Everything But The Lesson Plan

“Cash flow isn't about how much you make. It's about what you keep, what you grow, and what you never see slip through your fingers,” says Jeff Malone, financial strategist and wealth-building specialist. In this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan, host Franchesca Thompson talks with Jeff Malone about the money conversation teachers rarely get to have: how to increase cash flow on an educat...

No one becomes a teacher by accident. Behind every classroom is a story — a reason, a moment, a person, a calling that led someone to walk through that door for the first time. In this episode of Becoming — A Teacher's Journey , a segment we return to every season on Everything But The Lesson Plan , host Franchesca Thompson sits down with Jerri-Ann Jacobs, an educator with Gwinnett County Publ...

"I founded One Million Girls in 2012 with a single suitcase of menstrual supplies for girls in Monrovia, Liberia."   — Hananatu Tunis A girl missing school because she doesn't have a pad isn't a rare story — it's a data point repeated in classrooms across the world, including right here in the United States. And yet it's one of the quietest reasons kids fall behind. In th...

We all have that one teacher… the one who saw something in us before we saw it in ourselves. The one whose words, presence, or belief stayed with us long after we left their classroom. In this episode of “My Favorite Teacher,” we sit down with guests to uncover the powerful stories behind the educators who changed their lives. This time, Ashley Anjalique takes us back to the moment she met the tea...

"Great leaders do not rely on assumption. They teach."   — Dr. Chaun L. Johnson Most breakdowns in a school — a culture that never quite gels, a new teacher who feels lost, a vision that dies in a staff meeting — don't start with bad intentions. They start with an assumption. Someone assumed everyone already understood. In this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , host Franche...

“Nobody told me that.” Four words from a little boy in a Coney Island barbershop stayed with me. In this episode of Everything But the Lesson Plan , I reflect on a conversation between Stephon Marbury and that young boy—and what it reveals about the possibilities children are shown, and the ones they are never told about. We’ll talk about the boxes placed around kids because of their circumstances...

This is a short, guided body scan meditation for educators — a chance to notice and release the physical tension that builds up over a day of standing, talking, holding a room, and holding it together. Play it between classes, at your desk after dismissal, or before you walk back through your own front door tonight. You don't have to earn rest. You just have to take it. Podcast Legal Disclaime...

Difficult parent-teacher conversations are part of the job—but they don’t have to damage relationships. In this solo episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , Franchesca Thompson breaks down how educators can navigate challenging phone calls with confidence, clarity, and compassion. Learn practical strategies for managing tough conversations, avoiding common communication mistakes, and building...

"Instead of showing me your diversity statement, show me your hiring data, your discrimination claim stats, your salary tables, your retention numbers, your public action against racism."   — Dr. Monica Cox The word “DEI” is disappearing from headlines, statements, and job titles. But disappearing language isn't the same thing as disappearing work — and for high-need, low-income scho...

It's 11:47 PM. You are exhausted. Tomorrow starts early. And you are still scrolling. This episode,I talk about something almost every educator has done and almost no one names out loud: revenge bedtime procrastination — intentionally delaying sleep to reclaim a few hours of control after a day that gave you none. It's not laziness. It's not poor discipline. Research on self-regulation...

What if the thing standing between you and your best classroom days isn't your lesson plan — it's your heart rate? In this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , host Franchesca Thompson sits down with Dr. Annie Tedga, a pediatric cardiologist and founder of Heart of Rapha Pediatric Cardiology, to talk about a topic educators rarely get permission to prioritize: their own heart health...

What does trauma look like… when it shows up in the clothes a child wears? In this deeply moving episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , host Franchesca Thompson sits down with TEDx UGA presenter Mamie Harper to unpack a powerful mission: ensuring that children do not look like the trauma they’ve experienced . From foster care transitions to homelessness, from the emotional weight of poverty t...

In this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , Franchesca Thompson breaks down the difference between EdTech hype and tools that actually make an impact in the classroom. Featuring 5 powerful platforms—MagicSchool AI, Diffit, Curipod, SchoolAI, and Brisk Teaching—this episode helps educators rethink how technology should support teaching, save time, and improve student learning. If you're...

What happens when a community decides that young people deserve more than just survival—they deserve opportunity? In this powerful episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , host Franchesca Thompson sits down with Patrice Wuerth, founder of Hearts to Nourish Hope, to explore how one organization is transforming the lives of youth through mentorship, life skills, and access to real opportunities....

In this quick summer break check-in, Franchesca Thompson pauses to speak directly to teachers about rest, wellness, and remembering who they are outside of the classroom. This episode is a gentle reminder to breathe, release the guilt, and take care of the person behind the teacher before the school year starts calling again. Podcast Legal Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed d...

What does it really take to build a career in education? In this inspiring episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , Franchesca Thompson sits down with educator Michelle Mickens, Ed. S., to explore the perseverance, resilience, and purpose that shaped her journey from a first-year teacher to statewide recognition. Together, they discuss the challenges, setbacks, mentors, and defining moments tha...

In this Season 11 episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , Franchesca Thompson explores the reality of emotional regulation in education—what happens when stress, pressure, and burnout spill into our responses with students. Through real stories, reflective moments, and practical strategies, this episode challenges educators to pause, reset, and reclaim their emotional space in the classroom. B...

We all have that one teacher… the one who saw something in us before we saw it in ourselves. The one whose words, presence, or belief stayed with us long after we left their classroom. In this episode, “My Favorite Teacher,” we sit down with guests to uncover the powerful stories behind the educators who changed their lives. In this episode, Dr. Semia Howze takes us back to the moment she met the...

This short guided meditation helps you slow down and reconnect with the small, positive moments in your day. Instead of focusing on big achievements, you’ll be gently guided to notice simple victories and everyday experiences that often go overlooked. Through calm breathing and mindful reflection, this practice encourages you to appreciate what’s already going well, building a steady sense of grat...

Pain is something we all experience—but what if it’s not the end of your story? In this deeply personal episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , host Franchesca Thompson sits down with author Dr. Johnecia Mason , whose book Rodney’s Gift: Transforming Pain into Purpose explores the kind of heartbreak that changes you forever—and the strength it takes to rebuild anyway. This is a conversation ab...

What does it truly mean to become a teacher? In this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , Franchesca Thompson sits down with Dr. Marcia Credle to explore the journey behind the profession—the moments, mentors, challenges, and personal experiences that shape an educator into who they ultimately become. Teaching is rarely a straight path. For many educators, the journey is filled with unexpec...

Teacher leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about understanding the people you serve. In this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , Franchesca Thompson explores the powerful leadership principle of meeting teachers where they are . Whether supporting overwhelmed first-year teachers or seasoned educators navigating burnout, great leaders learn to listen before they lead. Thro...

Yoga is more than poses — it’s a philosophy for living. In this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , Franchesca Thompson sits down with yoga instructor and mindfulness coach Chanda Floyd-Bryant to explore how yogic principles like mindfulness, self-compassion, and intentional breathing can transform daily life. Together they discuss stress, healing, emotional resilience, and how educators a...

In this powerful episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , Franchesca Thompson sits down with medical specialist Eric Whiteside to uncover the hidden impact of chronic stress on educators’ health. From understanding what blood pressure numbers really mean to exploring how stress, sleep, caffeine, and lifestyle habits affect the heart, this conversation connects the realities of the classroom to...

What makes a school thrive isn’t just strong instruction — it’s the experience people have inside the building every day. In this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan , Franchesca Thompson sits down with education leader Marcus Wilson for a real, down-to-earth conversation about what it truly takes to build school culture that lasts. Together, they explore how great leaders intentionally orch...