Creative Minds; Shaping the Future

Emma Palastanga

This podcast is a space to discuss creativity: in society, in the workplace, in education.  In each episode we explore definitions of creativity with guests from a range of backgrounds and ask whether or not creativity has a place in education. If you enjoy the podcast you might also like my book 'A creative primary curriculum for all' https://amzn.eu/d/0UTTfsk Background music provided by:  Chloe Clayton

  1. 16h ago

    Can cramming for tests have negative consequences? (S2 Ep10)

    What sparked your curiosity in this episode? Please send a text or voice note here... Prof. Adele Diamond, PhD, FRSC is the Canada Research Chair, Pioneer and Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. She holds a PhD from Harvard and was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale Medical School. She has been named one of the “2000 Outstanding Women of the 20th Century,” and has been listed as one the 15 most influential neuroscientists alive today.  Prof. Diamond is a world leader in Psychology and Neuroscience and has given over 600 keynote addresses and invited talks, including at the White House and to the Dalai Lama. Her CV is mind-blowingly impressive. Her work in executive functions has demonstrated ways to help children succeed and has changed how people think about cognitive development. What particularly grabbed my attention was her statement that focusing exclusively on training cognitive skills is less successful than also addressing social, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs.  Useful links: Molyneux, T. M., & Diamond, A. (2025). Integrating social and emotional learning into mathematics education: A multiple case study of JUMP Math’s approach to creating socially and emotionally supportive learning environments. Behavioral Sciences (Special Issue on Social and Emotional Learning in Schools), 15, 1426 https://doi.org/ 10.3390/bs15101426    Diamond, A. (2013). Executive Functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 135-168. [Epub Sept 27, 2012 ahead of print]   doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143750   Diamond, A. (2012). How I came full circle from the social end of psychology, to neuroscience, and back again, in an effort to understand the development of cognitive control. In R. F. Subotnik, A. Robinson, C. M. Callahan, & P. Johnson (Eds.), Malleable Minds: Translating Insights from Psychology and Neuroscience to Gifted Education (pp. 55-84). Storrs, CT: The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, U. of Conn.   doi:10.13140/RG.2.1.2972.3284 (pdf) Diamond, A. (2010). The evidence base for improving school outcomes by addressing the whole child and by addressing skills and attitudes, not just content. Early Education and Development, 21, 780-793.   doi:10.1080/10409289.2010.514522  Publications are available for free download from: http://www.devcogneuro.com/AdeleDiamond.html#Pubs Further links to articles cited in this episode are available on request.  Support the show Subscribe today: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140148/supporters/new Thanks to Chloe Clayton - @clomyster on Instagram for creating the music for this podcast.  Please remember to follow so that you stay up to date with monthly episodes from 'Creative Minds; Shaping the Future'. You can also find me on various social media platforms, click here for signposts: https://flow.page/t5jnq-1668599555434

    Can cramming for tests have negative consequences? (S2 Ep10)

  2. Jul 21

    How can we avoid being 'cookie cutter humans'? (S2 Ep9)

    What sparked your curiosity in this episode? Please send a text or voice note here... Rachael Hall is a trained Royal Academy of Dance Classical Ballet teacher, Master Matwork Pilates teacher, Franklin Method Educator and Biomechanics Coach.  At the age of 11, she attended the Royal Ballet School and received full-time professional classical ballet training, which she says taught her to be conscientious, strive for the impossible and to push her limits. After graduating from The Royal Ballet School, she danced professionally with several companies, including The Royal Ballet, The Birmingham Royal Ballet and Ballet Im Aalto in Essen, Germany. In this episode we discuss the beauty of dance and the wider lessons it can teach us.  Useful Links: You can connect with Rachael in the following ways... Rachael's Website     Rachael's Instagram     Rachael's Facebook Support the show Subscribe today: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140148/supporters/new Thanks to Chloe Clayton - @clomyster on Instagram for creating the music for this podcast.  Please remember to follow so that you stay up to date with monthly episodes from 'Creative Minds; Shaping the Future'. You can also find me on various social media platforms, click here for signposts: https://flow.page/t5jnq-1668599555434

