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FLOURISHING EDUCATION - How to become a Flourishing Lifelong, Lifedeep, and Lifelong learner

FLOURISHING EDUCATION - How to become a Flourishing Lifelong, Lifedeep, and Lifelong learner

By Fabienne Vailes

Welcome to powerful imperfectly perfect conversations that shine the light on AMAZING DISRUPTORS, PIONEERS AND INNOVATORS in EDUCATION. Together, let's discover our unique gifts and fragrance in this garden called life, be uniquely ourselves and in service of others and the world.

Let's journey to explore how we:
🌺 change our schooling system for ALL can flourish (human/more than human)
🌺 put our INNATE well-being at the center of all our activities

Not through ONE PATH nor ONE SIZE FITS ALL but through ONE'S UNIQUE PATH to a happy fulfilled life.

Are you ready? Let's get started...
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Episode 220 - Just be KIND with Annelyse Apicella

FLOURISHING EDUCATION - How to become a Flourishing Lifelong, Lifedeep, and Lifelong learnerNov 21, 2023

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01:03:16
Episode 220 - Just be KIND with Annelyse Apicella

Episode 220 - Just be KIND with Annelyse Apicella

Today I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with a former colleague and friend Annelyse Apicella who is in her final year of her Speech and Language Therapy Degree here in the UK.


Annelyse and I explore:

- Her career change and pursuing a new passion. (0:03)

- Motivation and pathways to higher education. (5:19)

- Becoming a speech and language therapist. (11:02)

- Speech and language therapy access and evidence. (17:30)

- Special needs diagnosis and support. (23:36)

- Language disorders in children and their impact on mental health. (28:53)

- Disability awareness and support. (35:10)

- Trusting parental instincts in identifying developmental delays. (41:23)

- Speech and language challenges in youth justice system. (48:20)

- Understanding "disruptive behaviors" in children. (53:55)

If you have an interest in topics related to neurodivergence, disability, language and speech therapy in particular, this conversation is definitely for you!

Nov 21, 202301:03:16
Episode 219 - Weaving well-being science for thriving schools, organisations & communities with Paul Tupou-Vea

Episode 219 - Weaving well-being science for thriving schools, organisations & communities with Paul Tupou-Vea

I am delighted to share with you this imperfectly perfect conversation with Paul Tupou-Vea Director of Clifftop Wellbeing.

We discussed how we weave well-being science for thriving schools, organisations and communities.

In particular we focused on:

- Paul's own personal journey, education, and wellbeing (0:02)

- Cultural capital and well-being for migrant families. (5:05)

- Cultural differences and perceptions. (13:55)

- Education system and parental involvement in New Zealand.(18:51)

- Education, colonialism, and well-being. (25:49)

- Shifting societal narratives towards community-focused well-being. (39:12)

- Well-being and its various components. (46:12)

- Well-being models and their relevance in schools (in particular The Fonua Model  Pacific Health Models » HAUORA (hpfnz.org.nz) Te Whare Tapa Whā    Te Whare Tapa Whā | Māori Health Authority (teakawhaiora.nz)Te Whare Tapa Whā | Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (xn--tepkenga-szb.ac.nz)). (53:25)

- Hope and well-being in challenging times. (1:03:10) I am sure you will absolutely love this conversation. I know I did!

Nov 15, 202301:09:24
New Season dedicated to Young people - Episode 5 - Let's use technology and platforms for powerful conversations with Raheen Fatima

New Season dedicated to Young people - Episode 5 - Let's use technology and platforms for powerful conversations with Raheen Fatima

Today I am delighted to share Episode 5 of this new series dedicated to young people. I hold the space and shine a light on Raheen Fatima who is an Entrepreneur, an Activist, a Podcaster as well as a Speaker.


In this imperfectly perfect conversation, Raheen shares her journey and experience of education, in particular with the online school called The Socratic Experience.


A really uplifting and empowering story. I cannot wait to speak to Raheen in a year's time to see where her journey has taken her.

Nov 10, 202337:57
Episode 218 - How to cultivate healthy organisations and create inclusive spaces for meaningful conversations with Eric Lynn

Episode 218 - How to cultivate healthy organisations and create inclusive spaces for meaningful conversations with Eric Lynn

Today, I am delighted to share round 2 of an imperfectly perfect conversation with Eric Lynn,

Together we discuss:

- What healthy organisations are and how we cultivate healthy organisations.

- how to create inclusive spaces for meaningful conversations.


My conversations with Eric always leave me feeling so inspired and energised.

I have no doubt that you will love this episode as much as I did.

Oct 30, 202301:02:49
Episode 217 - Highly Effective leadership with Tom Lawrence

Episode 217 - Highly Effective leadership with Tom Lawrence

Today I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Tom Lawrence, Founder of Highly Effective Leader, Author of "Manager To Leader", "A Limitless Mindset" & "Influence is Leadership" as well as Creator of "The Leader's Vault" Online Courses.


