We Didn't Know What We Didn't Know-Life Laughed

We're in a Camper and Nobody Asked Sue and Lisa are recording from a camper, fresh off graduation season and still handing out $20 bills. Today's topic: games — and everything that can go wrong when you play them with the people you love. Chapter 1 Cheaters, Quitters & the Guy Who Takes the Elevator Up Kilimanjaro Every game table has a type — the cheater, the quitter, the ultra-comp...

In this “best laughs” episode part 2, enjoy some of Sue and Lisa’s favorite guest moments—along with a few of their own stories—the ones that had everyone laughing to the point of panic peeing. Remember Nancy, “Donald,” “Betsy,” and “Chrissy”? From accidentally teaching kids the sign for orgasm instead of October… to calling in “sick” from a tropical island payphone and getting busted by a cruise...

Lisa and Sue revisit the moments that made them laugh so hard they couldn’t recover—possibly not even with a bathroom break in time. This “best of” episode pulls from some of their earliest podcasts, including classroom life gems like the great fish tank debacle (apparently, electricity is optional, but fish are not). They relive an end-of-year cleaning disaster involving a rag bag and an unexpect...

Lisa and Sue continue their discussion about colonoscopies with part 2, including a sure-to-be-viral rap about the joys of colonoscopies. They phone Sue's friend Anne, who describes choosing a colonoscopy over “poo in a box” testing at 50, enduring the prep, and the awkward loss of dignity when a male nurse she knew assisted.  Sue and Lisa compare screening options, joke about medical jobs in...

Retired Wisconsin teachers Lisa and Sue share a humorous conversation sparked by Lisa needing antibiotics before a dental appointment due to an artificial knee and Sue picking up her prescriptions, including a large colonoscopy prep jug.   They discuss the importance of colonoscopies, with Lisa starting screenings at 38 because her father died of colon cancer and continuing every 3–5 years dependi...

In this episode, retired teachers Lisa and Sue tackle a very real condition no one warned us about: Value-losis —the sudden belief that every dish, photo, knickknack, and Precious Moment figurine is priceless (spoiler: it’s not). From baby clothes no one wants, to eleven tubs of photos nobody asked for, to the cruel truth about Hummels, Beanie Babies, and Princess Diana collectibles, the ladies di...

In this episode, retired teachers Lisa and Sue-who somehow survived 35+ years in classrooms without permanently losing their minds-talk about aging, memory lapses, and why walking into a room now feels like a pop quiz you didn’t study for. They swap stories about forgotten names, family conversations that move faster than their recall, and the comic relief that comes with realizing you’re not alon...

After 35+ years wrangling kids in the classroom, Lisa and Sue have finally retired—but don’t expect them to act their age. In this laugh-out-loud episode, the dynamic duo returns from a “short” break (who’s counting months, anyway?) to launch the next chapter of their podcast: “We Didn’t Know What We Didn’t Know: Life Laughed.” They’re swapping lesson plans for life lessons, tackling the wild ride...

In this final episode of their current podcast, Sue and Lisa announce they're taking a break to reimagine the show, returning in the fall with a fresh focus on life beyond the classroom. After four years of juggling hobbies, parenting, grandparenting, and podcasting, they’re shifting gears to share real, unfiltered stories about aging, lessons learned, and hilarious misadventures. They tease...

Teaching is full of impossible choices—would you rather have a full week of indoor recess or supervise the cafeteria during a Jell-O food fight? In this episode, Sue and Lisa dive into the classic game of Would You Rather? , but with a teacher twist! From classroom conundrums to staff meeting nightmares, they hilariously debate the lesser of two evils in the world of education. Tune in for laughs,...

You Know You’re an Elementary Teacher If...   Welcome back to We Didn’t Know We Didn’t Know, the podcast where overworked teachers can laugh instead of cry (or cry while laughing—your choice). In this episode, we break down the hilarity of You Know You’re an Elementary Teacher If... with four sidesplitting categories: 1️⃣ Skills We Never Knew We’d Need – Who knew cutting 32 Valentine hearts in rec...

In this episode of their comedy podcast for teachers, Sue and Lisa discuss the most absurd and cringe-worthy icebreakers they've experienced in professional settings. They share their takes on everything from uncomfortable shoulder massages to quirky activities like 'Two Truths and A Lie' and 'Organize by Height'. The hosts play a game of 'Pass or Fail' for vario...

