Northern Attitude

In this bittersweet Season 1 finale, Stephen and Mitch prepare to hit "pause" by talking about the vital role an "off-season" plays in sustaining emotional resilience for educators. Then, they transition into a powerful conversation on long-term validation with a unique, cross-generational reunion. Retiring Assistant Superintendent Dave Swinson (after 27 years in education) and Webster Thomas alum...

The Northern Attitude hosts welcome our first two returning studio guests, Kyle Sackett and Erika Stuff, for a special roundtable retrospective episode. As we gear up for next week's season finale, the four of us are first looking back. We each selected a few defining moments from this season to listen to, dissect, and reflect on. Together, we dive deep into why these specific moments hit so hard,...

In this episode of Northern Attitude , we sit down with Webster Thomas teacher and former varsity basketball coach Chris Barrett following his 17th and final season in the program. Together, we look back on his 17-year legacy, focusing on what it takes to build a culture where teamwork, mental preparation, and commitment to the process matter far more than the final score. The story actually begin...

What does it take to lead a modern high school building while balancing the needs of students, teachers, parents, and the wider Webster community? In this episode, co-hosts Steve and Mitch sit down with Webster Thomas High School Principal Glenn Widor. Reflecting on his deep roots and various roles at Thomas since its reopening as a high school in 2001, Glenn shares his core goals for the Titan cu...

What happens when you bring two Webster Thomas alumni back into the studio? You get an honest, unfiltered look at life after high school, the mental shifts required to grow up, and a crucial conversation about men's mental health that every parent and student needs to hear. After kicking things off with a lighter look at the arrival of this year's high school yearbooks (and explaining the mystery...

Before the full conversation drops Monday morning, we’re giving you a sneak peek into the first eight minutes of our sit-down with Webster Thomas alumni David Mitchell (’24) and Michael Dowden (’23). If you remember our legendary "lost pod" from back in March—the one the recording gods unfortunately swallowed whole—we promised to run it back. We dive into a nostalgic look at yearbooks in general,...

Please note: this is our second episode with the explicit tag! Danny tried, but a true roast master has to keep it real. In this episode of Northern Attitude , Mitch and Steve sit down with brothers Joey and Danny Smith for a raw, honest look at the modern high school experience through two very different lenses. Danny, a Webster Thomas alumnus (Class of 2023), opens up about his uphill battle to...

This week on Northern Attitude, Steven Zaccardo takes the helm for a special, intimate conversation. While Mitch is away, the 'heart' of the pod's mission takes center stage as Steven sits down with a very special guest: his mother. Together, they explore the complex architecture of human connection—from the spark of initial chemistry to the delicate importance of timing in lifelong relationships....

What if you could take everything you know now and walk back through the front doors of Webster Thomas? This week, Mitch and Steven are joined by Class of 2012 alumni Katie Epner , the Director of Video Production at WXXI . In a raw and nostalgic conversation, we peel back the layers of the "high school hierarchy" to discuss what really matters once the tassels are turned. From the weight of losin...

In this episode, Steven and Mitch sit down with a true Webster Thomas blue blood: Dr. Chris Callahan , a student ('04 OG) and servant of the Thomas community for over a decade Chris’s journey isn’t just a career path; it’s a masterclass in growth and development. We trace his steps from D1 football fields and history lectures to the front lines of Special Education as a TA and teacher, eventually...

What would Pam do? We get so many great answers to that classic question on this week's episode. Pamela shares her unique perspective on Webster Thomas and all of its interpersonal connections. The school secretaries are the first ones in and the last ones out every day, and have perhaps the greatest ability to observe and influence the whole building. This episode is brought to you by Ridge Donut...

Steve and Mitch stroll down memory lane with the godfather of the podcast and the finest of fine arts educators Mr Todd Stahl. This episode is packed with origin stories, pedagogy(!) and core memories. Grab some coffee, a canvas, and some charcoal. Let's fail forwards towards some clarity in the cold.

Webster Thomas legend Joe Zaccardo chops it up with his brother and a starstruck fan boy. We discussed what the glory days were really like under the helmet(s), and the lessons he learned, from tee ball to the Carrier Dome, that he still carries around 20 years later. Grab some popcorn and prepare for goosebumps.

Mitch tries hosting solo with the other half of MEKK (Molly, Ella, Kate, and Kelly). Molly and Ella cut their teeth together on the ice for the Webster Lakers... Kate and Kelly did it for just as long, but performing on stage. We discuss how they process the emotions of big decisions, as well as what they've learned about themselves and how they've grown along the way. Grab a sugar-free baja blast...

A lifetime Warrior (and RL Thomas grad) Shawn Strege joins the pod for a deep dive into the class of '94 lore, sports & mental health, and some mindfulness-based stress reduction. Grab a hot coffee, because there are chills galore in this episode.

A Penguin and an Eagle take us through the birth and rise of the Webster Lakers ice hockey team. Buckle up for a bus ride with two student-athletes from opposite sides of the ridge who didn't just play a game—they made history. Join us as we sit down with members of the very first girls' varsity hockey team in Section V. Ella and Molly discuss the grit, joy, agony, and legacy of the first three se...

Erika and the bearded ones dive deep into the compassion and unconditional love that resides at the core of an educator. We share mantras, mindsets, and Big Mike's movie moment. You should absolutely grab a coffee and get comfortable for this one. We love love and we love you!

Three-time Grammy nominee and founding father of the T-Birds, Dr Kyle Sackett joins the pod as the first ever guest on Northern Attitude. Kyle discusses the winding road that led him back to his alma mater 14 years after he graduated, and provides an oral history of the genesis of the Webster Thomas fan section. Before he leaves to go back to rehearsal, Dr Sackett shares his coaching style that he...

Steven and Michael introduce themselves (finally) and discuss the reaction to the first episode. They finish clarifying the vision for the pod and its name by getting into the conflict cycle and how to navigate it. Finally, they practice their interviewing skills on each other with a few deep and a handful of lighter questions. Forgive their northern attitude, they were raised out in the cold.

Steven and Michael introduce themselves and how they found their place in the profession. Then they dive into the purpose of the podcast, setting the stage for future guests and topics.