The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham

"When you are full of negative emotions, your learning shuts down." Dr Sue Roffey In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, Meg Durham is joined by psychologist, educator and author Dr Sue Roffey to explore the powerful connection between teacher and student wellbeing. Together they unpack Sue’s influential paper Pupil Wellbeing – Teacher Wellbeing: Two Sides of the Same Coin  and the AS...

“Sleep impacts the key parts of our brain responsible for our mood, our decision making, and even our empathy levels.” If sleep is so essential, why does it feel so hard to get? In this powerful episode, leading sleep education expert Lisa Maltman joins The School of Wellbeing to explore the critical role sleep plays in our health, relationships, and daily performance. Lisa shares her personal jou...

“Make learning as easy as possible for yourself so that you minimise any barriers that might stop you.” DR Shyam Barr Could self-regulated learning be the missing link? In this episode of The School of Wellbeing , Meg Durham is joined by Dr Shyam Barr — educator, researcher and author of Educate to Self-Regulate: Empowering Learners for Lifelong Success . Together, they explore the essential skill...

 “Listening is so much more important than forcing boys to open up.” - Dr Zac Seidler Why do so many boys struggle silently? In this thought-provoking episode of The School of Wellbeing , I speak with Dr Zac Seidler , an acclaimed expert in men's mental health. Together, we unpack the intricate layers of boys' emotional lives and examine the detrimental myths surrounding masculinity. Zac s...

“We all have our own individual points of inspiration where we can tap into and start doing things in a more holistic and more helpful way.” - Dr Michelle Woolhouse What if your body has been sending you messages all along, but you’ve been too busy to listen? In this episode of The School of Wellbeing , host Meg Durham is joined by Dr Michelle Woolhouse , a leading Holistic Medical Doctor, to expl...

  "Form teams before you start doing the work. It's worth the investment." - Chris Daicos Ever wonder why some school teams thrive while others struggle? In this episode, Meg chats with Chris Daicos, a trained teacher, social worker, and expert in team effectiveness. Chris has spent years helping schools and organisations foster collaboration, psychological safety, and leadership that...

In this bonus episode of The School of Wellbeing , teacher wellbeing specialist Meg Durham shares a powerful conversation from her recent guest appearance on the Stepping into [ed]Leadership podcast, hosted by experienced school leaders Toni Maddock and Rachel McCall. As educators step into 2025, this discussion provides valuable insights to help navigate the new academic year with clarity and pur...

"If we don't do our own work and we don't understand our own triggers, we are going to be passing on all of our stuff onto our children." - Lael Stone This is the perfect episode for parents and school leaders alike. In the "Best Of 2024” series, join host Meg Durham , a wellbeing speaker and teacher wellbeing specialist as she shares some of the most insightful moments from ex...

“Student wellbeing and staff wellbeing can’t be separated. They're interconnected." - Kylie Power This is the perfect episode as you gear up for the new school year. In the "Best Of 2024” series, join host Meg Durham, a wellbeing speaker and teacher wellbeing specialist, as she shares some of the best, most insightful moments from guests featured on The School of Wellbeing in 2024.  In...

“Not wanting to do something is a perfectly legitimate reason for not doing it." - Terri Cole In the 2nd episode of the "Best Of 2024” series, join host Meg Durham,  a wellbeing educator and teacher wellbeing specialist, as she shares some of the best, most insightful moments from experts featured on The School of Wellbeing in 2024. If you often find yourself shouldering the weight of othe...

"These are the snippets that made you stop, nod your head, laugh out loud, or even think, ‘Wow, I needed to hear that today.’” - Meg Durham In this special 1st episode of the "Best Of 2024” series, join host Meg Durham, a wellbeing educator and teacher wellbeing specialist, as she shares some of the best, most insightful moments from experts featured on The School of Wellbeing in 2024. Re-...

“We know our brains are wired to try to avoid pain and to keep us safe" Dr Michelle McQuaid Are you ready to live your life on your terms? In this episode, Dr Michelle McQuaid, an award-winning researcher and playful change activator, reflects on how we can dismantle societal expectations to embrace self-trust and authenticity. Drawing from personal experiences and extensive research, Michelle...

