Two Mr Ps In A Pod(cast)

Back for episode 246 and it starts with a bit of chaos… a virtual recording and a guessing game as Mr P challenges Adam to work out where he is in the UK using only yes or no questions. There’s also a quick tour plug (that definitely wasn’t meant to be a plug…) with updates on upcoming live shows, including the huge Lowry date and the next run across the UK. From there, it’s straight into a blind ranking of school holidays and it gets surprisingly deep. October half term gets the respect it deserves for saving everyone from that brutal first stretch, Christmas gets called out for not actually being a “break”, and February half term takes a bit of a battering. Naturally, the summer holidays come out on top, followed by a proper rant about why they absolutely should not be shortened — and how the real issue isn’t schools, it’s the wider pressures on families. There’s also a nostalgic detour into what summer used to look like… playing out all day, making games up on the spot, and surviving things like “10 and

Back for episode 245 and straight into the summer term chat, the lads kick things off reflecting on the Easter break… or what we all pretend is a break. Adam shares the reality of a family holiday abroad. Meanwhile, Mr P embraces the complete opposite approach and does absolutely nothing, other than going all-in on a serious binge of Game of Thrones with the boys, reliving iconic moments and questioning just how much unnecessary nudity was really needed. There’s also a relatable rant about bank holidays landing in the middle of school breaks (the ultimate teacher scam), the chaos of holiday resort shops, and one very creative bit of parenting on how to explain a questionable t-shirt slogan to a curious child without opening a can of worms you’re not ready for. From there, it’s straight into a brilliant thread of “oops” moments, and honestly, it’s the kind of content that makes you feel instantly better about your own worst day. The episode then shifts into classic school chaos with a run of things children

This week, Lee sat down with the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, to discuss the government's Every Child Achieving and Thriving white paper and the SEND consultation. I thought we would have had a lot more time than we actually had, which meant a few questions I had prepared from the 1,000+ questions submitted weren’t asked. And probably not being able to go back on every answer in the way I'd have liked, but I decided to focus on giving the Ed Sec a chance to bring clarity to some of what had been proposed. There were things left on the table and some answers that deserved more pushback than time allowed. That's worth being upfront about. The conversation covered SEND funding and what the £4 billion investment will actually look like in a mainstream classroom, the new Individual Support Plans, what happens to EHCPs, inclusion bases, the role of SENCOs, support staff pay and recognition, workload concerns including the future of the 1,265 directed hours, early intervention through th

Episode 244 starts with Adam having an absolute stinker of a morning after waking up to discover he's been a victim of fraud with some going on a shopping spree, before drifting into a chat about nights out, drinking culture, getting older, and the strange pressure people put on you to “join in” even when you’re perfectly happy not drinking at all. From there, the episode takes a funny turn into sport, recognition in public and some classic grassroots sport observations, including kids shamelessly copying professional footballers and bringing full Premier League energy to very low-stakes matches. The main thread of the episode is all about the funniest and most painful faux pas people have ever made, and it is packed with properly toe-curling stories. There’s also another blind ranking, this time focused on classic UK playground games, which brings up all the old-school chaos of British Bulldog, Red Rover, Kiss Chase and the rest. The second half of the episode is classic school-story gold. There’s a list

Recorded as the slog towards Easter starts to bite, Episode 243 begins with the lads reflecting on that very familiar point in the term where teacher tiredness properly kicks in. There’s talk of spring optimism (or the lack of it), stress breakouts making a comeback, and the general feeling of clawing your way towards the next holiday while pretending you’re holding it together. The episode kicks off with a nostalgic thread about things from early 2000s Britain people didn’t realise they’d miss so much. From nights out that only required twenty quid and cheap Bacardi Breezers, to bus tickets with McDonald’s vouchers on the back, HMV album hunting, and the days when everyone watched the same TV shows at the same time, it turns into a proper trip down memory lane. The conversation drifts into how technology, phones and streaming have changed the way people experience music, films and nights out, with a discussion about whether unlimited content has actually made things feel less special. There’s also a deeper

