The Understanding Boys Podcast

In the final episode for series 2, our podcast is turned on its head in an interesting twist with Micah Swann.  Micah interviews our host Dr Ray Swann, who shares his insights into why the podcast was started, what he has learned and who he looks up to. Ray also shares some book recommendations, tips for Year 12 students and dealing with expectations, and of course the question that all guests have been asked – a story he would tell a young boy.   We hope you enjoy this episode.  

We spoke to Angie as Melbourne came out of lockdown.  She shares her thoughts about people and rules, how schools have handled COVID-19 and what it’s been like in school during this period, including what it has shown her about herself. We hope you enjoy this episode.  In this series we speak to young people about life and their stories. What do these boys and girls think it is to be a good man these days and if they had a story to tell an adult, who’d listen, what would that story be? In these short interviews we explore these questions and much, much more.

In speaking with Angus, he talks about what makes him happy about being the eldest child, about online boundaries and parental controls as well as some of the male stereotypes and portrayals of men that he encounters. We hope you enjoy this episode.  In this series we speak to young people about life and their stories. What do these boys and girls think it is to be a good man these days and if they had a story to tell an adult, who’d listen, what would that story be? In these short interviews we explore these questions and much, much more.

This recording was made during the time of lockdown in Melbourne Australia and we explore a little about what’s been happening with Kaya, a reflective person with great ideas and a real enthusiasm for life. She has a great story to tell too. We hope you enjoy this episode.  In this series we speak to young people about life and their stories. What do these boys and girls think it is to be a good man these days and if they had a story to tell an adult, who’d listen, what would that story be? In these short interviews we explore these questions and much, much more.  

In an enjoyable conversation speaking with Taj, he talks about what he wants to do with his life and what he’s learned about himself while being in high school. He shares his view about boys, and why he thinks they test themselves and boundaries. There’s a fantastic story from him too about being seen. We hope you enjoy this episode. In this series we speak to young people about life and their stories. What do these boys and girls think it is to be a good man these days and if they had a story to tell an adult, who’d listen, what would that story be? In these short interviews we explore these questions and much, much more.    

In this series we speak to young people about life and their stories. What do these boys and girls think it is to be a good man these days and if they had a story to tell an adult, who’d listen, what would that story be? In these short interviews we explore these questions and much, much more. In episode two we speak to adventurous Juliet who shares her experiences sailing, working on a boat, and being at sea, and what that has taught her about her relationship with her father. Juliet talks about society and schools as well as life in lockdown in Melbourne, Australia.  We hope you enjoy this series.

In this series we speak to young people about life and their stories. What do these boys and girls think it is to be a good man these days and if they had a story to tell an adult, who’d listen, what would that story be? In these short interviews we explore these questions and much, much more. For the first episode we speak with Aubrey who tells us what he’s been doing with his time, about fixing his motorbike and what he enjoys about being in Grade 5, camping and the future.  We hope you enjoy this series.  

Ross Featherston is the eighth headmaster of BGS. Since his start in 2014, he has brought about positive change in every domain of the school. He is loved by parents, staff and the boys. Ross talks with us about his wisdom and understanding on how to raise boys, he gives us some takeaways, and gives his thoughts about what it’s like to be a parent.

Raelene Plozza is an Instructional Coach and Head of Literacy at Brighton Grammar School, where she also teaches a very motivated Year 8 English class. Raelene trained as a Primary teacher and later completed a Masters in Literacy, with her research focused on motivating adolescent boys to read. Her teaching background is diverse, and she considers one of her greatest achievements to be even more passionate about her career choice today as she was when she began teaching in 1989. For the past 15 years, Raelene has been a teacher of boys. Her expertise in Literacy, and her natural curiosity about how we might maximise literacy outcomes for our boys, drives her to keep working in the field. She doesn’t have all the answers, but she strongly suspects that reading is the answer to most of her questions.

Andrew Lauterstein is a triple Olympic medallist and World swimming champion, making him one of Australia’s most successful international level swimmers of his time. Since his retirement from professional swimming, Andrew is now a successful business owner of a swimwear company and swim centre. He has remained active and healthy, putting a lot of his energies into the sport of Crossfit. Andrew continues to inspire, motivate, and coach upcoming athletes through clinics and educational presentations in which he shares his insights of being an Australian and international athlete. He mentors young athletes on the importance of attaining life balance and planning pathways for life after sport.