Get Schooled: Life Lessons From a Punk Maven, with Nancy Barile

You may not know that I grew up a punk rock kid in the late 80’s but that’s a fact. My hair transitioned through lots of colors, my Doc Martens were original and my weekends full of hardcore shows at small venues near and far.

What I learned in those formative years, as part of that scene, shaped much of my core identity and values that live through me still. 

Today’s guest similarly came of age in mosh pits along the eastern seaboard from Washington D.C to Boston, taking the pole position for women and becoming a matriarch within the fan culture. 

Author, award winning teacher and punk rock maven Nancy Barile grew up promoting all ages hard core shows in Philly on Sunday afternoons before it was a thing…she’s actually why it’s a thing so you can thank her directly for that. 

Having spent the past 28 years teaching English Language Arts to public school children outside of Boston, Nancy is here to share with you the most important life lessons the world of punk taught her and teach you how you can apply them to your own life-even if the music isn’t for you ;)

Her book “’I’m Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruises and All Memoirs of Punk Rock Rebellion” chronicles her experience as a woman at the leading edge of a musical and social movement full of (young)men.

Join us as we explore:

• How the formation of identities and values in our teenage years live in us now
• Resourcefulness advice from the punk scene.
• A teacher's guide to punk inspired ways to build your confidence, innovative ideas and creativity. 
• How to lead as a woman when you’re outnumbered.
• Making room for women in a male dominated culture of music.
• Tools and practices to innovate, problem solve and expand what you’re capable of from a 28 year public school teacher. 

Connect with Nancy Barile

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancybarile/
• Get her book “I’m Not Holding Your Coat”: on Amazon on Bazillionpoints.com
• Get her book with husband Al Barile “How Much Art Can You Take”.
• Find out more about “Kids will have their say” Read this article

Quick note, I just want to say thank you for listening to this episode. I know it means a lot to myself and my guests. 

If you enjoyed this episode, you will also like:

Episode #32: Mihai Bancila:Love Art Not War

Episode #39: Raghunath: Love and Service with a Punk Monk Mentor

Episode #73: Brian Lima: Listen with Your Eyes

MORE ABOUT NANCY BARILE

Nancy Barile has been a public high school English Language Arts teacher working with students in Massachusetts for over twenty-eight years. In 2007, she was named a member of the USA Today All-Teacher Team, and in 2011 she was awarded the Massachusetts Commonwealth Award in Creative Leadership. She was a 2013 recipient of the Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award. In 2013 she was named Boston Red Sox Most Valuable Educator, and she was a 2015 Top 50 Finalist for the Varkey Global Teacher Prize. Nancy is also an adjunct professor in the undergraduate and graduate schools of education of a Boston-area college. Her writing has been featured in the Huffington Post, The Guardian, Ozy, Education Week, the College Board, and Hey Teach. Nancy is the author of I’m Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruises and All Memoirs of Punk Rock Rebellion, which was published by Bazillion Points in 2021. She is also the author of How Much Art Can You Take? published by Radio Raheem. Nancy lives outside Boston with her husband Al Barile and Flippy the Beagle.