The Educational Currency Podcast

The Dietitian Download with Marianne Ghattas | Episode 44 How Nutrition Unlocks Peak Learning & Performance with Dietitian Marianne Ghattas In this episode of the Educational Currency Podcast, Robert and Chris sit down with accredited Sports Dietitian Marianne from Nutrition Solutions Sydney. With 14 years of clinical and private practice experience, Marianne cuts through the social media nois...

Behind the Staffroom Door | Episode 43 Welcome back to the Educational Currency podcast! In this episode, Chris and Rob pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood spaces in education: the school staffroom. There’s a common myth that teachers only work from 9 to 3, delivering five classes a day before heading home. Today, we’re busting that myth. We take you "behind the closed doors" to...

What do teachers *actually* do in the school holidays? | Episode 42 What do teachers really get up to when the school gates close? In this episode of Educational Currency, Chris and Rob pull back the curtain on the "teacher holiday" myth. While many believe educators simply sit back with their feet up for two weeks, the reality is a complex mix of deep-resetting, intense HSC preparation, and the "...

What do parents, students and staff need to know about the shift away from single-sex schools? In this episode, Chris and Rob dive into one of the most talked-about shifts in New South Wales education: the move from single-sex to co-educational (mixed) schools. With major changes happening in their local district (including the formation of Bayside High and mergers at Georges River College, Hurstv...

Welcome to 2026! In this special New Year’s episode, Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis mark three years of Educational Currency by reflecting on the major milestones of 2025 and outlining their goals for the year ahead. From classroom breakthroughs with Year 7 students to the recovery of martial arts academies post-COVID, Rob and Chris share personal stories of growth and recognition, incl...

An A-Z Guide to Tutoring | Season 4 Episode 8 The Tutoring Playbook: Everything Parents Need to Know Is tutoring a good fit for your child? Are you wasting money, or are you building essential skills? On this week's episode, Rob and Chris are joined by Kate for a complete A-to-Z guide on all things tutoring. With Chris acting as the voice of the parent, the team breaks down the biggest questions,...

Teaching Strategies and Theories for the Modern Classroom | Season 4 Episode 7 Theories of Learning and Why They Are Essential for Every Teacher How can we unlock the full potential of every student? In this episode, Rob and Chris dive into the fundamental theories that form the backbone of modern teaching. They explore how understanding concepts like multiple intelligences and cognitive skill can...

The Muir Tour | Season 4 Episode 6 Learning on the Road In this special episode, we welcome Nathan and Alishja, a couple who embarked on an incredible journey of a lifetime with their children, travelling around Australia for the past two and a half years. In this authentic and inspiring conversation, Chris sits down with Nathan and Alishja to discuss the decision to leave city life behind and wha...

Meet the Principal with Paul Humble | Season 4 Episode 5 A Journey of Leadership, Consistency, and Compassion In Season 4, Episode 5, we are honoured to be joined by Paul Humble, the Principal of St Mary and St Mina's Coptic Orthodox College in Sydney. Rob and Chris sit down with Paul to discuss his remarkable journey into education, and the invaluable lessons he has learned along the way. Paul sh...

A Teacher's Guide to Rapport | Season 4 Episode 4 The Art of Connection and Why Rapport Matters in Education How do we truly connect in the classroom and beyond? In this episode, Rob and Chris explore the essential art of building rapport with teachers, students, and parents. School is not just about grades or rules: it's about relationships. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in th...

Fuelling Up: Nutrition Basics for the School Community | Season 4 Episode 3 Featuring Marko Papuckovski, Clinical Nutritionist In this episode of the Educational Currency Podcast, hosts Chris and Rob sit down with Clinical Nutritionist Marko Papuckovski to discuss the foundational role nutrition plays in health and academic success. This conversation offers vital information for parents, teachers,...

Starting School: What Parents Need to Know | Season 4 Episode 2 Kindergarten Ready: Tips for Parents and Educators Starting Kindergarten is a huge milestone for families! In this emotional and insightful episode of The Educational Currency Podcast, join Rob and Chris, both parents with children heading into 'Big School' shortly, as they share their personal journeys and practical advice. Whether y...

A Teacher's Guide to Health | Season 4 Episode 1 Welcome back to the Educational Currency Podcast for Season 4!  In this exciting new season, we're delving deeply into the theme of health, examining various aspects that affect both educators and students. In this episode, hosts Rob and Chris kick off the season by discussing: ~ Mental Health as a Foundation: We explore mindfulness practices, even...

