In this episode, I am delighted to welcome Matt Pitman, Head of School (Senior) at Catholic Regional College in Caroline Springs, who shares his profound insights on leading meaningful cultural change in educational systems that often default to standardisation.

Matt opens up about his journey of reframing wellbeing as central to academic achievement rather than a separate agenda, and the resistance he encountered from outdated leadership approaches early in his career. He candidly discusses the frustration and disillusionment that comes with feeling like you're "pushing against a tide" when pursuing deep systemic change, and how this emotional weight can create tension in decision-making.

Join us for an honest and inspiring conversation as Matt reveals his transformative approach to change leadership through research, storytelling, and building authentic alliances. He shares how writing The Connection Curriculum helped him articulate a vision that truly resonated with others, and why he shifted from traditional leadership to deep listening and coaching.

Most importantly, Matt demonstrates that sustainable change happens through partnership, not power, showing how investing in authentic connections moves people not because they're told to, but because they believe in the shared vision and understand their meaningful role in the journey.

Connect with Well-Nest:

Click HERE to book a leadership + wellbeing coaching discovery call with Aimee

LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall

Website: www.well-nest.com.au

Instagram: well_nest_collective_co

Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing

In this episode, I am delighted to welcome Kalea Haran, Principal at Penrhos College in Western Australia, who shares her inspiring journey of building trust and encouraging bravery among staff as a vibrant new leader in the school community.

Kalea shares her approach to connecting with staff who are still getting to know her supportive, judgment-free leadership style. She shares her successful strategy of consistently demonstrating her genuine care while joyfully celebrating each new relationship she builds. This refreshing perspective highlights the exciting opportunities educational leaders discover when joining established communities with rich cultures and potential for growth.

Join us for an uplifting conversation as Kalea reveals how she creates a harmony between encouraging innovation and fostering a warm, psychologically safe environment for her team. Most importantly, she exemplifies how authentic leadership thrives through positivity and persistence, showing that when you focus on nurturing meaningful connections with your staff, remarkable transformation blossoms naturally, turning initial hesitation into powerful collaboration and shared success.

Connect with Aimee:

Click HERE to book a leadership + wellbeing coaching discovery call with Aimee

LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall

Website: www.well-nest.com.au

Instagram: well_nest_collective_co

Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing

In this episode, I am delighted to welcome Ben Will, Principal at Holy Spirit in Western Australia, who shares his extraordinary experience of leading a school community through the devastating impact of Cyclone Seroja and its aftermath.

Ben reveals the immense challenges he faced in maintaining educational continuity while supporting traumatised students, concerned parents and dedicated staff during this natural disaster. He candidly discusses the emotional rollercoaster he experienced...from the initial crisis response to the long-term recovery efforts and the very real effects of burnout that followed. This honest reflection highlights the unique pressures that educational leaders face when their communities are struck by unexpected calamity.

Join us for an insightful conversation as Ben shares how the regional community rallied together in remarkable ways. Most importantly, he reveals how this challenging experience reinforced his understanding that authentic leadership isn't always perfect, but when your focus remains steadfastly on the students, great things can be achieved despite overwhelming circumstances.

Connect with Aimee:

Click HERE to book a leadership + wellbeing coaching discovery call with Aimee

LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall

Website: www.well-nest.com.au

Instagram: well_nest_collective_co

Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing

In this episode, I am delighted to welcome Ceanlia Vermeulen, who shares her challenging experience of supporting a demanding parent during the unprecedented difficulties of COVID-19.

Ceanlia reveals the delicate balance she maintained between meeting this parent's needs while also caring for their child, supporting her teachers and addressing the concerns of other families during a time of universal uncertainty. She candidly discusses the emotional toll this experience took...from feelings of frustration and inadequacy to the very real threat of burnout and how these challenges impacted her professional responsibilities and personal wellbeing. This honest reflection highlights the often unseen emotional labour that educational leaders face, especially during crisis situations.

Join us for an insightful conversation as Ceanlia shares the practical strategies that ultimately helped her overcome these obstacles. Most importantly, she reveals how this challenging experience reinforced her understanding that true leadership in education isn't just about problem-solving, but about approaching difficult situations with genuine empathy and compassionate communication.

Connect with Aimee:

Click HERE to book a leadership + wellbeing coaching discovery call with Aimee

LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall

Website: www.well-nest.com.au

Instagram: well_nest_collective_co

Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing

In this episode, I’m excited to welcome Phil Hart, Head of School at the British International School of Wroclaw. Phil shares his challenge of leading in an environment where the prevailing narrative suggests that things are broken and hopeless...a culture where transformation leadership becomes particularly daunting because change seems almost unattainable.

He candidly shares his frustration with colleagues who adopt a short-term view of life and work, contrasting sharply with his own long-term, infinite game approach to leadership. Phil’s reflections reveal that leadership success often has little to do with the ideas themselves and much more with the authentic ways in which leaders engage with their teams.

Join us for an engaging discussion on navigating complex organisational cultures and redefining transformational leadership in education.

Connect with Aimee:
Click HERE to book a leadership + wellbeing coaching discovery call with Aimee
LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall
Website: www.well-nest.com.au
Instagram: well_nest_collective_co
Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Mitchell Bristow, a school Principal who shares his experience of navigating a challenging leadership position where he couldn't fully be himself. Mitchell talks openly about the strain of working under intense micromanagement and the importance of authentic leadership.

We dive into the unique challenges of middle leadership in schools - why it's such a crucial yet demanding role and how principals can better support their middle leaders. Mitchell shares practical insights about professional growth, communication strategies and the importance of maintaining wellbeing in leadership positions.

This conversation offers valuable perspectives on finding your leadership voice and knowing when it's time for a change. Join us for an honest discussion about authentic leadership in education.

Connect with Aimee:
Click HERE to book a leadership + wellbeing coaching discovery call with Aimee
LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall
Website: www.well-nest.com.au
Instagram: well_nest_collective_co
Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Lisa Thorpe who shares her candid story of leading a school in crisis early in her career. In that previous role, Lisa found herself guiding a team through challenging times, from low inspection ratings to behavioural issues, requiring a complete reset of the school's approach.

We talk about her battle with imposter syndrome and the emotional rollercoaster of building trust from scratch. Lisa opens up about how she turned things around by focusing on what matters most...genuine relationships and being transparent with her team, students and parents.

This conversation is full of practical wisdom about authentic leadership and what it really takes to transform a struggling school. Join us to hear how listening, vulnerability and genuine connection can spark real change.

Connect with Aimee:
Click HERE to book a leadership + wellbeing coaching discovery call with Aimee
LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall
Website: www.well-nest.com.au
Instagram: well_nest_collective_co
Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing

In this episode, I am joined by Donna McNeight, a dedicated Numeracy Learning Specialist and Classroom Teacher, who shares her candid journey of implementing sustainable change in mathematics education.

We dive deep into her experience with the EMU (Extending Mathematical Understanding) program and the real challenges of maintaining momentum amidst constant interruptions while keeping staff engaged and motivated. Donna opens up about the emotional rollercoaster that accompanied her mission, from moments of intense frustration to unwavering determination.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the resilience required in educational leadership and the importance of sustainable, incremental change. Join us as we explore what it means to persist, adapt and succeed in transforming mathematics education.

Connect with Aimee:
Click HERE to book a leadership + wellbeing coaching discovery call with Aimee
LinkedIn: Aimee Presnall
Website: www.well-nest.com.au
Instagram: well_nest_collective_co
Other Podcast: Wonders of Wellbeing