“Support within the workplace has been shown across different job settings as being important, but particularly within a school.”  Leoni Boyle, University of Oxford - Wellbeing Research Centre Are you ready to take teacher wellbeing to the next level? In this episode, Dr Wanying Zhou and Leoni Boyle, researchers from the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Ox ford, discuss their foundat...

“It's important to come with that clarity of mind; to be able to make decisions in the moment.” - Anna Partridge What’s the secret to thinking clearly under pressure? In this episode, Anna Partridge , highly accomplished teacher and award-winning Head of Wellbeing at Westminster School in Adelaide, shares her profound insights into the role of thinking clearly when it comes to wellbeing in sch...

What does it take for middle leaders to thrive? In this episode,  Aimee Presnall,  Leadership & Wellbeing Coach, shares her valuable insights into what it takes for middle leaders to thrive in their personal and professional lives. You’ll learn about the significance of creating safe spaces for growth, the power of external perspectives, and the crucial role of authentic leadership. Aimee disc...

“High-Functioning Codependency is being overly invested in the feeling states, the outcomes, the decisions, the financial situations, and the relationships of the people in our life to the detriment of our own internal peace.” Terri Cole Are you doing too much for others? In this episode, Terri Cole , a psychotherapist and relationship expert, helps us better understand the challenges of high-func...

“If we only focus on students and we don't care about our teachers, we're actually doing a disservice to the students.” Dr Rebecca Collie Why does teacher wellbeing really matter? In this episode, Dr Rebecca Collie, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of New South Wales, highlights the importance of school staff and school leadership working together to create a...

“We've got to trust our staff as the professionals that they are and really value what they bring to work every day and value their differences.” - Monique Carter How can educators create environments where both staff and students thrive? In this episode, Meg Durham speaks with Monique Carter, a dedicated principal with over a decade of leadership experience, who shares her insights into foste...

“Confidence is having a thought and putting it into action.” - Jenny Cole How do you build true confidence and take action when doubt creeps in? In this episode, leadership coach and consultant Jenny Cole shares her practical strategies for developing confidence both inside and outside the classroom. You'll learn about simple, actionable steps like using your strengths, pushing through hesitat...

"The system will not love us, we have to love ourselves." Dr Paul Kidson How can we work within a system that’s slow to adapt? Join Meg and guest Dr Paul Kidson , an educational leadership scholar, in this insightful episode as they explore the complexities of working in an increasingly stretched system. You’ll learn how to maintain your well-being amidst the demands of school life and fin...

“If you don't have any energy, you've got no power.” - Lisa O'Neill Are you ready to move from feeling fatigued to fully charged? In this invigorating episode, we’re joined by Lisa O'Neill , a renowned speaker and the author of Energy: Get It, Guard It, Give It . Lisa will change how you think about energy and inspire you to step up and take control of your life. She explores the f...

"When you're living well, you have a really strong sense of your innermost personal identity of who you are.” - Dr Helen Street How do we navigate life's complexities and find meaning? In this episode, internationally acclaimed author and education consultant Dr Helen Street discusses her book, The Impossible Question of Living Well. She explores the importance of navigating the range...

“Self-leadership is supporting your own growth and development so that you can perform the best in the role that you have. - Dr Paul Teys How do you manage the relentless demands of school life? In this episode, experienced school leader  Dr Paul Teys , shares how personal development is the key to professional success.  You’ll learn how to stop thinking about your work at 3:00am, the benefits of...

“Functional freeze can make you feel disconnected from your feelings, or the world, or those you normally have a really easy time connecting with.” - Adrienne Hornby Do you ever feel numb, disconnected, or stuck in a rut, even while going through the motions of daily life? Join Meg Durham and health and wellbeing consultant Adrienne Hornby as they explore the concept of 'functional freeze,&#39...

“Your energy can either have positive ripples or it can have negative ripples.” - Kylie Power What does a thriving school community look and feel like? In this episode, Kylie Power , an experienced school leader dives into her extensive experiences and shares practical strategies for fostering a supportive and positive school environment. Discover the profound impact of small acts of kindness, the...