Beyond the Status Quo

Summary: In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo, Tamara and Kathryn speak with Allana Gay, headteacher, education consultant and co-founder of the BAMEed Network, about why representation in education leadership remains so stubbornly unequal. Drawing on her rejection from headship roles and her upbringing in Trinidad and Tobago, Allana argues that meritocracy is a myth unless equity sits underne...

Summary: In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo , Tamara and Kathryn speak with Dr Jeremy Hannay, Executive Principal of Three Bridges and Wolffields Primary Schools, about leading schools through trust, curiosity and human-centred growth rather than fear and compliance. Drawing on his Canadian background and experience challenging traditional school improvement models, Jeremy explores the impac...

Summary: In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo , Tamara and Kathryn speak with Laura-Jayne. Rawlings MBE, CEO of Youth Employment UK, about the growing disconnect between education, employment and the realities facing young people today. Drawing on her own experience of poverty and an unconventional route into work, Laura-Jane challenges the assumption that current systems are serving young peo...

Summary In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo, Jade Garratt talks to Tamara and Kathryn about why psychological safety matters so deeply in education and more widely, in leadership. Drawing on her experience as a teacher, researcher and co-founder of Psych Safety, Jade reflects on the power dynamics, accountability pressures and cultural norms that shape whether people feel able to speak u...

Summary In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo, Jonny Uttley reflects on challenging systems, from his upbringing to leading schools and multi-academy trusts. He explores the tension between education’s moral purpose and a system that often works against inclusion and equity. Jonny argues that many schools deliver inclusive education despite the system, not because of it. He examines how account...

Summary: In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo , we are joined by Will Richardson, who challenges the very foundations of modern education through the lens of “cathedral thinking.” He argues that we are living in a “time between worlds” yet schools continue to prepare young people for systems that are already breaking down. Will invites us to confront an uncomfortable truth: education is not ju...

   Summary:    In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo we are joined by Nilema Bhakta-Jones who shares her journey of courageous leadership, discusses the importance of challenging the status quo, the role of psychological safety in leadership, and the need for creativity and play in the workplace. She emphasizes the significance of empathy and storytelling in leader...

Episode Summary In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo , Tamara and Kathryn are joined by Ewan McIntosh, founder of NoTosh, an international education consultancy, for a practical conversation about learning and leading in education. Drawing on his work with schools and systems across more than 70 countries and his cross-sector experience, Ewan challenges the status quo from a global vantage poi...

In this episode, facilitator and author of The 10 Permissions , Jillian Reilly joins Tamara and Kathryn for a powerful conversation about what it really means to question the status quo, not as rebellion, but as a deeply human act of listening inward, honouring integrity, and navigating uncertainty with courage. Jillian reflects on the early moment she realised the “default path” wasn’t hers, and...

Radical Engagement for Fractured Times — Episode Summary In this episode, systems change practitioner, author and long‑time collaborator across conflict lines Adam Kahane joins us to explore what it means to engage radically in a world that is fracturing at speed. Drawing on his decades of work in some of the world’s most divided contexts - from South Africa’s transition to democracy to multi‑stak...

Spaciousness in a Noisy World — Episode Summary In this episode, leadership thinker, researcher and author Megan Reitz joins us to explore what it means to create spaciousness in a world that feels increasingly frantic, noisy and attention‑hungry. Drawing on her research into mindfulness, speaking truth to power and the dynamics of attention, Megan reflects on how modern workplaces have become “pa...

Summary In this episode, Nick Osborne, the founding CEO of Maritime Academy Trust, discusses his journey in education, emphasising the importance of questioning the status quo, the role of humour in leadership, and the necessity of vulnerability. He shares insights on positive disruption in education, the significance of board support, and building trust within organisations. Nick encourages leade...

In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo, hosts Tamara Zaple Rolfs and Kathryn Gorman discuss the importance of challenging the status quo in leadership, the dynamics of power in organisations, and the role of resilience and self-awareness in effective leadership with organisational coach and mentor, Astrid Korin. They explore how education shapes leadership styles and the necessity of creating ps...

In this reflective conversation, Tamara Zaple Rolfs and Kathryn Gorman discuss their insightful podcast episode with David Liddell, focusing on the importance of translating theory into action within leadership and organisational culture. They explore the evolution of leadership towards integrative approaches that prioritize listening and valuing diverse voices, as well as the role of conflict in...

In this episode of Beyond the Status Quo, David Liddell, a recognized authority in people, culture, and conflict management, shares his insights on challenging the status quo in organisations. He discusses the importance of transformational leadership, the need for connection and belonging in workplaces, and the role of policies in shaping organisational culture. David introduces his Align Model,...

In this conversation, Tamara and Kathryn discuss their insights from a recent interview with Wayne, focusing on challenging educational norms, reframing autonomy, the courage of conviction in leadership, and the importance of community engagement. They explore how effective leadership requires understanding the unique needs of different communities and the balance between authority and flexibility...

In this insightful conversation, Wayne Norrie OBE, CEO of Greenwood Academy Trust, discusses his journey in education, emphasising the importance of challenging the status quo, community engagement, and the need for autonomy in schools. He shares his experiences of leadership, the significance of inspirational role models, and the systemic issues facing the education sector today. Wayne advocates...

In this conversation, Kathryn and Tamara reflect on their conversation with Shane Leaning and explore the significance of curiosity in leadership, discussing the barriers that prevent leaders from asking questions and the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment. They also delve into the double diamond model as a framework for collaborative problem-solving and the role of uncertai...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Shane, Kathryn, and Tamara explore the themes of leadership, change management, and the importance of questioning the status quo in education. They discuss personal experiences with curiosity, humility, and the need for trust in leadership roles. The conversation also delves into the significance of listening to stakeholders, the effectiveness of different le...

In this inaugural episode of Beyond the Status Quo, hosts Tamara Zaple Rolfs and Kathryn Gorman discuss the motivations behind launching the podcast, their shared interests in leadership, complex systems, and the importance of values in navigating change. They emphasise the need for curiosity and learning from diverse perspectives, particularly in a rapidly changing world. Hosted on Acast. See aca...