Voicing Education - The Podcast

Kathleen Cushnie

What does it take to be an impactful leader? This is the question I will seek to answer in Voicing Education - The Podcast which will explore educational leadership and personal development. I've been in education for 14 years and have a passion for self-worth, authenticity and empathetic leadership. Now as a senior leader, trainer and coach, my mission is to help new leaders and teachers aspiring to leadership become confident in their ability to lead others successfully by amplifying their voice. Subscribe to Voicing Education - The Podcast to be inspired and encouraged whilst moving forwards on your journey. There is power in your voice and it all starts with a conversation.

  1. 038 How can we become our best?

    Episode 1

    038 How can we become our best?

    Send us Fan Mail All episodes of The Legacy & Leadership Series are sponsored by Financial Joy Academy. In the first episode of our Legacy and Leadership series, we sit down with Dr. Peter Rios—an experienced speaker, author, and leadership coach with over 20 years of guiding leaders to achieve their best. Drawing insights from his book, Maximize!: 12 Keys to Unlocking Your Greatest Potential, Peter dives deep into why planning for personal growth is essential and how being intentional can help you define and reach success. Discover practical steps to unlock your greatest potential and start building a meaningful legacy.  Dr. Peter Rios is a bilingual speaker, author, organisational consultant, and leadership coach with over 20 years of experience across various industries. With a doctorate in strategic leadership and intercultural studies, he is a sought-after keynote speaker both nationally and internationally. Dr. Rios is passionate about leadership, personal growth, and organisational change. Together with his spouse, Dr. Ruby Gonzalez-Rios, he is dedicated to helping people maximize their potential and lead fulfilling lives. Highlights: 06:55  The importance of having a mentor17:20   Defining success26:25  Growth mindset, resilience and reason33:54  Navigating change 38:50  Justice and equity Connect with Dr. Peter Rios www.peterriosconsulting.com LinkedIn: Peter Rios This episode is sponsored by Financial Joy Academy.  If you are interested in joining the growing community of Dream Makers on their path to financial freedom. Join using my exclusive link and receive 15% off your first month's membership. Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for your support - it's much appreciated. For detailed show notes  visit www.voicingeducation.com More from Voicing Education: Subscribe: www.voicingeducation.com/podcastWebsiteInstagramLinkedInX

    1h 8m
  2. 039 How important is your persona as a leader? (Part 1)

    Episode 2

    039 How important is your persona as a leader? (Part 1)

    Send us Fan Mail All episodes of The Legacy & Leadership Series are sponsored by Financial Joy Academy. The second conversation in the Legacy and Leadership series, is with Zoubiya Ahmed.  In this first, of a two-part, conversation with Zoubiya Ahmed we discuss leaders and their leadership. Zoubiya shares her unique insights on authentic leadership, the importance of being intentional, and the lifelong value of learning.   Zoubiya Ahmed, an educational consultant and inspiring thought leader, who has spent two decades empowering leaders and cultivating dynamic learning cultures. With over 14 years of international leadership and management consulting experience, Zoubiya has coached more than 125 business and executive school leaders across 15 countries, helping them navigate complexity and drive impactful change. Highlights: 14:57  Appreciative enquiry19:07  Leadership style and intelligences 22:22  Being kind v Being Nice25:38  Leadership and learning 39:00  Awareness and insight42:58  Relationships and vulnerability Connect with Zoubiya Ahmed LinkedIn: Zoubiya Ahmed This episode is sponsored by Financial Joy Academy.  If you are interested in joining the growing community of Dream Makers on their path to financial freedom. Join using my exclusive link and receive 15% off your first month's membership. Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for your support - it's much appreciated. For detailed show notes  visit www.voicingeducation.com More from Voicing Education: Subscribe: www.voicingeducation.com/podcastWebsiteInstagramLinkedInX

    50 min
  3. 040 How important is your persona as a leader? (Part 2)

