Viral Wisdom

Apparently, “let’s just finish off a few questions” is how you accidentally record another podcast episode. 😂

So here we go again for the challenging sequel - doubling down!

Tier Blundell returns for Episode 7 of Viral Wisdom, and we went from school behaviour policies to the King, Warrior, Lover and Magician archetypes.

A fairly standard afternoon in education, or 5 minute coffee chat in the staffroom then.

Tier’s journey - from school exclusion and leaving without qualifications, through MMA, to studying at Oxford - gives him a powerful perspective on what happens when adults write young people off.

As a teacher leading young people in school and someone who leads the ManCave Project, this conversation gave me plenty to reflect on.

A few ideas that stayed with me:

• Challenge can communicate belief: “I’m asking more of you because I believe you can grow.”

• Belonging and accountability belong together. You can care deeply about someone and expect them to take responsibility.

• Consequences should help young people understand and repair the harm they’ve caused. That takes more thought than issuing a detention.

• One difficult day shouldn’t wipe out the progress made yesterday. Adults could probably use that reminder too.

We also explored AI, online influence and the responsibility schools, parents and communities have to offer boys meaningful relationships and direction.

It’s a substantial recruitment challenge when your competition has a Lamborghini, is all over social media and absolutely no marking or planning to do.

One question I’m taking back into my teaching practice:

How clearly do students understand why our expectations matter - and how those expectations help them become someone they’re proud to be?

Grades matter. So do empathy, judgment, reliability and the ability to put things right after getting them wrong.

🎙️ Episode 7 of Viral Wisdom continues my conversation with Tier about boys, belonging, purpose and growing up.

Who was the adult who helped you see more potential in you than yourself?

#Education #Mentorship #DigitalLiteracy #ViralWisdom

FROM EXCLUSION TO BELONGING

EPISODE 6 - Part 1 with TIER BLUNDELL

What are boys and men really starving for?

We hear it and many of us say it the classic “I’m fine”.

But they & we are most often not. There is something much more human: a need for belonging, purpose, guidance and genuine brotherhood.

In this episode of Viral Wisdom, I speak with Tier Blundell about his unique and inspiring journey from exclusion and adversity to Oxford, mentoring and leadership—and what that journey has taught him about boys, men and the possibility of change.

We explore:

🔹 What schools misunderstand about boys labelled “difficult”
🔹 The shame, fear and unmet needs that can sit beneath challenging behaviour
🔹 Discipline versus emotional suppression
🔹 Brotherhood, mentorship and healthy rites of passage
🔹 The relationship between exclusion, isolation, anger and violence
🔹 Why accountability works best when accompanied by compassion
🔹 How social media, algorithms and AI are shaping modern masculinity
🔹 What schools, parents and communities can do to help boys mature into strong, emotionally open men

We also discuss the parallels between A Band of Brothers and ManCave—and why so many men only feel able to become vulnerable after another man goes first.

It is a serious conversation, but not a relentlessly heavy one. There is honesty, hope, humour and the recognition that “going to the gym” is valuable on many levels - but does not, on its own, resolve every emotional difficulty a man has ever experienced.

This episode challenged me to think more deeply about how we respond to boys and men who feel rejected, misunderstood or already written off.

Perhaps the better question is not simply, “What is wrong with him?”

Perhaps it is, “What happened to him, and what does he need in order to belong, take responsibility and grow?”

🎧 Listen to the full conversation here: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/u4NTT8GJH5b

I’d love to hear your thoughts: what do schools and communities most need to understand about boys today?

#ViralWisdom #TierBlundell #Masculinity #HealthyMasculinity #BoysEducation #MensMentalHealth #Belonging #Brotherhood #Education #SchoolLeadership #Inclusion #Neurodiversity #DigitalLiteracy #ArtificialIntelligence #YouthDevelopment

The difficult (unintended) sequel!

Due a cavalcade of problems while recording:

1. intermittent wifi

2. sound cutting out

3. video cutting out

4. low volume audio

Andrew Nuttall & I soldier on, continuing from part 1 - talking about all things education, touching on issues in our modern era like parenting, homework & appropriate use of technology. We also discuss things we are hopeful about - despite being two British teachers we manage to find many positives!

We go beyond education and hear about Andy's personal inspirations and as always hear his wisdom that deserves to go viral.

P.S. While trying to edit out the issues, I realised it is all part of the creative journey & so ended up leaving in but also bleeping out some parts. I had a lot of fun with the captions & sound effects, so please enjoy.

Episode 4 finally drops!

Recorded during the conflict, and so a multitude of wifi drop outs & connection issues ensued; so much so that a part 2 had to be made & the editing process was a mission (more so than normal)!

Andrew Nuttall - a veteran teacher of English, with a military background tells us his perspectives and frontline stories, along with a his unique skill of mixing metaphors.

See how many military references and metaphors you can spot, there may be a competition, where you can win our respect and admiration.
:)
Enjoy!

Episode 3 has dropped!

Rodeane, a long time friend, veteran teacher and now transitioned to the dark side - academia - shares all.

Soon to be Dr Ro or perhaps her new DJ name - Dro! on finishing her PhD!

We discuss teaching in the UK, Germany and beyond; the intersection of race, ADHD (or Ro's own audi-HD / AKA "neurospiciness") and how that affects teaching, learning, study and work.

Expect nuanced insights, hilarious perspectives, real talk on her lived experience and as always viral gems of wisdom.

In this episode, we discuss various facets of education in the UK.

Hannah Pestell, a science teacher of 9 years, now second in command of the Science department in a school in the south west of England, discusses her experience and perspective on the trends, challenges and opportunities in education today.

Expect some brutal honesty and the raw truth on what it is really like to teach and be taught.

Also expect to hear hope, purpose and levity - plenty of lols along the way.

A wonderful guest all the way from Sweden, via Spain & Cuba.

Kinna Yolanda Gieth gives her insights from over 20+ years teaching Spanish, English & Swedish to students all around the world.

She is that charismatic teacher you wish you had. Caring, cool & with a razor sharp wit.