Jaywalking: Life Unfiltered with Jay Yoder

In this episode of Jaywalking: Life Unfiltered, I sit down with comedian and high school ELA teacher Dave Shay to talk about his inspiring journey from working as a paraprofessional to leading his own classroom. We dive into what it means to grow as an educator, how comedy and teaching overlap, and the lessons learned along the way. We also reflect on this past week’s events surrounding Charlie Ki...

In this solo episode, I talk about what it feels like heading back to school and juggling my classes, but also how the whole Philly Karen situation turned into something way bigger than expected. I share what I learned from all the social commentary, how our leadership seems to be feeding into everyone’s collective anxiety, and why this moment spiraled into a full-blown witch hunt. It’s part class...

Comedian Tyler Rothrock joins me on Jaywalking as we retrace how we first connected in comedy—and then wander (or “Jaywalk”) into a deep conversation about the role of AI in life, creativity, and education. It’s one of those talks that could have gone on for hours: equal parts funny, thoughtful, and eye-opening. 👉 Be sure to keep an eye out for Tyler’s new comedy special “On the Run”, dropping so...

This week on Jaywalking, Meredith joins me to swap vacation stories, share the highs and lows of being dog parents, and talk about the unique challenges (and unexpected perks) of being a big person on the road — and in restaurants. From road trip snacks to Applebee’s seating strategies, we cover it all… because nobody puts baby in a corner, and nobody puts us in a corner booth.

My youngest joined me on Jaywalking today — she’s shy at first, but we had a blast talking about vacations, school, and her big sister Elysia… including the many creative ways Elysia manages to escape. Think of it as a wholesome family chat with just enough chaos to keep it interesting.

On this episode, comic Bhavik Patel joins me to talk comedy, culture, and career pivots. We get into what it’s like growing up with Indian parents who had big expectations, how his engineering background shapes his comedy, and the life lessons scooped up while working at his family’s Dairy Queen. From pressure to perform (academically and on stage) to the power of soft serve and stand-up, this one...

Jay sits down with fellow Scrantonian and comedian Zach Hammond for an honest, funny, and refreshingly earnest conversation about life on the road, growing up in the Electric City, and how the skills honed in stand-up—like reading a room, timing, and rolling with punches—translate far beyond the stage. It’s two comics catching up and trading notes on comedy, travel, and the unexpected wisdom that...

What happens when your former student grows up, chases their dreams, and ends up in the same world as you? In this special episode of Jaywalking, Jay reunites with Morgan—once a middle schooler in his class, now a 30-year-old pursuing a career in the performing arts. They swap stories, reflect on how far they’ve come, and Morgan shares the moments that stuck with her most from having Jay as a teac...

In Part 2 of Jay’s conversation with childhood best friend Stephen McConnell, they veer from personal to planetary—unpacking the wild world of artificial intelligence. Steve’s not just a guy with good takes—he’s a professor of media and AI at UNC and NYU. Jay asks the questions we’re all thinking: What is AI really doing? Can we trust the TikTok algorithm? Is ChatGPT just Clippy with ambition? It’...

This week, Jay is joined by his best friend since childhood, Stephen McConnell. They revisit the wild way their friendship began and open up about the moments that shaped them. Steve shares a powerful and personal story about how his mother’s death by suicide altered the path of his life in ways he’s still unpacking.

Comedian and proud Irish Catholic Joey Callahan joins Jay to about life as a girl dad, emotional rollercoaster of becoming an empty nester, and what its like being married to a teacher on summer break (spoiler: naps and Pinterest projects). They swap stories about raising daughters, surviving June chaos, and why no one prepares you for how quiet the house gets. Come for the laughs, stay for the ac...

Jay is joined by fellow veteran teacher-turned-comedian Karen Schwarz. They talk about surviving 20+ years in the classroom, discovering comedy later in life, and the sweet, sweet joy of not setting an alarm in June. From student sass to stand-up sets, this one’s for every teacher who’s traded lesson plans for punchlines. Karen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schwarzbollinger?utm_source=ig_...

