The Still Human Podcast

Dr Alexandra Thorp, former primary headteacher and executive head, Ofsted HMI and senior HMI for SEND, and now CEO of a Multi Academy Trust, explores the experiences and barriers faced by women in school leadership. In this episode, Alex discusses her doctoral research on the gender identity of school leaders and how internalised gender expectations can influence confidence, self-doubt, and leader...

Kat Howard, Executive School Improvement Lead at Windsor Academy Trust and CEO of Lit Drive, explores the relationship between workload, school culture and staff wellbeing. In this episode, Kat shares her journey from banking to teaching and explains why she wrote Stop Talking About Wellbeing , arguing that wellbeing initiatives can feel hollow when policies and expectations create excessive workl...

Alice Witherow, CEO of the Cheviot Learning Trust, shares insights from more than 30 years in education, exploring leadership, collaboration and creating cultures where all school staff can thrive. Recorded shortly before her retirement as CEO, Alice looks back on the mentors, experiences and values that shaped her belief that supporting staff is essential to supporting children. She discusses the...

Joanna Povall, Principal of the British International School Abu Dhabi, Lead Improvement Partner for COBIS, and author of Kind Leadership , explores how kindness can transform leadership and school culture. In this episode, Joanna reflects on her journey into leadership and explains how her approach evolved from striving for perfection to leading with greater empathy, fairness and understanding. J...

Andrew Marsh, ex-headteacher and author of Quiet Leadership: The Power of Introversion in Schools , explores the strengths and challenges of leading as an introvert in education. In this episode, Andrew reflects on a 46-year career in education and discusses how coaching helped him embrace an authentic leadership style rather than trying to fit extroverted expectations. He explores common misconce...

Lisa Lea-Weston, founder and director of Talking Heads Supervision, explores how professional supervision can support wellbeing, leadership and decision-making in education. In this episode, Lisa shares her journey from acting and drama therapy to founding Talking Heads Supervision, and explains why supervision should be a normal part of professional life for education leaders. She explains how re...

This episode includes discussion of emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention. Please listen with care if these topics feel sensitive for you. Neil Kelders, speaker, coach, and wellbeing advocate, explores how societal expectations can shape how we express emotions, seek support, and connect with others. In this episode, Neil discusses the pressure many people feel to appear strong...

Dr Catherine Place, headteacher, researcher and educational leader, shares insights into the relationship between school culture, collaboration and teacher wellbeing. In this episode, Catherine reflects on her journey from psychology student to founding headteacher of Jubilee Park Primary School, and discusses the experiences that led her to research educator wellbeing at a doctoral level. Drawing...

Sarah Seleznyov, strategic lead for learning and development at Big Education Trust and founding headteacher of School 360, explores what a more holistic approach to education could look like in practice. In this episode, Sarah discusses the “head, heart and hand” philosophy behind A Practical Guide to a Big Education and reflects on the importance of balancing academic achievement with wellbeing,...

Patrick Cozier, headteacher of Highgate Wood School and author of Calm Leadership , shares what it means to lead with steadiness, self-awareness and humanity in education. In this episode, Patrick reflects on his journey into headship and explores his four-phase model of calm leadership, from confronting imposter feelings to developing self-awareness and aligning with core values. Patrick also sha...

This episode explores themes of death, grief and loss. Please listen with care if these topics feel sensitive for you. Lucy Green, a psychodynamic therapist with a special interest in grief and loss, explores how we talk about death and support others through bereavement. In this episode, Lucy discusses why death can feel difficult to talk about, including fear, lack of control and the way it is o...

Dr Emma Kell, director of Those That Can, teacher, performance coach and author, shares insights into teacher wellbeing and sustainable careers in education. In this episode, Emma reflects on her journey in and out of the classroom and what she learned from working in challenging school contexts. She explores what wellbeing really means in schools, moving beyond bolt-on initiatives to focus on cul...

