The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham

By Meg Durham

This podcast is for teachers and school leaders who are ready to move beyond survival and thrive by design. Join wellbeing speaker and teacher wellbeing specialist Meg Durham for real and heartfelt co... more

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FAQs about The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham:

How many episodes does The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham have?

The podcast currently has 181 episodes available.

The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham episodes:

December 18, 2025Meg Durham with David Bott: The Year That Was & The Mantra That Keeps Meg Going | Episode 159
"Our default way of being is so strong, and the more depleted we are, the more likely we are to fall back to these default patterns." - Meg Durham
In this final episode of The School of Wellbeing, Meg is interviewed by friend and colleague, David Bott, in a warm, honest and often hilarious reflection on the year that was.
Together they explore the messy moments, the quiet wins and the stories behind the work. From people-pleasing when depleted, to balcony moments and co-reflection, to advocating as a parent and recognising the crumbs of impact that keep us going.
Along the way, Meg shares the phrases that have saved her, and why doing less, but doing it better, matters more than ever.
This conversation is a reminder that wellbeing is not about perfection, but about being deliberate, human and connected in the work we do.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Turning the tables and setting the scene
02:18 What changes when Meg becomes the guest
05:40 The wetsuit story and default modes under pressure
10:51 A massage misadventure and people-pleasing when tired
16:02 The omelette incident and learning to pivot
19:27 What these moments teach us about depletion
20:59 Balcony moments, co-reflection and sentence starters
24:50 A real reflection on the year that was
25:42 Parenting, advocacy and uncomfortable conversations
29:38 The phrases that have saved Meg this year
30:59 What “kicking ten” looks like now
32:18 The crumb theory and invisible impact
37:47 Shifting seasons and reclaiming energy
40:25 Ocean swims, perspective and joy
46:48 Moments of pride from 2025
49:28 Looking ahead to 2026
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Deliberate Actions:
Notice your default patterns of thinking and behaving when you are depleted.
Create regular balcony moments through reflection or co-reflection.
Have a few go-to mantras when life feels hard.
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Episode 159 Shownotes - Click here.
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David Bott Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
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Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
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** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **
...more
41min
December 04, 2025Kel Innis: Clear Conversations & Moving From Avoiding To Approaching | Episode 158
“Conversations are messy, and that's okay." - Kel Innis
In this episode of the School of Wellbeing podcast, Meg Durham sits down with primary school principal Kel Innis for an honest and practical conversation about the moments in school life that many of us try to avoid. Together they explore the reality of important conversations, the emotions that arise and the skills that help us approach these moments with more care and confidence.
You will hear them unpack the timing of conversations, the role of emotional intelligence and the importance of pausing before responding. Kel shares how she prepares herself for important conversations, how she stays steady in the moment and why following up afterwards is essential for building trust. This episode will support you to strengthen your communication, build connection and create a school culture where staff, students and families feel seen, heard and respected.
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Chapter Markers:
01:30 The tension of conversations we cannot avoid
05:45 Kel’s early leadership experiences and what has changed
11:10 Planned and spontaneous conversations
16:00 Balancing care and professionalism
22:30 Emotional intelligence in challenging moments
28:55 The role of transparency in leadership
34:40 Moving from avoidance to approaching
41:05 Repairing after missteps
47:20 Creating a culture of clear and compassionate communication
52:10 Final reflections
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Deliberate Actions:
Identify one conversation you have been avoiding and write down why it matters.
Prepare yourself by choosing the right time, place and purpose for the conversation.
Pause before responding so you can stay steady and speak with clarity.
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Episode 158 Shownotes - Click here.
----
Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
----
** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **
...more
39min
November 20, 2025Adam Voigt: School Culture & The Daily Interactions That Matter | Episode 157
“Culture is shaped by the behaviours we encourage and the ones we tolerate.” – Adam Voigt
