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 for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

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 their world? We discuss on this ACTIVIST 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 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guests: Dr. Tim Slekar, Dr. Johnny Lupinacci

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 get into it all on this EMERGENCY 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 for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

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, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

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 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guests: Dr. Tim Slekar, Dr. Johnny Lupinacci

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 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

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 information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

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! 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 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Dr. Tim Slekar

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 for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guests: Santa Claus, Jakob

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 podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

We're talking publicization and Mamdani with Jonathan Gyurko as one of our favorite guests makes his return to the show. Author of the fantastic book Publicization, Gyurko is back at it again with two fantastic articles that have set the education world ablaze. Whether it's giving educated educators the framework they need to "strengthen the public education narrative" or covering Zohran Mamdani's plans to improve public ed in New York City, Gyurko's on top of it all. 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jonathan Gyurko

On the final Producer's Choice Show before Christmas, Producer Jakob has brought in movie expert Dr. Johnny Lupinacci for a discussion of their favorite festive films! Every era has its own classics, every family has their own tradition, and every person has their own personal favorite. Today we'll be finding out which Christmas classics put Johnny in the holiday spirit on THIS festive 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 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Dr. Johnny Lupinacci

Today Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci are doing their best VJ impressions as they discuss their recollections of MTV, its cultural impact, and the importance of music education. With MTV continuing to wind down the last vestiges of its music content, now seems like as good a time as any for a good old fashioned retrospective. Has TikTok killed the video star? You tell us! 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

The Department of Education has announced a deal to end Joe Biden's student loan repayment assistance program just in time for the holidays! Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci discuss the decision as well as its potential impacts. In addition, Tim shares his frustration with the Biden administration for failing to enshrine student loan forgiveness into law, leaving the door open for this reversal. Merry Christmas, here's some debt! Bah humbug... Jakob plays his 12 Shows of Christmas song again. 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Today on BustED Pencils Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci talk about the value of post-graduate education for educators. Does earning a master's degree or doctorates make you a better teacher? What's the point of getting one of these degrees? And should teachers even bother with them? They also discuss efforts to eliminate some programs within the University of Wisconsin system and debate the merits of these moves. So, does a doctorate make you cool or is it more like doctor schmockter? 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

It's the middle of December, which means we’re in the midst of what we like to call Finals Season here in the US of A. It’s a time when students around America are buckling down, going over flash cards, and trying their best to make up for having not paid attention in class for the last few months. Today Producer Jakob has asked Drs. Johnny Lupinacci and Tim Slekar to recount their own study habits, give some friendly studying advice to current students, and tell some hilarious stories from finals' past. Whether you shall choose to cram, or not to cram, you'll be more than prepared thanks to THIS studious 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 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guests: Dr. Tim Slekar, Dr. Johnny Lupinacci

Today on BustED Pencils we're joined by author / educator Allen Levie and filmmaker Rommel Genciana to discuss the upcoming documentary film based on the book Thriving in Public Schools. We talk to Allen about his real life experiences teaching in Racine, Wisconsin, that inspired him to write the original book, and Rommel explains the process of bringing the book to the big screen. If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining the WEAC book club's special event for Thriving in Public Schools. 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guests: Allen Levie, Rommel Genciana

It's December and that can only mean one thing; it's time for finals! Youngsters across this great nation are staying up late, cramming for their exams, and Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci are joined by Producer Jakob to talk about their memories of finals' past. 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 information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

Today on BustED Pencils Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci take a look at a troubling article out of Wisconsin. According to the Department of Public Instruction, 36% of children who attend 4K through 3rd Grade are considered at-risk for reading proficiency. What does that actually mean? What are the primary causes behind children's struggles with reading? And what can the powers that be do to empower teachers to help their students? We're talking about it all on this full hour of blue collar scholars we like to call the Saturday edition 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 for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!