
The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham
This podcast is for teachers and school leaders who are ready to move beyond survival and thrive by design. Join wellbeing speaker and teacher wellbeing specialist Meg Durham for real and heartfelt conversations with experienced educators and wellbeing thought leaders. Discover practical ways to navigate the relentless demands of school life and move forward with more courage, compassion and confidence.
Latest episodes

Apr 25, 2024 • 29min
Joel Hines: Human Potential & How To Cultivate Connection With The THRIVE Framework | Episode 120
“To reach our full potential, we need the support of community.” Joel Hines
How can we access and amplify our human potential?
In this enlightening podcast episode, host Meg Durham is joined by Joel Hines. Joel’s career has been dedicated to guiding others to explore the shared experience of being human. Known for his integrity and authenticity, Joel empowers leaders to cultivate engagement, foster collaboration, and motivate others.
In this episode, Joel explains the THRIVE framework, a six-step process designed to cultivate connection and enable potential. They discuss the power of self-trust, acknowledging one’s achievements, and the need for space to process thoughts and feelings.
Tune in now and prepare to transform your understanding of human potential and connection.
Episode 120 Shownotes - Click here
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Joel Hines - LinkedIn | Website | Book
Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Bookings
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Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
** The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders in Australia! **

Apr 11, 2024 • 33min
Sarah Rusbatch: Beyond Booze & Grey Area Drinking | Episode 119
“The thing about alcohol is it's a brilliant short-term quick fix. The problem is it's an absolute nightmare for your body long-term.” Sarah Rusbatch
Have you ever heard of the term Grey Area Drinking?
Join guest Sarah Rusbatch, accredited Grey Area Drinking Coach, as she shares her transformative journey from depending on alcohol to manage the everyday stresses of life to sobriety. She now helps big-hearted humans overcome self-doubt and fear to live the life they deserve without alcohol.
In this episode, you'll learn about the societal norms perpetuating alcohol use and how teachers are the number one profession seeking support to move beyond booze. She provides practical strategies for managing alcohol consumption and emphasises the importance of self-awareness and self-compassion in this process.
Prepare to be inspired by Sarah’s story and commitment to helping others move beyond booze.
Sarah’s book Beyond Booze is available for purchase - shop now!
Episode 119 Shownotes - Click here
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Sarah Rusbatch - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Book
Meg Durham - Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
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Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
** The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders in Australia! **

Mar 28, 2024 • 32min
Dan Steele: Growth Coaching & Listening To Encourage Thinking | Episode 118
When you think of a coach, you usually think of coaching athletes to the best of their ability. Imagine what would happen if we applied that same coaching approach to school life...
In this podcast episode, Dan Steele, a rockstar educational leader and coach with a real history of shaking things up in school communities, dives deep into the powerful impact coaching can have on educators and the schools they teach in. He discusses the balance between providing enough support and challenge for educators to grow.
Get ready to discover how self-awareness, ditching the need to be perfect, and the magic of truly seeing your students can take your teaching to a whole new level – through the powerful lens of coaching!
* Please note, In Dan's excitement he said Carl Jung instead of Carl Rogers when we chatted about "Way of Being". Check out Carl Rogers and Christian van Nieuwerburgh to learn more.
Episode 118 Shownotes - Click here
Dan Steele - LinkedIn | Growth Coaching International
Meg Durham - Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Requests - Complete the booking form
** The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders in Australia! **

Mar 14, 2024 • 34min
Melinda Phillips: Release the Pressure & Reclaim The Joy Of Teaching | Episode 117
"There's been profound changes in the volume and complexity of the work that we do as teachers, and that leads to unsustainable workloads that come at the detriment of our work and our wellbeing." Melinda Phillips
How can we release the pressure of school life?
In this insightful podcast episode, organisational psychologist and experienced educator Melinda Phillips chats with Meg about the impact of increasing work demands on big-hearted educators
They explore practical strategies such as addressing workplace stressors, evaluating our standards and understanding the cost of caring. This conversation emphasises the importance of listening to one’s body and recognising its signals as a duty of care. They also discuss how reaching a point of burnout can sometimes serve as a wake-up call, prompting educators to reassess their work-life balance and take deliberate.
Tune in to learn how to navigate workplace stress, build healthy habits, and embrace the mess and magic of school life
Episode 117 Shownotes - Click here
Melinda Phillips - Website | LinkedIn
Meg Durham - Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Requests - Complete the booking form
** The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders in Australia! **

