The Wonders of Wellbeing Podcast

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a strengths-based, collaborative approach to organisational change which focuses on understanding the ‘positive core’ of an organisation and how this can be strengthened.  In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with David Kolpak, the Principal at Trinity College North in Adelaide, South Australia. Prior to this, David was Head of Junior Years at St Peter’s Co...

Teachers are leaving the profession and few people want to join the field; experts are sounding the alarm. We need to look after new graduate teachers who are new to the field.  In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Emma Gentle, Founder of The Grad Guide.  Em has worked in education for 11 years and supported neurodivergent children whilst studying a Bachelor of Education in the Pr...

Restorative Practice is a wellbeing strategy in schools and often they are seen as two separate entities.  In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Kristy Elliot, the Founder and Director of Restorative Pathways, an Australian, Melbourne-based business supporting schools to create flourishing cultures using restorative approaches. She is an experienced international consultant and tea...

No more students struggling in silence. No more teachers unsure of how they can help. In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Hayley Watson, Founder and CEO of Open Parachute, an online video-based school mental health program that is being delivered in schools globally. As a clinical psychologist, Hayley has extensive experience in the assessment, treatment and support with a wi...

The importance of taking a strategic approach to bring meaningful improvement to staff and student wellbeing, prevent burnout and build a positive school culture. In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Helen Kelly, a school wellbeing and culture expert, researcher, author, speaker and consultant. Helen is committed to helping schools maximise wellbeing and improve school culture...

Help children thrive with peace, passion and positivity. Using play-based educational tools and strategies to help them be the best they can be. In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Helen Maffini, the Director of MindBE Education. MindBE Education is an educational training company working globally to improve mindfulness and social-emotional learning skills in preschools. Mind...

A desire to see generational change by helping students understand all the elements of their inner selves and to get to know who they are down to the core of their existence. In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Lizette Lotter, Founder and CEO of The Wellbeing School. As a content developer, Lizette created the Mind Master Program with the aim to help students unlock the power of...

Belonging and connection are two atavistic human needs. Two things that, as a ten year old or 110 year old, help you feel accepted in the world in which you live.  In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Mike Symons, the current Director of Community Engagement and former Boarding Housemaster at The Kings School in Sydney. Mike has been in the education sector for 13 years and is an...

How do we cultivate trusting and safe work environments through the development of emotional intelligence? In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Marc Lesser, an executive coach, workshop leader and Zen teacher. He is known for his engaging, experiential presentations that integrate mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices and training.  Prior to his business and coaching ca...

Finnish education is free, from early childhood education through to university and the positive impact on society is phenomenal. In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr Johan Storgård whose current position as Chief Executive Officer of Finland International Education is framed around exporting Finnish high-quality Childhood Education and Care to operators in the business around...

Bold, unapologetic and ready for change. In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Sam Moinet, an education disrupter and global leader in the revolution of student wellbeing. As an international speaker and coach, Sam’s aim is to transform emotional support for young people and create lasting change for future generations. After experiencing frustrations as a classroom teacher, Sam wa...

The importance of helping families have the right conversations at the right time. In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr Joshua Symes who has spent over 20 years as a wellbeing practitioner, teacher and educational leader around the globe. As the Head of Wellbeing & Insight at TogetherAI, he has led the development of the wellbeing and content strategy as well as technologic...

How does teacher wellbeing become the center of culture within a school setting? In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Amy Green who is a published author, speaker, facilitator and coach with a background in teaching, leadership and positive psychology.   As the Founder of The Wellness Strategy, Amy is able to support schools, businesses and organisations to improve wellbeing, prod...

Be You is the national mental health in education initiative in Australia delivered by Beyond Blue, in collaboration with Early Childhood Australia and Headspace. Be You supports educators from early learning services and schools to develop a positive, inclusive and resilient learning community where every child, young person, educator and family can achieve their best possible mental health. In t...

Rhiannon's 'Healthy Living' initiative aims to teach all students awareness, tools and strategies to look after themselves and to look out for others.  In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Rhiannon Phillips-Bianco, a Classroom Teacher and Leader of Wellbeing and Positive Education. Majority of Rhiannon’s 20 years of teaching has been across the UK, Netherlands and I...

Building and shaping confidence and resilience in students in order to develop lifelong learners is vital in every classroom.  In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Lulu Sanderson-Green who is currently a Stage Leader and Classroom Teacher.  Prior to being in the classroom, Lulu worked in inclusion support for an early childhood not-for-profit organisation where her role was assist...

His aim on a daily basis is to build students' academic abilities as well as their wellbeing abilities in order to better equip them for future life, simply, by being in their corner. In this episode I have the pleasure of chatting with Hugh Scott who has been an educator for over 15 years. He knows what it takes to make students thrive, how to build healthy relationships, how to guide studen...

Lauren has had the unique experience of teaching a variety of age groups and has a field of experience in the area of music and performing arts. In this episode I have the pleasure of chatting with Lauren Kelleher. Her educational philosophy stems from a progressive and hands-on approach to learning that develops the whole child through self-exploration, curiosity and wonderment. Throughout all of...

As a pedagogical director of Learning Scoop, Johanna has focused on training foreign teachers, students and education experts about Finnish education. Her mission is to share ideas and best practices with experts from around the world. In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Johanna Järvinen-Taubert. For the last 20 years, she has trained teachers from early childhood education, basi...

For 36 years, Zoë Neill Readhead has been running the internationally known Summerhill School in Suffolk, founded exactly a hundred years ago by her father, the pioneering Scotsman A. S. Neill. Over the years, Summerhill has had to accept the way the world views the school as not always positive or supportive of its underlying values and principles. In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting...

Lilli is most passionate about the systems within which we live and how we can make them more conducive to health and connection, rather than disease and loneliness. She has lived and travelled in lots of different countries and very much enjoys learning through experience.    In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Lilli Morgan, an educator with 3 different degrees, who has incredib...

We can get confused with signs of anxiety and be lost when supporting students and families within the school community.  In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr Jodi Richardson about understanding anxiety and how as educators, we can best support students and families in our care.  Dr Jodi Richardson is an Anxiety and Wellbeing Speaker, Educator and Bestselling Author. As an educ...

"We live in such a busy world where there is so much stimuli, technology and things we are processing and I think if we can create a culture where people take pauses, then we can make better decisions not just for ourselves but for our community." This episode with Lucy Keller deep dives into the power of mindfulness in a school community. Lucy shares her expertise having worked as a min...

"Montessori builds the foundations for children to be self determined in a Montessori classroom by being independent, access what they like, interact with others and their concentration is expanded because they are bale to focus on something for as long as they want to." This episode with Isabelle Russell deep dives into the power of play in order to develop the foundations of social emo...

"Fast forward, what kind of human being would you like to greet at the door? Someone who has made a lot of money who is unhappy and has poor mental health or someone who is compassionate, empathetic, resilient with a good sense of humour and good mental health?" This two-part episode with Susanne deep dives into supporting child development through strong family connections. Rather than...