Part 2 of this re-released conversation follows David through the most painful stretch of his journey - and into the life-changing transition that brought him back to himself.

In this episode, Sharon and Sarah explore:

• The collapse of trust in leadership and the moment he was accused of lying
• How long-COVID, brain fog and exhaustion collided with a punitive support plan
• The emotional punch of being prescribed antidepressants - and the shame teachers so often carry
• The union rep who finally said out loud what David couldn’t
• The decision to resign, and the power that returned the second he did
• The eye-opening two weeks of supply work that highlighted just how wildly different UK schools really are
• The moment everything clicked: a student support role at Durham University that honoured everything he was good at
• How compassionate leadership healed what teaching had broken
• The “sliding doors moment” that changed his life — professionally, personally and emotionally

This episode remains one of the most moving, memorable Pit Pony conversations to date. David’s story is a reminder of what schools lose when they crush creativity, and what is possible when someone is finally allowed to thrive.

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