UNLEARN is a podcast for educators in Aotearoa New Zealand committed to creating gender-inclusive classrooms where students feel safe, respected, and empowered.
Each episode offers practical strategies from experts, helping us examine our biases, challenge gender stereotypes, and celebrate diverse gender identities. Join us as we unpack the complexities of gender and explore how small actions can build a real sense of belonging for every student.
Listen in on your commute or while doing the dishes—let’s unlearn together!
unlearnpod.blogspot.com
How can systems thinking help us stir the waters toward gender-inclusive futures? with Jade Tang-Taylor
Jade Tang-Taylor, a systems thinker, discusses with the host how systems thinking empowers educators to foster gender inclusion by examining structural, relational, and transformative change levels in an interview.
7 May 2025
How can educators relearn gender together? with Dr Emma McGuirk - Episode 7 UNLEARN
In this episode of UNLEARN, I (Milla) am joined by Emma, a passionate rainbow educator, activist, and anthropologist. Together, we explore what it means to be part of social change in education, from standing in front of classrooms to standing beside students.
Emma reflects on her journey of self-discovery, her work with Rainbow Hub Waikato, and the challenges students and teachers face while navigating gender diversity in schools. Drawing on her background in social anthropology, she shares powerful insights into the historical and cultural fluidity of gender and how colonisation disrupted long-standing expressions of gender diversity across many societies.
We talk about the impact of social transition, the resilience of rainbow youth, the importance of peer support among teachers, and the power of collective approaches to allyship. From inclusive language in maths problems to hosting a rainbow wānanga for staff, Emma shows how small acts and significant shifts can make a difference.
This episode is a moving reminder that allyship isn’t about having all the answers. Instead, it’s about showing up, listening deeply, and acting with care.
You can find all the mentioned sources and some helpful reflective prompts at: unlearnpod.blogspot.com (https://unlearnpod.blogspot.com/)
28 Feb 2025
How can our lived experiences help us unpack gender diversity in education? with Slay Way - Episode 6 UNLEARN
How do our own childhood experiences shape the way we think about gender? In this episode of UNLEARN, I sit down with Slay Way, team leader at Rainbow Hub Waikato, to explore how language, culture, and lived experiences influence how we understand gender—and what that means for educators.
Together, we discuss:
How childhood experiences shape our understanding of gender
The power of language—when it liberates and when it limits
Why silence on gender diversity is not neutral but upholds the status quo
Takatāpui and Indigenous perspectives on gender—what educators can learn
The emotional toll of advocacy and why rest is part of resistance
Slay shares powerful insights into their journey growing up in rural Aotearoa, the challenges of breaking free from rigid gender norms, and what it truly means to show up for gender-diverse students.
This episode is for educators like you - who are ready to unlearn, reflect, and take meaningful steps toward inclusion.
Find links to all mentioned resources and some helpful reflective prompts at: unlearnpod.blogspot.com (https://unlearnpod.blogspot.com/)
3 Feb 2025
What do we mean when we speak about creating safe(r) and brave(r) spaces - for everyone? with Chelsea Haughton - Episode 5 UNLEARN
In this episode of UNLEARN, I (Milla - she/her) dive into a conversation with Chelsea Horton (she/her), a fellow master's student on Change and Organisational Resilience and advocate for queer communities in Wellington. Together, we explore the complexities of creating spaces that are not only safer but also braver for LGBTQIA+ individuals and beyond. We discuss what it means to embrace intersectionality and the challenges of supporting individuals navigating diverse identities at any age.
One of the key issues we discuss is the harmful over sexualisation of trans and nonbinary kids and adults—a deeply ingrained bias that associates gender diversity with sexual behaviour, often leading to inappropriate assumptions and stereotypes. This over sexualisation can make trans and nonbinary students feel objectified, unsafe, or excluded in school environments. By unpacking these biases, we explore how educators can challenge harmful narratives and focus on supporting students in expressing their identities authentically.
Chelsea shares insights from their research on the necessary conditions for fostering inclusive rainbow communities, highlighting the importance of co-designing solutions with those directly impacted. We talk about the role of educators in shaping inclusive environments, the psychological and emotional weight of "safe spaces," and the evolving understanding of allyship and how important safety is for our learning.
This episode offers some practical strategies that educators can implement right away, including:
Identifying and challenging biases that may unintentionally create barriers for students.
Using inclusive symbols and language in the classroom while ensuring they are backed by genuine action.
Understanding how "brave spaces" can help address difficult conversations, encouraging growth and empathy among both teachers and students.
Normalising diverse family structures and gender expressions in classroom discussions and activities, such as avoiding heteronormative and perhaps cis-normative assumptions on occasions like Mother’s or Father’s Day.
Chelsea reminds us that creating safer and braver spaces isn’t just about symbols or words—it’s about actions and commitment. Educators hold a powerful position to influence young minds and shape inclusive environments where everyone feels they belong. We hope this episode will leave you inspired to reflect, unlearn, and take concrete steps toward fostering equity and belonging in your teaching practice.
