Podclass - Podcast for Teachers and Educators

Hosts: Amanda, Skye & Will Length: ~14 minutes Listen on: Podclass | Instagram 🌟 Episode Summary In this special year-end reflection, the Podclass crew – Amanda, Skye, and Will – sit down to unpack the big personal and professional lessons that shaped them in 2025. This episode offers a heartfelt invitation to reflect, reconnect, and honour the growth that’s often hard to measure. Whether you...

Hosts: Amanda Marshall, Skye Hughes, Will Masara Guest: Gina Martin, gender equality activist, writer, and changemaker 🔥 Episode Summary In Episode 68, the Podclass team is joined by the remarkable Gina Martin, whose activism changed UK law after a personal experience of gender-based violence. In this honest, empowering, and deeply practical conversation, Amanda, Skye and Will unpack what equalit...

Hosts: Scott Huck, Amanda Marshall, and Will Masara Run Time: ~18 minutes Summary: In this energising and insightful episode of Podclass, the trio tackles a big question: What are we getting wrong about young people? From generational assumptions to outdated stereotypes, this episode is a call to reframe how we view, support, and speak about Gen Z and Gen Alpha. With a mix of laughs, data, and raw...

Hosts: Wil Masara, Amanda Marshall, Skye Hughes 🎧 A deep dive into what trauma-informed practice actually means, why it matters, and how educators can embody it every day. Episode Summary In Episode 66 of Podclass, Wil, Amanda and Skye return as a trio to tackle one of the most significant and misunderstood topics in education today – trauma-informed practice. They explore what trauma actually is...

🎙 Hosts: Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall & Wil Masara 🎧 Guest: Lucy Thomas, CEO & Co-Founder of Project Rockit In this powerful follow-up to Episode 64, the Podclass team reunites with long-time youth advocate Lucy Thomas to unpack the big, complex, and ever-relevant topic of bullying. From personal stories to systemic change, this episode challenges educators, families, and communities to s...

Hosted by Amanda Marshall, Skye Hughes, and Will Masara Special guest: Lucy Thomas (CEO and Co-founder of PROJECT ROCKIT) In this unmissable episode, we sit down with long-time youth advocate Lucy Thomas to unpack one of the most pressing and controversial issues impacting young Australians today — the proposed ban on social media for under 16s. From the role of youth voice to the complexities of...

Hosts: Skye Hughes and Amanda Marshall Special Guest: Bonnie Ryanro Length: Full episode Listen via: www.ylaaus.com/podclass 🧭 Intro Summary In this episode of Podclass, we welcome back Bonnie Ryanro to explore one of the most powerful tools for both young people and the adults who support them – the ability to say yes and no with clarity, confidence and care. From protecting your energy to stepp...

Hosts: Amanda Marshall and Skye Hughes Special Guest: Bonnie Ryanro Length: Full episode Listen via: www.ylaaus.com/podclass 🌟 Intro Summary This week on Podclass, we’re joined by youth leadership powerhouse Bonnie Ryanro for a rich and energising conversation about storytelling and why it’s so much more than just entertainment. From memory to empathy, classroom culture to connection, storytellin...

Hosts: Amanda Marshall, Skye Hughes, and Will Masara Length: Full episode Listen via: www.ylaaus.com/podclass 🌱 Intro Summary In this energising episode of Podclass, the team dives deep into one of the most practical and transformative conversations yet – how to adopt a mentor mindset. Whether you're a teacher, coach, parent or youth worker, understanding how to hold high expectations while o...

Hosted by Will Masara, Skye Hughes and Amanda Marshall Welcome back to Podclass! In Episode 60, we’re diving deep into the almond-shaped part of the brain that controls far more than we often realise – the amygdala. From teenage decision-making to adult tantrums over shoelaces, this conversation explores how our emotional brain shapes the way we react, relate and respond – especially in schools. P...

Hosts: Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Masara Guest: Dr Adrian Cam – Principal of Westbourne Grammar and 2025 Australian Principal of the Year What does it really look like to design a school for the future? In this visionary episode, the Podclass team is joined once again by the bold and brilliant Dr Adrian Cam to explore how schools can move beyond traditional models and truly prepare you...

Hosts: Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, Will Masara Guest: Dr Adrian Cam, 2025 Australian Principal of the Year In this episode of Podclass, we sit down with one of Australia’s most future-focused school leaders, Dr Adrian Cam, Principal of Westbourne Grammar. With a PhD in teacher agency and a national track record in educational innovation, Adrian shares how he’s redesigning school from the inside...

