
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

Jun 21, 2023 • 36min
Kemi Nekvapil: Asserting Yourself & The Gift Of Asking | Episode 87
“Society rewards women for saying yes to everyone else.” - Kemi Nekvapil
Does the thought of articulating your needs and desires make you uncomfortable?
It's probably no surprise to hear that humans, particularly women, have a challenging time speaking up for what they want and need. In this thoughtful conversation, Meg speaks with Kemi Nekvapil, author of ‘The Gift of Asking: A Women’s guide to owning her wants and needs without guilt’ and ‘Power: A Woman's Guide to Living and Leading Without Apology’. Their discussion explores the societal expectations that often lead women to prioritise others' needs over their own.
You will learn why asking for what you need is actually a gift to oneself and a way to strengthen relationships. The episode delves into the impacts of not asking and provides valuable insights for cultivating better communication and connection. Join Meg and Kemi and learn the transformative power of asking for what you want.
*** Teachers: What do you need to thrive? - complete survey ***
Episode 87 Shownotes - click here
Weekly Newsletter - subscribe here
Booking Requests - complete form
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

Jun 14, 2023 • 40min
Daniela Falecki: Wellbeing at Work & Our Collective Responsibility | Episode 86
"Wellbeing at work for adults is different to student wellbeing." - Daniela Falecki
How can schools promote overall wellbeing for their staff while ensuring staff take proactive measures to prioritise their wellbeing?
Join Meg Durham and returning expert guest Daniela Falecki, Founding Director of Teacher Wellbeing, as they explore the importance of staff wellbeing in schools and the significant impact it can have on culture, productivity, job satisfaction and student outcomes
In this conversation, you'll hear about why staff and student wellbeing should be treated differently, the significance of deliberate action, and the value of taking time to reflect. Let's join together and create a common language of wellbeing for the greater good of all educational staff while building a better future for generations to come.
Episode 86 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode86
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

Jun 7, 2023 • 31min
Molly Benjamin: Financial Wellbeing & Taking Control Of Your Future | Episode 85
"We can all take charge of our money." - Molly Benjamin
Are you in control of your finances, or does the thought of money send you running in the other direction You’re not alone. Nearly half of Australian women find money decisions overwhelming and stressful. And frustratingly, women today are retiring with 42% less Superannuation than men! Today’s guest, Molly Benjamin, best-selling author of ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Funds’, aims to revolutionize how women perceive personal finance.
In this incredibly insightful conversation, Meg and Molly tackle the important discussion of finances and what you can be doing to overcome the financial struggles you may be facing. You’ll learn about common myths we hear about money and, most importantly, walk away with actionable ways to start taking control of your money for the financial freedom you deserve.
Episode 85 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode85
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

Jun 1, 2023 • 34min
Dr William DeJean: Personal Narratives & Embracing Our Evolving Identity As Educators | Episode 84
"If we want to make learning stick for everyone, who we are as educators matters." Dr William DeJean
Are you ready to unlock your full potential as an educator and transform your teaching and the learning experience in your classroom?
In this thought-provoking episode, Meg Durham speaks with Dr William DeJean about uncovering the patterns of thinking and behaving that expand our potential as educators and humans.
William delves into the pedagogical power of identity and its impact on teaching and learning. You’ll hear why he challenges the notion that education is merely a delivery of content and instead emphasizes that who we are as educators truly matters.
Tune in now to gain a fresh perspective on teaching and learning.
Episode 84 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode84
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

May 25, 2023 • 35min
Dr Stephanie Damiano: Disordered Eating & Rethinking Our Relationships With Eating, Movement And Body | Episode 83
"Diet culture is rife in our society and we've normalised disordered eating to an extent." Dr Stephanie Damanio
Are educators the key to unlocking lifelong healthy relationships with food and body image?
In this important conversation, Meg Durham speaks with Dr Stephanie Damiano, a psychology researcher and expert in body image development. She's dedicated to understanding the development of body image in young children and the pivotal role educators and parents play in addressing these issues early on.
The two discuss what disordered eating is, the normalization of disordered eating and the importance of debunking myths surrounding body size and health. You'll leave the conversation inspired to prioritize your mental and physical wellbeing by focusing on health-promoting behaviours rather than societal ideals. Tune in to gain insights into fostering a positive relationship with food and body for the benefit of all.
Episode 83 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode83
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