Feb 29, 2024 • 40min
Mariane Power: Neurodivergent Adults & Embracing Neurodiversity In The Workplace | Episode 116
“Neurodivergence refers to all of the different neurodevelopmental profiles that we see.” - Mariane Power
Want to learn more about neurodivergence in adults?
Join Clinical Psychologist Mariane Power as she explores the intricate and nuanced topic of neurodiversity. Learn how neurodivergence impacts wellbeing, the role of inclusive environments, and the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent adults working in schools.
This enlightening podcast will broaden your understanding and equip you with neuro-affirming practices to support the diversity of your school staff. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your knowledge of neurodevelopmental profiles including Autism (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.
This podcast is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of neurodivergence and its impact on individuals and school communities. It’s a journey of discovery, understanding, and acceptance.
Episode 116 Shownotes - Click here
Mariane Power - Instgaram | LinkedIn | Website
Meg Durham - Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Booking Requests - Complete the form
** The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders in Australia! **

7 snips
Feb 15, 2024 • 40min
Vicky Essebag: Thriving Relationships & Solution-Focused Conversations | Episode 115
Vicky Essebag, a Relational Communication Specialist and founder of relationspaces, dives into the transformative power of relationships. She emphasizes the concept of 'relation spaces,' encouraging individuals to approach interactions with their best selves. Vicky discusses her book, which serves as a solution-focused guide for parents, and stresses the importance of recognizing strengths in conversations. The chat also delves into nurturing positive relationships in education, especially during challenging times, and the value of fostering meaningful dialogue among educators and students.

Feb 1, 2024 • 36min
Emma Gentle: The Grad Guide & Elevating Emotional Intellidence In Schools | Episode114
"Graduates want to become really effective teachers" - Emma Gentle
How can we support our graduate and early career teachers
In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, Meg Durham chats with Emma Gentle, a teacher, mentor, and founder of The Grad Guide about the challenges faced by graduate and early career teachers, emphasising the importance of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the need for a proper induction process in schools.
They also explore the impact of social media on new teachers and how it brings additional stress, pressure and comparison into their lives.
Listen now and get ready to make the world a better place for our graduate and early career teachers.
Episode 114 Shownotes - Click here
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Booking Requests - Complete the form
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

Jan 18, 2024 • 41min
Dr Adam Fraser: The Third Space & Giving Yourself Time To Reflect, Rest and Reset | Episode 113
“One of the things that teachers and school leaders can do is use the third space in a way that you can leave that work day behind and show up in the home a better version of themselves.” - Dr Adam Fraser
Ever felt like you’re always ‘on’, juggling between work and home, with no time to recover from the demands of daily life? You’re not alone.
In this podcast episode, expert guest Dr Adam Fraser, a renowned peak performance researcher and keynote speaker introduces the innovative Third Space concept.
Everyday, we have moments of transitions, and yet we often do not know the best way to handle these moments. Adam provides three practical strategies: reflect, rest, and reset, which can be applied to daily transitions to enhance your personal and professional life.
This podcast is a must-listen if you seek to improve your wellbeing and effectiveness in both your work and home environments. Tune in now and transform your daily transitions into opportunities for balance and growth.
Adam’s book The Third Space is available for purchase - shop now!
Episode 113 Shownotes - Click here
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Booking Requests - Complete the form
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!
Please note: This may include affiliate links that help support the podcast. Thanks for being a listener!

Jan 14, 2024 • 37min
Ben Crowe: Finding Your Mojo & Embrace Your Weird | BEST OF 2023
In this engaging discussion, Ben Crowe, a professional mentor and leadership coach, shares insights on finding your mojo through self-acceptance and embracing imperfections. He highlights the power of shifting from a 'got to' mindset to a 'get to' perspective and introduces practical techniques like acceptance lists. The conversation emphasizes the importance of internal validation for educators in today's demanding landscape, advocating for a journey towards authenticity that fosters both personal joy and professional fulfillment.

Jan 11, 2024 • 41min
Andrew Fuller: Tolerating Discomfort & Embracing Challenges | BEST OF 2023
- MOST MENTIONED EPISODE OF 2023 -
"We've become a very cautious population now; one that wants to play it incredibly safe." - Andrew Fuller
Ready to explore the surprising impact of student behaviour on teacher wellbeing and discover powerful insights for creating a more resilient and thriving classroom environment?
In this insightful episode, Meg Durham invites Andrew Fuller, a clinical psychologist, to join her in a discussion about the challenges teachers face, particularly in the wake of pandemic-related disruptions.
Press play to find solutions for a more supportive and adaptable educational system that prioritises positive relationships and student learning.
Andrew Fuller is an accomplished author of books that help parents raise thriving children - check out his books here!
Episode 104 Shownotes - Click here
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Booking Requests - Complete the form
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!
Please note: This may include affiliate links which help support the podcast. Thanks for being a listener!