Inspiration, Influence and Impact

My guest this episode, Liz Benson, shares her passion for middle leadership and how her own journey drives her work to support middle leaders to thrive. She discusses her mission to elevate the perception of middle leadership to be seen as a complex and complete role.

Liz's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations:

• People - Connect with others who meet your needs
• Book - Energising Teaching: The power of your unique pedagogical gift by Frank Crowther; Step In, Step Up: Empowering Women for the School Leadership Journey by Jan Kise and Barbara Watterson

• Podcast - ReThinking with Adam Grant; Teacher's Education Review with Cameron Malcher; Education Research Reading Room with Ollie Lovell; Chat 10 Looks 3 with Leigh Sales and Annabelle Crabb
• Cause - International Women's Day
• Dream Travel Destination - Luxury Train Trip

Connect with Liz:

• LinkedIn - Liz Benson

My guest this episode, Aaron Johnston, shares how his own life experiences motivate his work as an educator, and talks about his mission to ensure schools a place of joy where each and every student feels valued and successful. Aaron's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People - Emma Gentle, Alice Vigors, Matthew Green Book - 'Leaders Eat Last' by Simon Sinek Podcast - Teacher Takeaway Podcast and Get Schooled Cause - Ronald McDonald House Dream Travel Destination - Japan Connect with Aaron: X - @AaronJohnston5 Instagram - @mr.j.learning.space Facebook Page - Mr J’s Learning Space Podcast - Teacher Takeaway Podcast

My guest this episode, Gemma Goodyear, shares how her love of learning has guided her work to create schools that look different, honour learners and are places of joy. Gemma's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: People: Children Book: 'To Teach' by Wiliam Ayers Podcast: The Educhange Podcast Causes: Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project and Wurrundjeri Culture Council Dream Travel Destination: India Connect with Gemma: Instagram: @tracesoflearning Website: Traces of Learning LinkedIn: Traces of Learning Facebook: Traces of Learning X: @gemmaeducate Gemma is an Educational Consultant and Primary School Principal, and she has been a leading educator for over 20 years. Gemma has held roles such as Principal, Deputy Principal, Leadership Consultant, Coach, Mentor, Literacy Leader, and Change Consultant. Her love and passion for learning and teaching led to Traces of Learning. Furthering her expertise by completing a Post Graduate in Literacy Leadership, Graduate certificate in leadership, Masters in Educational Leadership, and currently completing a Phd in Educational Leadership - leading Learning and Teaching change. Her workshops and consultancy are based on her further study and experience as a leader and educator. As an education consultant, Gemma is committed to her role as Principal and ensuring all her study and cycles of change work in her own setting and with colleagues. She expanded this knowledge through the launch of Traces of learning, wanting to support others in leading change and implementing models to inspire leaders, educators, and children. She works alongside schools to coach and mentor a hands-on approach while embedding curriculum and leadership standards. Gemma works with schools around Australia and ELCs to build consistency and accountability whilst bringing joy and passion. Gemma has been a panel member of The Age Summit, presenter of National Education Summit, 2023 REAIE Conference - Landscapes of Curiosity and Creativity, in dialogue with the 100 languages Melbourne/Naarm and has been awarded Visionary Leader - Walker learning.

My guest this episode, Chuck Anderson, discusses the impact of his lived experiences and his goal to support others to thrive by sharing through storytelling and connection.

Chuck's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations:

• Person - Sue Langley
• Book - The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
• Cause - A cause you find meaningful and aligns with your values
• Dream Travel Destination - Manly Beach

Connect with Chuck:

• Email - [email protected]
• Website - Living To Thrive
• LinkedIn - Chuck Anderson
• Instagram - @livingtothrive.com.au

Chuck Anderson is the co-founder and principal consultant of Living to Thrive that specialises in workplace mental health and psychological safety.His background includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Diploma of Positive Psychology and Well-Being and Diploma of Risk Management.He has worked with a number of major clients across Australia including WeWork, Charles Stuart University, Australian Red Cross Life Blood, nbn and more.

Chuck is also a freelance well-being columnist writing newspapers such as the North Sydney Sun. He has had the pleasure of interviewing some of the world's foremost experts in the field of psychology including Dr Kristin Neff, Dr Ellen Langer and Dr Rick Hanson.

Over the last 22 years, he has worked across multiple sectors and industries, both in Australia and overseas, where he gained a wealth of diverse experience and knowledge. This includes seven years in defense where he was an intelligence specialist for the U.S. Navy.

My guest this episode, Sue Langley, shares her passion for guiding and supporting others to be their best selves through practical application of neuroscience, emotional intelligence and positive psychology.

Sue's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations:

• Person - people who inspire you
• Books - Social: Why Our Brains are Wired to Connect by Matthew Lieberman; J.D Robb and Robert Galbraith
• Podcast - Learn with Sue: Walk and Talk with Sue Langley; Audiobook - 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
• Cause - Support what you believe in
• Dream Travel Destination - Italy

Connect with Sue:

• Email - [email protected]
• Website - Learn with Sue; Langley Group
• LinkedIn - Sue Langley
• Instagram - @suelangleyofficial

Sue Langley is a keynote speaker, global consultant and positive

leadership expert. Sue specialises in the practical applications of

neuroscience, emotional intelligence and positive psychology,

synthesising the science and research into simple, practical tools

that anyone can use.

As the CEO and Founder of the Langley Group, Sue has taught

thousands of business leaders, coaches and consultants how to

create positive work cultures and harness the brain's potential. As

Academic Director of the Langley Group Institute, Sue created the

world’s first nationally recognised Diploma of Positive Psychology

and Wellbeing. She has a Masters in Neuroscience of Leadership

and was a featured expert in the hit ABC TV series Redesign My

Brain and in the award-winning documentary Make Me a Leader.

My guest this episode, Kari Sutton, shares her passion for helping parents and adults who care for kids lay the foundations ofresilience and emotional wellbeing in early childhood, so we can protect our future generations. She talks about her determination to nurture conversations about how we cultivate children’s positive mental health to deliver tangible strategies and insights which are immediately actionable.

Kari's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations:

• Person - start with yourself, then find a community
• Books - Atomic Habits by James Clear and Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
• Podcasts - Unlocking Us - Brene Brown and The Happiness Lab Dr Laurie Santos
• Cause - Anything that deeply resonates with you and has a positive impact on the world
• Dream Travel Destination - Alaska and Africa

Connect with Kari:

• X - @karisutton
• Instagram - @karisuttonofficial
• Website - https://karisutton.com
• Facebook Page - karisutton
• Linkedin - Kari Sutton

Kari Sutton is a consultant, author of two books,educator, and speaker who has helped over 25,000 children, parents, and educators with evidence- based strategies, tools and approaches to foster children's resilience and emotional wellbeing. During her 30 year career in education, both as a teacher and school counsellor, she had a front row seat dealing with the escalating crisis in children’s mental health and is determined to change the way we cultivate children’s positive mental health.

My guest this episode, Kelly Chase, shares her passion for sharing the voices and stories of women in history, and her desire to support educators with resources for teaching all perspectives of our full history.

Kelly's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations:

People - Dr Stephanie Smith; Vince Wall; Michael Cox; Brett Salakas

Books - Education: The School by Brendan Murray

Historical Fiction: Anything by Kim Kelly

Women’s History: Forgotten Warriors by Sarah Percy

Australian History: Making Australian History by Anna Clark

Women and Leadership by Julia Gillard and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Podcasts - HP Reinvent the Classroom with Brett Salakas; Science Versus; Stuff the British Stole; Download this Show; Stop Everything; No Filter; Frontier War Stories

Cause - Save the Bilby Fund

Connect with Kelly:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/HistoryDetect 

Instagram/Threads - https://www.instagram.com/historydetective9/

Website or Blog - www.historydetectivepodcast.com 

Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/historydetectivepodcast 

Podcast - History Detective

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@historydetective 

My guest this episode, Keelie Allen, shares her passion for making the world a better place and the life experiences that have inspired her to create a kindness movement.

