💥 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

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👍 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:

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📱 Follow us everywhere → Click here for NPD Socials

👇 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

💥🍀 This week on the Non-Professional Development Podcast, we’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day the only way we know how — with absolute chaos.

It starts with Dave discovering that he might be a little more… eccentric than he thought, which immediately spirals into Ted and Mark (Goose) roasting him into oblivion. From there, we jump into a debate about whether phones can actually replace computers — and let’s just say, not everyone agrees.

Then things really go off the rails.

We introduce one of the most questionable ideas we’ve ever had: using an expandable fork to sneak bites of student food, revisit the legendary “Fart Gate” bus stories, and relive the moment Dave made the critical mistake of challenging a student to ping pong… and paid the price.

We somehow wrap it all up with a real conversation about motivation, connecting with students, and why sometimes the best teaching moments happen outside the classroom.

Yes. This episode has range.

🎧 What to Expect:

– Dave learning he’s “eccentric” and immediately regretting it

– Phones vs. computers debate (Ted & Dave vs. Goose)

– Ted’s Time Machine: things you still can’t do on a phone

– The expandable fork experiment (aka stealing food from students)

– The legendary “Fart Gate” / bus ride chaos stories

– Dave getting completely humbled in a student ping pong match

– Teacher motivation strategies that actually connect with students

– Visiting students at jobs, dismissal moments, and real-world impact

🙌 Why Tune In?

Because no one prepares you for the moment you get blamed for a bus incident you didn’t cause… or when a student absolutely destroys you in a game you thought you’d dominate. This episode is chaotic, hilarious, and somehow still grounded in what makes teaching meaningful — the connections, the moments, and the stories you’ll never forget.

This is peak NPD energy — unfiltered, ridiculous, and unexpectedly real.

🚨 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:👉 Join the NPD Patreon Here!

📢 Join the Movement:

👍 Like 💬 Comment 🔔 Subscribe

And tag someone who would absolutely try the expandable fork strategy.

👉 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 the most chaotic thing that’s happened on a school bus?

Have you ever been humbled by a student in the worst way possible?

What’s your best “caught doing something you shouldn’t” teacher moment?

Drop it in the comments — we might feature it next episode!

✅ Next Week’s Teaser:

Episode 29 is coming… and we’re already questioning our decisions.

#TeacherPodcast #StPatricksDay #FartGate #TeacherLife #EducationHumor #NPDpodcast #NonProfessionalDevelopment #ClassroomChaos #PodcastComedy #TeacherStories

💥 This week on the Non-Professional Development Podcast, we’re celebrating one full year of NPD — and reflecting on just how ridiculous this journey has been.

From some of our favorite stories and moments over the past year to one of the strangest snow day situations Dave has ever experienced, this episode turns into a mix of nostalgia, chaos, and a reminder of why teaching (and podcasting about it) is never boring.

We also take a trip back in time to a childhood ritual students today simply won’t understand — and toss around an idea that might become the most nostalgic NPD episode yet.

🎧 What to Expect:

– Celebrating one full year of the NPD Podcast

– Dave’s real-life “Home Alone” snow day at school

– Playing Mario Kart on a 19-foot classroom board

– VR air-traffic controller training during a snow day

– Practicing nunchucks on a mannequin (for reasons)

– Ted’s Time Machine: the Blockbuster rental era

– The idea of an NPD Nintendo 64 sleepover

– How teachers experience students’ lives after graduation

– Why current students feel pressure about the future

🙌 Why Tune In?

Because one year of podcasting has proven something: the strangest stories teachers tell are almost always the real ones. Whether it’s snow days alone in empty schools, the nostalgia of Blockbuster nights, or reflecting on the impact teachers have on students long after graduation, this episode captures exactly why we started the podcast in the first place.

It’s a celebration of one year of chaos, nostalgia, and the ridiculous reality of education.

