Music Ed Insights

Dr. Steve Shanley, Alan Feirer, and national thought leaders explore current issues in music education, with practical application for K-12 music educators.

Music Ed Insights is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 110 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Music Ed Insights, a education show with 110 episodes published.

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  Episode #266

  Lesley Moffat on Surviving Band Directing: Wellness, Boundaries, and Tiny Habits That Stick

  Aug 3, 202639 min

  Veteran band director and wellness advocate Lesley Moffat joins Alan and Steve to talk honestly about loving your job so much it starts to break your body—and what to do before (or after) you hit that wall. She shares her journey from 14 prescriptions, surgeries, and constant pain to a healthier, sustainable version of the same career, including the moment she realized, “I love my job, but it’s killing me.” From there, we dig into practical ways K–12 music teachers can set boundaries without feeling selfish, rethink pep bands, rehearsals, and extra events, and build “first push-up”–sized wellness habits that actually fit real school schedules. Along the way, Lesley offers concrete ideas for communicating limits to students and families, using tools like AI and boosters to offload busywork, and modeling a version of music teaching that’s excellent for kids and survivable for adults. Become an Insider for ad-free episodes, early releases, bonus content, and more! https://musicedinsights.supercast.com/

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  Episode #265

  Julie Ressler on Imposter Phenomenon: When Great Teachers Secretly Feel Like Frauds

  Jul 23, 202628 min

  Adult learning expert Dr. Julie Ressler joins us to unpack imposter phenomenon—why some of the most competent, caring educators still feel like they’re faking it. Drawing on her research with high-achieving professionals (including school-trained musicians and leaders), Julie explains why she prefers “phenomenon” over “syndrome,” how IP shows up in teachers as overpreparing, perfectionism, and fear of being “found out,” and why it often hits hardest when we step into new roles or high-pressure schools. From there, we explore practical strategies K–12 music teachers can use right away: reframing negative self-talk with a growth mindset, recognizing the difference between healthy stretch and toxic self-doubt, using “evidence files” to counter distorted beliefs, and modeling for students what it looks like to pursue excellence without pretending to be perfect.

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  Episode #263

  Excellence Doesn’t Have a Number: Susan Smith on Small Band Empowerment

  Jul 8, 202646 min

  Alan and Steve talk with Susan Smith live at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference about small band empowerment, smart repertoire choices, adjudication, and what it means to teach the students in front of you. Susan challenges the idea that smaller programs should have lower standards, reminding directors that success is about culture, musical growth, and meaningful experiences—not just size or ratings. Along the way, she offers practical advice for young teachers, festival judges, mentors, and anyone working to build a strong program with the kids they actually have.

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  Episode #262

  AI Can’t Play Your Trumpet: Why Music Education Matters More Than Ever

  Jul 1, 202624 min

  Alan and Steve respond to Mia Silverio’s Prof G article “What AI Is Doing to School,” which raises serious concerns about students outsourcing writing, attention, and critical thinking to AI. Rather than treating the article only as doom and gloom, they see an advocacy opportunity for music educators: band, choir, orchestra, jazz, and other fine arts classes still require students to think, listen, problem-solve, practice, make mistakes, and improve in real time. They discuss how music may be one of the best places in school for students to build the very skills AI can tempt them to avoid.

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  Episode #261

  Cynthia Johnston Turner Live at IBA: Product, People, and Improvisation in the Band Room

  Jun 24, 202649 min

  Recorded live at the 2026 Iowa Bandmasters Association conference, Alan and Steve sit down with conductor and educator Cynthia Johnston Turner for a candid conversation about what really matters in the band room. Cynthia unpacks how she moved from a fear‑ and product‑driven rehearsal culture to one centered on psychological safety, inclusion, and community—without lowering musical standards. She shares practical ideas for engaging 21st‑century learners, balancing “old school” structure with modern expectations, setting healthy boundaries with students, and bringing improvisation and creativity into the concert band setting through clear rules and low‑risk experiments. Band directors at all levels will find honest reflection, concrete strategies, and permission to separate their self‑worth from how the ensemble sounds. For just $5 per month, become a Music Ed Insights Insider to receive early access, ad-free episodes and more! https://musicedinsights.supercast.com/

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