Tom shares his own journey into Leadership, his own challenges and what he learned along the way and is now sharing with his audience.


If you want to find out how to become a highly effective leader, then this conversation will definitely be of interest to you.

Oct 24, 202345:28
New Season dedicated to Young people - Episode 4 - Let's remove fear from our schooling system with Ben Holmes

New Season dedicated to Young people - Episode 4 - Let's remove fear from our schooling system with Ben Holmes

Today I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Ben Holmes. This is not the first time we get to speak to one another and I joked with Ben that it feels a bit like I am doing a longetudinal study of his life a student.

I have known Ben for a while and it's a delight to speak with him as he enters his final year at Cambridge University.

We talk about what his experience at university was like, his key take-aways and thoughts.

In particular, we focus on the fear he has experienced throughout his years in secondary school and at university. We also discuss the concept of 'cultural capital' and how it is hidden in our structures and organisations and is often 'unspoken'.

I am sure you will find this wonderful discussion with Ben truly enjoyable.

Oct 16, 202301:07:55
Episode 216 - Values-based education with Tim George

Episode 216 - Values-based education with Tim George

Today I am delighted to release this imperfectly perfect conversation with Tim George who is Director of Support'ed.

Tim shares his journey and how over 30 years, he has dedicated himself to working with adults and young people who have complex needs.

He explains how his focus is on achieving the best outcomes for all individuals involved and how his personal values and empathy guide his decision-making so that he can achieve his ultimate goal: not to serve himself, but to serve and support others.

And you can clearly hear this goal in absolutely everything Tim said in this episode.

If you are interested in how to support young people, values-based and personalized learning then this conversation is definitely for you!

Oct 12, 202356:50
Episode 215 - Exploring Flourishing in workplaces and educational settings with Dr Jon Beale

Episode 215 - Exploring Flourishing in workplaces and educational settings with Dr Jon Beale

Today I am delighted to share my latest imperfectly perfect conversation with Dr Jon Beale who is Research Affiliate, Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, Peak Performance Coach, Flow Research Collective and Co-host of a phenomenal podcast for the good life: Flourish FM

There is no best way to explore Flourishing in workplaces and educational settings than with Jon who shares his own definition based on his amazing work as well as from the research at large.

I am sure you will love every minute of this conversation and I can't wait for round 2.

Oct 05, 202301:12:11
New Season dedicated to Young people - Episode 3 - A journey into becoming with Leo Dean

New Season dedicated to Young people - Episode 3 - A journey into becoming with Leo Dean

This week, I am delighted to share Episode 3 of this new series dedicated to Young peopleand to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Leo Dean.

We explore Leo's journey into the schooling system as well as his beautiful journey of being trans and discovering who he is in this garden called life.

It's a truly moving conversation and I particularly loved how he came to life when he started talking about his research.

I am sure you will love this conversation as much as I did.

Oct 03, 202301:25:08
Episode 214 - Dancing with change with Eric Lynn

Episode 214 - Dancing with change with Eric Lynn

Today I am delighted to share my imperfectly perfect conversation with Eric Lynn, Facilitator, Consultant, Mediator, Executive Coach, Developer of CultureQs, ⁠ Author: Dancing with Change

As I am about to embark on my PhD exploring how we build Flourishing Communities in educational settings, you can imagine how excited I became when I came across Eric's work.

I wanted to talk to him about generating meaningful conversations about life, culture and change as well as cultivating healthy organisations.

We focused in particular on:

- Eric's own journey

- The problem with labels and labels in the world

- Why the title 'dancing with change'?

- Our organisations as communities

- Questions to ask when opening a new space

- The arrogance of pretending to know what's good for other people. We had such an in-depth and fascinating conversation and we didn't have time to address how we cultivate healthy organisations so I am looking forward to our round 2.

Sep 27, 202301:02:02
New Season dedicated to Young people - Episode 2 - Looking beyond the curriculum with Flora Clapham

New Season dedicated to Young people - Episode 2 - Looking beyond the curriculum with Flora Clapham

Today, it is pure joy to shine a light on Flora Clapham, one of my former students who is also a violinist and an ouststanding French speaker.

Flora and I talked about self-reflection, personal growth, and identity.

We also explored the concept of 'discipline' and looking beyond the curriculum as well as curiosity and how it is stiflled in our schools.

I have no doubt that you will absolutely LOVE this dialogue with Flora. I know I did!

Sep 22, 202351:29
Episode 213 -Self Directed Education with Je'anna Clements

Episode 213 -Self Directed Education with Je'anna Clements

I am delighted to share this truly beautiful conversation with Je'anna Clements who is a writer, Young People's Assistant at Riverstone Village, European Democratic Education Community (EUDEC) Oversight Committee Member and Training Materials Developer.

If you have been wondering what Self Directed Education (SDE) is then look no further. This conversation is just what you need.

It was such a delight talking with Je'anna who selflessly shared all her insights and experience with me in this imperfectly perfect conversation.

