Suck Less Tomorrow: A Podcast for Teachers

Episode 24: Teaching in Japan Through the JET Program: Culture, Language, and Education | Erica Reynolds

In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Erica Reynolds, an American educator who has been living and teaching in Japan for several years through the JET Program. We talk about her journey from learning Japanese in high school to eventually moving abroad to teach, and what it’s really like navigating life and education in a completely different cultural and school system. Erica shares insights into the JET Program experience, cultural differences between the U.S. and Japan, and how teaching abroad has shaped her perspective as an educator and as a person. Whether you're interested in teaching abroad, international education, language learning, or the JET Program, this episode offers a firsthand look at life and teaching in Japan. Topics include: * The JET Program experience * Teaching English in Japan * Cultural differences in education * Learning Japanese and language immersion * Living and working abroad as a teacher * International school systems If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ [https://www.wesucklesstomorrow.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ [https://www.routledge.com/Suck-Less-in-the-Classroom-Tomorrow-Honest-Advice-for-Teachers-in-their-First-Years/Glassford/p/book/9781041196921] Follow along on: * ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sucklesstomorrow?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

Episode 23: Teacher Stress, Grace, and School Leadership | Robert Blumenthal

In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I’m joined by veteran Indiana school administrator Robert Blumenthal for an honest conversation about leadership, teaching, and what really matters in education. Rob currently works at the same school we both graduated from — and now supervises teachers who once taught him. We talk about the realities of school administration, what principals and admins are actually worried about, how teachers can give themselves more grace, and the mindset shifts that make the biggest difference in education. Whether you're a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, or just passionate about education, this episode dives into teacher burnout, school culture, educator relationships, and the human side of leading schools. Topics include: * * School leadership and administration * * Giving yourself grace as an educator * * What administrators really look for * * Education mindset and growth * * Teaching, coaching, and leadership If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit We Suck Less Tomorrow [https://www.wesucklesstomorrow.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Follow along on: * TikTok @sucklesstomorrow [https://www.tiktok.com/@sucklesstomorrow?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Instagram @sucklesstomorrow [https://www.instagram.com/sucklesstomorrow?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

Episode 22: School boards, JAG, and College Pals | Derek Morgan

Ever looked at your school board and thought, “What do they even do?” Well, I had the same thought. So I brought school board member and college buddy Derek Morgan on the podcast. In this episode, we dig into what school boards actually do, why decisions can feel slow (or totally invisible), and why it sometimes feels like nothing is happening in public education. We talk teacher frustrations, education policy, and what’s really going on behind the scenes in school leadership. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠We Suck Less Tomorrow⁠ [https://www.wesucklesstomorrow.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years [https://www.routledge.com/Suck-Less-in-the-Classroom-Tomorrow-Honest-Advice-for-Teachers-in-their-First-Years/Glassford/p/book/9781041196921] Follow along on: * ⁠TikTok @sucklesstomorrow⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@sucklesstomorrow?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * ⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sucklesstomorrow?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

Episode 21: So You Want to Be a Teacher? Here’s the Part No One Says Out Loud | Marlon White

In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Marlon White, educator and author of So You Want to Be a Teacher: The Part No One Says Out Loud, to talk about what really happens when idealism meets the reality of the classroom. We challenge the common advice teachers are given to “just push through” and unpack why that mindset often leads to burnout instead of growth. This conversation dives into what new teachers are rarely prepared for, why burnout shows up so early in the profession, and what it actually looks like to improve as an educator without running yourself into the ground. We also explore the tension between passion and sustainability in teaching—and what it takes to stay in education long-term. Topics include: * What new teachers aren’t prepared for * Early-career teacher burnout * The gap between expectations and reality * Sustainable teacher growth * Classroom survival vs. thriving * Rethinking “just push through” culture * Staying in education long-term Listen to the end for a special promo for Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow. If this episode resonates, share it with a teacher who needs to hear it today—and follow the podcast for more honest conversations about education, teaching, and growth. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ [https://www.wesucklesstomorrow.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ [https://www.routledge.com/Suck-Less-in-the-Classroom-Tomorrow-Honest-Advice-for-Teachers-in-their-First-Years/Glassford/p/book/9781041196921] Follow along on: * ⁠⁠TikTok @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@sucklesstomorrow?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sucklesstomorrow?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

Episode 20: What Principals Really Look For During Walkthroughs | Ft. Barb Flowers

In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Barb Flowers, host of The Principal’s Handbook podcast, to talk about school leadership, instructional walkthroughs, and what it really takes to support teachers effectively. Barb shares insights from her experience in educational leadership and coaching, breaking down what effective principals actually look for during classroom walkthroughs, how school leaders build strong and positive school culture, and why supporting teachers is more complex—and more important—than it often appears. We also explore the realities of school leadership, including workload expectations, the myth of the “typical school day,” and how administrators can lead without losing sight of teacher wellbeing. Whether you're a teacher, instructional coach, or aspiring administrator, this conversation offers a grounded look at leadership, communication, and building healthier schools. Topics include: * What principals look for during walkthroughs * School leadership and decision-making * Building strong school culture * Supporting and retaining teachers * Instructional coaching in practice * Leadership workload and expectations * Communication between teachers and administrators If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share the podcast. Learn more about Barb Flowers Coaching [https://www.barbflowerscoaching.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] and follow along on social media at: * Instagram @theprincipalshandbook [https://www.instagram.com/theprincipalshandbook?utm_source=chatgpt.com] If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to rate, review, and share the podcast. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We Suck Less Tomorrow [https://www.wesucklesstomorrow.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ [https://www.routledge.com/Suck-Less-in-the-Classroom-Tomorrow-Honest-Advice-for-Teachers-in-their-First-Years/Glassford/p/book/9781041196921] Follow along on: * ⁠⁠TikTok @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@sucklesstomorrow?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sucklesstomorrow?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.