Social Studies

Let's Watch TV: The Family Stone

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Fran watch a Dombrowski family classic, The Family Stone. Joe tries his best not to spoil the movie and Mama Fran reveals what make...

Private School Presents

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe shares some stories from his private school teaching days before sharing some of the most unbelievable gifts received from private scho...

Behavior Management: Exhausted Kindergarten Teacher

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Joe helps out a Kindergarten who is tired of her students touching one another. Joe gives some tips to help nip this behavior in the ...

Let's Watch TV: Christmas Cookie Challenge

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's the sweetest episode yet as Fran and Joe get inspired by the Christmas Cookie Challenge. Joe wants a Tofu cookie and Fran decides to play a game ...

Million Dollar Ideas and Terrible Gifts with Ben Polizzi

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is in Indy and he's joined by an amazing comedian, Ben Polizzi! Joe shares the winners of the flare pen competition, and then Joe and B...

Let's Watch TV: Love Hard

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is the first Holiday episode of the season! Joe and Fran watch Love Hard, the holiday movie that's all the rage right now. Fran loves it ...

Planning Your Parent's Funeral with Mama Fran

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Mama Fran is back on the Pod! Fran's instagram gets liked by a superstar, and Joe learns something new about his childhood , before they re...

Let's Watch TV: Everybody Loves Raymond

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week starts the Holiday show marathon and we get ready for Thanksgiving with one of Fran's favorite TV show episodes of all time: Everybody Love ...

Nightmare Co-workers with Lisa Lampanelli

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode Joe is joined by the absolutely iconic comedian Lisa Lampanelli. Often called the "Queen of Mean," we learn how she's channeling her i...

Let's Watch TV: Righteous Gemstones

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Mama Fran gets spotted in the wild but isn't worried about getting trafficked while Joe comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme involving som...

Even More Rants

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the teacher rants keep coming! Joe considers getting a dog instagram account, and we hear even more rants from classrooms all across the na...

Let's Watch TV: The Voice

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Mama Fran watch The Voice! Mama Fran learns about Arianna Grande and Joe gets surprisingly emotional during one of the performances...

Just Rants with Matt Bellasai

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is joined by the hilariously cynical comedian Matt Bellasai. Matt shares his opinions on kid's birthday parties and gender reveals, bef...

Behavior Management: Adventurous but Anxious

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Joe hears from a teacher considering a serious change of pace from teaching elementary school to teaching middle school. Joe puts thi...

Let's Watch TV: Ghosts

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Mama Fran and Joe watch a great new show called Ghosts on CBS. They break down the first few couple of episodes and Joe tells us abou...

Student Notes

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe does some next-level adulting when he goes house hunting, but can't help indulging in a little bippity boppity b******t to get an edge ...

Let's Watch TV: Paranormal Witness

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Fran get real spooky and watch the paranormal investigation show Paranormal Witness for SYFY. Mama Fran shares some ghost stories a...

Trick or Treat with Tori Pool

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is joined by superstar teacher-turned-comedian, Tori Pool for a spooky Halloween episode ! Tori and Joe discuss Tori's journey from hig...

Let's Watch TV: Squid Games

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe tries to pull a fast one on Mama Fran, but she's not falling for it, as a special "patreon member" suggests they watch the crazy popula...

Kid Games

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe brings you some of the wildest games to ever grace the classrooms and playgrounds of this nation's schools! These games require dedicat...

Let's Watch TV: The Movies That Made US (Pretty Woman)

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mama Fran is back! And to celebrate, she and Joe watch the netflix documentary The Movies That Made Us featuring the iconic rom-com Pretty Woman. Lear...

Devious Licks

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you didn't know, a tik-tok craze called Devious Licks is sweeping the high schools of the nation, and its not all that great! Joe shares some of yo...

Let's Watch TV: Botched

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe continues to keep it in the family and is joined by a fan favorite, Uncle Ralph to watch the E! program Botched. We get to hear hot takes on plast...

Talent Shows with Orlando Baxter

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe is joined by fellow teacher comedian Orlando Baxter to discuss some truly amazing talent-shows-gone-wrong. From shining moments to trauma therapy,...

Lets Watch TV: Unpolished

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is joined by a very special guest! While Mama Fran recovers from her surgery, Aunt Ginger fills in and they dish about TLC's show Unpol...

