The School of Wellbeing with Meg Durham

“What we carry each day might not change, but the way we carry it can.” - Dr Libby (PhD)What are you carrying that no one else can see?In this episode of The School of Wellbeing podcast, Meg Durham is joined by Dr Libby (PhD) to explore The Invisible Load: A Guide to Overcoming Stress and Overwhelm.Together, they unpack the hidden weight many people carry each day. The thoughts, responsibilities, expectations and emotional load that often go unseen but have a significant impact on energy, wellbeing and how people show up.They explore why stress is not just about what is happening externally, but how it is interpreted and responded to. The conversation highlights the pressure many feel to be seen as capable, kind and responsible, and how this can quietly add to the load they carry. Dr Libby also shares practical ways to begin to lighten that load through awareness, small shifts and self-understanding.This conversation will feel close to home for many people working in education because so much of the role is invisible. The emotional labour, the decision making and the constant care for others.----Chapter Markers:00:00 What is the invisible load?04:30 Why we create stress and how perception shapes our experience10:00 The pressure to be seen as capable, kind and responsible18:00 Why we say yes when we mean no25:00 The invisible load in the body, energy and nutrition33:00 Forward words and hidden expectations41:00 Lightening the load and shifting how we carry it48:00 What changes when the load feels lighter----Reflection Prompts:I am doing my best to juggle…One invisible rule I am living by is…I will give myself permission to...Right now, I need…----Episode 167 Shownotes - Click here----Dr Libby - Website | LinkedIn | Book | Instagram----Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | InstagramWeekly Newsletter - Subscribe hereSpeaker Booking - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.----Your Questions Answered:What invisible load do educators carry?The invisible load educators carry is the mental, emotional and physical weight that sits behind the visible work of teaching. It includes the constant thinking, planning, anticipating and decision making, alongside the emotional labour of supporting students, managing behaviour, communicating with families and caring deeply about outcomes.It also includes what happens beneath the surface. The pressure to be seen as capable and in control, the responsibility of holding multiple needs at once, and the quiet worries that follow educators beyond the classroom. For many, it is not just the workload, but the ongoing sense of responsibility and care that makes the load feel heavy.What makes this load particularly significant is that much of it goes unseen and unspoken, yet it shapes energy, wellbeing and how educators show up each day.Why do educators feel overwhelmed even when things look manageable?Overwhelm in education is not just about what is happening in the classroom, but how it is being carried internally. Educators are constantly thinking ahead, making decisions, managing behaviour and holding the needs of many students at once. Even on days that look “fine” from the outside, there is often a significant mental and emotional load running in the background.There is also an added layer of internal pressure. The desire to be seen as capable, caring and in control, to meet expectations, and to not let others down. Over time, this can keep educators in a heightened state of stress, where the body and mind rarely get the chance to fully switch off, even when there is no immediate crisis.How can educators start to lighten the invisible load?For educators, lightening the invisible load begins with noticing what is being carried beyond the visible work. The thinking after hours, the emotional weight of student needs, the pressure to respond, prepare and stay on top of everything. Simply naming this can be a powerful first step.From there, it’s about small, realistic shifts within the school day. This might look like taking time to eat lunch, setting limits around what is taken home, or pausing before saying yes to one more request. It can also involve questioning the internal pressure to be everything for everyone and recognising that capacity is not unlimited.Often, it’s not about doing less, but about carrying the work differently. Bringing awareness to what is yours to hold, what can be shared, and where you can better support your own energy so you can continue to show up in a sustainable way.----** The School of Wellbeing Podcast is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **

"When we're self-reflective, we bring our better self.” - Tracey Ezard Ever noticed how one person can shift the energy in a room? In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, Meg Durham is joined by leadership expert, keynote speaker and educator Tracey Ezard to explore how our presence, mindset and emotional tone influence school culture, team dynamics and professional relationships. Together, they unpack what it means to lead with authenticity, how self-awareness supports growth, and why the tone we set matters in every interaction. Whether you are in the classroom, on a leadership team or supporting others in education, this is a powerful reminder that who we are is just as important as what we do. In this episode, you will learn How our presence shapes school culture, connection and trust. Why authentic leadership builds stronger teams. When strengths become blind spots without reflection. What self-awareness and emotional intelligence make possible. Can honest conversation build more trust and clarity. This conversation is ideal for educators, school leaders and anyone passionate about teacher wellbeing, educational leadership and creating healthy, high-performing learning environments. Episode 153 Shownotes - Click here. ---- Tracey Ezard  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Books ---- Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **

“Let's recognise the autonomy and the power and the control we have to make schools great workplaces for educators.” Amy Green Workload in education is one of the biggest challenges facing schools today. It shapes the way teachers teach, the way school leaders lead, and the way students learn. In this episode, host Meg Durham speaks with Amy Green, educator, leader, and author of Teacher Wellbeing and Leading Wellbeing. Together they explore the reality of workload in schools, why clear processes matter for students and teachers, and how schools can create the conditions for deep work, clarity, and purpose. By tuning in, you will learn: How to manage teacher workload more effectively. Why perfectionism adds to the pressure. The importance of autonomy and competence for educators. Practical ways to protect staff time, energy, and focus This conversation will leave you with greater clarity, practical strategies for teacher wellbeing, and the encouragement to rethink not just how much work we do in schools, but why we do it and whether it is still fit for purpose. Episode 151 Shownotes - Click here. ---- Amy Green – Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Books ---- Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **

“Just because that's the way it's always been done doesn't mean that it actually works.” - Lael Stone Do you own your story, or does it own you? In this powerful and deeply relatable conversation, speaker, educator, and author Lael Stone shares insights from her new book, Own Your Story: Understanding Your Past to Create Your Future. Lael gently guides us through what it means to become curious about our triggers, take accountability for our growth, and start shifting the old stories that no longer serve us. In this episode, you’ll learn: What imprints are and how they’re formed in childhood How to recognise the beliefs that still quietly shape your behaviour What anger can teach us about our boundaries and unmet needs How to rewrite the stories we inherited and choose a different path forward This episode is a must-listen for educators, parents, and school leaders who want to lead with more emotional intelligence, compassion, and clarity. Episode 149 Shownotes - Click here. ---- Lael Stone - Instagram | Website | LinkedIn  ---- Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **

“The best resource we have for challenges is connection.” - Mathew Disher Is learning possible without wellbeing? In this episode, Meg Durham speaks with Mathew Disher, Director of Learning and Wellbeing at Concordia College, about the powerful connection between how we feel and how we learn. Together, they explore the Equilibrium Model of Wellbeing, the role of social resourcing, and why embracing challenge can foster growth for both students and staff. Mathew shares practical insights into leadership, cognitive load theory, professional anxiety, and the quiet strength of connection. Whether you’re a teacher, leader, or someone who supports schools, this conversation offers fresh ways to support wellbeing and learning in real, sustainable ways. Episode 147 Shownotes - Click here. ---- Mathew Disher - LinkedIn  ---- Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **

“Growth comes from reflection, not from perfection.” - David Bott What lessons can we learn from getting it wrong? In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, Meg Durham is joined by David Bott, Co-Founder of The Wellbeing Distillery and a globally respected educator, to explore the lessons we can learn from getting it wrong. Together, they unpack the emotional weight of mistakes, the power of vulnerability, and why professional arrogance can get in the way of truly understanding student needs. They discuss the balance between visible and invisible aspects of wellbeing, the importance of listening and student voice, and how mistakes can actually help us grow, connect and lead with more heart. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader or simply someone who’s felt the sting of getting it wrong, this conversation is a reminder that reflection, not perfection, is the key to meaningful growth. Episode 145 Shownotes - Click here. ---- David Bott Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ---- Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **

"When you are full of negative emotions, your learning shuts down." Dr Sue Roffey In this episode of The School of Wellbeing, Meg Durham is joined by psychologist, educator and author Dr Sue Roffey to explore the powerful connection between teacher and student wellbeing. Together they unpack Sue’s influential paper Pupil Wellbeing – Teacher Wellbeing: Two Sides of the Same Coin and the ASPIRE framework: Agency, Safety, Positivity, Inclusion, Respect and Equity. This practical and thought-provoking conversation invites educators and school leaders to rethink how we support the people at the heart of our schools. Learn how investing in staff wellbeing creates the conditions for students to thrive — and what it really takes to build a culture of care. Episode 143 Shownotes - Click here. ---- Dr Sue Roffey Website | LinkedIn | Teacher Wellbeing Paper | ASPIRE Framework ---- Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Weekly Newsletter - Subscribe here Speaker Request - Complete the booking form to start the conversation. ---- ** The School of Wellbeing is one of Australia's best health and wellbeing podcasts for teachers, educators and school leaders! **