The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham
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<p>Modern education is intense, fast paced and constantly changing. If you're feeling stretched, overwhelmed or running on empty, you're not the only one.</p><p>The School of Wellbeing is for teachers, educators, school support staff and school leaders who want to move beyond survival and thrive by design. Hosted by wellbeing speaker and teacher wellbeing specialist Meg Durham, each episode features honest conversations with experienced educators and wellbeing experts who understand the realities of school life.</p><p>You'll discover practical, evidence informed strategies and inspiring stories to help you navigate the challenges of education with more energy, clarity and confidence, so you can support others without losing yourself along the way.</p>
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Publishing Since
9/16/2021
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Recent Episodes
July 27, 2026
Sue Chandler: Understanding Behaviour to Deepen Connection | Episode 170
<p>"Perhaps one of the most powerful shifts we can make is moving from judgement to curiosity." Sue Chandler</p><p>What if the way we interpret behaviour matters more than the behaviour itself?</p><p>Every day in schools, educators navigate challenging conversations with students, colleagues and families. When emotions are running high, it's easy to make assumptions, become defensive or jump straight into problem solving. But what if there was another way?</p><p>In this episode, <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/" rel="nofollow">Meg Durham</a> sits down with educator, counsellor and author <a href="https://www.transformativeschools.com.au/sues-bio" rel="nofollow">Sue Chandler</a> to discuss her new book,<a href="https://ambapress.com.au/products/the-relational-school" rel="nofollow"> The Relational School: From Behaviour Management to Cultural Transformation.</a>, published by <a href="https://ambapress.com.au/" rel="nofollow">Amba Press</a>.</p><p>Together, they explore what it means to develop a relational mindset, how our assumptions about human behaviour shape every interaction, and why understanding our own "biography of discipline" is key to navigating relationship challenges more effectively.</p><p>Sue shares practical conversation frameworks that help us move from judgement to curiosity, strengthen accountability without damaging relationships, and create school cultures where connection, trust and compassion are embedded in everyday practice.</p><p>Whether you're a teacher, school leader or school support staff member, this conversation will challenge the way you think about behaviour, relationships and the role you play in shaping school culture.</p><p>----</p><p><strong>In this episode, you'll learn:</strong></p><ul><li>What a relational mindset is and why it matters.</li><li>How our assumptions about behaviour influence our responses.</li><li>Why your past influences your present relationships.</li><li>How to move from judgement to curiosity during difficult conversations.</li><li>Practical conversation starters and listening strategies that build trust and accountability.</li><li>Why strong relationships are built through deliberate, everyday actions rather than perfect conversations.</li></ul><p>----</p><p><strong>Chapter Markers:</strong></p><ul><li>01:00 Why Sue wrote The Relational School</li><li>04:20 What is a relational mindset?</li><li>07:00 How our assumptions shape behaviour conversations</li><li>10:00 Understanding your biography of discipline</li><li>13:00 The four ways of working through relationship challenges</li><li>18:00 Accountability without damaging relationships</li><li>21:30 Moving from judgement to curiosity</li><li>28:00 The gap between expectations and escalation</li><li>33:00 Practical conversation scripts that build trust</li><li>40:30 Final reflections and key takeaways</li></ul><p>----</p><p><strong>Reflection prompts:</strong></p><ul><li>I notice myself making assumptions when...</li><li>One way my biography of discipline influences my relationships is...</li><li>I will give myself permission to...</li><li>Before my next important conversation, I will...</li></ul><p>----</p><p>Episode 170 Shownotes – Click <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/podcast/episode170" rel="nofollow">here</a></p><p>----</p><p>Sue Chandler – <a href="https://www.transformativeschools.com.au/sues-bio" rel="nofollow">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/suechandler/" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://ambapress.com.au/products/the-relational-school" rel="nofollow">The Relational School: From Behaviour Management to Cultural Transformation</a></p><p>----</p><p>Meg Durham - <a href="http://www.megdurham.com/" rel="nofollow">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-durham/" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></p><p>Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/newsletter" rel="nofollow">here</a></p><p>Speaker Booking - Complete the booking <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/book" rel="nofollow">form</a> to start the conversation.