Wild Student Responses

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe shares some absolutely AMAZING responses from students! From the truly bizarre to the slighly sociopathic, teachers hear it all, and on...

Let's Watch TV: LulaRich

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we go on quite a journey, from pig anatomy to the do's and don'ts of mid-level marketing! Joe and Mama Fran watch the new docu-series from A...

Oops! Wrong Person

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe shares some absolutely MORTIFYING stories of accidentally texting or emailing the wrong person. Things go from cute to x-rated and ever...

Lets Watch TV: The Circle Season 3

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe and Fran watch and discuss The Circle: Season 3. Joe accidentally burns his nipples getting ready for the show, and Mama Fran strategizes for seas...

Observation Horror Stories

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe brings you the funniest and most horrifying stories from teacher observations! Joe wonders why kids have a weird obsession with feet, a...

Let's Watch TV: Back Yard Bar Wars

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Mama Fran get a little mixed up (big surprise!) and accidentally watch different episodes of Back Yard Bar Wars! Fran helps us reme...

Animal Escape!

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Things get literally wild as Joe shares some stories from when he moonlighted as a zoo-man during his first few years teaching. Then he shares other t...

Let's Watch TV: Dirty Rotten Cleaners

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, things get filthy as Joe and Fran watch Dirty Rotten Cleaners. Mama Fran almost looses her lunch while watching and we discover Joe's deepe...

Teacher Parent Conference Tales

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe might be an international felon after making the trip back from Canada, but he still shares wild teacher-parent conference stories, inc...

Let's Watch TV: Bargain Block

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joe and Mama Fran watch a show based in their home town of Detroit! Mama Fran and Joe dissect the design choices and Fran discovers a useful...

Teachers These Days

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is joined by Jody Carrington and Laurie McIntosh, authors of the fantastic new book Teachers These Days. They chat about their journe...

Let's Watch TV: Cvlts and Extreme Beliefs

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Mama Fran and Joe do a deep dive into several different shows about a range of cults and extreme beliefs! Joe realizes he almost joined a c...

Teacher-Parent Conference with Michelle Griffo

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe is joined by Michelle Griffo, also known as @ApplesAndABCs on instagram! She confesses her most awful parent tendencies as the mother of an elemen...

Let's Watch TV: The Incredible Dr. Pol

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe continues his recovery by watching an episode of the Incredible Dr. Pol! Joe and Fran start a new charity challenge and Joe gets to rem...

Back to School Stories

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is quarantining in Omaha after getting the Covid and fills the time by chatting with everyone's favorite tour manager Jeff before shari...

(Un)Professional Development

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is in Florida and on the hunt for a real life gator! Then he shares real-life professional development horror stories, and there are so...

Let's Watch TV: Sexy Beasts

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joe and Fran watch a show they've been putting off for a while, Netflix's Sexy Beasts! But due to popular demand they finally gave in, and a...

Class Rooms To Go with Miss Jerri

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe drops a brand new top 5 list: Things That Are NOT allowed in School Next Year! Then he's joined by a super creative and innovative teac...

Let's Watch TV: Top Chef

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Fran watch Top Chef and Joe has been craving something Rose flavored ever since! Mama Fran misses drive-in movies and Joe doesn't m...

Teacher Hairlines with Devin Siebold

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is joined by friend of the pod and hilarious comic Devin Siebold! Devin and Joe commiserate about teacher hair and the feelings of guil...

Let's Watch TV: The Real Housewives of New York

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Mama Fran reflect on the Real Housewives of New York. Mama Fran learns about being sex positive, and Joe considers converting to Ju...

Wild Teacher Gifts

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe would like to reiterate that even though he is NOT a teacher during summer, but still has some advice for the business next door who ca...

Let's Watch TV: Bar Rescue

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Fran both loved watching Bar Rescue on Paramount Network. Joe decides he wants to become a secret shopper and Fran tells us about t...

Summer Recharge with Dr. Jody Carrington

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is joined again by friend of the pod Dr. Jody Carrington. Joe and Jody talk the real talk about teacher self-care, the importance of em...

Let's Watch TV: Naked and Afraid

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joe and Fran get quite an eyeful as they watch one of the wildest shows yet: Naked and Afraid! We learn all about river parasites, Joe decid...

