We Wrote to Alton Brown, School Announcements Are Chaos & College Isn’t Scary | NPD Podcast Ep. 30

Bidet Reviews, Senior Skip Day & Camping Trip Chaos | NPD Podcast Ep. 33

💥 This week on the Non-Professional Development Podcast, we’re back from a short spring break… and somehow already overwhelmed. The episode starts exactly where you’d expect: with Dave defending the bidet lifestyle, arguing about Amazon reviews, and trying to figure out how someone buys six bidets and still can’t prove one made it to Ted’s house. From there, we jump straight into peak teacher season — field trip paperwork, pizza receipt disasters, camping trip planning, parent questions, and the terrifying realization that we’re about to take 72 students into the woods. Yes. Again. We also talk about students getting their first jobs and learning the hard truth that work is… well, work. From late paychecks to frustrating bosses, Dave and Ted break down the weird transition from student life to real-world responsibility. And because this is NPD, the episode somehow also includes old-school classroom intercoms, pneumatic tube systems, Senior Skip Day, and a surprisingly solid idea for giving seniors sick days and personal days like they’re already in the workforce. So yes — bidets, bears, PTO, and pizza paperwork. Normal teacher stuff. 🎧 What to Expect: – Dave’s passionate defense of the bidet lifestyle – Amazon reviews, one-star chaos, and questionable installation complaints – Spring break being over way too quickly – Field trip paperwork and the nightmare of ordering pizza through official channels – Planning a massive camping trip with 72 students – Parent questions about pillows, sleeping bags, food, and survival – Students learning the harsh truths of their first jobs – Senior Skip Day and whether students should get PTO – Old-school classroom intercoms and school tech nostalgia – A surprisingly practical idea about teaching responsibility before graduation 🙌 Why Tune In? Because teaching is somehow 10% lesson planning, 20% emotional support, 30% paperwork, and 40% explaining why students should not forage for mushrooms on a camping trip. This episode is classic NPD — ridiculous, relatable, weirdly practical, and full of the kind of teacher conversations that start with bidets and end with education reform. 🚨 Join Our Patreon Community! 🚨Want bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes chaos, early releases, and exclusive segments that don’t always make the main feed? Support the podcast and become part of the NPD inner circle:👉 https://patreon.com/nonprofessionaldevelopment [https://patreon.com/nonprofessionaldevelopment] 📢 Join the Movement: 👍 Like💬 Comment🔔 Subscribe And tag someone who has very strong opinions about bidets, field trips, or Senior Skip Day. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes full of classroom comedy, teacher therapy, and stories that remind you why education is the wildest job on earth. 🔗 Stay Connected: 🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon & more 📱 Follow us everywhere → https://linktr.ee/nonprofessionaldevelopment [https://linktr.ee/nonprofessionaldevelopment] 👇 We Want Your Stories! - What’s the wildest field trip or camping trip story you have? - Did your school have Senior Skip Day? - What was your first job — and how quickly did you realize work was work? Drop it in the comments — we might feature it next episode! ✅ Next Week’s Teaser: Episode 34 is coming… and based on how this spring is going, we’re probably bringing more paperwork, more chaos, and at least one bad idea. #TeacherPodcast #TeacherLife #EducationHumor #NPDpodcast #SeniorSkipDay #CampingTripChaos #FieldTripProblems #BidetDebate #ClassroomChaos #PodcastComedy #TeacherStories

