EMpowered

In this episode, I’m joined by my incredible mentor and friend, Lael Stone for a conversation about the stories we carry, where they come from, and how they can shape the way we parent, teach, work, love and show up in the world.We talk about “imprints”. The beliefs and patterns we absorb in childhood become our normal. The stories around success, emotions, money, relationships, achievement, belonging and worthiness.So many of the reactions we have as adults make sense when we understand what was modelled to us growing up.We also talk about why parenting often brings unresolved wounds to the surface and how childhood experiences shape the way we respond to stress and behaviour.Lael also shares openly about writing her new book Owning Your Story and how it brought up her own imprints and old belief systems.This episode is such an important reminder that behaviour, stress, reactions and relationship struggles rarely come out of nowhere. There is always a story underneath.You can connect with Lael here:Website: www.laelstone.com.auInstagram: @laelstoneBook: Owning Your StoryResources for youWanting to understand your nervous system better so you can focus on responding rather than reacting? Download ‘Map Your Nervous System States’ HERE as a beautiful starting point.Connect with EmWebsite: emmagentle.com.auInstagram: @em_gentleLinkedIn

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to burn down a business and rebuild it from the inside out.After three years of working with teachers and leaders, running workshops, consulting, memberships, and courses, I realised something big — the life and business I had built no longer aligned with who I was becoming as a woman, a mother, and a leader.This episode is a raw and honest reflection on alignment, motherhood, identity, and change. I share why I'm shifting direction, what's next for my brand, and how I'm learning to prioritise myself and my family without guilt.If you've ever felt like you've outgrown what you built, or that your success started to feel misaligned — this one's for you. What You'll Learn in This Episode:→ Why I decided to pause Lead with EQ and parts of my education work→ How motherhood changed everything — my priorities, pace, and purpose→ What alignment actually looks and feels like in real life (not just online)→ The fears and discomfort that come with burning things down to rebuild→ How I'm creating space for The Modern Day Mum and what's next→ Why emotional intelligence and nervous system regulation still sit at the core of my work→ What it means to choose yourself and how it transforms your family If you're a mum, educator, or business owner who feels pulled to create a life that actually feels good — this episode will remind you that it's safe to change direction.Change doesn't mean failure. It means growth, evolution, and choosing to live in alignment with your values and the season you're in. Work With Me I currently have two 1:1 coaching spaces open for the rest of the year.These sessions are for modern-day mums who are ready to regulate, realign, and rebuild their lives and businesses with emotional intelligence and nervous system awareness. Connect with Em Website: www.emmagentle.com.auInstagram: @em_gentleLinkedIn: Emma Gentle

In this episode, I'm breaking down how behaviour is actually a nervous system response, not a discipline issue.You'll learn how to recognise what's going on underneath the behaviour so you can respond in a way that actually helps your students come back to a calm, connected, ready to learn state.I'll also share the three nervous system states (based on polyvagal theory), what they look like in real classrooms, and why learning to regulate your own nervous system is one of the most powerful things you can do as an educator.What you'll learn in this episode:→ Why some kids "flip their lid" over tiny things like a pencil→ What nervous system dysregulation looks like in your classroom→ How shutdown, fight, flight and freeze actually show up in real students→ Why regulation always comes before expectations→ How your energy shapes the safety and behaviour in your room→ The difference between being calm vs being regulated→ How to support kids before they lose control If you're struggling with constant behaviour issues and it feels like nothing is working, this episode will help you shift your lens and show you what to focus on first.Free Training for TeachersFeeling overwhelmed, burnt out or just not enjoying teaching the way you used to?Download my free training: Teaching without the OverwhelmIt's short, practical and will help you feel more calm, confident and in control, without needing a perfect classroom.Connect with Em Website: ⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠Instagram: ⁠@em_gentle⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Emma Gentle⁠