Wild Parent Emails

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe pulls out some great stories from the past year before reading out some of your wildest parent emails! Learn more about your ad choices...

Let's Watch TV: Married at First Sight

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joe and Fran watch the Lifetime show Married at First Sight! Joe wants to poke his eyes out watching another "love" show, and Mama Fran gets...

Cheese Curd Heaven

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is in Madison Wisconsin and on the verge of a cardiac event due to the amount of cheese he's ingested! Joe tells us about his revenge p...

Let's Watch TV: Hacks

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Mama Fran dive into HBO's series Hacks! Joe decides he never wants to visit Vegas, and Fran plans her second honey-moon! Learn more...

Let's Watch TV: My Feet Are Killing Me

10 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe and Fran face one of their hardest challenges yet! They watch the TLC show My Feet Are Killing Me, and Joe almost doesn't make it! Fran can't look...

End of Year Shenannigans

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The year is ending, and the kinders are reacting a little differently than Joe was expecting! Joe meets a parent who learns about his comedy on the in...

Let's Watch TV: Dr. Pimple Popper

03 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe faces his toughest challenge yet: making it through this show without getting physically sick! Mama Fran is absolutely loving it as the...

Kindergarten Pets

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is back on tour! And everyone's favorite tour manager Jeff is back! Joe and Jeff chat about immortal goldfish, picking favorites, and t...

Let's Watch TV: Below Deck Sailing Yacht

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Mama Fran have a special guest on, tour manager Jeff! They watch an amazingly awful s**t show on the water called Below Deck Sailin...

Behavior Management: Finding Your Place

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe helps  an adventurous yet anxious teacher balance the desire to keep the status quo vs. exploring new classrooms that might match thei...

Cool Mom Energy

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe struggles hard with the part of Kindergarten that involves bodily functions before being joined by some of the coolest moms around, Cat...

Let's Watch TV: Extreme Sisters

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Fran watch a next level crazy show, Extreme Sisters. Mama Fran can't believe how co-dependent the siblings are, and Joe tells us ab...

Behavior Management: the young and the restless

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joe tells an eager college student who is just wants to get in the classroom already to pump the breaks. Learn more about your ad choices. ...

Choking Hazard

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joe almost dies in the classroom… literally. Before he tells you the tale of his brush with death he explains why teaching about beavers c...

Let's Watch TV: The Circle Finale

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, for Mother's day, Joe got Mama Fran addicted to the Circle! They watch the season two finale and Fran is so convinced she could win the sho...

Tardy for the Party

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joe hops right up on his soap box to explain how being late for work as a teacher is much different than being late in other professions! He...

Let's Watch TV: My Cat From Hell

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Fran watch an amazing show they'd never heard of called My Cat From Hell! Joe wishes he could be a cat person and Fran can't get ...

Behavior Management: New teacher, who dis(respect)?

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we hear from 'Sad in Second Grade', and we address a problem that's all too common, especially for new teachers: entrenched toxic environmen...

Kindergarten Herbivores

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joe is joined by the 2020 USA Teacher Of The Year, Tabatha Rosproy but not before he explains his love/hate relationship with procrastinatio...

Let's Watch TV: The Circle

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fran accidentally gets hooked on this week's show, and Joe think's Mama Fran should try to get on the show herself! Fran learns about emoji's and Joe ...

Behavior Management: Working With Crotchety Teammates

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe introduces a new segment called Behavior Management, where he helps solve your problems and addresses behavior that needs to be managed! Today we ...

PreK Pause

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Joe is joined by TikTok & PreK royalty, Tell Williams (@mrwilliamsprek) but not before he hits you with a rant of the pain of planning field...

Let's Watch TV: Sister Wives

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Mama Fran gets to watch one of her favorite shows but Joe actually likes it too! Joe learns that he's not cut out for polygamy and Fran tal...

How To Go Potty

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe runs into a fan in the wild so he develops a top secret code for the next one of you who sees him out there! Then he heads to a job fai...

Let’s Watch TV: 90 Day Fiance

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Mama Fran dive into the wild and crazy world of 90 Day Fiance. Joe falls in love with Tunisian architecture and Fran learns about p...

The Lock Down

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is sweating bullets because he's been asked to give a speak for the induction of the National Teacher Of The Year even though this week...