As Lisa is off gallivanting in the Caribbean this January (2025) Sue is remastering some of their first episodes. After all these years, Sue has finally learned how to edit a little bit better. You can hear the "Three Chesters" story in completeness! We'll be back with a new episode ASAP. Share our podcast with your friends. You're not sharing are you? Do it. We'll wait. I...

In this new episode, Sue and Lisa take a trip down memory lane to explore the evolution of school discipline. From the intimidating Board of Education (a.k.a. the paddle) to today’s mindfulness exercises, they unpack the absurd, sometimes traumatizing, and always memorable tactics teachers have used to keep classrooms in check. Get ready for laugh-out-loud stories about group shaming, the dreaded...

Welcome to a holly-jolly whirlwind of awkward conversations, questionable gift exchanges, and a game of quarters that went TOO FAR! In this episode, we unwrap the chaos of school worker holiday parties. From the great pickle ornament debacle to a Koosh ball brawl, we’re spilling all the spiked punch on the festivities. Listen as we tackle the awkward art of escaping small talk with "corner-st...

Decoding the ABCs of Acronym Overload - A Pep Talk by YOUR Principal "Good morning, team! Today’s priorities: align PPG with MTSS strategies, focusing on PBIS to reduce ODRs . Address RTI needs for students with ADD , ADHD , or OHI in IEPs and 504s . Boost ELA , MAPE , and SEL through targeted SLOs . Support ELL students via SSI and ensure compliance with FAPE and ESSA . Plan interventions du...

Welcome to We Didn't Know What We Didn't Know , where retired teachers Sue and Lisa spill the tea—and maybe some coffee—on life in the classroom and beyond. In this episode, they tackle the universal torment of school staff meetings with a brilliant survival tool: Staff Meeting Bingo . Because if you're stuck in a meeting that could’ve been an email, you might as well turn it into a...

Lisa and Sue reminisce about their wildest substitute teaching experiences. From quirky subs like the "ear piercing enthusiast" to the "life insurance lecturer," they share stories that left classrooms in stitches or stunned silence. They swap tales of subs reorganizing desks, misusing classroom tools, and even abandoning their post after lunch! The duo also discusses the low w...

In this episode of We Didn’t Know What We Didn’t Know , Sue and Lisa tackle the challenges teachers face in the age of screens. From the days of three-channel TVs and foil-covered rabbit ears to the overwhelming presence of iPads and smartphones, the duo humorously discusses how students’ brains have become wired like video games. They share stories of kids unable to hold scissors but mastering Mi...

On today's episode, Sue and Lisa take a humorous dive into the quirks of being early birds versus night owls, especially in the chaotic world of elementary school teaching. They uncover the morning growls, caffeine-fueled sprints, and Cosmic brownies that defined their decades in the classroom. One of them is a chipper early bird, sipping coffee at dawn, while the other is a night owl who con...

Today on We Didn’t Know What We Didn’t Know , Lisa and Sue thank their lucky stars they're not at Teacher Back Day—five days of mandatory bonding, awkward wellness activities, and the ever-looming threat of budget cuts. School district workers were told that the district may need to "let go" up to 300 new hires if another referendum doesn't pass in November. Is this a fair way...

In this laugh-out-loud short, our 50th episode, (!) retired educators Sue and Lisa dive into the absurd yet hilarious idea of a nursing home exclusively for retired teachers. Imagine ex-principals thinking they are running the place, while residents engage in wheelchair races, balloon volleyball, and GoNoodle brain breaks. Hallways are adorned with blue pocket charts displaying daily schedules, an...

In their 49th podcast episode, "The Teacher Brain—Blessing or Burden?" , hosts Sue and Lisa dive into the eternal struggle of turning off the "teacher brain." From accidentally organizing strangers' children at the park to obsessing over classroom supplies, these retired teachers can't help but see the world through an educational lens. They recount a failed attempt a...

In this episode we join Lisa, who’s fresh back from a serene Portugal trip, but now reeling from eye surgery. Despite Lisa's "bloody eye" issues, she’s ready to dive into the day's topic: the mythical Teacher’s Lounge. It’s not just a place; it's an institution filled with characters straight out of a sitcom. Remember the "lounge lizard"? The veteran teacher loun...

Sue and Lisa, two seasoned educators, catch up in their podcast to discuss the often humorous side of life as we all age. This episode dives into their continued conversation about retirement, introducing well-intentioned games and phone calls with retired friends. The duo brainstorms quirky business ideas like an AI-driven 'teacher immersion room' to simulate the highs and lows of teach...