I didn’t want to do it.
I hid from it.
I fought against adding one more thing to my plate because I felt it ran counter to the theme of this platform.
As it turns out, however, I was completely unsuccessful.
But with any luck, that will be your gain.
For a long time, people have been telling me that I should have my own podcast, and for a very long time I was hesitant because. . .
What did I know about making a podcast?
Who would listen to me?
And more to the point: Does the world really NEED another podcast?
(Spoiler alert: No.).
Well, none of that matters, I suppose, because I finally caved and did it, anyway.
I’m officially launching my very own podcast, which I’m calling THE ZEN TEACHER EXPERIENCE!!!
THE ZEN TEACHER EXPERIENCE consists of short episodes (currently they’re hovering around 5-15 minutes each) and the goal of each episode is to share ideas on how you can reduce your stress and how to improve your self-care*.
I plan to promote new episodes every other week or so, but I plan to play fast and loose in determining “seasons,” so don’t hold your breath for a consistent structure and schedule. Roughly speaking, however, I’m thinking of each semester as a “season” and I’m hoping for about 8-10 episodes each “season.”
There are currently five or so episodes already “live,” so if you happen to be a binger, I say knock yourself out. Chances are, you could probably listen to all of them in a lunch time, less time than it took for season 3 of Stranger Things.
THE ZEN TEACHER EXPERIENCE WILL CONSIST OF:
- Episodes where I share strategies, tools, and activities that are part of The Zen Teacher 5-Step Blueprint.
- Interviews with educators (once I learn how; this may not be possible until Season 2)
IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE SHORTER SEGMENTS (that may include, but are not limited to:)
- Zen Teacher profiles of educators who practice mindfulness, meditation, or self-care
- “Instant Zen” (formerly Zen Teacher Thoughts”), where I focus on a single concept that can be implemented immediately
- Various guided meditations
- ASK THE ZEN TEACHER: A feature where a listener will ask a question about stress reduction or self-care and I will answer it**
Consider these segments brief “interludes” (or maybe even like commercials) that appear between the regular episodes.
Why this? Why now?
As one person said, I would like these episodes to be a small treat teachers give themselves at the end of the day, or on the weekend, possibly, or really whenever they need a little pick-me-up. I want it to help you renew, recharge, and rejuvenate.
It’s not a smaller class size, more art supplies, or a bigger paycheck, but I hope THE ZEN TEACHER EXPERIENCE is at least a way to inspire you to indulge in a deep breath, help you take a break, or encourage you to enjoy a little mini-mental vacation whenever you have a free moment, and I think we can all benefit from that.
It is my hope that you will find THE ZEN TEACHER EXPERIENCE useful, helpful, entertaining, and mostly importantly, fun.
So check out THE ZEN TEACHER EXPERIENCE wherever fine podcasts are sold***
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. Please let me know what you think about what it’s doing well, what it’s lacking, and in which direction it should go.
Because ultimately, the goal is to help you create more focus, simplicity, and tranquility.
And I’m hoping that THE ZEN TEACHER EXPERIENCE is more thing that can do just that. TZT
*I actually spent a great deal of the summer learning to edit audio. . .
**I will answer questions using only the listener’s first name and last initial. Questions can be submitted via Twitter, Instagram, email, or by replying to my newsletter. Simply specify it’s a question for ASK THE ZEN TEACHER.
***Actually, podcasts are usually free, as is this one, so forget I said that. . .I’ve linked to iTunes, but it’s also on Stitcher, Anchor, Spotify, and several other platforms.
I’ve looked for your Podcast on the Podcoin platform (if you’re not familiar with it, check it out!), but it’s not there (yet!). Not sure how it works, but I contacted Podcoin and asked them to add The Zen Teacher Experience. I know I’ll be a regular listener!
Thanks for sharing!