S3E18: Wired, Tired and Overwhelmed: The Physiology of Stress with Bianca McLeish

If you’ve worked in a school for more than five minutes, you know that stress in education doesn’t always arrive as a dramatic “I can’t do this anymore” moment. More often, it creeps in quietly through the constant rushing, the emotional load of caring for students, the relentless pace and the thou…

S3E17: How Educators Can Navigate Anxiety and Build Emotional Resilience with Dr. Jodi Richardson

We’ve all experienced it to some degree…the racing heart, sweaty palms, dizziness and that fleeting sense of losing control. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jodi Richardson to talk about one of the most common yet misunderstood experiences in both our personal and professional lives: anxiety. …

S3E16: Turning School Vision Into Action and Alignment with James Clanfield

When a school’s vision isn’t clear, or worse, when it exists only as words on a website, it can leave staff feeling directionless, disconnected and unsure how their daily work contributes to something bigger.    Without that shared sense of purpose, culture fragments, wellbeing suffers and strate…

S3E15: The Three Plates of School Leadership: What Matters Most When Everything Feels Urgent with Dr. Pete Stebbins

Leading a school is one of the most fulfilling jobs you can have — but it can also feel like one of the hardest. Every day, school leaders are pulled between the demands of strategy, staff, students, and their own wellbeing. It often feels like spinning plates, where the slightest wobble in one are…

S3E14: Rethinking Workload: How AI Can Support Staff Wellbeing in Schools with Amy Green

Educators are no strangers to overwhelming workloads. From endless lesson planning and admin to keeping up with emails and data collection, the job can often feel never-ending. Add to that the constant stream of headlines about teacher burnout, and it’s no wonder many staff feel stuck in a cycle of…

S3E13: Wellbeing Strategies vs. Strategies for Wellbeing with Andrew Oberthur

When was the last time your school really paused to consider what it means for staff to thrive, not just survive?    Many wellbeing initiatives in schools focus on quick fixes, such as morning teams, yoga sessions, or casual “wellbeing weeks,” which offer temporary boosts but don’t create lasting…

S3E12: Creating Happier, Healthier Schools with Dr. Tim Sharp

In this episode of the Well-Led Schools Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Tim Sharp, also known as “Dr. Happy”, to explore how positive psychology can transform the way schools approach staff wellbeing. Together, we unpack what truly drives happiness and resilience at work, from small daily habits to cr…

S3E11: What The Latest Data Reveals About Staff and Teacher Wellbeing

In this episode, I unpack the latest research, national survey data and emerging trends shaping the state of teacher wellbeing in 2025. Drawing on insights from thousands of educators across more than 60 Australian schools, I explore what’s really impacting teacher wellbeing.   You’ll learn why t…

S3E10: Creating a School Culture Where Staff Feel Seen, Heard and Valued with Daniela Falecki

Have you ever felt awkward accepting a compliment or unsure how to show genuine appreciation to someone on your team without it feeling forced? In busy school environments, appreciation often gets reduced to coffee carts and morning teas. While well-intentioned, these gestures don’t always land in …

S3E9: Building Thriving School Communities Through a Focus on Wellbeing with David Kolpak

Many schools face a common challenge: how to cultivate staff wellbeing and build a thriving culture amid fragmented efforts and wellbeing initiatives that often fall short or don’t last. Leaders want teams that feel connected, supported and energised, because when staff wellbeing flourishes, studen…