In this episode, I'm talking about how to support neurodivergent learners in your classroom without having to create a hundred individual plans.Most classrooms aren't built with neurodivergence in mind.And when kids can't meet the expectations, we often fall back on the same old behaviour labels of "lazy," "disruptive," "off task."But what if it's not about the behaviour? What if it's about the environment?This episode gives you practical, realistic whole class strategies that help students who find things like noise, transitions, verbal instructions or social stuff hard, especially kids who are autistic, ADHD, or have sensory differences.What you'll learn in this episode: → What's really going on for students who "can't sit still," interrupt, or shut down→ Simple tweaks that make your classroom feel safer and calmer for every child→ What to do when kids can't start tasks or forget instructions→ How visuals, routines and chunking support working memory→ Why movement, quiet corners and regulation stations are essential→ What to reflect on if your classroom feels off, and where to begin It's about small, smart shifts that help all kids, not just neurodivergent ones to feel more calm, capable and connected.Free Resources for TeachersIf you're feeling overwhelmed and want to get back to enjoying teaching, download my free training for Teachers here → Teaching without the OverwhelmConnect with Em Website: ⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠Instagram: ⁠@em_gentle⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Emma Gentle

Some student behaviours feel harder to handle than others. Some classroom management strategies don't sit right with you, even though they're supposed to "work." Ever wondered why?Your mindset shapes everything about how you teach, how you see behaviour, how you respond to challenges, and even how you feel at the end of the day. But most of us have never stopped to think about where those beliefs come from.In this episode, I'm talking about → Why certain behaviours get under your skin more than others → How your own school experience shapes the way you teach → How your subconscious beliefs might be keeping you stuck in outdated classroom management approaches → Simple shifts that can change the way you respond in the classroomThe way you see behaviour shapes how you deal with it. When you start noticing the beliefs behind your reactions, you can handle things with more confidence and less stress.Shifting how you see student behaviour changes everything. When you move from control and compliance to curiosity and connection, your whole classroom dynamic shifts.If you're ready to go further, The Emotionally Intelligent Educator gives you the tools to break old patterns and feel more in control. Find out more HEREConnect with Em Website: ⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠Instagram: ⁠@em_gentle⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Emma Gentle

If you've ever felt like something is missing in your school community, whether it's student engagement, teacher retention, or just a general sense of belonging, this episode is for you.Guest host Matt Pittman is talking about one of the most overlooked solutions in education.Instead of sticking with bandaid fixes for disengagement, behaviour, or burnout, Matt shares how prioritising connection can shift your entire school culture and actually make teaching feel good again.Matt is the Head of Senior School at Catholic Regional College Caroline Springs, a Catholic secondary school in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, and the author of The Connection Curriculum.An experienced educational leader and a doctoral student researching connections across school communities, Matt's experience is varied, from the leadership of curriculum teams and programs to student wellbeing, student improvement and community engagement portfolios.He has led Positive Education and student support programs and has a passion for working with students, parents, and staff to develop new understandings of the needs of young people in the 21st century.What you'll get from this episode:→ Why connection is the actual foundation of behaviour, well-being, and engagement.→ How relationships, belonging, and meaning work together to create a thriving school community.→ What empathic curiosity looks like in practice (and how to ask better questions).→ Why emotional intelligence isn't just a buzzword.→ The difference between inclusivity as a policy vs. inclusivity as a practice (and why most schools get this wrong).→ How school leaders can create real, lasting culture change (without burning out their staff). Teaching should feel good. Connection is how we get there.A huge shoutout to Matt for taking over the podcast. If this episode resonated with you, make sure you hit follow or subscribe. We are just getting started.Connect with Matt PittmanLinkedIn: mattlukepitmanInstagram: mattlukepitmanBluesky: @mattpitman.com.au [BOOK] The Connection Curriculum - Igniting Positive Change in Schools Through Sustainable Connection Upcoming events Matt will be speaking at→ NEAA Staff Conference, Melbourne: 15 May→ EDUtech, Sydney: 11-12 June→ National Education Summit, Melbourne: 28-29 AugustGo to his website and social media for more informationResources for youCheck out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle, which is a 10-part guide to behaviour support grounded in connection and empathy. It's packed with resources to help you create a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming classroom that supports students holistically. Just $47 and full of actionable, real world strategies. Connect with Em Website: ⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