Recorded as spring starts to creep in (even if the weather still can’t make its mind up), Episode 242 begins with the lads reflecting on the strange world of online comments and the fine balance between loving teaching and calling out the frustrations of the system around it. There’s a bit of venting about social media criticism, a reminder of why speaking honestly about education matters, and some lovely listener messages from the recent live tour shows that highlight just how much the podcast and live events mean to people going through difficult times. With the Lowry show edging closer to a potential sell-out, there’s also a big push for the Manchester homecoming gig, which could end up being filmed if the final tickets disappear. From there, the episode takes a detour into a thread about times people have completely misunderstood what an event, film, or experience actually was. From musical theatre mishaps and unexpected concerts to cinema trips that turned out nothing like expected, it sparks a run of

Recorded on the back of a huge February half-term tour run, Episode 241 kicks off with a proper thank you to everyone who packed out theatres across the country. From Edinburgh on Valentine’s Day through a full week of shows, the lads reflect on near sell-outs, standing ovations, and just how surreal it feels to have a thousand-plus school staff in a room for a night of laughs. There’s also big news as more dates are added for October and February 2027, with venues across the South and North lined up and the Lowry show in May shaping up to be one of the biggest they’ve ever done. After the tour chat, things take a sharp left into hospital ward drama. A routine visit to see their recovering dad turns into an unexpected soap opera. The blind ranking returns with “types of co-workers.” Thread of the Week then opens the floodgates to hilarious workplace stories beyond teaching. Parents’ evening horror stories make an appearance too. It’s awkward, it’s cringey, and it’s painfully relatable for anyone who’s ever s

Recorded on the very last stretch of half term, Episode 240 is a full-throttle, no-holds-barred pre-tour episode that somehow squeezes in tour hype, wholesome dad moments, pure school chaos, and some of the most jaw-dropping listener stories yet. The episode kicks off with big tour energy as the lads count down to hitting the road, with Edinburgh and Newcastle up first and a final rallying cry for Liverpool later in the month. There’s a heartfelt shoutout to their dad, usual tour driver and provider of legendary anecdotes, who’s currently recovering from a knee replacement and sitting this run out. Then it’s straight back into podcast territory with another blind ranking, this time tackling annual school events. Parents’ evenings, nativity performances, sports days, residentials, fairs, and World Book Day all get thrown into the mix, sparking plenty of debate, mild regret, and strong opinions that teachers will instantly relate to. The bulk of the episode leans hard into listener submissions, starting wit

Episode 239 is a big one. Recorded straight after another padel match that very much did not go Mr P’s way, this episode starts with sore bodies, bruised egos, and the familiar ritual of over-analysing a loss like it’s a post-match Sky Sports interview. There’s tour admin to get through too, with the February half-term shows now dangerously close, a final push for Liverpool, and the lads officially back on the road next week. The episode then shifts into one of the most relatable blind rankings yet: the top things parents do that grind teachers’ gears. From WhatsApp group gossip and unlabeled jumpers to late pick-ups and end-of-day ambush chats, it’s a brutally honest ranking that will have teachers nodding along and parents quietly rethinking their life choices. From there, things take a turn into awkwardness territory. The lads unpack things that happen in films that would be deeply uncomfortable or completely unrealistic in real life, before spiralling into everyday social situations that make people ine

Recorded deep in the never-ending January slump and straight after another padel game, Episode 238 is classic Two Mr Ps energy: slightly smug from a win, physically knackered, and emotionally hanging on by a thread. The lads kick things off with padel chat, tour excitement, and a last call for tickets as the February half-term run creeps ever closer, with plenty of reminders that a night out laughing with other teachers might be the healthiest coping strategy available right now. From there, it’s straight into a listener-favourite blind ranking, this time tackling the ultimate “extras” every teacher secretly dreams of having in their classroom. It quickly turns into a very honest reflection on what actually makes teaching easier day to day, with a few regrets, some strong opinions, and one clear winner that sums up how stretched schools really are. The episode then shifts into a more serious but very familiar rant about phones, social media, trust in teachers, and why schools keep getting lumbered with extr