I am sure you will enjoy every minute, as much as I did.


Sep 19, 202301:08:00
New Season dedicated to Young people - Episode 1 - Championing children's rights and youth participation with Arthur Templeman-Lilley

New Season dedicated to Young people - Episode 1 - Championing children's rights and youth participation with Arthur Templeman-Lilley

I am delighted to share this first episode for our new season which is solely dedicated to our children and young people. In these imperfectly perfect conversations, I will be shining the light on young people showing how uniquely unique they all are and how important it is for us adults to become curious about their unique gifts and fragrance in this garden called life.


My first guest is Arthur Templeman-Lilley and together we talk about a topic that is very close to Arthur's heart - championing children's rights and youth participation.

We talk about Arthur's own journey into the British schooling system and what he is currently doing but also his passion - children's rights.

We discuss how we adults make sure that youth participation does not come across nor become as tokenistic.


Arthur's webiste can be found here: https://futureyouthimpact2.wixsite.com/future-youth-impact


I am sure you will love every minute of this conversation as much as I did!

Sep 12, 202344:58
Episode 212 - It's okay to be uncomfortable. It's okay for your kids to think differently from you with Claire Gillespie

Episode 212 - It's okay to be uncomfortable. It's okay for your kids to think differently from you with Claire Gillespie

Today I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Claire Gillespie who is Founder of Oglee Poglee, a home Educator and Facilitator.

You can reach Claire on Facebook or Instagram In this episode we cover so much ground:

- Claire's own journey and how she became a home educator but most importantly how she walked alongside her children

- Why we are made to learn

- How we build flourishing communities

- How we discover who we are in this garden called life

I am sure you will love every minute of this conversation. I know I certainly did!

Sep 07, 202301:11:45
Episode 211 - Trusting that every strike matters in grass root change with Ken Caputo

Episode 211 - Trusting that every strike matters in grass root change with Ken Caputo

Today I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Ken Caputo who offers online and in-person training and workshops through Momentum Learning.


Together we explored Ken's own personal experience of the schooling system, his martial art skills and his work through Momentum Learning and we discussed how the better we understand each other, the deeper we connect, and the more our organisation(s) can evolve.


I particularly loved what Ken said: 'in grass root change, we can trust that every strike matters and we can't really know when the result is going to appear. Things are happening beneath the surface that we can't see [...]. suddenly there is something new that feels like it came out of nowhere but but it was these tiny injections of energy, of attention and intention that made it all happen.'


Learn more about Ken's work here

Aug 29, 202301:02:08
Episode 210 - Changing our perception of young people and knowing how much they have to contribute by Joshua Farris

Episode 210 - Changing our perception of young people and knowing how much they have to contribute by Joshua Farris

I am delighted to share part 2 of this imperfectly perfect conversation with ⁠Joshua Farris⁠

Together we discuss

  • the challenges faced by homeless young people
  • the need for a shift in mindset on how we perceive others
  • the difference between happiness and pleasure
  • putting youth at the centre of what we do
  • creating opportunies for youth to learn from adults and adults from youth
  • being the space holder, a facilitator

You can find more about Joshua's work through his ⁠website

I have no doubt that you will enjoy this episode as much as I did.

Aug 15, 202301:10:46
Episode 209 - How do we listen to our youth with Joshua Farris

Episode 209 - How do we listen to our youth with Joshua Farris

I am delighted to share part 1 of this imperfectly perfect conversation with Joshua Farris

Together we discuss whether

  • ALL young people need to go to university,
  • meritocracy,
  • first generation College Grads and the challenges they face,
  • and most importantly how we listen to our youth and learn with and through them.

You can find more about Joshua's work through his website

Aug 09, 202301:00:10
Episode 208 - How to feed the universal need for meaning and connection with Dr David Penberg

Episode 208 - How to feed the universal need for meaning and connection with Dr David Penberg

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Dr David Penberg, Leader in Residence at 2Revolutions.

David shared his journey as an educator/teacher and writer and together we explored

  • how he supports schools and community spaces in reimagining learning to remake a common world.
  • how we become citizens and human beings
  • how we feed the universal need for meaning, connection, and growth.

I am sure you will enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

David Penberg's website can be found here

Aug 02, 202301:04:37
Episode 207 - About meaning and being together with Dr Udo Gößwald

Episode 207 - About meaning and being together with Dr Udo Gößwald

In this imperfectly perfect episode, I talk with Dr Udo Gößwald, a former museum director, now freelance writer and blogger.

Together we draw on Udo's work in museums and we explore:

  • what well-being is - at the individual, community and planetary level,
  • how we are together
  • how we value our neighbourhood and neighbours

To do this, we need to have individuals who know who they are, who have a strong self-esteem and content.

His research and work led him to write his theses which are also available in English. The link for these can be found here: www.48thesen.de/en/

The essays corresponding with the first three theses have been published on Medium.

