Episodes

Are you staring at a new software update with a sense of impending doom? You aren’t alone. In this episode, Jeanette sits down with Katie Argyle from Midnight Music to help you rescue your tech-stressed brain. Katie, an "acci...

Are you tired of sitting through six-hour professional development workshops that have absolutely nothing to do with the music room? In this episode, Jeanette sits down with Rae Hughart, the CEO and founder of the Teachers De...

Have you ever played a clear, ringing note for your students only to have them completely guess whether it was "high" or "low"? If teaching pitch direction and register is driving you a little bit crazy, you are not alone! In...

Have you ever created a resource for your classroom because you couldn’t find what you needed anywhere else? That "problem-solving" moment is actually the birth of a business. Today, I’m joined by Monica Lopez, a former bilin...

Teaching music is exhausting, and some days you just need a "win" that doesn't involve hauling out instruments or setting up complex stations. In this episode, Jeanette shares her favorite no-prep music games that work in any...

We’ve all been there: running on fumes, doubling up classes because "they’re just singing anyway," and feeling like our only breaks happen once a year during summer vacation. But what if you didn’t have to wait for July to fe...

Have you ever had that one class ? The one where the snickering, eye-rolling, and quiet meanness feel like a constant background hum? Music is a high-risk, vulnerable subject. When students don't feel safe, they won't sing, t...

Have you ever wondered how to keep the "magic" alive in your teaching year after year? Today’s guest, Matt Shea, is a master of joyful, movement-based instruction who believes that our own creativity is the best tool we bring...

If your 5th graders have gone from "adorable and eager" to "too cool for school," you aren't alone. In this episode, Jeanette tackles the "5th Grade Pivot"—that moment when social survival kicks in and your go-to teaching str...

What happens when two legendary music educators join forces for nearly four decades? You get a wealth of knowledge, a library of must-have resource books, and a unique perspective on co-teaching that is rarely seen in our fie...

If you’ve walked back into your classroom after spring break and felt like you’ve hit a wall, you aren't alone. Between testing season, gorgeous weather, and "May-grade" behavior, the struggle is real. In this episode, Jeanet...

Does the pressure to be an "Instagram-perfect" music teacher have you feeling like you’re constantly falling short? In this episode, Jeanette welcomes back her long-time friend and colleague, Debbie O’Shea, to discuss her bra...

Have you noticed that your upper elementary students are struggling with skills that used to be second nature? Specifically, the ability to keep a steady beat? You aren’t imagining it, and more importantly, it isn't your faul...

Are you tired of feeling like you’re just "surviving" the music room? In this episode, Jeanette sits down with Pam Wilson, the founder of Harmony Classroom and the "Centers Queen," to discuss how to move from chaos to calm. W...

Does a complex Orff arrangement ever give you a sense of dread? In this episode, Jeanette gives you the ultimate permission slip to ditch "Instagram-perfect" expectations and prioritize student joy over complexity. Key Takeaw...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Phyllis E. Johnson Porter, founder of Transformative Music Education Consulting. Together we explore how to elevate the status of music education in our schools. We discuss: The ...

February is the "longest" short month of the year. In this episode, we tackle the reality of the mid-winter wall and provide a much-needed reality check for music educators. We dive into the 'Sick Day Guilt Trip,' the stress ...

Managing behavior in the music classroom presents a unique set of challenges that a standard desk-and-chair classroom just doesn't face. Between the loud instruments, the constant movement, and the sensory overload, it is eas...

Are you tired of feeling like a failure because you can't fit a 60-minute Orff unit into your 30-minute reality? You aren't alone, and it’s time to stop the "Impossible Math" that leads straight to burnout. This week, I’m sha...

Stop dreading sub plans! I sit down with Rob Barnett, founder of the free AI lesson planner Insta-Lesson. Rob explains how this amazing tool solves the hardest part of being a music teacher—planning time. We show you how to i...

Are you feeling more "burnt out" than "inspired" lately? You aren't alone, and it doesn't have to stay this way. This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on the simple, mindset-shifting secrets that helped me rediscover the jo...

Kick off 2026 with a plan to reduce stress! This special compilation features expert tips on how to make music teaching easier . Leaders in music education share advice on professional development, self-care boundaries, embra...

Elementary music teachers face immense demands. Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson, a resilience trainer and researcher, shares the powerful, practical strategies—like Zyzo and Catch-Check-Change—that help high-impact teachers prioriti...

Tired of piecing together lessons in December? This episode is your December Music Activities Survival Kit ! We introduce three essential lesson bundles designed to solve every holiday teaching challenge, from managing high e...