The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham

"Our resilience skills are a bit like flippers in that you've got to put them on and use them." - Dr Denise Quinlan  Are you an educator struggling to maintain your wellbeing amidst the chaos of school life? In this episode of the School of Wellbeing podcast, I discuss practical ways to remain buoyant with Dr Denise Quinlan , co-founder of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Res...

"When people experience that they can trust themselves again, there's nothing more empowering than that." Dean Kilby  Are you tired of feeling like you lack power in certain areas of your life? In this thought-provoking episode, Meg Durham speaks with the Founder & Scientific Director of Simplr Health, Dean Kilby . The two explore the transformative power of taking responsibility f...

How do teachers and school leaders handle the immense, unseen pressure of their job? In this insightful episode, Meg Durham speaks with Dr Briony Scott , an experienced principal and president of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders about the invisible load that educators carry today. The two discuss the power of empathy, proactivity and maturity in challenging moments with parents or ot...

"Every time we rush in to fix, soothe and problem solve we're robbing ourselves and the people that we're working with of the opportunity to have this permission to feel." - Lael Stone Get ready to unlock the power of your emotions in the best way possible. In this insightful episode, Meg Durham speaks with Lael Stone , an educator, author, and speaker, about how teachers and schoo...

“The harsh reality is you are working against your biological blueprint and that the consequences will catch up with you.” Dr Kristy Goodwin Do you have a healthy relationship with your digital device? If you’re cringing at your answer, you’re not alone. In this episode, Meg Durham speaks with Dr Kristy Goodwin about our digital dependencies and how to develop a healthier relationship with our fav...

"It's very difficult to have a happy life if you focus on what's wrong all the time because that becomes your reality and your world." - Toni Powell Let go of worry and stress as Meg Durham invites Toni Powell , an acclaimed Australian author and TEDx speaker, to share her insights on breaking free from anxiety and fear traps. In this insightful episode, Powell shares practical tip...

"Learning is what makes us most human...it's the way that we make sense of ourselves and the world." Louka Parry What's the most powerful learning experience you've ever had? This thought-provoking episode with Meg Durham and guest Louka Parry, the CEO of The Learning Future, explores the layers of learning and ways educators can move beyond the basics to truly inspire great le...

"When you have energy, it's so much easier to deal with the unexpected surprises in school life." Meg Durham Are you a big-hearted and busy educator looking for practical ways to protect and generate your most precious resource - your energy? Join Meg Durham as she explores the traditional approach to energy management and shares tips on how to take ownership of your energy levels to t...

"Life is about living a life of meaning; living a life of authenticity." Chris Cheers Are you ready to break free from outdated norms and embrace a post-pandemic approach that prioritises wellbeing? Join Meg Durham as she welcomes clinical psychologist   Chris Cheers   to dive into his revolutionary new book, ‘The New Rule Book: Notes from a Psychologist to Help You Redefine the Way You Li...

- BEST OF 2022 -  “Our memory makes it very difficult for us to remember that for every pleasure we pay a price, and for every pain we get a reward.” - Dr Anna Lembke Discover how our current culture’s unlimited access to immediate pleasure has led to a dopamine overdrive. Dr Anna Lembke, professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and author of   Dopamine Nation , discusses...

"Knowing and understanding myself allows me to know and understand and to lead others better." - Katrina Bourke Are you an educator looking to evolve and improve your leadership skills? In this heartfelt episode, Meg Durham sits down with Katrina Bourke , a leadership coach for educators, to discuss the evolution of leadership and how to find your ‘sacred ground’ as a leader, no matter you...

- BEST OF 2022 -  “Every day, I have to remind myself that there is no finish line…and whatever gets done, that’s enough, and I’m enough.” -   Daniela Falecki Covid repercussions, low pay and increased workloads are contributing to an unprecedented number of staff absences and resignations from our educational system. In this eye-opening conversation, Meg speaks with teacher and wellbeing expert D...

