In this inspiring episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes music educator, author, podcaster, and wellness advocate Elisa Janson Jones. Elisa shares her journey from business consultant to music education leader and dives deep into why personal wellness is the foundation for a sustainable and impactful teaching career.

Lesley and Elisa explore actionable wellness strategies—like daily exercise, personalized nutrition, and strong mindset practices—and discuss the importance of energy management and realistic expectations. Elisa also introduces listeners to the Music Teacher Guild, a groundbreaking professional learning community offering mentorship, custom AI resources, and targeted professional development for music educators at every stage of their career.

Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned veteran, this conversation will leave you motivated to prioritize your health, build your community, and seek the support you deserve. Stay tuned to the end for Elisa’s heartfelt advice on mindset shifts that can change your career—and your life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🎵 Why personal wellness must be your first priority

🎵 How daily habits and mindset shifts can transform your teaching

🎵 The story behind the Music Teacher Guild and its innovative resources

🎵 Simple steps for new teachers to find community and mentorship

🎵 How AI tools can free up your time and energy for what matters most

Resources Mentioned:

• The Music Teacher Guild
• Empowered Educator
• Connect with Elisa Janson Jones on social media
• Access to the MTG Commons, including the Pathways to Funding course
• Discounts on mentorship, classes, and events: Band Director Bootcamp with Lesley Moffat - 10% off BDBWLM2025. Receive 10% off any Music Teacher Guild appointment, class, or event. One-time use. Valid for subscriptions.
• Music Mentor Books

In this courageous and deeply impactful episode of the Band Director Boot Camp Podcast, host Lesley Moffat is joined by music educator, memoirist, and advocate Megan Farison. Megan opens up about the personal story behind her memoir Dissonance and shares her mission to help educators establish safer, more supportive classroom cultures.

Together, Lesley and Megan tackle some of the hard conversations our profession needs to be having—including how to set and maintain healthy boundaries, why music educators are in uniquely vulnerable positions, and how to cultivate an emotionally safe environment for both students and teachers.

Megan outlines 5 actionable strategies for establishing a classroom culture of safety and wellness and offers examples from real-life experiences that every educator can learn from.

You’ll learn:

• Why boundary-setting is an act of protection—for both students and teachers
• What makes performing arts teachers more susceptible to boundary complications
• The role of transparency, structure, and observability in preventing harm
• Tips for safeguarding yourself and your students during one-on-one moments, school trips, and daily interactions
• How Megan turned her personal story into healing and advocacy—and how you can, too

🎧 Megan also offers a free sneak peek of her memoir Dissonance, available here.

Sing, Coach, Conduct on Spotify

The Elephant Alliance

Anna Sonoda, author of Duck Duck Groom: How a Child Becomes a Target

In this inspiring episode of the Band Director Boot Camp Podcast, host Lesley Moffat chats with Nancy Erickson Lamont, a Washington-based choir director, music educator, and accomplished jazz vocalist. Nancy’s journey proves that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself—whether you're 40, 50, or 60. After taking time off to raise a family, she returned to school, launched a teaching career in her 50s, and released multiple albums as a singer-songwriter.

Lesley and Nancy dive into how reclaiming your creative passions can boost mental health, reduce burnout, and set a powerful example for students. Nancy shares the three pillars that guide her life and teaching: lifelong learning, focused priorities, and creating without fear. Whether you're considering a personal comeback or simply looking to reconnect with your artistic self, Nancy's story will motivate you to take that first step.

You’ll learn:

• How Nancy transitioned from stay-at-home mom to full-time music educator and performer
• Why personal creativity fuels professional growth
• Strategies for setting boundaries and focusing on what really matters
• Tips for easing back into performance—even if it’s been decades
• How to nurture your health, your voice, and your joy

🎵 Stick around for links to Nancy’s latest music and hear how collaboration helped her confidence bloom!

Here is the link to her Feature FM account, which links to her latest album on multiple streaming platforms: https://ffm.to/b8pkvnj