Recorded in peak January survival mode, Episode 237 is a proper classic Two Mr Ps ramble that somehow starts with tour warnings and ends with… absolute school-based chaos. The lads kick things off with a three week countdown to the next run of live shows, a bit of excitement about trialling full video episodes on YouTube, and a surprisingly long detour into haircuts, beards, and the deeply humbling world of acting self tapes, where Adam discovers that “throwing yourself into a role” sometimes just means your partner cry-laughing at you in the kitchen. From there, the episode leans into shared nostalgia and gentle self-ridicule, with stories of teenage acting, questionable school trips from the past, and Mr P very lightly taking credit for helping solve a crime via a Crimewatch reconstruction. As always, confidence is high. Accuracy is optional. The middle of the episode brings back another blind ranking. This time it’s the worst things a member of school staff can hear at 8.30am, prompting some very relatab

Recorded straight after a padel game and delivered from a slightly overheated garden studio, Episode 236 is very much a classic Two Mr Ps episode: chaotic, relatable, and held together by teacher tiredness and questionable decision making. The lads kick things off with wellbeing chat, winter survival mode, and the small victories that get you through January, before a quick reminder that the live tour is creeping up fast and having something in the diary can make a genuinely grim half-term feel survivable. From there, the episode leans heavily into what listeners love most: the everyday nonsense of school life. There’s a blind ranking of the most annoying things children say in lessons, plenty of shared frustration about classroom time-wasters, and a deep dive into how rumours start, spread, and somehow become accepted fact in schools, workplaces, and beyond. As always, the stories spiral quickly, proving that children, adults, and the internet are all equally capable of absolute nonsense. The second half i

Recorded on the first day back after the Christmas break, Episode 235 kicks off with the lads doing what every teacher and school worker is doing right now: pretending they’re “refreshed” while their soul quietly leaves their body. Adam shares a very real festive debrief, with Christmas containing some genuinely lovely moments… and some properly tough ones too, as Max struggles with the change of routine and sleep goes fully off the rails. New Year’s resolutions get a run through, with Adam aiming to sort his eating out (less “accidental fasting followed by a massive pig out”) and the purchase of a new air fryer being presented as the fresh start nobody asked for. Mr P’s resolution is a bit more existential: better phone habits, less doom scrolling, more control over screen time… which is tricky when social media has basically built the whole Mr P empire. He also shares a genuinely terrifying first day back journey involving ice, sliding, and a lorry that nearly turned inset day into a very dramatic insura

Recorded as Part 2 of the Christmas Special, this episode is basically festive story time with no filler, just wall-to-wall chaos from schools and staff rooms. It kicks off with a rapid-fire run of Christmas related parent complaints, the sort that make you question how we’ve survived as a species. From nativity casting drama to utterly wild expectations of what schools should be doing in December, it’s the full “parents at Christmas” bingo card. From there it moves into nativity mayhem: costume misunderstandings, rogue characters, ill timed one liners, performances held together with panic, Blu Tack and pure teacher instinct. Think classic primary school Christmas show energy… but dialled up. Next comes a collection of bizarre and hilarious teacher gifts. Not the usual “we don’t expect anything” bit (which is said, because it’s true), but more the strange, accidental, overly personal or completely unhinged presents that only ever seem to happen in education. Then it turns to staff do confessions and work

Part 1 of the Christmas Special kicks off exactly how most school staff feel by mid-December: exhausted, slightly ill, and crawling towards the finish line like it’s Sports Day in a suit. Adam’s running on fumes, Lee’s been properly hit by the lurgy, there’s a heartfelt bit about how crucial the Christmas break is, even if you’re not a “massive Christmas person”. If you’re sat there thinking you could happily work through it, the lads reckon that’s less festive spirit and more a genuine warning sign. They give another big thank you for the tour love, with the slightly mind blowing update that over 15,000 tickets have sold, plus a reminder that the tour is extending into October 2026 and February 2027. They also have a laugh at the annual “Christmas is being cancelled” crowd, sparked by Tesco calling Christmas trees “evergreen trees”, as if capitalism is suddenly going to stop selling Christmas. The second half is a brilliant thread: “What’s a Christmas tradition your family does that you don’t think any

