode of BustED Pencils. The Producer's Choice Show with Producer Jakob is part of BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk which is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

With Dr. Johnny on assignment scouting hockey players in Siberia, Dr. Tim Slekar and Producer Jakob have a quiet, contemplative conversation. Jakob thinks that AI is rotting Tim's brain out of it's socket and Tim thinks that Jakob should drop out of college to become a plumber (thus proving Jakob's point). It's a wild episode of BustED Pencils as Tim's brainrot brings him down to Jakob's level! So sit back, fire up the colortini, and enjoy! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

Today Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci talk about Linda McMahon's push for diversity of thought in higher education. What does she mean by that? Well, apparently it has to do with reeducation camps that would make the Viet Cong blush. Look, we all appreciate being able to express our views in a educational setting, that's part of learning, but what Trumpism wants is not a free and open exchange of ideas. Trumpists want a cultural revolution, but this time they want to be the ones calling the shots. Long story short; what does Trump want? It's like DEI, but for Republicans. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Today Dr. Tim Slekar comes to the show with a very moving email from a listener who shared a local school district superintendent's open letter to the Trump administration. In the letter they said that they would stand up for the children in their district against cold political decisions being made in Washington. Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and Producer Jakob talk about the importance of our local democracy. Whether it's on school boards or in the classroom, we love to see locals standing up for kids. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

The Biden administration gave Wisconsin a $10 million grant for school-based mental health services for K-12 education programs. Yay! Oh, Donald Trump just canceled the checks. Why? He's kind of a jerk. Today Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and special guest Producer Jakob (notably not a doctor) discuss the impact these cuts will have on young people in our state as well as the importance of investing in our young people. It's not socialism, it's just common sense. Young people that have bellies full of food, brains full of knowledge, and minds full of peace grow up to be productive members of society. So join us as we discuss these bloody mental cuts being targeted at kids that are having a hard time. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

We all have Memorial Day marked on our calendars as the unofficial start of good weather, cookouts, and days at the beach; but what is it really all about? Today Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and his guest Jakob go through the history of Memorial Day. Did you know that Memorial Day dates back to the 1860s? How about the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day? We talk about it all in today's somber and respectful edition of BustED Pencils as we remember those have gave everything for America and ponder the spirit of Memorial Day. Special thanks to all those who served our country! Plus Johnny makes an exciting announcement regarding Jakob's ever evolving role within the BustED Pencils conglomerate. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

On a somber episode of BustED Pencils, Dr. Tim Slekar and Jakob the Wonder Boy discuss a growing problem in higher education. As universities struggle with enrollment amidst a growing demographic crisis, states and their college systems face tough choices when it comes to allocating funding. This has led smaller branch schools (think UW-Whitewater or UC-Davis) to have to fight hard for their roles in education as resources are pushed to marquee locations. Can these withering branches be saved? Will their fall lead to the rising of a new, stronger education system of the future? Let's talk about it. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

Class truly is in session this week as Dr. Johnny Lupinacci returns from his sojourn to a teachers' meeting fit to burst with thoughts on this week's Homeroom episode. Johnny talks about the value of early child education in enabling children to start life on a strong footing and how Sesame Street has played a part in that effort for over fifty years. Plus how can we make education and the study of teaching both accessible to newcomers AND challenging? Johnny has thoughts. So join Johnny and his young ward Jakob as they search near and far for answers to today's burning education questions. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

Our worst fears have come true; Monday is here and Dr. Johnny Lupinacci is nowhere to be found. Some say he's in Nepal climbing Mount Everest. Others speculate he may be deep undercover behind the Iron Curtain. Or, perhaps, he has a meeting. Regardless, Dr. Tim Slekar and Non-Dr. Jakob are here to discuss pressing issues in education. The government is trying to cut funding for PBS, leaving Bert and Ernie facing a fiscal crisis, and Indiana is turning down free money meant for feeding hungry kids (or as the President may misunderstand it, "Feeding Hungary kids".) Tune in for an in-depth discussion of Monday's biggest headlines in education. On another note, Producer Jakob would like to apologize for implying that enjoying NASCAR is in anyway linked to being closed-minded. Jakob would never, NEVER, want to denigrate NASCAR fans.* BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! *For NASCAR fans, "denigrate" means "put down." Guest: Jakob

