Podclass - Podcast for Teachers and Educators

We're looking back at our favourite episodes from 2024! Welcome back to Podclass, the insightful podcast tailored for teachers, educators, and anyone invested in enriching educational environments. In this episode, hosts Amanda and Skye, co-founders of the Youth Engagement Project, along with Will Massara, founder of Youth Leadership Academy Australia, delve into the crucial topic of student engag...

We're looking back at our favourite episodes from 2024! In this episode, we dive deep with Wil Massara, CEO of Youth Leadership Academy Australia, and Skye Hughes and Amanda Marshall, the founders of the Youth Engagement Project. Together, they explore the concepts of student leadership, voice, and agency within schools, offering practical advice and innovative ideas to redefine leadership in...

Hosts: Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Massara 💌 Not a strategy session – a love letter. This episode takes a heartfelt turn. In a time where educator burnout, system pressure, and self-doubt are all too common, Skye, Amanda, and Will pause to offer something different – an open letter. Not about curriculum or pedagogy, but about you, the educator. It’s five minutes of compassion, gratitud...

Autonomy - what a topic! In this episode, we unpack one of the most misunderstood psychological needs: autonomy. It's not about chaos or a free-for-all - it's about creating spaces where young people feel a sense of agency and choice. Key themes discussed are: What autonomy really means (and what it doesn’t) The link between autonomy and motivation, engagement, and wellbeing Why autonomy i...

Hi, again! In this episode, we dive into one of the most common (and frustrating) challenges faced by educators and youth workers - the student who just doesn’t seem to care. But is it really apathy, or something deeper? Key themes discussed are: Why some students disengage and what’s really going on beneath the surface The critical role of the 3 core psychological needs: autonomy, relatedness, an...

Welcome back to PodClass! In this episode, we’re getting real about burnout - the kind that leaves you running on empty, questioning your impact, and wondering how to keep showing up. Whether you’re a teacher, youth worker, or someone who cares deeply, this conversation is for you. Key themes discussed are: What burnout can look and feel like in education and youth work The difference between rest...

In this episode, we cut through the noise and ask the big question: what do young people really need right now? Drawing on our experience with thousands of students across Australia, we explore the patterns, challenges, and truths that are shaping the youth space in 2025. Key themes discussed are: What young people are telling us (even when they’re not saying it) The difference between what we thi...

In this episode, we dive into the lasting impact of the COVID years on young people - not just academically, but socially, emotionally, and developmentally. We explore what’s still showing up in classrooms, what students are carrying, and how educators can respond with empathy and effectiveness. Key themes discussed are: The hidden costs of disrupted schooling How COVID shaped student confidence,...

In this episode, we unpack The Learning Pit - a powerful metaphor that helps young people understand challenge, struggle, and growth as essential parts of the learning process. We explore how this visual and emotional model supports resilience, motivation, and classroom culture. Key themes discussed are: What the Learning Pit is and why it works How to normalise struggle and redefine failure as le...

In this episode, we dive into the power of student voice - what it really means, why it matters, and how to create space for it in meaningful ways. It’s more than just asking for opinions; it’s about building trust, agency, and belonging. Key themes discussed are: What student voice is (and what it’s not) Why genuine voice creates stronger engagement and safer learning environments How tokenism ca...

In this episode, we explore the power of experiential learning - why it matters, what it looks like, and how it transforms student engagement. From hands-on challenges to reflective conversations, we unpack how learning through doing helps young people make meaning that sticks. Key themes discussed are: Why experience often leads to deeper understanding than explanation The role of emotional safet...

Welcome back to Pod Class! If you work with young people—whether as a teacher, parent, or youth facilitator—this episode is for you. Your hosts Skye, Amanda, and Wilson are here to unpack how we can better support Gen Z learners in 2025.💡 Episode OverviewThis week, we’re diving into the unique characteristics of Gen Z learners and how educators can adapt to meet their needs. Gen Z (currently aged...

🎧 Listen now on all platforms! In this episode, we dive into the challenges of managing workloads and expectations as educators. Teaching is more than just delivering lessons—it's admin, mentorship, wellbeing support, and so much more. With increasing external pressures from leadership, parents, and the system, how do we balance it all without burning out? We explore practical strategies to p...

Introduction In this episode of Pod Class , we’re diving into what it means to be Gen Z in 2025 . With our special guest Milly Bannister , founder of All Kind , we unpack the strengths, challenges, and stereotypes Gen Z faces and how this generation is reshaping the workplace, education, and mental health conversations. AllKnd: https://allknd.org/goodmatetraining Milly on Instagram : https://www.i...

Introduction Welcome back to PodClass! In this episode, we’re diving into an essential topic—how to be a good mate—with the incredible Millie Bannister, founder of the youth mental health charity, AllKND. Millie shares her inspiring journey from media and journalism to creating an organization that equips young Australians with peer-to-peer mental health first aid skills. Whether you’re an educato...

Introduction Welcome back to PodClass 2025! In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most important aspects of working with young people— why relationships come first. Whether you're an educator, facilitator, or youth worker, building strong, meaningful relationships is the foundation for fostering engagement, growth, and positive outcomes. Join us as we explore the science behind relatio...

Introduction Welcome back to PodClass 2025! We’re diving into a crucial topic today—boundaries. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or youth worker, understanding how to set and maintain clear boundaries is essential for your well-being and fostering positive relationships. In this episode, we’ll explore the four types of boundaries, why they’re important, and how to effectively implement them in pe...

In the final episode of Podclass for the year, hosts Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Massara explore The Circle of Control, a concept from Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This empowering framework helps educators, parents, and facilitators identify where to focus their time and energy—on what they can control and influence, rather than what lies outside their reach....

In Episode 26 of Podclass, the team delves into the essential topic of emotional regulation for educators and students alike. Hosts Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Massara explore how understanding and managing emotional states can transform classrooms into spaces of connection and learning. They discuss the significance of co-regulation, the power of self-awareness, and simple strategies f...

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 dee...

In Episode 24 of Podclass, we are joined by the legendary Professor John Hattie to explore what it truly means for educators to know their impact. Hosted by Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Masara, this episode dives deep into how teachers' thought processes, expectations, and classroom climates shape learning outcomes. As one of the world’s foremost educational researchers, Hattie shares po...

Welcome back to Podclass! In this episode, Amanda, Skye, and Wil dive into the often-debated topic of rewards in education. Why do we use them so much? Do they actually work? And what’s the real cost of relying on rewards to motivate young people? By sharing classroom anecdotes, personal stories, and proven strategies, they explore how rewards can sometimes undermine genuine learning—and what we c...

In this insightful episode of Podclass, hosts Amanda, Skye, and Wil welcome Lael Stone—educator, speaker, and founder of Woodline Primary—to dive deep into the transformational role of play in connecting with students. Lael, often called “Australia’s Brené Brown,” sheds light on how integrating play into education fosters emotional resilience, promotes well-being, and strengthens the connection be...

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 shares ac...

In this episode of Podclass , Amanda, Skye, and Wil dive into the art of handling difficult conversations. Acknowledging the hesitation many feel about these discussions, the hosts explore how confronting issues with empathy and a structured approach can strengthen relationships and resolve underlying tensions. Using nonviolent communication (NVC), they share actionable steps for educators to mana...