We Accidentally Turned This Podcast into a Midlife Crisis | NPD Podcast Ep. 32

💥 This week on the Non-Professional Development Podcast, we somehow start with colorblind camouflage design… and end with an existential crisis about human existence. So honestly, a pretty normal episode for us. After returning from our off-set birthday special, we’re back in the studio and immediately spiraling into arguments about what “low key” actually means, whether Dave could successfully design camouflage while being colorblind, and why the sounds of our childhood were somehow both terrifying and comforting at the same time. Naturally, this turns into a full nostalgia trip featuring dial-up internet, Nextel chirps, THX sound effects, Teddy Ruxpin, and the realization that students today will never understand the psychological damage caused by early internet noises. Somewhere in the middle of all this chaos, we take a moment to celebrate one of Ted’s students becoming EMT certified — leading into a conversation about the positive classroom moments that deserve way more attention than they get. Then things take another turn. A casual discussion about family trees somehow evolves into the horrifying realization that all of us technically needed 4096 great grandparents just to exist… which immediately sends the podcast into full midlife crisis territory. So yes — this episode contains nostalgia, teacher reflections, identity crises, and at least one argument that absolutely did not need to happen. 🎧 What to Expect: – Dave attempting to imagine colorblind camouflage design – A completely unnecessary argument about the phrase “low key” – Ted’s Time Machine: the terrifying sounds of the early internet era – Dial-up internet, Nextel chirps, THX intros & Teddy Ruxpin nostalgia – Celebrating Ted’s first EMT-certified student – Positive teacher moments that deserve more recognition – The shocking realization that you needed 4096 great grandparents to exist – An accidental full-podcast existential crisis – Classic NPD spiraling and emotional damage 🙌 Why Tune In? Because sometimes the funniest conversations start with something completely ridiculous and somehow end with you questioning reality. This episode perfectly captures what NPD has become: nostalgia, chaos, teacher stories, random arguments, and the occasional unexpectedly meaningful moment hiding underneath the nonsense. Also… if dial-up internet noises still trigger something deep inside your soul, this episode is for you. 🚨 Join Our Patreon Community! 🚨Want bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes chaos, early releases, and exclusive segments that don’t always make the main feed? Support the podcast and become part of the NPD inner circle: 👉 https://patreon.com/nonprofessionaldevelopment [https://patreon.com/nonprofessionaldevelopment] 📢 Join the Movement: 👍 Like💬 Comment🔔 Subscribe And tag someone who still remembers the sound of dial-up internet connecting. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes full of classroom comedy, teacher therapy, and stories that remind you why education is the wildest job on earth. 🔗 Stay Connected: 🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon & more📱 Follow us everywhere → Click Here for NPD Socials [https://linktr.ee/nonprofessionaldevelopment⁠] 👇 We Want Your Stories! - What childhood sound instantly brings you back?- What’s the dumbest argument you’ve ever had with your friends?- Have you ever accidentally spiraled into a full existential crisis mid-conversation? Drop it in the comments — we might feature it next episode! ✅ Next Week’s Teaser: Episode 33 is coming… and based on our current trajectory, we’re probably only getting weirder. #TeacherPodcast #DialUpInternet #MillennialNostalgia #TeacherLife #NPDpodcast #EducationHumor #PodcastComedy #ClassroomChaos #TeacherStories #ExistentialCrisis

Birthday Chaos Off-Set: Space Gifts, Prank Stories & Birthday Thanksgiving | NPD Podcast Ep. 31

💥 This week on the Non-Professional Development Podcast, we’re officially off-set and on location for a very special episode — filmed at Dave’s parents’ house just before his annual “Birthday Thanksgiving” celebration. Yes… Thanksgiving. In April. We kick things off with a full birthday surprise moment, complete with some very questionable space-themed gifts (including one that might actually heat a room… or just confuse everyone). From there, we settle into the chaos of recording outside the studio, surrounded by decades of tradition, family stories, and a full house getting ready to celebrate. Naturally, things spiral. We dive into some of the most unhinged prank stories we’ve ever pulled (and maybe regret), relive moments that probably went too far, and share the kind of stories that only come out when you’re not in the studio and slightly distracted by a giant turkey being cooked in the background. We also take a moment to reflect on what makes teaching so unique — from meaningful student moments to the unexpected ways students show appreciation that stick with you long after the class ends. And yes… this episode includes one of the most legendary stories we’ve ever told. 🎧 What to Expect: – A special off-set episode filmed at Dave’s parents’ house – The tradition of “Birthday Thanksgiving” (and why it exists) – Dave opening hilariously questionable space-themed birthday gifts – Some of our most chaotic and over-the-top prank stories – The prank that may have gone a little too far – A heartfelt moment about student gifts and appreciation – The story behind one unforgettable fountain pen incident – Behind-the-scenes chaos before a 17-person birthday Thanksgiving 🙌 Why Tune In? Because this isn’t just another episode — it’s a behind-the-scenes look at the chaos, traditions, and stories that make this podcast what it is. From ridiculous birthday gifts to unforgettable prank moments and genuine reflections on teaching, this episode captures everything that makes NPD… NPD. It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s one of our most personal episodes yet. 🚨 Join Our Patreon Community! 🚨Want bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes chaos, early releases, and exclusive segments that don’t always make the main feed? Support the podcast and become part of the NPD inner circle: 👉 https://patreon.com/nonprofessionaldevelopment [https://patreon.com/nonprofessionaldevelopment] 📢 Join the Movement: 👍 Like💬 Comment🔔 Subscribe And tag someone who would absolutely celebrate Thanksgiving on their birthday. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes full of classroom comedy, teacher therapy, and stories that remind you why education is the wildest job on earth. 🔗 Stay Connected: 🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon & more 📱 Follow us everywhere → Click here for NPD Socials [https://linktr.ee/nonprofessionaldevelopment⁠] 👇 We Want Your Stories! - What’s the weirdest birthday tradition you’ve ever had?- Have you ever pulled (or been the victim of) a prank that went too far?- What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever received from a student? Drop it in the comments — we might feature it next episode! ✅ Next Week’s Teaser: Episode 32 is coming… and we might be back in the studio (no promises). #TeacherPodcast #BirthdayChaos #OffSetEpisode #ThanksgivingInApril #NPDpodcast #NonProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherLife #PodcastComedy #PrankStories #ClassroomStories

We Wrote to Alton Brown, School Announcements Are Chaos & College Isn’t Scary | NPD Podcast Ep. 30

💥 This week on the Non-Professional Development Podcast, we start with a debate that somehow turns serious: how often should you wash your jeans? Dave and Ted quickly realize they are not on the same page… and now we need answers. From there, we spiral into one of the most relatable teacher thoughts ever — what if school announcements happened in real workplaces? Imagine a Fortune 500 meeting getting interrupted by “someone left their water bottle in the hallway,” or a Petco employee getting called out mid-shift. Teachers know: announcements can mean anything from completely random to someone is absolutely in trouble. Then we shift gears into a real conversation about how students are terrified of college — and why it’s actually a much better experience than high school (despite what they’ve been told). Ted’s Time Machine makes a return, throwing it back to classic New England field trips — Washington, D.C., Sturbridge Village, the Peabody Museum, and all the experiences students today don’t realize they’ll miss until it’s too late. We also sit back and listen to one of the most chaotic classroom moments: students giving advice to other students. From dating to calling out of work, the advice gets so bad that we have to decide when to step in… and when to just let it happen. And finally, Dave brings back “Let’s Type” to write a letter to none other than celebrity chef Alton Brown, after a heated debate over what a pellicle actually is. Yes… Ted was right. 🎧 What to Expect: – The great jeans washing debate (how often is too often?) – What school announcements would sound like in real workplaces – The chaos of classroom announcements teachers know too well – Why students are unnecessarily afraid of college – Ted’s Time Machine: classic New England field trips – Students giving absolutely unhinged advice to each other – When teachers step in… and when they definitely should – The return of “Let’s Type” with a letter to Alton Brown – The pellicle debate that started it all 🙌 Why Tune In? Because every teacher has paused mid-lesson waiting for an announcement that makes no sense. Because students truly believe college is terrifying when it’s actually one of the best experiences they’ll have. And because sometimes the best classroom moments come from letting students talk… even when it goes completely off the rails. This episode is classic NPD — chaotic, relatable, and filled with the kind of moments only teachers understand. 🚨 Join Our Patreon Community! 🚨 Want bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes chaos, early releases, and exclusive segments that don’t always make the main feed? Support the podcast and become part of the NPD inner circle:👉 Click Here to Join the NPD Patreon [https://patreon.com/nonprofessionaldevelopment] 📢 Join the Movement: 👍 Like 💬 Comment 🔔 Subscribe And tag someone who has very strong opinions about how often jeans should be washed. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes full of classroom comedy, teacher therapy, and stories that remind you why education is the wildest job on earth. 🔗 Stay Connected: 🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon & more 📱 Follow us everywhere → Follow the NPD Socials [https://linktr.ee/nonprofessionaldevelopment] 👇 We Want Your Stories! - How often do YOU wash your jeans? - What’s the weirdest school announcement you’ve ever heard? - What’s the worst advice you’ve heard a student give another student? Drop it in the comments — we might feature it next episode! ✅ Next Week’s Teaser: Episode 31 is coming… and we’re already questioning our decisions. #TeacherPodcast #TeacherLife #EducationHumor #NPDpodcast #SchoolAnnouncements #CollegeLife #FieldTripMemories #ClassroomChaos #PodcastComedy #TeacherStories

