Episode 76: Tom Borthwick on Scranton Schools, Political Fights, and Keeping It Real

What a Week! Podcast - Episode 76: Tom Borthwick on Scranton Schools, Political Fights, and Keeping It Real
Dive into Episode 76 with Tom Borthwick, Scranton School Director, entrepreneur, and proud traditional Democrat who doesn’t mince words. Recorded April 11, 2025, Tom unloads on the chaos of Scranton School District’s $250M budget, boardroom drama, and leadership flops—like one director’s 200 emails racking up legal bills. He tackles national noise, from Trump’s DOGE data dive to health care transparency, and local grit, like preschool wins, homeless challenges near schools, and tax-dodging nonprofits (Chick-fil-A, anyone?). Expect raw takes on education, social media’s echo chambers, and why debate’s a lost art—plus tangents on microplastics, ’80s pens, and Sam Smith’s “Unholy” banger. Over 2 hours of unfiltered truth from a guy fighting for kids and community—subscribe for the realest talk in Northeast PA!
Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Intro: Microplastics and Pen-Chewing Nostalgia (~3 min)
Kicking off with a wild riff on microplastics in brains and chewing pens in school—Tom’s here!

03:24 - Tom’s World: School Board to Cider Empire (~6 min)
Tom breaks down his roles: Scranton School Director, restaurateur, real estate developer, and cidery king.

09:10 - Scranton School Board: Factions and Frustrations (~8 min)
Why Tom ran, board factions, and his past live-Facebook fact-checking that ruffled feathers.

17:21 - Transparency Scandal: 200 Emails, One Director (~10 min)
A director’s 83% of legal bills exposed—Tom calls out lies and taxpayer waste at Thursday’s meeting.

27:12 - Bus Contract Fallout: Bid Rigging Allegations (~8 min)
Revisiting the bus contract mess—disqualifications, legal fees, and a judge’s scathing rebuke.

35:32 - Tax Loopholes: Nonprofits Dodging Scranton (~10 min)
Tom’s plan to tax Chick-fil-A and parking lots at University of Scranton—low-hanging revenue fruit.

45:40 - Homeless Crisis Near Schools: Safety Concerns (~8 min)
Methadone clinics and homeless camps by Scranton High—why won’t the city act?

53:48 - National Pulse: DOGE, Health Care, and Chaos (~10 min)
Tom’s take on Trump’s DOGE access, health care price transparency, and national political noise.

1:03:56 - Social Media Echo Chambers: Lost Art of Debate (~12 min)
From X to TikTok, Tom laments self-isolation and why we can’t argue like Jefferson anymore.

1:15:54 - Education Wins: Preschool and Arts Revival (~10 min)
No tax hikes, preschool back, arts restored—Tom’s proudest moves for Scranton kids.

1:25:59 - Political Orthodoxy: Beyond MAGA and Labels (~10 min)
Tom on being a traditional Democrat, rejecting party purity, and talking to everyone.

1:36:07 - Cultural Disconnect: Phones vs. Community (~12 min)
Cell phones, Roblox, and isolation—how tech’s killing real connection and critical thinking.

1:48:11 - Tuning Out: Escaping News Fatigue (~8 min)
Tom and the host confess to ditching news—why people are done with vitriol.

1:56:14 - School Board Future: New Blood, Same Mission (~8 min)
Tom on incoming candidates, his no-tax-hike vow, and fixing West Scranton.

2:04:32 - Takeaway: Control What You Can (~7 min)
Tom’s big message—focus local, coach baseball, plant trees, and ditch the national noise.

2:11:07 - Outro: Sam Smith Banger and Pen-Chewing Credits (~2 min)
Wrapping with “Unholy” love, dog plans, and a chewed pen confession.