</p><p>----</p><p>Your Questions Answered:</p><p>What is a relational mindset?</p><p>A relational mindset is the belief that behaviour can only be understood in context. Rather than making assumptions or jumping to conclusions, it invites us to become curious about another person's thoughts, feelings and experiences before deciding how to respond.</p><p>As Sue Chandler explains, a relational mindset doesn't lower expectations or avoid accountability. Instead, it combines high expectations with empathy, curiosity and a commitment to strengthening relationships, even when conversations are difficult.</p><p>How can educators move from judgement to curiosity?</p><p>Moving from judgement to curiosity begins with recognising the stories we are telling ourselves about another person's behaviour. Instead of assuming we know why someone acted the way they did, we pause, ask open questions and genuinely seek to understand their perspective.</p><p>Sue shares practical conversation starters such as "I've noticed..." and "I'm curious about...", along with simple questioning techniques that help educators create psychological safety, build trust and solve problems collaboratively.</p><p>Why do relationship challenges escalate in schools?</p><p>Relationship challenges often escalate because there is a gap between our expectations and reality. When expectations aren't met, adults can quickly become frustrated, tighten control or move into problem solving before fully understanding what is happening for the other person.</p><p>By slowing down, becoming aware of our own emotional responses and approaching conversations with curiosity rather than judgement, educators can strengthen relationships, support accountability and often prevent small issues from becoming much bigger ones.</p><p>----</p><p>** The School of Wellbeing Podcast is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **</p>
July 13, 2026
Dr Simon Breakspear: The Pruning Principle & Strategic Subtraction | Episode 169
<p>"I care, I'm incredibly capable, so I strategically subtract." Simon Breakspear</p><p>What if greater impact starts with less, not more?</p><p>School staff are constantly being asked to do more. More initiatives. More meetings. More programs. More expectations. Yet many big-hearted educators are already working well beyond their capacity.</p><p>In this episode, <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/" rel="nofollow">Meg Durham</a> sits down with educator, researcher, leadership advisor and author Dr Simon Breakspear to explore The Pruning Principle and why doing fewer things, more deliberately, may be one of the most important skills we can learn in education.</p><p>Together, they unpack the hidden costs of the "additive trap", the beliefs that keep schools adding rather than letting go, and why sustainable improvement depends on creating space for what matters most.</p><p>Simon shares practical examples of "pruning experiments", explains how small changes can lead to meaningful impact, and offers a hopeful framework for creating calmer, more focused schools.</p><p>Whether you're a teacher, school leader or someone passionate about education, this conversation will challenge the way you think about improvement, workload and impact.</p><p>----</p><p><strong>In this episode, you'll learn:</strong></p><ul><li>Why adding more isn't always the path to greater impact.</li><li>How to escape the "additive trap" that keeps schools overloaded.</li><li>Why small "pruning experiments" are more effective than dramatic change.</li><li>How strategic subtraction can create greater clarity, focus and sustainable impact.</li></ul><p>----</p><p><strong>Chapter Markers:</strong></p><ul><li>00:00 Welcome and introducing Simon Breakspear</li><li>01:30 The story behind The Pruning Principle</li><li>04:30 What is strategic subtraction?</li><li>06:30 Why more isn't always better</li><li>11:00 The beliefs that keep educators adding more</li><li>16:20 Pruning experiments and making change feel possible</li><li>24:20 Thinking in trade-offs, not just additions</li><li>29:00 Pace, priorities and calm progress</li><li>35:20 Practical ways schools can strategically subtract</li><li>42:00 Sustainable impact starts with less, not more</li></ul><p>----</p><p><strong>Reflection prompts:</strong></p><ul><li>This conversation got me thinking about...</li><li>The "additive trap" shows up in my work when...</li><li>I will give myself permission to...</li><li>A small deliberate action I will take is...</li></ul><p>----</p><p>Episode 169 Shownotes - Click <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/podcast/episode169" rel="nofollow">here</a></p><p>----</p><p>Dr Simon Breakspear <a href="https://simonbreakspear.com/" rel="nofollow">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbreakspear/" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn </a>| <a href="https://ambapress.com.au/collections/dr-simon-breakspear" rel="nofollow">Books</a></p><p>----</p><p>Meg Durham - <a href="http://www.megdurham.com/" rel="nofollow">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-durham/" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></p><p>Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/newsletter" rel="nofollow">here</a></p><p>Speaker Booking - Complete the booking <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/book" rel="nofollow">form</a> to start the conversation.