We have a special guest for our weekly Homeroom segment: Dr. Jill Underly, state superintendent of public instruction. We'll talk about Teacher Appreciation Week, the status of the state budget debate in Madison, and the harm being caused by President Trump's efforts to gut essential educational support. We'll also visit with Congressman Mark Pocan about the difficulty getting Trump officials to acknowledge tariffs are taxes on consumers. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Guest: Mark Pocan

Today Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and Dr. Tim Slekar discuss an interesting development in education as the Supreme Court is set to rule on whether or not religious charter schools can receive public funding. What truly makes a public school? Is it an elected schoolboard, direct state funding, or something else? Can a religious organization provide a secular education? And how can we make sure that public tax dollars are used to serve the public good rather than to prop up any one particular religious ideology? Find the answers to these questions and more as we wade into unchartered waters on THIS episode of BUSTED PENCILS. Producer Jakob had a wild weekend. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

If you're not familiar with the issue of how lead paint is still poisoning children in Milwaukee schools, you can be forgiven for asking, “How is this still a thing?” Our guest from the Wisconsin Public Education Network has the background in this week's Homeroom segment. Mornings with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-9 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Guest: Jenni Hofschulte

With Dr. Johnny Lupinacci indisposed, Dr. Tim Slekar has no choice but to try to educate junior producer-in-training Jakob about the intricacies of school choice. What is Texas Governor Greg Abbot planning to do with so-called universal school choice rules in his state and why does Tim think that they might backfire on him? Does Jakob know that the nationwide school choice movement started right here in Wisconsin? And how does universal school choice create a whole new mess of problems for rural parents and students? And what about our choice to support our public schools? Find the answers to all of these questions and more in today's episode of BustED Pencils! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Blue-collar scholars and warrior poets Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and producer Jakob overcome their grief over Tim's absence to take a look at one of the perhaps not unexpected results of Donald Trump's executive order banning “DEI” and “woke” from classrooms as in Idaho a 6th grade teacher finds herself in a difficult situation when her school's administration asks her to take down a classroom poster that simply reads “everyone is welcome here.” When the definition of controversial changes, should our values change too? Or do we all have an obligation to continue making everyone feel welcome regardless of what certain forces within society might like to scare us into doing? And what could be more patriotic than loving your country enough to want to see it improve? BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Today Dr. Tim Slekar comes fully leaded with a perplexing story out of Oklahoma as the state makes a controversial decision to begin teaching 2020 election denial as part of its official state social studies standards, a move that even David Griffith from the conservative think tank the Fordham Institute called “disappointing.” But is there an opportunity to come at this problem from another angle while insisting Oklahoma's haphazard implementation is just not ok? Dr. Johnny Lupinacci responds with a different take, seeing a chance to delve into the wider issue of growing election denialism in American society. When the subjects get tough, the only solution is a healthy dialog and that's precisely what occurs on today's episode as our hosts and special guest Jess PS grapple with the challenge of teaching students to embrace a healthy skepticism towards their government and its institutions without yielding ground to baseless conspiracy theories and debunked claims. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the trajectory all of our lives. Now, five years since the onset of the pandemic, we look at all that we've become. So often, we hear the endless clarion call of "learning loss" in education. Rarely do we hear about all of the learning students, teachers, and families gained. Nor do we take time to celebrate and honor how some trajectory shifts stemming from Covid led to spectacular growth and achievement for us personally. So today, we look not only at the loss- which we understand as grief, not some abstract loss of learning- but also at what we gained. For one thing, we gained Dr. Johnny Lupinacci as cohost of BustED Pencils! At this five-year mark, nearly every publication offers some form of reflective essay. Dr. Johnny shared his thoughts about the lessons gained from the pandemic with the Washington State magazine. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Class, welcome to another new week! Despite our best efforts at cheer, we're finding it hard to be all smiles to start this week. And we find that sentiment reflected in our nation's continually declining happiness index. For the second consecutive year, America ranks at a new low on the World Happiness Report. Why is our happiness declining? Well, when we look around at the uncertainty in the economy, willful denial of climate catastrophe, and lack of investment in the future the answer appears... Next, the news we've been waiting for since November 5th, 2024. President Trump officially ordered the beginning of the end at the federal Department of Education. Dr. Tim and Dr. Johnny address this news as their educated educator selves: with a short civics lesson. By the way, it's not as if teachers universally adore the federal department. The department needs massive reform to address the needs of students, teachers, and families. But gutting it and leaving states without critical funds only spells harm for many millions of Americans. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