At the end of our conversation, Udo mentioned

Jul 28, 202301:02:41
Episode 206 - The Socratic Experience with Michael Strong

Episode 206 - The Socratic Experience with Michael Strong

In this episode, I have an imperfectly perfect conversation with Michael Strong, Founder of The Socratic Experience, a secondary school for parents seeking a warm, motivating, high performance virtual educational experience for their children, specializing in creative, intellectual, and entrepreneurial students whose needs are not being met by conventional schools.

Together we explore:

- Michael's journey in the world of education

- why he does what he does

- what it means to be socratic and the importance of relationships (absolute interest in what the child is thinking and why)

- the principles of Socratic dialogue and why it is so vital


Michael's Youtube channel can be found here

Michael's book: The Habit of Thoughts


Jul 18, 202301:00:04
Episode 205 - The importance of attending to our inner world with Dr Anne Knock

Episode 205 - The importance of attending to our inner world with Dr Anne Knock

In this episode I talk with Dr Anne Knock a passionate educator and a design-focused complexity strategist. Anne is a culture architect and impact designer who is also Director of Leadership and Culture at The Learning Future which reimagines and redesigns learning ecosystems so people thrive.

Together we explored:

- what complexity theory is

- The beauty of a complex future

- The importance of attention to our inner world

- What progress is to you


I am sure you will truly enjoy this episode as much as I did.

Jul 15, 202355:20
Episode 204 - Teaspoons of change with d'Arcy Lunn

Episode 204 - Teaspoons of change with d'Arcy Lunn

I am absolutely delighted to start the week with this beautiful and imperfectly perfect conversation with d'Arcy Lunn⁠ Head of Sustainability and Global Citizenship at Education in Motion (EiM) d'Arcy is also a speaker, facilitator, educator & comms specialist. He co-founded Teaspoons of Change to activate and align business, education and government with the Global Goals.

In this episode, d'Arcy shares his journey and explains what each of us can do in terms of:

-Small but significant ideas, attitudes and actions that have a positive impact on people and the planet

Living by the formula: Small Actions    X    Lots of People    =    BIG Change


I am sure you will get so much out of this amazing conversation. I know I did!


You can connect with d'Arcy on LinkedIn: d'Arcy Lunn

The musician d'Arcy recommended is Michael Franti

Jul 10, 202357:19
Episode 203 -How to build regenerative communities with Amy Milliron

Episode 203 -How to build regenerative communities with Amy Milliron

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Amy Milliron who is the Founder and Executive Director of Fearless Farmers and CEO of Deeply Rooted Ranch.

In this episode we discuss the direct correlation between soil health and human health and Amy shares her passion for farming and her journey. She shares their tools and training so that adults, children and young people can discover how regenerative agriculture can revitalize our soil to support the future generations that will need it most.

We also explore how to build regenerative communities.

I am sure you will love and enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Jul 04, 202356:34
Episode 202 - Culture binds us together as one world with Rosa Drumond

Episode 202 - Culture binds us together as one world with Rosa Drumond

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Rosa Maria Drumond Moreira who is the Founder of VEM (Virtual Exchange Mode).

Rosa shares with me how VEM means a call.

It is a call for all those who believe Education is connected to purpose, human values and knowledge in context. It is a virtual student exchange program designed to anyone willing to learn what makes sense to have a 🌎 growing in peace and prosperity.

VEM is an invitation to a collective network of schools and collaborators take part into convergent projects to have true Education back to learner’s minds and hands.

Listen to the whole conversation to find out more.

You can reach out Rosa through email: rosadrumor@hotmail.com

Jun 27, 202301:10:31
Episode 201 - Captains & Poets - Where Well-Being meets Inclusion & Belonging with Jan Frolic and Jennifer Johnson

Episode 201 - Captains & Poets - Where Well-Being meets Inclusion & Belonging with Jan Frolic and Jennifer Johnson

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Jan Frolic and Jennifer Johnson who are co-founders of Captains and Poets.

Together we discussed the groundbreaking Kindergarten – Grade 12 Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program that students will take with them their entire lives.

The premise of the program is that there is a unique Captain and Poet in each of us that, in partnership, enable us to be our best selves. When kids learn about their inner Captain and Poet they have immediate access to their emotions, their unique gifts and perspectives, and the complexities of what makes them human.

They become more resilient, learn how to draw on their innate strengths, and to nurture a positive mindset. By inspiring connection to self and others, we encourage a healthier sense of well-being and identity, more positive relationships, and greater agency and purpose in the world.

In short - Captains & Poets is where well-being meets inclusion and belonging!

I am sure you will enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Jun 20, 202350:37
Episode 200 - How to develop healthy habits of thinking, feeling and learning with Steve Schecter

Episode 200 - How to develop healthy habits of thinking, feeling and learning with Steve Schecter

Delighted to reach our 200th episode with a friend and co-creator Steve Schecter co-founder and CEO of Much Smarter, a digital platform which teaches young people to make full use of their minds so that they can:

- Learn anything they want

- Create the lives that they want

Together we explore how Much Smarter came to life and Steve's journey as well as how together with his team, they empower young people to develop healthy habits of thinking, feeling and learning.