We also reflect on the concepts of "calling out" others and "calling in" ourselves. As Chelsea points out, none of us are perfect, but the willingness to listen, learn, and grow makes all the difference. In fact, after finishing the recording, we realised we hadn’t shared our own pronouns in the episode. Here they are now (mentioned above), because modelling inclusive behaviour and unlearning matters!
15 Jan 2025
Who are cis, and how can educators better embrace gender diversity? with Rachel Kuysten - Episode 4 UNLEARN
In this episode of UNLEARN, we delve into the concept of cisgender with Rachel, an experienced educator and advocate for gender diversity. Together, we unpack what it means to be cis- or transgender, how language shapes our understanding of gender, and why awareness is only the first step toward allyship.
Rachel shares insights on navigating cisnormativity in schools, recognising privilege, and challenging biases to foster environments where all students can thrive. Milla reflects on her own learning journey, the discomfort that comes with unlearning, and why embracing that discomfort is key to real growth.
Whether you are new to these concepts or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode hopefully provides thoughtful discussion, practical ideas, and resources to help educators create more inclusive spaces.
Explore how small shifts in language, mindset, and action can make a big difference —not just for gender-diverse students but for us all.
You can find the episode links and details at https://unlearnpod.blogspot.com/ (https://unlearnpod.blogspot.com/)
25 Nov 2024
How can gender statistics challenge and help us teachers to unlearn? with Sylvia Hach and Tara Pond - Episode 3 UNLEARN
In this episode of UNLEARN, my research supervisors, Tara Pond and Sylvia Hach, join me in unpacking some of the latest gender statistics from Aotearoa New Zealand. We explore the 2023 Census data, perhaps surprising findings from the Growing Up in New Zealand study, and why these numbers matter to us educators.
Statistics are powerful tools that can help us challenge our biases and expand our understanding of gender diversity—but only if we’re open to unlearning. Tara and Sylvia share their journeys with data, explain how biases affect our interpretation of statistics, and discuss what these insights mean for creating more inclusive classrooms.
We also reflect on the courage of young people embracing their identities, the importance of language in fostering belonging, and the responsibility we educators have to be role models for inclusion.
🎧 Listen now to discover how you can use gender statistics to rethink, reimagine, and unlearn in your teaching practice.
You can find the episode links and details at https://unlearnpod.blogspot.com/ (https://unlearnpod.blogspot.com/)
5 Nov 2024
How can our common values help us unlearn and embrace gender diversity? Episode 2 UNLEARN
Kia ora, and welcome back to UNLEARN! I’m Milla, an educator and researcher, and in this second episode, I’m reflecting on the values that currently drive my commitment to gender inclusion in education. So far this journey has taught me that unlearning biases—especially around gender—is not just about understanding others but about questioning the privileges and assumptions I’ve held for so long.
Since I'm asking you to reflect and unlearn, I start by doing that myself. I share some reflections on the discomfort that recognising privilege and the responsibility that comes with it creates. Through my stories and examples, I unpack how misinformation, rigid beliefs, and fear can hinder our journeys towards inclusivity—and how we, as educators, can take steps to address these obstacles with empathy, respect, courage and grace.
In this episode, I also explain why mental models are at the heart of change in what my research is about. Whether you’re an educator, ally, or just curious, I hope this episode invites you to join me in unlearning what it means to foster true belonging for every student - that we see you all.
You can find the episode links and details at https://unlearnpod.blogspot.com/ (https://unlearnpod.blogspot.com/)
30 Oct 2024
Who am I, and why do I want to support educators in gender inclusion? Episode 1 - UNLEARN
Kia ora, and welcome to the very first episode of UNLEARN! I’m Milla, an educator and researcher. In this first episode, I’m opening up about a journey that’s been challenging but necessary—unlearning my own biases, especially around gender. I want to do and be better, to truly see and understand the gender diversity that exists all around us. That which yet often remains invisible in traditional education spaces.
We people often cling to certainty and to the things we've learned before, sometimes turning away from the human rights of others in the process. But I’ve realised that staying silent is its own kind of harm, and I have a responsibility as an educator to make sure that everyone, especially those who don’t fit into society’s narrow gender boxes, feel seen and valued.
My goal for each episode is to discuss the small but powerful actions we can take in education—like learning people’s names and pronouns and respecting their identities. These are often overlooked details yet so foundational for a true sense of belonging. In this first episode, I reflect on the impact of allyship and the wisdom I’ve gained from my students, so that you get to know me a little.
This podcast isn’t just about me sharing; it’s about learning together. In future episodes, I’ll be inviting guests who have helped me challenge my previous perspectives and helped me unlearn. So, whether you’re an educator, a parent, or a different type of ally, I hope you find a space here to reflect, challenge yourself, and maybe even feel a little more equipped to support the diverse learners in your life.
You can find the episode links and details at https://unlearnpod.blogspot.com/ (https://unlearnpod.blogspot.com/)
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