Teachers love to learn new things, and are always working to grow as professionals and as individuals. One of my favorite ways to stay informed, learn new things, and challenge my perspectives is through podcasts. There are thousands of podcasts covering pretty much any topic you can think of, and thus the educational implications for both teachers and students are immense. If you are looking to get started with podcasts, or looking to diversify your listening base, here are my three favorite podcasts for educators:

The Hidden Brain podcast “helps curious people understand the world – and themselves. Using science and storytelling, Hidden Brain reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships.”

Hidden Brain is immensely practical, both inside and outside the classroom. For example, Episode 65 of Hidden Brain discusses the concept of tunnel vision, scarcity, and the resulting mindset. As multiple guests describe through candid personal stories, when one experiences scarcity it has profound effects on the brain, behavior, and so much more. I found this highly relevant to the classroom, as so many of our students deal with daily scarcity problems, which ultimately effect their ability to learn.

Hidden Brain can be used by teachers to explore new ideas and perspectives, as well as in the classroom with students as part of case studies, lessons, discussions, or other activities.

Education Talk Radio, hosted by veteran teacher and education professional Larry Jacobs, is my primary source to stay up to date on all things education. From new and exciting partnerships, innovative lesson ideas, current events, and leaders in the education space, Larry offers several diverse shows each day in easily digestible 30 minute talk shows. I like his candid and informal style, and I always learn interesting new things that help me grow as a professional and understand what’s going on in education around the nation. I like to listen to these while driving in the car – a simple and easy professional development tool!

Technology is an increasing part of the lives of both teachers and students, and thus it is imperative for teachers to stay abreast of the latest developments and educational implications of technology. Hosts Ricky Zager and Kristy Warren start each podcast with the technology news run down, which summarizes trending key topics in the realm of educational technology. Save yourself the time and hassle of reading through countless articles with their quick and easy to understand summaries and discussions. In the second part of the 20 minute weekly show, Ricky and Kristy take a deeper dive on one of the trending topics of the week. They discuss practical applications for teachers, important considerations, and new ideas. EdTech Weekly is short, to the point, and highly relevant to every K-12 teacher in America.