Ed Talks WA podcast series

Join us for Ed Talks WA, a podcast series featuring inspiring and thought-provoking guests, with surprising stories and conversations that focus on the world of education.

Episode 23 with Bob Hawke College’s Inclusion Coordinator Kate Reid

Inclusion isn’t a program at Bob Hawke College, it’s a core belief among everywhere there. It ensures that all students get the support they need and can learn alongside their peers. Kate Reid is the college’s Inclusion Coordinator and joins the podcast to discuss their win at the 2025 WA Education Awards and describe their inclusion journey.

 

Episode 22 with Professor Matt Sanders, founder of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

Resilience is a crucial life skill that young people need to thrive and grow as they get older. Professor Matt Sanders is the founder of Triple P and joins the podcast to chat about resilience, what it is, how it develops and how parents can support their children. He also shares helpful parent strategies and other supports Triple P offers to parents and carers.

Episode 21 with the winners of the 2024 WA Education Awards

As we head into WA Education Awards season for 2025, we revisit the ’24 winners. Leaders from the 6 winning schools describe what winning means to them and the whole school community. They also share details of the journey they have been on and celebrate the dedication of their staff. We also take a closer look at the 2 new categories for 2025, which includes the return of an individual staff award.

Episode 20 with Professor Fiona Wood AO, world leading burns specialist and surgeon

The incredible Professor Fiona Wood AO is a world leading specialist and national icon for her innovative and pioneering work in the development of burns medicine and care. She joins our podcast to share insights into the life-changing impact that Telethon WA funding provides medical research, including her own. She also discusses the Premier's Telethon Challenge, for which she is an ambassador for, and how it empowers kids to help kids, inspiring community action and fundraising for a brighter future.

Episode 19 with Inette Henn, Scitech manager and passionate STEM advocate

National Science Week is dedicated to celebrating all things science and technology and encourages people to engage with the industry. This year, Scitech is running free online excursions and Inette Henn, manager of Learning Futures at Scitech, explains what’s involved and why promoting STEM at school is so important for students. Inette also provides some handy tips for teachers, as well as details of professional learning that’s available to support them.

Episode 18 with Dr Scott Hollier, digital accessibility expert and passionate advocate 

Digital accessibility is about ensuring digital content, technology and services are accessible for people with disabilities. Dr Scott Hollier, from the Centre for Accessibility Australia, uses his experience of being vision impaired to help educate others. He explains how technology has improved and provides some tips of what simple things teachers can do in the classroom when it comes to accessibility.

Episode 17 with FightMND campaigners, Bec and Jan, also the family of football legend Neale Daniher

During a student forum, Neale Daniher, using AI voice technology, was able to use his own voice to share the inspirational story about his battle with motor neurone disease (MND). Neale’s daughter Bec, and his wife Jan, continue to fight on his behalf, and share with us how great change can be made from the smallest steps.

Episode 16 with Turia Pitt, a grassfire survivor, who is using that experience to motivate others

Turia Pitt made international news in 2011 when she suffered burns to 65% of her body when caught in a grassfire while running an ultramarathon. She’s not only survived, but is now a sought-after motivation speaker, whose courageous story can’t help but inspire.

Episode 15 with the 2024 Women of Achievement Award winner, Dr Antoinette Morris

Dr. Antoinette Morris, winner of the 2024 Director General’s Women of Achievement Award, shares her story about Fremantle Fast Track, an important alternative learning option that creates safe, supportive spaces to help students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Episode 14 with the creator of global sensation Bluey, Joe Brumm

We were thrilled to be joined by Joe Brumm after he was keynote speaker at the WA Education Awards 2024. Through his lovable animated blue heeler, Bluey, and her friends, Joe tackles issues facing families every day. He is an educator as well as a creative.

Sponsored episode, gives women a pathway towards financial independence

On Your Own Two Feet's Helen Baker is helping so many women plan for financial stability. Listen as she defines what financial literacy means and explains how you start your journey to take control of an important part of your life.

