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In this episode of The Independent Teacher podcast, I’m joined by personal trainer Tristan Buttle to talk about fitness, wellbeing, and why playing the long game really matters.

Tristan shares what led him into personal training. He also considers what advice he would give to his younger self, to 18-year-old Tristan. We explore why sustainable change isn’t about quick fixes or extreme routines, but about small, consistent steps that actually last.

A practical, grounded listen for anyone looking to build fitness habits that stick — without pressure or extremes.

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Olivia Isaac is the Director of Pastoral Care at Barnard Castle School in the north of Engand. In our conversation, she talks about the importance of embedding key pastoral initiatives across her school, the HeadSpace wellbeing programme, as well as the school's really innovative AS STEER tracking system, which has helped to create an excellent data-informed approach to pupil support. Olivia provides advice to listeners who may want to go down the pastoral route in their own teaching career. She also tells our listeners what she would do if she had the opportunity to become the country's Education Secretary for just one day!! 

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Heather Rhodes has been a pioneer in online education for over ten years, and is a strong advocate of the potential of technology to transform education and was the founding Principal of Harrow School Online. Prior to this, she founded an online tutoring organisation for international students wanting to improve their level of English.  In this episode, we talk about Heather's latest role as the Principal of Highgrove Online School. Throughout her career, Heather has gained extensive online teaching and management experience, and has a deep understanding of how pupils learn best in an online environment.  Heather is also a Trustee of Svitlo Online School, a registered education charity in England and Wales aimed at helping the children of Ukraine and those who have been forced to leave its territory to continue their education and acquire new skills and knowledge.  

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In this episode, former school leader Julia Silver talks about her career in teaching, including her decision to leave the teaching profession to found an innovative and groundbreaking organisation, Qualified Tutor which works to improve standards in tutoring by developing the essential skills and knowledge required for effective tutoring. As we talk to Julia, we learn what motivates her, as well as the journey Julia has been on enabling her to become a successful entrepreneur.

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Andy Cope has been described as a ‘wellbeing revolutionary’. His mission is to change the narrative and re-focus psychology away from what’s wrong with people to what’s right. His messages act as a gentle nudge towards people taking charge of their own mental health. Andy’s books are frequently on the best-sellers list. ‘The Art of Being Brilliant’, ‘Shine’, and ‘Zest’ have all topped the personal development charts. ‘The Little Book of Emotional Intelligence’ and Leadership: Multiplier Effect’ are riding high in the business charts and ‘Happiness Route Map’ was nominated as The Independent’s best self-help book of the year. Andy also moonlights as a children’s author. His ‘Spy Dog’ series has sold in excess of a million copies worldwide. In this episode, Andy shares his insights on various topics that impact our daily lives,  so tune in to this inspiring conversation to discover the keys to a more brilliant, balanced, and positive life. Whether you're a teacher seeking work-life balance, looking to brighten your mornings, or dealing with 'mood hoovers,' this episode has something for everyone.

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In this episode, we talk to Andrew Rogers the Australian Teacher of the Year (Secondary Non-Gov) in 2021 and a regular contributor to radio programmes and philosophy conferences.  In our show, Andrew talks about his love of Philosophy, its role in the school curriculum, and the important skills it nurtures in young people. We find out about teaching in Australia, as well as Andrew's hopes for the future of education in the next 20 years.

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After an early career as a professional singer with international contracts,  Dr Michael Bonshor developed a diverse portfolio of work as a performer, teacher, conductor, choral arranger, director, and workshop leader.  He has run his own professional theatre company, opera group, and jazz ensemble, alongside maintaining a well-established private teaching practice. Michael has also taught extensively in primary and secondary schools, Further Education colleges, and Higher Education institutions.

In this episode, we learn more about Michael's book, The Confident Choir, and delve into the fascinating world of music psychology. We learn about Michael's research on overcoming stage fright and performance anxiety, as well as the best ways to cultivate confidence in musicians or anyone who has struggled with their own public speaking or presentational skills. 

In our conversation,  Michael addresses another curious phenomenon: why is it so challenging for performers to bid farewell to the stage? Through engaging insights and anecdotes, he unravels the complexities related to retirement.  So whether you're a musician seeking to conquer your stage fright or a leader looking to cultivate confidence and creativity in your team, this episode promises a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration.

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In this episode, we catch up with the  Azmat sisters. Throughout this episode, we'll unravel the stories of each sister's academic journey, exploring the turning points that led them to change their minds about their initial chosen degree courses.

But that's not all – we'll also delve into the dynamics of sibling rivalry. The Azmat sisters will candidly share how they supported and sometimes competed with each other, ultimately fostering an environment of growth and mutual empowerment.

So, tune in as we embark on this heartwarming journey with the Azmat sisters, celebrating the power of education and the bonds of sisterhood. Get ready to be moved and motivated by their compelling stories on 'Degrees of Change'.

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Dr Lucy Kelly is an Associate Professor in Education at the University of Bristol, primarily working with PGCE English trainee teachers. She advocates that trainee teachers see themselves as their own biggest resource in the classroom, and that they prioritise their wellbeing from the outset. Her main research interest is reflective practice as a positive tool for educator wellbeing, and she is Principal Investigator for the 'Reimagining the Diary' project, which uses a multimodal Diary Toolkit and ongoing wellbeing CPD to support educators across the country. The team have now launched a student Diary Toolkit, which is currently being tested by 250 Year 12 pupils. Lucy has written numerous articles on educator wellbeing and reflective practice, and presented her work on podcasts, at conferences and on the radio. 'Reimagining the Diary: reflective practice as a positive tool for educator wellbeing' is Lucy's first book.

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In this moving episode, we talk to author Fiona Buckland, who is also a life coach, facilitator and public speaker. Fiona has worked with thousands of individuals both one-on-one and at workshops and events to influence positive change. She was previously Head of Learning at The School of Life, a global organisation helping people to lead more fulfilled lives, where she is still a faculty member, leading workshops with world-leading brands and organisations. She has also led several Guardian Masterclasses including 'How to Change Your Life' and 'How to be the Leader of your Life.' She has written articles for the Guardian, the Independent, and Psychologies. Her first book, Thoughtful Leadership, was published in March 2021. In this episode, we talk to Fiona about her latest book, Find Your Path-how to create the life you really want.