</p><p>----</p><p><strong>Your Questions Answered:</strong></p><p>What is strategic subtraction in education?</p><p>Strategic subtraction is the deliberate practice of reducing, removing or simplifying work so that educators can focus on what matters most. Rather than assuming every challenge requires another initiative, meeting or program, strategic subtraction encourages schools to regularly review existing commitments and ask whether they are still creating meaningful value.</p><p>As Dr Simon Breakspear explains, improvement doesn't only come from adding more. Sometimes the greatest gains come from creating space, redirecting limited time and energy, and giving people the capacity to do fewer things better. Strategic subtraction is about making intentional choices that support both sustainable impact and staff wellbeing.</p><p><br></p><p>Why is strategic subtraction important for school improvement?</p><p>Over time, schools naturally accumulate new initiatives, responsibilities and expectations. Each one is usually introduced with good intentions, but very few are ever removed. This "additive trap" can leave teachers and school leaders feeling overwhelmed, while making it harder to embed the practices that have the greatest impact on student learning.</p><p>Strategic subtraction helps schools move from reacting to every new demand to deliberately prioritising what matters most. By regularly reviewing systems, meetings, programs and processes, leaders can create greater clarity, reduce unnecessary complexity and ensure staff energy is invested where it will make the biggest difference for students, colleagues and the wider school community.</p><p><br></p><p>How can educators begin practising strategic subtraction?</p><p>Strategic subtraction doesn't require dramatic change. In fact, Simon recommends starting with small "pruning experiments" that feel manageable and reversible. This might involve shortening a recurring meeting, simplifying an assessment process, reducing unnecessary email communication or pausing a low-impact initiative for a set period to evaluate its effectiveness.</p><p>Approaching subtraction as an experiment encourages curiosity rather than defensiveness. It allows individuals and teams to test new ways of working, reflect on the impact and make informed decisions about what should continue. Over time, these small, deliberate changes can create more focus, calmer schools and a more sustainable way of working.</p><p>----</p><p>** The School of Wellbeing Podcast is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **</p>
June 29, 2026
Megan Corcoran: Beyond Survival Mode & Thriving As A Trauma-Informed Professional | Episode 168
<p><strong>"It's definitely not a destination. It's a journey." - </strong>Megan Corcoran</p><p><span>Who supports the people who support everyone else?</span></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-durham/" rel="nofollow">Meg Durham</a> speaks with educator, former school leader and trauma-informed education specialist <a href="https://wagtailinstitute.com/about" rel="nofollow">Megan Corcoran</a> about her new book, <a href="https://ambapress.com.au/products/beyond-survival-mode" rel="nofollow">Beyond Survival Mode: Thriving as a Trauma-Informed Professional.</a></p><p>Together, they explore what survival mode really is, what it means to be a trauma-informed educator, and why sustainable trauma-informed practice starts with caring for the adults doing the supporting.</p><p>Megan shares practical strategies to help educators stay connected to students without carrying responsibility for fixing everything, understand their nervous system, recognise their own limits and prevent teacher burnout.</p><p>----</p><p><strong>In this episode, you'll learn:</strong></p><ul><li>What survival mode is and why it is so common in schools</li><li>What it means to be a trauma-informed educator</li><li>Common misunderstandings about trauma-informed education</li><li>How to support students without carrying responsibility for fixing everything</li><li>Practical strategies to prevent teacher burnout</li><li>The role of the nervous system in educator wellbeing</li><li>How to create trauma-informed schools that support both students and staff</li></ul><p>----</p><p><strong>Chapter Markers:</strong></p><ul><li>00:00 Welcome</li><li>01:06 Why Megan wrote Beyond Survival Mode</li><li>04:11 Understanding survival mode</li><li>06:37 What it really means to be trauma-informed</li><li>13:10 Common misconceptions about trauma-informed education</li><li>22:08 Caring deeply without carrying everything</li><li>29:15 Recognising your own limits</li><li>36:18 Understanding your nervous system</li><li>41:30 Creating schools that care for students and staff</li><li>43:47 Unconditional positive regard</li><li>46:06 Final thoughts</li></ul><p>----</p><p><strong>Reflection prompts:</strong></p><ul><li>I have started to notice…</li><li>I know I'm moving into survival mode when…</li><li>One belief about caring for others I'm ready to let go of is…</li><li>I give myself permission to...