EMpowered – Details, episodes & analysis

Why would a former Assistant Principal and Primary Teacher choose to homeschool?

It’s a question I’ve been asked a lot lately, and in this episode, I’m sharing my honest thoughts about why our family is seriously considering homeschooling.

After spending 14 years in the education system as a teacher, leader, consultant and behaviour specialist, I never imagined this would be something I’d consider.

But motherhood has completely changed the way I see children, learning and what young kids actually need to thrive.

This conversation isn’t not about criticising schools or teachers. This is not a conversation about whether homeschooling is better than school. I have so much respect for educators and know first-hand how hard they work within a system that places enormous demands on them every day.

Instead, this episode is about asking a different question: What is the best fit for our family?

I share my experience working in schools, what I’ve learned through studying child development, attachment, nervous system development and emotional intelligence, and why those experiences have led me to rethink what education could look like for my own children.

In this episode, I talk about:

-  What I believe young children need most in the early years

- The gaps I see between child development research and mainstream schooling

- Why emotional intelligence has become one of my biggest priorities for my children

- The myths around homeschooling and socialisation

-  Why I think the future of work and learning is changing rapidly

- The importance of trusting your own family values when making big decisions

It’s a conversation about having the courage to question what’s right for your family, even when it looks different from what everyone else is doing.

Resources for you

Wanting 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 Em

Website: ⁠emmagentle.com.au⁠

Instagram: ⁠@em_gentle⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Anthea Todd, chiropractor, women’s health practitioner, bestselling author and founder of Female Fundamentals.

We talk about the gap so many women find themselves in when they know something doesn’t feel right, but keep being told their tests are normal and there’s nothing wrong.

Anthea shares how years of working with women led her to question why so many symptoms were being dismissed and how that journey took her from chiropractic into women’s health, functional medicine, nervous system work and energy healing.

We also talk about:

- Why common doesn’t always mean normal when it comes to women’s health

- How symptoms are often messages from the body, not problems to silence

- What happens when we stay stuck in overthinking and avoid what we’re feeling

- The nervous system impact of rapid business growth and visibility

- Supporting yourself through motherhood, business and the different seasons of life

Anthea also shares the story of how a simple Instagram video unexpectedly changed everything, growing her audience from 2,000 followers to over 100,000 almost overnight and what that experience taught her about nervous system capacity, success and sustainability.

The more connected you are to your body, the easier it becomes to understand what you need, what is driving your behaviour and how to support yourself in a way that actually feels good.

Connect with Dr Anthea Todd:

Instagram: @drantheatodd
Website: www.femalefundamentals.com.au
Book: What’s My Body Telling Me?

Resources for you

Wanting 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 Em

Website: emmagentle.com.au

Instagram: @em_gentle

LinkedIn

Are you an educator feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or like you're surviving from one school holiday to the next? Wondering how to stay in this profession you love without sacrificing your wellbeing?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, I share from the heart, recording with my newborn snuggled up on my chest, about why emotional intelligence and nervous system regulation are not "nice-to-haves"… but essential tools for educators and school leaders today.

We dive into the real root causes of burnout, why so many teachers feel like they're drowning, and how we can begin shifting school culture from the inside out, without adding more to your already overloaded plate. Whether you're a teacher, leader, or support staff, you'll walk away with clarity, validation, and real next steps.

What you'll hear in this episode:

→ Why regulation is the missing link in education reform

→ How stress and unresolved trauma show up in the classroom

→ What happens when your nervous system leads the way

→ Why inner work is non-negotiable for teachers and leaders

→ The real impact of emotionally intelligent educators on students

→ How to shift your classroom and your life—starting with you

If you're ready to create a ripple effect in your classroom, school and home, this episode is your starting point.

✨ Ready to do the work? Join The EMotionally Intelligent Educator and DM me "READY" on Instagram for $100 off.

Resources + Links Mentioned:

→DM me "ready" on Instagram for your discount code

→Learn more about The EMotionally Intelligent Educator

Connect with Em

Website: ⁠www.emmagentle.com.au⁠

Instagram: ⁠@em_gentle⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠Emma Gentle⁠

Alice Vigors is a dedicated and passionate Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction, who uses her creativity, innovation and dedication to inspire others and build their capacity to make a positive difference to the education of all students. She has been a teacher and leader for more than 13 years, working in both the NSW Public and Catholic education systems. She is the author of the Thinking Classroom and co-host of the Teacher Takeaway podcast.

• Alice's journey into Education
• Alice's book 'The Thinking Classroom'
• What is critical and creative thinking and how do we facilitate this in the classroom?
• Using 'Thinking Routines'
• How can we use inquiry in our classroom if our school doesn't follow an 'inquiry' model
• Misconceptions about inquiry
• It doesn't have to be either/or
• Where does feedback sit within the inquiry cycle?
• Where to go to learn more about the inquiry process.
• New tips for Teachers

Find Alice here: 

https://thinkingpathwayz.weebly.com/

Instagram: @thingpathways

Find Em here:

https://thegradguide.com.au

Instagram: @thegradguide_

Amy is the founder of The Wellness Strategy, a published author, speaker, facilitator, and coach, and a leader in improving workplace culture and wellbeing in schools and organisations. As a past teacher and school leader, Amy is determined to change the way we view wellbeing to support our everyday and workplace needs. With a background in teaching and leadership and having studied human behaviour and positive psychology, Amy brings to the wellbeing space a fresh approach to what can be a sensitive topic. 

