In this episode, Adele unpacks “martyr syndrome” in education. She frames martyrdom as a shadow “victim” archetype. It’s presented as a coping mechanism that feels virtuous and important but ultimately burns staff out and makes them less effective. Using real examples, she shows how over-giving becomes normal in underfunded systems that quietly rely on it.

Adele offers a counter‑model starting with your own nourishment so you can be a genuinely steady presence for pupils. She talks about why the to‑do list will never end (and why that can be freeing), how our behaviour sets the tone for colleagues and young people, and how pupils, especially those with trauma or SEMH needs, are highly tuned into whether adults’ words and actions match. 

Hosted by Adele Bates

Recorded via Riverside

Music by Pocketbeats Music, @pocketsbeatsmusic on Instagram

Production Support by Susan Outlaw

Operational Support by Hannah John