Shows
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffThe Science and Spirit of GratitudeHosts: Betina & Stacy– Two Tranquil TeachersIn this heart-warming episode, Stacy and Betina explore how gratitude connects science and spirit — calming the mind, rewiring the brain, and deepening our sense of connection at work, in class, and in life.1️⃣ Opening Meditation – Guided 5 minute gratitude meditation. 2️⃣ What Is Gratitude? – Research from Robert Emmons & UC Berkeley on how gratitude reshapes the brain. 3️⃣ Historical & Spiritual Roots – From Stoicism to Ho‘oponopono and Indigenous wisdom. 4️⃣ Famous Practitioners – Oprah, the Dalai Lama, Joe Dispenza, and more. 5️⃣ Gratitude & Thanksgiving – Finding light even in hard times. 6️⃣ Everyday Practices –...
2025-11-1132 minThe Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffSoul Care in the Workplace: Dr. Melissa Beigert on Spiritual Wellness and Belonging at WorkIn this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Melissa Langley Biegert (Dr. B)—Director of Academic Success for High School Programs at Austin Community College—to explore what soul care really means at work.Dr. B shares her journey from small-town Arkansas to Harvard and Vanderbilt Divinity School, and her unique role as chaplain and crisis negotiator at UT. Together, we discuss spiritual wellness, belonging, and how educators can nurture compassion and resilience in themselves and their communities.In this episode we discuss:🌿 The meaning of soul care and why it’s vital for educa...
2025-10-2753 minThe Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffUniversal Design for Learning (UDL) in Higher Ed.-Designing for Every LearnerIn this inspiring and practical episode, Stacy and Betina explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—a proactive approach to creating classrooms that welcome every learner.Whether your students are neurodivergent, English language learners, or adults returning to school, UDL helps remove barriers and build confidence through flexibility, accessibility, and empathy.In this episode you'll learn: What Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is and why it mattersThe three core UDL principles: Engagement, Representation, and Action & ExpressionHow to proactively design inclusive learning experiences instead of retrofitting accommodationsWays...
2025-10-1432 minThe Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffTips & Tricks to integrate laughter & sound healing into your classroomIn this episode of the Adult Education Wellness Podcast, Two Tranquil Teachers (Betina & Stacy) explore the science and joy behind sound healing and laughter practices—two powerful, research-backed tools for stress relief and focus in the classroom.Learn how simple practices like humming, chanting, and vowel sounds can calm the nervous system, boost energy, and create a positive learning environment. Plus, discover the benefits of laughter yoga, playful classroom activities, and even ways to use humor in professional development to foster connection and ease tension.Whether you’re an adult educator, teacher, or lifelong learner, these quick...
2025-09-2226 min
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffFinding Your Dharma & Ikigai 🌿💖Welcome Back!Join your Two Tranquil Teachers, Betina and Stacy, as they explore two ancient frameworks—Dharma (India) and Ikigai (Japan)—to help you live with intention, balance, and joy. In this self-care month episode, discover how to align with your purpose and make meaningful daily choices. 🌟Grounding Exercise 🧘♀️: Start with a heart-centered meditation, focusing on your feet and body to feel grounded. Ask yourself, “Am I wearing socks?” to spark a smile and presence. 😊Dharma Explained 🌌: Learn how Dharma, your soul’s “right path,” reflects your unique role—whether nourishing, teaching, or creating—and why living it prevents feeling stuc...
2025-09-0828 min
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffResilience & Purpose with Maricela JuarezIn this inspiring episode, we sit down with Maricela Juarez, Career Pathways Enrollment Specialist at Austin Community College, whose journey from teen mom and manual laborer to college graduate and community advocate is a testament to perseverance and purpose.Maricela opens up about:Overcoming personal loss and turning pain into purposeThe mindset, time management, and wellness practices that kept her goingHow she now pays it forward, inspiring other adult learners to keep going even when life doesn’t slow down💡 Key Takeaways:Trans...
