Category: Instructional

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Should Students Wear Uniforms? Tola Talks – Ep #218

In today’s Tola Talks, Rich Tola discusses various topics including the significance of the winter solstice, celebrates the achievements of the Texas A&M volleyball team, and delves into the controversial subject of school uniforms. He presents both the pros and cons of implementing uniforms in public schools, sharing personal insights and experiences from his time as a teacher. The conversation concludes with reflections on the importance of discipline and the challenges of enforcing rules in educational settings.

Watch now and discover: → Celebrating achievements in sports fosters community spirit. → School uniforms can promote equality among students, while reducing peer pressure and bullying. → Uniforms can save time in the morning for students, while also creating a cost burden for families. → Uniforms may not effectively address issues of individuality. → Enforcement of rules is crucial for the success of uniform policies.

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📘 Feature Book: The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher by Rich Tola

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Top 7 Foods that Age your Brain on Tola Talks – Ep #217

In today’s Tola Talks, Rich Tola explores various themes including health, fitness, and nutrition, while also reflecting on current events and providing a movie review. He discusses the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly as one ages, and shares insights on the worst foods that can negatively impact brain health. Additionally, he reviews the new film, ‘Dust Bunny’, starring Mads Mikkelsen and Sophia Sloan, offering his thoughts on its entertainment value and suitability for audiences.

Watch now and discover: → Rich discusses the significance of food choices on brain health as one ages. → He highlights seven specific foods that can age the brain and suggests avoiding them. → He reflects on current events, including social issues and volleyball highlights. → He reviews the movie ‘Dust Bunny’, sharing both positive and critical perspectives. → Rich encourages listeners to engage with the content and share their thoughts.

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Top 5 Trending Slang Words on Tola Talks – Ep #215

In today’s Tola Talks, Rich discusses the top five trending slang words of 2025, exploring their meanings and cultural significance. The conversation begins with a light-hearted introduction and transitions into a detailed examination of each slang term, including ’67’, ‘girly pop’, ‘Chad’, ‘rage bait’, and the dead rose emoji. Tola also provides context and examples for each term, reflecting on their origins and usage in contemporary language. The episode concludes with a shout-out to his threo favorite women’s volleyball teams, Purdue, Indiana and Nebraska, emphasizing community and support.

Watch now and discover: → The slang ’67’ is a nonsensical expression popular among teens. → ‘Girly pop’ is an affectionate term that can refer to anyone. → ‘Chad’ has evolved from a stereotype to a more positive term. → ‘Rage bait’ refers to provocative online content designed to elicit anger. → The dead rose emoji signifies heartbreak and has gained popularity recently.

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How to Get a Job Teaching Group Fitness Classes on Tola Talks – Ep #214

On today’s Tola Talks, Rich shares his insights on how to secure a job teaching group fitness classes, drawing from over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry. The discussion covers the importance of certification (fitness & CPR), creating a compelling resume, and the necessity of proactive job searching through direct outreach to gyms and fitness studios. Tola emphasizes the value of networking and persistence in the job search process, encouraging listeners to stay motivated and keep trying until they succeed. And you will succeed, if you follow his advice.

Watch now and discover: → Getting a job in group fitness requires certification (including CPR). → Create a professional resume with a positive photo, and dress appropriately when applying for jobs. → Persistence is key; keep applying until you succeed. → Substituting classes can lead to permanent positions. → Visit gyms and studios in person to apply, and follow up with managers via email after submitting your resume in-person.

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How to Play Volleyball & Coach’s Interview on Tola Talks – Ep #213

On today’s Tola Talks, Rich dives deep into the world of volleyball, discussing its history, skills, and the importance of commitment in the sport. Joined by expert coach Brad DiRupo, they explore various aspects of volleyball, including serving strategies, player positions, and the significance of teamwork and dedication.

The conversation also touches on injury prevention and conditioning, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to excel in volleyball. DiRupo also discusses the critical roles of setters and liberos, emphasizing the importance of communication, teamwork, and player development. He shares insights on recruiting players for college, the significance of height in certain positions, and the year-round commitment required to excel in the sport. The discussion also touches on the positivity and support within teams, the dynamics of substitutions and rotations, and the growth of volleyball as a competitive sport.

Watch now and discover: → Volleyball began 130 years ago as a less stressful alternative to basketball. → Volleyball became an Olympic sport for both men and women in 1964. → Key skills in volleyball include serving, passing, setting, attacking, blocking, and digging. The setter is crucial, akin to a quarterback and arguably the most important position on the court. → Commitment from players, coaches, and parents is crucial for success. → Injury prevention, particularly for knees and ankles, is essential in volleyball.