    Episode 3

    040 How important is your persona as a leader? (Part 2)

    Send us Fan Mail All episodes of The Legacy & Leadership Series are sponsored by Financial Joy Academy. In part two of this enlightening conversation Zoubiya Ahmed delves into the essence of authentic leadership, the power of being intentional, and her unwavering belief in the value of consistent learning. We discuss leadership composure, planning for personal growth and how your leadership is an experience for others. Zoubiya Ahmed is an educational consultant and thought leader with a passion for empowering leaders and fostering learning cultures. With two decades of experience in the education sector and over 14 years of international leadership and management consulting, Zoubiya has successfully coached more than 125 business and executive school leaders across 15 countries. Highlights: 2:24  Importance of composure10:35  Power trip trap15:25  Planning for personal growth21:05  Effective listening 34:10  Values 44:00  Self-care and boundariesConnect with Zoubiya Ahmed LinkedIn: Zoubiya Ahmed This episode is sponsored by Financial Joy Academy.  If you are interested in joining the growing community of Dream Makers on their path to financial freedom. Join using my exclusive link and receive 15% off your first month's membership. Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for your support - it's much appreciated. For detailed show notes  visit www.voicingeducation.com More from Voicing Education: Subscribe: www.voicingeducation.com/podcastWebsiteInstagramLinkedInX

    57 min
  4. 041 How does resilience transform trauma into leadership?

    Episode 4

    041 How does resilience transform trauma into leadership?

    Send us Fan Mail All episodes of The Legacy & Leadership Series are sponsored by Financial Joy Academy. The Legacy and Leadership series features insightful conversations with extraordinary individuals who are shaping the future through their leadership and impact. In this episode, we sit down with Zakary Zidane Guerfi, a former professional footballer and now the CEO and Founder of Sports2Inspire. Zakary is passionate about using his personal journey to inspire and empower the next generation, creating positive and lasting change in their lives. Through this conversation, Zakary reflects on his childhood experiences, the resilience he developed, and the values he gained from football. He shares how these lessons have shaped his approach to building a company that fosters human development through sport. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, growth, and the transformative power of sport. Highlights: 5:40     Childhood challenges and resilience building12:41      Escapism through sport17:32     Values learned from football24:00   Daily rituals and mindset development  29:38    Character building31:44     Understanding of self35:58    Gratitude and legacy of positive change43:34     Language and building relationships1:00:16  Goal settingConnect with Zakary Guerfi LinkedIn: Zakary Guerfi This episode is sponsored by Financial Joy Academy.  If you are interested in joining the growing community of Dream Makers on their path to financial freedom. Join using my exclusive link and receive 15% off your first month's membership. Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for your support - it's much appreciated. For detailed show notes  visit www.voicingeducation.com More from Voicing Education: Subscribe: www.voicingeducation.com/podcastWebsiteInstagramLinkedInX

    1h 17m
  5. 042 Why is advocacy important? (Part 1)

    Episode 5

    042 Why is advocacy important? (Part 1)

    Send us Fan Mail All episodes of The Legacy & Leadership Series are sponsored by Financial Joy Academy. The Legacy and Leadership series continues with this first, of a two-part, conversation featuring Baar Hersi, a dedicated mother of four and Assistant Principal at an inner London school. As the founder of the British Somali Educators Association, Baar is committed to advancing educational equity for Somali students and fostering a sense of community among educators. In this conversation, Baar discusses empowering families, the power of collaboration, and the importance of asking for help and building networks. Known for her passionate community advocacy, she emphasises strengthening home-school relationships and championing activism as a catalyst for positive change. Highlights: 12:23     Postive influence15:19     Empowering families21:46    Collaboration in the community43:05   Asking for help and networking52:02    Protecting yourself and managing emotionsConnect with Baar Hersi LinkedIn: Baar Hersi This episode is sponsored by Financial Joy Academy.  If you are interested in joining the growing community of Dream Makers on their path to financial freedom. Join using my exclusive link and receive 15% off your first month's membership. Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for your support - it's much appreciated. For detailed show notes  visit www.voicingeducation.com More from Voicing Education: Subscribe: www.voicingeducation.com/podcastWebsiteInstagramLinkedInX