"A  large majority of us are allowing our habit self to dictate our day" -  Dr Niocle LePera Are you living your life on autopilot and struggling to prioritise self-care? In this episode, Meg Durham celebrates the 70th episode of The School of Wellbeing podcast by having a special conversation with guest Dr Nicole LaPera. You may know her as The Holistic Psychologist on Instagram, with ove...

- BEST OF 2022 - “An investment in sport is a good investment in community and wellbeing.” - Mick Daniher In honour of Father's Day, we have a surprise for you! During this heartfelt episode, you'll hear a special conversation between Meg and her father Mick Daniher. Hear from Mick what it was like juggling fatherhood, his children's wellbeing and pursuing a career in the AFL. Mick sha...

"Is what I'm thinking about actually helping me?" - David Berlinski Are you an educator looking for ways to help your students break free from negative thinking patterns? In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, Meg Durham sits down with Ben Scholl and David Berlinski, co-founders of Toolbox Education , to discuss the concept of "thinking traps" and how they can impact our b...

- BEST OF 2022 -  “Trauma is a reaction to any experience that makes us feel threatened, overwhelmed and out of control.” - Dr Sarah Woodhouse Whether you’re aware of it or not, trauma affects every person, every day. It can show up in yourself or through the people closest to you. And inevitably it can affect your relationships, career and personal wellbeing. So how do you work through life traum...

"We perform really well when we're cared for and when we're loved." - Lisa Baylis How do you treat yourself when things don't go to plan, and you don't live up to your expectations? What is the tone of your inner dialogue? Is it gentle, kind, harsh, judgmental, or even brutal? We often speak to ourselves in ways we never dream of speaking to others. In this heartfelt episod...

- BEST OF 2022 -  "Parents who feel the need to intervene in the life of their child, also seem to have children who are less capable." Julie Lythcott-Haims Learn how to support and guide children into becoming highly capable and resilient adults. In this episode with author and educator   Julie Lythcott Haims , Meg chats to Julie about how much parenting has changed over the years. You’ll...

“Self-sabotage disconnects you from who want to be.” - Dr Rebecca Ray Are you tired of setting big, unrealistic goals for yourself only to feel discouraged when you don't achieve them? In this heartfelt conversation, Meg chats with Psychologist and author Dr Rebecca Ray about how often we set ourselves up for failure and self-sabotage without even realising it. The two discuss how change and g...

- BEST OF 2022 -  "We own our minds, and we've got to take them back." Johann Hari Do you often feel distracted and unable to focus? In this episode,   Johann Hari   will highlight the broader issues we face and how we're not to blame for our waning attention and focus. You'll learn how the social media business model is used to actively steal our attention and the impact notif...

"So much has happened, and that's why it's important to take time to stop and think. What were the highlights; what were the lessons? What did I enjoy?" - Meg Durham Feeling burnt out and overwhelmed by the demands of life? Take a break and join Meg Durham for a chat about living well, finding balance, and setting goals for the year ahead. In this solo episode of the School of Well...

“Our values show us the direction that we want to head in life.” - Dr Jo Mitchell. Personal values are the guiding principles that shape our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours. They help us make better decisions, anchor us, and give our lives a sense of purpose. But do you know what your core values actually are? In this heartfelt episode, I speak with clinical psychologist Dr Jo Mitchell as we ex...

“Teacher wellbeing is critical for educational outcomes, social outcomes, emotional outcomes, and of course, even the physical health of children.” - Donna Cross. Despite the challenges of being a teacher, most stay in the profession for the love of working with young people. In this heartfelt conversation, Professor Donna Cross and Meg discuss how important teacher wellbeing is in the workplace....

“Story sharing is the most simple, beautiful and powerful way of creating community and sense of belonging.” - Dr Arne Rubinstein As a society, do we honour and celebrate important life transitions appropriately? Whereas many cultures recognise and honour rites of passage, it's believed that western culture has lost the essence of these critical transitions, leading to stunted developmental gr...

"The reality is we're living in complex times. There's a lot of challenges individually, but there's a lot of global challenges, and all of these have an impact on us." - Dr Peggy Kern Struggling is a part of life, but it shouldn't have the power to stop you from living well. In this heartfelt episode of the School of Wellbeing podcast, Meg speaks with the associate profess...