Teacher Yarns Podcast

We're back with Part 2 of B-RY's EDUCATION. That's right, with absolutely no surprise to anybody, B-ry has waffled on again about how tough his life was back in the good 'ol days. Ben's about to head off to Vietnam but will hopefully be able to have a yarn with some locals over there for next week. Thanks everyone! xo

Ever wondered what school was like in Kilcoy during the 60's? Well luckily B-ry is here to give you the rundown of school back in "the good 'ol days." From getting the cane, writing on slates and walking to school in no shoes, the old man recounts his wild years from kindy to highschool. He actually rambled on for so long we've had to break it up into two parts so stay tuned for next weeks ep wher...

Ben's back in QLD and we're live from Sunshine Coast studios (upstairs at mum and dad's.  We spread the net wide for our guest tonight and we're proud to introduce, Bryan's daughter and Ben's sister... Emily. We reminisce on the early days at our primary school, B-ry goes on a rant about ANZAC day and reads out some awesome emails that he's been hoarding. Thanks for all the emails legends, we love...

We tried something new on this weeks episode :) One of our listeners, Chris, has called in over the internet and we've recorded remotely. Chris recently returned from China and gave us all the inside goss on Xi Jinping's threat to western democracy... Jokes... We just had a chat about schools in China and his 9 years teaching in various schools and summer camps over there. Thanks for calling in ma...

We're back and B-ry has cranked his mic up way too loud for this one!  (He's pumped to be back for our 1 year anniversary.)  The boys talk all things sick leave and how taking a sickie/mental health day has changed over the years. We're pumped to be back.  Go check out instagram for a hilarious visual story from Ben's Comedy Festival Show, The Parent Teacher Interview.  Welcome back everyone! Have...

The boys cover a few subjects this episode including 4 day school weeks and school camps. B-ry lets Ben talk a little bit on this one, but we're still working on his active listening. We also read out listener "Emily's" crazy school camp story. It's a belter. Keep sending in your stories. We bloody love them. HAPPY EASTER HOLIDAYS! We'll see you after the break. Ben and B-ry xo

The boys talk about the struggles and scrutiny they've faced being a male teacher in the primary sector. ;) (No sarcastic font sorry.) B-ry hasn't had much sleep, was interrupted with a phone call from his builder and has found an article in the paper that's fired him up.  Just another fun day on the Teacher Yarns podcast!  Thanks for all the support, keep sharing the love. Ben and B-ry xo

Mitch is a diesel fitter turned teacher aide and currently at university to become a secondary teacher. PLOT TWIST, he is also an ex-student that Ben taught in his last year of university at Burnside High!!! Mitch reached out to us and said he'd love to come on and have a chat, and we're so glad he did.  This episode is an absolute ripper!  So exciting to meet such an enthusiastic young teacher pu...

The boys are back and this episode we talk about boys struggling in our education system. This conversation was sparked after reading the book, Of Boys and Men, by Richard V. Reeves.   Very interesting read. Very big and complex topic. Let us know what you think and check out this YouTube clip below to hear Richard V. Reeves put it all much more succinctly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCvhFXFy...

"NAPLAN is for the students."  Which is why the 2022 results have come out in February 2023 and published in the newspapers.  B-ry has found a news article and is fuming.  He's also pissed off about Roald Dahl books being changed, but that's a seperate rant. Hit play and share the pod round with your mates/colleagues. Thanks so much for all the support. 

B-ry has a few opinions after a big week in the newspapers.  Teacher reforms, religion in schools, philosophy in schools, change the date... The boys get stuck into all the big topics as Ben tries to teach Bryan the art of "active listening." Thanks for all the support everyone.  Hope Term 1 is going good. 

Cameron Duggan is an award winning comic and cohost of the hilarious podcast The Mugg Off. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-mugg-off/id1473089556 Here's his set on $2 socks!!!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFV3YW4A0OM Ben's upcoming Melbourne Comedy Festival show is also on sale. Tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/993414 Thanks for all the support!

Bernie McKenna is a retired teacher, principal and Ben's primary school Maths teacher.  So many awesome yarns, including when he and his wife spent 3 years driving a triple axle truck out to teach kids in remote country towns.  Thanks so much Bernie for coming on and having a chat.  Ripper episode. :)

Tony Briggs is an Indigenous actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer and former track and field star athlete. He is the creator of the stage play The Sapphires (later a 2012 film) and The ABC TV series, The Warriors. I ripped those first two paragraphs off Wikipedia.  Tony Briggs is my good mate and an absolute fucking legend!  Loved yarning to him and finally getting to introduce him to B-ry! ...

Welcome back everybody! Hope you all had an awesome break, It's Week 1, Term 1, 2023 and the boys are ready for a huge year! B-ry has been chomping at the bit with new and exciting things to rant about.  (Basically the same shit as he always goes on about.) And Ben is ready to try rein him in. We've got some awesome guests lined up this year.  Excited to be back!!!

What a way to end the year!  Fiona Robinson currently works in school admin but has worked in education for the past 20 years in a multitude of capacities. We covered a heap of topics this week: Wagging school, private vs public schools, staff Christmas parties and B-ry tries out some hip new lingo (he didn't know the meaning of.) THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH TO EVERYONE THAT HAS LISTENED AND SHARED OUR L...

This week the boys are joined by one of Australia’s fastest rising comedians, Peter James! Pete attended a drama excellence school in Cairns, receiving an OP 7. We talk about his favourite book: Brum the car, his horny PE teacher and the rise of his comedy career. Very funny ep.  Have a listen and share with your mates!

B-ry wants more focus on the "Big Rocks" in primary education and less with the "fluffy bullshit." Ben gets a chance to read out some listener emails about ODD and a staff meeting solution that we think all schools should be adopting. Apologies for Ben's dodgy audio on this one...

The boys discuss what they believe should be cut/trimmed in the education system. B-ry reads out one of the most beautiful stories we received by email.  Let us know what you think should be "trimmed" from the current curriculum or just education in general.  And tell us some of your favourite teacher stories to teacheryarns@gmail.com WE LOVE THEM!!!

This week we spoke to... "The Mentor." Majoring in drama because "the class was closer to the pub," he was raised a good christian boy and has been teaching in the Catholic Education system for over 30 years. We also reminisce on the days teachers gave kids a literal kick up the arse instead of labelling them ODD. Strap in for this yarn!    

This week we discus the BIG changes the education department has made to NAPLAN. We divulge the origin of "B-ry" which turns into a big ol' chat about crazy kid's names! What's the craziest name you've ever come across?  Send the boys an email or DM!

Aidan Jones is an award winning comedian who met his biological father when he was 28 years old. We often talk about nature vs nurture on this podcast and Aidan gave us incredible insight into this discussion. Very funny and insightful episode. Go check out his new stand up special, TACO, on Youtube, Spotify or Amazon Prime.

Nick Quon is a fantastic stand up comedian and has been working in early years education for over a decade. We had a great yarn about early years education stigmas and various pressures they face in today's society.  Very funny chat. Go follow Quony on the socials to see where he's performing next.

Sister Penny has come straight from church and ready for a teacher yarn. As well as being the coolest nun in the convent, she has also been a teacher, principal and support worker, working in education for almost half a century!!! We all had to say a few "Hail Mary's" after this one. Thanks Sister Penny x  

Welcome back from school holidays everyone! We're back for the start of Term 4 and joined by ex principal Col.  He had a heap of crazy yarns, including THE BEST rat's tail story I've ever heard. Cracker episode, with lots of awesome insight into teaching from a principal's perspective. Thanks again Col