The Still Human Podcast

Lessons from a Lifetime in Education with Alice Witherow

Alice Witherow, CEO of the Cheviot Learning Trust, shares insights from more than 30 years in education, exploring leadership, collaboration and creating cultures where all school staff can thrive. Recorded shortly before her retirement as CEO, Alice looks back on the mentors, experiences and values that shaped her belief that supporting staff is essential to supporting children. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of leadership, the importance of keeping children at the heart of decision-making, and why collaboration, shared vision and relationships are critical to school success.

Kind Leadership with Joanna Povall

Joanna Povall, Principal of the British International School Abu Dhabi, Lead Improvement Partner for COBIS, and author of Kind Leadership, explores how kindness can transform leadership and school culture. In this episode, Joanna reflects on her journey into leadership and explains how her approach evolved from striving for perfection to leading with greater empathy, fairness and understanding. Joanna introduces her CHASE framework and shares practical examples of how kind leadership can build trust, strengthen relationships and create healthier, more sustainable school cultures. She also reflects on the importance of self-kindness, boundaries and making time for deep thinking. Explore more: Kind Leadership: Leading schools with empathy, honesty and impact [https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/kind-leadership]

Quiet Leadership with Andrew Marsh

Andrew Marsh, ex-headteacher and author of Quiet Leadership: The Power of Introversion in Schools, explores the strengths and challenges of leading as an introvert in education. In this episode, Andrew reflects on a 46-year career in education and discusses how coaching helped him embrace an authentic leadership style rather than trying to fit extroverted expectations. He explores common misconceptions about introversion, explains how it differs from shyness and anxiety, and shares why school cultures and recruitment processes can sometimes overlook quiet leadership qualities. Explore more: Quiet Leadership: The Power of Introversion in Schools [https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/quiet-leadership] Andrew Marsh's Substack [https://exheadteacher.substack.com/]

Supervision for Leaders with Lisa Lea-Weston

Lisa Lea-Weston, founder and director of Talking Heads Supervision, explores how professional supervision can support wellbeing, leadership and decision-making in education. In this episode, Lisa shares her journey from acting and drama therapy to founding Talking Heads Supervision, and explains why supervision should be a normal part of professional life for education leaders. She explains how reflective conversations can help leaders navigate complexity, ethical decision-making and the emotional demands of their roles. Lisa also discusses the concept of “safeguarding the safeguarder”, the impact of supervision on school culture and wellbeing, and the value of creativity and reflection in helping leaders thrive while improving outcomes for children and young people. Explore more: Talking Heads Supervision [https://talkingheadssupervision.co.uk/]

The Courage to Talk with Neil Kelders

This episode includes discussion of emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention. Please listen with care if these topics feel sensitive for you. Neil Kelders, speaker, coach, and wellbeing advocate, explores how societal expectations can shape how we express emotions, seek support, and connect with others. In this episode, Neil discusses the pressure many people feel to appear strong, cope alone and avoid vulnerability. He reflects on how emotions can surface in unhelpful ways when they are ignored, and why emotionally safe environments are essential for honest conversations and healthy relationships. Neil explores how families, schools and workplaces can create cultures where people feel able to speak openly about challenges, and shares practical insights on modelling vulnerability, building connection and supporting wellbeing. Explore more: Neil Kelders’ website [https://www.neilkelders.com/] Support resources: Papyrus HOPELINEUK (under 35s): 0800 068 4141 or text 07786 209 697 Samaritans: 116 123 Shout: text SHOUT to 85258 NHS Mental Health Services: 111