Category Archives: Podcast

How will your school encourage educators to explore and invest in their own wellbeing? In this interview (which follows Stephen’s earlier interview Exploring Different Wellbeing Models), Stephen and Denise discuss the use of Inquiry and Design Thinking as tools to help explore and implement wellbeing in a school setting, specifically for staff. Learn how creative…

Why does educator wellbeing matter for students? In this interview, Stephen and Denise discuss his staff’s wellbeing journey where they explored the underpinnings of wellbeing and adapting wellbeing models to their school context. Rāroa School wanted a model that was easily understood by the community and reflected the school’s values. Learn how Rāroa gave their…

In this interview, Denise and Adrienne discuss the Mental Fitness Program Adrienne designed and taught to Year 10 boys in Dunedin, NZ. The language of mental fitness is used to appeal to teenage boys and echoes the familiar language of physical fitness. Students found MenFit a practical, collaborative and fun course which helped improve their…

What does embedding wellbeing look like further down the road? In this podcast, Denise and David talk about the challenges and successes St Peter’s faced in implementing positive psychology in boys’ education, working alongside staff, students and families. David shares lessons learned at his school over a decade of wellbeing work – and starting with…

How do schools actually get started and build buy in? In this podcast, Denise and Sonya discuss implementing a Wellbeing Agenda at Taipei European School to address student wellbeing concerns and enhance school culture. Working with UK-based executive coach Clive Leach, the school designed a three-year plan to address Whole-School Wellbeing. Year 1 was dedicated…

How do leaders build whole-school wellbeing? In this podcast, Denise and Lucy introduce Season 2 of BWTL, talking about education, research and the lessons learned while writing their book ‘The Educators’ Guide to Building Whole-school Wellbeing: A Practical Guide to Getting Started, Best-Practice Process and Effective Implementation’. They wrote this book in response to requests…

How can a bracelet strengthen wellbeing across the globe? Denise talks to Locky McWilliam, founder of Band4Hope. His aim? To increase kindness, hope and the spirit of Ubuntu, an ancient African philosophy meaning ‘humanity to others’. Learn why Locky wants us to wear and share hope.   Bio  Locky McWilliam, founder of Band4Hope, is a…

In the face of adversity, how do we feel good and function well? Denise talks to Dr. Lucy Hone about the importance of resilience after loss and in daily life. Lucy shares her personal resilience journey and discusses simple, effective strategies to maintain our wellbeing even in the most challenging times.   Bio Dr Lucy…

Bio Dr Emma Woodward has over 20 years’ experience working with young people, schools and in the community as a child and educational psychologist. She is the Clinical Director of NZIWR, a mother to 3 energetic boys and is currently completing a Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing.   The lowdown Historically, anxiety served the…