I am sure you will enjoy this conversation as much as I did

Jun 12, 202345:16
Episode 199 - The Heart of Regeneration is...The Heart with Curtis Ogden

Episode 199 - The Heart of Regeneration is...The Heart with Curtis Ogden

I am delighted to end the week with this beautiful and imperfectly perfect conversation with Curtis Ogden who is Senior Associate for the Interaction Institute for Social Change and most of his work entails consulting with multi-stakeholder networks to strengthen and transform food public health, education, and economic development systems at local, state, regional, and national levels. He has worked with networks to launch and evolve through various stages of development.


I asked him to come and talk to me because I have resonated deeply with many of his articles such as 'At the Heart of Regeneration... is the Heart (and the Gut)' and I really wanted to explore concepts such as unravelling and healing as well as creating more space for things to happen.

The course in the Autumn Curtis will be running called Energy Systems Science and Practice can be found HERE

The book he recommended and I have been reading is called The Heartfulness Way by Kamlesh D. Patel and Joshua Pollock

Jun 09, 202355:37
Episode 198 - Reimagining our experiences for Human Becoming with Kobus Du Toit

Episode 198 - Reimagining our experiences for Human Becoming with Kobus Du Toit

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Kobus Du Toit who is Partnerships Manager at School of Humanity

As I explore how we build flourishing communities in education and beyond, I thought I could learn a lot from Kobus and his phenomenal journey both as an educator and a lifelong learner.

We explored how we create parthnerships and connections with others - adults and young people alike so that we can all flourish.

And the beauty of this amazing conversation, is that Kobus gave mwe a new metaphor to describe how we all flourish - that of a jazz band!

To find out more, listen to the whole episode. I am sure you will love it!


Jun 05, 202301:06:21
Episode 197 - Moving with the flow of life with Simon van der Els

Episode 197 - Moving with the flow of life with Simon van der Els

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect with Simon van der Els whom I connected with on LinkedIn.

Simon is a (micro)biologist who has spent the last ~12 years studying molecular biology and specializing in the microbial genetics.
Over the last 3 years my interest shifted towards the macro scale : systems (both the anthroposphere and the biosphere which encompasses it).

He is now a Researcher interested in the questions:
"In what capacity will the biosphere survive the coming centuries?"
"How can homo sapiens step up and play a regenerative role instead of the current omnicidal one?"
Together we explore our journey thus far as well as these questions both at the analytical and conceptual levels as well as the more practical and implemental levels.




  • David Bohm whose extensive work can be explored here

May 29, 202358:50
Episode 196 - The importance of financial education with Brian Curcio

Episode 196 - The importance of financial education with Brian Curcio

Today I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Brian Curcio, who is  co-founder of Rapunzl and a passionate supporter of any and all things related to financial education.

Brian shared with me how at a young age, I was incredibly fortunate to receive broad exposure to entrepreneurship and the stock market through my family and why during his senior year at Amherst College, he developed Rapunzl. He explained how we partnered with his highschool friend, Myles Gage, and together they designed a developed an app that could solve the three roadblocks that prohibit many from understanding the stock market: fear, exposure, and accessibility.

Listen to find out more!

May 23, 202349:60
Episode 195 - Quantum Art unites... from STEM to STREAM for creative collective intelligence with Mariam Brian

Episode 195 - Quantum Art unites... from STEM to STREAM for creative collective intelligence with Mariam Brian

This week I share my imperfectly perfect conversation with Mariam Brian who is a chief imagineer and Founder of holoartcollective.com and who offers global advisory services. She is a Global Speaker State of the Art Topics, a High Impact Global Consultant.

I discovered Mariam's work on Linkedin when I came across her blog on The Future of Education which resonated deeply with me.

We explored so many topics but in particular

- the concept of thredding the needle from STEM to STREAM and what needs to happen now AI is here.

- what advice she has for parents

- what the future of education is


We had the most wonderful conversation. It left me feeling like I could have asked so many more as she has such a wealth of knowledge and understanding.

Take a listen and get in touch with her, particularly if you would like to find out more and learn with and through her by collaborating with her.

May 19, 202301:15:28
Episode 194 - Supporting you and your community to flourish with Dr Eri Mountbatten O'Malley

Episode 194 - Supporting you and your community to flourish with Dr Eri Mountbatten O'Malley

In this imperfectly perfect conversation, I connect with and talk to the wonderful Dr Eri Mountbatten O'Malley who is Senior lecturer in Education Policy at Bath Spa University.

I reached out to him because his PhD is a conceptual analysis of human flourishing. As a researcher keen to understand what flourishing means and how we create flourishing communities in educational settings, I really wanted to learn with and through Eri.