TATB: Teachers Against Tiny Backpacks

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week Mother Nature gives Joe her karma by striking him with relentless seasonal allergies, all while he’s avoiding tying kindergarten shoe lace...

Let’s Watch TV: Chrisley Knows Best

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, LWTV branches out! We start by watching one of Mama Fran’s favorites, Chrisley knows Best! We learn that Fran has a hard time saying “s...

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe has his heart broken by one of his kid’s tall tales, another one makes a very informative yet inappropirate how-to manual, and Joe do...

CSI: Leprechaun Murder

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe simultaneously learns that kinders are addicted to holidays and that his body absolutely cannot handle drinking on a weekday. A horrify...

Let’s Watch Tv: Batchelor Finale!

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Batchelor comes to a close and Joe couldn't be happier. Mama Fran is scared of Easter and Joe relives his debut stage role of "shepherd." Learn mo...

No Tired like Teacher Tired

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is TIRED and shares some of his favorite tired teacher stories before he gets punk'd during yet another school fire drill, and then rem...

Let’s Watch Tv: Surprise Departure!

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Fran are both surprised at who leaves the show, Joe is grossed out by milk-baths and Mama Fran goes to great lengths to celebrate L...

Kindergarten Divas

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe has to use his teacher-features to prove he’s eligible to get a vaccine, before he discusses the finer points of bead safety with eve...

Let’s Watch Tv: Tell All Drama!

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Let's Watch Tv, Joe and Fran discuss Fran's least favorite episode, the Tell All, before making predictions and discussing the futu...

Kindergarten Cuss Words

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe learns first hand just how challenging virtual teaching is, before sharing the magic of counting to three, and revealing his biggest ki...

Let's Watch TV: Hometown Madness

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Matt and the girls visit their hometowns, and Joe reveals the truly shocking secret that he's a diva who likes attention while Mama Fran se...

Kindergarten Scissor Fiasco

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe has a serial haircutter running loose in his classroom! So he takes the opportunity to chat with Michelle Griffo, AKA @applesandabcs, ...

Let’s Watch Tv: Tantrum Yoga!

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe and Mama Fran decide to ignore the negativity that is dominating batty naysh, and focus on the positives. Mama Fran wants to give Heath...

Kindergarten Fire Drill

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe’s journey in kindergarten continues! It’s been an eventful week in Mr. D’s class, as the kids are sketched out by the year’s first fire dr...

Let's Watch Tv: The Return of Mama Fran!

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mama Fran's back! And she has lots of thoughts about how this season is (or isn't) going! Joe finally gets to watch a date that doesn't make him cring...

Welcome to Kindergarten!

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The votes are in, and this week we debut the brand new theme music chosen by Socialite Nation! Joe then shares his trial by fire in his first week in ...

Let's Watch Tv: The Inside Tea!

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Rod returns and he and Joe take a whole new approach to breaking down the show, Joe is starting to like Matt, and they share some exclusive...

Teacher of the Year, Owen Bondono

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe shares some fantastic personal news before having an amazing conversation with Owen Bondono. Owen is a passionate teacher who is curren...

Let's Watch Tv: New Girls, New Energy!

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe is joined by the Millenial King, Rod, while Mama Fran recovers. The guys chat about the new faces, new favorites, and Joe's wacky theories! Learn ...

YTE: Young Teacher Energy with Gabe Dannenbring

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe needs your help fine tuning the pod’s vibe, and any changes will be permanent so be sure to make your voices heard!! Joe is joined by...

Let's Watch Tv: Producer Puppet Alert!!

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Mama Fran gives a reading of her unreleased erotic novel and Joe is totally convinced that Matt is a producer puppet, but still can't wait ...

Draggin’ it up a bit with Queen 6!

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Joe is on pins and needles waiting to hear back from his interviews, and to pass the time, has a conversation with “6” one of the most ...

Let's Watch TV: The Batchelor Episode 02

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Fran shares the most romantic date she's ever been on! The queen drives everyone crazy and Joe may have a point about Matt being boring! Le...

Millenial Tik Tok with Rod

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe bids farewell to his parent's basement and hello to millenial Tik Tok creator Rod! Rod and Joe chit chat about tanning beds, N'SYNC, and all thing...