In this week's Homeroom segment, the stakes of the state Supreme Court election when it comes to public education in Wisconsin. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guest: Julie Underwood

Happy Monday Class, let's bust some pencils! In last week's homeroom, we covered the lawsuit filed by 8 Attorneys General in opposition to the cancellation of hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher training grants. Now, their efforts in suing pay off- at least temporarily- as a federal judge orders those grants reinstated in the 8 states. This is a temporary measure, but it shows the power of our elected officials fighting in the necessary courts for our students. Do we wish suing wasn't necessary? Yes, of course. But it is, so we're damn glad for our Attorneys General! Next we turn to another pending lawsuit. Last week, the Trump administration proceeded with their first concrete steps to dismantle the federal Department of Education. On just one day, they fired over 1300 employees, reducing the workforce to half its size at the outset of the administration. Now, 21 Attorneys General are suing over the impending harm this will cause to schools. We encourage and wish them well! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

We apologize for being tardy to Homeroom today, Class! While we don't have a parent note, we do have trending education news to share with you! Let's focus in, because policy changes are coming fast, loud, and confusing. First, more labor unions representing educators join the AFT in their lawsuit against the federal Department of Education. The lawsuit follows the federal department's release of a Dear Colleague letter on February 14th outlining threats to funding for schools engaged in "DEI" efforts. Through the uncertainty, we agreed that we should focus on the effects, not the bluster. And now we see effects, as the department cancels hundreds of millions of dollars in grants for teacher apprenticeship programs. In response, eight state Attorneys General, including Wisconsin's Josh Kaul, filed suit. Because this isn't how we help students. So, there's a lot here. We urge you to focus past the dogwhistle of "DEI." This is a targeted attack on poor communities and on public schools. We'll be back on Wednesday and Friday with more hopeful podcasts! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Welcome to class, Pencil Busters! Today, we're discussing "Dear Colleague" letters, following up on our Homeroom session from Monday. Last week, the Office of Civil Rights within the federal Department of Education sent out a "Dear Colleague" letter to all schools subject to the department. So today, Dr. Tim and Dr. Johnny break down what these letters are and why they matter. Ultimately, at least according to Johnny, these letters are antithetical to a healthy democracy- especially with contents like this latest one. Will this letter from the federal Dept. of Ed dictate curriculum? No. But will it influence curriculum and educational outcomes? Most certainly. Tune in to learn more! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Class, let's get into the news for this week. President Trump's administration made clear that they do not value diversity, equity, or inclusion. Though those words "diversity," "equity," and "inclusion" separately rarely prompt any vitriol, together they form a rallying cry of- ironically- discrimination from some. Diversity is a basic truth of life, none of us is exactly the same. Inclusion should be a uniting force, where each individual is valued. And equity, equity is fairness incarnate. Equity is an ideal of each person having a fair shot at opportunity and success. Yet the second Trump administration paints these terms as sinister. And now in a Dear Colleague letter, this administration uses the very Department of Education they profess a desire to dismantle, to dictate curriculum. In response, AFT- led by President Randi Weingarten- sued the very same federal Education Department alleging that the dictates are not only harmful to students, but also illegal. Join us to discuss. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Pencil Busters, let's get into this new week! In this time of absolutely overwhelming and frankly scary news regarding the funding of our schools and democracy itself, let's focus on what we do best. We're educated educators, talking education. So that's what we have for you today, a Homeroom lesson on ways to learn. Coming from Arizona, two new schools set to open in which students will learn for two hours a day with an AI tutor. What about the rest of the day? Well, they'll have time to learn about what interests and engages them most! Is this the answer to the factory model of education? Perhaps not entirely. But it's certainly part of it! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Welcome to a new week of Pencil Busting, Class! We begin where we left off last week, with the "Nation's Report Card", NAEP. The National Assessment of Educational Progress is a standardized test for students across the country in 4th and 8th grade. So why are we talking about yet another standardized test? Because it's part of the National Institute of Education Sciences that President Trump gutted last week. Don't worry, the test will continue. But the people who interpret the data and make it accessible to the public will be replaced with loyalists. What could *possibly* go wrong? BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Dr. Tim and Producer Jess look at trending news concerning the federal Department of Education. President Trump ran on a platform that included dismantling this department. He's tapped a wrestling media megabillionaire to lead it in order to end it. And we wait with bated breath for an executive order declaring it's death. On Friday morning, Democratic lawmakers in Washington DC attempted to enter the Department of Education main building and were denied access. News sources differed widely in how they covered the event. NBC put it much as we did, 'House Democrats denied access...' while sharing a video of their confrontation. On the other side of the media aisle, Fox raised the level of aggression significantly, with the headline 'Democrats ambush Education Dept in attempt to force meeting". We urge you to take extra time in these coming days, weeks, months, and years to read beyond the headlines. And read beyond your first choice media source, not only to broaden your perspective but to gain additional clarity. Finally, we plead with you all- keep those critical thinking muscles sharp and flexible, we need them!!! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Class, it's been a chaotic two weeks since January 20th. That strange confluence of a day commemorated the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the second inauguration of Donald Trump to the presidency. It's important in these chaotic moments to take some time to check in with each other. Because as Educators Amplified's Teacher Joanna and Teacher Hallie often remind us, us educated educators need to be the regulated ones in the room. So take a few minutes. Breathe with us. Remember that to be an advocate for democracy in these moments is a form of resistance. And clear your head so you can be the calm, caring, compassionate voice in your world. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Last Monday, the 45th and now 47th President of the United States took the oath of office and began a second term that looks more like a reign than an administration. Since the immediate aftermath of the election in November, we've tried to name the moment. In the limbo between election and inauguration, we've named this moment contradiction– hopelessness and perseverance. We named it despair and determination. And we grappled for what to name what comes next. Now here we are in what comes next, and it's time to get to work. On Inauguration Day last week, coinciding with a day to remember the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we witnessed an extremely powerful example of how to resist the weight and darkness of Trump's second Presidential term. The Right Reverend Mariann Budde delivered the sermon for the Inaugural interfaith service. In it, she calls for unity, not uniformity or passivity, but a unified dedication to our people and country. And she directed a plea to the newly inaugurated President to have mercy on all those who are paralyzed by fear in this moment. Her words fell on deaf ears in the front row, but rose as strength in ours. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Today, January 20th, marks two very different occasions. This day, January 20th, is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A day when many people stop their usual work to dedicate themselves to community service and reflect on on all that we as humans share with one another. Today is also the day when Donald Trump will be inaugurated to a second term as President of these United States. And that feels like a bitter combination to us. How can we hold both of these memorials on the same day and move towards civic engagement? BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Happy Monday, Class, let's get to some pencil busting! Our pal Michael Petrili- read the sarcasm on this, please- President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute wrote a piece last week seeking to compare education reform in 'red' and 'blue' states. To put it bluntly, we're not impressed. Michael misses several key issues and dodders around pesky little issues such as accountability while bemoaning a supposed lack of accountability in public schools. The article leaves us wondering: Is either of the major political parties in the United States interested in education reform that truly benefits our next generations? BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

We now know who is running in nonpartisan elections across Wisconsin and whether any of the races will require a primary in February before a general election on April 1. We'll update the choices for State Superintendent of Public Instruction and an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court—both races with major implications for the state. And in this week's Homeroom, we'll review what kinds of legislation will be considered by the Assembly and Senate that could impact the education of Wisconsin kids. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guests: Salina Heller, Bryn Horton

Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, died last week at the age of 100. He lived a full life devoted to the American people and leaves behind a legacy of a man who led with compassion and firm defense of our democracy. As President, he established the federal Department of Education, officially created in 1979. Education, as Dr. Tim and Dr. Johnny often remind us, is a state right. Yet Carter called for and followed through to create the federal department, primarily to enforce civil rights throughout the country. The federal department of education also serves to provide robust support and structure for schools across the nation. The department hasn't always lived up to its promise, and our docs certainly don't shy away from criticism, when due. Yet the promise lives on. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Pencil Busters, 2024 has been a wild ride! Join us for this very special Homeroom, as we take a look back at the standout moments of this past year. From the lows to the highs and the laughs to the cries, 2024 gave us a lot worth remembering. From all of us at BustED Pencils: Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny, and Producer Jess, thank YOU for a fantastic year! We wish you a very Happy New Year and we'll see you in 2025 for a fresh year of Busting Pencils! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Welcome to the #ShareYourHotness Podcast episode 151! Join Clara Bush— former pageant girl, founder of Homeroom Apparel, and previous missionary in Paris and Belgium for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — as she dives into real talk about overcoming a faith crisis. Recently married to the love of her life, she's all about finding joy in authenticity and learning to build a life that reflects her values. Tune in for relatable stories, growth, and a touch of humor as Clara shares her journey and insights on embracing true faith. Support The #ShareYourHotness Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/the-syh-podcast Find out more at https://the-syh-podcast.pinecast.co

How do you create an amazing place to work? Is it the mac & cheese? Kevin chats with Erin Wade, founder of the wildly successful Homeroom restaurant, which specializes in one thing: mac and cheese. Erin shares the personal journey that led her from being an unhappy corporate lawyer to building a thriving business that values culture, autonomy, and joy. Erin discusses how the idea of a mac and cheese restaurant came to her on a rainy night, craving comfort food after a tough day as a lawyer. She shares her leadership viewpoint of connection, collaboration, and collective success and how focusing on process, systems, and trust empowers employees and creates extraordinary customer experience. This podcast was recorded during Virtual LeaderCon 2024. Listen For 0:00 Introductio 1:24 Welcoming Erin Wade 2:10 Erin's Background and Introduction 3:43 Becoming "The Mac and Cheese Millionaire" 4:04 From Law to Mac and Cheese 5:17 The Inspiration Behind Homeroom Restaurant 8:06 Lessons from Working in Fine Dining 10:06 Importance of Gaining Practical Experience 12:16 Erin's Leadership Philosophy 13:10 Connection, Collaboration, and Collective Success 14:39 Erin's Violin Story Fake It Till You Make It 17:12 The Role of Reflection and Self-Listening 19:01 Passion as a Key to Fulfillment and Success 20:08 Importance of Having a Reflective Hobby 22:33 Balancing Work Passion and Life 24:32 Creating Culture and Systems in Business 28:18 Paint by Number vs Coloring Book Leadership Styles 31:11 The Stoking Out Rule for Memorable Customer Experiences 33:50 The “Color Code” System for Managing Harassment 38:10 Power of Inclusive Leadership and Collective Solutions 39:15 Restorative Discipline Making Things Right 42:35 Erin's Approach to Reading and Staying Informed 43:14 Mac and Cheese Tips and Recommendations 44:48 Mac and Cheese Ice Cream and Other Creative Ideas 47:15 Closing Remarks Meet Erin Erin Wade is the author of The Mac & Cheese Millionaire: Building a Better Business by Thinking Outside the Box. She opened a wildly popular restaurant, Homeroom, which has been covered everywhere from the Cooking Channel to the Wall Street Journal. She authored the bestselling The Mac & Cheese Cookbook, as well as a viral op-ed in the Washington Post that was named one of the publications' best of the year. Erin's work on business culture has been covered in Forbes and The New York Times, and she was named one of thirty-five “World-Changing Women” by Conscious Company magazine. Erin has a public policy degree from Princeton and a law degree from UC Berkeley. She lives in the Bay Area with her family and an array of surfboards. Book Recommendations The Mac & Cheese Millionaire: Building a Better Business by Thinking Outside the Box by Erin Wade Like this? Winning! with Gary Brackett Creating a Culture of Hospitality with Cameron Mitchell Podcast Better! Sign up with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free! Use promo code: RLP   Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes    Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group  