For Pride Month, Jay invites fellow straight comic Dan Dapril to talk about growing up around LGBTQ+ family. Jay lied about his uncle’s “roommate” in the ‘90s—did Dan do the same? Turns out their experiences were very different, but the laughs were loud and the porcelain statues were fabulous. From Greg Louganis videos to awkward Airbnb meditation, it’s a funny, honest convo about queerness, shame...

Today on Jaywalking, I’m joined by my good friend and fellow comic Barry S. Naylor—aka the funniest substitute teacher you’ll ever meet. We dive into the wild world of substitute teaching and stand-up comedy: from roasting kids who think they’re slick, to roasting hecklers who really should’ve stayed home. Barry and I swap war stories from both the classroom and the green room, relive our comedy r...

The guest bailed, so Jay sat down with the only people available—himself. Multiple versions of himself, actually. Teacher Jay, Parent Jay, Burnt-Out Jay… they all had a lot to say.

Jay and Meredith sit down to talk about making bold changes later in life, proving you’re never too old for new tricks—or a mic in your hand. From the personal traumas that pushed them to the stage to the surprising joy of blending who they were with who they’re becoming, this episode is all about reinvention, resilience, and refusing to age quietly. Check out Meredith on Instagram! https://www.in...

In this solo episode of Jaywalking: Life Unfiltered with Jay Yoder, I let it all out—the stress, the noise, the nonstop demands of being a teacher, a parent, and a functioning human being in a world that rarely slows down. From tough classroom moments to chaotic days at home, I’m venting, reflecting, and sharing how I stay grounded (or at least try to) when everything feels like too much. If you’v...

In this episode of Jaywalking: Life Unfiltered with Jay Yoder, I sit down with Matt Moyer, who turned a college improv class into Channel 5 Rachet News—an incredible community resource blending comedy, creativity, and real-world reporting. We talk about his path through comedy, navigating COVID, and his decision to go back to school for journalism to better serve his community. It’s a powerful sto...

In this episode of Jaywalking: Life Unfiltered with Jay Yoder, I sit down with Jimmy Mack—cohost of the Brutal Dudes podcast and a human encyclopedia of random facts. We dive into everything from life lessons and travel stories to the not-so-glamorous realities of living with sleep apnea. It’s a conversation packed with laughs, insights, and a few too many facts you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode of Jaywalking, we’re talking nutrition, health, and the daily battle between what we should eat and what we really want to eat. From grocery aisle guilt to late-night snacks that somehow vanish without witnesses, I’m diving into my own health journey and why making the “right” choice isn’t always simple—or sustainable. It’s real talk about food, habits, and grace in the process.

In this episode of Jaywalking, I dive into Love on the Spectrum — the heartwarming, awkward, and honest dating show that hits a little differently when you’re raising a daughter with autism. I break down the moments that made me laugh, cry, and cringe (sometimes all at once), and share some personal stories from the frontlines of parenting. It’s a real talk about love, growth, and why authentic co...

Starting stand-up comedy as an adult isn’t easy — but finding real friends along the way makes it worth it. Today on Jaywalking, Jay sits down with fellow comedian and good friend Dan D’Aprile to talk about how they met in the wild world of open mics, what it’s like chasing dreams later in life, and why making friends after 30 hits different. It’s a real, funny, and honest conversation about life,...

In this episode of Jaywalking: Life Unfiltered with Jay Yoder, I open up about the raw, beautiful, and sometimes unpredictable journey of parenting my incredible daughter, Elysia, who is autistic. From navigating the challenges of COVID to celebrating her growth and victories, I share the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It’s a story of resilience, learning, and finding joy in the momen...

In this episode of Jaywalking: Life Unfiltered with Jay Yoder , I confess my deepest, guiltiest, and most unapologetic pleasure—trashy reality TV. From over-the-top drama to ridiculously staged meltdowns, I break down why these shows have me hooked and why I refuse to feel bad about it. Life is chaotic, parenting is exhausting, and sometimes, you just need to watch people argue over absolutely not...

In this episode of Jaywalking: Life Unfiltered with Jay Yoder, I break down the not-so-secret weapon that keeps my chaotic life running smoothly: my Google Calendar. From managing lesson plans and family life to chasing my stand-up comedy dreams, it’s all about being intentional with my time. I share how I balance being a dedicated teacher, a present dad, and a late-blooming comedian — one color-c...