Interbeing

In this episode of the Interbeing podcast, Naomi and Kyra are joined by Nick Pope, a speaker, facilitator, and coach with extensive experience working with executive teams globally. Nick shares insights from his new book 'Are You a Team or a Meeting?' discussing themes of teamwork, prioritisation, and the significance of purpose in teams. He provides valuable advice on transforming meeti...

At this mid-point in the season, we’re taking a short pause, and asking ourselves the question - What does it mean to be human? In this episode Naomi and Matt discuss the importance of understanding the human condition, the temporary nature of the term 'human,' and the ongoing quest for connection in an increasingly isolated world. They look back at some highlights of our conversations s...

In this episode of Interbeing we dive into a profound conversation with Hayley Wilson, Deputy Head of the Senior School at Kellett School in Hong Kong. We explore the role of coaching in fostering a sense of community and humanity within schools, emphasizing values of care, curiosity, and meaningful relationships. Hayley shares her personal and professional journey toward adopting a purpose-driven...

In this episode Matt and Naomi discuss the profound impact of coaching on school culture with their guest, Chris Broman from ICS Madrid. They explore themes of interconnectedness, the transformative power of coaching, and the importance of maintaining humanity in education. Chris shares his experiences and insights from introducing coaching into his school, highlighting the challenges and successe...

In this episode we delve into the philosophy and practice of coaching, with Nobantu Mpotulo, a coach from Pretoria, South Africa, who introduces listeners to the concept of Ubuntu and the importance of seeing the interconnectedness in all human relationships. The conversation explores how embracing these principles can transform coaching practices and personal development, encouraging a collective...

In this episode, the conversation centers on coaching within educational environments, emphasizing how coaching techniques align with and support both personal growth and community development. Our guest, Mai Mahmoud, shares her journey from initial skepticism to embracing coaching as a way of life, deeply integrated with her Islamic faith. The discussion explores the impact of cultural and lingui...

Diving into the core of coaching, the episode explores its values and impact on individuals and organisations, particularly schools. Our guest, Rob Kemp, shares insights on measuring the impact of coaching, the role of authenticity, and the emerging relationship between AI and coaching. The conversation also touches on the readiness of organisations for coaching and the broader implications of the...

In the fourth series of the MSB podcast, now rebranded as 'Interbeing', the focus returns to coaching and its values in supporting both self-reflection and cultivating generative relationships within educational environments. The term 'inter being,' coined by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, frames this season’s exploration of interconnectedness.  Hosts Matt and Naomi introduce gues...

Welcome to the fourth series of the MSB podcast, now titled Interbeing. This season focuses on how coaching values can support school communities by encouraging inward reflection and outward, generative relationships. Inspired by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s concept of 'inter-being', this series explores the interconnectedness of all things. We engage in conversations with coaches and ed...

Many teachers want to make changes, but feel confined by the requirements of curricula and assessment. In this episode, our round table guests discuss their goals for the future of assessment, and how you can effect change even within the current system. Tia Court-Smith (she/her) - A love of learning and facilitating learning for all ages brought me to teaching later than many. Recipient of the Te...

What are the structures that restrict change in education? How do we ensure that our students leave our schools with qualifications that reflect the breadth of their knowledge and skill?  Our guest in this episode, Angeline Aow, has a wealth of experience in rethinking pedagogy and curriculum. She challenges our assumptions about what assessment can do and how teachers can use their own critical t...

Saving the planet can seem a daunting and overwhelming task, so how do we communicate the scale of the problem with hope and excitement in our schools? In this episode, we’re joined by three educators to discuss the domain of ecology and nature with a futures focus. Kenny Peavey, originally from Georgia, USA, has over 23 years of experience teaching across Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indone...

With the effects of climate change all around us, discussion of the future must involve ecological considerations, but our guest in this episode invites us to think beyond environmental concerns, and to treat education itself as ecology. In this discussion with Noan Fesnoux, we touch on reframing our expectations of consumption and our relationship with our environment, schools as metacognitive hu...

