Today my guest is Darryn Gray, a learning designer, educator, and community builder based in New Zealand. Darryn brings a wealth of experience from his time as a classroom teacher and school leader, through to his current work in adult learning and professional development. In this episode, we explore Darryn’s reflections on moving between education systems — from traditional Eurocentric approaches to learning, to those grounded in Māori worldviews offering rich possibilities for more relational, reciprocal and inclusive learning design.

Darryn shares his belief that learning is not something done to people, but something created with them. We hear about his early experiences in a brand-new school, surrounded by technology, and how this sparked his lifelong interest in innovation, collaboration, and community. We also talk about his creation of Crackin’ L&D Down Under, a grassroots community for learning professionals navigating change, technology, and the future of work. In our brief chat, we explore the role of AI, the power of facilitation over instruction, and why trust, humility, and conversation might be our most important tools in a time of constant change.

This is a wide-ranging, reflective, and energising conversation. Darryn invites us to rethink what learning could be when we value the contributions that everyone brings.

Links:

https://www.darryngray.co.nz/

Crackin' LnD (Down Under) https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462967/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryn-gray-acc-b6b73385/

Today, my guest is Norman Hunter, an Educational Leader and Author. In this episode, Norman shares insights into his upbringing, educational background, and experiences as a school teacher and principal. We chat about Norman’s book, ‘Between the Idea and the Reality: Decision making for the Thinking Educational Leader,’ a book that explores the central role of reasoning behind the many decisions that school leaders make each day. Norman reflects on the importance of understanding human factors in leadership and the significance of recognising individual talents. We discuss the significance of multiple points of view and how to approach this ambiguity when engaging with stakeholders within a school context. We chat about The Beatles song, ‘The Long and Winding Road’ as a metaphor for the complexities and uncertainties of life and the quest for purpose that is often ambiguous and not straightforward. Norman emphasises the importance of combining cognitive and intuitive approaches in educational leadership, and the importance of understanding the values and beliefs that underpin a community, particularly in a school setting.

Today my guest is Paulina Larocca, Creativity Author, Trainer and Provocateur. In this episode, we discuss the relationship between creativity and innovation, and Paulina’s studies in pursuing a Master's in Creative Problem Solving. Paulina offers insights into creativity, and the significance of embodiment practices and self-reflection in fostering creativity and personal growth. Paulina explains that connecting with the body and the environment can lead to powerful insights and creative breakthroughs. We chat about moments of stillness in our day and how this stillness can often bring in profound moments of insight. Paulina encourages people, especially those who might be a little sceptical, to deepen their relationship with creative practice and explore its potential.

Links:

https://paulinalarocca.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-larocca-b455044/

Today my guest is Ben Lawless, an educator, teacher, university lecturer, textbook author, and education consultant. Ben helps schoolteachers make sense of the different approaches to assessment, specifically by demystifying the design and use of rubrics and encouraging their value in supporting student progress. In this episode, we find out about Ben’s very early experiences on a university campus, through to his later studies in law, philosophy, and education, which eventually lead to roles that combine teaching, research, and educational innovation. We discuss Ben’s work in developmental rubric design, an approach used when teachers want to describe what it looks like to get better at something. Ben shares his belief that assessment in schools is time-consuming, and at times, inaccurate and often doesn’t support teaching and learning. Ben shares insights into the idea that student assessment should be about growth, not just grades, and some of the limitations of traditional ranking systems. We also chat about Ben’s love of history, video games in the classroom (such as using Assassin’s Creed as a teaching tool), and his thoughts on NAPLAN, ATAR, and the pitfalls of big data in schools. We cover quite a few ideas and tangents in this fluid conversation. Ben encourages a more considered and meaningful approach to teaching, learning, and assessment.

Links:

https://lawlesslearning.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawlessben/

Today my guest is Dr Selena Fisk. In our conversation, we chat about Selena's career journey and her work as an author and data storyteller in education. We explore the use of generative AI in data analysis, the challenges and opportunities related to the use of data and strategy in schools, and the importance of using multiple sources of data, including personal reflections, to gain a well-rounded understanding of impact. Selena highlights the importance of understanding the context and purpose of data collection, the need for leaders to be confident in their own numeracy and understanding of data use and aligning data collection with an organisation's purpose and goals. Selena shares insights into the significance and purpose of a holistic approach to student well-being; that is, the need to consider not only academic performance but also students' emotional and physical well-being. Selena outlines the potential role of data, and the role of strategic leadership in using this information effectively.

Links:

https://www.selenafisk.com/

Today my guest is Melissa Gough, an educator, brain injury advocate, and podcaster. In this episode, we find out about Melissa’s early and diverse career roles. We also explore Melissa's unexpected life-changing experience of surviving a brain haemorrhage. Melissa reflects on her recovery process, the challenges she faced in navigating the healthcare system, and the cognitive difficulties related to her condition. We explore her additional advocacy efforts for individuals with brain and other injuries in the form of her creating and hosting “The Brain Game Changer” podcast.