Keelie's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations:

Person - Someone you haven't connected with for a while.

Book - Atomic Habits by James Clear

Podcast - Brene Brown's podcasts

Cause - Kindness

Dream Travel Destination - Anywhere with sunshine and beautiful beaches

Connect with Keelie:

Instagram - @randomactsofkeelie

Facebook - Random Acts of Keelie

Linkedin- Keelie Allen

Keelie Allen is a creator of kindness, and loves making a positive impact in the lives of others by helping them become the best version of themselves. With a passion for positive psychology, believing that there is power in numbers and that kindness has the power to change the world, had led her to where she is today, starting a kindness movement. 

My guest this episode, Jane Taylor, shares how her life experiences led to her passion for connecting and building relationships with others, and how her journey of unlearning led to her own self-discoveries. She talks about how this knowledge and understanding now guide her as she supports people to change the way they see themselves in order to be whole-heartedly themselves. 

Jane's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations: 

• Person - Your true self first and foremost
• Book - 'The Myth of Normal' by Gabor Mate
• Podcast - Being Well with Forrest and Rick Hanson
• Cause - Something that aligns with your heart
• Dream Travel Destination - The Greek Islands

Connect with Jane:

• Website - Habits for Wellbeing
• Instagram - @habitsforwellbeing 
• Facebook - Habits for Wellbeing 

Jane Taylor is a certified and registered ICF PCC coach, mentor, author of 4 journals, facilitator and registered teacher who is committed to helping support people to change the way they see themselves through "(Un)Learning, so You Can Reconnect, Realign and Reclaim Your Inner Resources and BE Whole-Heartedly YOU... One Habit at a Time!", so we can live in peace and harmony.

Jane began her career as a professional athlete competing on the world tennis stage before finding her passion – learning (or unlearning may be more accurate) and building relationships. This passion evolved in to a career in education as well as facilitating national coaching programs for Tennis Australia and co-ordinating national initiatives for education, before starting Habits for Wellbeing. Jane has supported and worked with over 33000 adults in leadership, coaching, education, emotional intelligence, mindfulness meditation, self-compassion, mental health promotion and prevention and organisational wellbeing.

My guest this episode, Sarah Donaldson, shares her passion for empowering people to be their authentic selves and for all people to feel seen, heard and valued, which is complemented and supported by her belief that education can and should be an act of social justice and an opportunity to nurture global citizens that embrace diversity and bring people in from the margins. She talks about her vision for deconstructing the status quo and recreating a more equitable society, as belonging and equity benefits us all, and the influence working in international schools had had on her beliefs and practice. 

Sarah's inspirational, influential and impactful recommendations:

• People - Kathleen Naglee, Alysa Perraras, Emily Meadows, Bettina Love, Lee Ann Jung
• Book - 'Caste: The Origins of our Discontent' by Isabel Wilkerson
• Podcast - Unhinged Collaboration
• Cause - Nyaka Aids Orphanage - education and empowerment for children and educators in Uganda.
• Dream Travel Destination - The Amazon Rainforest

Connect with Sarah: 

• Twitter - @wondrwomyn
• LinkedIn - Sarah Donaldson 

Sarah Donaldson is currently the elementary associate principal at the International School of Curitiba, and has been in education for 20 years as an elementary classroom teacher, an EAL teacher, and a literacy coach.  Sarah stands up firmly on the side of human rights, equity, diversity, social justice, and belonging.  She believes that education can and should be an act of social justice, an opportunity to nurture global citizens that embrace diversity and bring people in from the margins in order to collaborate in solving the world's problems.  In fact, Sarah’s Master’s thesis led her and a group of 17 inspiring 3rd graders to research and write a 300 page book on the topic.