FLOURISHING EDUCATION - SAFER AND BRAVER SPACE(S) TO BE AND BECOME WELL TOGETHER

Fabienne Vailes
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to powerful, imperfectly perfect (and perfectly imperfect) conversations that shine a light on the richness of human BE-ings and their work. This podcast is a space to pause, listen, and explore what it really means to flourish in education and in life. Together, we take a mycelial approach to unlearning and reimagining education. Not through one-size-fits-all answers, but through connection, relationship, and the sharing of lived experience. Like mycelium beneath the surface, this is about building an interconnected, evolving network of ideas, voices, and ways of being. Let's go!

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 289 - Autistic people are as different as any other group with Dr Jenks

    I am deLIGHTed to share this new imperfectly perfect conversation was a podcast interview between Fabienne and Dr Emma Jenks⁠, a lecturer in psychology of education at the University of Bristol who researches neurodivergent students, particularly autistic students in higher education. Emma shared her personal journey of receiving an autism diagnosis in her early 20s during her PhD, which inspired her research focus on supporting neurodivergent students. Together we: discussed key terminology around neurodiversity and autism, including the shift from deficit-based diagnostic language to more strengths-based approaches, explored why more people are being diagnosed with autism today primarily due to increased awareness, better diagnostic criteria, and societal acceptance rather than an actual increase in prevalence. explained the challenges autistic students face in educational settings, including barriers to diagnosis, stigma, and the limitations of current support systems designed for neurotypical students. addressed the importance of inclusive teaching practices like offering multiple engagement options and allowing students choice in their learning approaches. Emma highlighted her collaborative training course developed with autistic students that provides insights into their experiences and needs for university staff. The conversation emphasised the need for more widespread education about autism and neurodiversity across educational systems, moving beyond medicalised approaches toward recognising individual differences and strengths within the autistic community. Link to the Training in Supporting Autistic Students - University of Bristol

  2. Sep 28

    Episode 288 - Anti-ableism and positive disability representation in education with Dr Jones and Dr Uytman

    In this imperfectly perfect episode of the Flourishing Education podcast, I interviewed Dr Siân Jones & Dr Clare Uytman about their work in disability and ableism in education. The conversation focused on their research at Queen Margaret University's Toy Box Diversity Lab, where they work to promote anti-ableism and positive disability representation in education. Dr Jones explained the difference between the medical and social models of disability, emphasising the importance of identity-first language and challenging ableist norms. Dr. Uytman shared her journey from a health psychologist studying amputation adjustment to becoming an ally in disability studies. Together, we explored their research on children's attitudes toward disability and the development of resources to help teachers move from a deficit-based understanding of disability to an inclusive approach. Dr Jones and Dr Uytman highlighted the need for curriculum redesign to properly address disability in education and stressed the importance of celebrating disabled joy rather than just meeting basic needs. The conversation concluded with a discussion of their freely available resources for teachers and recommendations for listeners to critically examine disability representation in their environments.You can read and access the full transcript here

  3. Sep 3

    Episode 287 - Eagerness and energy to engage with Teun van Son

    I am deLIGHTed to start in September with this amazing imperfectly perfect conversation with a fellow PhD student and a philosophy candidate from the Netherlands: ⁠Teun van Son⁠ We talked about his research and perspectives on education and environmental philosophy. Teun shared his journey into academia, his interest in ecofeminism and post-humanism, and how these frameworks inform his thinking about dualisms, relationships, and intimacy. He discussed the connections between environmental care, Eros, and the importance of engaging with the world in a way that honors the sacredness of life and allows for natural flow, rather than control. The conversation also touched on the challenges and inequalities within academia, the concept of unpaid labour, and the need to question societal norms around relationships and intimacy. Together we explored themes of trust, discomfort, and the importance of staying with the trouble, as well as the shift from allyship to being a principled accomplice in social justice work. Our dialogue emphasized the value of embracing discomfort, questioning dominant narratives, and fostering genuine relationships. And so much more... If you enjoy a deep philosophical conversation, then this episode is definitely for you!

  4. Jul 24

    Episode 286 - What if you could come, join a space and really be yourself? with Freedom to Learn

    Today I am deLIGHTed to share another imperfectly perfect conversation with 3 guests - Ratna, May Ling and Heidi who are all part of a group of people who hold Freedom to Learn and currently support and coordinate the network. I invited them to discuss the upcoming Freedom to Learn Forum which is happening between 13-17 August 2026, The Beeches, Sheffield, S33 0DA. This forum is a dynamic and fun space to imagine, create, play, and rest, woven together over four days through our relationships with each other and the land that hosts us. If like me, you have been 'unschooling' and 'deschooling' or if you are just starting and you are in search of a community you can meet in person and online, then I invite you to listen to this beautiful and rich conversation. Education can't happen with me, you, us alone. It's in relationship with our surroundings, with our environment, with people. What if you could join a space, a kind of place where you can be yourself? That's the invitation: What if you could come and really be yourself? What sort of magic could happen?Curious? Take a listen and find out more... Thank you Ratna, May Ling and Heidi for your time, energy and beautiful shares as part of this imperfectly perfect conversation.