    How can we avoid being 'cookie cutter humans'? (S2 Ep9)

  3. Jul 9

    How can rap help you to discover who you are? (S2 Ep8)

    What sparked your curiosity in this episode? Please send a text or voice note here... Martin is a Live Poet, Creative Educator, Musician, Writing Tutor: Young People's Laureate for Wales 2013-16. He is also in a global folk band.  Martin began his practice as a creative educator in Liverpool in 1996 when he was put on a scheme for artists claiming unemployment benefit. Since then, he has facilitated workshops with 40 000+ participants in a very wide range of settings including Schools, Youth Groups, Youth Detention Centres and Adult Prisons to LGBTQ+ Groups, Homes for the Elderly, and Psychiatric Wards to mention a few.   Martin's work is centred on his belief that through creative practice we build key life skills such as self esteem, resilience and the confidence to communicate in a range of ways. His most popular workshop is on rap music which he can tailor to address any specific topic, theme or issue.  I’m delighted to have met Martin at a gathering of creative minds in London and so pleased that he has joined me today so that we can dig deeper into why he feels poetry, rap and creative expression in general is important for us all. Interesting links: A spoken word archive:  https://www.spokenwordarchive.org.uk/content/category/resources Farrago Poetry  http://london.e-poets.net Support the show Subscribe today: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140148/supporters/new Thanks to Chloe Clayton - @clomyster on Instagram for creating the music for this podcast.  Please remember to follow so that you stay up to date with monthly episodes from 'Creative Minds; Shaping the Future'. You can also find me on various social media platforms, click here for signposts: https://flow.page/t5jnq-1668599555434

    How can rap help you to discover who you are? (S2 Ep8)

  4. Jun 25

    Can collaborative music-making build communities? (S2 Ep7)

    What sparked your curiosity in this episode? Please send a text or voice note here... Chloe Clayton is a pianist, musical director, composer and teacher.  Chloe studied at Exeter College where she discovered a love for musical performance when playing within pop and rock ensembles. She then went on to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to pursue a career in piano performance and graduated with first class honours. Chloe has performed regularly not only as a soloist, but as an accompanist for solo singers, choirs, musical theatre ensembles, and as part of experimental music groups. Since graduating in July 2024, Chloe continues to perform alongside teaching the piano and composing original works.  You will all be familiar with Chloe’s work as she is in fact the composer of the theme music for ‘Creative Minds; Shaping the Future’. She listened carefully to the brief and was both creative with her musical skills and patient with me as I tried to explain my ambition for the piece, after several small revisions we had achieved the perfect soundtrack for a thought provoking podcast on creativity.  Today Chloe joins me to explain why she feels creative expression and music in particular are an essential feature of the school curriculum.  Useful links: https://linktr.ee/chloeclaytonpiano @clomyster Instagram Support the show Subscribe today: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140148/supporters/new Thanks to Chloe Clayton - @clomyster on Instagram for creating the music for this podcast.  Please remember to follow so that you stay up to date with monthly episodes from 'Creative Minds; Shaping the Future'. You can also find me on various social media platforms, click here for signposts: https://flow.page/t5jnq-1668599555434

    Can collaborative music-making build communities? (S2 Ep7)

  5. Jun 22 ·  Bonus

    Creative Spark 10

    What sparked your curiosity in this episode? Please send a text or voice note here... Would you like the opportunity to write and be published? Listen to this Creative Spark to find out how! This publication opportunity expired as of 1/7/26 Find me on LinkedIn for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-palastanga-b-ed-ma-ed-npqh-npqsi-mcct-ivetfa-970899101/ Support the show Subscribe today: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140148/supporters/new Thanks to Chloe Clayton - @clomyster on Instagram for creating the music for this podcast.  Please remember to follow so that you stay up to date with monthly episodes from 'Creative Minds; Shaping the Future'. You can also find me on various social media platforms, click here for signposts: https://flow.page/t5jnq-1668599555434