Simon Botten, executive headteacher in Bristol and author of ‘ Headteachering’ , shares practical insights into sustainable leadership and staff wellbeing in schools. In this episode, Simon reflects on his journey into headship and explains why he embraces the complexity and uncertainty of leadership. He explores the first 100 days in a role, including building trust, creating clarity of purpose,...

Sue Ackroyd, CEO and executive principal of the William Henry Smith Foundation, shares insights from her 37-year career supporting children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. In this episode, Sue discusses trauma-informed leadership, designing curriculum that gives students real “currency” for life, and building a culture focused on quality of life for both students a...

Louise Shields, School Business Manager and Senior Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead at Beacon of Light Alternative Provision School, shares how schools can build a strong culture of staff wellbeing in demanding environments. In this episode, Louise reflects on 25 years of working across different education settings and explains how she reshaped the school’s wellbeing policy, introducing dedicated...

Haley White, founder of Menospace, and Victoria Brookbank, founder of Minds That Work, discuss menopause, mental health and workplace wellbeing. In this episode, Haley shares her experience of perimenopause and how it led her to develop menopause training for organisations, while Victoria reflects on her work in psychotherapy and workplace culture change. Together they explore common psychological...

Helena Marsh, experienced school and trust leader and teaching head at Linton Village College, discusses relational leadership, emotional intelligence, and how coaching conversations can help shift school culture away from top-down problem-solving. In this episode, Helena explores collaborative leadership, developing a workload and wellbeing charter into a wider culture code, and the role of share...

Steve Munby, leadership speaker and author of Imperfect Leadership , explores why effective leadership is rooted in self-awareness, humility and collective responsibility. In this episode, Steve reflects on his journey from his first years as a teacher to leading major education organisations, and explains why he challenges the myth of the “hero leader.” He discusses psychological safety, modellin...

Diana Osagie, secondary school leader and author of Courageous Leadership , shares what it really takes to lead with courage in education. In this episode, Diana reflects on her journey from science teacher to headship and the emotional realities of leadership. She explores resilience, self-awareness and strategic clarity, alongside the importance of vulnerability and strong support networks. You’...

Jason Rawding, founder of My Beast, explores how humour and storytelling can strengthen wellbeing, belonging and psychological safety in education. In this episode, Jason shares why laughter matters at work and how intentional humour can build trust, connection and more human teams. He reflects on the role of storytelling in leadership and the impact of openness and empathy on team culture. You’ll...

Christina Lord, founder of Authentic Action Coaching, shares how energy leadership and breath work can support resilience in demanding roles. In this episode, Christina explores managing energy rather than time, the power of the breath, and learning to become your own observer. She introduces the role of playful curiosity in leadership and wellbeing, and how small, intentional practices can reduce...

Tamu Thomas, author, keynote speaker and leadership consultant, explores burnout, toxic productivity and wellbeing at work. In this episode, Tamu draws on her book Women Who Work Too Much to unpack how overwork, pressure and unexamined productivity cultures affect women in education and beyond. You’ll hear practical reflections on recognising limits, building self-awareness and working with the ne...

Warren Carrett, CEO of Nexus Multi-Academy Trust, shares his approach to leadership, kindness and staff wellbeing in education. In this episode, Warren reflects on his varied career across the NHS, local government and schools, and how those experiences shaped his belief in values-led leadership. He introduces Nexus’s five pillars of happiness and explores the role of headteachers in creating posi...

Lee Pace, Deputy Head Teacher at James Bateman Middle School, and Dave Anderson, aka Pep the Poet, explore emotional resilience, imposter syndrome and wellbeing in education. In this episode, Lee and David draw on their forthcoming book Fear Tells Lies to unpack how fear, self-sabotaging thoughts and pressure show up for educators. You’ll hear practical ideas such as focusing on what’s within your...

Adrian Bethune shares his wellbeing journey, from burnout and 'Angry Adrian' to championing purpose, self-care and small steps towards change in schools. In this episode, Adrian reflects on his journey from the music industry into teaching and explains why a manageable workload, being a “good enough” teacher, and small, consistent actions matter more than perfection. He explores realistic ways sch...