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Breaking Free from Bad Habits on Tola Talks – Ep #212

On today’s Tola Talks, Rich discusses the concept of bad habits and the 10 best ways to quit them. Rich also compares the concept of bad habits to the works of pioneering economists, Adam Smith and Milton Friedman, and compares them to bad habits in two distinct ways: 1) individuals are driven by self-interest and thus, self-enjoyment, and 2) there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Rich also emphasizes the importance of desire, self-discipline, perseverance, fortitude and belief in oneself, as the foundation for quitting bad habits. He explores their psychological impact and offers practical strategies for quitting them, including the significance of support systems, positive thinking, and self-correction in the journey towards embracing healthier, good habits, over bad ones.

Watch now and discover: → Bad habits can be changed with desire and discipline, while understanding their nature is crucial. → It’s important to embrace the struggle of change. → Support from friends and family is essential in overcoming bad habits, as is positive thinking. → Recognizing the euphoria from bad habits helps in understanding them. → Self-correction is key to maintaining good habits while overcoming bad habits.

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Caregivers, Gettysburg Address & Gym Etiquette on Tola Talks – Ep #207

In this episode of Tola Talks, I reflect on the legacy of First Lady Rosalynn Carter (RIP) and the importance of caregiving, plus the historical significance of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (read by me). I also share some practical tips – and pet peeves – about proper gym etiquette, emphasizing respect and consideration for others in shared spaces.

Watch now and discover: → There are only four kinds of people in the world: caregivers. → Caregiving is a tough job, but it’s essential work. → Abraham Lincoln faced multiple failures before becoming president. → The Gettysburg Address is a pivotal moment in American history. → Proper gym etiquette enhances the experience for everyone, so treat it like an operating room, while your daily fitness program is important for overall well-being…so just do it!

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50 Rules of Badassery on Tola Talks – Ep #206

Today Tola Talks about my 50 Rules of Badassery while exploring the themes of personal growth and how to stay positive, the transformative power of hypnotherapy, and the journey of overcoming addiction. The discussion emphasizes the belief that the universe supports individuals in their quest for self-improvement and highlights the importance of commitment and support in the recovery process.

Watch now and discover: → Transformation is a continuous process, not a one-time event. → Embracing change is essential for personal development. → The journey of self-improvement is unique for everyone. → Personal growth often requires facing and overcoming challenges. → The universe is conspiring for your highest good in every area of your life.

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Eat to Lose Weight on Tola Talks – Ep #205

In this episode, Tola Talks about the theme of ‘more is bad’ versus ‘less is good’ when it come to losing weight, focusing on good health, nutrition, and lifestyle choices. The show also includes a Birthday shout-out to Danny DeVito while reflecting on the media’s influence through cinema, plus a review of the new Glen Powell film, Running Man. When it comes to dieting and weight loss, Rich debunks the 12 common myths about healthy eating, with practical tips for maintaining a balanced diet. Most importantly, Tola emphasizes the importance of ‘eating less’ while still enjoying your favorite foods, with insights on how to approach healthy eating without feeling deprived.

Watch now and discover: → You can enjoy your favorite foods while eating less. → Eating less is key to managing weight effectively. → It’s okay to feel hungry; it means you’re burning calories. → Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive, and can be simple and straightforward. → Debunking myths about gluten-free and vegetarian diets.

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Teachers…Don’t Quit with Nancy Dibble on Tola Talks – Ep #204

In this engaging conversation, Tola Talks with Nancy Dibble and discusses the challenges and rewards of teaching K-12 students, the importance of understanding how the brain learns, and the need for a more engaging curriculum. They explore Nancy’s personal experiences in education, the lifelong impact of teachers on their students, and the significance of resilience in the teaching profession. Nancy also shares insights from her book, ‘Wait, Don’t Quit,’ aimed at encouraging overworked and burnt-out teachers to hang in there and most importantly, persevere in their vital roles. The discussion also touches on Nancy’s passion for breeding horses and the joys of teaching.

In this episode, you’ll learn: → Creating a stimulating classroom environment is essential. → Teachers have a profound impact on their students’ lives, while staying resilience is key. → Engaging students through hands-on learning is crucial. → Curriculum should be adaptable to real-life applications. → Teachers should be recognized and valued for their work.