What Have We Learnt From a Year of Podcasting | Season 3 Episode 10 Unexpected Lessons from a Year of Conversations Join Chris, Rob and special guest producer Kate Pentecost as they reflect on a full year of The Educational Currency Podcast! In this Season 3 finale, the team gets candid about their journey, sharing surprising lessons learned from putting themselves in front of the camera and build...

Beyond the Numbers: Talat Gerges on Teaching Mathematics | Season 3 Episode 9 Shaping Minds with Maths, Solving Problems with Presence  Join Rob and Chris as they interview Mathematics Head Teacher, Talat Gerges. Talat shares his inspiring journey into education, revealing what makes math teaching truly great and how he cultivates a love for learning in his classroom. Discover his unique strategie...

HALT Accreditation | Season 3 Episode 8 What Chris Learned on the Path to Highly Accomplished Lead Teacher Thinking about taking your teaching career to a distinguished new level? Curious about the Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation process in Australia? In this compelling episode of The Educational Currency Podcast, our very own Chris Kalodikis shares his fresh and candid e...

Exploring The Heart and Wisdom of Student Welfare with Mary Nicola | Season 3 Episode 7 The Power of Welfare: Supporting Students to Thrive In this insightful episode, Rob and Chris sit down with Mary Nicola, the Head of Wellbeing at St Mary & St Mina's – Coptic Orthodox College. Following this season's theme of showcasing teachers at different career stages, we're thrilled to bring you Mary's...

Dealing with Bullying | Season 3 Episode 6 Empowering Kids to Stand Up to Bullies: A Parent/Teacher Toolkit Welcome back to the Educational Currency Podcast! In this episode, we're diving into a crucial topic that affects students, parents, and teachers alike: bullying. We'll explore what bullying is, how it manifests, and, most importantly, provide a comprehensive guide for parents, teachers, and...

Becoming a Proficient Teacher with Luke Rodriguez | Season 3 Episode 5 Luke Rodriguez on Early Career Challenges and Rewards in Teaching Welcome back to the Educational Currency Podcast! In this episode, we're chatting with Luke Rodriguez, a recently accredited proficient English teacher. We get into Luke's background – what shaped his journey, the teachers who made a difference, and what it's rea...

Post-school Pathways | Season 3 Episode 4 What's Next? Navigating Life After Year 12 What happens after Year 12? This week on Educational Currency Podcast, join Chris and Rob as they discuss all the ins and outs of post-school pathways and career choices. They break down the options: going straight into the workforce, pursuing TAFE or an apprenticeship, or heading to university.   Chris and Rob of...

Beginning Teaching with Alannah Gebron | Season 3 Episode 3 Mentors, Math, and Making a Difference: Alannah Gebron's Experience as a New Teacher Join Chris and Rob in this insightful episode of the Educational Currency Podcast as they welcome Alannah Gebron, a fresh-faced teacher just nine months into her career. Alannah shares her journey from university to the classroom, revealing the challenges...

Starting a new school (as a teacher) | Season 3 Episode 2 Navigating Change: Thriving in Your New Teaching Environment Thinking about a fresh start in your teaching career? In this episode of Educational Currency, we dive deep into the ins and outs of starting at a new school. Whether you're seeking new opportunities, a change of scenery, or simply a different educational environment, this episode...

Robert’s Martial Arts Journey | Season 3 Episode 1 From Bruce Lee to Black Belt: A Lifelong Martial Arts Adventure Dive into the captivating world of martial arts with Rob! From his childhood fascination with Bruce Lee movies,  to earning black belts in ninjutsu and jujitsu, Rob's journey is truly inspiring. Discover the evolution of these disciplines, from ancient samurai scrolls to the modern UF...

Movies and Education | Season 2 Episode 10 Life Lessons from the Silver Screen In this episode of Educational Currency, we explore the captivating world of cinema and discuss how movies can be powerful tools for learning. Join Rob, Chris, and Kate as they discuss their favourite films that have inspired, challenged, and entertained them. From the inspiring journey of a young mathematician in Stand...

From exam anxiety to parent-teacher conferences: The real-life nightmares of teachers In this special Halloween episode, Chris, Rob and Kate share their spine-chilling experiences from the classroom and tutoring centre. From the horror of facing a room full of unmotivated students to the nightmare of dealing with challenging parents, they've seen it all. They delve into the art of staying calm und...