The 2024 General Election is TOMORROW. In deep purple Ohio and Wisconsin, Tim and Jess are feeling the stress. Johnny, in reliably blue Washington reports less... AAAAAH... than Dr. Slekar and Producer Jess. Regardless, of the election stress, we still have trending news for Homeroom this week! First, check your ballots for measures regarding education, many school districts will have them! Next, as we reported last week, guidelines for AI use in classrooms lag behind actual AI use by students and faculty. Well, the Federal Department of Education now provides some structure! For a one-stop shop to check your voter registration, find your polling location, and practice voting with a sample ballot, go to myvote.wi.gov. Make a plan to vote and fulfill your CIVIC duty! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

In this first episode of season 7, we dive into the captivating world of artificial intelligence and its impact on education in Utah. Join us as we trace the history of AI, from its early origins in the 1950s to its current state-of-the-art advancements. We'll ask experts to share their insights on what AI truly is and how they envision its transformative potential for teachers and students across the state. Get ready to be inspired as we explore the exciting possibilities that AI brings to the future of learning.Sign up for UEN's weekly Professional Development Newsletter: http://go.uen.org/c2aStay connected with UEN

Erin Wade hated her job. So she created a mac & cheese restaurant called Homeroom, then rethought how every other employee should be treated. In this episode, she explains how she rethough discipline, incentives, and the working environment, and built a place that people actually want to work in. Erin's new book about this is called Mac & Cheese Millionaire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today our guest is Cindy Bourget - Middle School Counselor, Elk Mound Area School District and also a 2024 ASCA School Counselor of the Year finalist. We talk to Cindy about how she integrates CharacterStrong as a Universal Tier 1 support, helping teachers effectively use it in their homeroom settings. Cindy emphasizes that Tier 1 is about the day-to-day functioning of a school community, and she explains how CharacterStrong aligns with the ASCA Student Standards for Student Success. She also shares her approach to using conversation circles, a powerful tool to encourage movement, foster dialogue, and keep students engaged. Learn More About CharacterStrong:  Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website Cindy Bourget is a school counselor of 10 years who believes that every student deserves a school counselor. As a first generation college graduate, she focuses on building systems that ensure all students are supported. She is the current Wisconsin School Counselor Association Data Director and a 2024 National School Counselor of the Year Finalist.

Jump into Monday with a whirlwind of money topics! We start by celebrating the arrival of fall and the excitement around baseball playoffs (especially for Detroit Tigers fans). But the real fun begins after we salute the troops and dive into the main event: a riveting conversation with Erin Wade, a former lawyer turned chef and entrepreneur. Have you ever thought you wanted to do more with your life than you currently do? Erin shares her tumultuous journey from corporate law to opening one of America's top restaurants, Homeroom, and drops valuable lessons on following your passions and creating a rewarding work environment. During our headline segment, we discuss the recent Federal Reserve rate cuts and what it means for your finances. How can you benefit from lower interest rates? We'll dive into how interest rate cuts work and help the economy. We discuss what this means for your savings, debt strategy, and more. Plus, macaroni and cheese-related trivia AND—how to take your mac and cheese recipe to the next level! Monday Morning Musings Baseball Playoffs Excitement Saluting Our Troops Introducing Today's Guest: Erin Wade Mac and Cheese and the Holiday Season The Journey to Entrepreneurship The Importance of Passion and Play Challenges and Triumphs in the Restaurant Industry Empowering Teams and Open Book Management Mac and Cheese Tips from the Expert Mac and Cheese Tips and Tricks Doug's Mac and Cheese Trivia Powdered Cheese and Nostalgia Federal Reserve and Interest Rates Explained Impact of Interest Rates on Loans and Economy Credit Scores and Mortgage Tips Car Market and Financing Insights Upcoming Events and Closing Remarks Post-Game Press Conference FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/erin-wade-from-attorney-to-mac-and-cheese-millionaire-1581/ Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Emily Washcovick sits down with Erin Wade, best-selling author, chef, and entrepreneur. Erin shares her journey from being an unhappy lawyer to opening Homeroom, a wildly popular mac & cheese restaurant in Oakland, CA. Hear the lessons Erin learned along the way, and specifically how she built a unique restaurant culture, as well as system for dealing with sexual harassment. Tune in for insights that can help any small business thrive, from Erin's new book, "The Mac and Cheese Millionaire.” Erin Wade More about the episode Theme Music by Ali Schwartz and Meserole Sound