2025-08-181h 00
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffEmbracing Change 🌱✨Welcome to a New Season!Join hosts Stacy Ramirez and Betina, your Two Tranquil Teachers, as they kick off Season 2 with a fresh look, a new name, and a renewed focus on transformation, clarity, and practical change. This episode is all about embracing change in education and personal growth, inspired by the wisdom of modern Kabbalah. 🌟Rebranding Journey 📓💖: Discover the revamped Adult Education Wellness Podcast—new logo, new name, and a commitment to wellness and heart-centered teaching. The hosts share how they used the SMARTER framework to align their podcast with their mission.Kabbalah & Wellness 🕉️: E...
2025-08-0524 min
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffSeason One Finale: Reflections, tools and looking aheadToday’s episode is the closing chapter of our very first season! Since January, we’ve shared 10 powerful episodes full of wellness practices, honest stories, and transformative tools. In this final episode, we hit pause to reflect on where we started, what we’ve learned, and where we’re headed next.Start listening if you want to discover what we found along the way—and follow along with our special Scavenger Hunt for curious listeners:🔎 Scavenger Hunt – Can you spot… 📚 How many book recommendations did Stacy and Betina gather? 📖 What trends and themes did they discover in this rich c...
2025-07-2820 min
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffAligning with Purpose: Exploring Dharma and Education with AE Program Director, Susan Gusler🎙️ Welcome Back to episode 9 of the Adult Education World Podcast! Join Bettina Watkins & Stacy Ramirez and as they dive into the world of adult education, exploring the passion and dedication that drives educators and impacts communities.🌟 Special Guest: Susan Gusler is the Program Director of the Adult Education Department at ACC. Discover her inspiring journey from teaching ESL to leading adult education programs.📚 Susan's Story: Susan shares her personal connection to adult education, inspired by her father's journey from GED completer to teacher. Learn how her diverse experiences shaped her career.🔍 Role of a Program Direc...
2025-05-0544 min
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffJournaling and Self-Compassion in Adult Education with Jessica ListiIn this episode, Stacy and Betina welcome Jessica Listi, a passionate language arts instructor in the College Prep department. Jessica shares her journey from teaching middle school to adult education, highlighting her innovative approach to incorporating journaling and self-compassion into her teaching practice. The conversation delves into the transformative power of journaling, the importance of self-love, and the unique challenges and rewards of working with adult learners. 🎙️ Jessica's background in education and her transition to adult education. 📚 Journaling in the Classroom: How Jessica uses journaling to help students reconnect with themselves and build self-confidence. 🌟 Stude...
2025-04-211h 03
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staff🌸 Spring into Renewal: Revamping Resolutions with Ancestral Wisdom🌸 Welcome to Spring!- In this episode, Betina and Stacy embrace the fresh start that spring offers. In this episode you’ll learn:🌱 Reframing Resolutions- Stacy shares her experience of feeling like her resolutions have been on the back burner, while Betina talks about her goal of financial recovery and the steps she's taking to achieve it.🌿 Family Constellations Therapy- Betina introduces Family Constellations Therapy, explaining how it can help release hidden family patterns that might be holding us back. She guides listeners through a powerful letting-go exercise. ...
2025-04-0725 min
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffMastering the Art of Teacher Training with Staff Development Supervisor, Amber Miller.🎙️ Meet Amber Miller, the Staff Development Supervisor at ACC Adult Education. Amber is a state and national presenter with expertise in ESL, reading, writing, pronunciation, and technology. Her diverse teaching experiences span Venezuela, South Korea, Japan, and the U.S.💡 Challenges and Innovations: Discussion on the challenges in adult education and the integration of technology in teaching.📖 Personal Insights: Amber's favorite teaching moments and the influence of mentors on her career.🗣️ Advice for Educators: Tips for educators interested in presenting at conferences and developing training programs.📚 Personal Touch:Get to know Amber's personal in...