This episode was sponsored by Teachers Mutual Bank.

Sponsored episode, looking at home lending tips and myths 

Buying a home is often your biggest life investment. With so much commentary about home lending at the moment, we look at some factual information and help you sift through the myths.

This episode was sponsored by Teachers Mutual Bank.

Episode 13 explores post-secondary education pathways, with Shirley Parer

Options for students beyond secondary school have changed over the years. The Department’s Shirley Parer looks at some of the options that are now available.

Episode 12 celebrates World Teachers' Day, with Director General Jim Bell

In celebration of World Teachers’ Day 2024, Jim Bell shares his journey from classroom teacher to interim Director General.

Episode 11, with a pair of life-saving Australians of the Year

Professors Richard Scolyer AO and Georgina Long AO share details of their ground-breaking melanoma research that is saving lives and discuss the importance of remaining safe when in the sun.

Episode 10 with outgoing Director General Lisa Rodgers PSM

After 6 years leading education in WA, Lisa Rodgers is moving on to the next stage of her career. Listen as she looks back at some of the challenges and triumphs of her time as the director general.

Episode 9 provides information and tips for families with students heading to secondary school

School psychologist consultants, Sarah Papaelias and Brendan Everett, provide tips to families with students who are moving into secondary school, including managing nerves during the big change and how to access support.

Episode 8 with Hockeyroo Amy Lawton

Amy dropped in on her way to the airport en route to the Paris Olympic Games. At 22, she’s competing in her second games. Bailey, 11, a star from School Sports WA and an Education Minister’s Running Challenge ambassador, helped with a few tough questions.

Episode 7 with the winners of 2023 WA Education Awards

With nominations open for the 2024 WA Education Awards, we talk to the most recent recipients of these honours. They explain why they nominated and what winning means to them, their staff, students and the whole school community. We also take a closer look at a new category for 2024, Excellence in wellbeing and learning.

Episode 6 with former tennis pro, turned author, Jelena Dokic

In Jelena Dokic's own words, "the least interesting thing about me is tennis". The former tennis prodigy was forced to deal with more as a young person than any one person should endure during a lifetime. And now she has found her voice through words.

Episode 5 with world-leading autism researcher, Professor Andrew Whitehouse

Professor Whitehouse explains 'Inklings', a life-changing program for babies aged 6-18 months who are showing early differences in social interaction and communication development. He explains that if we change the way we connect with babies, we can change their whole lives.

Episode 4, a 'top 10' with retiring Department executive member, Kevin O'Keefe

Kevin O'Keefe is preparing for his third and, probably, final attempt at retirement. He has spent 53 years in public education, as a teacher, principal, executive director and, more recently, as a member of the Department's corporate executive, advising on ways to improve education outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Episode 3 with CEO of Youth Focus, Derry Simpson

CEO of Youth Focus, Derry Simpson joined us to explain how they support WA's young people, with more than 40% of those aged 12 to 25 being diagnosed with mental health illnesses but only half those receiving help. Find out how you can help by supporting the annual Ride for Youth.

Episode 2 with school psychologist consultants, Sarah Papaelias and Brendan Everett

School psychologist consultants, Sarah Papaelias and Brendan Everett joined us to provide tips to families with younger students who are starting school for the first time, including managing nerves and accessing support.

Episode one with Dr Zali Yager from The Embrace Collective

Dr Zali Yager joined us to discuss the classroom program she's created so that WA teachers can help students love their bodies. She also explains how she and her team aim to help one million Australian kids with body image in just one year.

You can find our podcast on:

• PodBean
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Amazon Music.

You might also enjoy our Premier’s Reading Challenge podcast, Between our pages. We focus on WA stories and authors as we explore the wonderful world of books and reading. Our guests include some of our state’s most well-known and renowned authors.

Access the podcast series and information about the guests on the Premier's Reading Challenge website.