We not only discussed his research but the phenomenal work he is doing with his Flourish Cafe here in the UK.

If you are interested in well-being and flourishing, both at the individual but also at the community and planetary levels then this is definitely a conversation for you.

Enjoy!

May 13, 202301:09:59
Episode 193 - Empowering young people to discover their greatness with Sally Lewis

Episode 193 - Empowering young people to discover their greatness with Sally Lewis

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with the amazing Sally Lewis.

Once in a while, we meet people and it feels like we have known them for ever. My encounter with Sally was exactly like this and I am sure you will be able to hear this when you listen to this episode.

Together we share our passion - children and young people's wellbeing and we explore how we can help them discover their greatness.

Sally shares heer experience in Bali and how she came to write her book 'Figuring out your Future: A guide to life beyond the school gates' and much more...

If you feel inspired to connect with Sally

Her website can be found here

And the books she mentions are:

Todd Rose

The end of Average

Dark Horse

Collective Illusions

The Creative Act: A way of Being by Rick Rubin

May 10, 202301:00:26
Episode 192 - Nurturing a culture of care for ourselves, for each other and for the planet with Rachel Musson

Episode 192 - Nurturing a culture of care for ourselves, for each other and for the planet with Rachel Musson

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with the wonderful Rachel Musson, Director of Thoughtbox, Systems Thinker and Climate Activist.

I invited Rachel for a second conversation on the podcast because I truly love her work. It is so aligned with my research and explorations.

Our first conversation was called 'Listen to your inner salmon'

She recently published a new ebook called The Future of Education which can be downloaded for free and where she takes us on a journey right down to the root causes of our crises in schools and back out again towards a healthier learning horizon by nurturing a culture of care for ourselves, for each other and for the planet.

And this is what we explore in this episode which is simply beautiful and left me feeling inspired and hopeful.

You can join Rachel and become an Explorer member for free here too.

May 06, 202301:01:53
Episode 191 - How to empower educators as change makers with Michelle Blanchet

Episode 191 - How to empower educators as change makers with Michelle Blanchet

Today I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Michelle Blanchet who is Co-Founder as well as Change Consultant at The Educators' Lab. She is also co author of The Startup Teacher Playbook and Preventing Polarization.

Michelle and I explored how to create tools to help educators turn their ideas to improve teaching and learning into ACTION. We are often told that we need to innovate in education but no one provides a HOW. Frustrated with training that inspired but didn't provide follow-through, Michelle shared how they have taken methodologies from the social-startup space and adapted them for educators, so as to provide the HOW for teachers to make innovation happen.

The other book she mentioned (beside hers above) are:

⁠Humanity⁠ by John Glover Lean Startup


May 02, 202301:01:52
Episode 190 - Vibrant evidence of learning, growth, impact and community with Aaron Schorn

Episode 190 - Vibrant evidence of learning, growth, impact and community with Aaron Schorn

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Aaron Schorn who is an amplifier of youth, co-designing education programs rooted in youth agency and entrepreneurship. Head of Community and Growth at Unrulr, as well as Program Director at the Nalukai Foundation Aaron and I first discussed the importance of co-designing education programmes rooted in youth agency and entrepreneurship, focused on human connection and the key elements such as trust and transparency.

We then discussed how through the use of Unrulr, a social learning app we can make holistic growth visible through authentic moments.

Some of the books Aaron mentioned are:

Apr 29, 202334:38
Episode 189 - There is no better time than now for change with Dr Nicolene

Episode 189 - There is no better time than now for change with Dr Nicolene

This week I share my imperfectly perfect conversation with Dr Nicolene who is the co-founder of a Learning Centre in Bali called Open Flow Learning Centre which is a nice international learning centre co-curating education for children.

We explore Dr Nicolene's journey and how she co-created Open Flow and the key changes.

She highlighted:

- the amount of choice and voice that they bring into the Learning Centre, but also in the children's Day in how they do things, and how they get to actually speak up and take responsibility.

- the importance of being human-centered and human centered conversations.

- Her advice to all of us educators (parents and teachers alike) is to stop over analysing, overthinking or justifying. Let's just do things and get on with it. Because there is no other time than now.

Apr 23, 202301:00:33
Episode 188 - Being a wiser culture - now what? and so what? with Dr Daniel Wahl

Episode 188 - Being a wiser culture - now what? and so what? with Dr Daniel Wahl

In this imperfectly perfect conversation, I talk with the wonderful Dr Daniel Wahl, author of Designing Regenerative Cultures.

We explore what's wrong with our societies, organizations, ideologies, worldviews and cultures - and how to put them right.

Daniel is a consultant, educator, activist, speaker, blogger, weaver, catalyst. I asked him how his work can also be applied in the world of education.

We discussed in particular:

- The dominant narrative, which is that of separation versus the story of interbeing and remembering that we are much more deeply connected to place and the resources of place and how we could meet human needs within the limits of a bound territory or bio region.