Hosts: Skye Hughes, Will Masara & Paolo Guest: Andy Skidmore (CEO, Youth Impact Foundation) Listen now on: ylaaus.com/podclass Episode Summary In Episode 57 of Podclass, we sit down with lifelong social entrepreneur Andy Skidmore for a powerful conversation on vision, trust, and systems change in the youth sector. As CEO and founder of the Youth Impact Foundation, Andy is on a mission to help...

Hosts: Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Masara Guest: Andy Skidmore – CEO, Youth Impact Foundation This week, the Podclass team is joined by long-time friend and sector leader, Andy Skidmore, to unpack the story, mission, and impact of the Youth Impact Foundation. From reducing duplication across the charity sector to creating sustainable programs that last beyond their founders, Andy shares...

Hosts: Will Masara, Amanda Marshall, and Scott Hughes In this lively episode, the team dives deep into the often-misunderstood role of a facilitator. Through personal stories, metaphors, and practical tips, they explore how facilitation differs from teaching or presenting, and why it’s a vital skill for anyone working with young people or leading groups. From Wi-Fi routers to orchestras, they pain...

Hosts: Amanda Marshall, Skye Hughes, and Will Masara Topic: How understanding and managing your nervous system transforms the way you lead, teach, and connect with young people. In this energised and insightful episode, the hosts unpack why your state matters more than your script. From recognising dysregulation to building a personal “toolbelt” of regulatory strategies, this conversation blends s...

Hosts: Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Masara Topic: Building Courage, Communication, Clarity, and Connection in young people’s public speaking skills. Fresh from maternity leave, Skye rejoins the original Podclass line-up to tackle a topic their businesses and classrooms rely on: public speaking. With 75% of people fearing it more than death, the hosts break down where that fear comes from...

#52 - The One About Presence

Hosts: Amanda & Will Length: ~12 mins Theme: Growth, Feedback Culture, Educator Tools Welcome back to Podclass! In this episode, Amanda and Will dive deep into the power of feedback – how we give it, receive it, and build a culture where it thrives. Whether you're a teacher, youth leader, or part of a student voice team, this conversation is a practical guide to making feedback feel less s...

The story, structure, and soul behind YLAA’s National Tour – and why it matters. In this milestone episode, the Podclass crew celebrates 50 episodes by diving into the roots and rise of National Tour – the flagship event of the Youth Leadership Academy Australia (YLAA). From humble beginnings and cold calls to hosting 12,000+ young people each year, this is the story of ambition, access, and youth...

Hosts: Will Massara & Amanda Marshall Length: ~15 mins Topic: Educator accountability, language in classrooms, and the importance of emotional safety for students. Welcome back to Podclass, where youth voice, educator insight, and honest reflection meet. In Episode 49, Will and Amanda delve into a real-life Reddit post that sparked a spirited discussion: can a teacher playfully say “shut up” t...

Hosts: Will Massara, Amanda Marshall Guest Host: Emma 🤝 How authentic youth collaboration really happens—and why it matters. This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a full-circle moment. Will and Amanda are joined again by Emma, a former student leader turned Youth Advisory Board Chair at YLAA. Together, they explore what genuine collaboration with young people looks like—from student counc...

Hosts: Amanda Marshall and Will Massara Guest Host: Emma 🎓 Real talk from a recent Year 12 graduate turned future educator. This week on Podclass, Will and Amanda are joined by Emma—fresh from Year 12 and now studying to become a teacher. With Skye off on parental leave (welcome baby Max!), Emma brings heartfelt honesty, lived experience, and sharp insight to a conversation many educators and fam...

In this powerful episode of Podclass , hosts Sky Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Masara welcome back the renowned educational researcher Professor John Hattie. This time, the discussion centres on teaching culture —how it shapes student learning, impacts teacher wellbeing, and fosters an environment of trust and collaboration. With Professor Hattie’s groundbreaking insights, this episode dives d...

In this episode of Podclass , Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Massara welcome Lael Stone, a leading educator and speaker focused on children's emotional well-being. They discuss the importance of connecting with students by meeting them “where they’re at” rather than where we might expect them to be. Drawing on her experience as a school founder, doula, and trauma counsellor, Lael share...