    1h 7m
  6. 043 Why is advocacy important? (Part 2)

    Episode 6

    043 Why is advocacy important? (Part 2)

    Send us Fan Mail All episodes of The Legacy & Leadership Series are sponsored by Financial Joy Academy. The Legacy and Leadership series continues with the second episode, of a two-part, conversation with Baar Hersi. Baar is a dedicated mother of four and Assistant Principal at an inner London school. As the founder of the British Somali Educators Association, Baar is committed to advancing educational equity for Somali students and fostering a sense of community among educators. Baar shares her journey of balancing advocacy with leadership, offering profound insights into how emotions and intuition shape her decision-making process. We delve into the power of being intentional in leadership—how setting clear intentions can inspire meaningful change and foster lasting relationships. Baar also unpacks her unique approach to measuring success, moving beyond traditional metrics to focus on impact, growth, and resilience. Highlights: 11:06   Advocacy, emotions and intuition18:36  Being intentional25:18   Hopeful changes 29:53  Sustainable changes v Temporary fixes32:52  Measuring success as a leaderConnect with Baar Hersi LinkedIn: Baar Hersi This episode is sponsored by Financial Joy Academy.  If you are interested in joining the growing community of Dream Makers on their path to financial freedom. Join using my exclusive link and receive 15% off your first month's membership. Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for your support - it's much appreciated. For detailed show notes  visit www.voicingeducation.com More from Voicing Education: Subscribe: www.voicingeducation.com/podcastWebsiteInstagramLinkedInX

    42 min
  7. 044 What’s the intersection between art, education and cultural impact?

    Episode 7

    044 What’s the intersection between art, education and cultural impact?

    Send us Fan Mail All episodes of The Legacy & Leadership Series are sponsored by Financial Joy Academy. In this special episode, we take leadership beyond the educational landscape and into the dynamic world of music, arts, and creativity with our guest, Elijah. A writer, DJ, and creative visionary, Elijah has spent 15 years shaping London’s independent music and arts scene—spanning artist and label management, event production, and creative direction. Through his influential project Yellow Squares, he explores the nature of creative work, inspiring audiences worldwide through visual installations, an album, a book, and a lecture series. As a contributor to The Guardian and co-founder of the groundbreaking Grime label Butterz (2010-2021), Elijah has continually pushed boundaries, embraced change, and redefined success on his own terms. This conversation is a powerful addition to the Legacy & Leadership series, demonstrating that the traits of effective leadership—courage, risk-taking, and innovation—are universal, no matter the field. Whether you're leading a school, a creative movement, or a personal project, this episode will challenge you to see leadership in a whole new light. Highlights: 10:15    The importance of the feedback loop 17:28    Self leadership20:52   Risk v Balance28:55   Importance of learning 31:27    Experimentation35:39   Leadership qualities 55:40   Vulnerability and leadershipConnect with Elijah Instagram: Eli1ah Photo credit: Osman Ahmed Music - Yellow Square: Elijah, Jammz, Blay Vision This episode is sponsored by Financial Joy Academy.  If you are interested in joining the growing community of Dream Makers on their path to financial freedom. Join using my exclusive link and receive 15% off your first month's membership. Some links on this page are affiliate links which means that, if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thank you for your support - it's much appreciated. For detailed show notes  visit www.voicingeducation.com More from Voicing Education: Subscribe: www.voicingeducation.com/podcastWebsiteInstagramLinkedInX

    1h 14m

Trailers

About

What does it take to be an impactful leader? This is the question I will seek to answer in Voicing Education - The Podcast which will explore educational leadership and personal development. I've been in education for 14 years and have a passion for self-worth, authenticity and empathetic leadership. Now as a senior leader, trainer and coach, my mission is to help new leaders and teachers aspiring to leadership become confident in their ability to lead others successfully by amplifying their voice. Subscribe to Voicing Education - The Podcast to be inspired and encouraged whilst moving forwards on your journey. There is power in your voice and it all starts with a conversation.