The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham

“Sugar is an addictive substance.” - David Gillespie Get ready for an episode that will change the way you look at your eating, exercise and wellbeing habits. In this week's episode, David Gillespie, author of Sweet Poison, chats with Meg Durham about the surprising dangers of sugar and its addictive nature. In a diet culture that tells us to eat less fat and eat more of this or that in order...

"It's really hard to look after your family when your cup is empty." - Lisa Curry TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains adult conversations about disordered eating and mental illness. Please make sure you're in a good headspace before listening. And if you need to talk to someone, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.  You have probably heard of Lisa Curry, triple Olympic gold meda...

“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 trauma? In this heartfe...

"Feel guilty and do it anyway" Meg Durham When was the last time you felt guilty? Was it yesterday, today, or perhaps even in the past hour? Feeling guilty, as awful as it might feel in the moment, is a healthy predictable human experience. And surprisingly, it often arises when we’re making positive changes in our life. In this solo episode, Meg explores how guilt differs from shame, why...

“When we ignore negative emotions in our relationships, they just gets bigger.”  - Dana Kerford. Educators and parents today have become more aware of how important it is to teach children friendship skills. In this heartfelt conversation, Meg speaks with friendship expert and founder of URSTRONG Dana Kerford. With a global reach of over 1 million, URSTRONG teaches schools and educators how to emp...

“Everything is always a choice - whether we’re consciously aware of it or not.” - Benita Bensch Do you sometimes avoid making decisions? Are you unclear about how to make decisions or take action that aligns with what feels right for you in your life? In this heartfelt conversation, Meg speaks with the coach and author Benita Bensch about the decision-making process, what can stop you from taking...

“In life, there is no finish line and there’s no such thing as perfect.” - Nick Bracks Learn about fostering a healthy mindset to support the men in our lives. In this episode, author, speaker and wellbeing advocate Nick Bracks shares with Meg the importance of mental health for men in today's society. The two discuss the importance of exercise, communication and self-awareness for overall wel...

  “It’s really about checking in with your body taking care of yourself.” – Ali Daddo Whether you’re at an age close to menopause or feel far from it, it’s more important than you think to set yourself up for success during menopause. In this heartfelt episode, you’ll gain insight into the experience of menopause from educator, Mum and author Ali Daddo as she shares her knowledge and personal stor...

“Is complaining helping you to move forward, or keeping you stuck?” - Meg Durham Join Meg in this heartfelt solo episode about the differences between venting, recreational complaining, and focused complaining. Of course, complaining is absolutely part of being human! But from this insightful episode, discover the benefits of certain types of complaining over others. You'll also learn four pra...

“Invest in yourself. You are irreplaceable.” – Peta Sitcheff Learn about life after burnout from acclaimed author, speaker and growth consultant Peta Sitcheff to prioritise yourself, your mental health, and what matters to you most. In this episode, Peta shares her experiences with burnout after working in a highly pressurised career for many years and how she rediscovered herself and learned to s...

“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 Daniela Falecki about...

“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 shares the key skills h...

“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 how easy it is to sl...

“Boundaries are actually the language of self-worth.” – Dr Rebecca Ray  Learn about the importance of boundaries to maintain personal values and self-worth. In this episode, clinical psychologist and author Dr Rebecca Ray shares her wisdom around setting boundaries, communicating boundaries to others and consistently reinforcing them. Learn how doing so can build more trust and respect in relation...

“Students are here to learn and we need to allow their curiosity and their courage and their compassion to come to the surface.” – Jane Horne Learn about life in a boarding house from educator, parent and coach Jane Horne as she shares her experiences as the Head of Boarding at Geelong Grammar. Jane shares what it’s like to live and work in a boarding house with middle school girls. Learn how stru...

  “Workplace bullying is corrosive to mental health and the longer it goes on, the more harm it can do.” - Josh Bornstein Hear about the effects of bullying in the workplace and what you can do to help yourself or others in need. In this heartfelt conversation, Meg speaks with esteemed employment lawyer Josh Bornstein about workplace bullying and harassment. Learn to differentiate what is bullying...

“When we give ourselves permission to be human, we give other people permission to be human too.” – Meg Durham Learn how to narrow the gap between expectations and reality to live a more fulfilling life. In this heartfelt solo episode, wellbeing speaker and educator Meg Durham breaks down how the expectations we have of ourselves and others impact the way we feel, function and relate to others. Th...

“Accountability is integrity in action. It’s saying what you’ll do and doing what you say. It doesn’t have to be complex. It can be clean, it can be clear, it can be kind.” - Dr Paige Williams Learn about resetting accountability to create positive change in your work environment. In this heartfelt conversation, Meg speaks with acclaimed writer and speaker Dr Paige Williams. You’ll learn how to re...

“We don’t prioritise ourselves as though we are one of the most important things in our own lives.” – Lisa Corduff Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed, burnt-out or unhappy? You’re not alone. Learn about accessing your personal power to create positive change in your life. In this conversation, transformational coach Lisa Corduff shares her experiences coaching women to get out of autopilot and crea...

“Often a child is not functioning well because of a capacity problem, not because they’re ‘naughty’.” - Dr Chris Wever Learn about children’s behavioural issues to be the best educator, parent and carer you can be. As a Child, Adolescent and Family Psychiatrist, Dr Chris Wever helps children, schools, parents, and educators overcome behavioural issues early on. Leave this heartfelt conversation fe...

"Think about having less assumptions, but more curiosity." – Allison Heiliczer Relationships can be tricky. If you have a relationship (or two) in your life that you struggle with, this episode could be a turnaround point for you. Psychotherapist Allison  Heiliczer shares a wealth of information to help you understand the nuances of relationships. Whether you're thinking about your par...

"So often we jump in with advice when they just want us to listen." Maggie Dent If you are a parent, teacher or coach of young girls or teenage girls, this episode will arm you with the knowledge to help you positively navigate raising girls. In this episode the 'Queen of Common Sense', Maggie Dent will break down some of the biology and neurochemistry behind the complex mind of fe...

"If you want a child to do well, your first job is to make sure the primary caregiver is doing well." Dr Suniya Luthar Learn about the importance of caring for yourself to be the best parent, teacher and caregiver you can be. In this heartfelt conversation, Dr Suniya Luthar shares her research focusing on the effects of high-pressure settings on caregivers and those they care for. You'...

“Healthy aging isn’t something that starts in your 60s or 70s; it’s a lifelong process.” Dr Gordon Spence Physical movement is innate in all of us. But as we age, other life activities tend to take its place. In this uplifting conversation with psychologist and author Dr Gordon Spence , you’ll hear about the benefits of physical activity for sustainable performance and healthy aging. Even if you c...

“Excuses are a very healthy and predictable part of the human experience.” Meg Durham Excuses are more powerful than you may think. They are hardwired in our brains to help us stay “safe” by keeping us in the same routine day in and day out. As Meg Durham articulates concisely in this episode under 15 minutes, the issue with the brain’s logic is that it does not care what the behaviour is, only th...