

The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham
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 conversations with experienced educators and wellbeing thought leaders. Discover practical ways to navigate the relentless demands of school life and move forward with more courage, compassion and confidence.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 1, 2023 • 34min
Dr William DeJean: Personal Narratives & Embracing Our Evolving Identity As Educators | Episode 84
"If we want to make learning stick for everyone, who we are as educators matters." Dr William DeJean
Are you ready to unlock your full potential as an educator and transform your teaching and the learning experience in your classroom?
In this thought-provoking episode, Meg Durham speaks with Dr William DeJean about uncovering the patterns of thinking and behaving that expand our potential as educators and humans.
William delves into the pedagogical power of identity and its impact on teaching and learning. You’ll hear why he challenges the notion that education is merely a delivery of content and instead emphasizes that who we are as educators truly matters.
Tune in now to gain a fresh perspective on teaching and learning.
Episode 84 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode84
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

May 25, 2023 • 35min
Dr Stephanie Damiano: Disordered Eating & Rethinking Our Relationships With Eating, Movement And Body | Episode 83
"Diet culture is rife in our society and we've normalised disordered eating to an extent." Dr Stephanie Damanio
Are educators the key to unlocking lifelong healthy relationships with food and body image?
In this important conversation, Meg Durham speaks with Dr Stephanie Damiano, a psychology researcher and expert in body image development. She's dedicated to understanding the development of body image in young children and the pivotal role educators and parents play in addressing these issues early on.
The two discuss what disordered eating is, the normalization of disordered eating and the importance of debunking myths surrounding body size and health. You'll leave the conversation inspired to prioritize your mental and physical wellbeing by focusing on health-promoting behaviours rather than societal ideals. Tune in to gain insights into fostering a positive relationship with food and body for the benefit of all.
Episode 83 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode83
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

May 18, 2023 • 40min
Tracey Ezard: Ferocious Warmth & Balancing The Head And Heart Of Leadership | Episode 82
"The type of leader that most people want to be led by are ones that have competency and warmth" Tracey Ezard
How do successful school leaders manage to balance their passion and drive with empathy and human connection?
In this episode of the School of Wellbeing podcast, host Meg Durham sits down with Tracey Ezard, author of Ferocious Warmth, to explore this very topic. Discover the concept of ferocious warmth and how it can help leaders create a thriving environment for students, teachers, and support staff.
Listen in as Tracey shares stories of real-life leaders who embody this balance and the positive impact they have on their teams. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new appreciation for the power of ferocious warmth in school leadership and how it can lead to greater success and wellbeing for everyone involved.
Episode 82 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode82
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

May 11, 2023 • 42min
Dr Sarah McKay: Matrescence Matters & The Impact Of Pregnancy And Motherhood On The Brain | Episode 81
"The greatest preditor of childhood wellbeing is parental wellbeing" Dr Sarah McKay
In this episode, we celebrate Mother's Day with a conversation about Matrescence, a woman's journey through pregnancy, birth, the postnatal period and beyond. An increase in hormones, changes in identity, adjustments in social context, and increased risks of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression are all examples of what a woman may experience during this time.
Guest Dr Sarah McKay joins host Meg Durham for this deeply insightful episode, sharing her knowledge on the impact of pregnancy and motherhood on the brain, and how caregiving shapes the brains of all parent figures, biological or other. Tune in to this episode to learn why Matrescence matters and how it shapes a women's brain for the better.
Episode 81 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode81
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

May 4, 2023 • 36min
Dr Denise Quinlan: Remaining Buoyant & Navigating The Chaos Of School Life | Episode 80
"Our resilience skills are a bit like flippers in that you've got to put them on and use them." - Dr Denise Quinlan
Are you an educator struggling to maintain your wellbeing amidst the chaos of school life?
In this episode of the School of Wellbeing podcast, I discuss practical ways to remain buoyant with Dr Denise Quinlan, co-founder of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience. With extensive knowledge in the areas of wellbeing and resilience, Dr Quinlan shares valuable insights on how to get clear on your vision for the future, prioritise ruthlessly, and why collective resilience matters. We also explore how resilience is not about bouncing back, but moving forward and building knowledge and insight about ourselves and the world along the way.
Episode 80 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode80
Energy By Design - https://openmindeducation.com/energy-by-design/
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