🚨 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 remembers the Blockbuster Friday night scramble.

👉 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!

- Did you ever have a Blockbuster movie night ritual?

- What would you do if you had an entire school building to yourself on a snow day?

- What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about a former student years later?

Drop it in the comments — we might feature it next episode!

✅ Next Week’s Teaser:

Episode 28 is coming… and based on our track record, it’s probably going to get weird again.

#TeacherPodcast #BlockbusterNostalgia #TeacherLife #NPDpodcast #EducationHumor #TeacherStories #SnowDayChaos #PodcastComedy #SchoolMemories #Nintendo64

💥 This week on the Non-Professional Development Podcast, Ted and Dave realize something terrifying:

We’re old... Like rotary phone, dial-up internet, AIM away message, and MySpace-Top-8 old. What starts as a nostalgic conversation about growing up before smartphones quickly turns into one of the most chaotic teacher episodes yet.

Dave runs a classroom experiment to answer a question every teacher has secretly wondered:

How many questions do students actually ask in a day?

Armed with a handheld counter, he tracks every question that comes his way — and the total number ends up being absolutely ridiculous.

But the real highlight of the episode might be Dave’s legendary high school story about The Root Beer Locker — a secret half-locker filled with IBC root beer bottles shared between a few trusted friends and a maintenance worker who helped keep the soda stash alive.

And if that somehow wasn’t enough chaos…

Ted and Dave also explain one of the wildest lessons they run for their students: a forensic dumpster-diving investigation, where they collect trash bags at 3AM so students can analyze them and see just how much personal information people accidentally throw away.

Yes. Teachers actually do this.

🎧 What to Expect:

– Dave’s experiment counting 330 student questions in one day

– The insane things students ask during class

– The legendary Root Beer Locker high school soda stash

– Life before smartphones, social media, and constant connectivity

– Why teaching high school sometimes feels like toddler daycare

– Teachers scaring each other with bullhorns while dumpster diving

– What you can learn about someone’s life from their trash

– The ridiculous lengths teachers go to create memorable lessons

🙌 Why Tune In?

Because teaching is the only job where you can start the day discussing forensic investigation… and end it explaining why someone can’t wear socks instead of shoes. Because every teacher knows what it’s like to answer the same question 300 times in a single day. And because the Root Beer Locker might be one of the greatest high school stories ever told.

This episode is classic NPD — nostalgic, chaotic, and a reminder that the strangest stories from school are usually the most real ones.

🚨 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 a teacher who would absolutely appreciate the Root Beer Locker story.

👉 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 our NPD Socials

👇 We Want Your Stories!

What’s the weirdest question a student has ever asked you?

Did your school have any legendary secrets like the Root Beer Locker?

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to make a lesson memorable?

Drop it in the comments — we might feature it next episode!

✅ Next Week’s Teaser:

Episode 27 is coming… and we’re pretty sure another ridiculous teacher story is about to unfold.

#TeacherPodcast #TeacherLife #EducationHumor #NPDpodcast #DumpsterDiving #ClassroomStories #TeacherComedy #SchoolStories #HighSchoolMemories #PodcastComedy

💥❤️ This week on the Non-Professional Development Podcast, love is in the air… and so is academic dishonesty.

Dave surprises Ted with Valentine’s Day chocolates (bold move considering Ted hates chocolate), we swap hilarious student Valentine’s Day stories, and then drop the truth teachers have been sitting on for decades:

We always knew you cheated.

Also in this episode: more Mandela Effect spirals, and Dave pitches his newest idea — adding completely random subtitles next to your name on live news broadcasts. Because honestly, how great would it be to see:

Dave, Olympic Hopeful.

Yes. We go there.

🎧 What to Expect:

– Dave gifting Ted chocolate despite knowing better

– Student Valentine’s Day chaos and classroom candy politics

– The universal teacher secret: we always knew about the cheating

– Test swaps, copied projects, and suspicious “group work”

– Mandela Effects that still mess with our brains

– Dave’s dream of random news subtitles (“Local Man, Competitive Sledder”)

– The fine line between confidence and delusion

🙌 Why Tune In?