In this episode, Meg chats with education leader and founder of Real Schools, Adam Voigt, for a practical and honest conversation about what school culture really is and how it’s created.
Together, they explore the daily interactions, expectations and relationships that influence the way a school feels and functions.
This is a grounded and hopeful conversation for educators and leaders who want to strengthen connection, trust and wellbeing in their school community.
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Chapter Markers:
01:20 What school culture really means
06:45 Relationships as the first cultural indicator
12:10 The impact of COVID on engagement and respect
18:30 What has changed in schools over the last decade
23:40 Reflection as adjustment, not judgment
28:55 Positive reinforcement vs control-based models
35:20 Restorative Practice 2.0
41:10 Low-energy, high-return cultural shifts
47:00 The role of staff wellbeing
52:20 Final reflections
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Deliberate Actions:
Notice the everyday interactions as you walk through your school. These moments reveal the true culture more than any document or policy.
Acknowledge positive behaviour from students and colleagues. Small moments of thanks build trust and reinforce what matters.
Reflect for adjustment, not judgment. Ask yourself: “What’s one small shift I can make to support a healthier culture here?”
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Episode 157 Shownotes - Click here.
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Adam Voigt LinkedIn | Website | Books
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Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
----
** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **
...more
36min
November 06, 2025Georgia Park: Cognitive Load & The Impact On Staff Wellbeing | Episode 156
“When the cognitive load is too high, and you're not coping, it really tears away at the fabric of who you think you are.” Georgia Park
In this rich and reflective episode, Meg is joined by Tasmanian instructional coach and literacy leader Georgia Park to explore how understanding Cognitive Load Theory can transform the way we teach, learn, and lead in schools.
Georgia shares her journey from classroom overwhelm to clarity and confidence, offering deep insight into how instructional practices grounded in cognitive science can support both student outcomes and educator wellbeing. Together, they explore what cognitive load actually means, why it matters, and how structure and explicit instruction can unlock greater engagement, equity, and joy in the classroom.
If you have ever felt stretched too thin or wondered why your lessons are not landing the way you hoped, this conversation offers both practical insight and a sense of possibility.
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Chapter Markers
01:48 - What sparked Georgia’s interest in Cognitive Load Theory
03:44 - Defining Cognitive Load Theory in simple terms
05:27 - Why cognitive load matters for student wellbeing
06:49 - How instruction shapes student identity
08:43 - Reflection, vulnerability, and removing shame from teaching
10:13 - Georgia’s shift from inquiry-based to explicit instruction
12:19 - Common myths and misunderstandings about CLT
14:24 - The deeper value systems behind the resistance to change
16:05 - Comparing past and current teaching practices
17:36 - How CLT helped Georgia personally and professionally
19:13 - Learning struggles, self-forgiveness, and grief
22:39 - Literacy success and what changed at a systems level
24:38 - Teacher impact and flow in structured classrooms
26:45 - Whole-school alignment and shared direction
28:24 - Structure is not boring when it’s collaborative and empowering
32:10 -What really moved the needle in Georgia’s school
34:51 - Instruction and wellbeing cannot be separated
36:04 - Georgia’s final reflections
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Deliberate Actions
Reduce the load before raising the bar
Take a moment to reflect on whether your students (or staff) are overloaded. Before introducing something new, consider what you might simplify, scaffold, or step back from.
Use structure to create flow
Try applying a clear “I do, we do, you do” sequence in your next lesson. Structure is not the enemy of creativity, it is what allows deeper engagement and clarity.
Build shared language with your team
Introduce phrases like “Is this in their long-term memory yet?” or “Could the load be too much?” to help depersonalise challenges and support professional reflection.
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Episode 156 Shownotes - Click here.
----
Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
----
** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **
...more
30min
October 23, 2025Mark Worthington: Non-Work Identity & Life Beyond The School Gates | Episode 155
“Who we are beyond our work shapes how we show up within it.” Mark Worthington
In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, Meg Durham sits down with Mark Worthington, Head of Player Development Manager at the Geelong Cats and former teacher, to explore what it means to have an identity beyond work.
Together they discuss the parallels between education and elite sport including the intensity, the transitions, and the pressure to perform, and why cultivating a non-work (or non-athletic) identity is vital for long-term wellbeing and success.
