Are you overwhelmed by the constant demands of teaching, wondering if you’ll ever feel balanced again? Do you feel like your identity as an educator has overshadowed the person you once were? Are you craving a way to rediscover your passion and purpose, not just in the classroom but in your life? Welcome to Unlock Your Teaching Potential, your permission slip to hit the brakes, recharge, and reignite your joy for teaching and living. I’m Dr. Jen Rafferty, a former music teacher, author, TEDX speaker, mom of 2, and founder of Empowered Educator. I’ve been where you are, navigating the burnout, the exhaustion, and the struggle to find time for yourself especially when life gets lifey. But I also know there’s another way, a path to thriving both as an educator and a human being. This podcast is where we ditch the old ideas of what you “should” be doing and discover actionable steps to create a life you love. Each week, I’ll guide you through short, impactful episodes created to empower you with tangible tools to reclaim your energy, prioritize your well-being, and transform the way you show up for yourself, your students, and your family. Together, we’ll rewrite the narrative of being in education from selfless superhero to becoming an empowered educator, one step at a time. Whether it’s embracing mindfulness, setting boundaries, or rediscovering what lights you up, you’ll leave each episode with strategies to help you lead a healthier, and more joyful life...which in turn will allow you to show up as your best self for your students and school communities. If you’re ready to fuel your soul as an educator, this is the podcast for you! So it’s time to recharge, refocus, and unlock your teaching potential! Our kids need you.
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Finding sustainable joy in teaching begins by rejecting toxic positivity and embracing emotional literacy. Teaching with emotional honesty fosters deeper connections and authentic classroom experiences without sacrificing professionalism.
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Is Your Perfectionism Really Just a Stress Response?
In this episode of The Empowered Educator Podcast, we uncover the hidden connection between perfectionism and your brain’s stress response system — especially for educators. Learn why perfectionism isn’t a personal flaw, but a learned survival strategy rooted in fear, fawn mode, and a nervous system trying to keep you safe.
You’ll di...
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Procrastination isn’t about laziness or poor time management — it’s about your brain trying to protect you. In this episode, we explore why so many educators struggle with procrastination and how to shift the narrative from self-blame to self-compassion.
You’ll learn how procrastination is rooted in emotional regulation, not motivation — and how to rewire your brain for focus, calm, and cla...
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In this episode of Unlock Your Teaching Potential, we dive into a powerful and often overlooked topic in education: how to extend compassion to adult colleagues while maintaining healthy boundaries and protecting your own emotional energy.
Educators are natural nurturers, but many of us find ourselves overextending—especially when dealing with emotionally dysregulated adults. This episode u...
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Teaching while carrying a heavy mental load is exhausting, but there are simple, powerful ways to restore your energy and reconnect with yourself. If you’re an educator feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or emotionally drained, this podcast is your space to breathe, reflect, and reignite your passion for teaching.
Many teachers struggle with stress, anxiety, and work-life balance, especially ...
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Have you ever felt that tightness in your chest before a tough conversation? Maybe your thoughts are running a mile a minute, your stomach’s in a twist, and avoiding it feels way safer than facing it.
Fear has a way of taking over, convincing us that discomfort means danger. But here’s the truth. Fear isn’t the enemy. It’s a signal. And when you learn how to respond to it instead of ru...
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Right now, teachers everywhere are facing layoffs, budget cuts, and overwhelming stress. It is a lot. And when you are constantly in survival mode, it is almost impossible to show up as the educator you want to be.
And let’s be honest, this stress isn’t just mental. The chronic stress effects you’re experiencing, like headaches, exhaustion, and tension, are real. Your body is trying to tell...
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Have you found yourself lying in bed at night, exhausted but scrolling endlessly on your phone?
We give all of our time and energy to our students, our families, and our endless to-do lists, leaving nothing for ourselves. So, instead of resting, we stay up late trying to reclaim just a little bit of “me time.”
In this episode, I want to flip the script on self-care for teachers. ...
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Teaching is one of the most fulfilling careers, but let’s be real, it’s also incredibly demanding. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, overwhelmed, or just plain burnt out, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck in that cycle.
I’m so excited to welcome you to Season 4 of Unlock Your Teaching Potential! This podcast has always been about giving educators like you the t...
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Are you overwhelmed by the constant demands of teaching, wondering if you’ll ever feel balanced again? Do you feel like your identity as an educator has overshadowed the person you once were? Are you craving a way to rediscover your passion and purpose, not just in the classroom but in your life?
Welcome to Unlock Your Teaching Potential, your permission slip to hit the brakes, recharg...
Have a question for the show? Text us here!
Have you ever wondered who you are when no one's watching, or who you could be if you never doubted yourself for even a second?
In today's episode, I’m shedding light on how to overcome obstacles that might seem too big to handle and how small, daily choices lead us toward a fulfilling life.
I’m diving deep into the topics of personal growth, overcoming self-doubt, and ho...
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As educators, we've all seen the fear in our students when they're afraid to make a mistake, the anxiety that bubbles up at the thought of failing. We can recognize it in ourselves too.
It's a common experience..
So how do we help our students understand that failure isn't just a part of learning, but a crucial step toward growth?
Join me and my guest, Ther...
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How can we continue to keep students engaged and motivated?
If we’re being honest, the traditional education system falls short in meeting everyone's needs.
In today’s episode, join me and the brilliant Chantel Prat, a professor with a vast background in psychology, neuroscience, and linguistics as we explore why it's crucial for teachers like you to understand the brai...
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Are you eager to be a leader who truly connects with your team but not sure how to get there?
Many leaders find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their positions, struggling to connect with their teams and make a positive impact. It's easy to fall into the trap of leading with authority and ego, but this approach often leads to dissatisfaction and disconnection from those w...
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Have you ever been frustrated by the feeling you're not being heard?
It's a common feeling, especially in schools and at work, and even more so when power plays a role in the relationship dynamic.
But don't worry, we've got a solution for you!
In this episode, I am joined by the incredible Dr. Teresa Peterson from Sarah Noll Wilson Inc. With her deep roots...
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Ever wondered how much impact your words have on those listening?
It can be easy to forget the big role that language plays in education. Language affects the students’ behavior, self-confidence, and overall engagement.
To state it directly: words can make or break a student.
In today's episode, I am joined by Shauna King to tackle this very issue. Shauna, o...
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Feeling stuck in a job where you can't be yourself? Tired of shallow work interactions
Many of us spend our days in environments where we have to wear masks, playing roles that don't fit us. But what if there was a way to break free from this cycle, to bring your true self to your job, and form genuine relationships?
In this episode, I'm joined by the amazi...
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Feeling stuck in the endless cycle of work, family responsibilities, and personal growth?
Many dads find themselves caught in struggling to balance their professional ambitions with the demands of fatherhood. It's a juggle that often leaves little room for self-care, leading to stress and burnout.
But what if there was a way to break free from this pattern, to find fulfillmen...
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Do you ever feel like life's challenges are too much to handle?
Whether it's the stress of daily responsibilities or something as life-altering as health crises, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected from ourselves.
In today’s episode, I sit down with the inspiring Crissy Florio, a yogi and breast cancer thriver. We delve into her story, showcasing her emot...
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Are you struggling with teacher burnout and longing to rediscover the joy and purpose in your teaching career?
You're not alone, and there's a path forward to help you find that fulfillment again.
Join us in today’s episode where I am joined by Lily Jones, the founder of Educator Forever.
Lily shares her journey and experiences, guiding us through the importance of r...
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
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