    Creative Spark 10

  6. Jun 9

    Giving a voice to the voiceless. (S2 Ep6)

    What sparked your curiosity in this episode? Please send a text or voice note here... Caroline Preston is a unique and contemporary origami artist. She has featured in global advertising for HSBC with Saatchi and Saatchi, Channel 5 TV, Vogue Magazine and exhibits nationally and internationally. She is also the Education Leader at Beaford Arts where experienced arts practitioners inspire imaginative learning techniques in which the arts can enrich education.  Today I am joined by Caroline and her colleagues. From their many years of experience, Beaford know that Arts based learning can support significant improvements in oracy and cross-curricular learning. Currently they are delivering a 3 year project,  ‘A Voice To Tell Our Story’. This project explores storytelling in four artforms aimed at developing creativity and inspiring greater confidence in speech, language and communication. Working with researchers from the University of South Wales and schools and artists from North Devon, the project funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation aims to help the next generation to speak up about what matters to them.  Support the show Subscribe today: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140148/supporters/new Thanks to Chloe Clayton - @clomyster on Instagram for creating the music for this podcast.  Please remember to follow so that you stay up to date with monthly episodes from 'Creative Minds; Shaping the Future'. You can also find me on various social media platforms, click here for signposts: https://flow.page/t5jnq-1668599555434

    Giving a voice to the voiceless. (S2 Ep6)

  7. Jun 2 ·  Bonus

    Curriculum and Assessment Review - Discussion (Creative Conversations Ep1)

    What sparked your curiosity in this episode? Please send a text or voice note here... This episode is the first in an exclusive series for subscribers; relaxed conversations with a panel of experts passionate about creativity. These episodes vary in length but are typically longer than the regular ones due to the nature of multiple voices in conversation.  As a subscriber, you can also contact us in the link above to 'send your musings' or pose questions for us to discuss.  Thank you for your subscription, it is vital for operational sustainability and is much appreciated.  Please continue to support the podcast by: 💡Sharing with a friend  💡Rating the show and writing a review 💡Providing feedback on what is working well and what could work better.  Support the show Subscribe today: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140148/supporters/new Thanks to Chloe Clayton - @clomyster on Instagram for creating the music for this podcast.  Please remember to follow so that you stay up to date with monthly episodes from 'Creative Minds; Shaping the Future'. You can also find me on various social media platforms, click here for signposts: https://flow.page/t5jnq-1668599555434

    Curriculum and Assessment Review - Discussion (Creative Conversations Ep1)

  8. May 26

    What if we empower children through creative writing? (S2 Ep5)

    What sparked your curiosity in this episode? Please send a text or voice note here... Karen Greaves is a children’s writer, tutor and workshop leader. She has worked as a tour guide, classroom practitioner and literacy intervention teacher. Her writing career has included a range of well-received stories and playscripts commissioned by the BBC, Channel 4, and Granada TV. Karen is a great believer that reading for pleasure empowers children to find the voice inside themselves and her workshops are aimed to develop writing skills, 'out-of-the-box' thinking, and an ability to understand the 'power' of writing. Her books focus on stimulating imagination and creative thinking and in this episode we explore why creative expression through writing is important in our schools. Links from the episode:  Trailer for 'What If...?' https://youtu.be/AQaEKDsKdw0 https://www.kdgreaves.com/ Support the show Subscribe today: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2140148/supporters/new Thanks to Chloe Clayton - @clomyster on Instagram for creating the music for this podcast.  Please remember to follow so that you stay up to date with monthly episodes from 'Creative Minds; Shaping the Future'. You can also find me on various social media platforms, click here for signposts: https://flow.page/t5jnq-1668599555434

    What if we empower children through creative writing? (S2 Ep5)
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This podcast is a space to discuss creativity: in society, in the workplace, in education.  In each episode we explore definitions of creativity with guests from a range of backgrounds and ask whether or not creativity has a place in education. If you enjoy the podcast you might also like my book 'A creative primary curriculum for all' https://amzn.eu/d/0UTTfsk Background music provided by:  Chloe Clayton

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