The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham

“Just because that's the way it's always been done doesn't mean that it actually works.” - Lael Stone Do you own your story, or does it own you? In this powerful and deeply relatable conversation, speaker, educator, and author Lael Stone [https://www.instagram.com/laelstone/] shares insights from her new book, Own Your Story: Understanding Your Past to Create Your Future [https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761269424/?v=8bcc25c96aa5]. Lael gently guides us through what it means to become curious about our triggers, take accountability for our growth, and start shifting the old stories that no longer serve us. In this episode, you’ll learn: * What imprints are and how they’re formed in childhood * How to recognise the beliefs that still quietly shape your behaviour * What anger can teach us about our boundaries and unmet needs * How to rewrite the stories we inherited and choose a different path forward This episode is a must-listen for educators, parents, and school leaders who want to lead with more emotional intelligence, compassion, and clarity. Episode 149 Shownotes - Click here [https://openmindeducation.com/episode149]. ---- Lael Stone - Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/laelstone/] | Website [https://laelstone.com.au/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laelstone/]  ---- Meg Durham - Website [https://openmindeducation.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-durham/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/] Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here [https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/] Speaker Request - Complete the booking form [https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/] to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **

“What we need to do is try to break that cycle of compulsive behaviour.” - Dr Helen Kelly Why is it so hard to switch off? Even when the school day ends, the work often follows us home, in our minds, in our emails and in the emotional weight we carry. In this episode, Meg Durham [https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/] is joined by Dr Helen Kelly [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-helen-kelly-65996919/] to explore why switching off feels so difficult and how learning to switch off is a skill every educator can master. Together they unpack the cultural pressures, digital habits and deep sense of responsibility that keep teachers and school leaders always on. You’ll learn how chronic stress shows up, why burnout is more about the system than the individual, and what small shifts can make a big difference. Inside this conversation: • The early signs of emotional and physical burnout. • How cultural expectations shape our relationship with rest. • The impact of guilt on educators' ability to switch off. • Micro-habits that support healthy recovery. • How to reframe self-care as a professional responsibility. This episode is a compassionate reminder that learning to switch off and protecting your energy is not selfish, it is essential. Episode 148 Shownotes - Click here [https://openmindeducation.com/episode147]. ---- Dr Helen Kelly - Website [https://www.drhelenkelly.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeAX8KiBPgGy3uGt7Qh1PgY2VM7c94WAXTQ_V-9xSs4KLm8wvFufd8eQ4XspQ_aem_Ds0F6rwpbUpWLKLCfjD1FQ] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-helen-kelly-65996919/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/the_positive_principal/]  ---- Meg Durham - Website [https://openmindeducation.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-durham/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/] Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here [https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/] Speaker Request - Complete the booking form [https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/] to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **

“The best resource we have for challenges is connection.” - Mathew Disher Is learning possible without wellbeing? In this episode, Meg Durham [https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/] speaks with Mathew Disher [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-disher-454134b0/], Director of Learning and Wellbeing at Concordia College, about the powerful connection between how we feel and how we learn. Together, they explore the Equilibrium Model of Wellbeing, the role of social resourcing, and why embracing challenge can foster growth for both students and staff. Mathew shares practical insights into leadership, cognitive load theory, professional anxiety, and the quiet strength of connection. Whether you’re a teacher, leader, or someone who supports schools, this conversation offers fresh ways to support wellbeing and learning in real, sustainable ways. Episode 147 Shownotes - Click here [https://openmindeducation.com/episode147]. ---- Mathew Disher - LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-disher-454134b0/]  ---- Meg Durham - Website [https://openmindeducation.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-durham/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/] Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here [https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/] Speaker Request - Complete the booking form [https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/] to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **

“Know that you don't have to do this alone and know that you don't have to come up with these answers alone.” - Kristen Douglas What can we do when tragedy strikes a school community? In this important episode, Meg Durham [https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/] is joined by Kristen Douglas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-douglas-868041a9/], Head of Headspace [https://headspace.org.au/professionals-and-educators/educators/programs/] Schools and Communities, to explore how educators can respond to crisis with compassion, clarity and care. With nearly two decades of experience supporting schools through suicide, grief and loss, Kristen shares practical insights into what school staff need to know before, during and after a critical incident. Together, they discuss the difference between prevention and postvention, the emotional toll on educators, the power of language and why strong relationships matter most when things fall apart. Whether you're a teacher, leader or parent, this conversation will leave you feeling more prepared, supported and informed. If your school community is managing a crisis or responding to suicide, please contact your state’s Be You Team (headspace) for immediate support: ACT: 0475 838 049 NSW: 0475 838 049 NT: 0484 269 957 QLD: 0455 079 803 SA: 0448 381 280 TAS: 0458 559 736 VIC: 0458 559 736 WA: 0477 769 352 These contacts are also available to assist with postvention planning, staff training, and preparedness support. For more information and resources, visit: 🔗 Suicide Prevention and Response – Be You [https://beyou.edu.au/resources/suicide-prevention-and-response] 🔗 Whole School Wellbeing – Be You [https://beyou.edu.au/] Please don’t wait,  support is here, and you don’t have to face this alone. Episode 146 Shownotes - Click here [https://openmindeducation.com/episode146]. ---- Kristen Douglas LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-douglas-868041a9/?originalSubdomain=au] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kd_wellbeing/] ---- Meg Durham - Website [https://openmindeducation.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-durham/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/] Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here [https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/] Speaker Request - Complete the booking form [https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/] to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **

“Growth comes from reflection, not from perfection.” - David Bott What lessons can we learn from getting it wrong? In this episode of The School of Wellbeing [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-school-of-wellbeing-with-meg-durham/id1586749038], Meg Durham [https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/] is joined by David Bott [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfbott/], Co-Founder of The Wellbeing Distillery and a globally respected educator, to explore the lessons we can learn from getting it wrong. Together, they unpack the emotional weight of mistakes, the power of vulnerability, and why professional arrogance can get in the way of truly understanding student needs. They discuss the balance between visible and invisible aspects of wellbeing, the importance of listening and student voice, and how mistakes can actually help us grow, connect and lead with more heart. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader or simply someone who’s felt the sting of getting it wrong, this conversation is a reminder that reflection, not perfection, is the key to meaningful growth. Episode 145 Shownotes - Click here [https://openmindeducation.com/episode145]. ---- David Bott Website [https://www.thewellbeingdistillery.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfbott/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thewellbeingdistillery/] ---- Meg Durham - Website [https://openmindeducation.com/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-durham/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/] Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here [https://openmindeducation.com/thought-weekly/] Speaker Request - Complete the booking form [https://openmindeducation.com/booking-request/] to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **