The Wonders of Wellbeing Podcast Aimee Parkinson

Life is too short. You need to set then chase outrageous goals. Invest in your time. Now. 

I had the pleasure of chatting with Kate Christie. Kate is Australia’s top time management expert who has supported organisations including BUPA, Westpac, Specsavers, L’Oreal, Women in International Security, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, The European Union - and now us, here on the Wonders of Wellbeing. 

She is a sought after media commentator, an Opinion Columnist for CEOWorld Magazine and a co-host on TV’s Kochie’s Business Builders. Kate is also the best selling author of 5 books, her most recent being  ‘The Life List’. 

Kate has spoken to audiences around the world including in Australia, Asia, America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the United Kingdom.
Kate and I discussed:
Role of mindset in effective time managementStrategies to prioritise tasks and invest in time efficientlyOvercoming time-wasting habits and distractionsInspiration behind her latest book, 'The Life List'And much more!Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to create a better future for our life long learners!
Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Kate:
Email: kc@katechristie.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-christie/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kate.christie.92
Website: www.timestylers.com

We must pause and contemplate the most efficient and productive method for managing our workloads.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Andrew Cowley. With nearly 30 years in the classroom, many years on SLT and eight as Deputy Headteacher, Andrew draws upon his experience of teaching in every year group across the primary school range and upon leadership of a number of subject areas and a range of initiatives in changing educational times. Andrew now supports the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools as a coach, both on the School Mental Health Award and on the Senior Designated Mental Health Leader programme.  

He also serves as chair of governors at a primary school in his local area. Andrew speaks at live events and on podcasts and webinars as well as being a guest blogger for a number of educational and mental health providers.  Andrew is a twice published author with Bloomsbury Education: The Wellbeing Toolkit discusses strategies for leading staff wellbeing in schools; The Wellbeing Curriculum sets the case for why and how we can embed wellbeing across our primary schools. He is in the final stages of writing his third book, The School Mental Health Toolkit, due for publication in 2025. 
Andrew and I discussed:
How educators can effectively balance planning and resourcing to ensure optimal learning outcomes for students.Tactics to prevent the constant struggle of grading and providing feedback.How to assure educators that small, sustainable steps will have a meaningful impact when it may seem like progress is moving very slowly.Number one piece of advice for educators in relation to their workload. And much more!Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to create a better future for our life long learners!
Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Andrew:
LinkedIn: Andrew Cowley
X: Andrew Cowley
Website: Healthy Toolkit
Email: andrewcowley23@gmail.com

What would be the impact if every conversation in your school was a better one? Even just a little bit?

I had the pleasure of chatting with Julie Keyes, a highly experienced educator and coach with more than fifteen years in the field. In 2021, Julie established The Educational Coach. She meticulously handpicked a team of exceptional coaches and educators, and introduced The HELP Method, a transformative model she personally designed and implemented in schools worldwide.

With a background as a senior leader, Julie has steered complex organisations and institutions both in the UK and internationally. She holds professional membership with the Charter College of Teaching and has served as a trustee for a prominent school trust. Julie's contributions include creating and refining a module on parent partnerships for Discovery Education and the National Association Headteachers.

Julie's expertise extends to developing leadership programs for major corporations and law firms, alongside services in education. She passionately advocates for strengths-based coaching, recognising its ability to bolster self-awareness and confidence. Actively engaged in professional communities like the ICF, Julie remains dedicated to continuous learning and advancement in coaching methodologies.
Julie and I discussed:
What constitutes a high-quality conversation and trends in the coaching industry. Key benefits of fostering a coaching culture within education. Practical strategies for integrating coaching principles into a school environment.Ethical considerations when engaging in coaching relationships in education settings. How individuals can strike a balance between investing in their personal growth and focusing on their professional development. And much more!Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to create a better future for our life long learners!
Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Julie:
LinkedIn: Julie Keyes
Instagram: The Educational Coach
Website: The Educational Coach
Email: hello@theeducationalcoach.co.uk

A positive workplace is a powerful thing.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Dr Suzy Green, the CEO & Founder of The Positivity Institute, a positively deviant organisation dedicated to the research and application of Positive Psychology in workplaces and schools.  She is a leader in the complementary fields of Coaching Psychology and Positive Psychology, having conducted a world first study on the impact of evidence based coaching on performance and wellbeing. 

Suzy is an Honorary Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of East London. Suzy also holds honorary academic positions at the Centre for Positive Psychology, University of Melbourne and the Black Dog Institute. Suzy is also an affiliate of the Institute for Wellbeing at Cambridge University. As a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience in the treatment of mental illness, Suzy is passionate about reducing the significant impact of mental health in our workplaces, schools and communities. 

As a Coaching Psychologist, who has scientifically investigated the impact of evidence-based coaching, Suzy is also passionate about encouraging the use of coaching for performance and wellbeing enhancement for all. Suzy’s extensive experience in the media includes having been a brand ambassador for ANZ, Fitbit, Nivea, Nespresso and Officeworks. Suzy is also an official ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Suzy and I discussed:
Key characteristics of positive leaders in education and how they influence the success of a school. How positive leadership can address issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. Examples of specific strategies or initiatives that positive leaders can implement to foster a culture of collaboration. In challenging situations or times of change, how positive leaders can effectively guide their teams and maintain a sense of optimism. And much more!Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to create a better future for our life long learners!
Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Suzy:
Instagram: @drsuzyg
LinkedIn: Dr Suzy Green
Twitter: @DrSuzyGreen 
Facebook: The Positivity Institute

New national regulations in Australia reflect the outcomes of an independent review of Australia’s model Work Health and Safety laws in 2018, which recommended more specific guidance on how to identify and manage psychosocial risks. Psychosocial hazards are hazards that may cause psychological harm. These new regulations are part of a significant national effort to better address the risks caused by psychosocial hazards at work and recognise that a worker’s psychological health is just as important as their physical health. 

I had the pleasure of chatting with Lesley Cooper, a management consultant with over 25 years’ of experience in the design and delivery of all elements of employee wellbeing management programmes. In 1997 Lesley founded WorkingWell, an award-winning specialist consultancy that helps companies to manage workplace pressure in a way that facilitates growth and development. She is the co-author of Brave New Leader: How to Transform Workplace Pressure into Sustainable Performance and Growth.

Her passion lies in assisting clients to achieve the highest standards of performance, while prioritising the well-being of their workforce. Through her extensive expertise, she strives to make a positive impact on organisations by enhancing employee well-being and driving overall success.
Lesley and I discussed:
What psychological safety is and why is it crucial in workplaces.Specific signs or indicators that suggest a lack of psychological safety among staff.Effective strategies for creating a psychologically safe environment for teachers within schools or educational institutions.The role school leaders play in fostering psychological safety for staff and what initiatives or policies can they implement. How teachers themselves can contribute to the development of a psychologically safe culture within their professional communities. And much more!Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to create a better future for our life long learners!
Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Lesley:
Website: https://www.workingwell.co.uk/
LinkedIn: Lesley Cooper

Thriving Workplaces. Flourishing Schools. Stronger Communities.

I had the pleasure of chatting to Dr. Michelle McQuaid, a best-selling author, workplace wellbeing teacher and playful change activator. An honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education, in addition to hosting the highly acclaimed weekly podcast, Making Positive Psychology Work, which features leading researchers and practitioners from around the world, Michelle blogs for Psychology Today, The Huffington Post and Thrive, and her work has been featured in Forbes, The Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, Boss Magazine, The Age and more.

Michelle and I discuss:
How schools can effectively navigate organisational change to promote a positive and supportive environment. Key strategies that have been successful in implementing organisational change in schools.How can leaders ensure that changes are communicated transparently and inclusively to foster a sense of unity and understanding among staff. How school leaders can prioritise and support the wellbeing of their staff to prevent burnout and maintain a positive working environment. And much more!Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to create a better future for our life long learners!
Listen here:
Apple - https://apple.co/3OAl10C
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Pyuxmg
Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3z9fmcb

Connect with Michelle:
Website: www.michellemcquaid.com
LinkedIn: Michelle McQuaid
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