Links:

https://thebraingamechanger.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-gough-68a33869/

Today my guest is Tim Kitchen, an educator, technologist, and advocate for creativity in education. Tim is also Adobe’s Senior Education Specialist for the Asia Pacific region, with a focus on K-12 education. In this episode, Tim shares insights into his career, spanning a diverse range of roles, from teaching music and physical education, managing technology within schools, teacher professional development, and writing about creativity in education. We chat about educational technology and Tim’s sustained passion for integrating technology in meaningful ways to enhance learning experiences while maintaining the human element.

We also chat Tim's book, ‘The Best Way to Learn is to Make. Creativity in a Gen AI World’, which explores the intersection of technology and creativity in contemporary classrooms. Tim reflects on the SAMR model, which encourages using technology not just to substitute traditional methods but to redefine teaching and prepare students for the future.

Throughout our conversation, Tim offers practical ways to foster creativity in schools. Tim discusses the importance of nurturing creativity as a skill that can be taught and developed, as well as the potential role of AI in freeing up time for more creative pursuits. We chat about some of the challenges and misconceptions surrounding creativity and how teachers can break away from rigid classroom structures to encourage more creative thinking and creative practice.

Links:

https://timkitchen.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kitchen/

https://mammothlearning.co/the-best-way-to-learn-is-to-make/

Today, my guest is Helen Perris, a singer-songwriter and teacher. In this episode, we explore Helen’s early life in Bundaberg, Queensland, where she grew up in a musical family surrounded by the rhythm and clickety clack of sugar cane trains. We explore her journey as a singer-songwriter and performer, her experiences as a teacher, and her ongoing passion for music that has been a constant throughout her life.

Helen shares insights into her creative process, how she uses music as a therapeutic tool, and the challenges faced by independent artists in the music industry. We also discuss her new album - Remove This Shield - which emotionally reflect a range of personal stories and experiences. Helen is dedicated to fostering creativity, both in herself and in others and shares her thoughts on the power of music in personal expression, personal growth and healing.

Helen emphasises the importance of creativity in education, the value of resilience, and the need for systemic changes to better support music students, artists and educators alike.

Links:

https://helenperris.bandcamp.com/album/remove-this-shield

https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-perris-a1945229b/

https://helenperris.com/

https://helenperrismusic.com/

Today my guest is Matt Pitman, a Leader, Educator and Author. In this episode, we find out about Matt’s early career as a teacher, as well as Matt’s post-graduate studies. Over several years Matt was awarded not one, not two, but three Masters-level qualifications in educational leadership, student wellbeing, and evidence-based teaching, with each area linked back to the practicalities within a school. Matt provides insights into his context and motivations and how he decided to combine these big ideas into what eventually resulted in his recently published book: ‘The Connection Curriculum: Igniting Positive Change in Schools Through Sustainable Connection’. We chat about the positive impacts of connection - between schools, teachers, students, parents, and communities – and how the essential role of human connection is often overlooked in the rush for measurement, data-collection and achievement. Matt emphasises whole-school connectedness, the incredible people that work in schools, the value of dialog and the sharing of ideas and thoughts, the value of ‘student voice’, and creating positive change within a school by having an openness of heart.

Links:

https://www.mattpitman.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattlukepitman/

Today my guest is Peter Quarry, a psychologist, media presenter and writer. In this episode, we find out about Peter’s early life and upbringing living between Australia, Germany, and other parts of Europe, his burning urge to be an actor, further studies in law, psychology and philosophy, his professional practice as a psychologist and counsellor, and forty years as a corporate training and development presenter and video producer. Peter shares his life highlights: being a presenter for several years on the popular live national television program ‘Good Morning Australia’, dropping LSD, and marrying his husband. We discuss adaptability, resilience, and constructive feedback. Peter shares his reflective self-dialog - in the form of writing and answering letters to different aspects of himself, switching hats and perspectives between Pete and PQ – in correspondence. This approach, based on an established therapeutic technique, informed his recently published psychological memoir ‘If I were you: A psychologist puts himself on the couch’. We also chat about delivering effective training workshops, engaging with an audience, the role of silence, and how to improve an educational video. Peter offers tips and advice on scripting, performance, practicality, purpose, addressing a learning need and generally moving away from ‘death by PowerPoint’ approaches with large amounts of text on screen. Peter emphasises the importance of humility, connections and networks, the value of trying out new things outside of your comfort zone and having an approach to life that’s energised and full of self-awareness and ongoing learning.

Links:

https://www.peterquarry.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterquarry/