Everything But the Lesson Plan

About Everything But the Lesson Plan

Everything But The Lesson Plan Hosted by Franchesca Thompson Teaching doesn’t begin and end with lesson plans — it lives in our stories, identities, communities, and the moments after the bell. Everything But The Lesson Plan is a podcast for educators who want more than curriculum — more connection, more healing, more justice, and more purpose. Each week, we step beyond the textbook to talk about: Cultivating equity, inclusion, and belonging in all school spaces — staff rooms, community partnerships Brought to you by Thrive 12 : www.thrive12.com

Publisher

Franchesca Thompson

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Jul 2023

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

140 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Assume Nothing — Building Schools Where Everyone Knows What's Expected

   "Great leaders do not rely on assumption. They teach."  — Dr. Chaun L. Johnson Most breakdowns in a school — a culture that never quite gels, a new teacher who feels lost, a vision that dies in a staff meeting — don't start with bad intentions. They start with an assumption. Someone assumed everyone already understood. In this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan, host Franchesca Thompson talks with Dr. Chaun L. Johnson — education leadership consultant, longtime school improvement specialist, and author of Assume Nothing, Teach Everything! — a cross-sector leadership framework built for anyone accountable for real results, from classrooms to boardrooms to command centers. Franchesca and Dr. Johnson translate that framework specifically for school leaders: what it looks like to close the gap between vision and execution, culture and compliance, in a building full of people who were never actually taught what “good” looks like. 🎙️ Because the gap between what you meant and what your staff heard is where your culture actually lives. Podcast Legal Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed during Everything But The Lesson Plan are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of any other organization or entity. This podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, or financial advice. This episode references Dr. Johnson's book Assume Nothing, Teach Everything! for educational discussion purposes; any mention does not constitute a paid endorsement or advertisement by Everything But The Lesson Plan. All content is copyrighted by Everything But The Lesson Plan and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without prior written permission. About Dr. Chaun L. Johnson Dr. Chaun L. Johnson is an education leadership consultant and school improvement specialist with more than two decades of experience leading schools, including alternative and dropout-recovery programs in the Chicago area. Through JLA School Improvement Solutions, he works alongside principals and district leaders to build sustainable systems rooted in clarity, instruction, and accountability. He holds a Ph.D. and is the author of Assume Nothing, Teach Everything!, a cross-sector leadership framework written for executives, HR professionals, educators, healthcare administrators, operations managers, military leaders, entrepreneurs, and ministry leaders alike. The book confronts what Dr. Johnson identifies as the invisible breakdown between expectation and performance — the assumption that standards, once stated, are automatically understood — and offers a practical, repeatable system for building observable standards and accountability structures that empower rather than intimidate. Book: Assume Nothing, Teach Everything! (available on Amazon) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chaun-l-johnson-phd (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaun-l-johnson-phd-2a366947/) Audio: audio.com/chaun-johnson (https://audio.com/chaun-johnson) About Franchesca Thompson, PhD Franchesca Thompson is the owner of Thrive 12 and host of Everything But The Lesson Plan. With a passion for supporting teachers in and out of the classroom, she shares real stories, resources, and conversations that inspire educators to thrive personally and professionally. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/franchesca-thompson95 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/franchesca-thompson95/) Website: www.thrive12.com (http://www.thrive12.com/)

2. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Crushing Generational Boxes Through the Power of Words

   “Nobody told me that.” Four words from a little boy in a Coney Island barbershop stayed with me. In this episode of Everything But the Lesson Plan, I reflect on a conversation between Stephon Marbury and that young boy—and what it reveals about the possibilities children are shown, and the ones they are never told about. We’ll talk about the boxes placed around kids because of their circumstances, the expectations adults communicate, and how teachers, leaders, and mentors can turn encouraging words into real opportunities. Listen, then share this episode with someone who helps shape a child’s future. About Franchesca Thompson Franchesca Thompson is the owner of Thrive12 and host of Everything But The Lesson Plan. With a passion for supporting teachers in and out of the classroom, she shares real stories, resources, and conversations that inspire educators to thrive personally and professionally. LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/franchesca-thompson95/⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/franchesca-thompson95/) Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ithrive12⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/ithrive12) Instagram: ithrive_12 Website:⁠ ⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/ithrive12)⁠www.thrive12.com⁠ (http://www.thrive12.com/) Amazon Store:⁠ (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Thrive-12)https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thrive12/page/7B59A01F-7FDB-460B-AB17-E71E26836B3A?lp_asin=B0F1QNLKC4&ref_=ast_bln (https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thrive12/page/7B59A01F-7FDB-460B-AB17-E71E26836B3A?lp_asin=B0F1QNLKC4&ref_=ast_bln)

3. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Five Minutes: Body Scan Meditation for Teachers

   This is a short, guided body scan meditation for educators — a chance to notice and release the physical tension that builds up over a day of standing, talking, holding a room, and holding it together. Play it between classes, at your desk after dismissal, or before you walk back through your own front door tonight. You don't have to earn rest. You just have to take it. Podcast Legal Disclaimer This meditation is offered for general relaxation and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or mental health care. If you are driving or operating machinery, please do not follow along until you are safely able to close your eyes and relax. If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to sit, breathe deeply, or relax certain muscles, please adjust or skip any portion of this practice as needed. The views expressed are those of the host and do not necessarily represent any other organization or entity. All content is copyrighted by Everything But The Lesson Plan and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without prior written permission. About Franchesca Thompson Franchesca Thompson is the owner of Thrive 12 and host of Everything But The Lesson Plan. With a passion for supporting teachers in and out of the classroom, she shares real stories, resources, and conversations that inspire educators to thrive personally and professionally.

Who has been a guest on Everything But the Lesson Plan

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Jacqui Chew
• Dr Lawrence Robinson
• Jack Manning
• Ms. Cassie Owens Moore

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

84

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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