Recorded right at the business end of term, this episode has full “teacher in December” energy: Lee’s full of lurgy, the voice is hanging on by a thread, and everyone listening will feel very seen. The lads chat about the run-in to Christmas, the looming Christmas special, and that strange mix of exhaustion and silliness that only happens in the last couple of weeks of term. There’s a big chunk of nostalgia and comfort food chat as they get into the truly important question: what do you call the end bit of a loaf of bread? The episode also digs into the chaos of adult life and parenting: how mums and dads handle tech (or don’t), the bizarre logic some parents live by, and the moment you realise the people who told you not to believe everything on the internet now believe everything on the internet. There’s also some big tour news woven through the episode. Off the back of over 15,000 tickets sold, the Let That Be A Lesson tour is being extended with new dates across October 2026 and February 2027, on top

Recorded on the first of December, this episode kicks off with full on festive chat as the lads talk advent calendars, Centre Parcs prices, the joy and absolute faff of Christmas with kids, and the emotional shift from doing the full Father Christmas and elf on the shelf routine to having slightly older children who still love it but in a different way. There is a proper bit of reflection on nostalgia and ageing, from childhood Christmas traditions and Blue Peter badges to the brutal moment you realise you are now older than the characters you grew up watching in classic Christmas films. The big news this week is a huge announcement about the Let That Be A Lesson tour. After selling over fifteen thousand tickets for the current run, the boys reveal that the tour is being extended with brand new dates across the country in October 2026 and February 2027, giving more teachers and school staff the chance to come out, switch off and have a night of classroom chaos stories in real life. This week’s thread looks

In this episode, the Two Mr Ps are back recording virtually in the chaos of late November, catching up on life, school and the absolute slog that is autumn term two. Lee talks about how busy the past few weeks have been with training and travelling, and shares his appreciation for all the lovely messages after his MBE ceremony. There is a bit of telly chat as they recommend a new drama series they are both hooked on and compare that with the reality of trying to watch anything when you have young children and a very creative relationship with the TV remote. The main thread of the episode is built around the question “What is something everybody does but never admits to?” How many of these do you do but would never admit? The conversation then shifts into school life, with a proper chat about teaching assistants and support staff. They unpack why so many TAs say “I am just a TA”, how the system pushes people to feel undervalued, and why in reality schools could not function without them. That leads into a

Welcome back to another episode of Two Mr Ps in a Podcast! It’s a big one this week as the lads sit down to record on a very special day, the day Lee received his MBE at Windsor Castle from none other than Prince William. From being suited and booted to explaining TeachMateAI to the heir to the throne, Lee shares every detail of the surreal experience, including a story about his dad making quite the royal impression in the toilets of Windsor. Before that, the brothers look back on their final live show of 2025 in Belfast at the iconic Ulster Hall. From 200 people in their first ever Belfast gig to more than 800 this time round, it’s been an unbelievable journey though The Other Mrp still hasn’t learned his pre-show “don’t eat the mixed grill” lesson. Cue kebabs, chaos, and one very unexpected chat with a tipsy local who mistook them for a different nationality. Then it’s back to classroom life with a brilliant thread on “What would shock your 13-year-old self about who you’ve become?” There’s also a round-

Welcome back to another episode of Two Mr Ps in a Podcast as the lads return for Autumn 2 after a hectic few weeks on the road. It has been a rollercoaster since half term, from hospital trips and sleepless nights to a marathon run of sold-out live shows that saw almost 8,000 of you join the fun across the country. The Mr Ps share their gratitude for everyone who came along, laughed, cheered, and made the Let That Be a Lesson tour the biggest and best yet. They chat about the whirlwind of the October tour run including highlights from Manchester, Rhyl, Exeter, London, and Brighton before revealing how their first-ever American TV appearance didn’t quite go to plan. You can watch the interview here - https://youtu.be/MD_b8zz3HG8?si=kDoOSZPy_rFgjZz7. After the tour tales come the teaching giggles with a thread packed full of teachers’ most awkward and unfortunate Google searches. Expect laugh-out-loud moments as they read through real-life stories of innocent classroom searches gone horribly wrong. There are a