Leading the Early Years for the Future Podcast

What if the most effective form of advocacy isn’t about convincing others, but about modelling intention and sharing curiosity in the everyday moments of our practice? How might our own playful engagement as adults rekindle both our resilience and our capacity to truly lead in the early years? 📘 Episode Summary In this heartfelt and energising episode of Leading the Early Years for the Future , A...

What if burnout isn’t personal failure—but a signal that the system needs to evolve? How might our schools and workplaces transform if we centred emotional awareness and regulation in professional practice? 🎙️ Episode Summary In this powerful and deeply human conversation, host Amie Fabry is joined by Carry Hansell, educator and lead health practitioner at Atriba Collective. Carry shares her perso...

What if leadership in early childhood wasn’t about having the answers, but about cultivating the courage to ask better questions—of children, educators, and ourselves? In a sector where change can feel slow, how might your voice, your email, or your conversation be the catalyst for systemic transformation? 🎙️ Episode Summary In this inspiring episode of Leading the Early Years for the Future, host...

In this rich and heartfelt conversation, host Dr Amie Fabry speaks with Adam Christie, early childhood educator, leader, consultant, and co-author of Redefining Planning and Assessment. Together, they explore the layered journey of leadership in early childhood education, emphasising the intertwining of personal and professional identities. Adam reflects on the pivotal role of values-led leadershi...

In this heartfelt and deeply reflective episode of Leading the Early Years for the Future , host Dr Amie Fabry is joined by Sam Jockel, CEO of ParentTV and co-creator of the documentary Seen . Sam opens up about her personal and professional journey—from building one of Australia’s most trusted parenting platforms to confronting the uncomfortable truths of modern parenting. Together, they unpack t...

What does true inclusion look like when viewed through the eyes of families, educators, and allied health professionals—together? Are we unintentionally maintaining silos in early childhood support by clinging to language, systems, or assumptions that exclude? 📋 Episode Summary (Show Notes) In this rich and reflective episode of Leading the Early Years , host Amie Fabry speaks with Blake Stewart...

In this episode of Leading the Early Years , host Dr Amie Fabry is joined by Dr Fiona Boylan, senior lecturer and researcher at Edith Cowan University and author of Fostering Children’s Growth Mindset in the Early Years . Fiona brings her 25 years of experience as an early childhood educator into a compelling conversation about mindset theory, advocacy, and the power of embedding growth mindset pr...

In this episode of Reclaiming Nature , Movement and Wellbeing in Childhood, host Amie Fabry speaks with Cath Fitzhardinge an occupational therapist, nature space consultant, and passionate nature play advocate. Together, they explore the essential role of outdoor environments in child development, the importance of sensory-rich play, and how advocacy can shape school and community design. Cath sha...

If we continue prioritising early academic instruction over child-led play, are we unintentionally creating the very literacy crisis we’re trying to solve? What would shift in our education systems if we treated early childhood educators as the experts in child development that they are—rather than expecting them to conform to top-down academic mandates? In this energising episode of Leading the E...

In this episode, join Dr Amie Fabry as she chats with Georgie Dent — CEO of The Parenthood, bestselling author, and fearless advocate for families, children, and gender equality. Georgie shares her powerful personal journey into advocacy, the bold mission to make Australia the best place to raise a child, and why real change takes persistence and heart. From major wins in early childhood reform to...

How can we shift from traditional top-down leadership in education to a more distributed leadership model that fosters agency and collaboration among educators? If play is essential for learning and creativity, why do we largely remove it from the education system after early childhood? How can we reintroduce and sustain play throughout all levels of schooling? In this episode, host Amie Fabry is...

How do we, as educators and leaders, create space for collective grief while still moving forward with purpose? How can we redefine the idea of ‘school’ and ‘community’ beyond physical spaces? Amy Chiu is a dedicated early childhood educator, consultant, and advocate specializing in play-based, nature-based, and community-centered learning. Based in Los Angeles County, California, she has spent he...

What if we prioritized educator well-being as much as we do children’s development? How do our own personal experiences shape the way we lead and support others? In this insightful episode, Dr Amie Fabry welcomes the inspiring Emma Rattenbury, a dedicated early childhood educator, play therapist in training, and an advocate for neurodiverse-affirming learning environments. Emma shares her journey...

How might our own childhood experiences and limiting beliefs influence our interactions with children in educational settings? In what ways can we address and transform these influences to become more effective educators? Considering the challenges of burnout and the pursuit of perfectionism in education, what strategies can educators implement to protect their energy and maintain emotional well-b...

What implicit messages might we be sending to children when we focus primarily on compliance rather than their emotional well-being? How can educators and caregivers balance guiding children’s behavior while also honoring their emotional needs and autonomy? Dr. Amie Fabry engages in a compelling conversation with Danica See, an education consultant and mentor celebrated for her expertise in early...

How can integrating play into early childhood education enhance children’s conceptual understanding and cognitive development? In what ways can educators support abstract, organized, relational, representational, and metaphorical thinking in young learners?  In this episode, Dr. Amie Fabry engages in a compelling conversation with Lili-Ann Kriegler, a distinguished education consultant and au...

Are we unconsciously perpetuating cycles from our own upbringing that limit our ability to connect with and nurture the children in our lives? How can reimagining our relationship with emotions and mistakes transform not only our families but also our communities and future leaders? In this transformative episode of Leading the Early Years for the Future , host Amie Fabry sits down with Lael Stone...

In this episode of “Leading the Early Years for the Future,” host Amie Fabry engages in a dynamic conversation with Jo Hanson, an early childhood teacher and Deputy Principal at Comet Bay Primary School in Perth. Jo shares her inspiring journey from an education assistant to a leadership role, emphasizing the transformative power of play-based learning and authentic connections in early childhood...

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Amie Fabry sits down with Sarah Louise Gandolfo, a Melbourne-based early childhood teacher, consultant, and “forever learner.” With over 20 years of experience in the early years sector, Sarah Louise shares her journey from a chance start in early childhood education to becoming a passionate advocate for leadership, inclusion, and the profound importance of the early...

Dr Kathy Hirsh-Pasek is a distinguished American developmental psychologist renowned for her extensive research in early childhood development, language acquisition, and the role of play in learning. She holds the position of Stanley and Debra Lefkowitz Professor of Psychology at Temple University, where she directs the Infant Language Laboratory. Additionally, she serves as a Senior Fellow at the...

Join Dr. Amie Fabry as she celebrates the trailblazers revolutionizing early childhood education. In each episode, delve into the inspiring journeys of leaders dedicated to crafting environments where young minds flourish. Discover their leadership insights, the challenges they’ve conquered, and their unwavering commitment to making a difference. Whether you’re a teacher, leader, parent, or profes...