Invisible Rash, Student Wins & Movies That Traumatized Us | NPD Podcast Ep. 29

💥 This week on the Non-Professional Development Podcast, we kick things off with one of the strangest preshow conversations yet — Dave insists he has an invisible rash, and Ted immediately jumps to the only logical conclusion: scabies… somehow caused by clementine's. From there, things take a much more wholesome turn as we celebrate one of Ted’s students becoming EMT certified — and reflect on the kinds of classroom wins that don’t get talked about enough, but absolutely should. Of course, it wouldn’t be NPD without a hard left turn. We spiral into stories about police department psych exams, talk about why students being “mean” is actually a good sign (most of the time), and then dive into the movies we watched growing up that probably should not have been shown to children. That somehow leads to Dave calling his dad mid-episode to confirm a childhood sleepwalking story… which only raises more questions. And yes — we may or may not be planning an NPD sleepover. 🎧 What to Expect: – Dave’s “invisible rash” and Ted’s scabies diagnosis – A colorblind test that quickly derails the episode– Celebrating Ted’s first EMT-certified student – The importance of recognizing positive classroom moments – Dave & Ted’s unforgettable psych exam stories – Why students being “mean” is sometimes a good sign – Millennial movies that absolutely traumatized us as kids – Dave calling his dad to verify a sleepwalking story – The upcoming NPD sleepover chaos 🙌 Why Tune In? Because teaching isn’t just chaos — it’s also the moments where you see students succeed in ways that actually matter. This episode balances the ridiculous (invisible rashes and movie trauma) with the real (celebrating student growth and connection), which is exactly what the classroom experience feels like. This is classic NPD — unpredictable, hilarious, and surprisingly meaningful. 🚨 Join Our Patreon Community! 🚨 Want bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes chaos, early releases, and exclusive segments that don’t always make the main feed? Support the podcast and become part of the NPD inner circle:👉 Click Here for the NPD Patreon [https://patreon.com/nonprofessionaldevelopment] 📢 Join the Movement: 👍 Like 💬 Comment 🔔 Subscribe And tag someone who definitely watched a movie as a kid they had no business watching. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes full of classroom comedy, teacher therapy, and stories that remind you why education is the wildest job on earth. 🔗 Stay Connected: 🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon & more 📱 Follow us everywhere → Click Here for NPD Socials [https://linktr.ee/nonprofessionaldevelopment] 👇 We Want Your Stories! - What’s a classroom win you’ll never forget? - Did you ever watch a movie as a kid that completely freaked you out? - Have you ever had to call someone mid-conversation just to prove you were right? Drop it in the comments — we might feature it next episode! ✅ Next Week’s Teaser: Episode 30 is coming… and we’re already making questionable decisions. #TeacherPodcast #TeacherLife #EducationHumor #NPDpodcast #StudentWins #MovieTrauma #ClassroomStories #PodcastComedy #TeacherStories #MillennialMemories