May 18, 2023 • 40min
Tracey Ezard: Ferocious Warmth & Balancing The Head And Heart Of Leadership | Episode 82
"The type of leader that most people want to be led by are ones that have competency and warmth" Tracey Ezard
How do successful school leaders manage to balance their passion and drive with empathy and human connection?
In this episode of the School of Wellbeing podcast, host Meg Durham sits down with Tracey Ezard, author of Ferocious Warmth, to explore this very topic. Discover the concept of ferocious warmth and how it can help leaders create a thriving environment for students, teachers, and support staff.
Listen in as Tracey shares stories of real-life leaders who embody this balance and the positive impact they have on their teams. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new appreciation for the power of ferocious warmth in school leadership and how it can lead to greater success and wellbeing for everyone involved.
Episode 82 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode82
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

May 11, 2023 • 42min
Dr Sarah McKay: Matrescence Matters & The Impact Of Pregnancy And Motherhood On The Brain | Episode 81
"The greatest preditor of childhood wellbeing is parental wellbeing" Dr Sarah McKay
In this episode, we celebrate Mother's Day with a conversation about Matrescence, a woman's journey through pregnancy, birth, the postnatal period and beyond. An increase in hormones, changes in identity, adjustments in social context, and increased risks of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression are all examples of what a woman may experience during this time.
Guest Dr Sarah McKay joins host Meg Durham for this deeply insightful episode, sharing her knowledge on the impact of pregnancy and motherhood on the brain, and how caregiving shapes the brains of all parent figures, biological or other. Tune in to this episode to learn why Matrescence matters and how it shapes a women's brain for the better.
Episode 81 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode81
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

May 4, 2023 • 36min
Dr Denise Quinlan: Remaining Buoyant & Navigating The Chaos Of School Life | Episode 80
"Our resilience skills are a bit like flippers in that you've got to put them on and use them." - Dr Denise Quinlan
Are you an educator struggling to maintain your wellbeing amidst the chaos of school life?
In this episode of the School of Wellbeing podcast, I discuss practical ways to remain buoyant with Dr Denise Quinlan, co-founder of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience. With extensive knowledge in the areas of wellbeing and resilience, Dr Quinlan shares valuable insights on how to get clear on your vision for the future, prioritise ruthlessly, and why collective resilience matters. We also explore how resilience is not about bouncing back, but moving forward and building knowledge and insight about ourselves and the world along the way.
Episode 80 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode80
Energy By Design - https://openmindeducation.com/energy-by-design/
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

Apr 27, 2023 • 49min
Dean Kilby: Taking Responsibility For Your Wellbeing & Stepping Into Your Personal Power | Episode 79
"When people experience that they can trust themselves again, there's nothing more empowering than that." Dean Kilby
Are you tired of feeling like you lack power in certain areas of your life?
In this thought-provoking episode, Meg Durham speaks with the Founder & Scientific Director of Simplr Health, Dean Kilby. The two explore the transformative power of taking responsibility for your own wellbeing. While it may be uncomfortable to do so at times, Meg and Dean discuss the various reasons why taking responsibility can open doors you didn’t know existed. By taking appropriate action, you have the power to gain a say in the direction your life takes.
Episode 79 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode79
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

Apr 20, 2023 • 44min
Dr Briony Scott: The Invisible (Work)Load Of Educators | Episode 78
How do teachers and school leaders handle the immense, unseen pressure of their job?
In this insightful episode, Meg Durham speaks with Dr Briony Scott, an experienced principal and president of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders about the invisible load that educators carry today. The two discuss the power of empathy, proactivity and maturity in challenging moments with parents or other staff members and managing emotions in the workplace.
Through this episode, explore the tools and strategies that will help you thrive as an educator and school leader.
Episode 78 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode78
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!