Boundaries are often misunderstood, but when done right, they create safety, structure, and predictability. The key ingredients for a classroom where children feel secure and engaged.If you've ever struggled with feeling like kids are walking all over you or wondered how to hold firm boundaries without resorting to control or punishment, this episode is for you.This episode is part of the EMpowered Podcast Take Over Series, where incredible educators take the mic to share their expertise on creating conscious and connected classrooms.Danica is an early childhood educator, university lecturer, practicum supervisor and mama of two. She is also the owner of Little Bloom, a platform that shares a multitude of information about child development, social-emotional learning and, most significantly, supporting children's behaviour and big feelings for early childhood professionals who support young children.After working in the early childhood space for over 16 years, Danica has recognised a fundamental need for a shift in the way that we support children's behaviour - people are seeking help with how to effectively support young children's behaviour and emotional development but are unsure of where to find this information.Through Little Bloom, Danica has made it her mission to bridge the divide between theory and practice by bringing evidence-informed information to early childhood educators by sharing personal anecdotes, camaraderie, current research and strategies.Here's what you'll learn in this episode:→ The difference between boundaries and limits (and why most people get this wrong).→ Why firm and fair boundaries create emotional safety for children.→ How to hold a boundary without yelling, shaming, or threatening.→ What to do when children push back against a boundary→ How boundaries actually support self-regulation and emotional growth.→ A simple framework to help you set boundaries effectively. Want more support with boundaries? Danica is running a workshop in April on limits, boundaries, and consequences, helping you use each of them as a tool to support behaviour, not control it. You'll walk away with a whole toolkit of practical strategies and a clear plan to make boundaries work in your classroom or home. Find the links on her instagram below!To keep in touch, you can find Danica here: Instagram: @littlebloom.consultancy Website – https://www.littlebloomconsultancy.com.au/ Email – hello@littlebloomconsultancy.com.auResources for youCheck out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle, which is a 10-part guide to behaviour support grounded in connection and empathy. It's packed with resources to help you create a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming classroom that supports students holistically. Just $47 and full of actionable strategies.Connect with Em Website: ⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

Rewards and punishments might seem like an easy way to manage behaviour, but do they actually work?In this episode of the Beyond Behaviours series, I'm talking about why extrinsic rewards and punitive consequences don't create long term behaviour change, and what to do instead.If you've ever relied on sticker charts, prize boxes, or detentions but found they don't really shift behaviour, this episode will give you a new way to think about it.What you'll learn in this episode:→ Why rewards and punishments control behaviour in the short term but don't teach long-term skills.→ How extrinsic rewards undermine intrinsic motivation and create a "what's in it for me" mindset.→ Why punishments don't address the root cause of behaviour and often leads to shame and disconnection.→ How understanding stress responses, unmet needs, and skill gaps changes the way we support behaviour.→ What to do instead—effective feedback, setting boundaries, and holding space for emotions while keeping the classroom safe. Free Resources for TeachersDownload the FREE Back to School Checklist here. A customisable checklist that walks you through setting up your classroom step by step. Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeNeed step-by-step guidance on replacing rewards and punishments with approaches that actually work? Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle. Only $47. It's packed with practical tools to help you build a connected, non-punitive classroom.Connect with Em Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

Welcome to the first episode of the Beyond Behaviours series, where I'm sharing quick and actionable steps to help you create a conscious classroom that feels safe, structured, and supportive from day one.This episode is all about routines and expectations—the essential building blocks for a classroom where children feel secure and ready to learn.If you've ever struggled with behaviours spiralling out of control or felt like your classroom just wasn't flowing, this is where you need to start.Here's what you'll take away from this episode:→ Why routines and expectations are the backbone of every successful classroom.→ How to create consistency and predictability to help children feel safe.→ The difference between routines and expectations—and why you need both.→ Why co-developing expectations with your class builds connection and engagement.→ How revisiting and practising routines all term long sets your classroom up for long-term success.→ Simple ways to get clear on your routines before the school year starts. Free Resources for TeachersDownload the Back to School Checklist here. A customisable checklist that walks you through setting up your classroom step by step. From routines to displays, lesson planning, and classroom organisation, this checklist will save you time and stress. Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeIf you're ready to dig deeper into creating a classroom that's trauma-informed, non-punitive, and built on connection, Check out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle. It's packed with 10 guides (including one on routines and expectations) and bonus tools to help you implement strategies that actually work. Only $47.See you next week for episode two, where we'll focus on setting up your classroom and learning environment.Connect with Em Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

