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The Balancing Act

The Balancing Act

By: Joseph Vitale and Jamie Wanko
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 Fun Fact: If you draw a venn diagram of the circus and being an educator you get a perfect circle! At least, that’s what Jamie and Joe have learned. Straight out of Central New Jersey, join two seasoned teachers as they try to make sense of balancing their teaching careers with parenting multiple children, helping with aging parents, supporting their loving spouses, and navigating the very strange landscape of education in a post-Covid world. With guest interviews, deep dive explorations on contemporary topics, and so much more – we’re here to look at the highs and the lows that come with being an educator. Whether you’re fresh to the job or a seasoned vet, we can’t wait to share in this journey together! Visit our website for feedback, love letters, or guest/general inquiries.© 2026 Joseph Vitale and Jamie Wanko. All rights reserved. Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Teacher Friends and Tik Toks with the Math Girls

    Teacher Friends and Tik Toks with the Math Girls
    Feb 10 2026
    Meeting Morgan and Nicole at the NJEA convention in the fall meant that our hosts just widened their New Jersey teacher friend group, and in the meantime basked in the glow of that newer teacher energy they so desperately seek. “The Math Girls” as they have affectionately come to be called, are giving our hosts a refresher course on how to tackle middle school teaching and why teacher- friends make all the difference. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more information and to get a quote. http://bit.ly/4mQC27G⁠ Teachers' Insurance Plan: auto insurance that brings exclusive educator savings and exceptional customer care to New Jersey and Pennsylvania educational employees. Select Episodes from Season 3 sponsored by: For more information about NJSchoolJobs.com check out their website for up-to-date job postings for teaching, admin, support staff and coaching opportunities. Interested in Giving Lesson Launchpad a try? Don’t forget to use our code “Balance” for $5 off a yearly subscription. Lesson Launchpad - Plan. Present. Automate. www.lessonlaunchpad.com We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: podthebalancingact@gmail.com Don’t forget to subscribe! Leave us a comment! Follow Facebook - podbalact JoeandJamie Instagram - @podthebalancingact TikTok - @thebalancingactpodcast Twitter - @podbalact Youtube Channel - The Balancing Act - YouTube Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Guidance Counselors and College Bound High School Seniors

    Guidance Counselors and College Bound High School Seniors
    Feb 3 2026
    Having a high school senior can be an overwhelming process, and our hosts have three of them between them. How do you pay for college? How do you apply to college? How do you choose a college? How can we balance the stress of parenting senior students through this process? Questions parents ask themselves all the time. Listen as they navigate the mid year college update for their own kids in real time. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more information and to get a quote. http://bit.ly/4mQC27G⁠ Teachers' Insurance Plan: auto insurance that brings exclusive educator savings and exceptional customer care to New Jersey and Pennsylvania educational employees. Looking for a job in education? Teacher, principal, school support or coaching? Check out https://www.njschooljobs.com/ for up to date job postings. Build Brighter Futures with NJSchoolJobs.com We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: podthebalancingact@gmail.com Don’t forget to subscribe! Leave us a comment! Follow Facebook - podbalact JoeandJamie Instagram - @podthebalancingact TikTok - @thebalancingactpodcast Twitter - @podbalact Youtube Channel - The Balancing Act - YouTube Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Learned Helplessness with “The Well Seasoned Teacher”, Melissa Antinoff

    Learned Helplessness with “The Well Seasoned Teacher”, Melissa Antinoff
    Jan 27 2026
    As a classroom teacher for nearly 30 years, Melissa Antinoff has experience and boots on the ground with every type of student, and she has a brilliant point of view on education and learned helplessness. Questioning her experience and background was thrilling and beyond eye opening for the hosts and the listener needs to hear more of her perfect brand of wisdom and practical applications in the present day classroom. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more information and to get a quote. http://bit.ly/4mQC27G⁠ Teachers' Insurance Plan: auto insurance that brings exclusive educator savings and exceptional customer care to New Jersey and Pennsylvania educational employees. We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: podthebalancingact@gmail.com Don’t forget to subscribe! Leave us a comment! Follow Facebook - podbalact JoeandJamie Instagram - @podthebalancingact TikTok - @thebalancingactpodcast Twitter - @podbalact Youtube Channel - The Balancing Act - YouTube Part of the Human Content Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
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