No Name Paper — Relax & Rejuvenate: A Midyear Reset for Educators

Episode Type: Curated Clips + Solo Reflection
Host: Meghan Wells
Length: ~25 minutes

This episode of No Name Paper is a pause button.

As the school year winds down and life speeds up, Meghan brings together some of the most meaningful moments from our most-listened-to episodes — featuring Elizabeth Lainez, Todd Nesloney, Dr. Darren Pepperd, and a bonus game with Cheryl Graff — to offer one clear message:

👉 Hang in there. Recover. You’re doing better than you think.

This is not a strategy episode.
It’s not a productivity push.
It’s a reminder that educators are people first — and rest is not something you have to earn.

A powerful reminder that culture isn’t a program — it’s the small, human choices educators make every day, especially when things are hard. Darren shares how prioritizing culture transformed attendance, behavior, and outcomes on his campus.

When you’re intentional about culture, it really does float all boats.

Our most-listened-to guest reframes game-based learning as low-stakes, low-lift strategies that make classrooms more livable — from cleanup challenges to classroom community building.

You don’t have to start big. Small, everyday things make a huge difference.

This is the moment where teachers stop scrolling and think:
“Okay… this is worth my energy.”

Todd speaks candidly about burnout, guilt, therapy, and why educators must stop martyring themselves for the job.

You cannot take care of your students if you are not taking care of you.

A grounding reminder that rest, boundaries, and personal days are not selfish — they’re essential.

Because it wouldn’t be No Name Paper without a little joy. Cheryl Graff shares stories from an international student exchange and plays a rapid-fire culture swap game — a reminder that laughter and connection still matter.

After this episode, No Name Paper will be taking a two-week break — not because we’re done, but because we believe in modeling recovery.

During the break, you’ll hear:

• A combined episode of tech-focused tips and ideas

• A re-edited version of our Dr. Darren Pepperd interview, revisited with fresh perspective

We’ll be back in the new year with intention, balance, and episodes ready to support you through the rest of the school year .

We’re starting the year focused on:

• Social-Emotional Learning

• Burnout prevention

• Sustainability for educators

Not because it’s trendy.
Not because it’s required.
But because it feels right.

Before systems, strategies, and outcomes — people need to feel okay again.

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👉 speakpipe.com/nonamepaper
(Short, real, unpolished — we’ll take it from there.)

📚 Browse our Bookshop:
👉 bookshop.org/store/nonamepaper
A curated collection of books by authors featured on the show — focused on culture, leadership, and staying human in education.

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✨ Episode Description🧠 What You’ll Hear in This Episode🟡 Culture Before Compliance — Dr. Darren Pepperd (3:39–6:26)🟡 Small Wins That Restore Energy — Elizabeth Lainez (7:56–11:23)🟡 Burnout, Boundaries & Being Human — Todd Nesloney (12:27–16:07)🟡 A Little Fun to End — Culture Swap Game with Cheryl Graf (17:12–21:17)🛑 Important Podcast Update🌱 Looking Ahead: What’s Coming in the New Year💬 Stay Connected🎁 A Simple Way to Support the Podcast