Shows
The Adventures After Teaching PodcastFrom Anxious to Happy: Renewed Energy in a New RoleOnce a Secondary Drama Teacher and Head of Drama, Serena felt frustrated with the “other elements” of teaching and wanted more time to focus on the “important stuff” with her students. Returning from maternity leave, and battling exhaustion both at work and at home, she was driven to seek a new role that better aligned with her values and passions. Initially taking on her job search alone, Serena joined the Academy last April and went on to secure a fantastic role as a Schools Resources Manager. Taking the best bits of teaching with her, she is now enjoying...2025-04-2239 minThe Adventures After Teaching PodcastTaking the Plunge into the Wider World“I’ve got to try something different.”Former History Teacher and Assistant Head, Simon remembers “running on empty all the time”. Following a conversation on the playground, Simon experienced a moment of realisation that teaching was no longer sustainable for him or his family, feeling “a weight off” after handing his notice in. Now an Account Manager for Unifrog Education, Simon’s new role involves problem-solving, relationship building, and continuing to make an impact on the world of education. He’s embracing the opportunity to work for a company that aligns with his values, whilst enjoying new-found...2025-04-1539 min
Uncorking a StoryWriting from the Margins, with Joanne Howard“Don’t be your own no—if the answer is no, let someone else say it. Don’t take yourself out of the race because of your own insecurities.” – Joanne HowardIn this episode of Uncorking a Story, we sit down with debut novelist Joanne Howard, author of Sleeping in the Sun, a historical fiction novel inspired by her grandfather’s childhood in India at the end of British rule. Joanne shares her journey from copywriter to published author, the emotional and creative process of writing her first novel, and how a pandemic pup named Kash bec...2025-04-0820 minThe Adventures After Teaching Podcast"It's Life-Changing": Rediscovering Life After Burnout“It had taken over my entire life.”Associate Assistant Headteacher and Head of Geography, Victoria found her ‘4 day working week’ became a 50-60 hour commitment, frequently working 12 hours on a Sunday. Struggling with feelings of not wanting to let people down, she eventually gave herself permission to move on to a new adventure. Now the Deputy Director of an education charity, Victoria enjoys a varied role that leans into her relationship building skills and strategic expertise. She is loving the opportunity to have an impact at a high-level in the world of education, as well as re-con...2025-04-0831 minThe Adventures After Teaching PodcastPutting the ‘Life’ Back into Work-Life Balance“It was fantastic until it wasn’t so fantastic anymore”Primary Deputy Head Giselle took a lot of positives from her teaching career, spending 23 years working in the same school with a “lovely team and a lovely community”. But, as a self-confessed people-pleaser, she eventually found herself wearing too many hats and, with increasing classroom commitments, the workload became unsustainable. Now an Operations Manager and Employability Lead for a CIC (Community Interest Company), Giselle is experiencing joy and fulfillment once again in this education-adjacent role. Enjoying relaxed mornings, time-freedom, and new opportunities for development in her unicorn...2025-04-0131 minThe Adventures After Teaching PodcastCoping, Not Thriving: Falling Out of Love with Teaching“It wasn’t a choice anymore … I had to go.”After 21 years of teaching in Secondary schools, Lucy found herself falling out of love with the job. Throughout her career she’d tried different role and different schools, but no longer felt the same passion for the profession that she once had. “I just didn’t feel like I was myself anymore,” she shares in this episode. Now a Teacher Resources Production Manager with OCR, Lucy has no regrets about embarking on her new adventure and is enjoying a life of hybrid working, renewed confidence, increased autonom...2025-03-2533 minThe Adventures After Teaching Podcast“I Feel Completely Different”: Exploring Diagonal Steps in Teacher Career Change“I can’t be in this position next year.”Primary teacher Vicky loved so many things about teaching but, after 20 years in the classroom, she found that the scope of her role had increased so much from when she first started her career. Regularly working until 9pm just to feel prepared for the next day, she felt like she was missing out on being present with her own family and knew that it was time for a change. Now a Regional Trainer with Literacy company Lexonik, and also one of the Adventures After Teaching Academy’s Associa...2025-03-1839 minThe Adventures After Teaching PodcastStimulation Without Stress: Landing A Role That Ticks All The Boxes“I wouldn’t go back.”Special school Assistant Head Clare was always taking care of others around her … not realising the impact that burnout was having on her own life. After finally giving herself permission to stop and being signed off sick from work, she started to explore other options outside of teaching - daring to dream of jobs that might combine both a healthy work-life balance and align with her interests.Now an EHC Coordinator for her local authority, Clare is enjoying still being a part of the education world in a role that offers “s...2025-03-1145 min
“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne CareyMark Howard and Chelsea Hoy: Leading Trinity Irish Dance Company to Celebrate 35 years of Innovative Irish Dance"Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey with special guests Mark Howard and Chelsea Hoy of Trinity Irish Dance Company.In this episode of Dance Talk, host Joanne Carey chats with Mark Howard and Chelsea Hoy from the Trinity Irish Dance Company discussing their personal journeys into Irish dance, the company, and the cultural significance of Irish dance. The conversation highlights the innovative choreography that sets Trinity apart, the importance of imagination in the creative process, and the upcoming 35th anniversary season. The episode emphasizes the power of dance to connect with audiences and the mission of inclusivity and kin...2025-03-0559 min
GSMC Book Review PodcastSleeping in the Sun by Joanne Howard | GSMC Book Review PodcastSarah sits down with author Joanne Howard to discuss her compelling historical fiction novel, Sleeping in the Sun. Set in the final years of the British Raj, this gripping story explores colonial tensions, family dynamics, and the struggle for identity in a rapidly changing India.At the heart of the novel is Gene Hinton, a young American boy growing up in Midnapore, India. His family, American missionaries, operate a boarding house on the outskirts of town, offering shelter to those in need. Though they live with the privileges of white foreigners, they are outsiders to British society. Gene’s...2025-03-0458 minThe Adventures After Teaching PodcastIt’s Time to Let Loose! Being Open to New Possibilities on Your Teacher Career Change Journey“I can’t do this anymore.”Secondary Science teacher, Susanna, was done with the classroom - but not with teaching! Still with a great passion for learning and for her subject, it was the commute, the pressure, and all those extra duties that were really taking a toll and brought her to the realisation that it was time for something new. Now a STEM educator for neurodivergent learners with online alternative provision Gaia Learning, Susanna is embracing the opportunity to be creative, enjoy flexibility in her life, deliver future-focused education that puts the learner first, and be...2025-03-0427 min
Writers' VoicesJoanne HowardIn Sleeping in the Sun, award-winning poet, Joanne Howard, presents her debut novel set in Midnapore, India, in the 1930’s during the last years of the British Raj. Told from two points of view, the story follows George Hinton, a 12-year-old boy who’s lived in India all his life with his American missionary family, and Read More 2025-03-0259 minThe Adventures After Teaching PodcastReigniting a Passion for Working with Young People: Fulfilment, Flexibility & Fun!“I’m not prepared to give up any more of my personal life” After spending 12 years teaching in special needs schools, Assistant Head Rachel loved working with children and young people but found herself frustrated by the lack of resources available to support them and overwhelmed by the impact of teaching on her home life. Joining the Academy in April 2023, Rachel went on to land herself a part-time role with children’s charity Barnado’s, and poured her additional time and energy into setting up a business that aligned with her passions and specialist expertise. Now running...2025-02-2533 min