In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Gareth Dale continues his story - from barely holding it together in the classroom to discovering his voice as a children’s author and private tutor.

We talk about what happens after the funeral, the long shadow of trauma, and how Mr Dale - the teacher persona - became both a mask and a means of survival. Gareth shares how he began to write feverishly at night, eventually turning his grief into a series of children’s books that now connect with pupils across the UK.

We explore identity loss, the rigid expectations of the education system, and the moment Gareth realised that stepping away wasn’t failure - it was freedom. There are revelations here about purpose, healing, and what it means to truly live after tragedy.

⚠️ Content warning: this episode contains themes of child loss, separation, and emotional trauma.

This one stays with you.

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Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital R...