Arts Educators Save the World

Latest Episodes:

Daniel Pollack-Pelzner on his new Lin-Manuel Miranda Bio Sep 11, 2025

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In this bonus episode, Erica talks with our good friend, writer Daniel Pollack-Pelzner about the myriad wonderful stories he encountered—ALL of them inspiring and ON POINT—while researching his new biography Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist (Simon & Schuster).

EXTRA! EXTRA! Listen all about it... in this bonus episode where Erica talks with friend of the pod and author Daniel Pollack-Pelzner about his new book, Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist. You will love the myriad wonderful stories he encountered - ALL of them inspiring and ON POINT - and focused on teaching and learning with the mind, the body, and the heart.

Lin-Manuel Miranda & Bobby Lopez w/Barbara Ames REDUX (Part 1) Sep 04, 2025

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In this episode... Wait for It... then Let it Go. Lin-Manuel Miranda (HAMILTON, ENCANTO) and Robert Lopez (FROZEN, BOOK OF MORMON) together in their first ever joint interview, sit down with their shared elementary school music teacher, Barbara Ames. The trio discuss Barbara's dedication to instilling a love of music and the arts in all her students, and we hear stories about (and long-lost audio clips from) Lin and Bobby's early work on the elementary school stage.

Jonathan Groff & Linda Tough REDUX Aug 29, 2025

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To round out the summer and mosey back into the school year over the next few weeks, we'll be revisiting a few of our favorites episodes from prior seasons. For any new listeners, be sure to check out our back catalogue -- we've got some DOOZIES!!

In this episode, Broadway's reigning Tony-award winner for Best Actor, Jonathan Groff (Merrily We Roll Along, oh yeah, and Frozen, oh yeah, and Hamilton), and his elementary school music teacher, Linda Tough, talk about music-making, education, and their shared passion for "I Love Lucy."

"Teaching Through Emotion" Episode Swap! Aug 20, 2025

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As we gear up for a new school year, we're bringing you a special episode from our friend Betsy Burris called "Pre-school teachers have it right: Professional Love."

In this episode, Betsy interviews her old and dear friend, Sarah Becker, who has been teaching and teaching teachers and directing at the early childhood level for years. They discuss a topic that has always fascinated Betsy (ever since she first met Sarah and saw her in action): What do early childhood educators know that the rest of us teachers, from elementary through graduate school, can afford to learn?

In this conversation, you'll hear about:
* basic tenets of early childhood education
* how those tenets apply at other educational levels
* emergent and project-based curriculum
* the concept of “professional love” (great concept!)
* what you can do tomorrow that will make you more present and effective whatever and wherever you teach

The new season of TTE drops September 4th! And Betsy also just shared a wonderful back to school episode for teachers to get them through those first weeks that are always exciting and challenging.

Get weekly practical tips and heartfelt stories to navigate relationships and really connect with one another for a change. Sometimes for teachers, mostly for everyone.

https://www.teachingthroughemotions.com

Live! at Comic-Con with Gerry Duggan & Heath Corson Aug 06, 2025

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Live and in person! Arts Educators Save the World kicks off our new series of super hero interviews, in partnership with the Comic-Con Museum, with a live recording at The Con with Marvel comics writer Gerry Duggan (X-men, Deadpool) and DC comics writer Heath Corson (Justice League, Bizarro). Listen to them discuss their creative evolution, their mentors, and how those lessons forged them into the artists they are today!

We're at COMIC-CON! Jul 31, 2025

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Teaser for our upcoming episode that we recorded Live at Comic-Con!!

Eve Ewing & avery r young Jul 10, 2025

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Sweet home Chicago! Join us for this love letter to arts education in Chicago with the amazing Professor-poet-comics-author-bookstore-owner Eve Ewing and her mentor, poet laureate and performance artist avery r. young. Arts education creates families!

Billy Eichner & Mary Poole, Part 2 Jun 26, 2025

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Part 2 of our conversation with comedian, actor, and writer Billy Eichner continues, as we delve into how acting teacher Mary Poole’s approach to mentoring shaped all of our lives. Find Part I in your podcast feed!

Billy Eichner & Mary Poole, Part 1 Jun 12, 2025

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It’s Billy on the podcast! This episode features comedian, actor, and writer Billy Eichner alongside guest co-host Jamie Salka (CEO of Story Pirates) as we talk with the college acting teacher we all shared: Mary Poole. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, it’s better than Cats.

Erica & Alek Chat #4 May 28, 2025

Show notes

Part 4 of our ongoing mini-series "Erica & Alek Chats," where our hosts take a deep dive into a specific aspect of arts learning-and-teaching from Erica's book, How the Arts Can Save Education.

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