Episode notes
Happy New Year! As the Producer’s Choice Show wraps up its first year on the air, host Producer Jakob has invited Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci back on their own show to discuss their resolutions for 2026. What do we want to see change for education? How can we be better educated educators? And what does the future hold for BustED Pencils in the new year? We talk about it all on THIS sentimental episode of the Producer’s Choice Show! The Producer’s Choice Show with Producer Jakob is part of BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk which is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the…
More from Busted Pencils All episodes →
-
10 Jan 2026 · 43 min
Talking About the Minnesota Fraud Scandal
Today on BustED Pencils, Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci are joined by Producer Jakob to break down the Minnesota fraud scandal. A recent viral video has brought nationwide attention to investigations into an alleged mass fraud scheme involving childcare in Minnesota. What happened? Who’s to blame? And is the Trump administration dealing with the scandal in good faith? We talk about it all on this episode of BustED Pencils! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com…
-
9 Jan 2026 · 39 min
The Students Are Revolting. PCS #33
On today’s fantastic edition of the Producer’s Choice Show we’re talking about student protests and how teachers should handle those moments that stoke the flames of youthful passions. Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci join host Producer Jakob to talk about creating healthy classroom discussions around causes their students care about. How should teachers talk about challenging times? What role do educators play in preparing young citizens to express their views constructively? And how can teachers and schools maintain safety while the students are revolting against the wrongs they see in…
-
7 Jan 2026 · 34 min
A Decade of Emergency- Class in Session
Today Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci teach Producer Jakob about the subject of “emergency teaching licenses”. With Wisconsin Public Radio reporting that the state issued 20% more emergency licenses in 2025 than in 2022, Tim reminds us all that the teacher staffing issue isn’t about a lack of quality teachers; it’s about districts failing to retain them. What are emergency teaching licenses? Why is the state depending on them? Do they serve the teachers who receive them and the students they teach? And how can you have a decade of emergency measures without adopting a serious policy? We…
-
5 Jan 2026 · 15 min
End of Winter Break- Homeroom
Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci have sharpened their pencils, straightened their ties, and trimmed their beards. Why? Because winter break is over! The holidays have come and gone, so it’s time to get back to homeroom and get ready to learn! Highlights; Johnny gets stuck in a snowbank and Tim gets stuck singing a random song from the 1980s. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For…
-
3 Jan 2026 · 43 min
Our Predictions for 2026!
Every year on BustED Pencils we like to start things off by making a few predictions for the new year. Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci aren’t just two educated educators; they’re also two predictable predictors who predict predictions. What will change in education? What storylines do we see coming? And how can our challenges be turned into opportunities? We discuss it all as we deliver our predictions for 2026! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag,…
-
31 Dec 2025 · 26 min
Judging Our 2025 Predictions- Class in Session
Every year Tim and Johnny celebrate the New Year by making predictions for how they think the next year is going to go. The problem is that they have NEVER been held accountable for their predictions… UNTIL NOW. Producer Jakob has dug up Tim and Johnny’s 2025 predictions and on the final day of the year we will now judge their powers of divination. Can these educated educators really see the future? Find out if our 2025 predictions were any good on THIS special Class in Session as we’re looking back at 2025! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the…
-
29 Dec 2025 · 17 min
Reflecting on 2025- Homeroom
On the final Homeroom episode of 2025, Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci are joined by Producer Jakob to reflect on the past year. What moments really stuck in our minds? Which episodes are our favorites? And what changes to the show helped make it even better in 2025? We discuss it all on the ultimate episode of BustED Pencils Homeroom 2025 edition as we’re reflecting on 2025. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for…
-
26 Dec 2025 · 32 min
THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS. PCS #31
Today on the Producer’s Choice Show Jakob is interviewing education expert Dr. Tim Slekar about the supposed war on Christmas. Has the way in which the holidays are celebrated within public schools changed since Tim was a wee lad? How should teachers approach the holidays in a way that lets the whole class participate in the fun? And do we have to completely marginalize Christmas or can yuletide whimsy and inclusive classrooms coexist? We discuss it all on THIS inoffensive holiday episode of the Producer’s Choice Show! Click here to see Tim and Jakob discuss controversial nativity scenes!…
-
24 Dec 2025 · 33 min
The History of Santa- Class in Session
Today we have a rare treat; Dr. Tim Slekar is actually teaching something! Producer Jakob dons his dunce cap, brings in his freshest apple for Mr. Slekar, and prepares to learn the true history of Santa Claus. Where did jolly old Saint Nick come from and how did he become the treasured simple of Christmas that we all know and love today? Find out in this spectacular episode of BustED Pencils! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and…
-
22 Dec 2025 · 22 min
Going Nativity- Homeroom
Today Dr. Tim Slekar and Producer Jakob are going nativity after a series of inflammatory news stories about controversial nativity displays at churches spark conversation. How do we feel about using the nativity as a venue for protest? Do religious people have a right to practice their beliefs as they please even if some find it offensive? And how can people of different religious beliefs coexist peacefully in a society? We talk about it all on this local civics packed edition of BustED Pencils Homeroom. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the…
Take it with you
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