- We are so much more capable than that narrative has made us believe we are in multiple ways, as healers of places and as healers of communities.

- We are not separate from what we're looking at.

As well as the importance of:

- understanding the fluctuating dynamics of life and how to dance with it

- paying attention to the metaphors we use.

Apr 16, 202301:00:06
Episode 187 - What if Nature had a seat on school governance boards? with Benjamin Freud and Charlotte Hankin

Episode 187 - What if Nature had a seat on school governance boards? with Benjamin Freud and Charlotte Hankin

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Benjamin Freud and Charlotte Hankin who are both co-founders of Coconut Thinking.

In this episode, I invited Benjamin and Charlotte to come and talk about their new venture Nature on the board which is a new collaboration between Benjamin, Charlotte, Andy Middleton and Michelle Blanchet We discussed how we create the conditions for genuine sustainability action and how we create a paradigm shift in the education system.

We focused in particular on the importance of:

  • Having a spokesperson for nature on the board.
  • Putting nature as a spokesperson in schools.
  • Taking action
  • Localising

To get in touch with Nature on the board -

email: connect@natureontheboard.io Or book in a time with them: Calendar Nature on the Board

Apr 10, 202352:46
Episode 186 - Supporting women from vulnerable communities with Magaga Enos

Episode 186 - Supporting women from vulnerable communities with Magaga Enos

This week I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with the wonderful Magaga Enos who is Communication and Outreach Coordinator for BEADS for Education and HundrED Country Lead Kenya.

He shares his journey and passion to support and give women, in particular from vulnerable communities more compassion.

I am sure you will find this episode as fascinating as I did.

The book mentioned by Magaga at the end is called:

The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros

Apr 03, 202301:04:12
Episode 185 - Antifragility for a Flourishing Education with Dr Adam R Wright and Dr Nick Holton

Episode 185 - Antifragility for a Flourishing Education with Dr Adam R Wright and Dr Nick Holton

In this imperfectly perfect conversation I talk with Dr Adam R Wright and Dr Nick Holton about antifragility for a Flourishing Education.

Dr Holton is a consultant, coach and educator, who serves a variety of both formal and informal roles, all of which are devoted to the study, dissemination, and application of the science of human flourishing. Feeling, behaving, and functioning as our best selves and at our highest potentials.

Dr Wright is a doctor of sports psychology and mental skills consultant, executive coach, and educator. For the past 20 years, he has been fully immersed in the world of high performance and has had the privilege of coaching world-class and professional athletes, Hollywood celebrities, CEOs, hedge fund executives, and more.

The book mentioned are:

The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff

Antifragile: Things that gain from disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Dopamine Nation: Finding the balance in the age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke


Nick's podcast can be found here:

Flourish FM

Finally - here is the link to Dr Scott Barry Kaufman's podcast ⁠The Psychology Podcast ⁠


Mar 27, 202359:50
Episode 184 - How to travel purposefully to a yet unknown destination with Madeleen Mulder

Episode 184 - How to travel purposefully to a yet unknown destination with Madeleen Mulder

Today I am delighted to share with powerful imperfectly perfect conversation with Madeleen Mulder who is a Wayfinder | Warrior for the human spirit | Futurist | Regenerative Leadership | General Counsel | Purpose activator | Writer.

Madeleen explains how she used to be a lawyer but left because she was bored and also she loved asking the hard questions or the critical questions, the why?

We reflected (among other things) on:

  • how we are not encouraged to be a seeker, to ask questions.
  • The power of curiosity
  • The importance of healing our trauma (individual and collectively)
  • We cannot live in isolation

The books Madeleen mentioned are:

The Alchemist- Paulo Coehlo

The Body keeps the score - Bessel van der Kolk

Flux - April Rinne

Mar 21, 202348:53
Episode 183 - The importance of heart-to-heart connections with Natalia Blagoeva

Episode 183 - The importance of heart-to-heart connections with Natalia Blagoeva

In this powerful imperfectly perfect conversation, I talk with the wonderful Natalia Blagoeva who supports humans humans to thrive in an era dominated by AI and machines by unleashing their Human Advantage. She is also a Change Whisperer©, Educator, Constellator Systemic Constellations, Founder & Co-creator, Podcast Co-host.

You can find out all about her work here: https://www.nataliablagoeva.com/

In this episode, we particularly focused on Natalia's journey on how to let go and surrender as well as the importance of heart-to heart connections and how easy it is to recognise them.

I have absolutely no doubt that you will love every minute of it (as much as I did!)

