The podcast where innovation meets education.
This podcast began as an initiative of Woodleigh School and the Woodleigh Institute. In each episode, we engage with thought leaders and passionate practitioners who inspire and challenge us with their views and experiences in education.
If you believe there is more to education than the status quo, this podcast is for you!
Woodleigh School: https://www.woodleigh.vic.edu.au/ (https://www.woodleigh.vic.edu.au/)
The Woodleigh Institute: https://www.woodleighinstitute.com/ (https://www.woodleighinstitute.com/)
olitbpodcast@gmail.com
#OLITB
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Recorded live at the ReimaginED Festival on the lands of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, this episode features a rich and expansive conversation with regenerative leader and wellbeing strategist Jessica Taylor.
Jessica is the founder of Thrive Well Co and creator of The Wellbeing Farmer. Her work spans schools, global institutions, and professional sport: from the UAE Prime Minister’s Office and the Singapore Ministry of Education to the Geelong Cats AFL Club. Currently a sessional lecturer and doctoral candidate at the University of Melbourne, Jessica’s research explores how reframing responsibility for wellbeing can cultivate the conditions for all to flourish.
In this conversation, Jessica invites us to rethink wellbeing, not as an individual program to implement, but as a living system to tend.
What We Explore in This Episode
What it means to lead regeneratively in education
Moving from mechanical systems to living systems
Why wellbeing cannot be reduced to programs or individual responsibility
The power of deep listening as a starting point for cultural change
How Lego Serious Play unlocks authentic dialogue in schools
The systems thinking “iceberg” and why the aspirational version matters
Structural narratives in education: competition, control and separation
Shifting the focus from flowers to soil, cultivating the conditions for flourishing
Authentic leadership in complex global contexts
The role of language in shaping wellbeing
Jessica shares a powerful story from her work in the UAE, reflects on the tension between curriculum linearity and human complexity, and challenges educators to examine the narratives quietly shaping our systems.
Jessica’s New Book: Jessica is a contributing author to The Wellbeing Literacy Handbook, edited by Professor Lindsay Oades, Professor Narelle Lemon, Dr Jackie Francis and Dr Tim Lomas.
Her chapter, Cultivating Regenerative Systems of Wellbeing, explores how schools can intentionally develop regenerative conditions and capabilities that move beyond individualistic models toward relational, systemic flourishing.
Find the book here: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-48049-0 (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-48049-0)
Connect with Jessica: Jessica is always open to meaningful conversation (and stories about her beloved sheep, Sir Winston).
🌐 Website: https://www.thrivewellco.com.au (https://www.thrivewellco.com.au)
📧 Email: jessica@thrivewellco.com.au (mailto:jessica@thrivewellco.com.au)
You can learn more about her work through Thrive Well Co and her writing and reflections as The Wellbeing Farmer.
A Question to Reflect On
Jessica leaves us with this invitation:
What does responsibility mean to you?
What has shaped your understanding of it?
And what implications does that have for how you approach wellbeing, for yourself and for others?
Hosts:
Kaz (Host)
Andy (Director & Producer)
Subscribe & Follow: Don’t forget to subscribe to Only Learning in the Building wherever you get your podcasts. Stay curious, keep learning, and remember: you’re only learning when you end with more questions than you do answers.
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13 Nov 2025
Jessamy Gee
Artist Jessamy Gee discusses visual thinking and real-time synthesis with hosts Kaz and Andy, revealing how she captures complex conversations and enhances understanding in this interview.
6 Nov 2025
Kath Murdoch
In this interview, educator Kath Murdoch explores authentic learning, shares her journey from teacher to thought leader, and challenges listeners to rethink teaching and learning.
18 Oct 2025
Xiaofang (Sarah) Wang
IB Mentorship Coordinator Dr. Xiaofang (Sarah) Wang shares her comparative research across 40+ countries with hosts Kaz and Andy, exploring effective and equitable education systems in this interview.
5 Aug 2025
Dr Kirsten Hudson & Luke Webster PhD
Dr. Kirsten Hudson and Luke Webster PhD discuss their "Taking the Classroom into Community" project, which integrates classroom learning with community engagement in Denmark, WA, fostering deeper student connections in this interview.
4 Jun 2025
Matt Esterman
AI researcher Matt Esterman discusses integrating artificial intelligence into education and shares insights on empowering educators to create meaningful learning experiences in this interview with Kaz and Andy.
14 May 2025
Louka Parry
Thriving Learners & Flourishing Futures with Louka Parry
Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode of Only Learning in the Building, Kaz and Andy sit down with Louka Parry, global education leader, TED speaker, and CEO of The Learning Future. Louka shares his journey from being one of Australia's youngest school principals to becoming a transformative voice in global education. With experience across 80+ countries and collaborations with organisations like Microsoft, Apple, and TED, Louka brings a wealth of insight into how we can reimagine learning for a thriving future.
Recorded on the lands of the Whadjuk People of the greater Fremantle and Walyalup area, this episode dives deep into the future of education, the power of social emotional learning, and how to lead with purpose and innovation.
What You’ll Learn:
The mission and impact of The Learning Future and its global initiatives
Why social emotional learning and life skills are essential for 21st-century education
How to balance technology with human connection in learning environments
Key takeaways from Louka’s presentation “Foundations for Flourishing”
Advice for aspiring educational leaders and innovators
Louka’s vision for the future of education and how we can prepare young learners for what lies ahead
Notable Quotes:
“We need to design learning systems that help humans flourish—not just succeed.”
“Innovation in education isn’t just about tech—it’s about empathy, connection, and purpose.”