Send us a textThe FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear!Erin Wade, founder and former CEO of Homeroom, a mac-and-cheese restaurant in Oakland, to discuss her latest book: The Mac and Cheese Millionaire: Building a Better Business by Thinking Outside the Box and her journey from being an unfulfilled attorney to a successful entrepreneur. Erin opens up about the lessons learned while building a company culture that balances freedom with structure, and how she turned her passion into a thriving business. Joe and Erin dive into the power of titles, leadership, and the importance of creating a workplace that people genuinely want to be a part of. Episode Topics:Erin's transition from law to the restaurant industry.The balance between freedom and structure in leadership.How facing struggles shaped Erin's entrepreneurial journey.The role of intentional culture-building in business success.Leadership beyond titles and the power of influence.Watch the interview here.Erin Wade is a best-selling author, chef, and entrepreneur. Erin opened a cultishly popular restaurant, Homeroom, which has been covered everywhere from Cooking Channel to The Wall Street Journal. She authored The Mac & Cheese Millionaire, the best-selling The Mac and Cheese Cookbook, and a viral op-ed in the Washington Post about her restaurant's solution to sexual harassment that was named one of the publication's best of the year.Erin's work on business culture has been covered in Forbes and The New York Times, and she was named one of thirty-five “World-Changing Women” by Conscious Company magazine. Erin has a public policy degree from Princeton and a law degree from UC Berkeley. She lives in the Bay Area with her family and an array of surfboards.A special thanks to this week's sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for unitsMy favorite coffee is veteran-owned Alpha Coffee and I've been drinking it every morning since 2020! They make 100% premium arabica coffee. Alpha has donated over 22k bags of coffee to deployed units and they offer a 10% discount for military veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers! Try their coffee today. Once you taste the Alpha difference, you won't want to drink anything else!  Learn more here. 

In this episode, Erin Wade discusses her journey from being a practicing lawyer to making mac and cheese...as a business. Wade shares how surfing became a personal escape while managing a busy life as a CEO and mother, and how she applied lessons from her career to build a restaurant known for its strong workplace culture. She introduces the concept of open book management, which empowers employees by involving them in the company's financials and decisions, leading to higher engagement and performance.Erin also highlights her innovative approach to tackling sexual harassment in the workplace with the “color code of conduct,” a system now used globally in the restaurant industry. She reflects on the power of titles in shaping both external perception and self-identity, and the importance of managing for impact rather than intent. The conversation is packed with insights on leadership, culture-building, and how to create work environments where employees feel valued and empowered.Erin Wade is a chef, author, and entrepreneur. She is the Founder and CEO of Homeroom, a restaurant in Oakland, California, known in equal parts for its unique workplace culture and incredible macaroni and cheese. She has a degree in public policy from Princeton University and a law degree from UC Berkeley. Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it's completely free. Learn more and sign up at https://fs.blog/newsletter/ -- Upgrade — If you want to hear my thoughts and reflections at the end of the episode, join our membership: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fs.blog/membership/⁠⁠ and get your own private feed. -- Follow me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beacons.ai/shaneparrish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tkppodcast (00:00) Intro (02:30) Wade's surfing obsession (04:42) Defeating overthinking (05:00) Wade's background in food (06:40) Wade's law detour (10:20) On being fired (12:40) Early mistakes and freedom (20:00) Employee-centric companies (32:30) Homeroom Hard Times (34:40) How Wade's law background helped (and hurt) (42:40) The Color Code of Conduct (49:30) Why Wade sold Homeroom (and how she felt) (55:58) Impact vs. Intent (59:00) Why titles are important (01:04:00) On success