  5. Jul 17

    Episode 285 - Practical Activism with Dr Harriët Bergman

    Today I am deLIGHTed to share a new episode for the Flourishing Education podcast. In this new imperfectly perfect conversation with Dr Harriet Bergman, we discussed Harriët's journey from being active in climate and student movements in the Netherlands to becoming a philosopher, trainer, and activist based in Amsterdam. Harriët also explained how her work combines academia with training social movements, drawing from her experiences in competitive debating and climate activism. Together we explored further: key philosophical concepts including epistemology, white supremacy, and white ignorance, with Harriët sharing how these ideas help make visible the invisible systems that shape our understanding. The conversation touched on the importance of sitting with discomfort as part of growth, the distinction between individual and systemic responsibility, and the concept of "climate obstruction" in addressing environmental challenges. We also addressed how emotions like anger are perceived differently based on identity, particularly how women's anger is often dismissed or misinterpreted. The conversation concluded with reflections on activism, with Harriët defining it as "the rent you pay for living on this planet" and emphasising that activism can take many forms, from large-scale protests to smaller actions like hosting a podcast. If you are interested in all aspects of activism, this episode is most definitely for you.

  6. Jul 3

    Episode 284 - Journaling as a positive powerful tool for our well-being with Dr Lucy Kelly

    Today, I am really excited to be sharing this new imperfectly perfect conversation for the Flourishing Education podcast. It's an extra special conversation as today I have the privilege of holding the space for one of my AWE-some PhD supervisors Dr Lucy Kelly Together we discussed: Lucy's research on educator well-being and perfectionism in education. Lucy shared her 13-year career at the University of Bristol, where she teaches PGCE English courses and leads research on reflective practice as a tool for educator well-being. We also explored: How reflective journaling can help educators manage the fast-paced demands of teaching by providing space for catharsis, celebrating achievements, and gaining perspective on challenging situations. Lucy explained that well-being is dynamic and holistic, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects, and emphasised that small daily practices can significantly impact overall well-being. We also addressed how perfectionism presents unique challenges in education, particularly given the endless to-do lists and multiple accountability systems, and Lucy shared her work on flipping the narrative around perfectionism to recognise both challenges and benefits. The conversation concluded with Lucy inviting you, the listener, to experiment with creative journaling practices to better understand your own well-being needs.MORE INFORMATION: Lucy's book "Re-imagining the Diary: Reflective practice as a positive tool for educators" Lucy's blog can be found here More information on the project Reimagining the Diary

  7. Jun 19

    Episode 283 - Why connection and community are so powerful with Dr Jordan Maynard

    Today I am deLIGHTed to share this imperfectly perfect conversation with Dr Jordan Maynard, focusing on her research with Gypsy Roma Traveller communities in education. In this episode: Jordan described her decade-long journey working with these communities, explaining the problematic nature of the GRT umbrella term and the diverse groups it encompasses, including Roma who were forcibly nomadic and Irish Travellers who choose nomadism. She detailed how her research aimed to create "relational stopping places": safe spaces where young people could express their cultural identities and challenge deficit narratives about their communities. Jordan shared specific examples from her 7-month study where young people organised an art exhibition to raise money for homeless charities and hosted their own Christmas party, demonstrating how they grew in confidence when given agency to determine their own activities. The conversation explored themes of : Structural racism, Cultural humility, and The importance of questioning Western educational frameworks that often view these communities through a deficit lens. Jordan emphasised that the research created an ongoing legacy through Learning Partnership West, which continues to replicate the approach across multiple settings. Thank you so much, Jordan for your time and your insights. I enJOYed every minute of it. Unfortunately, her thesis is not available online yet but you can reach out to Jordan via LinkedIn if you would like to get access: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-maynard-3b7b20270

  8. May 27

    Episode 282 - The importance of listening to teenagers' voices with Zifi Tung

    This podcast episode featured a conversation with Zifi Tung, a 26-year-old PhD student at the University of Bath researching teenage play and break/lunchtime activities in secondary schools. In this imperfectly perfect conversation, Zify shared her journey from growing up in international schools in Hong Kong and Beijing to her current research, which began as an exploration of play but evolved to examine how teenagers spend their free time in schools and how school policies impact their choices. The discussion revealed significant findings about gender differences in school spaces, with boys dominating sports areas while girls felt they had "nowhere to go and nothing to do," highlighting ongoing gender stereotypes and spatial barriers in educational environments. Together, we also discussed how the traditional Victorian-era schooling system needs reform to better address modern realities, including the impact of technology and changing societal needs, while emphasising the importance of listening to teenage voices and incorporating more hands-on, cooperative learning approaches to improve well-being and social skills.If you are interested in teenagers and well-being, this episode is for you! You can reach out Zifi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zifi-tung/

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About

Welcome to powerful, imperfectly perfect (and perfectly imperfect) conversations that shine a light on the richness of human BE-ings and their work. This podcast is a space to pause, listen, and explore what it really means to flourish in education and in life. Together, we take a mycelial approach to unlearning and reimagining education. Not through one-size-fits-all answers, but through connection, relationship, and the sharing of lived experience. Like mycelium beneath the surface, this is about building an interconnected, evolving network of ideas, voices, and ways of being. Let's go!

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