Mark shares insights from his journey from the classroom to the AFL, reflecting on balance, leadership, self-compassion, and how caring for the person behind the professional transforms how we live and work.
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Chapter Markers
00:00 – Welcome and introduction
04:10 – From teaching to elite sport: Mark’s story
10:35 – The intensity of high-performance environments
17:20 – Developing a non-work identity
23:40 – Balancing personal life and professional demands
31:15 – Self-compassion and sustainable leadership
38:00 – Feeling supported beyond performance
44:50 – Lessons from sport for teachers and school leaders
50:30 – Final reflections: thriving beyond work
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Deliberate Actions
Reflect on what fills you up outside of work.
Schedule time this week for something that reminds you of who you are beyond your role.
Start a conversation with a colleague about how you each protect your non-work identity.
Give yourself permission to rest and recover because it’s part of sustainable performance.
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Episode 155 Shownotes - Click here.
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Mark Worthington LinkedIn
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Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
----
** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **
...more
37min
October 09, 2025Andrew Fuller: Neuroadvantage & The Strengths-Based Approach To Neurodivergence | Episode 154
“Turn learning from shame making into thrill seeking.” - Andrew Fuller
Andrew Fuller, Clinical psychologist joins Meg Durham to reframe neurodivergence through a strengths based lens.
We explore why labels alone are not enough, how teachers can think like coaches, and practical ways to change the neurochemistry of a room on purpose.
Andrew explains myelination and unique strengths, shows how language shifts like today’s challenge lift engagement, and walks through the Attach Approach so we can move students from agitation to connection.
We talk school culture that connects, protects and respects, sensory aware classrooms, after lunch resets, and partnering with parents around a student’s strengths.
The goal is simple and profound: help young people feel valued for who they are and set them up for success in school and beyond.
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Chapter markers:
00:20 Welcome back Andrew and why this book
02:00 What neuroadvantage means and why strengths matter
04:45 Teacher as coach building bridges from strengths
07:19 Music and maths the brain bridge we often miss
10:43 How recognising strengths changes learning
12:20 School culture CPR connect protect respect
14:33 Simple classroom tweaks that help every brain
16:48 Language shift from learning objectives to today’s challenge
21:59 The Attach Approach activate agitate avoid attack attach
25:36 Dance rhythm puzzles and the dopamine lift
33:33 Physical environment and sensory experience
35:27 Designing varied break time options to reduce friction
36:59 After lunch strategies that change the mix in the room
43:31 Partnering with parents using a strengths profile
46:24 Calming strategies and learning each child
50:03 Joy the future and being a catalyst
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Deliberate Actions:
Open each lesson with a short challenge on the board to boost motivation quickly.
Give every major instruction both verbally and visually so more students can follow along.
Use quick fast thinking bursts followed by slow reflection to balance energy and focus.
Replace learning objective with today’s challenge in your lesson language for one week.
Introduce a three minute movement or music routine to start or reset a class.
Identify one calming strategy for each focus student and practise it before you need it.
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Episode 154 Shownotes - Click here.
----
Andrew Fuller Website | LinkedIn | Books | My Learning Strengths
----
Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
----
** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **
...more
46min
September 25, 2025Tracey Ezard: What We Bring & The Tone We Set | Episode 153
"When we're self-reflective, we bring our better self.” - Tracey Ezard
Ever noticed how one person can shift the energy in a room?
In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, Meg Durham is joined by leadership expert, keynote speaker and educator Tracey Ezard to explore how our presence, mindset and emotional tone influence school culture, team dynamics and professional relationships.
Together, they unpack what it means to lead with authenticity, how self-awareness supports growth, and why the tone we set matters in every interaction.
Whether you are in the classroom, on a leadership team or supporting others in education, this is a powerful reminder that who we are is just as important as what we do.
In this episode, you will learn
How our presence shapes school culture, connection and trust.
Why authentic leadership builds stronger teams.
When strengths become blind spots without reflection.
What self-awareness and emotional intelligence make possible.
Can honest conversation build more trust and clarity.
