The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham

 “Everything in life is emotionally demanding to some degree.” - Dr Aimee Maxwell How do you manage the emotional demands of school life? In this episode, Meg speaks with Dr Aimee Maxwell, an Educational and Developmental Psychologist, about how emotional demands impact our daily lives. Aimee shines a light on the unnoticed emotional pressures we face, whether dealing with a child's tantrum or the challenges of a demanding profession like teaching. By tuning in, you'll gain practical insights into safeguarding your wellbeing, from choosing the right recovery activities to taking brief moments of self-reflection. In a profession where stress and burnout are the new norm, this episode offers invaluable insights for a calmer, healthier and happier you. Episode 101 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!

Welcome to the 100th episode of The School of Wellbeing podcast! In this celebratory episode, Meg Durham speaks with expert guest Ben Crowe about finding your mojo. Teaching is about so much more than academics; it’s about discovering your passion, too! Listen in and learn from Ben, a professional mentor and leadership coach, about the importance of teachers finding a fresh outlook, looking within and nurturing self-compassion. You’ll walk away with practical techniques - like flipping “got to” to “get to”, how to use acceptance lists, and so much more. This episode champions self-awareness, mindset development, and self-compassion as keys to a more joyful, genuine life. You’ll also hear from a few of Meg’s loyal listeners. Were you featured? Listen in to find out! Episode 100 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!  

In this incredible episode, Meg Durham reflects on her journey as she approaches the 100th episode milestone. You’ll hear about the transformation her life and work have undergone since starting the podcast in 2021. She shares insights and key learnings from her podcasting journey, highlighting the importance of taking responsibility, increasing one's tolerance for discomfort, and creating pockets of respite for wellbeing. Professionally, Meg talks about the impact of the podcast on her career, noting the increased opportunities to work with schools and educators on teacher wellbeing. On a personal level, she shares how her family has settled into their new home and found a better work-life balance. Meg emphasises the significance of support and services in her life and expresses gratitude for the positive changes since moving to Geelong.  Listen now to this heartfelt episode, get closer to Meg, and learn more about the personal decisions she’s made over the past few years. You’ll walk away feeling inspired to welcome more wellbeing into your life through essential practices that help you feel good, function well, and relate better. Episode 99 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!

"We want to create classrooms which unconsciously soothe our nervous system." - Belinda Jankowiak Do our physical spaces impact our wellbeing? Join host Meg Durham and expert guest Belinda Jankowiak as they discuss how sensory factors greatly influence students' learning experiences. Belinda, an occupational therapist and founder of Project Classroom, highlights the impact of sensory inputs on energy levels, access to learning and building relationships. The two discuss sensory processing and its role in shaping classroom environments. During the episode, you’ll hear strategies such as reducing visual clutter and managing noise to create conducive learning spaces. You’ll gain insights into fostering student regulation and enhancing overall engagement. By embracing sensory-aware approaches, educators and students can enjoy reduced stress, improved focus, and a more enriching educational journey. Episode 98 Shownotes - Click here Leave A Voice Message - 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!

"When adversity strikes, it's really easy to feel out of control." - Rebecca Christianson When met with adversity, how do you move from survival mode to a mindset of growth? In this episode, Meg Durham speaks with Rebecca Christianson, founder and director of Thriving People Consulting. An executive coach, Rebecca works with leadership teams to shift mindsets and implement organisational change. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Rebecca’s devastating breast cancer diagnosis at only 38 years old, which helped transform Rebecca’s mindset and focus on what truly matters. You’ll walk away from this episode with better insight into how to move through adversity, how to focus on what you can control, and how to shift your mindset even in the toughest times. Episode 97 Shownotes - Click here Leave A Voice Message - 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!

“It's okay to have a life outside of teaching." - Lill Daley How can we navigate the evolving landscape of teaching and find a balance between our personal and professional lives? In this episode, Meg Durham engages in a thought-provoking conversation with the insightful guest Lill Daley. The discussion centres around the evolving journey of educators and the importance of valuing yourself and your changing needs. Lilli shares her personal experiences, including how she navigated burnout and redefined her identity as a teacher. You’ll gain valuable insights into the delicate balance between teaching and personal wellbeing, the power of reflection and the significance of ‘connection before correction’ in the classroom. Tune in for a refreshing perspective on teaching, personal growth, and finding harmony in the ever-evolving landscape of education. Episode 96 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!

"Resentment is just here as feedback to get us into greater alignment and integrity with ourselves." - Julie Tenner Are you tired of feeling stuck in a cycle of resentment, whether in your relationships, work, or personal life? Join host Meg Durham and guest Julie Tenner in this illuminating episode about the topic of resentment – how it arises, and most importantly, how to transcend it. Tune in as Julie and Meg explore the roots of resentment, why it's particularly challenging for women, and how it often stems from over-functioning and boundaries being crossed. Julie's insights shed light on the interplay between the "me" and the "we," urging you to find the right balance. Discover the power of shifting your perspective, reclaiming your boundaries, and fostering healthy relationships. Learn practical tools to break free from resentment and live a more authentic, aligned, and joyful life. If you've ever felt the weight of resentment holding you back, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now to embark on your journey towards a life of greater self-awareness and wellbeing. Episode 95 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!

"Automatic negative thoughts can hold us back, but we can start to change them by deliberately noticing and regulating our emotions." - Madhavi Nawana Parker Did you know that humans have at least 70,000 thoughts per day? You might be surprised to learn that these thoughts turn into the stories you tell yourself and others. And as educators, we're dealing with our own stories and the stories of our students, colleagues, plus the people closest to us. It's a lot for any one person to process! In this episode, host Meg Durham speaks with guest Madhavi Nawana Parker, a leading expert in mental health and wellbeing, about the stories we tell ourselves. You'll learn where our stories come from, the power of our stories, how to flip the script, and ways to foster a more positive mindset.  Madhavi is an accomplished author - shop her books here! Episode 94 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!

"Once you lose perspective, then you lose yourself." Sue Webb Being in the education system means there are a lot of things to love - and - a lot of things that challenge you. So, how open are you about your struggles; how much do you share with your colleagues, family and friends? In this deeply moving episode, Meg speaks with guest Sue Webb about her moving memoir ‘Teachers Cry Too’. Sue, an experienced teacher, school leader and author, recollects her personal journey from struggling with a period of mental illness, to discovering that the career she blamed for making her sick also offered her a pathway to recovery. Join Sue as she unravels the common experiences faced by teachers and school leaders, shedding light on the all-too-common struggles within the profession. Walk away with a better understanding of the importance of sharing stories to help and heal others. Don't miss this enlightening conversation, exploring the complexities of teaching and the importance of mental health.  Sue's book Teachers Cry Too is available now - shop here! Episode 93 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!

"Difficult people tend to violate your psychological safety and project their dysregulation onto you." Dr Rebecca Ray Imagine how different your life would be if you learned how to manage difficult people even better! Join host Meg Durham and best-selling author Dr Rebecca Ray for this insightful conversation about Rebecca's latest book "Difficult People: Dealing with the bad behaviour of difficult people" which addresses the nuances of dealing with individuals who don't respect boundaries. In this conversation, you’ll learn why understanding attachment styles can shed light on the origins of difficult behaviour, making it easier to navigate these challenging relationships. Learn valuable techniques to regulate your emotions, set boundaries, and surround yourself with others that bring out the best in you. Don't miss this conversation that will give you the tools to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and maintain your inner peace. *** Masterclass: 4 Myths Keeping Educators Stuck with Dr Rebecca Ray and Meg Durham - Register here *** Episode 92 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!