💥 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.

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Support the podcast and become part of the NPD inner circle:
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And tag someone who would absolutely celebrate Thanksgiving on their birthday.

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👇 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

💥 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

📢 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

👇 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

💥 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

📢 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

👇 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