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.

As educators, we’re no strangers to it. The constant juggling of responsibilities, the emotional load we carry for our students and the never-ending to-do lists can keep our nervous system switched “on” far longer than is healthy. Over time, that chronic activation can blur the line between stress, anxiety and burnout - a pattern I know I’ve experienced myself. That’s why this conversation with Jodi is such an important one.

In this episode, we cover:

• What anxiety is, and isn’t, and why it’s not always a disorder
• How anxiety shows up in our lives: the thoughts, emotions and behaviours others may not see
• The hidden cost of masking anxiety at work and how it fuels exhaustion and disconnection
• How the nervous system operates 
• Practical, evidence-based ways to regulate your nervous system and bring yourself back to calm, even in the middle of a busy school day

Whether you’re a teacher, a leader, or simply someone who’s been running on adrenaline for too long, this episode will help you understand your anxiety in a new light and remind you that it’s not something to fear, but something to work with. 

About Jodi:

Dr. Jodi Richardson is an author, speaker, and educator who specialises in helping people understand and manage anxiety, regulate their nervous system, and build practical strategies for thriving at school and beyond. With a background in education, wellbeing science, and clinical practice, as well as lived experience with anxiety, Jodi brings both expertise and empathy to her work. Through her books, speaking engagements, and her own podcast, ‘Well, Hello Anxiety,’ she equips individuals, schools, and workplaces with evidence-based tools to support mental health and create environments where people can flourish.

Links and Resources:

Explore our Well-Led Schools Partnership Program

Thank you so much for listening. I’m so honoured that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could leave me a review on Apple Podcasts or on your preferred podcast app, so that we can inspire and educate even more people together.

Connect with Jodi via:

Her website: drjodirichardson.com 

Her podcast: Well, Hello Anxiety

Get her anxiety toolkit for anxious children and teens here

Connect with me via:

My website: adriennehornby.com.au 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adrienne-hornby-a4126a205/ 

Email: hello@adriennehornby.com.au