Right Now

“If a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” - Alexander Den Heijer

Rather than focusing on “fixing” children, Dr Louise Mansell encourages schools to build environments that are predictable, supportive and safe for learning.

In this episode, clinical child psychologist Dr Louise Mansell, who specialises in early intervention and trauma-informed care, explores what it means to create trauma-informed school environments that benefit everyone.

Drawing on her work with children, families and education providers, Louise explains how understanding neuroscience, attachment and trauma can transform the way schools respond to behaviour, learning and relationships.

We also explore:
• The role teachers play in shaping children’s emotional development
• Why choice and a sense of control build confidence and regulation
• How to teach emotional regulation in real time - “name it to tame it”

These approaches aren’t just for vulnerable students. They help create calmer, more connected learning environments for everyone.

Louise’s knowledge, compassion and commitment to leaving classrooms and the world a little brighter is truly uplifting.

Alongside her work with schools, she is the founder of Tedology, a multi-sensory interactive teddy bear resource designed with children to support emotional literacy, understanding, regulation and resilience.

Learn more:
https://tedology.com.au/
LinkedIn: Dr Louise Mansell

Education isn’t broken. But the narrative around it might need to change.

In this episode, wellbeing strategist, bestselling author and leadership advisor David Bott joins the conversation to explore what helps educators truly flourish.

Drawing on his work with schools, governments and organisations across Australia, David shares practical insights on how wellbeing can move from intention to everyday practice.

At the heart of the discussion is a powerful shift in thinking:

What if, instead of focusing on teacher crisis, we studied teacher excellence and explored what flourishing teachers do differently?

In this episode we discuss:
• What enables effective teachers to flourish - including trust, psychological safety and protecting their energy.
• The power of shared purpose - David calls it ‘the collective force multiplier’ - when schools use strengths-based thinking and a common wellbeing language, everyone benefits.
• Rethinking education beyond grades - valuing what truly matters to teachers, students and families.

David reminds us that the most powerful wellbeing tool isn’t a program. It’s a shared language. When every conversation, lesson and interaction is viewed through a wellbeing lens, it becomes part of the fabric of the school.

Despite the challenges facing education, David offers a hopeful and practical perspective on how schools can flourish through a strengths-based approach.

I’m incredibly grateful for the way David approaches this work with clarity, care and a deep belief in what’s possible for schools, educators and young people. 

Learn more about David’s work:
thewellbeingdistillery.com
Linkedin.com/in/davidfbott

Book: 10 Things Schools Get Wrong with Jared Cooney Horvath

Creativity, courage and thinking differently.

This is the approach of Amy Green, a thriving education strategist working with schools, educators and leaders across Australia to design learning environments that are effective, innovative and human.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The importance of clarity and consistency in curriculum, processes and systems that make teaching and work more sustainable.
• How some traditional views of school and the curriculum are outdated and why radical redesign is needed.
• The need to balance accountability with autonomy for both students and teachers.

Amy’s insights are thought-provoking and energising. She inspires us to think outside the box, challenge the status quo and take courageous steps to create schools that nurture everyone.

I really appreciated Amy's perspective on designing learning environments that are both innovative and sustainable for educators and that truly meet the needs of young people.

To learn more about Amy’s work, visit:

www.thewellnessstrategy.com.au
⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/amygreen

https://www.facebook.com/thewellnessstrategy/

Listen to her podcast 'The Wellness Strategy':

https://open.spotify.com/show/5InVsecFCTd60gQAAOey2L

“No one is coming to save us.”

It’s a confronting idea, but Daniela Falecki shows how this realisation can be quietly empowering.

In this episode of Right Now, I speak with Daniela, founder of Teacher Wellbeing, international speaker and former classroom teacher with 30+ years’ experience in schools. She shares a refreshingly honest, uplifting perspective on educator wellbeing and the realities of school life today.

We explore:

• Me, We, Us: Lasting, sustainable wellbeing change in education happens across three layers: 'ME' – personal wellbeing, 'WE' – relationships and teamwork, 'US' – school systems and culture.
• Changing the narrative: Shifting the story from exhaustion to agency and possibility through shared language.
• Cultures of care: How schools prioritising connection, appreciation and support allow educators to thrive.

We also discuss the appreciation paradox, feeling “enough,” our busy culture, the power of language, self-care and what schools doing wellbeing 'well' actually look like.

Daniela shares practical insights on how educators can feel more valued in their roles and why bridging the gap between leaders and teachers is more important than ever.

This energising conversation is about reclaiming agency in education and recognising that meaningful change often starts closer to home than we think.

Daniela is a delight to speak with - full of wisdom, humour and warmth. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on wellbeing that stays with you long after listening.

To connect with Daniela Falecki, visit:

Website: www.teacher-wellbeing.com.au

Instagram: @teacherwellbeing

Facebook: @teacherwellbeing

Linkedin: @danielafalecki

Email: [email protected]

“Are we really preparing young people for life online. Or just hoping they survive it?”

In this episode of Right Now, I sit down with Susan McLean, one of Australia’s most respected voices in cyber safety. With 28+ years’ experience helping schools, organisations, and families navigate the digital world, Susan brings clarity, calm, and a deeply human perspective to one of the most pressing issues at the moment.

We cover:

• Australia’s social media laws
• What schools are getting right (and wrong) in digital education
• How families can support children with understanding, not fear

If we want young people to be safe online, we need to take their digital world seriously. Proactively, not reactively.

I’m incredibly grateful to Susan for her time and for sharing her wisdom so generously.

For more information about Susan McLean, visit:

https://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-mclean-b2828a60/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecybercop

“Are we really preparing young people for life online. Or just hoping they survive it?”

In this episode of Right Now, I sit down with Susan McLean, one of Australia’s most respected voices in cyber safety. With 28+ years’ experience helping schools, organisations, and families navigate the digital world, Susan brings clarity, calm, and a deeply human perspective to one of the most pressing issues of our time.

We cover:

• Australia’s social media laws
• What schools are getting right (and wrong) in digital education
• How families can support children with understanding, not fear

If we want young people to be safe online, we need to take their digital world seriously. Proactively, not reactively.

I’m incredibly grateful to Susan for her time and for sharing her wisdom so generously.

For more information about Susan McLean, visit:

https://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-mclean-b2828a60/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecybercop

Relationships first. Everything else comes second.

That’s the message Karen Young shares in this episode of Right Now.

Karen is a leading authority on anxiety and child development. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant and works with schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent-focused organisations both in Australia and internationally to build resources, implement procedures and support the professional development of staff. 

Karen is also the founder of ‘Hey Sigmund’, an internationally popular online resource that provides contemporary, research-driven information on anxiety and child development. She is the author of six books, including the bestselling ‘Hey Warrior’.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The power of micro-moments - small acts of noticing, warmth and connection that help children feel safe, seen and cared for
• The reality teachers face when holding so many nervous systems in one room and why belonging matters more than ever
• The importance of “leaning in” when young people feel anxious

Her challenge to us all is simple but profound: if relationships, connection and belonging are the foundation, our school structures must reflect that truth.

Karen’s wisdom, insight and kindness were deeply uplifting. I found myself smiling throughout this entire conversation. She brings both clarity and humanity to such an important topic.

To learn more about Karen’s work, visit:

⁠⁠https://heysigmund.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠https://www.facebook.com/karenyoungheysigmund⁠

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