t’s the most chaotic, sugar-fueled week of the year, and we’re diving all the way in. After a quick post–fall break catch-up (Dominican getaways, staycations, and the sprint back into conferences and testing), we trade stories from both sides of the Halloween madness: book-character parades, costume debates (DIY vs. Amazon cart), trunk-or-treats, and the eternal teacher question, stick to the schedule or embrace the glitter and ghosts? We get real about parenting whiplash, running in not-so-fall temperatures, and why costumes + miles = absolutely not. There’s even a special costume cameo that steals the show.

If you’ve ever tried to manage a sugar-high classroom while sneaking mini Snickers between meetings, this one’s for you. Chaos, caffeine, and confessions… Halloween style. 🎃

Follow along on IG @espressoyourselfpodcast and tell us your Halloween wins, fails, and favorite kid costumes. Share with your teacher bestie, mom group chat, or running buddy so more friends can find our little corner of caffeinated chaos.

In this week’s episode, we catch up on everything from vintage 90s nostalgia in the classroom (teaching kids what “TV” even was) to Texas football tortilla traditions before diving headfirst into the big debate: fall break—keep it or cut it?

We unpack how different districts handle breaks, why timing matters for conferences and report cards, and how family schedules, childcare, and even socioeconomic factors shape whether a break feels like relief or chaos. The hosts share honest teacher perspectives—using the time for grading, deep cleaning, or doing absolutely nothing—and compare how runners use the downtime to reset, sleep in, or finally run in daylight.

From AI in the classroom to late-fall weather complaints, this episode blends humor, heart, and the real-life juggling act behind every “break.”

☕ Whether you’re team Fall Break Forever or team Keep It Rolling, this one’s for every teacher, parent, and runner counting down the days to a reset.

This roundtable gets real (and really funny) as we plant our flags on the everyday debates: clip charts we swore we’d never use (and why one might stay till Halloween), PD that drains vs. PD that delivers, and the great homework philosophy pivot—from packets to protecting kids’ evenings. We swap stories about fog-day Zoom chaos with kids at home, a step challenge that makes us question who’s secretly wearing their tracker on the dog, and the eternal youth-sports saga: snacks are fuel, not a competition.

On the runner side, we spar over race medals vs. PRs—then share the kind of stories that put both in perspective, including medals gifted to pediatric patients and races run for people we love. Plus: pumpkin spice confessions, pencil-sharing politics, and a spicy Crocs take that might split the room.

☕ Strong opinions. Softer hearts. Lots of laughs. Even when we agree to disagree, we don’t stand alone.