Em and Amy chat about:

• What it means to live in alignment with your values and when we don't how it impacts us
• Teacher wellbeing isn't one person's job
• Are we doing too much in schools?
• How we can take ownership and control of our wellbeing when we're in toxic environments
• Subjective wellbeing/Psychological wellbeing 
• Change is hard and our leaders are doing the best they can with what they know
• Old narratives- Don't reach out for support until you're flat on your face!
• Prevention is better than cure

You can follow Amy @_thewellnessstrategy or connect with her via her website https://www.thewellnessstrategy.com.au/

You can find Em on Instagram @thegradguide_ or via her website www.thegradguide.com.au

Aaron Johnston is an Assistant Principal from Central Coast, NSW. He graduated from Avondale College in 2008 with a Bachelor Education (Primary) Honours degree. Aaron has been in school leadership since 2015 and has taught all ages K-6. He has also worked in a variety of roles within schools including classroom teacher, wellbeing officer, and Learning & Support Teacher. He is passionate about providing students with rich and engaging learning experiences across all subject areas with a passion for wellbeing and curriculum. 

Aaron hosts the Teacher Takeaway Podcast along with three other incredible educators. Their aim is to inspire, encourage and equip educators with practical examples of quality practice and teach them how to embed the latest educational research into their classroom practice.

Em and Aaron chat about:

• How Aaron got into education

• Aaron's current role

• How new teachers can approach leadership when they have a problem

• What to do when you're a new teacher and you're not feeling heard

• How/when to involve leadership in situations with parents and students

• How to move towards a leadership position

•  

You can follow Aaron's teaching journey via his Instagram account @mr.j.learning.space

You can find Em on Instagram @thegradguide_ or at TGG's website www.thegradguide.com.au

Welcome to the new series- New Teacher Feature!! I will be chatting with teachers from all over Australia about their experiences as new graduates.

Today we unpack:

• Karina's favourite teacher
• Why Karina became a teacher
• Karina's experience with mentor teachers whilst on Prac
• Karina's experience with relief teaching
• Her favourite thing about having her own class
• Did Uni prepare you for teaching?
• The most challenging thing so far as a teacher
• What Karina's loving about TGGM

Enjoy listening to Karina's experiences in education so far.

If you'd like to connect, you can find me here:

Website: www.thegradguide.com.au

Instagram: @thegradguide_

TikTok: The Grad Guide

LinkedIn: Emma Gentle 

Jess and I speak about:

• How Jess went into teaching
• Jess's experience with her own well-being challenges/anxiety
• What contributed to Jess's anxiety as a new teacher
• Our belief systems and limiting beliefs- How they impact the way we show up as a teacher
• How new teachers look after themselves- We can choose OURSELVES and OUR STUDENTS
• Re-defining a 'good teacher'
• Creating a safe space for teachers to be vulnerable and share
• What Jess has seen new grads struggle with
• Understanding the value of yourself and your time
• Jess's definition of wellbeing 

Follow Jess on Instagram @jess.mason_

Follow Em on Instagram @thegradguide_ or contact her at her new website 

www.thegradguide.com.au

BONUS EPISODE!!

Miss Inclusivity is a graduate teacher, currently teaching Year 1/2, who is deeply passionate about inclusion in her classroom. Her commitment is to ensure that every student in her classroom feels valued and supported. She is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment through emotional regulation, visual scaffolds & cues, and a classroom where her students have FUN!
As a young teacher from QLD, Miss Inclusivity also makes accessories and resources for teachers as a creative outlet, has her own podcast: 'Miss Inclusivity The Podcast' and shares all of the navigations of teaching online through daily vlogs, teacher hacks & even teacher outfits!

Miss Inclusivity and I chat about:

• Her introduction to education
• Bridge's wins and challenges so far
• What she didn't expect as a new teacher
• What she is LOVING about TGGM
• Her advice to new grads

Follow Miss Inclusivity on Instagram @missinclusivity and TikTok

Bridge has given you all a discount to use on any of her products!! 20% off use TGG20

Follow Em @thegradguide_ on Instagram

Narissa is an education consultant specialising in literacy and leadership. She was a former primary school principal and she is passionate about empowering primary school teachers to deliver high-quality literacy instruction to all students. Narissa delivers professional learning, support and resources through her Oz Lit Teacher website and community. She also consults in schools and runs live workshops.

Riss is so down to earth and I just loved speaking with her today about high-quality literacy instruction. Let's get into it

• Riss' journey into Education
• The importance of an effective classroom environment
• Why Riss started 'Oz Lit Teacher'
• What are Mentor Texts and why are they amazing?!
• Riss' take on NAPLAN and how to prepare
• 6+1 Writing traits- Why Riss loves this framework!
• What leads to stagnated student growth in writing
• Why cold writes are great assessment tools
• Riss' opinion on scripted writing programs
• What to include in your writing block- What Riss says is missing in a lot of classrooms today
• Tips for new teachers

Find Riss at: https://www.ozlitteacher.com.au/

Instagram: @ozlitteacher

Find Em on Instagram @thegradguide_

The Grad Guide Mentorship opens Monday 27th March!!!

Join through the BIO on my INSTAGRAM!

Em