This conversation is ideal for educators, school leaders and anyone passionate about teacher wellbeing, educational leadership and creating healthy, high-performing learning environments.
Episode 153 Shownotes - Click here.
----
Tracey Ezard Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Books
----
Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
----
** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **
...more
36min
September 11, 2025Dr Tom Brunzell: The Next Chapter & How Trauma-Informed Practice Is Transforming Education | Episode 152
“I want new teachers to be teachers for a long time.” - Tom Brunzell
Education is always evolving, and one of the most significant shifts in recent years has been the rise of trauma-informed practice and wellbeing in schools.
In this episode of The School of Wellbeing podcast, Meg Durham speaks with Dr Tom Brunzell, Director of Education at Berry Street and co-author of Creating Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based Classrooms. Together they explore how the field is maturing, why our understanding is deepening, and what the next chapter of education looks like.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How trauma-informed education has evolved over the past 20 years
Why intersectionality is central to supporting diverse learners
The role of allied health professionals in building thriving school communities
How policy and resources can drive systemic change
Why trauma-informed practice is becoming the foundation of education
What gives Tom hope for the future of schools and wellbeing
This is a conversation about hope, possibility, and the future of education where both staff and students can feel good, function well and thrive together.
Episode 152 Shownotes - Click here.
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Dr Tom Brunzell – LinkedIn | Berry Street | Book | Berry Street Education Model | Research
----
Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
----
** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **
...more
44min
August 28, 2025Amy Green: Rethinking Workload & Role Clarity In Education | Episode 151
“Let's recognise the autonomy and the power and the control we have to make schools great workplaces for educators.” Amy Green
Workload in education is one of the biggest challenges facing schools today. It shapes the way teachers teach, the way school leaders lead, and the way students learn.
In this episode, host Meg Durham speaks with Amy Green, educator, leader, and author of Teacher Wellbeing and Leading Wellbeing.
Together they explore the reality of workload in schools, why clear processes matter for students and teachers, and how schools can create the conditions for deep work, clarity, and purpose.
By tuning in, you will learn:
How to manage teacher workload more effectively.
Why perfectionism adds to the pressure.
The importance of autonomy and competence for educators.
Practical ways to protect staff time, energy, and focus
This conversation will leave you with greater clarity, practical strategies for teacher wellbeing, and the encouragement to rethink not just how much work we do in schools, but why we do it and whether it is still fit for purpose.
Episode 151 Shownotes - Click here.
----
Amy Green – Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Books
----
Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
----
** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **
...more
37min
August 14, 2025Prof Lindsay Oades, PhD: Wellbeing Literacy & Why Language Matters | Episode 150
“Language heavily impacts our psychological realities.” - Lindsay G Oades PhD
In schools, we often hear the terms mental health, wellbeing and flourishing, but are we clear on what they really mean?
In this practical and thought-provoking conversation, Meg Durham is joined by internationally acclaimed wellbeing scientist, educator and author Professor Lindsay G. Oades. Together, they explore the power of language and why it matters in how we care for ourselves and others in school communities.
You’ll learn about the difference between mental health and wellbeing, the concept of wellbeing literacy, and the emotional labour involved in working in schools. Lindsay shares insights on how teachers can support student wellbeing while protecting their own, and why setting clear boundaries is essential to sustaining our care over time.
This episode will help you move beyond buzzwords and towards a deeper, more sustainable way of supporting wellbeing in your school.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The difference between mental health, wellbeing and flourishing.
What wellbeing literacy is and why it matters.
How to stay compassionate without taking it all on.
The role of schools in promoting flourishing, not just achievement.
Episode 150 Shownotes - Click here.
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Prof Lindsay Oades PhD - LinkedIn | Research
----
Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here
Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.
----
** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **
...more
42min

FAQs about The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham:

How many episodes does The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham have?

The podcast currently has 181 episodes available.

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