Apr 27, 2023 • 49min
Dean Kilby: Taking Responsibility For Your Wellbeing & Stepping Into Your Personal Power | Episode 79
"When people experience that they can trust themselves again, there's nothing more empowering than that." Dean Kilby
Are you tired of feeling like you lack power in certain areas of your life?
In this thought-provoking episode, Meg Durham speaks with the Founder & Scientific Director of Simplr Health, Dean Kilby. The two explore the transformative power of taking responsibility for your own wellbeing. While it may be uncomfortable to do so at times, Meg and Dean discuss the various reasons why taking responsibility can open doors you didn’t know existed. By taking appropriate action, you have the power to gain a say in the direction your life takes.
Episode 79 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode79
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!

Apr 20, 2023 • 44min
Dr Briony Scott: The Invisible (Work)Load Of Educators | Episode 78
How do teachers and school leaders handle the immense, unseen pressure of their job?
In this insightful episode, Meg Durham speaks with Dr Briony Scott, an experienced principal and president of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders about the invisible load that educators carry today. The two discuss the power of empathy, proactivity and maturity in challenging moments with parents or other staff members and managing emotions in the workplace.
Through this episode, explore the tools and strategies that will help you thrive as an educator and school leader.
Episode 78 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode78
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders!
Apr 13, 2023 • 36min
Lael Stone: Permission To Feel & Strengthen Your Relationships | Episode 77
"Every time we rush in to fix, soothe and problem solve we're robbing ourselves and the people that we're working with of the opportunity to have this permission to feel." - Lael Stone
Get ready to unlock the power of your emotions in the best way possible. In this insightful episode, Meg Durham speaks with Lael Stone, an educator, author, and speaker, about how teachers and school leaders can strengthen their emotional connections.
Discover the importance of processing and acknowledging emotions, even those that have been labeled as negative in the past. Lael reveals how neglecting feelings can lead to negative emotional patterns being passed down to children, ultimately hindering their growth and potential. Tune in to learn how to break the cycle of emotional repression and experience a more fulfilling life.
Raising Resilient and Compassion Children by Lael Stone and Marion Rose available to purchase now.
Woodline Primary School - Educator Information Session
5 Day Energy Reset - Learn more
Episode 77 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode77
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers and educators!
Please note: This may include affiliate links which help support the podcast. Thanks for being a listener!
Apr 6, 2023 • 41min
Dr Kristy Goodwin: Digital Dependency & Reclaiming Our Minds | Episode 76
“The harsh reality is you are working against your biological blueprint and that the consequences will catch up with you.” Dr Kristy Goodwin
Do you have a healthy relationship with your digital device? If you’re cringing at your answer, you’re not alone. In this episode, Meg Durham speaks with Dr Kristy Goodwin about our digital dependencies and how to develop a healthier relationship with our favourite devices. The conversation focuses on how technology has permeated all facets of our lives and how people are searching for ways to use it beneficially.
Episode 76 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode76
Weekly Newsletter - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers and educators!
Feb 23, 2023 • 37min
Toni Powell: Meeting Challenges & Noticing The Good | Episode 75
"It's very difficult to have a happy life if you focus on what's wrong all the time because that becomes your reality and your world." - Toni Powell
Let go of worry and stress as Meg Durham invites Toni Powell, an acclaimed Australian author and TEDx speaker, to share her insights on breaking free from anxiety and fear traps. In this insightful episode, Powell shares practical tips and strategies to prioritise our wellbeing and live a more fulfilling and joyful existence.
Toni also sheds light on the hidden costs of complaining and introduces her approach to dose management, enabling us to complain only for a worthy reason. Tune in to discover Powell's refreshing perspective on focusing on the positives in life and improving your overall wellbeing.
A heads up! This episode contains explicit language.
Episode 75 Shownotes - https://openmindeducation.com/episode75
Thought of The Week - https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/
Booking Requests - https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/
The School of Wellbeing is one of the best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers and educators!