2025-03-2453 min
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffWhere Are You Wasting Your Energy? Decluttering with Jean FriedmanThe Adult Education World – Featuring Jean Friedman🎙 Episode Title: Where Are You Wasting Your Energy? Decluttering with Jean Friedman🔹 Guest: Jean Friedman – Coordinator of AE Assessment🔹 Hosts: Stacy & Betina🔹Theme: Energy management, decluttering (physical, mental, and emotional), and setting boundaries🔹 Jean’s Advice: Educators often waste the most energy on "what-ifs"—focus on the present.🔹 The Evolution of AE Assessment: How ACC became a model for the state in testing innovation.🔹 Jean’s Passion for Service: Adult Ed is about lifting others—every role contributes to student success.🔹 Overc...
2025-03-101h 01
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffBlack History Insights & A Conversation with Mieca Johnson Peralta, HSE Supervisor + Debunking Hypnosis Myths🎙 Episode Highlights: Special guest: Mieca Johnson Peralta, HSE Supervisor at ACC Adult Education Insights on supporting HSE/GED students and instructors The importance of Black History Month in education and leadership Challenges and experiences as a Black woman in leadership Hypnosis & self-improvement: myths, benefits, and a guided exercise🎯 Key Takeaways: A day in the life of an HSE/GED Program Supervisor Inspirational Black historical figures and their impact Books, self-care, and personal insights🌀 Hypnosis Segment: What hypnosis really is...
2025-02-241h 10
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffLet It Go, Let It Be: EFT Tapping & the Path to Self-LoveIn this Valentine’s season, love isn’t just about others—it’s about you, too! In today’s episode, Stacy and Betina explore the practice of self-love, emotional well-being, and feeling ‘enough’ even in challenging environments. They share personal stories, insights, and practical strategies—including breathing exercises, replace and reframe, and EFT tapping techniques—that you can use in your daily life and with your students.What you'll learn from this episode:✅ Why self-love is essential for emotional and mental health✅ The power of allowing and accepting all emotions✅ Identifying and dealing with your in...
2025-02-0730 min
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffVision Boards and Voices: Rajani's Journey in Empowering ESL StudentsWelcome to Episode 2 of the Adult Education World Podcast! Join hosts Betina and Stacy as they welcome special guest Rajani Ramachandran, a dedicated ESL instructor with a rich cultural background and a passion for wellness and stress management. Rajani shares her journey from New Delhi, India, to the U.S., her love for teaching, and her commitment to helping students advocate for themselves in English.In this episode, you'll also experience a calming 4-7-8 breathing exercise led by Rajani-this is how she starts each class in case you didn’t know. 🙂A hig...
2025-02-031h 03
The Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffDean Kathy's Insights & Three Steps to Overcoming Blocks to Your GoalsEpisode 1: Kathy's Insights & Three Steps to Overcoming Blocks to Your GoalsWelcome to the very first episode of our podcast! We’re kicking things off with an inspiring and motivational interview that’s both illustrative and fun. Memoirs happen to be one of my favorite genres, and while we didn’t quite get a full biography, we dug into some key moments that shaped the life and career of our guest, Kathy Dowdy, the Dean of Adult Education.Scavenger Hunt: During Kathy’s interview, we uncovered fascinating connections between her life and these topics. Can you spot...
2025-01-1556 minThe Adult Education Wellness Podcast-Balance & teaching tools for Adult Ed. instructors & staffPodcast Sneak PeakJoin hosts Betina & Stacy on "The ACC Adult Education World" podcast, where dedicated instructors and staff in Adult Education find support and inspiration. Each episode is packed with updates, insights, and strategies—from stress management to innovative workplace ideas—designed to simplify your job and enrich your life. As experienced teachers and wellness practitioners, Betina & Stacy are here to energize the Adult Education community, fostering health, joy, courage, and compassion. Tune in biweekly starting January 13th, 2025, on Apple Podcast and Spotify, and be part of a healthier, happier Adult Ed journey.📢 Enjoyed...
2025-01-1303 min