Bio: Louka Parry is the CEO of The Learning Future and a globally recognised expert in education, innovation, and change. He serves on the executive of Karanga: The Global Alliance for Social Emotional Learning and Life Skills, and has worked with education departments across Australia and global organisations including PWC, the AFL, Microsoft, and Apple.
Connect with Louka:
https://www.loukaparry.com (https://www.loukaparry.com/)
The Learning Future: https://www.thelearningfuture.com/who-we-are (https://www.thelearningfuture.com/who-we-are)
TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/louka_parry_words_can_change_the_world_how_language_learning_deepens_connection (https://www.ted.com/talks/louka_parry_words_can_change_the_world_how_language_learning_deepens_connection)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loukaparry (https://www.linkedin.com/in/loukaparry)
Hosts:
Kaz (Host)
Andy (Director & Producer)
Subscribe & Share:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and share it with fellow educators and lifelong learners. Stay curious, and remember—you’re only learning when you end with more questions than you do answers!
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21 Apr 2025
Michael Bunce: Redux
This episode was recorded on the lands of the Whadjuk People from the Noongar nation, the traditional owners of the greater Fremantle and Walyalup area.
We were fortunate to sit down again with Michael Bunce following his ReimaginED Fremantle 2025 workshop at Notre Dame University. During our conversation, we dive deeper into his work with Learning Impact Mapping and discuss the upcoming symposium in Adelaide.
“Learning Impact Mapping is a dynamic learning design framework and evaluation methodology that enables learners, teachers and leaders to profile the multidimensional impact of learning.” (https://learningmap.education (https://learningmap.education/))
This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the intersection of assessment, self-reflection and learner agency.
For more information, visit:
https://learningmap.education (https://learningmap.education/)
https://www.flinders.edu.au (https://www.flinders.edu.au/)
http://www.notredame.edu.au (http://www.notredame.edu.au/)
Follow us on Instagram:
@woodleighschool (https://www.instagram.com/woodleighschool/)
@thestudioschoolfreo (https://www.instagram.com/thestudioschoolfreo/)
A summary of the conference will soon be found here:
https://www.woodleighinstitute.com/reimagined-about (https://www.woodleighinstitute.com/reimagined-about)
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12 Apr 2025
Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge / The Studio School
This episode was recorded on the lands of the Whadjuk People from the Noongar nation, the traditional owners of the greater Fremantle and Walyalup area.
On the eve of the ReimaginED Conference in Fremantle, we were fortunate enough to interview the Mayor, Hannah Fitzhardinge, the Head of The Studio School, Nina, and one of the Year 12 students, Grace.
Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge shares her beliefs about education and her hopes for the city of Fremantle. We thank Hannah for her relaxed and candid conversation, during which she talked with pride about this beautiful city.
Head of the Studio School Nina and Year 12 student Grace talk with us about the importance of community, relationship building, and authentic learning opportunities that make The Studio School students future-ready.
For more information visit:
https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/mayor-hannah-fitzhardinge (https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/mayor-hannah-fitzhardinge)
https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/ (https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/)
https://www.thestudioschool.wa.edu.au/ (https://www.thestudioschool.wa.edu.au/)
Follow us on Instagram:
@woodleighschool (https://www.instagram.com/woodleighschool/)
@thestudioschoolfreo (https://www.instagram.com/thestudioschoolfreo/)
A summary of the conference will soon be found here:
https://www.woodleighinstitute.com/reimagined-about (https://www.woodleighinstitute.com/reimagined-about)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
27 Feb 2025
The Futures Studio
This episode was recorded on Bunurong Land at Woodleigh School’s Senior Campus.
Join us in conversation with eco-warrior and legend Joost Bakker and his colleague and chosen architect Frank Burridge.
In this episode, we explore the sustainable and regenerative choices made when designing and building the Year 10 Futures Studio. Learn about the design process, the material choices, and the life experiences that led these two incredible thinkers to collaborate on this groundbreaking build.
For images and more information visit:
https://www.woodleigh.vic.edu.au/learn/why-woodleigh/for-a-regenerative-future (https://www.woodleigh.vic.edu.au/learn/why-woodleigh/for-a-regenerative-future)
https://www.woodleigh.vic.edu.au/news-editorial/its-almost-ready (https://www.woodleigh.vic.edu.au/news-editorial/its-almost-ready)
Follow us on Instagram:
@woodleighschool (https://www.instagram.com/woodleighschool/)
@joostbakker (https://www.instagram.com/joostbakker/?hl=en)
@frankburridge (https://www.instagram.com/frank_burridge/)
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22 Dec 2024
OLITB @ ReimaginED 2024
This episode was recorded throughout the ReimaginED 2024 Conference at Woodleigh's senior campus over two days, 8-9 November. We were fortunate to be able to speak with four wonderful guests:
Benjamin Freud - Head of Upper School, Green School Bali
Dorothee Seeto - Founder & CEO, Endless Play Studio
Michael Bunce - Lecturer in Music, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University
Jamie Gerlach - CEO, 4C Transformative Learning
We also spoke with attendees of the ReimaginED 2024 Conference, who shared their reactions and insights into the many thought-provoking keynotes and breakout sessions.
A summary of the conference can be found here: https://www.woodleighinstitute.com/reimagined-24 (https://www.woodleighinstitute.com/reimagined-24)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Who has been a guest on Only Learning In The Building
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Jessamy Gee
Kath Murdoch
Xiaofang (Sarah) Wang
Dr Kirsten Hudson
Luke Webster
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