Sophie talks to David Cramer Smith, author of the novel, Medway. Discussing the novel initiates conversations about various mental health centred topics from the importance of having a support network, to understanding their relationships with alcohol. They also discuss the education system, what it’s like to be a teacher and why David left teaching for writing and developing.

Buy Medway/Read David's writing here: 

Episode 5 meets Leisa Rea; Sophie's favourite school teacher, creator, actor, musician, comedian and member of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain!

Leisa chats with Sophie about creative teaching approaches, the importance of really knowing the children you teach and they dissect their time as pupil and teacher, reflecting on why it worked so well.

Chris is Head Chef at the Great Northern Hotel restaurant Plum and Spilt Milk and also a dad to two young children. Chris chats all about cooking for his family, encouraging his children to try new foods and gives us some top tips on eating and cooking with little ones. We also catch up on the status of those all important school dinners and food education in schools.

Chris' cooking tips

Fran shares how she has coped with spending her Newly Qualified Teacher year in a pandemic and explains how she has been supported by her school since being diagnosed with a rare bone disease Avascular Necrosis. 

Please sign up to Mindfulness for learning to get up to date information on school workshops and events.  

*please note that an NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher) is now called an ECT (Early Career Teacher)

Jessica discusses the many ways she has endeavoured to take care of family wellbeing during an extremely difficult and tumultuous 11 years. 

 ***Please note that towards the end of the episode we discuss being in a state of presence enabling Jessica's survival in a very difficult time. It is clear now upon reflection that Jessica was actually working on autopilot rather than being present and I wish to correct the observation that mindfulness was "getting her through".

For information, advice and support on Domestic Violence: 

Refuge 

Women's Aid 

Solace 

Sophie talks to Mel Draisey about looking after her own wellbeing alongside looking after others in her role as a Musician in Healthcare. 

Mel's article about her experiences bringing music to a Neonatal Unit

Find Mel on Instagram and Facebook