How can we work with our students to understand their political and cultural identities in a world of constant change? In this episode, we’re joined by three educators to discuss the domain of political economy, identity, privilege and culture with a futures focus. Loretta Smith is an educator with more than 20 years of experience in international schools. She grew up between cultures, moving seve...

Many international schools are working hard on confronting issues of inequality, justice and global politics. Involving the wider school community can be challenging without a guide or a framework to follow. Our guest in this episode, Homa Tavanger, poses some thoughtful questions to start the conversation. In this wide-ranging discussion, we talk about student activism in the wake of the murder o...

How are the opportunities and challenges that come with the future of technology being felt in schools? This episode, we’re joined by three educators, Rachael Thrash, Yasmine Aslam-Hashmi and Rory Douglas, to discuss futures focussed technology in education. Rachael Thrash is the CEO and Co-Founder of Belong Hub, student leadership kits and services that guide adults and students to collaborativel...

For many, contemplation of the technological domain, the massive swift growth of generative AI, for example, comes with fear and trepidation. So we’re delighted to be joined today by Tricia Friedman, who brings calm, inspiration and fun to the challenge of imagining future technologies. In this conversation we talk about not just generative AI, but also cross species communication, mobile phone ba...

For our introduction to season 3, we’re delighted to be joined by Patrick Alexander from Oxford Brookes University. Over the summer we’ve been working with Patrick to research and create a new collaborative paper, Futures-Focused Leadership for International Schools. We intend this to be a provocation to leaders, to think differently about the future of education and their role in the creation of...

Welcome to the Principled podcast. In this episode, Matt Hall and Naomi Ward of Making Stuff Better are joined by Dee Lanier , Lead Learning Designer at Lanier Learning and Education Coach for Samsung Education. Award winning TEDX speaker and author of Demarginalising Design , Dee Lanier is dedicated to co-designing equitable learning experiences for school leaders, staff, and students, and helpin...

Welcome to the Principled podcast. In this episode, Matt Hall and Naomi Ward of Making Stuff Better are joined by Nicholas Janni , renowned speaker, coach, and co-founder / programme director at Matrix Development . Nicholas is also the author of Business Book of the Year 2023 Leader as Healer , a new paradigm for 21st Century leadership - an unflinching call for leaders to leave the old paradigm...

Welcome to the Principled podcast. In this episode, Matt Hall and Naomi Ward of Making Stuff Better are joined by Shane Leaning , international school leadership and organisational development coach , and creator and host of the Global Ed Leaders podcast for leaders shaping education on a global scale.  They discuss cultural differences in communication, decision making, authority and criticism; l...

Welcome to the Principled podcast. In this episode, Matt Hall and Naomi Ward of Making Stuff Better are joined by Ryan Persaud , school leader at VERSO International School , a “school of the future” in Thailand.   They discuss overcoming barriers and leading with courage, authenticity, and purpose; the importance of returning to the vision; and the power of mentorship. What is culturally responsi...

Welcome to the Principled podcast. In this episode, Gill Kelly and Naomi Ward of Making Stuff Better are joined by Candice Smith , meeting & workshop facilitator, coach, and founder of The Thinking Field , through which she helps leaders to “create cultures of collaboration, inclusion, belonging and innovation.” They discuss the responsibility we have to acknowledging the influence of previous...

Welcome to the Principled podcast. In this episode, Gill Kelly and Naomi Ward of Making Stuff Better are joined by Stuart Reid , founder and Executive Leadership Team Coach at Stuart Reid Consulting , through which he helps senior leaders overcome the challenges of their position.  They discuss the importance of fun and laughter in creating organisational health; letting go and being open to playf...

Welcome to the Principled podcast. In this episode, Matt Hall and Naomi Ward of Making Stuff Better are joined by Matthew Savage, speaker, trainer, coach, and founder of The Mona Lisa Effect®, through which Matthew explores the intersection between wellbeing and DEIJ in schools all around the world. In part 2 of their two-part series, they discuss the transformative effect of restorative practices...