Because Valentine’s Day in schools is chaos wrapped in glitter and sugar. Because every teacher has watched a student “suddenly understand everything” during a test. And because the idea of assigning yourself an Olympic subtitle might just be the confidence boost we all need.

This episode is classic NPD — ridiculous, nostalgic, and just self-aware enough to be dangerous.

🚨 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:👉 Join the NPD Patreon!

📢 Join the Movement:

👍 Like, 💬 Comment, 🔔 Subscribe — and tag someone who definitely thought they got away with cheating.

👉 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 → NPD Socials

👇 We Want Your Stories!

Did you ever think you fooled your teacher?

Have you witnessed peak Valentine’s Day classroom chaos?

What random subtitle would you put under your name on the news?

Drop it in the comments — we might feature it next episode!

✅ Next Week’s Teaser:

Episode 26 is coming… and someone may or may not bring another questionable snack.

#TeacherPodcast #ValentinesDayChaos #WeKnewYouCheated #NPDpodcast #NonProfessionalDevelopment #EducationHumor #TeacherLife #MandelaEffect #OlympicHopeful #PodcastComedy #ClassroomStories

💥 This week on the Non-Professional Development Podcast, we start with attempted culinary manslaughter and end in unexpected sophistication.

Ted introduces Dave to wings so hot they nearly cancel the rest of Dave’s evening, we unpack the chaos of a former student wiping out on live news during a ski segment, and somehow transition into a heartfelt reminder of why teaching is still the best job in the world.

Also — Dave blows bubbles outside at 2AM in sub-zero weather (because obviously), creates a full-scale classroom game show that turns into one of the most meaningful teaching moments we’ve had in years, and caps it all off with a “Let’s Be Fancy” segment featuring caviar… where Ted reveals suspiciously deep knowledge of fish eggs.

Yes. This episode has range.

🎧 What to Expect:

– The hottest wing challenge that nearly ended Dave

– A live-news ski wipeout featuring a former student

– Midnight bubble experiments in negative temperatures

– Dave’s classroom game show lesson that sparked empathy, teamwork, and real reflection

– A genuine conversation about why teaching still matters

– The all new Let’s Be Fancy segment featuring caviar tasting

– Ted casually knowing way too much about luxury snacks

🙌 Why Tune In?

Because sometimes teaching is chaos, sometimes it’s inspiring, and sometimes it’s both in the same hour. This episode captures everything the podcast is about — ridiculous moments, real connection, and the reminder that what happens in classrooms can genuinely change lives.

Also… Dave vs. nuclear hot sauce.

🚨 Join Our Patreon Community! 🚨

Want bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes chaos, early releases, and extra segments that don’t make the main show?

Support the podcast and become part of the NPD inner circle:👉 Join the NPD Patreon!

📢 Join the Movement:

👍 Like, 💬 Comment, 🔔 Subscribe — and tag someone who thinks they can handle the hottest wings on the menu.

👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes full of classroom comedy, teacher therapy, and stories that remind you why educators do what they do.

🔗 Stay Connected:

🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon & more

📱 Follow us everywhere → NPD Socials

👇 We Want Your Stories!

Have you ever taken on a food challenge and instantly regretted it? What’s your most meaningful teaching moment? Ever had a student show up in the most unexpected place? Drop it in the comments — we might feature it in the next episode!

✅ Next Week’s Teaser:

Episode 25 is already brewing… and we’re not promising it will be safer.

#TeacherPodcast #WingChallenge #CaviarTasting #TeacherLife #EducationHumor #NPDpodcast #NonProfessionalDevelopment #ClassroomInspiration #LetsBeFancy #PodcastComedy #TeacherStories #SupportCreators