At the end of our conversation, Natalia promised a list of the authors that most touched her on her journey. Here it is:

- Meditations for Living in Balance: Daily Solutions for People Who Do Too Much by Anne Wilson Schaef

- Synchronicity: The Inner Path of Leadership by Joseph Jaworski

- Leading with Wisdom: Spritual Based Leadership in Business by Peter Pruzan and Kirsten Pruzan Mikkelsen

- Collaborating with the Enemy: How to Work with People You Don’t Agree with or Like or Trust by Adam Kahane

- Braving the Wilderness: The quest for true belonging and the courage to stand alone by Brené Brown

- The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible by Charles Eisenstein

- Who Do We Choose to Be?: Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity by Margaret J. Wheatley

- The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer

-  The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté MD

Mar 13, 202301:02:23
Episode 182 - Sustainablility mindshift with Brad Peirce

Episode 182 - Sustainablility mindshift with Brad Peirce

In this imperfectly perfect conversation, I talk with Brad Peirce who is a Living Systems Learning Experience Designer, Facilitator, Advisor, and Coach.

Brad explained how he helps clients bring their sustainability strategies to life.

We discuss how leaders and teams develop regenerative mindsets, skills and capabilities. And much more...

I am sure you will enjoy this episode as much as I did.

The book Brad mentions is called Regenerative Leadership by Giles Hutchins and Laura Storm

Mar 08, 202301:09:56
Episode 181 - Empowering Schools and their pupils to become Eco Ambassadors with Edd Moore

Episode 181 - Empowering Schools and their pupils to become Eco Ambassadors with Edd Moore

I am delighted to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Edd Moore who is a Primary School Teacher, National Award Winning Eco Coordinator.

During this episode he shared his amazing initiative in the primary school he works and how he empowers schools and their pupils to become Eco Ambassadors.

I am sure you will love this conversation as much as I did.

You can reach Edd via LinkedIn
Feb 27, 202346:33
Episode 180 - Every single brain is unique and beautiful with Deborah McNelis

Episode 180 - Every single brain is unique and beautiful with Deborah McNelis

In this powerful imperfectly perfect conversation I talk with Deborah McNelis who is a Speaker and Author of The First 60 Days & The Neuro-Nurturing® Interaction Packets Series.

We cover a lot in this conversation but in particular:

  • The first 60 days of neural nurturing.
  • Self-perception and the brain.
  • How to make changes in the brain.
  • How to switch the focus.
  • The teenage brains

I am sure you will love this conversation and will learn lots. I know I did!

Feb 21, 202301:04:20
Episode 179 - Reinventing education with Raya Bidshari, CEO and Founder of School of Humanity

Episode 179 - Reinventing education with Raya Bidshari, CEO and Founder of School of Humanity

In this imperfectly perfect conversation I shine the light on an amazing innovator and disruptor in the field of education: Raya Bidshari CEO and Founder of School of Humanity

We started with Raya's journey into education and then Raya shared all about School of Humanity and its origin, the values of that underpin the school and how as a parent whose son attends School of Humanity, I have noticed that these values permeates absolutely everything the team does.

We also explored how we let go of the need for qualifications that are highly valued by universities and societies?

I am sure you will love every minute of this conversation. I know I did!

Feb 13, 202357:29
Episode 178 - Systems can be changed if we believe we can do it with Stef Kuypers

Episode 178 - Systems can be changed if we believe we can do it with Stef Kuypers

In this imperfectly perfect conversation with Stef Kuypers who is a TEDx Speaker,  PhD student in Business Economics,  Researcher in behavioural and monetary economics, Systems Thinker and Facilitator.

I first discovered Stef's work through his two TEDx talks:

Money, Behaviour and Society: the invisible Link

Man Made Money

We discussed Happonomy, an initiative originally started by Bruno Delepierre based on his research about happiness and well being. Its goal is to build an economy which has our well being at its core.

If you've ever wondered how we can create a different economy and system, then this conversation is definitely for you.

Feb 08, 202301:05:07
Episode 177 - What is it we value most with Matthew Piercy

Episode 177 - What is it we value most with Matthew Piercy

Today I talk with Matt Piercy who is  a learner, international educator, author, and an explorer.

We covered so many points in this imperfectly perfect conversation.

Here are some of them:

  • A renewed sense of appreciation for place.
  • The importance of community and nature.
  • We all have a responsibility to choose our response.
  • The curse of knowledge and wisdom.
  • The scarcity mindset and the value of time.
  • The importance of community and quality relationships.
  • The difference between laminated values and lived values.
  • The importance of choosing our passions.
  • Empowering our children to be lifelong learners

His website: matthewpiercy.edublogs.org/ 

Feb 01, 202301:02:37
Episode 176 - If you can think differently, you can do anything with John Rainford

Episode 176 - If you can think differently, you can do anything with John Rainford

Today I share this wonderful conversation with John Rainford who came to talk to me about how much he cares about Education, Health and Wellbeing.

He shared how he created the Darwin Matrix and how he believes that we should all believe in ourselves.

He added that we all carry a lot of baggage around but what would happen if we let go of that baggage? 

We would

- go on leaps and bounds

- bring a new mindset

- think differently 

When/if we think differently, we can do anything

Take a listen to the whole episode and let me know what your key take-aways are. 

Jan 26, 202352:29