Wag Tales

About Wag Tales

Wag Tales podcast is a series of conversations on all things trauma, healing, education and wellbeing. Host of Wag Tales, Megan Corcoran is Director of Wagtail Institute, providing trauma-informed wellbeing consulting to schools and complex settings. Megan believes in the power of storytelling and engaging in great conversations as a way to learn, grow, and take steps towards healing. In each episode, Megan invites a guest to share their story or to engage in a topical conversation to share best practice, new insights, and ideas to support those impacted by trauma to heal. Megan is joined by a variety of guests including school principals, therapists, athletes, authors, artists, and lived experience practitioners.

Publisher

Megan Corcoran

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

3 May 2023

Latest episode

6 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

68 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Aug 2026

   68: Chris Egan, unlocking the power of self-compassion

   Chris Egan is an educator, wellbeing consultant, and recent author of The Flourishing Factor: unlocking the power of self-compassion for thriving educators. Drawing on the science of positive psychology and self-compassion, Chris helps individuals, schools, and organisations create the conditions for people to thrive. His work challenges the common belief that self-compassion is fluffy, instead showing how it can become one of our greatest sources of resilience, courage, and growth. In this conversation, Chris and Megan explore what self-compassion really is—and what it isn't. They unpack the misconceptions that often stop us from extending kindness to ourselves, the role of curiosity in personal growth, and the difference between our inner critic and our inner coach. Together, they discuss practical ways to build emotional awareness, strengthen resilience, and create healthier relationships with ourselves and those around us. This is a thoughtful conversation about what it means to flourish in the real world. Chris reminds us that wellbeing isn't about avoiding struggle, but about meeting ourselves with compassion when life is difficult. Whether you're leading others, supporting young people, or navigating your own challenges, this episode offers practical insights into building a more sustainable, connected, and flourishing life. Resources: • Chris Egan's website (https://www.thewellbeingnexus.au/). • Megan Corcoran's book, Beyond Survival Mode: Thriving as a Trauma-Informed Professional (https://wagtailinstitute.com/store/p/beyond-survival-mode-thriving-as-a-trauma-informed-professional) Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. Website: https://wagtailinstitute.com (https://wagtailinstitute.com/) Music by Kabbilistic Village: https://kabbalisticvillage.com/

2. 

   21 Jul 2026

   #67: Jase Williams, Trauma, Masculinity, and the Power of Unconditional Love

   Jase Williams is a trauma educator, speaker, and author whose work explores the profound impact of trauma on our relationships, our nervous systems, and the way we move through the world. Drawing on both lived experience and trauma-informed practice, Jase works alongside schools, families, and young men to create environments where healing, connection, and emotional safety can flourish. In this conversation, Jase and Megan explore what it means to live and lead through a trauma-informed lens. Together, they unpack the role of our nervous systems in shaping behaviour, the importance of relationships in healing, and how schools, families, and communities can create the conditions for people to feel safe, seen, and supported. They also discuss modern masculinity, the impact of shame and disconnection, and why modelling emotional intelligence and healthy relationships is one of the greatest gifts we can offer the next generation. At the heart of this episode is a simple but powerful message: healing happens in relationship. Jase shares why unconditional love, presence, and genuine human connection are some of the strongest protective factors we have, not only for boys and young men, but for all of us. It's an honest, hopeful conversation about breaking cycles of trauma, strengthening communities, and choosing connection over judgement. Resources: Jase Williams' website. (https://jasewilliams.nz/) Megan Corcoran's book, Beyond Survival Mode: Thriving as a Trauma-Informed Professional (https://wagtailinstitute.com/store/p/beyond-survival-mode-thriving-as-a-trauma-informed-professional) Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. Website: https://wagtailinstitute.com (https://wagtailinstitute.com/) Music by Kabbilistic Village: https://kabbalisticvillage.com/

3. 

   2 Jul 2026

   #66: Dr Lori Desautels, The Neuroscience of Trauma-Responsive Practice

   Dr Lori Desautels is an educator, author, and assistant professor whose work in applied educational neuroscience has influenced schools and educators around the world. Through decades of teaching, research, and professional learning, Lori has helped shift the conversation from managing behaviour to understanding the nervous system, relationships, and the conditions that allow both children and adults to flourish. In this conversation, Lori and Megan explore what it truly means to embody trauma-responsive practice. They discuss the difference between understanding the science and living it, why awareness alone isn't enough, and how educators can build the capacity to regulate themselves before supporting others. Together, they unpack the role of multi-tiered systems of support, the importance of co-regulation, and why sustainable change happens when we care for the wellbeing of the adults alongside the young people they support. This is a thoughtful and hopeful conversation about the future of education. Lori reminds us that trauma-responsive practice isn't another initiative to implement, but a way of being that begins with our own nervous systems, relationships, and daily interactions. Whether you're an educator, leader, parent, or practitioner, this episode offers practical wisdom for creating environments where both adults and young people can thrive. Resources: • Revelations in Education (https://revelationsineducation.com/) Beyond Survival Mode (https://wagtailinstitute.com/store/p/beyond-survival-mode-thriving-as-a-trauma-informed-professional) Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. Website: https://wagtailinstitute.com (https://wagtailinstitute.com/) Music by Kabbilistic Village: https://kabbalisticvillage.com/

Who has been a guest on Wag Tales

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ahmed Sulaiman
• Jaime de Loma-Osorio Ricon
• Dr Kerry Hinsby
• Dr Michelle McQuaid

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

19 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

73

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

Contact Wag Tales

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Wag Tales