In this episode, I dive into the self-doubt and comparison trap that many educators, both new and experienced, find themselves stuck in.If you've ever wondered why your brain zeroes in on what you're lacking and why you keep comparing yourself to other teachers, this episode is here to help.Here's what you'll learn:→ Why comparing yourself to others is normal but unhelpful.→ Practical strategies to shift from 'I can't' to 'I'm learning,' and how to consciously take steps toward confidence and competence.→ Why focusing on what you're doing well and celebrating your growth can help you rewrite your inner narrative.→ The importance of bravery in rewriting your story and stepping into your power. FREE WORKSHOPS IN JANUARY!I'm hosting two FREE live workshops to help you start 2025 on the right footTeaching Without the Overwhelm: How to Reduce Stress and Thrive in 2025🗓️ January 20th, 2025 at 3 PM AEDTA 60-minute workshop to help you go from reactive to regulated. Register hereQ&A for New Teachers: Everything You've Wanted to Ask🗓️ January 17th, 2025A chance for pre-service and graduate teachers to ask all the questions you've been too afraid to ask. Register hereI would LOVE to see you at BOTH of these workshops. You must be registered to get access.Other links mentioned in the episode:The EMotionally Intelligent Educator CourseFREE journal prompts to elevate your EQ.Connect with Em Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

Welcome back beautiful human!In this episode, I'm sharing three simple habits that can truly improve your wellbeing over the holidays and into 2025. These strategies are designed to help you relax, recharge, and step into the new year with clarity, calm, and purpose.Here's what you'll learn→ How these three habits can help you process the year, find clarity, and connect with the person you want to become.→ Simple techniques to regulate your nervous system, reduce stress, and avoid burnout.→ How shifting your mindset can improve your relationships, reduce stress, and boost your overall happiness. These habits are more than just 'nice-to-haves.'They are evidence-based practices that will help you reduce stress, build emotional resilience, and find more dare I say 'balance' in your personal and professional life.These habits don't take much time but can make a huge difference in how you feel, both now and in the year ahead.FREE WORKSHOPS IN JANUARY!Before I head on maternity leave, I'm hosting two FREE live workshops to help you start 2025 on the right foot:Teaching Without the Overwhelm: How to Reduce Stress and Thrive in 2025🗓️ January 20th, 2025 at 3 PM AEDTA 60-minute workshop to help you go from reactive to regulated. Register hereQ&A for New Teachers: Everything You've Wanted to Ask🗓️ January 17th, 2025A chance for pre-service and graduate teachers to ask all the questions you've been too afraid to ask. **Register here**I would LOVE to see you at BOTH of these workshops. You must be registered to get access.Connect with Em Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Marg Thorsborne and Joe Brummer, two incredible thought leaders in trauma-informed and restorative practices.Together, they've written two books, Becoming a Trauma-Informed Restorative Educator and Becoming a Trauma-Informed Restorative School - Practical Skills to Change Culture and Behaviour.It's all about creating safer, more connected classrooms that focus on collaboration and wellbeing rather than compliance and punishment.We talk about the critical shift from punitive approaches to relational ones, how trauma-informed and restorative practices work together, and why this is essential for creating meaningful change in education.What you'll learn in the episode:→ Why trauma-informed and restorative practices must go hand in hand→ Learn how these approaches are intertwined and why schools can't truly adopt one without the other.→ The truth about punitive consequences and understanding the long-term costs of punishment on trust, mental health, and behaviour development.→ How co-regulation and relational neurobiology can transform classroom culture.→ Strategies and tools for educators for building trust, teaching skills, and holding boundaries without shame or compliance based tactics.→ How doing the work on ourselves as educators is the foundation for transforming our classrooms and communities. The Books Building a Trauma-Informed Restorative School: Skills and Approaches for Improving Culture and Behaviour Connect with Marg and JoeLinkedIn: Joe BrummerLinkedIn: Margaret ThorsborneResources for youCheck out my Creating Conscious and Compassionate Classrooms bundle, which is a 10-part guide to behaviour support grounded in connection and empathy. It's packed with resources to help you create a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming classroom that supports students holistically. Just $77 and full of actionable, real world strategies. Connect with Em Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@em_gentle⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Emma Gentle⁠