</li><li>A deliberate action I'll take this week is…</li></ul><p>----</p><p>Episode 168 Shownotes - Click <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/podcast/episode168" rel="nofollow">here</a></p><p>----</p><p>Megan Corcoran <a href="https://wagtailinstitute.com/about" rel="nofollow">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-corcoran-a5ab1738/" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wagtail.institute" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></p><p>----</p><p>Meg Durham - <a href="http://www.megdurham.com/" rel="nofollow">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-durham/" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/megdurham__/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></p><p>Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/newsletter" rel="nofollow">here</a></p><p>Speaker Booking - Complete the booking <a href="https://www.megdurham.com/book" rel="nofollow">form</a> to start the conversation.</p><p>----</p><p><strong>Your Questions Answered:</strong></p><p><strong>What is survival mode?</strong></p><p>Survival mode is a state where your brain and body become focused on getting through the day rather than thinking creatively, planning ahead or responding calmly. When we experience ongoing stress, emotional demands or trauma exposure, our nervous system prioritises safety and protection. This can leave educators feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted and stuck in a cycle of simply coping rather than thriving.</p><p>In this episode, educator and trauma-informed specialist Megan Corcoran explains why survival mode is common in schools and why recognising it is the first step towards sustainable wellbeing. We discuss how understanding survival mode can help teachers, school leaders and education support staff care for themselves while continuing to provide high quality support for students.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>What does it mean to be trauma-informed?</strong></p><p>Being trauma-informed means recognising that trauma and adversity can influence behaviour, learning, relationships and wellbeing. Rather than asking, "What's wrong with this student?", trauma-informed educators learn to ask, "What might this student need?" They create learning environments that foster safety, connection, predictability and belonging while reducing the risk of causing further harm.</p><p>In this conversation, Megan Corcoran shares why trauma-informed education is much more than understanding students. It also involves understanding ourselves, our colleagues and the impact emotionally demanding work can have on educators. Trauma-informed practice is an ongoing process of learning, reflecting and adapting rather than a destination or a one-off professional learning session.</p><p><strong>How can educators support others without burning out?</strong></p><p>Preventing teacher burnout begins with recognising that caring for others does not mean carrying responsibility for everything. Sustainable wellbeing for educators comes from understanding our nervous system, recognising our limits, setting healthy boundaries and knowing when to ask for support. Supporting students is a shared responsibility across families, colleagues, leaders and the wider community.</p><p>In this episode, Megan introduces the powerful idea that education is a relay rather than a marathon. We each carry the baton for our part of the journey before passing it on to others. This shift in mindset helps educators, school leaders and helping professionals continue making a meaningful difference without sacrificing their own wellbeing.</p><p>----</p><p>** The School of Wellbeing Podcast is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **</p>
216 total episodes available
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David Bott
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Dr Michelle McQuaid
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- What is The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham?
<p>Modern education is intense, fast paced and constantly changing. If you're feeling stretched, overwhelmed or running on empty, you're not the only one.</p><p>The School of Wellbeing is for teachers, educators, school support staff and school leaders who want to move beyond survival and thrive by design. Hosted by wellbeing speaker and teacher wellbeing specialist Meg Durham, each episode features honest conversations with experienced educators and wellbeing experts who understand the realities of school life.</p><p>You'll discover practical, evidence informed strategies and inspiring stories to help you navigate the challenges of education with more energy, clarity and confidence, so you can support others without losing yourself along the way.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Information about guest appearances is not available.
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